History

John Virgil Ridenour Courtesy Photo

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The Ridenour Family Part I of II

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

John Virgil Ridenour John made his home in Pueblo County for almost all of his adult life, through several marriages and a variety of occupations including many years as a street car conductor in Pueblo.

The six Ryssell children Courtesy Photo

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The Russell Family Part II of II

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

William Benton ‘Bill’ Russell The second son of Joseph and Francis Russell, Bill stayed on the Russell Ranch after his brother Tom, moved into Pueblo. In 1914, he married Minnie Kluberg in Rye. His father died soon after.

Joseph Russell Courtesy Photo

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The Joseph H. Russell Family Part I of II

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

This family came to Colorado in 1882 and settled southwest of Rye. Family members worked with the Karst family, and Thomas Russell married Flora DuPrez.Joseph Russell was born in 1849, in Ohio, the oldest of eleven children.

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The William Perry Foster Family

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

This family did not stay long on their homestead land along Greenhorn Road in the Rye area.William Perry Foster was born in Ohio in 1837. He moved with his family to Payson, Illinois and grew up there. In 1860, he married one of his neighbors, Judith Likes.

Kenneth Lena Helen Kermit Karst in front of Doze House, built 1867 Courtesy Photo

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The Karst Family of Huerfano County - Part II of II

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Frank and Margaret Karst remained on the Apache Ranch.Christian’s son, Joseph ‘Jose’ and their son, Frank Oliver helped with the operation. Frank and Margaret had three more children: Clementine, Erick LeRoy and Mary Bessie; bringing their total of children to seven.

Karst Cheese Plant Apache, Christain Karst far right, Mr. Avewaleta far left Courtesy Photo

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The Karst Family of Huerfano County - Part I of II

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

The Karst family had a dairy farm and established a cheese factory in northern Huerfano County; just south of the Pueblo County line, in the area known as Apache.

Pierson DuPrez Farmhouse still standing Courtesy Photo

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The Duprez Family Part IV of IV

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Authors note: I am continuing this series about these interrelated French families. I am hoping it will take your minds, however briefly, away from the fire’s influence on our lives. Many of these families lived just south of Rye in Huerfano County.