Claude J Wilson

Came to Colorado with his parents in a covered wagon from kansas at the age of eight. Shortly thereafter had his leg amputated, in Meeker, after accident with runaway wagon. He spent the rest of his life on crutches. Attended Meeker Public Schools and later went to Fort Collins where he took a business course at the Agricultural College. Was a bookkeeper for Hugus & Co. and A. Oldland & Co. and was County Clerk and Recorder for many years until his death. He was associated with his father and brother in the operation of extensive ranch and cattle properties, H.T. Wilson and Sons, Inc. The ranch was located eight miles South of Meeker on Flag Creek. We try to document what happens to the family ranch, as told by Robert E. Wilson. Taos Jun 2009. One half of the shares of the ranch where given to Claude and his brother Fred, about 1930(?). The remaining half of the shares went his wife, Minerva. Fred becomes manager of the Flag Creek ranch, as Henry T. is less able to run the ranch. Claude focused on other activities. In 1924 Claude is defeated for re-election for county clerk and takes the family to California, for the winter. In the spring of 1925, Claude moves his family to the "shed" on ranch for the summer. In the fall of 1925, the family moves back to Meeker. Claude runs for County Clerk in 1928? and is elected. Fred obtains controlling interest in the ranch when Minerva passes away, in 1941. Half of her shares pass to Fred, giving him 50%, other half are given to Goldie, Bessie, and Beatrice. 25% of the ranch (Claude's share) is now controlled my Mary Louise. Between 1935 and 1941, Mary Louise assists Fred in running the ranch, mostly doing the bookeeping. Fred and his son Henry believe Mary Louise has no involvement in the ranch. Fred retires and moves to California, Henry runs the ranch until the end of WWII. Henry does such a poor job of running the ranch, stripping assets to support himself, and ends up selling the ranch land to ???????, a local sheep rancher. Apparently funds from the sale are kept by Henry and not divided between Mary Louise (25%) and Goldie, Bessie, Beatrice (25%).