15 Facts About Richard Sopris

Richard Sopris was an American politician who served as the mayor of Denver, Colorado from 1878 to 1881.

Richard Sopris was born on June 26,1813 or July 26,1813 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Richard Sopris was married near Philadelphia to Elizabeth Allen of Trenton, New Jersey on June 3,1836, and they moved to Indiana that year.

Richard Sopris was the first white woman to teach school in the city and she is credited as the first woman teacher in Colorado.

Richard Sopris was one of the original shareholders of the town of Auraria and prospected for gold in the winter and spring.

Richard Sopris began mining at the Gregory and Bates lode in April 1859.

Richard Sopris was President of the Gregory Association of Miners and a member of the Mammoth Quartz Lead Mining Company.

Richard Sopris built the first house there considered to be worthy of a family at Mountain City, later called Central City.

Richard Sopris lived in Auraria and was Worshipful Master of the Auraria Lodge.

Richard Sopris helped organize the 1st Regiment of Colorado Volunteers.

Richard Sopris fought Native Americans at Glorieta Pass in north-central New Mexico and Confederate forces in New Mexico and Arizona.

Richard Sopris attained the rank of captain of Company C of the regiment.

Richard Sopris represented Colorado in the Kansas territorial legislature and helped draft mining laws.

Richard Sopris died on April 7,1893, and was buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Denver.

Richard Sopris is the namesake of Mount Sopris, having surveyed the area in 1860.