Heele County, Jefferson Territory
The Heele County was a county of lying outside of U.S. law Jefferson Territory, which consisted of 28 November 1859 to 28 February 1861.
History
In July 1858, gold along the South Platte River in Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory discovered. This discovery triggered the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. Many residents in the mining region felt disconnected from the remote territorial governments of Kansas and Nebraska, so that on October 24, 1859 voted to form their own Jefferson Territory. In the following months, the General Assembly approved the Jefferson Territory to organize 12 counties: Arrappahoe County, Cheyenne County, El Paso County, Fountain County, Heele County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Mountain County, North County, Park County, Saratoga County and St. Vrain County. The Heele County encompassed much of what Larimer County, Colorado is today.
The Jefferson Territory never received federal support. On February 28, 1861, U.S. President James Buchanan signed a law with which the Colorado Territory was organized. On November 1, 1861, the Colorado General Assembly organized 17 counties, including Larimer County, Colorado for the new territory.
Elections and elected officials
The first officer, who held an office in Heele County was Jeness Antoine, who was appointed by Governor Robert W. Steele to the presiding judge of the Heele County in December 1859. He held the position until the first election on January 2, 1860.