Martin Mikelson papers
Scope and Contents
The Martin Mikelson papers is a collection of land abstracts, ephemeral pamplets, historical narratives, war ration booklets, and other materials related to the Mikelson and Ehmann families.
The collection contains land title abstracts on the transactional history of the Springcliffe Ranch dated from 1933; 1954; 1956; 1970; 1974; and 1975. The collection additionally includes an appraisal of the land of Martin's brother-in-law, John Joseph Ehmann, dated from 1990.
The collection contains two brief narratives on the development of the Catholic Church in areas outside of Denver. One narrative focuses particularly the religous order of the Franciscans, in Douglas. The other outlines the history of the Sacred Heart church in Elbert County, Colorado. Both are undated with an unknown author.
Some ephemeral materials comprise a portion of the collection. These materials include a family almanac and moon book dated from 1951 and "Health and Long Life." Both appear to have been collected from Van Lopik's Drug Store in downtown Castle Rock. Collection also contains a sewing handbook from Colorado Agricultural College Extension Service that belonged to Gertrude Ehmann Mikelson.
Dates
- 1921-1990
Access and Use
This collection is open to researchers. Archives and Local History material is non-circulating and requires staff retrieval. See archives.dcl.org for hours of operation.
Biographical Note
Martin Mikelson (1889-1963) came to Colorado from Boone County, Nebraska with in his family in 1916. The family settled in Julesburg, Colorado. He moved to Franktown after serving in the United States Army from 1917-1919. He worked in the trucking bussiness until 1944 when he bought two ranches, the Chamberlain Place and the Peterson Place. He married Gertrude Ehmann in 1936. According to an account in a local newspaper, Gertrude Ehmann Mikelson worked as a teacher at several schools in the area, including Deckers School, Lower Lake Gulch School, Sedalia School, and Kiowa School. She served on the Selective Service Draft Board in Douglas County during the Vietnam War. She was also responsible for beginning the Tri County Health Department.
Gertrude Ehmann Mikelson (1908-1993) was the granddaughter of German Catholic immigrants and pioneers, John Baptiste Ehmann (1839-1909) and Anna Meier Ehmann (1840-1914). John and Anna immigrated to Douglas County from Bavaria in 1888 with their five children, including Simpon Peter Ehmann (1868-1948), Getrude's father.
Simon Ehmann married Josephine Nock in 1902. In 1903, Simon purchased the Springcliffe Ranch where he lived and worked as a rancher until his death. Together they had five children: Rudolph Simon Ehmann (1902-1978), Louisa (Louise) Ehmann Cramer (1905-1931), John Joseph Ehmann (1906-1989), Gertrude Ehmann Mikelson (1908-1993), Simon Charles Ehmann (1909-1987), Edward George Ehmann (1912-1966).
Extent
1/4 Linear Feet (1 half-size legal document box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Martin Mikelson papers contains land abstracts and an appraisal of the Springcliffe Ranch, war ration books, narratives on the Catholic Church, and pamphlets and materials collected from local businesses. The materials were collected by members of the Ehmann and Mikelson families.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged chronologically.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Martin Mikelson in 2016.
Processing Information
Processed by Sarah Stevens.
- Americans Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Castle Rock (Colo.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Catholic Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Church Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Families Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- German Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Immigrants Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Land titles Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Ranches Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (Castle Rock, Colo.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Springcliffe Ranch (Spring Valley, Colo.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Upper Lake Gulch (Douglas County, Colo.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Guide to the Martin Mikelson papers, 1921-1990
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Sarah Stevens
- Date
- 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Archives and Local History, Douglas County Libraries Repository
Douglas County Libraries
100 S Wilcox St
Castle Rock CO 80104 United States
303-688-7730
localhistory@dclibraries.org
