In 1881, Mark Biedell, who had owned land in the area since 1865, opened a mining camp north of La Garita named Crystal. Frank White writes in his 1971 book, La Garita, that a shepherd brought Mr. Biedell two heavy black rocks and told the investor where he found them. Mr. Biedell gave the shepherd $200, a wagon and a horse to leave the Valley. The mines were active until 1928 and the Esperanza mine was reworked in the 1980s.
http://saguache.org/towns/la_garita/index.html

Biedell married Anna L. Barr 09 May 1874 in St. Louis, Missouri. They had two daughters: Anna (or Antonia)and Mary Frances (1877-1949). Mrs. Biedell died October 26, 1937 in Denver of cancer of the stomach. She was cremated. Anna (the daughter) married John L. Wilson and had at least two children: Mark Biedell Wilson (born 05 Dec 1898 - died 23 Jan 1982 in Fresno, California) and Gorgi E. Wilson (born ca 1900). Gorgi or Georgi may have married James Fairchild in Creede, Colorado 17 May 1919. pwc
=================================
San Juan Prospectors dated Oct. 22, 1920 and Oct. 29, 1920
The death of Mark Biedell occurred at his home this Friday morning. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. The exact date of his birth being unknown even to him, but his recollections of his early past as stated is that he ran away from home to join the forces of the United States in the war with Mexico. In that event, he probably was between fourteen and sixteen years old. He probably was about ninety years old at the time of his death.
He was one of the “49ers” in California, drifted to Mexico and to Central and South America, taking part in various political upheavals and revolutions in those countries. After returning to the United States, he came to the frontier where there was less population. He became a buffalo hunter on the Great Plains and established a trading post at Kit Carson to supply the hunters and the Indians as well as being a shipping point for the buffalo hides to the eastern markets.
He was closely acquainted with all of the old scouts and trappers of the early days. He came to Del Norte in 1874 and opened a large store in West Del Norte. When Del Norte ceased to be a distributing point for the San Juan Country, he sold out his business and engaged in ranching and cattle business on the La Garita in Saguache County. He was always interested in mining and spent some time at Bonanza where he had large holdings and at Silverton where he was also interested.
As he grew older, he moved to Del Norte where he lived at the time of his death. He was preceded by some years by his wife who passed away in 1908. She was the widow of Captain Barr of the United States Army when she married Mark Biedell.
He was non-sectarian in his religion and was a member of the Masons. He had two adopted daughters, Mrs. Anna Steward Wilson and Mary Turner Kuntz, (Mrs. Joseph A. Kuntz) one a resident of Del Norte and the other of Farmington, New Mexico.
~Courtesy of Louise Colville and Rosalind Weaver
==========================
Mary and Joseph Kuntz had at least three children: Mabel A., b ca 1902; George W., born ca 1906; and Avis, b ca 1916. All three were born in Colorado and were living in Farmington, New Mexico in 1940.
---------------------------------
Saguache Crescent, Volume 17, Number 18, May 6, 1897
Wedding Bells. At Del Norte, Colorado, April 28, 1897, Mr. John Wilson and Miss Annie Biedell, both of this city. Rev. John McLean officiating.
The groom is the eldest son of Judge Geo. P. Wilson of this place and is well and favorably known, having an abundance of friends. The bride is the adopted daughter of Mark Biedell, a prosperous ranchman on the La Garita. She is a bright, handsome young lady and among her associates is a general favorite. The best wishes of the Enquirer is added to the scores of others. --Enquirer
pwc