The Killough Farm south of Brush was acquired in 1898 by Pete and Rose Krenzer and officially deeded with the signature of President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905. The Krenzers helped form the Bushman Ditch Company, irrigating the land, and in 1914, they built a brick house, hauling bricks by team and wagon from Brush, 40 miles away. The property still contains the original homestead cabin, a 1923 chicken house, and an outhouse they described as “for emergency use only.” The farm is a working wheat farm today.

On the north edge of Elizabeth, Evan T. Evans acquired 520 acres in 1903, where the family farmed and milked cows. Over the years, they added herds of Shorthorn beef cattle and Limousin cattle. The family still lives in the original 1896 house and maintains an early log cabin, chicken house, and two historic barns.

The original 160-acre Clem Ranch, located near Parachute, was purchased by James V. Clem in 1902, and was joined with land purchased by Henry C. Clem in 1910. Over the years, the ranch produced hay, pasture, cattle, horses,and sheep. The original brand is still in the family, registered by James V. and John J. Clem in April 1903. The ranch is now operated by James V. Clem’s great-nephew and family, who live in the original 1914 residence.

The Calhoun Ranch near Byers was started by William Calhoun who was born at the end of the Civil War. The ranch’s 1905 bank barn and 1906 house remain in use. The original 160-acre ranch has grown into a 5,000-acre wheat and cattle operation.

Henry H Wood moved to Kit Carson County near Stratton in 1909 from Hill City, Kansas. Here Henry and wife Rachel raised six boys and one girl. Originally living in a sod house until the 2-story stone house was built around 1914. In 1933 son Harvey and wife Iona joined his parents on the ranch, had six children and purchased the home place in 1940. One of the children, Robert, continued to live on the ranch and cared for his mother after Harvey passed away. He purchased the land in 1993 where he and wife Phyllis raise horses, grow alfalfa and lease out pasture land.

Percy Whelden came to the Deer Trail of Adams County in 1909 bringing his family out in a covered wagon. The original homestead was 320 acres where he a built sod house on the land where only one tree was visible between the ranch town. Later Percy would establish the local rural mail route and would serve on the school board for many years. Son Garold acquired the property which later passed down to his son James. He and wife Pam continue to live on the land and raise Red Angus Cattle, conduct a Cow calf operation and grow wheat and hay.

John and Florence Ven rick signed for their160 acre homestead in Washington County near Akron in August, 1908 and acquired another 160 acres soon after through relinquishment. They lived in a tent that first hard year before building a sod home after which the rest of their family came out to join then. In all seven children were raised on the place, eventually occupying a more substantial frame house built around 1914. Cows were raised for cream, chickens for eggs, and hogs for meat along with crops of wheat and barley.

At one time in the 1800's the Thatcher's holdings reached from Canada to Mexican borders. The present ranch headquarters, located near Boone in Pueblo County was acquired in 1884. The John A. Thatcher 7IL chuck wagon ranged from the Fountain River on the west to Highway 24 out of Colorado Springs on the north, east to the Kansas state line and south to the Arkansas River. By the 1930's the IL Ranch sat at 75,000 acres but during WWII 30 acres was condemned by the US Government for the Pueblo Army Depot.

After traveling from Canada, and Nebraska, Archie Scott found a wife in Alaska and finally settled in Rocky Ford. In 1909 he and Sophia moved to the eastern edge of Logan County in the Haxtun area and purchased 320 acres. A small white house near the windmill became their home and it was here that their son Lyle was born that year. Archie helped establish the nearby town of Daily in 1914. In 1918 their mail order Sears home arrived and piece by piece was constructed on the land.

AJ Anderson arrived in eastern Colorado after coming to this country from Sweden looking to improve life for his family. They first settled south of Haxtun, building a sod house on the treeless plain that was much different from their home. Later they relocated to the Fairfield area of Sedgwick County in 1907 receiving the patent in 1909 for the school section. The land passed down to son Gust Anderson in ensuing years. Today the section has been divided up among family members where Great Grandson Dean owns the south 1⁄2 of the south 1⁄2.