Saguache County CO Archives Biographies.....Schilling, John  July 1836 - ?
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Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 8, 2006, 1:48 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     So rapid has been the advance of the pioneer in this country at times, and

so close behind him the advance guard of civilization, that communities have

grown up on hitherto unoccupied territory almost between the vernal and autumnal

equinox, and where the last snows of one winter left at reckless wilderness the

first fall of the next found a hamlet of thrift and promise literally hewed out

of the forest or spoken by a word of command into being on the plain.  Although

it is but twenty-two years or less since John Schilling located on the ranch

where he now lives, seven miles southeast of Villagrove, Saguache county, and at

the time wild game was plentiful and but few white men were in the region, it is

now plentifully dotted with well-improved and productive ranches, the homes of

industrious and contented people, and prolific in the fruits of husbandry and

other results of skillful human workmanship.  Mr. Schilling is a native of

Ostwig province, Westphalia, Germany, where he was born in July, 1836, and where

he grew to manhood and received a common-school education.  He remained in his

native land until 1865, then came to the United States just as the long and

bloody war between the sections of our country was over and the mighty armies on

either side were melting into masses of people once more and turning their

attention from strife and carnage to the white harvests of peace and productive

industry.  His first location was at Marquette, Michigan, but not deeming the

outlook there promising for him, he went to Chicago and found employment in the

construction of the lake tunnel.  One day’s experience in this labor determined

him to seek a more congenial occupation elsewhere, and he journeyed to St.

Louis, Missouri. He passed two years mining coal at Dry Hills, five miles west

of that city, and at the end of that period moved to Wyoming, where he remained

until late in November, 1869.  On the 29th day of that month he located in the

Cottoncreek section of Saguache county, this state, and there he resided until

1882, when he bought a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres, of which he has

since sold one-half.  The rest he has well improved with good fences and

buildings, plentifully supplied with water, and all the land in condition for

cultivation.  Good crops of hay, grain and vegetables are raised, and these are

now the principal products, but until recently Mr. Schilling also engaged

extensively in the cattle business.  His ventures in this country have been in

the main successful, and he is comfortably fixed and well established on a firm

footing for larger operations and greater profits.  In political faith he is a

stanch Republican and he gives his party regular and hearty support.  On January

9, 1883, he united in marriage with Mrs. Louise Ellinghoff, who is, like

himself, a native of Germany.  She died on August 4, 1891.  One of the earliest

settlers in this region, Mr. Schilling is also one of its most respected and

representative citizens. He is earnestly and practically devoted to the general

welfare and improvement of his county and does his part in promoting its best

interests.  

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

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/saguache/bios/schillin235gbs.txt

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