The Shemwell Family

From: Portrait and Biographical Record of the State of Colorado, 1899 JOHN W. PRING, who has made his home in Colorado Springs since 1897, came to this state in 1876, for the purpose of investigating a tract of two hundred and forty acres he had previously purchased without ever having seen the property. He found the place a barren waste, without, apparently, enough upon it to keep a rabbit alive. Although making up his mind that he had made a most unfortunate trade, he determined to settle here. He at once began to cultivate and improve the land, upon which he engaged in stock-raising and general farming. Since then he has brought the tract under irrigation, built fences around it, and erected substantial farm buildings, so that the place has been made one of the best farms in El Paso County. It is situated fifteen miles north of Colorado Springs, on both the Santa Fe and the Denver & Rio Grande Railroads, at Pring Station, which was named for him. His specialty has been the raising of graded Shorthorns. Prior to his removal to Colorado Springs he engaged in the dairy business and for seven years furnished the milk for the Antlers' hotel, whose bill amounted to more than $18,000. Shipments of milk were made over the Rio Grande road. In addition to this place he owns a farm at Gwillimville, five miles east of Monument, where his son superintends the cultivation of the four hundred and forty acres comprising the estate; and he is also the owner of three other farms in the same vicinity, all of which were improved by himself. The Pring family is from Devonshire, England. Our subject's grandfather, Henry Pring, owned a fine estate, "The Rosewood," where he spent his entire life. He was drowned one night while fording a stream. His son, Henry, who succeeded to the ownership of the estate, was killed, when forty-seven years of age, by being thrown from a buggy by a runaway horse. Henry Pring, Jr., married Mary Ann Patch, who died in Devon, her native shire. Of their nine children six are now living, all in Devonshire except John W., the sixth in order of birth. He was born June 22, 1845, and attended in boyhood the pay schools of Devon. His father died when he was a lad of eleven years. Four years later he was apprenticed to the carpenter's and builder's trade in the vicinity of his home place, and there he continued until he was twenty-one. Going to London in 1866, he engaged in contracting and building. With the money bequeathed him by his father he bought property and built eighteen residences at one time, afterward erecting houses in different parts of the city. In addition to the residences built for himself, he carried out contracts to build stores, hotels and houses for others. After having been in London for five years, in the fall of 1871 Mr. Pring came to America, and bought the Utility works in Rock Falls, Ill., where he engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of articles in wood. After two years, however, he sold out. Since coming to Colorado he has given his attention principally to raising draft-horses, graded stock, and to the dairy business, in which he has been successful. His home is now at No. 318 West Kiowa street, Colorado Springs. When the Cripple Creek excitement began, he was among the first in that district, and is still interested in mines there, owning the Bonnie Nell and Raven Hill, and having an interest in other claims there. In political views he is a Republican. He takes an interest in public affairs, but has always refused to accept public office. In London, England, Mr. Pring married Miss Mary J. Beer, daughter of William Beer and a native of Exeter. They are the parents of nine children, namely: Harry, who lives in Montana; William, who occupies one of his father's ranches; Mrs. Ettie Shemwell, whose husband manages the home ranch; Lucy, wife of Dr. McConnell, of Monument; Lydia, Oliver, Edward, Aubrey and Arthur, who are at home. Information provided by FAG volunteer Ron West