Martin Mikelson papers

Martin Mikelson Papers, 1921-1990

Douglas County History Research Center
Douglas County Libraries
100 S. Wilcox Street
Castle Rock, Colorado 80104
U.S.A.
Phone: 303-688-7730
Email: localhistory@dclibraries.org
URL: http://DouglasCountyLibraries.org

© 2018

Arrangement of the Collection

Scope and Content

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.

Biography / History

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).

Access Terms

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions to this collection.

Physical access to Douglas County History Research Center material is non-circulating, requires staff retrieval and is available by appointment during normal library hours.

Copy Restrictions

The collection is used in the presence of the Douglas County History Research Center staff. Some items may be fragile and may only be duplicated with permission of the Douglas County History Research Center staff.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Martin Mikelson Papers, 1921-1990 Douglas County History Research Center. Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, Colorado.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Martin Mikelson to the Douglas County History Research Center in 2016.

Processing Information

Processed by Sarah Stevens

Accruals

No accruals are expected.

Related Material

1995.001 Ehmann and Mikelson Family Papers

2018.016 Ehmann Family Ranch Collection