A “tailing tale” of Hon. Matt (Frantz) France

A Colorado Pioneer By Maggie Magoffin Born September 2, 1830 in Roanoke Count, Virginia, Matt France was one of eight children born to John and Mary (McCullough) Frantz. Matt attended private schools and completed his education at Botetourt Springs Academy in Virginia. In 1850 Matt moved to South Bend, Indiana where he made his home with Hon. Schuyler Colfax, working for him as editor of the South Bend Register . When Colfax first ran for Congress, France was given charge of the newspaper. In 1854, Matt relocated to Kansas, purchased 160 acres near Leavenworth, built a house and began farming. He remained there for some years and witnessed much of the excitement incident to the slavery dispute in that state. In 1860, failing health and the excitement of the discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountains caused him to join the marching columns heading west. After 43 days of traveling overland by oxen teams from St. Joseph, Missouri, Matt France eventually located in Central City in Gilpin County Colorado. While in Indiana, France learned telegraphy; and in 1864, when the Western Union Telegraph was extended from Denver to Central City, he became an operator in that office. He was later promoted to the position of manager and continued there until the end of the Civil War in 1867. In the later part of 1865, Matt moved to Georgetown, Clear Creek County, where he engaged in mining with Joseph Watson. They opened the Brown Mine of the Republican Mountain and the Baker Mine on Baker Mountain. On October 11, 1867, Matt France married Mrs. Annie (Shoemaker) Parsons in Cape May, New Jersey. In 1870, he sold his mining interests and moved to El Paso County where he purchased a ranch at the Old Jimmy Camp Mine. For many years he continued in the cattle business and was an active member of the Colorado Cattle Growers Association. Mr. and Mrs. France made Colorado City their home until 1871 when Matt built a residence in Colorado Springs. He was elected county commissioner for three years; and in 1878 elected mayor of Colorado Springs, then reelected in 1880, a position he subsequently resigned. During this period of service most of the roads in the county were built, among them Ute Pass road, which cost $15,000. This being a fine road to Leadville, it turned the tide of travel through Colorado Springs and in that way aided in the building of the city. On disposing of his cattle business in 1886, Matt gave his entire attention to mining and opened and developed the Silver City Mine in New Mexico, the Great American Mine in Arizona, and the Sheriff Mine in Cripple Creek. In 1890 Governor Job A. Cooper appointed Mr. France register of the State Land Board. In 1891, after a year’s visit in California, he went to Denver and continued in that position under appointment of Governor John L. Routt. In the fall of 1896, he was elected county commissioner and took his seat in January 1897 to serve until 1900. Matt France was a member of the Association of Colorado Pioneers and was president of El Paso County Pioneers Association. He was one of the trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Institute from its organization and was also appointed one of the trustees of The Colorado College. Matt (Frantz) France died May 10, 1900 in Los Angeles, California. His wife, Annie died in 1916. Sources The Real Pioneers of Colorado, by Marla Davies McGrath. The Denver Museum, 1934 https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26461529 From Maggie The first two books of my Misadventures of the Cholua Brothers series are available at Mountain Menagerie on Main Street in Central City, Colorado; at www.amazon.com, www.lulu.com, and www.barnesandnoble.com. For past columns and other information on my speaking engagements, book releases, and events visit me at www.maggiempublications.com. I’m always looking for interesting stories about Colorado pioneers and local folk instrumental in the founding and/or development of Gilpin County. If you have stories about family members or friends to share, please contact me at Maggie@maggiempublications.com or send snail mail to Maggie Magoffin, P.O. Box 746495, Arvada, Colorado 80003.

A “tailing tale” of Hon. Matt (Frantz) France

Patrick Henry Sweeney

Related Posts

Library hosts DIY winter survival workshop

Love (and death) planned for unique county event

Jackson to discuss area history at Belvidere event

Plentiful coments for Cheroke Blake’s retirement

Once in a lifetime celebration starting

About Us

Quick Links

News Categories

Weekly Newsletter

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?

A “tailing tale” of Hon. Matt (Frantz) France

Support authors and subscribe to content

Subscribe

Related Posts

About Us

Quick Links

News Categories

Weekly Newsletter

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password