by Charles W. Bowman

Biographies

   In the western portion of Bent County, Colo., on the banks of the Arkansas River, is located the ranch of the McClain Brothers. The firm consists of John M., James W. and Robert O. McClain. The first two named are brothers. Robert O. is their cousin. These three young men were born in Carroll County, Mo., where they lived and worked on farms until they came West and became interested in stock-raising and ranching. James came to Colorado in 1872, and worked on cattle ranches for several years, as did also the other members of the firm, before buying land for themselves. John M. and Robert O. came in 1873. Neither one of the firm had but a few dollars at the time they arrived. They saved their earnings and bought cattle. James W. made the first purchase, buying ten head in 1873. In 1874, they added to their stock thirty more, making a bunch of forty head. They started out with the determination not to run in debt unless they knew where the money was coming from to cancel it. By hard work and close attention to business, they were enabled, July 17, 1878, to buy a hay ranch of 600 acres. In 1880, they bought an adjoining tract of land, making a ranch of 776 acres, all in one body and under fence. From year to year they have been buying cattle until, 1881, by purchases and natural increase, they have a herd of 900 head. Until 1880, they had their cattle on the Apishapa and Timpas Creeks, when they moved them, in company with a herd belonging to the Beaty brothers, to the Cimarron and Bear Creeks, adjoining the Pan Handle district in the Indian nation. In the winter, their stock ranges on the Canadian River. Their object is to raise beef, and they are improving their stock, shipping bulls from Missouri that are three-fourths and seven-eighths pure blood, of the short-horn breed. In addition to their hay and cattle interests, they are raising horses, having a bunch of thirty head, besides their saddle stock. They raise all the horses they employ in their business, and are improving their herd by introducing the stock of a high-graded stallion, brought from Missouri. They also believe that the Arkansas Valley is specially adapted to hog growing and poultry culture, which interests they will add to their already rapidly increasing business. John M. McClain was married to Miss Beaty January 12, 1881.