Saguache County CO Archives Biographies.....Dunn, Dacre January 26, 1877 - ?
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Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net January 10, 2006, 4:40 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     Dunn’s Ranch, located twenty-three miles southwest of the town of Saguache,

in the county of the same name, represents in its present condition the

enterprise of two generations of thrifty and industrious men, alive to every

opportunity which fate has opened before them and ever ready to make the most of

one.   Although taken up in the very wilderness, hundreds of miles from any

center of civilization less than thirty-five years ago, it now has many of the

luxuries of modern life for the enjoyment of its owner and his family, and is

equipped with every convenience for its proper conduct which the sleepless eye

of science has discovered and the skillful hand of art has fashioned for such

work.  That it is well watered, highly cultivated and improved with modern

buildings and other appliances, need scarcely be said when it is remembered that

it is a Colorado ranch in the possession and under the management of an

energetic and progressive man; but that it should have an electric lighting

plant of its own, flooding the dwelling and other buildings and the grounds with

radiance at night, and be supplied with many other comforts usually unknown in

rural sections, and especially on ranch properties, is not only surprising to

all observers, but is a high tribute to the enterprise, breadth of view and

modern spirit of its owner.  He is a native of Sussexshire, England, born on

January 26, 1877, and the son of Dacre and Julia Dunn, the former born and

reared in Yorkshire, England, and the latter in Peoria, Illinois.  They came to

Colorado and located in Saguache county in 1870 [sic], and soon afterward

secured three hundred and twenty acres of the present ranch by pre-emption and

homestead claims, and by subsequent purchases increased their acreage to its

extent of twelve hundred acres, all of which has since remained to it.  The

father was a prosperous and progressive ranch and stock man, raising both cattle

and horses of good grades, and gave a large portion of his time and a liberal

share of his earnings to the development of the county.  He was one of its most

prominent and influential citizens, and left his impress broad and deep on its

industrial and civic life.  He moved into the section of his home when it was

almost without other settlers, and by his influence and example induced a number

of other families to locate there, and in this way, as well as by the exercise

of his enterprise in other directions, soon had the region a substantial

contributor to the wealth, consequence and power of the county.  In addition to

his property here he had interests in some English coal mines, yet what they

yielded was added to his resources for the development of his new home in the

western wilds of the new world.  He took an active and helpful interest in

American politics as a Republican, and was one of the controlling forces in the

councils and activities of his party.  He died in the midst of his usefulness on

January 19, 1900, and his wife passed away on June 19, 1901.  Their son Dacre

received a good business education in the schools and had in addition careful

training under the supervision of his father in the lines of business in which

he is now engaged.  He has been a resident of the state since 1877, and during

the whole of the period has been earnestly devoted to its welfare and progress.

 Since his father’s death he has managed the ranch and all its work of every

kind, giving every phase of its operations his close and careful attention and

making the utmost of every element of progress and profit.  The whole ranch is

under good fencing, has a first-rate modern dwelling and other good buildings,

an abundant supply of water and a private electric lighting plant, as has been

noted, from which the residence and barns are well lighted.  Nine hundred and

fifty acres are given up to hay and produces an excellent quality of this

commodity.  The herds of cattle are well bred Herefords and there are large

numbers of them.  The horses also are of good breeds and well cared for.  Mr.

Dunn is a Republican in political faith and, like all other good citizens, takes

an earnest and serviceable interest in the affairs of his party.  In fraternal

life he is prominently connected with the order of Elks and the Woodmen of the

World.  On October 28, 1903, he united in marriage with Miss Edith Franklin, a

native of Colorado and daughter of Harry and Alice Francklin, who live near

Monte Vista, and were early settlers in Colorado.  Mr. Dunn has succeeded to his

father’s prominence and influence in public affairs, not as an inheritance from

that worthy gentleman, but on his own merits, and is accounted one of the

leading citizens of his section of the state.  

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

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