Garden of the Gods and Ancestry
When I was planning this trip a long time ago, I knew I wanted to to spend some time in Colorado Springs. I carefully planned the routes through the mountains and designated three days for site seeing. I wanted to ride the modernized Cog Railroad to the summit of Pikes Peak, but after that, I did not have a solid plan. Later as I talked with friends and family about the trip, I learned about two remarkable opportunities. One was to visit the geological wonder known as the Garden of the Gods. The other, to visit the grave of my Great, Great Grandfather Charles Manuel.
Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark. The rock formations were formed 55-80 million years ago through volcanic activity and the movement of the tectonic plates. What I think is more interesting is how this natural wonder became a free public park. Charles Elliot Parker, head of the Burlington Railroad, purchased 240 acres in the Garden of the Gods. While he never built a home there, he truly revered this land. He had a vision of a public park, but was unable to complete that task before his death. His children graciously fulfilled his vision and donated the land to Colorado Springs with the following stipulations: It would cover be known as the Garden of the Gods ”where it will shall remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structure shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park”. What an amazing gift.
Colorado Springs has done a wonderful job managing this gift. There is a road that encircles the geological formations with a series of handicap accessible trails that meander through the rock formations. There are some more ambitious dirt trails and some places where you can climb the formations. Permits are also available for experienced climbers to use special gear to scale the rock walls and repel back to the ground. The beauty of the site is unique and inspiring.
My Great, Great Grandfather on my mother’s side was Charles Manuel. Charles was the son of Daniel and Margaret Louisa Manuel, who brought their family from Wurttemburg, Germany, in 1844. They settled on a farm in Stark County, Ohio. He chose to stay in Ohio after his father's death in 1851, after which his mother moved the rest of the family to Indiana. He was a farmer in Tuscarawas County.
Charles first married Lydia Huff, with whom he had four children before her death shortly after childbirth. He then married Anna Wise, with whom he had four children. Charles removed to Colorado, where he married Anna Clendenon in 1896. They lived out their lives in El Paso County, where he worked as a carpenter.
My Great Grandfather Daniel was one of those four children left in Ohio with Anna Wise Manuel and he was my grandmother Arline Gray’s father.
Charles served in the Union Army, 80th Ohio Infantry, Company E, from December 1861 until receiving a medical disability discharge in October 1862. The 80th Ohio Infantry were organized in Dover Ohio in October 1861 through January 1862 and mustered in for three years service on January 11, 1862. During Charles brief tenure with the 80th OVI was active in Kentrucky, Tennesse, and Mississippi. More notable engagements during this time were the Siege and Advancement of Corinth and the Battle of Corinth.
We have no pictures of Charles, nor do we have any understanding of his medical disability discharge. My mother told me that he was buried in Colorado Springs. Family lore says that he went to Colorado to look for silver and gold.
My uncle and son gave me information on where he was buried in Colorado Springs. Fairview Cemetery is very old and small. I was quickly able to find his burial site. His 3rd wife’s stone was not to be found. The plot has a view of the Rocky Mountains and an interesting mill stone nearby for a bench. I took some photos and oddly took a picture with it.
A Veteran's Memorial for Charles was also placed at Evergreen Cemetery. I road 8 miles to that massive cemetery. I found where the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) had placed the Civil War memorial, but Charles’ memorial stone was no where to be found. I had spent about four hours in the hot sun and had enough.
It was neat to find Charles Manuel’s burial site and get some pictures, but I have so many questions. I would love to know more about his service during the Civil War and why he left Annie and the kids in Stark County. I enjoyed the adventure man’s riding around the cemeteries. I must be getting old, well, I am retired.
Now I am heading home. I will be stopping in Kansas City, meeting Cory in St. Louis , and then meeting Steph in Columbus. There are only 12 days left on the Double Nickel Ride. I am enjoying my travels, but I am ready to go home.
I’m on the way.
