Cullen, Patrick; 1905 Bio, Routt County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/routt/bios/cullenp.txt --------------------------------------- Donated April 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Patrick Cullen The versatile and resourceful race of people who inhabit the Emerald Isle have written their salient characteristics in every history of the world, in modern times at least, where valor is appreciated, energy is productive, poetry is pleasing, and sympathetic feelings enlist attention. In works of construction also, whatever the burden and howsoever little the reward, they have shown their worth, all obstacles yielding to their skill and readiness of resources, and all conditions being made subservient to their requirements. Among the conquests in which they have borne an honorable and highly serviceable part is the colonization and development of America from the time when as a new world she rose from her couch of long slumber to greet her lord in the period of discovery, until now when her last frontier has yielded to the march of civilization and become a portion of her wide and generous domain which ministers in countless ways to the good of mankind. Patrick Cullen, of Routt county, one of the makers and builders of the Western slope in this state, belongs to that race and has exhibited in his career many of its most valuable attributes. He was born in Ireland on March 1, 1865, and remained in that country until he reached the age of seventeen, receiving in its common schools the rudiments of an education and sharing in the destiny of toil and slender opportunities which it made inevitable to its people of his class. In 1882 he migrated to Scotland and for four years worked on farms in that country for small wages. Feeling all the while within him a longing for the land of promise across the sea, he finally, in 1886, yielded to the impulse and came to the United States, and on landing in the city of New York determined to remain there for a time, which he did, always finding work because he was willing and capable to do whatever offered in which there was no dishonor or want of proper remuneration. After spending some months in the great metropolis, he passed a year at Jersey City in the employ of the Erie Railroad, then , in 1888, sought a home and a more congenial situation in the great unsettled West, coming to Colorado and locating in Routt county. Here he concluded to devote himself to farming and raising cattle, and to this end pre-empted a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, which he improved and afterward sold. He then took up a homestead which forms a part of the ranch he now owns, which comprises two hundred and eighty acres, one-half of which is under cultivation in crops usual in the neighborhood, his principal resources being hay and cattle. He hesitated not to go to the real frontier, being one of the first settlers in the county, and locating here at a time when the whole country was yet in a state of almost primeval wilderness and free from the intrusion of the all-conquering white man and his lofty ambitions. Wild game was most plentiful, wild beasts were still numerous and defiant, and the savage peoples of the waste, who fed upon nature's unrestrained bounty, were yet in possession of the soil. He settled six miles southeast of Steamboat Springs, and here he has erected a fine farm, comfortably provided with good buildings and other improvements, and brought the reluctant land to a cheerful and generous obedience to systematic husbandry. The development and improvement of the surrounding country has been a matter of grave and practical concern with him, and he has labored assiduously in promoting it, omitting no share of the toil and responsibility that was properly his, and stimulating others to like industry and breadth of view by his influence and example. He is a Democrat in political affiliation and has ever been warmly and serviceably interested in the welfare of his party, and by his zeal in this and his general attention to public affairs, he has become widely known and well acquainted throughout the country, everywhere being recognized as a leading man and full of progressive spirit. His parents were Owen and Margaret Cullen, also natives of Ireland and after the manner of that country prosperous farmers. They are devout members of the Catholic church, and have carefully reared, according to their opportunities, a family of eight children, John, Dennis, Patrick, Joseph, Peter, Frank, Owen and Annie. A daughter named Elizabeth died many years ago. Mr. Cullen has not been disappointed in Colorado. The promise it held out to him has been fully realized, although the price exacted for the benefits offered has been required in full measure, and included plenty of hardship and privation, arduous toil and patient waiting. He is well pleased with the state and loyal to its every interest and aspiration. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. 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