AUGUSTUS C. ALBEE (1860)

Augustus C. Albee was born in Milford, Massachusetts, in 1835. His parents were Clark and Vianna (Holbrook) Albee, natives of Massachusetts. His education was such as was to be gained in the public schools of his native town. He followed his father's business of bookmaking until 1857 when he came as far west as Clinton, Iowa. For 3 years he was engaged in farming. When he needed merchandise he was obliged to drive 60 miles to Sioux City.

In 1860 he started with ox teams for Colorado, coming across the plains from Omaha to Denver 550 miles. Arriving in Denver in May 1860 he found a big snowstorm raging. He at once began teaming and freighting from Plum Creek to Denver; the next year he made several trips across the plains to Council Bluffs, allowing about 10 weeks for each journey. In 1862 he freighted to the mountains to the various mining camps: Black Hawk, Central City, California Gulch, and Breckenridge. In 1863 he commenced mining in French Gulch at Lincoln City on Bed Rock flume and continued there for 2 years. In 1865 he went into the dairy business on the Kiowa River, 40 miles from Denver, his main trade being in cheese. A year later he returned to Lincoln City and resumed work in the mines for about a year. The winter of 1866-67 he was associated with Warren Batchelor in general merchandising in Denver; the following spring he settled on the Platte River 43 miles northwest [sic] of Denver. He took up a homestead of 80 acres, which he has since sold. Then crossing to the eastern side of the road, he bought a quarter section of land on which he has since made his home.

He makes a specialty of raising draft horses and cows, keeping from 25 to 30 head of each. For 14 years he was secretary of the Farmers' Independent Ditch Company, which ditch he helped materially in getting constructed. He holds stock in this and the Big Bend Ditch of which he built one-third; besides, he is financially interested in the Albee and Warden Ditch.

In 1863 he married Helen E. Clark, daughter of Josiah Clark who came from Illinois to Colorado in 1859 and became a miner and prospector.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Albee: Louisa, deceased, Frank, Emma, Calvin, Ida, Susie, George, August, and Almira. The three last named are deceased.



THE REAL PIONEERS OF COLORADO
By
Maria Davies McGrath

Volume I



Added by: Scott B.