Century Family

Bees make name in farming

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

Five generations of the Bee family have lived in the Wellington and Fort Collins area, with the fourth generation continuing to farm land that has been in the family since the late 1800s.

The Colorado Historical Society in 1994 recognized the Bee place as a Centennial Farm, an honor that is noted with a sign at the original homestead at 4320 E. County Road 58. The first two-room house on the homestead still stands behind the newer family home built in 1957.

During the past hundred years, the Bee family has made its mark in agricultural circles; three generations have served as board members for the Wellington Federated Church; three generations have degrees from Colorado State University.

"Farming is a good lifestyle," said Philip Bee, one of the fourth generation still working on the farm.

"When reading the old family letters, you see the farm has been a means of a lifestyle that has been diverse and difficult and kind of a struggle, but it has been of great value for the family," added Arthur "Bob" Bee, Philip's brother. "Each generation has gone through tough times."

The present-day farm encompasses an area between Interstate 25 and County Road 3, north of County Road 58. Crops include sugar beets, corn, pinto beans and alfalfa hay. The Bees also raise Limousin/Angus cross cattle.

Bob commented that his grandfather had a struggle farming, his father"s era was a little easier, but the fourth generation is going through tough times again. He noted that his grandparents" farm ledgers counted pennies and dollars, while the current operation counts in thousands of dollars.

Bob, who specializes in mechanics, and Philip, who does the bookkeeping, are the key employees of today"s incorporated family farm. Their sister, Elizabeth Harrison, lives in LaPorte and has taken an active role in preserving the family history. Their brother, David, lives in Fort Collins and sells farm and construction equipment for Ellis & Capp Equipment Co. in Greeley.

Three other siblings, Arleigh H. Bee, Viola Stockton and Sylvia Dean, live in Iowa, Arizona and Alaska, respectively.

"Because there"s been a place that"s home, it"s kept the family together," said Elizabeth. In 1994, more than 100 people came home to the farm to celebrate the centennial.

Francis Bee, a member of the third generation in Colorado, was active in church work and Farm Bureau, and he also wrote many family stories for Larimer County history books. He died in 1996.

Francis"s writings told how John and Fanny Bee (his grandparents) and three children arrived in Fort Collins by train in October 1882 from Iowa. They came to Colorado for the sunny dry climate since John suffered from asthma, and they homesteaded southwest of Wellington.

Another branch of the family, Alvarado and Elizabeth Morse, homesteaded in 1894 on a farm southeast of Wellington. John"s son, Arleigh L. Bee, went to live and work on the farm in 1900 following the death of his Uncle Alvarado Morse. In 1910, Elizabeth Morse deeded the farm to Arleigh.

In the early 1920s, Arleigh L. Bee and his wife, Selecta, moved into Wellington. Selecta helped start a library in Wellington. The family moved back to the farm in 1924.

Arleigh L., his son Francis, and grandson Philip all served on the Federated Church board over the years. In 1978, the church recognized Francis for 32 years of consecutive service.

Francis joined the Farm Bureau in the 1950s and served as president of the Larimer County Farm Bureau from 1976 to 1979. This year, son Bob is president of the county bureau.

In 1979, the Fort Collins Rotary Club gave Francis its master agriculturist award. Francis was also on the Farm Bureau state board of directors and in 1984 received the Colorado Farm Bureau distinguished service award. In 1988, Francis received the state award from Cattlemen for Christ.

Francis and Sylvia Bee"s children were all active in 4-H, showing dairy cows and calves and winning fair honors for their sugar beets. Tractor driving skills took Arleigh, Philip and Bob to competitions at the state fair.

Like many farmers in Larimer County, the Bees wonder about the future of their long-time livelihood. "Most farmers in Larimer County agree farming is not the easiest occupation," Philip said. "I think right now we"re faced with conflict with coming development, which can be both good and bad. Those who are still part of the family corporation would like to see it continue into the future, but it has to work economically, one year at a time."

"Everything works off global markets anymore, and we feel the effect," Bob added.