History of early Bent Co. Colorado residents, as compiled from censuses, histories, directories, and other records. I will be attempting to locate these families in earlier times, as well as later. Check back from time time to see the new families, and any updates to them. If you'd like to contribute your early Bent County family, contact me at allen.alice@gmail.com and I'll be happy to add your family here.
Beginning with Rocky Ford:
1. John H. Swift family, 1880 Federal Census
John H., age 45, a blacksmith, born in New York
Harriet, his wife, age 41, keeping house, born in Ohio
Ida, his daughter, age 17, born in Illinois
Jennie, his daughter, age 14, born in Illinois
Charles E., his son, age 11, born in Illinois
John's father was born in Connecticut, mother's place of birth not listed.
Harriet's parents were born in Ohio & Pennsylvania
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2. David Best family, 1880 Federal Census
David, age 30, a stock grower, born in Missouri
Clementine, his wife, age 18, keeping house, born in Illinois
David's parents were born in Missouri and Kentucky.
Clementine's parents birthplaces were not listed.
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3. John Russell Family, 1880 Federal Census
John, age 39, a hotel keeper, born in Ohio
Della, his wife, age 35, keeping house, born in Kentucky
Mary, his daughter, age 3, born in Colorado
John's parents were born in Virginia. Della's parents birthplaces were not listed.
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4. Isaiah Dennis or Deweese family (note: difficult to decipher the last name. The Deweese family is part of my husband's family, but I have not discovered an Isaiah Deweese up to this point). From the 1880 Federal Census
Isaiah, age 60, a merchant, born in Ohio
Esther, his wife, age 56, keeping house, born in Kentucky
Isaiah's parents were born in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Esther's parents were born in Pennsylvania & Kentucky.
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5. George W. Swink family, 1880 Federal Census
George W., age 42, a merchant, born in Kentucky
Mary J., his wife, age 42, keeping house, born in Ohio
Lewis, his son, age 19, farm labor, born in Illinois
William T., his son, age 17, farm labor, born in Illinois
Minnie W., his daughter, age 13, at school, born in Illinois
Eddie, his son, age 11, at school, born in Illinois
Schuyler, his son, age 8, at school, born in Illinois
Mattie, his daughter, age 6, at school, born in Colorado
Hannah, his daughter, age 4, born in Colorado
Onez Bell, his daughter, age 2, born in Colorado
George's parents were born in Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
Mary's parents were born in Pennsylvania.
This family is part of my husband's ancestry. From my research, George W. Swink married Mary J. Cook on 10 October 1854 in Schuyler Co., Illinois. George's parents were Peter Swink and Mariah Beghtol.
