Saguache County CO Archives Biographies.....Stahl , Philip May 3, 1845 - ? ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/co/cofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 8, 2006, 10:00 am Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado The great German empire, which in recent times has risen to a position of such commanding influence among the powers of the world and which has in every crisis of its modern history, gloriously maintained itself, is strong because of the strength of its people in their individual character, resources and determined, patient, plodding industry. And as one of the ambitions of that empire is extensive colonization, it has opened the doors freely to its sturdy men and women to go forth into every corner of the world and make the German name and the German type as great and respected abroad as it is at home. Multitudes of the empire’s teeming populations have sought homes and fortunes in other lands, and in none have they been more successful in their quest, or done more for the land of their adoption than in the United States. In our country their mark is plainly visible in every walk of life, and it is always to their credit. Wherever a worthy member of the race has pitched his tent among us his influence has been felt in beneficial ways, and his work has been productive of good to the locality. The subject of this brief review is a native of Germany, born in Bavaria near Hesse Darmstadt, on May 3, 1845, who came to the United States at the age of twenty, and in his career in this country he has well maintained the traditions and good name of his race. He is the son of Frank and Margaret Stahl, who were also Bavarians, and passed their lives in their native land. The father was a thrifty stone mason, and made a good living at his trade. He died in 1863 and his wife in 1877. They were devout and faithful members of the Catholic church and enjoyed the respect of all who knew them. Two of their children survive them, Philip and his sister Theresa. The son attended the common schools in Bavaria until he was thirteen years old, then worked on the farm belonging to the family until 1865. On June 16th of that year he set sail for what seemed to him the land of promise, and landed in New York after an uneventful voyage. After his arrival he worked for two weeks in an iron manufactory, then came to Colorado, making the journey from St. Joseph, Missouri, with three mule teams. One month was spent in the journey, the route being by way of Fort Kearney to Julesburg, then up the South Platte to Denver. A band of one thousand, three hundred hostile Indians who had been burning buildings and wagon trains, menaced the little party but did not molest it. Mr. Stahl remained in Denver from 1865 to 1873, doling cellar work in the Rocky Mountain Brewery of that day seventeen months, mining one month, ranch work two months and serving as clerk and helper in a hardware store the rest of the time. Denver was then a straggling and uncanny town of few inhabitants, but it already had the life and movement which gave promise of its future greatness. In 1873, determined to turn his attention to rural pursuits, Mr. Stahl left the capital city and moved to the Cottonwood section of Saguache county, where he purchased the improvements on his present ranch on which he in due time proved and has since resided. It comprises two tracts which adjoin and which together contain four hundred and forty acres. Nearly all of the land is under vigorous cultivation and yielding first-rate crops of hay, grain and hardy vegetables. Cattle and horses of superior grades are also raised in numbers. A special feature of the industry on this ranch is the culture of fruit, quantities of apples of fine quality being produced annually, and this being one of the few ranches in the county whereon fruit is grown. Having been among the very early settlers of the county, it goes without the saying that Mr. Stahl has been closely and actively connected with its progress and development from the time of his arrival here. Nature gave an empire in the territory and its people have been diligent, energetic, far-seeing and constant in making the most of it, and among them he has borne an honorable part in every phase and element of the work. He is practically a self-made man, and by that fact has the greater resourcefulness and adaptability, and is therefore all the more useful as a citizen, and independent and self-reliant as a man. He is widely known and highly respected, and gives earnest and helpful attention to the political campaigns as a devoted Republican, and to local affairs as a man interested in the enduring welfare of the locality of his home. He was married in 1866 to Miss Magdalena Ktachlaugher, a German by birth like himself. They have had six children. Of these August, Theresa and Margaret have died, and Joseph, Frank and Robert are living. Their mother died on February 11, 1883. Additional Comments: From Progressive Men of Western Colorado. Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/saguache/bios/stahl225gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cofiles/ File size: 5.4 Kb