Ranch Heritage

THE BRAND

The Hogue Ranch has run stock under the THREE QUARTER CIRCLES brand since 1913. Coveted because it is applied with a single branding iron, unlike newer brands which require several irons and applications. The brand was first registered by Maria Elmer of Hayden, Colorado in November 1899. It was transferred to James Norvell of Steamboat Springs in May 1914, and although used briefly by R.E. Bird of Yampa, was returned to Norvell who transferred it to Frank Squire in October 1919. Squire’s son-in-law, Charles Hogue, acquired it in May 1955.

THE LEGACY

    Hogue’s THREE QUARTER CIRCLES Ranch, homesteaded near the confluence of the Yampa and Elk Rivers in 1886, has been in continuous use ever since. The original log cabin, bunkhouse and sod-roofed potato cellar have been transformed into a modern ranch home without violating the integrity of the property. It was named to the Routt County Register of Historic Places in 1996. Each of the five families that ran cattle, sheep, grain and hay operations there contributed to the agricultural heritage of the valley.
    Original homesteader William Denison, an orphan from Vermont, came West in search of health at the suggestion of his uncle, a Denver physician who was one of the first to suggest climate could cure tuberculosis. Upon his death in 1889, books from Denison’s homestead formed the basis for the local library where they remain on display.

     Horatio Duquette, a poker-playing Frenchman “built his own background” running sheep and cattle and putting up one of the largest hay and oat crops in the valley until 1913.
James Norvell, a hell fire and brimstone preacher made and lost several fortunes as a rancher, horsetrader, stockholder and mayor of the Steamboat Springs Town Company.
    Frank Squire, Norvell’s cattle foreman for 20 years, proved that survival of the family farm required running cattle and sheep on the same range, raising pedigree horses and stock, and educating children. He married a local girl, who helped train their string of champion relay horses and was one of the first women to race in local rodeos. General Pershing, his powerful gray bucking horse, remains a rodeo legend in Northwest Colorado. Squire acquired the ranch in 1917 and in 1948 turned it over to his daughter Margaret and son-in-law Charles Hogue who raised five children there.

Frank Squire (January 8th, 1890 -September 28th, 1959) was the sixth of twelve children born to Albert Squire (April 7th, 1853 - May 25th, 1931) and Mina L. Ingrham Squire (December 26th, 1858 - March 27th, 1904).

Albert sailed from his birthplace of Devonshire, England on June 5th, 1872 married Mina born in Richmond City, Wisc. on March 1st, 1880 and homesteaded 160 acres North of Hayden, Colorado in 1884.

Frank married Annie Elizabeth Cullen daughter of Patrick James Cullen (March 17th, 1867 - July 7th, 1937) born in County Armagh, Ireland and Annie McGlothlin (January 11th, 1869 - January 10th, 1943) born in Barhead, Scotland. Patrick emigrated to the United States from Scotland in 1884. A year later he sent for Annie and they were married July 12th, 1885. Two years later they homesteaded the Elk River Valley just North of Steamboat Springs. Their homestead is still known today as "Cullen's Corner".

Frank & Annie Elizabeth Cullen Squire

Patrick & Annie McGlothlin Cullen

Charles Hogue (Feb. 23, 1916 - Aug. 25, 2005) son of Charles and Harriet Hogue from Meadville, Pennsylvania joined the Tenth Mountain Division ski troops in 1942. He came to Colorado and trained with this legendary force at Camp Hale located at the base of Tennessee Pass. He met Margaret Squire on ski trips to Steamboat on days off from training.

 Michael Hogue, Squire’s grandson who majored in Animal Sciences at CSU, has worked the ranch since 1975 with his wife Maureen. They run 80 head of Registered Red Angus cattle, produce hay and small grains on 1500 acres.

Mike and Maureen Photo