Fifty-Niner's Directory - A few who arrived in 1859

Denver genealogist, Henrietta Elizabeth Bromwell collected and indexed the names of gold miners seeking their fortunes who arrived here in 1858 and 1859.  These miners were called the '59ers.  She published this collection in 1926 as the Fifty-Niner's Directory, Colorado Argonauts, Pikes Peak Region.

A complete listing of the index is available online through the Denver Public Library, Western History Collection.

While she does not list C. W. Arbuthnot, she does have his company and two of of the four sons that came with Carson.  I've also included some others who were at the 1860's miner's meeting when C. W. was voted in as Constable.  

While Ms. Bromwell has done an excellent job of acquiring this information, some of it, I have found, is not accurate.  Evidence will show that William Arbuthnot returned to the Boulder area before 1864.  We don't know how many trips back and forth the Arbuthnots made to Iowa, but we do know there were several trips made between the two areas.

Here are a few of the men from the Fifty-Niner's Directory, Colorado Argonauts.

ARBUTHNOT & COMPANY, mentioned in papers of 1859 as mining in placers of Pleasant Valley, and working two men.

ARBUTHNOT, Samuel, born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Aug 17, 1836, arrived gold fields spring of 1859, mined in Gold Hill, Boulder City, Pleasant Valley and Russell Gulch, Gilpin County, later California Gulch, all until 1863, when he went to farming in Left Hand Creek, and took claim in Hay Stack Valley, and in 1880 was President of the Left Hand Ditch Company, organized in 1866. Clerk also of School Board. He married Mar 29, 1870, Miss Mary R., daughter of J. P. Johnson of Left Hand.

ARBUTHNOT, William, arrived 1859. Was born Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Aug 30, 1835; lived first in Iowa, then came to gold fields, mined in Gold Hill in Central City, and Boulder City, returned to Iowa but came back 1864, and in 1869 married, Aug 29, Miss Mary E. [Bader], daughter of J. G. Bader of Left Hand, Colorado. He was a farmer once in Arkansas Valley.

BLORE, William R., arrived Auraria Nov 2, 1858. Was one of the discoverers of the famous Horsfal Lode, in Gold Hill, which gave $10,000 in two seasons, with sluices. This was in Jun 1859. He was born Otsego County, New York 1833, of German descent. Resided as a child Erie County, Pennsylvania. In 1856, Nebraska (Sarpy County). After coming to Auraria he was one of the stockholders, assisting in laying out town, helping to build its first log houses. He mined and prospected in several places, but preferred Boulder County. Was President of the Gold Hill Mining Company, and several others. In three years the Horsfal Lode made $300,000. He had a ranche, which he sold and later was in the War, at the Battle of Sand Creek. He returned “to the States” and later, after returning, bought large ranche.

GLOTFELTER, E. S., Secretary Pro Tem, miners’ meeting of Jul 23, 1859, reported in the RMN. This meeting was at Gold Hill.

HOUSEL, Judge P. M., an arrival of 1859, was born Milton, Pennsylvania 1823, lived Davenport, Iowa 1852, Newton, Iowa 1857, then crossed Plains and engaged in mining at first on Horsfal Lode for three years, after which he removed to Boulder Valley. In 1862 was elected County Judge of Boulder County, elected again ’64, and later trustee of Boulder Valley Railroad, was at first a Whig, later a Republican in politics, and Ruling Elder in Presbyterian Church. (Notes from History of Boulder Valley.)

McCASLIN, Matthew L., was a pioneer, over land, to California 1849. Was born Butler County, Pennsylvania 1822. Then emigrated with father to Iowa, became river pilot and in 1855, after six years in California, emigrated to Auraria with saw mill in autumn of 1858, later mining and working mill at Gold Hill in Boulder County. In 1862 preempted farm on St. Vrain Creek (near Longmont site), and in 1880 was a very prominent farmer, quite wealthy. He married in 1856 before coming to goldfields, Miss Miranda Hagerty of Pennsylvania (see History Boulder Valley, published 1880). In 1859 M. L. McCaslin “of Auraria” Sep 27, was grantor to A. O. Holbrook of same place lots in Auraria on St. Louis Street, with all buildings, etc. (75 feet from the southeast side of lot 11, block 34.)