Erick Bottolfson
Marriages
Rachel Langeland Bottolfson - January 1865
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle County Blade page 1 - January 16, 1908
Erick BOTTOLFSON, another of the pioneers of the West, the vanguard of which is rapidly passing to the other side, died at his home on Gore creek on Sunday morning, January 12th, 1908, in his 76th year.
Mr. Bottolfson had been in failing health for several years, but an indomitable will kept him about, and his death occurred peacefully while sitting in a chair at his home.
Deceased was a native of Sweden and came to the United States when a young man. He first located in Illinois, but to the early days of this state came to Colorado, locating at Golden. He was one of the first of the early settlers to reach the site of the present town of Red Cliff, having arrived here in the spring of 1879. Since that time he had been actively identified with the town and the county. The Argo millsite, covering about five acres in the heart of the present town of Red Cliff, was located by Mr. Bottolfson and his partner, SMITH, and was carried to final patent after a vigorous contest. Mr. Bottolfson also located and proved up on what is known as the Bottolfson ranch on Homestake creek. About four years ago a ranch was purchased on Gore creek, although Mr. Bottolfson still retained considerable town property in Red. Cliff.
Mr. Bottolfson had experienced many hardships and privations and in his prime was a man of rugged physique and uncommon endurance. In the early days he has been known to carry mail and provisions on his back on snowshoes to Holy Cross city when there was no other who would venture out on the trip. He had had a number of narrow escapes from serious accidents. Two are recalled: While warming blasting powder in the kitchen stove (a not very uncommon practice among miners) the powder exploded while Mr. Bottolfson was sitting by. The stove was blown to pieces but miraculously Mr. Bottolfson was not hurt. While working in a mine shaft on one of his claims his Shepherd dog followed him to work and while his master was at the bottom of the shaft the dog fell on him, striking Mr. Bottolfson across the back and seriously injuring him. The shaft was sixty feet deep, but Mr. Bottolfson eventually recovered from the accident.
A family of four children, three boys and a girl, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bottolfson. The daughter and one son died when quite young, and other two boys, Cornelius and Ben, grew to man's estate but both died several years ago in Red Cliff. Mrs. Bottolfson survives him.
The funeral was held at the Red Cliff Congregational church on Wednesday, Rev. L. D. Jarrard conducting the services, with interment at Greenwood cemetery.
