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Sunday, October 5, 2014

Adeline Hornbeck - Early Pioneer

Post copyright by Doris McCraw



In 1878, Adeline Hornbeck purchased property west of Colorado Springs in what was known as the Florrisant Valley. Here the widow, with her four children, carved out a livelihood for themselves. Not only did the property have a well constructed home, but had many outbuildings including a milk and chicken house. The home itself was a marvel, the first two story home in the area when it was completed in 1878. It still stands today and was in use as a home up until the 1960's.

Adeline's journey began with her birth in July of 1833 in Massachusetts. It was there she met and married Simon A. Harker. They had three children, Franklin, Anna, and George. According to the 1860 the couple were in Creek Nation, Indian Land, Arkansas (Oklahoma) where Simon was an Indian agent, according to one record. By 1861 they moved to the Denver area and filed on 160 acres. Then in 1864 Simon died, he may have been sickly and moved to area for his health, leaving Adeline to fend for herself and the children. Showing her business sense she purchased 80 acres of the homestead, using a clause in the act, for $100.

In September of 1866 she married Elliot Hornbeck. They had a child together, Elliot Jr.. But things did not remain calm. Elliot disappeared in 1875. There is speculation he may have been married to another woman back east, he may have died, no one seems to know. But Adeline was not done yet. She accumulated enough cash to purchase the land in Florrisant Valley. It is from this base that she built her 'empire', although when starting out she worked in the mercantile in the new town of Florrisant.

Hornbek homestead 1.JPG

Adeline chose well. Her homestead was on the route to the gold and silver fields in the South Park area. Sitting on one of the tributaries of the South Platte River it had good pasture land, pine trees and water. She was also an astute business woman and was active in the community, holding social gatherings at her home and serving on the school board. By the time she paid off her homestead claim, in 1885, the property value was at least five times more than the original.

Adeline was still not done. Around 1900, at the age of 66, she married 47 year old Frederick Sticksel, an immigrant who came to the U.S. in 1882. Five years later, Adeline passed away at age 71 of  'paralysis'.

The land where Adeline Warfield Harker Hornbeck Sticksel built her home for herself and children is now part of the Florissant National Fossil Beds and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Adeline is buried in the Four Mile Cemetery, Florissant, Colorado.


Thank you for joining me on this short journey of a most interesting woman. There is a lot more about Adeline, but for now, we can remember and honor this pioneering woman.

For a follow up post about the region: http://writingwranglersandwarriors.wordpress.com/2014/10/06/settleing-west-of-pikes-peak/

Film and Photography on the Front Range” (Regional History Series): Colorado Springs, CO. Pikes Peak Library District 2012

Product Detailsavailable on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords



14 comments:

  1. Having grown up in Denver, I love reading about Colorado history. Well done, Doris. I enjoyed your article.

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    1. Thank you, Connie. Adeline's story has been in the back of my mind for sometime. It finally wanted to come out. Doris

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  2. Hi Doris. What an interesting post, and what a strong lady she was! Just look at that face! I wouldn't like to get on her wrong side! See now this here 'new thing' of toy boys and cougars isn't new at all! Her last guy was over 20 years younger, although she doesn't look like any cougar I've seen! I enjoyed this Doris thank you.

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    1. Jill, she was a force to be reckoned with. To do what she did, when she did it, just boggles my mind. I agree, there ain't nothin' new, just a re-imagining. (Grin).I know there is more to dig up, but even this was just the tip of the iceberg, so to say. Doris

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  3. Now I'm about crazy with wondering what the heck happened to her second husband. She must have been quite a woman to have married 3 times. Wow. She certainly proves that women can handle anything they take a mind to. She was pretty dang amazing.
    Terrific article, Doris. Home For His Heart has a beautiful cover. I didn't see a blurb, so I don't know what it's about, but it certainly looks interesting from the cover. Angela Raines is you?

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    1. Sarah,
      Yes, Angela Raines is me. I opted for the pen name, for I have so many other things I do and write under my own name, it just made sense to me. I'll put a blurb in next time. (Smile). Thank you for the kind words about the cover. The background is my photo and Livia made the rest of it look great. I can't thank her enough.

      I agree about her second husband. There have been so many theories, he died of poisoning, she killed him, he was a bigamist..and on and on. It would prove an interesting mystery to write. (All fictional of course.) Doris

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  4. What an amazing woman. Especially when she lived most of her life in a time when women couldn't vote.

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    1. I know, fascinating isn't it Barb. She was also smart enough to find a loop-hole in the Homestead Act, that allowed her to purchase and own her property out right. Someday this woman and I will have a sit down and I'll find out even more about her. (It's close to Halloween, so I can dream) Doris

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  5. Great post, Doris! Truth is always stranger than fiction. :-)

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    1. Most folks might not believe that statement, but any researcher will tell you otherwise. Thank you for the kind words Kristy, and thank you for the tweet. Doris

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  6. Interesting post, Doris, and interesting woman. A woman can't be soft and make it in the West and Adeline sounds like a true pioneer.

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    1. So true Kirsten, so true. I wonder how many 'modern' women would be able to take a trip back in time and do what she did? I know there are some who would thrive, but do build a successful 'ranch' with just herself and children...

      For years her story has fascinated me, I just finally decided to dig deeper and now I want to dig even more. (Sigh) Doris

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  7. Doris,

    As a Colorado native and one who is goofy over Old West history, I love it when you share Colorado history tidbits. *wink*

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  8. Got it Kaye. I love my adopted state and the history I find. It is so fascinating. Now that the summer tourist season is over, more time for library research. (I spend most Sundays in 'special collections' and hit paydirt on one of the women doctors I've been working on last Sunday after closing at 2pm.) Doris

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