Augusta Hauck Block papers

Colorado pioneers of their times is the subject of this collection. The following biographical sketch is only intended to briefly illustrate the roles of the Hauck and Block families in early Colorado. Robert August Hauck came to Colorado drawn by the Pikes Peak gold excitement. He was a member of the Wisconsin Gold Mining Company, which also included Theodore J. Squires and Andrew J. Mackey. These men arrived in Auraria, Colorado, late in March, 1859. They prospected with some success on the Blue River in Summit County and were also in California Gulch, before Oro City boomed.

An early snow in September, 1859, caught them unaware and drove them from the mountains. In their rush to the plains, they descended Gregory Canyon between Green Mountain and Flagstaff Mountain, to a warm, snow-free area they could see on the plains below them. They decided to make this their winter camp and build cabins. Soon Chief Niwot, who was curious about these new residents on Indian land, made their acquaintance. Shortly after they had erected their cabins, Alfred A. Brookfield arrived with a wagon train at the location of present day Boulder, Colorado. One of the members of this caravan was Joseph Block, Sr.

Joseph Block, who was a butcher, soon went on to Central City to follow his trade. In the late 1870’s he went to Irwin in Gunnison County, Colorado, and later moved to Crested Butte, Colorado. The men of the Wisconsin Gold Mining Company liked where they wintered and began taking up land claims. Robert A. Hauck, who had become friends with Chief Niwot, took his land a number of miles to the east, in the area of Erie Colorado, and placed his homestead as indicated by Chief Niwot to avoid floods. In the next years Robert Hauck concentrated on agriculture. He took advantage of the demand for hay in mining districts, particularly at Blackhawk. On one of his trips hauling hay to Blackhawk, he met his bride-to-be Ernestine Lange. Ernestine Lange had come to the United States in 1866 from Leipsic, Germany, with her brother Julius, who lived in Blackhawk. Robert Hauck took to bringing his clothes when he made trips to Blackhawk, so that he could call on Ernestine Lange. They were married March 27, 1868, at the home of Mr.& Mrs. Joseph Block in Denver. Augusta Ernestine Hauck (February 9, 1872 – November 6, 1967) was their third child. She was called “earthquake baby,” for she had been born as an earthquake, epi-centered on Longs Peak, rocked Boulder Valley. She married Joseph H. Block, Jr. on June 19, 1895. This was a union of the Hauck and Block families, men who had known each other since they had met near the mouth of Boulder Canyon in 1859. Joseph and Augusta Block set up residence in Crested Butte, where Joseph was a banker and county commissioner. Their two daughters, Ernestine and Josephine were born there. After a number of years the family moved to Denver. Augusta Hauck Block was proud of her ‘59er background. She recorded the history and experiences of her family branches. As a member and president of the Pioneer Women of Colorado, she knew many pioneers and pioneer descendants. Her interest in Colorado pioneer history led her to correspond with and interview people. Much of this information she wrote into articles and even more exists in the form of notes. She continued writing until August, 1960. Her daughters not only preserved these materials, but some of this collection relates to their own lives and experiences. Ernestine married Joseph D. Grigsby in 1923. He was an investment banker in Pueblo, Colorado. In November, 1930, Ernestine was elected to serve as a Regent at the University of Colorado. Josephine married Lt. Commander Norris A. Miles in 1928. They lived in Manila, Philippines, which led Augusta to visit her daughter in her new home, and Augusta Hauck Block made an around the world journey in 1929-30.

Augusta Hauck Block resided in Denver until her death November 6, 1967.