THE THREE OSGOOD WIVES
by Jane Munsell
Osgood’s wives were independent, resourceful women whose stories,
spanning major periods of growth and change, are an integral part of Redstone’s history.
Irene
Nannie Irene Belot married John Osgood in New York in 1887. His financial career was on the rise, and her beauty, vivacity and youth seemed appropriate for a future life of wealth and travel. She had a passion for writing, and her husband’s establishment of the Cleveland Press resulted in the publication of her first novel, The Shadow of Desire. Reviews of the book were less than laudatory, but Irene continued to write, spending much of her time in New York and England. Osgood’s plans for a palatial home for her in the Crystal River Valley were underway, but she found Colorado dull and uninviting and preferred to remain in England. They were quietly divorced in l899. Irene remarried twice in the following years, the second ending in scandalous publicity. She continued to write under the name Irene Osgood, and established her own publishing company. She died in England in 1922.
Alma
Alma Regina Shelgren joined Osgood in marriage in 1899 just three months after his divorce from Irene was finalized. A young woman of striking beauty and regal bearing, Alma easily settled into her role as Lady of the Manor at Cleveholm, Osgood’s country estate, which was finally completed by 1902. Her sense of artistic fashion and organizational skills set the tone for elegant socializing and entertaining. She also played a more altruistic role, that of “Lady Bountiful,” visiting the women in the village of Redstone, providing books for the library, and entertaining the village children at lavish Christmas parties. Speculation about her heritage and background added a sense of mystery to her relationship with Osgood, who rarely provided information about his private life.The idyllic life did not last. By 1909 Redstone’s coal productivity came to an end, and Alma spent little time at Cleveholm. In 1915 she traveled to France as a volunteer in war relief work. By the time she returned, her marriage was essentially over. Divorce papers were finalized in 1920. Her last years were spent in New York City, where she died in 1954.
Lucille
Lucille Reid and John Osgood were married in October 1920. Some 40 years younger than her husband, Lucille ‘s role at Cleveholm began in earnest in 1924 with extensive remodeling, modernizing and updating of the house and surrounding estate. As Osgood’s health deteriorated, Lucille became both caretaker and companion; and on his death on January 4, 1926, she assumed her duties as beneficiary of the estate, including property in the village and the management of the Victor American Fuel Company, founded by Osgood. In 1932 she married Huntley MacDonald, who joined her in the operation of the company. She was recognized as a successful Denver businesswoman. As maintenance costs increased at Cleveholm, Lucille began the disposal of properties, selling the Redstone Inn in 1940 and Cleveholm in 1944. She spent much of her time in California in later years but maintained connections in Redstone. She died in Seattle, Washington in 1984.
For additional information look for:
Redstone: John Cleveland Osgood’s “Ruby of the Rockies” by F. Darrell Munsell and Jane R. Munsell, published by Redstone Castle Inc., 2019.