Emma Benson Ballif
Emma Lovisa Bengtsdotter was born March 23, 1868, in Torup (parish), Hallands Iän (county) Öfregård Sweden.
She immigrated to the United States in 1886, first going to Des Moines, Iowa. In 1890 she and a friend moved to Colorado, where she Americanized her name to Emma Benson.
Emma married Swiss-born Adolphus Ballif, a stagecoach driver, and a blacksmith on May 16, 1891, in Dillon, Colorado. Their wedding photograph is on the left. The 1900 US Federal census lists the couple as living in Dillon, Colorado, Adolphus as a blacksmith, and Emma as his wife.
___________________________________________
1910 US Federal Census
Ten years later, in the 1910 US Federal Census Anna and Adolphus are listed as residents of Main Street in Dillon with their two daughters Anna (age 18) and Hilda (age 15). In the 1910 Census, Adolphus is still labeled as a blacksmith whereas Emma is now listed as a hay farmer.
___________________________________________
Homesteading
In 1914 Emma received a patent for 160 acres located between Dillon and Frisco.
This patent is listed as a cash sale, meaning the land was purchased, not homesteaded, by Ballif from the federal government in 1914. According to her neighbors, Emma did all the work by herself on the ranch.
This patent is listed as a cash sale, meaning the land was purchased, not homesteaded, by Ballif from the federal government in 1914. According to her neighbors, Emma did all the work by herself on the ranch.
Like many homesteaders in Summit County, she used the resources of the land to provide a living for herself. While there was small farming conducted, Emma also had cattle. The cows provided her with income by producing dairy for milk, cream, and butter. Emma sold these items to the townspeople in Dillon and Frisco.
_______________________________________
1920 US Federal Census
Six years after the purchase of the homestead the 1920 US Federal Census lists Emma as living on the patent land. However, Adolphus is listed as living with their daughter Anna Ballif Emore, her husband Lansing Emore, and their family in Dillon.
_______________________________________
All photos and images on this website are courtesy of the Summit Historical Society.
Funding has been provided by Colorado Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Secuiry (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan of 2020.
© Copyright 2022. Summit Historical Society. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Return Policy | Website by Breckenridge Marketing
