HON. ALBINUS Z. SHELDON, since the early days of Colorado Mr. Sheldon has been closely identified with its history. When, in 1860, he arrived in Colorado City, it was a village containing a few cabins built of logs, but destitute of frame or brick houses. With all the transformation wrought in the years that have since passed by he has been intimately connected. In 1887-88 he built a large stone residence on Colorado Avenue and has since made this house his home. It is surrounded by ten acres of well-kept lawn, constituting a small island just outside of Colorado City and Colorado Springs.
The Sheldon family was first represented in this country about 1630. Noah Sheldon, of Massachusetts, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Rev. Chester Sheldon, the father, was born in Southampton, Mass., and devoted his life principally to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he labored without expectation of pecuniary reward. He died in Massachusetts when eighty-six years of age. His wife, Charlotte, was born in Massachusetts and died there at sixty-eight years of age. She was a daughter of Joel Moore, a farmer of Massachusetts, and her mother was a sister of Captain Bosworth, who was a well-known captain in the Revolutionary war. Our subject was one of five children, of whom four grew to mature years, namely: Mrs. E. A. Thayer, of Massachusetts; A. Z. ; L. L. , of Ontario; and Mrs. E. L. Hills, of Ontario.
In Southampton, Mass., our subject was born July 28, 1833. He was educated in Williston Seminary and Amherst College, where he spent two years in the civil engineering course. In 1855 he went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and in 1856 made the preliminary survey on the Vicksburg & Shreveport Railroad. In 1857 he went to Kansas, where he remained during most of the free state strife. He laid out towns on the Leavenworth & Fort Gibson Railroad, among them Burlington, DeSoto, Poland and part of Lawrence. When the legislature passed an act providing for a relocation of the old Santa Fe Trail he was appointed to survey it and find a shorter route. When a stagnation in business came in 1860 he assisted in organizing the first Lawrence party that came to Colorado. Just before the party started he was notified that he had received the contract for surveying the Indian lands in the Ottawa reservation. He soon completed the survey and then outfitted an ox-train and came to Colorado via the Arkansas route, with Benjamin F. Crowell, Fred Spencer and Jim Tappan. He arrived in Colorado City June 29, 1860, and spent the summer on the divide, during which time he discovered Palmer Lake. With his friends he built a cabin on the divide, which was named "Ivencracken." During the summer he engaged in hunting and in the fall returned to town. In 1861 he went to the mines in Breckenridge, Hamilton, Fairplay and Little French Gulch, and at the last-named place fitted up hydraulic works in order to secure water.
Returning to Colorado City in the fall of 1861, Mr. Sheldon began surveying, and made the connection with the fifth standard meridian, surveying the entire valley. In 1863 he was given the contract to survey portions of Pueblo, Douglas, Fremont, El Paso and Arapahoe Counties. Afterward, until 1877, he engaged in government surveys, and since then has been retired. He made the first government survey of the San Luis Valley, establishing the thirty-eighth parallel of latitude. For years he has been interested in mining. Since the organization of the Colorado City and Manitou Mining Company he has been its president, and under his supervision have been developed twelve claims on Bull Hill, on the ridge between Poverty and Grassy gulches, Cripple Creek, and on Galena Hill. He is also interested in the Home Mining Company and several others. At one time he was president and at another time secretary of the Colorado City Town Company, which was an important organization for twenty years. He also served as a director in Wheeler's Bank, Incorporated.
From the birth of the Republican party Mr. Sheldon has upheld its principles. While in Kansas he was a member of an association of free state men, formed to further the interests of those pledged to the free state cause and to afford them protection when in danger. In the early days of El Paso County he served as a justice of the peace for several terms, and ever since then he has been known as "Judge." He was the first county surveyor of El Paso County and held the office for years. In 1864 he was elected to the territorial legislature and served as a member of the second and last sessions, where he was chairman of the committee on ways and means. In 1864 he used his influence in behalf of the bill providing for the subdivision of government laud, which was passed and has remained unchanged ever since. He also forwarded other bills for the organization of counties. In 1864 Governor Evans appointed him one of the first three brigadier generals of Colorado, his duty being to organize militia in the different counties and establish defenses for the people. He was one of the first commissioners of the Deaf Mute School and served one term during the inception of the charity. As a member of the school board he assisted in building some of the first school houses in the county. At this writing he is vice-president of the El Paso
County Pioneers' Society.
Mr. Sheldon was married, in Colorado City, to Miss Calanthe Everhart, who was born in Ohio. Her father, Andrew Everhart, a native of Pennsylvania, was a machinist and manufacturer in Ohio, but in 1859 removed to Nebraska and the next year settled in Colorado. After mining in Gilpin County for two years he located on Bear Creek, Jefferson County, and embarked in the stock business. In the fall of 1863 he settled on a ranch occupying a part of the present site of Colorado Springs. When one of his sons, Charles, was killed by the Indians, in 1868, he removed to Colorado City and retired from ranching. He died April 15, 1880. His wife, Rebecca, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., and is now living in Colorado City. Her family name was Everhart, both she and her husband tracing their ancestry back to the Everharts of Wurtemberg. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon became the parents of three children, namely: Flora, Mrs. J. T. Janes, of Cripple Creek; Herbert, who died young; and Edgar.
From: Portrait and Biographical Record of the State of Colorado, 1899
Courtesy of Find A Grave contributor Ron West
From: The Real Pioneers of Colorado, Vol. 3, Page 238
HON. ALBINUS Z. SHELDON
Albinus Z. Sheldon was born July 28, 1833, one of five children born to Rev. Chester and Charlotte (Moore) Sheldon, natives of Massachusetts.
Albinus was educated in Willeston Seminary and Amherst College, where he spent 2 years in the civil engineering course. In 1855 he went to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and in 1856 made the preliminary survey on the Vicksbury and Shreveport Railroad.
In 1857 he went to Kansas where he remained during most of the Free State strife. He laid out towns on the Leavenworth, Fort Gibson Railroad, among them Burlington, De Soto, Poland, and part of Lawrence. When the legislature passed an act providing for a relocation of the old Santa Fe trail he was appointed to survey it and find a shorter route.
When a stagnation in business came in 1860 he assisted in organizing the first Lawrence party that came to Colorado. Just before the party started he was notified that he had received the contract for surveying the Indian lands in the Ottawa Reservation. He soon completed the survey and then outfitted an ox train and came to Colorado via the Arkansas route with Benjamin F. Crowell, Fred Spencer, and Jim Tappan. He arrived in Colorado City June 29, 1860, and spent the summer on the Divide, during which time he discovered Palmer Lake. With his friends he built a cabin on the Divide, which was named “Ivencracken.” During the summer he engaged in hunting and in the fall returned to town.
In 1861 he went to the mines in Breckenridge, Hamilton, Fairplay, and Little French Gulch and, at the last named place, fitted up hydraulic works in order to secure water.
Returning to Colorado City in the fall of 1861 Mr. Sheldon began surveying and made the connection with the fifth standard meridian, surveying the entire valley. In 1863 he was given the contract to survey portions of Pueblo, Douglas, Fremont, El Paso, and Arapahoe Counties. Afterward, until 1877, he engaged in government surveys and since then has been retired. He made the first government survey of the San Luis Valley, establishing the 38th parallel of latitude.
Since the organization of the Colorado City and Manitou Mining Company he has been its president, and under his supervision have been developed 12 claims on Bull Hill on the ridge between Poverty and Grassy Gulches, Cripple Creek, and on Galena Hill. At one time he was president and at another time secretary of the Colorado City Town County, which was an important organization for 20 years.
In the early days of El Paso County* he served as a justice of the peace for several terms and since then he has been known as “Judge.” He was the first county surveyor of El Paso County and held the office for years. In 1864 he was elected to the territorial legislature and served as a member of the second and last sessions, when he was chairman of the committee on ways and means.
In 1864 [Territorial] Governor John Evans appointed him one of the first three brigadier generals of Colorado, his duty being to organize militia in the different counties and establish defenses for the people.
He was one of the first commissioners of the Deaf Mute School and served one term during the inception of the charity. As a member of the school board he assisted in building some of the first school houses in the county. He was vice president of the El Paso County Pioneer Society.
Mr. Sheldon was married in Colorado City to Miss Calanthe Everhart, born in Ohio, a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Everhart. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon were born three children: Flora, Mrs. J. T. Janes, of Cripple Creek, Herbert, who died young, and Edgar.
The family home is located in Colorado Springs.
From: The Real Pioneers of Colorado, Vol. 3, Page 238
Courtesy of Find A Grave contributor Ron West
The Sheldon family was first represented in this country about 1630. Noah Sheldon, of Massachusetts, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Rev. Chester Sheldon, the father, was born in Southampton, Mass., and devoted his life principally to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he labored without expectation of pecuniary reward. He died in Massachusetts when eighty-six years of age. His wife, Charlotte, was born in Massachusetts and died there at sixty-eight years of age. She was a daughter of Joel Moore, a farmer of Massachusetts, and her mother was a sister of Captain Bosworth, who was a well-known captain in the Revolutionary war. Our subject was one of five children, of whom four grew to mature years, namely: Mrs. E. A. Thayer, of Massachusetts; A. Z. ; L. L. , of Ontario; and Mrs. E. L. Hills, of Ontario.
In Southampton, Mass., our subject was born July 28, 1833. He was educated in Williston Seminary and Amherst College, where he spent two years in the civil engineering course. In 1855 he went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and in 1856 made the preliminary survey on the Vicksburg & Shreveport Railroad. In 1857 he went to Kansas, where he remained during most of the free state strife. He laid out towns on the Leavenworth & Fort Gibson Railroad, among them Burlington, DeSoto, Poland and part of Lawrence. When the legislature passed an act providing for a relocation of the old Santa Fe Trail he was appointed to survey it and find a shorter route. When a stagnation in business came in 1860 he assisted in organizing the first Lawrence party that came to Colorado. Just before the party started he was notified that he had received the contract for surveying the Indian lands in the Ottawa reservation. He soon completed the survey and then outfitted an ox-train and came to Colorado via the Arkansas route, with Benjamin F. Crowell, Fred Spencer and Jim Tappan. He arrived in Colorado City June 29, 1860, and spent the summer on the divide, during which time he discovered Palmer Lake. With his friends he built a cabin on the divide, which was named "Ivencracken." During the summer he engaged in hunting and in the fall returned to town. In 1861 he went to the mines in Breckenridge, Hamilton, Fairplay and Little French Gulch, and at the last-named place fitted up hydraulic works in order to secure water.
Returning to Colorado City in the fall of 1861, Mr. Sheldon began surveying, and made the connection with the fifth standard meridian, surveying the entire valley. In 1863 he was given the contract to survey portions of Pueblo, Douglas, Fremont, El Paso and Arapahoe Counties. Afterward, until 1877, he engaged in government surveys, and since then has been retired. He made the first government survey of the San Luis Valley, establishing the thirty-eighth parallel of latitude. For years he has been interested in mining. Since the organization of the Colorado City and Manitou Mining Company he has been its president, and under his supervision have been developed twelve claims on Bull Hill, on the ridge between Poverty and Grassy gulches, Cripple Creek, and on Galena Hill. He is also interested in the Home Mining Company and several others. At one time he was president and at another time secretary of the Colorado City Town Company, which was an important organization for twenty years. He also served as a director in Wheeler's Bank, Incorporated.
From the birth of the Republican party Mr. Sheldon has upheld its principles. While in Kansas he was a member of an association of free state men, formed to further the interests of those pledged to the free state cause and to afford them protection when in danger. In the early days of El Paso County he served as a justice of the peace for several terms, and ever since then he has been known as "Judge." He was the first county surveyor of El Paso County and held the office for years. In 1864 he was elected to the territorial legislature and served as a member of the second and last sessions, where he was chairman of the committee on ways and means. In 1864 he used his influence in behalf of the bill providing for the subdivision of government laud, which was passed and has remained unchanged ever since. He also forwarded other bills for the organization of counties. In 1864 Governor Evans appointed him one of the first three brigadier generals of Colorado, his duty being to organize militia in the different counties and establish defenses for the people. He was one of the first commissioners of the Deaf Mute School and served one term during the inception of the charity. As a member of the school board he assisted in building some of the first school houses in the county. At this writing he is vice-president of the El Paso
County Pioneers' Society.
Mr. Sheldon was married, in Colorado City, to Miss Calanthe Everhart, who was born in Ohio. Her father, Andrew Everhart, a native of Pennsylvania, was a machinist and manufacturer in Ohio, but in 1859 removed to Nebraska and the next year settled in Colorado. After mining in Gilpin County for two years he located on Bear Creek, Jefferson County, and embarked in the stock business. In the fall of 1863 he settled on a ranch occupying a part of the present site of Colorado Springs. When one of his sons, Charles, was killed by the Indians, in 1868, he removed to Colorado City and retired from ranching. He died April 15, 1880. His wife, Rebecca, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., and is now living in Colorado City. Her family name was Everhart, both she and her husband tracing their ancestry back to the Everharts of Wurtemberg. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon became the parents of three children, namely: Flora, Mrs. J. T. Janes, of Cripple Creek; Herbert, who died young; and Edgar.
From: Portrait and Biographical Record of the State of Colorado, 1899
Courtesy of Find A Grave contributor Ron West
From: The Real Pioneers of Colorado, Vol. 3, Page 238
HON. ALBINUS Z. SHELDON
Albinus Z. Sheldon was born July 28, 1833, one of five children born to Rev. Chester and Charlotte (Moore) Sheldon, natives of Massachusetts.
Albinus was educated in Willeston Seminary and Amherst College, where he spent 2 years in the civil engineering course. In 1855 he went to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and in 1856 made the preliminary survey on the Vicksbury and Shreveport Railroad.
In 1857 he went to Kansas where he remained during most of the Free State strife. He laid out towns on the Leavenworth, Fort Gibson Railroad, among them Burlington, De Soto, Poland, and part of Lawrence. When the legislature passed an act providing for a relocation of the old Santa Fe trail he was appointed to survey it and find a shorter route.
When a stagnation in business came in 1860 he assisted in organizing the first Lawrence party that came to Colorado. Just before the party started he was notified that he had received the contract for surveying the Indian lands in the Ottawa Reservation. He soon completed the survey and then outfitted an ox train and came to Colorado via the Arkansas route with Benjamin F. Crowell, Fred Spencer, and Jim Tappan. He arrived in Colorado City June 29, 1860, and spent the summer on the Divide, during which time he discovered Palmer Lake. With his friends he built a cabin on the Divide, which was named “Ivencracken.” During the summer he engaged in hunting and in the fall returned to town.
In 1861 he went to the mines in Breckenridge, Hamilton, Fairplay, and Little French Gulch and, at the last named place, fitted up hydraulic works in order to secure water.
Returning to Colorado City in the fall of 1861 Mr. Sheldon began surveying and made the connection with the fifth standard meridian, surveying the entire valley. In 1863 he was given the contract to survey portions of Pueblo, Douglas, Fremont, El Paso, and Arapahoe Counties. Afterward, until 1877, he engaged in government surveys and since then has been retired. He made the first government survey of the San Luis Valley, establishing the 38th parallel of latitude.
Since the organization of the Colorado City and Manitou Mining Company he has been its president, and under his supervision have been developed 12 claims on Bull Hill on the ridge between Poverty and Grassy Gulches, Cripple Creek, and on Galena Hill. At one time he was president and at another time secretary of the Colorado City Town County, which was an important organization for 20 years.
In the early days of El Paso County* he served as a justice of the peace for several terms and since then he has been known as “Judge.” He was the first county surveyor of El Paso County and held the office for years. In 1864 he was elected to the territorial legislature and served as a member of the second and last sessions, when he was chairman of the committee on ways and means.
In 1864 [Territorial] Governor John Evans appointed him one of the first three brigadier generals of Colorado, his duty being to organize militia in the different counties and establish defenses for the people.
He was one of the first commissioners of the Deaf Mute School and served one term during the inception of the charity. As a member of the school board he assisted in building some of the first school houses in the county. He was vice president of the El Paso County Pioneer Society.
Mr. Sheldon was married in Colorado City to Miss Calanthe Everhart, born in Ohio, a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Everhart. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon were born three children: Flora, Mrs. J. T. Janes, of Cripple Creek, Herbert, who died young, and Edgar.
The family home is located in Colorado Springs.
From: The Real Pioneers of Colorado, Vol. 3, Page 238
Courtesy of Find A Grave contributor Ron West
HON. ALBINUS Z. SHELDON, since the early days of Colorado Mr. Sheldon has been closely identified with its history. When, in 1860, he arrived in Colorado City, it was a village containing a few cabins built of logs, but destitute of frame or brick houses. With all the transformation wrought in the years that have since passed by he has been intimately connected. In 1887-88 he built a large stone residence on Colorado Avenue and has since made this house his home. It is surrounded by ten acres of well-kept lawn, constituting a small island just outside of Colorado City and Colorado Springs.
The Sheldon family was first represented in this country about 1630. Noah Sheldon, of Massachusetts, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Rev. Chester Sheldon, the father, was born in Southampton, Mass., and devoted his life principally to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he labored without expectation of pecuniary reward. He died in Massachusetts when eighty-six years of age. His wife, Charlotte, was born in Massachusetts and died there at sixty-eight years of age. She was a daughter of Joel Moore, a farmer of Massachusetts, and her mother was a sister of Captain Bosworth, who was a well-known captain in the Revolutionary war. Our subject was one of five children, of whom four grew to mature years, namely: Mrs. E. A. Thayer, of Massachusetts; A. Z. ; L. L. , of Ontario; and Mrs. E. L. Hills, of Ontario.
In Southampton, Mass., our subject was born July 28, 1833. He was educated in Williston Seminary and Amherst College, where he spent two years in the civil engineering course. In 1855 he went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and in 1856 made the preliminary survey on the Vicksburg & Shreveport Railroad. In 1857 he went to Kansas, where he remained during most of the free state strife. He laid out towns on the Leavenworth & Fort Gibson Railroad, among them Burlington, DeSoto, Poland and part of Lawrence. When the legislature passed an act providing for a relocation of the old Santa Fe Trail he was appointed to survey it and find a shorter route. When a stagnation in business came in 1860 he assisted in organizing the first Lawrence party that came to Colorado. Just before the party started he was notified that he had received the contract for surveying the Indian lands in the Ottawa reservation. He soon completed the survey and then outfitted an ox-train and came to Colorado via the Arkansas route, with Benjamin F. Crowell, Fred Spencer and Jim Tappan. He arrived in Colorado City June 29, 1860, and spent the summer on the divide, during which time he discovered Palmer Lake. With his friends he built a cabin on the divide, which was named "Ivencracken." During the summer he engaged in hunting and in the fall returned to town. In 1861 he went to the mines in Breckenridge, Hamilton, Fairplay and Little French Gulch, and at the last-named place fitted up hydraulic works in order to secure water.
Returning to Colorado City in the fall of 1861, Mr. Sheldon began surveying, and made the connection with the fifth standard meridian, surveying the entire valley. In 1863 he was given the contract to survey portions of Pueblo, Douglas, Fremont, El Paso and Arapahoe Counties. Afterward, until 1877, he engaged in government surveys, and since then has been retired. He made the first government survey of the San Luis Valley, establishing the thirty-eighth parallel of latitude. For years he has been interested in mining. Since the organization of the Colorado City and Manitou Mining Company he has been its president, and under his supervision have been developed twelve claims on Bull Hill, on the ridge between Poverty and Grassy gulches, Cripple Creek, and on Galena Hill. He is also interested in the Home Mining Company and several others. At one time he was president and at another time secretary of the Colorado City Town Company, which was an important organization for twenty years. He also served as a director in Wheeler's Bank, Incorporated.
From the birth of the Republican party Mr. Sheldon has upheld its principles. While in Kansas he was a member of an association of free state men, formed to further the interests of those pledged to the free state cause and to afford them protection when in danger. In the early days of El Paso County he served as a justice of the peace for several terms, and ever since then he has been known as "Judge." He was the first county surveyor of El Paso County and held the office for years. In 1864 he was elected to the territorial legislature and served as a member of the second and last sessions, where he was chairman of the committee on ways and means. In 1864 he used his influence in behalf of the bill providing for the subdivision of government laud, which was passed and has remained unchanged ever since. He also forwarded other bills for the organization of counties. In 1864 Governor Evans appointed him one of the first three brigadier generals of Colorado, his duty being to organize militia in the different counties and establish defenses for the people. He was one of the first commissioners of the Deaf Mute School and served one term during the inception of the charity. As a member of the school board he assisted in building some of the first school houses in the county. At this writing he is vice-president of the El Paso
County Pioneers' Society.
Mr. Sheldon was married, in Colorado City, to Miss Calanthe Everhart, who was born in Ohio. Her father, Andrew Everhart, a native of Pennsylvania, was a machinist and manufacturer in Ohio, but in 1859 removed to Nebraska and the next year settled in Colorado. After mining in Gilpin County for two years he located on Bear Creek, Jefferson County, and embarked in the stock business. In the fall of 1863 he settled on a ranch occupying a part of the present site of Colorado Springs. When one of his sons, Charles, was killed by the Indians, in 1868, he removed to Colorado City and retired from ranching. He died April 15, 1880. His wife, Rebecca, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., and is now living in Colorado City. Her family name was Everhart, both she and her husband tracing their ancestry back to the Everharts of Wurtemberg. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon became the parents of three children, namely: Flora, Mrs. J. T. Janes, of Cripple Creek; Herbert, who died young; and Edgar.
From: Portrait and Biographical Record of the State of Colorado, 1899
Courtesy of Find A Grave contributor Ron West
From: The Real Pioneers of Colorado, Vol. 3, Page 238
HON. ALBINUS Z. SHELDON
Albinus Z. Sheldon was born July 28, 1833, one of five children born to Rev. Chester and Charlotte (Moore) Sheldon, natives of Massachusetts.
Albinus was educated in Willeston Seminary and Amherst College, where he spent 2 years in the civil engineering course. In 1855 he went to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and in 1856 made the preliminary survey on the Vicksbury and Shreveport Railroad.
In 1857 he went to Kansas where he remained during most of the Free State strife. He laid out towns on the Leavenworth, Fort Gibson Railroad, among them Burlington, De Soto, Poland, and part of Lawrence. When the legislature passed an act providing for a relocation of the old Santa Fe trail he was appointed to survey it and find a shorter route.
When a stagnation in business came in 1860 he assisted in organizing the first Lawrence party that came to Colorado. Just before the party started he was notified that he had received the contract for surveying the Indian lands in the Ottawa Reservation. He soon completed the survey and then outfitted an ox train and came to Colorado via the Arkansas route with Benjamin F. Crowell, Fred Spencer, and Jim Tappan. He arrived in Colorado City June 29, 1860, and spent the summer on the Divide, during which time he discovered Palmer Lake. With his friends he built a cabin on the Divide, which was named “Ivencracken.” During the summer he engaged in hunting and in the fall returned to town.
In 1861 he went to the mines in Breckenridge, Hamilton, Fairplay, and Little French Gulch and, at the last named place, fitted up hydraulic works in order to secure water.
Returning to Colorado City in the fall of 1861 Mr. Sheldon began surveying and made the connection with the fifth standard meridian, surveying the entire valley. In 1863 he was given the contract to survey portions of Pueblo, Douglas, Fremont, El Paso, and Arapahoe Counties. Afterward, until 1877, he engaged in government surveys and since then has been retired. He made the first government survey of the San Luis Valley, establishing the 38th parallel of latitude.
Since the organization of the Colorado City and Manitou Mining Company he has been its president, and under his supervision have been developed 12 claims on Bull Hill on the ridge between Poverty and Grassy Gulches, Cripple Creek, and on Galena Hill. At one time he was president and at another time secretary of the Colorado City Town County, which was an important organization for 20 years.
In the early days of El Paso County* he served as a justice of the peace for several terms and since then he has been known as “Judge.” He was the first county surveyor of El Paso County and held the office for years. In 1864 he was elected to the territorial legislature and served as a member of the second and last sessions, when he was chairman of the committee on ways and means.
In 1864 [Territorial] Governor John Evans appointed him one of the first three brigadier generals of Colorado, his duty being to organize militia in the different counties and establish defenses for the people.
He was one of the first commissioners of the Deaf Mute School and served one term during the inception of the charity. As a member of the school board he assisted in building some of the first school houses in the county. He was vice president of the El Paso County Pioneer Society.
Mr. Sheldon was married in Colorado City to Miss Calanthe Everhart, born in Ohio, a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Everhart. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon were born three children: Flora, Mrs. J. T. Janes, of Cripple Creek, Herbert, who died young, and Edgar.
The family home is located in Colorado Springs.
From: The Real Pioneers of Colorado, Vol. 3, Page 238
Courtesy of Find A Grave contributor Ron West
The Sheldon family was first represented in this country about 1630. Noah Sheldon, of Massachusetts, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Rev. Chester Sheldon, the father, was born in Southampton, Mass., and devoted his life principally to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he labored without expectation of pecuniary reward. He died in Massachusetts when eighty-six years of age. His wife, Charlotte, was born in Massachusetts and died there at sixty-eight years of age. She was a daughter of Joel Moore, a farmer of Massachusetts, and her mother was a sister of Captain Bosworth, who was a well-known captain in the Revolutionary war. Our subject was one of five children, of whom four grew to mature years, namely: Mrs. E. A. Thayer, of Massachusetts; A. Z. ; L. L. , of Ontario; and Mrs. E. L. Hills, of Ontario.
In Southampton, Mass., our subject was born July 28, 1833. He was educated in Williston Seminary and Amherst College, where he spent two years in the civil engineering course. In 1855 he went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and in 1856 made the preliminary survey on the Vicksburg & Shreveport Railroad. In 1857 he went to Kansas, where he remained during most of the free state strife. He laid out towns on the Leavenworth & Fort Gibson Railroad, among them Burlington, DeSoto, Poland and part of Lawrence. When the legislature passed an act providing for a relocation of the old Santa Fe Trail he was appointed to survey it and find a shorter route. When a stagnation in business came in 1860 he assisted in organizing the first Lawrence party that came to Colorado. Just before the party started he was notified that he had received the contract for surveying the Indian lands in the Ottawa reservation. He soon completed the survey and then outfitted an ox-train and came to Colorado via the Arkansas route, with Benjamin F. Crowell, Fred Spencer and Jim Tappan. He arrived in Colorado City June 29, 1860, and spent the summer on the divide, during which time he discovered Palmer Lake. With his friends he built a cabin on the divide, which was named "Ivencracken." During the summer he engaged in hunting and in the fall returned to town. In 1861 he went to the mines in Breckenridge, Hamilton, Fairplay and Little French Gulch, and at the last-named place fitted up hydraulic works in order to secure water.
Returning to Colorado City in the fall of 1861, Mr. Sheldon began surveying, and made the connection with the fifth standard meridian, surveying the entire valley. In 1863 he was given the contract to survey portions of Pueblo, Douglas, Fremont, El Paso and Arapahoe Counties. Afterward, until 1877, he engaged in government surveys, and since then has been retired. He made the first government survey of the San Luis Valley, establishing the thirty-eighth parallel of latitude. For years he has been interested in mining. Since the organization of the Colorado City and Manitou Mining Company he has been its president, and under his supervision have been developed twelve claims on Bull Hill, on the ridge between Poverty and Grassy gulches, Cripple Creek, and on Galena Hill. He is also interested in the Home Mining Company and several others. At one time he was president and at another time secretary of the Colorado City Town Company, which was an important organization for twenty years. He also served as a director in Wheeler's Bank, Incorporated.
From the birth of the Republican party Mr. Sheldon has upheld its principles. While in Kansas he was a member of an association of free state men, formed to further the interests of those pledged to the free state cause and to afford them protection when in danger. In the early days of El Paso County he served as a justice of the peace for several terms, and ever since then he has been known as "Judge." He was the first county surveyor of El Paso County and held the office for years. In 1864 he was elected to the territorial legislature and served as a member of the second and last sessions, where he was chairman of the committee on ways and means. In 1864 he used his influence in behalf of the bill providing for the subdivision of government laud, which was passed and has remained unchanged ever since. He also forwarded other bills for the organization of counties. In 1864 Governor Evans appointed him one of the first three brigadier generals of Colorado, his duty being to organize militia in the different counties and establish defenses for the people. He was one of the first commissioners of the Deaf Mute School and served one term during the inception of the charity. As a member of the school board he assisted in building some of the first school houses in the county. At this writing he is vice-president of the El Paso
County Pioneers' Society.
Mr. Sheldon was married, in Colorado City, to Miss Calanthe Everhart, who was born in Ohio. Her father, Andrew Everhart, a native of Pennsylvania, was a machinist and manufacturer in Ohio, but in 1859 removed to Nebraska and the next year settled in Colorado. After mining in Gilpin County for two years he located on Bear Creek, Jefferson County, and embarked in the stock business. In the fall of 1863 he settled on a ranch occupying a part of the present site of Colorado Springs. When one of his sons, Charles, was killed by the Indians, in 1868, he removed to Colorado City and retired from ranching. He died April 15, 1880. His wife, Rebecca, was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., and is now living in Colorado City. Her family name was Everhart, both she and her husband tracing their ancestry back to the Everharts of Wurtemberg. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon became the parents of three children, namely: Flora, Mrs. J. T. Janes, of Cripple Creek; Herbert, who died young; and Edgar.
From: Portrait and Biographical Record of the State of Colorado, 1899
Courtesy of Find A Grave contributor Ron West
From: The Real Pioneers of Colorado, Vol. 3, Page 238
HON. ALBINUS Z. SHELDON
Albinus Z. Sheldon was born July 28, 1833, one of five children born to Rev. Chester and Charlotte (Moore) Sheldon, natives of Massachusetts.
Albinus was educated in Willeston Seminary and Amherst College, where he spent 2 years in the civil engineering course. In 1855 he went to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and in 1856 made the preliminary survey on the Vicksbury and Shreveport Railroad.
In 1857 he went to Kansas where he remained during most of the Free State strife. He laid out towns on the Leavenworth, Fort Gibson Railroad, among them Burlington, De Soto, Poland, and part of Lawrence. When the legislature passed an act providing for a relocation of the old Santa Fe trail he was appointed to survey it and find a shorter route.
When a stagnation in business came in 1860 he assisted in organizing the first Lawrence party that came to Colorado. Just before the party started he was notified that he had received the contract for surveying the Indian lands in the Ottawa Reservation. He soon completed the survey and then outfitted an ox train and came to Colorado via the Arkansas route with Benjamin F. Crowell, Fred Spencer, and Jim Tappan. He arrived in Colorado City June 29, 1860, and spent the summer on the Divide, during which time he discovered Palmer Lake. With his friends he built a cabin on the Divide, which was named “Ivencracken.” During the summer he engaged in hunting and in the fall returned to town.
In 1861 he went to the mines in Breckenridge, Hamilton, Fairplay, and Little French Gulch and, at the last named place, fitted up hydraulic works in order to secure water.
Returning to Colorado City in the fall of 1861 Mr. Sheldon began surveying and made the connection with the fifth standard meridian, surveying the entire valley. In 1863 he was given the contract to survey portions of Pueblo, Douglas, Fremont, El Paso, and Arapahoe Counties. Afterward, until 1877, he engaged in government surveys and since then has been retired. He made the first government survey of the San Luis Valley, establishing the 38th parallel of latitude.
Since the organization of the Colorado City and Manitou Mining Company he has been its president, and under his supervision have been developed 12 claims on Bull Hill on the ridge between Poverty and Grassy Gulches, Cripple Creek, and on Galena Hill. At one time he was president and at another time secretary of the Colorado City Town County, which was an important organization for 20 years.
In the early days of El Paso County* he served as a justice of the peace for several terms and since then he has been known as “Judge.” He was the first county surveyor of El Paso County and held the office for years. In 1864 he was elected to the territorial legislature and served as a member of the second and last sessions, when he was chairman of the committee on ways and means.
In 1864 [Territorial] Governor John Evans appointed him one of the first three brigadier generals of Colorado, his duty being to organize militia in the different counties and establish defenses for the people.
He was one of the first commissioners of the Deaf Mute School and served one term during the inception of the charity. As a member of the school board he assisted in building some of the first school houses in the county. He was vice president of the El Paso County Pioneer Society.
Mr. Sheldon was married in Colorado City to Miss Calanthe Everhart, born in Ohio, a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca Everhart. To Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon were born three children: Flora, Mrs. J. T. Janes, of Cripple Creek, Herbert, who died young, and Edgar.
The family home is located in Colorado Springs.
From: The Real Pioneers of Colorado, Vol. 3, Page 238
Courtesy of Find A Grave contributor Ron West
Gravesite Details
Buried beside him are his wife Calanthe and his son Edgar.
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