Van Tassell, Day in the Life - R. S. Van Tassell and Bruegger Ranch
Van Tassell, A Day in the Life was celebrated on Sunday, June 14 as part of the America 250 / Explore Niobrara events celebrating America's 250th birthday.
Click here for video, Cody Bruegger shares Bruegger Ranch history
RS Van Tassell
Rensselaer Schuyler Van Tassell
June 18, 1845 – April, 12, 1931
Before Wyoming Statehood RS Van Tassell came to Wyoming territory. He was in Cheyenne in 1867. In 1877 he purchased the Jay Em Ranch from Jim Moore. He later married Moore’s widow Mary.
RS Van Tassell started ranching in Niobrara County when it was still part of Converse County in 1880. Van Tassell, the man had extensive ranch holdings and was among one of the largest cattle ranchers in the Rocky Mountain region.
He was known as a fine horseman and guided President Teddy Roosevelt ln the Presidents famous “50 Mile Ride” from Laramie to Cheyenne in 1908. Mr. Van Tassell was well over 10 years older that President Roosevelt at that time.
It is a well-known fact that Mr. Van Tassell never liked the town named in his honor and subbed the local merchants and had all his supplies freighted into Cheyenne.