Joseph Doyle – Colorado Trader and Politician
Joseph Bainbridge Doyle, often affectionately referred to as "Jose," embodies the spirit of the American West – a multifaceted individual who carved his legacy as a trapper, Indian trader, businessman, Colorado pioneer, and politician. His life, though tragically cut short, paints a vivid picture of the opportunities and challenges faced by those who sought fortune and a new life in the burgeoning territories of the 19th century. Born on July 10, 1817, in Shenandoah County, Virginia, to Alexander Doyle and Ana Maria Evans Doyle, Joseph Doyle‘s journey would take him from the familiar landscapes of the East to the rugged terrain of the West, where he would leave an indelible mark.
The early years of Joseph Doyle‘s life were spent in Virginia, but by the early 1830s, his family sought new prospects and relocated across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, to Belleville, Illinois. This move westward signaled a shift in the family’s trajectory and likely instilled in young Joseph Doyle a sense of adventure and a desire to explore the vast unknown that lay beyond the Mississippi.
In 1838, at the age of 21, Joseph Doyle began his career in the West, securing a position as a clerk for the Bent, St. Vrain & Company in their St. Louis operations. This initial role provided him with a foundational understanding of the trading business, a field that would become central to his future endeavors. Over the next several years, he honed his skills, working as a storekeeper, bookkeeper, trader, and teamster, gaining invaluable experience as he traversed the legendary Santa Fe Trail multiple times. These journeys exposed him to the diverse cultures and landscapes of the West, shaping his understanding of the land and its inhabitants.
By 1841, Doyle’s dedication and aptitude had earned him a full-time position at Bent’s Fort, a vital trading post situated on the Arkansas River in what is now Colorado. Bent’s Fort was a bustling hub of activity, attracting trappers, traders, and Native Americans from across the region. It was here that Doyle formed crucial relationships with individuals like Alexander Barclay, George Simpson, and Robert Fisher, men who would later become his partners and collaborators in various ventures.
The year 1842 marked a significant turning point in Doyle’s career. When Barclay, Simpson, Fisher, and others decided to establish El Pueblo, a new trading post located approximately 70 miles upstream from Bent’s Fort, Doyle seized the opportunity to invest his savings and become a partner in the enterprise. El Pueblo quickly became a thriving center for trade, attracting a diverse array of individuals, including fellow traders such as Mathew Kinkead, Francisco Conn, Joseph Mantz, and the colorful character known as "Uncle Dick" Richens Wootton.
The entrepreneurial spirit continued to drive Doyle, and in 1844, he partnered with George Simpson and Alexander Barclay to construct yet another trading post, this time about 23 miles west of El Pueblo in a settlement called Hardscrabble. This venture further solidified Doyle’s reputation as a shrewd businessman and a key player in the Colorado trading scene.
Also in 1844, a significant event occurred in Doyle’s personal life: his marriage to Maria De La Cruz "Cruzita" Suaso on October 14. Cruzita, who was only about 13 years old at the time, was the daughter of Teresita Sandoval Suaso, Alexander Barclay’s wife. This union further intertwined Doyle’s life with those of his business partners, creating a complex web of personal and professional relationships. Cruzita and Joseph would have several children, solidifying his ties to the region. Another of Teresita’s daughters married George Simpson, further cementing the family connections.
In 1848, Doyle and Barclay embarked on a new venture, constructing Fort Barclay at the junction of the Mora and Sapello Rivers on the Santa Fe Trail, near Watrous, New Mexico. Their intention was to capitalize on the growing trade with emigrants traveling westward and ultimately sell the fort to the military. However, their plans were thwarted when the Army declined to purchase the fort and even attempted to force them off their land to build their own fort in the area.
Despite this setback, Fort Barclay initially flourished. It served as a vital stagecoach station, providing housing for travelers and shelter for their animals. Its stockade offered protection from the ever-present threat of Indian raids. However, the establishment of Fort Union in 1851, located just nine miles northwest of Watrous, proved to be a major blow to Fort Barclay’s prospects. The Army’s renewed attempts to claim Doyle and Barclay’s land led to a protracted legal battle that dragged on for several years.
Despite its promising start, Fort Barclay never achieved the profitability that Doyle and Barclay had envisioned. By October 1853, Alexander Barclay was living at the fort alone. He and Doyle placed advertisements in Santa Fe newspapers in an attempt to sell the fort, but they received no inquiries. Barclay died at the fort in December 1855. Following Barclay’s death, Doyle took in Barclay’s wife, Teresita. He persevered with the litigation against the Army and ultimately prevailed. In 1856, Doyle sold the land and the fort to William Kronig, a German immigrant, who transformed the property into the Phoenix Ranch. Today, the Phoenix Ranch, which still exists, stands as the sole remaining vestige of Doyle and Barclay’s endeavors at Fort Barclay.
The discovery of gold in Colorado in 1858 ignited a new wave of opportunity, and Doyle, ever the astute businessman, was quick to capitalize on the situation. He formed the J.B. Doyle Company and began hauling wagonloads of essential supplies, including food, grain, clothing, and other goods, to the burgeoning Denver City. This venture proved to be incredibly lucrative, significantly increasing Doyle’s wealth and influence.
In November 1859, Doyle purchased 1,200 acres from the Vigil and St. Vrain Land Grant, situated on the west bank of the Huerfano River, east of Pueblo, Colorado. This land became the foundation of his expansive ranch, which was located near the ranches of other prominent figures like Dick Wootton and Charles Autobees. On his land, he brought lumber milled in St. Louis, Missouri, and constructed a large, two-story white clapboard house for his family, which he named "Casa Blanca" or the "White House." With its green shutters, the house stood in stark contrast to the prevailing architectural styles of the West, reflecting Doyle’s eastern roots and sensibilities. The "White House," strategically located near a segment of the Denver to Santa Fe Road, quickly became a prominent landmark in the area, and the road itself became known as the "White House Road."
In addition to the main house, Doyle built adobe cabins to house his numerous farmworkers. He also established one of the first flour mills in Colorado, along with granaries, storehouses, and one of the earliest schoolhouses, providing education for his children and the children of his workers. His land stretched for miles along the Huerfano River, and by 1861, he had implemented irrigation ditches, bringing 600 acres into cultivation. He also built corrals for his sheep and cattle, which grazed on the uplands. His agricultural operations were diverse, encompassing the cultivation of corn, potatoes, beans, oats, cotton, melons, and tobacco. Eventually, Doyle’s ranch also featured an adobe trading post, a blacksmith shop, and a post office, with Doyle himself serving as the first postmaster.
Simultaneously, Doyle expanded his business interests by importing goods from the East. In addition to his agricultural products and those of neighboring farms, he opened stores in Auraria (later a part of Denver), Canon City, Tarryall, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo, creating a network of commercial enterprises that solidified his position as a leading figure in the Colorado economy.
George Simpson, Doyle’s longtime business associate, also claimed land in the same area and built a house near Charles Autobees’ ranch. After Colorado officially became a territory on February 28, 1861, the small settlement that had grown up around Autobees’ Ranch became the county seat of the newly formed Huerfano County. The first election of officers took place on December 2, 1861, resulting in Charles Autobees and Joseph Doyle being elected as county commissioners, while George Simpson assumed the role of county clerk and recorder.
In 1864, Doyle was elected to represent the Colorado Territorial Council in Denver, representing Pueblo, Huerfano, El Paso, and Fremont Counties. Tragically, his political career was cut short when he died of a heart attack on March 4, 1864, while serving in Denver. He was only 46 years old. His passing was deeply mourned, and Governor John Evans and other dignitaries escorted his body back to his ranch, where he was buried in the family cemetery on a hill overlooking his beloved land. At the time of his death, Joseph Doyle was considered the wealthiest man in Colorado, a testament to his entrepreneurial acumen and his unwavering commitment to building a life in the West. His wife, Maria De La Cruz "Cruzita" Suaso Doyle, passed away the following year, compounding the loss for his family.
In 1874, the Doyle children made the decision to sell the ranch, but they included a stipulation in the sale agreement that allowed the Mexican village that had grown up around it to remain as long as their grandmother, Teresita Sandoval Suaso Alexander, was still alive. Teresita passed away in 1894 and was laid to rest in the Doyle Cemetery.
The Doyle Settlement, a tangible reminder of Joseph Doyle‘s legacy, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in April 1980. It stands as one of the earliest non-mining communities in Colorado, representing a significant chapter in the state’s history. The site encompasses portions of the old farm and grazing lands, foundations and ruins of various buildings, the old schoolhouse, and the Doyle cemetery. Although the schoolhouse still stands, it is in a state of disrepair. Despite instances of vandalism, the gravestones in the cemetery remain on the hill overlooking the land where these early settlers lived, worked, and ultimately passed away.
The site is located southeast of Pueblo along the Huerfano River on Doyle Road, serving as a poignant reminder of the life and contributions of Joseph Doyle, a true Colorado pioneer.