Dossier: Daisy, An Amazing Victorian Woman Ahead of Her Time
- Robin Kring
- Oct 10
- 10 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Sleuthing Brighton Colorado, with a Full Investigative Report by the Brighton History Detective (aka Robin Kring)
PLEASE NOTE: Daisy’s story is told in TWO Brighton History Detective Dossiers. The story of Daisy’s journey from creamery worker to company president is told in Dossier: Daisy Frink, Creamery Worker & Female Co. President Ahead of her Time.
Just who was this Master
Cheesemaker, Company President, Mathematician Wiz, and “Boss Farmer in Frocks?”
Marguerite Ruth Frink (Counter)
was born in 1881, but the age in which she was born, and what she accomplished, may surprise you. She was remarkable Victorian woman born ahead her time. She was called "Daisy" by her family and friends and by those of us in
the "small town" communities of Brighton and Fort Lupton of today. Marguerite is French for “Daisy,” and the name for a colorful Daisy species, called Marguerite Daisies. Daisy and her two siblings, Clarence and Ruby, were born to Orello Eugene Frink and Etta Peckham (OE and EP) in New York. The couple would later adopt her brother, Richard “Dick” Frelove in Colorado. BOTH parents were strong role models of life and their visionary creamery and produce businesses. Her mother EP, who was raised on a dairy farm, started learning cheesemaking when she was only 4 yrs. old. She would become a master cheesemaker and was active in managing the business with her husband, and sometimes independently.
Daisy's University Days
In 1897, Daisy attended Colorado "Normal School" at Greeley, youngest in her class at 15 yrs. Normal School was a public university with long history of teacher education, (later renamed as Colorado State College and today known as The University of Northern Colorado.) She earned a life-long teaching certificate, while working for her father during school breaks as his "Man Friday.” After she graduated at the age of 18, Daisy said “she had high hopes of teaching; however, when she reached home, she discovered her father was having trouble with the Brighton Silver State Creamery and she was 'elected' to run it.”
That summer, she rode her bicycle from Fort Lupton to the Brighton creamery each morning—including Sundays. She said she had to reach the seven miles to Brighton by 6:30 a.m. over the dirt road (rain or shine) —in order to take and weigh the farmers’ milk.
Mathematics Wiz
She continued this routine until the following September, when she started teaching high school mathematics for 3 yrs. in Grover, Colo. It was a perfect fit for this mathematics honor student. She had a reputation for displaying a remarkable ability as a teacher of mathematics. Said one peer, “The difficult classes are always given to her and cheerfulness and optimism taken up with her work."
”Daisy set her sights to obtain a master’s degree, but her father told Daisy if she wanted to go to university that she must pay her own way.
Boss Farmer in Frocks
Always ready to meet a challenge, Daisy planted and sold 40 acres of cabbages on ground her father gave her and applied the proceeds to her first term at the University of Denver. The next summer she acted as field boss on her father’s large farm until canning factory season opened, where she entered the factory as Superintendent of 150 men. This was one of the inspirations for a feature article, “Boss Farmer in Frocks — With a
Portrait of Miss Marguerite R. Frink” in the May 1907 issue of Woman magazine. The article stated that “All her father’s employees had the deepest respect and admiration for Miss Frink, whom they always referred to as 'Lady Boss.”'
Daisy paid for her university tuition by selling farm products on commission and returning each Friday afternoon to spend Saturdays overseeing farm work. Still, she completed the four-year course in only two years (since her Normal School credits counted toward her college degree). She even carried extra studies. In 1905, Daisy graduated from University of Denver, earning a Master of Arts and having the highest grades ever made by one student.
From Newspaper Editor to Professor
After university, Daisy worked in her father’s creamery and wrote editorials and political news for the Fort Lupton Press, where she and her sister Ruby served as Joint Editors. In April of 1907, Daisy and Ruby filed homestead claims on adjoining quarters. The Claims weren’t irrigated and despite the advice of friends that it would prevent her from growing anything, Daisy was encouraged after a heavy snowstorm that farming was possible. Daisy planted 280 acres of corn, and the splendid crop amazed her skeptical friends. According to one newspaper, “Miss Frink had the largest cornfield in the state of Colorado.” That fall, she planted 290 acres of winter wheat, purchased 198 hogs, and kept from 4-10 men constantly employed on her farm.
She would become quite skilled in dry farming—and even taught others her techniques. Later in 1909, The Dry Farming Congress published her Paper, "Dry Farming: A Homestead” by Marguerite R. Frink of Colorado Agricultural College.” It began, “Doubtless you are surprised to have a girl address you on dry farming, but I assure you the surprise is mine."
In Jan. 1907, at age 25, Daisy was appointed Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Colorado Agricultural College [later renamed Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanics Arts (A&M) and today known as Colorado State University]. Daisy Wrote the textbook, A Practical Short Course in Arithmetic (1909) It was Intended primarily for the use of farmers, each problem embodied interesting “farmer’s encyclopedia” information, as well as arithmetic.
She traveled and lectured at farmers' institutes for Colorado Agricultural College.
She taught men dairying and instructed them in the business end of farming. During summer vacations, Daisy visited commission houses twice a week, selling her fathers' livestock, canned goods, and produce. She was also employed by the same commission houses to buy farmer's potatoes, cabbages, and other garden produce. They were known to place their entire confidence in the soundness of her judgement.
Another article featuring Daisy and her sister Ruby, "Two Enterprising Girls of the Golden West,” in the Jan 23, 1909 edition of The Girls Companion magazine, stated “Miss Counter was not only one of best cheesemakers of the west" and "As one of best judges of farm and market products, she is perhaps the only woman who has taken car lots of cattle and hogs to market—and has the reputation of getting the very best prices.”
In 1907, Daisy represented her father (who was ill) at the 1st National Canners Convention in Buffalo, New York, as the FIRST and ONLY female delegate. She continued throughout the years to represent both her father’s interests and those of Colorado Agricultural College at the conventions. Later, she earned a seat on the association’s Board of Directors — and ultimately became President of the National Canning Association. As she took the helm of the family business, she willingly shared her expertise and wrote extensively on the subject. As Daisy’s expertise and reputation excelled, she became known as “The First Lady of Canning.”
Her expertise and hard-working ethic she gained from her parents, never made it necessary for her to hide her femininity. One publication wrote, “To read of Miss Frink’s resourcefulness and strength as a businesswoman, one might be inclined to imagine her of a very masculine type. On the contrary, she is distinctly feminine — a slight graceful girl, of medium height, with an abundance of dark brown hair and beautiful blue eyes.” Perhaps the highest compliment paid to her femininity, was the profiling of her expertise and career highlights in the book Sex Equality, A Solution for the Woman Problem by Emmett Densmore, MD (1907). He featured two chapters to Daisy’s exceptional career: “Miss Frink's Brilliant Achievements," and "Made State Instructor of Farmers.”
Meeting Her Future Husband Ben
While working as an Assistant Professor Colorado Agricultural College, Daisy met her future husband Benjamin Tucker Counter, who was a student at the college, Ben was successful in several prominent positions, including Business Manager of The Rocky Mountain Collegian, Silver Spruce staff, Atheneum Literary Society, and others. He also helped found the Sigma Delta Fraternity (now Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity). After graduating in 1909 with Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil and Irrigation Engineering, Ben worked as a Civil Engineer in Irrigation Work at Hot Sulphur Springs, Color.
Ben's Early Life
Benjamin Tucker Counter was born on Mar 6, 1886 to James N. and May Counter in (Belleville) Kansas. Ben grew up in Wray Colorado, where they moved in 1887 when he was 16 mos. old. His father bought and served as Editor of the Wray Rattler Newspaper. His two sisters, Clara Jane and Ann Mildred, were born later in Color. (1894 & 1889). The family moved in 1901 to Fort Collins where Ben and older brother James Clarence (JC) attended Colorado Agricultural College. They then moved to Brighton in 1903, where their father James started the Counter Lumber Company.
Wedding Bells in Aggie Colors
Ben & Daisy married on January 27, 1910 in a charming home wedding in the bride’s parents house in Fort Lupton. The house was decorated in Aggie colors (yellow and green) and the bride carried daffodils—and, of course, daisies. Afterward, the new Mr. and Mrs. Counter took the 9:39 southbound train for a short trip in the southern part of the state.
Making a Mark on Life
That same year, in 1910, Ben assumed the position of Assistant Manager at his father’s Counter Lumber Company. Later in 1918, he was promoted to Manager. He didn’t have far to go to work, as Ben and Daisy lived behind the lumber company at 324 Strong St. (The house is gone now, but it was in the located where the Anythink Brighton parking lot is today.) Daisy lived in this same house until her death.
Ben held the distinguished Certified Agricultural Consultant (CAC) designation in the American Society of Agricultural Consultants (ASAC).
Society News
As Ben and Daisy "settled" in together they found they shared the same incredible energy and zest for life. Each led important and demanding careers; Ben managed Counter Lumber Company and Daisy served as Treasurer/Secretary of the Fort Lupton Canning Company. Together they were active in community and shared association affairs. And, of course, they had their three children, Ben Frink, Ruth Elaine, and Helen Marguerite.
Throughout his life in Brighton, Ben took a great interest in the School System. Ben was actively involved as a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Knights Templar, and the Shriners—as well as the Alpha Tau Omega he helped Found. Daisy was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Some of her pursuits were even included in a Denver Post Society Page (June 18, 1933) "Women of Prominence.” Her mention reads, “Mrs. B.T. Counter, an active businesswoman and Vice Regent of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution DAR, spending much time doing philanthropic work.”
Brightonians may recognize this article from mentions of her mother-in-law May Counter and Josie Leffingwell (Proprietress of Leffingwell Mercantile). The article reported that Mrs. JN Counter is “regarded as one of Brighton’s most intelligent and enterprising matrons. She is active in educational work and deserves credit for organizing the first successful county school directors’ association. For many years she was a member of the board of education, and she is active in many literary organizations." The article continued that Mrs. A.S. Leffingwell "is a member of the Board of Education and an assiduous worker of the Red Cross. Read more about Josie Leffingwell, “Proprietress of Leffingwell Mercantile” on page 63 of Robin Kring’s book A Stroll through Elmwood: Brighton’s Stories Told in Stone.
Daisy wrote extensively for DAR, including writing about historic events in the Brighton vicinity in serial form. Her passion for the organization was something Daisy shared with her mother EP, who was also very involved in the Fort Vasquez Chapter. Those in Fort Lupton affectionately called her Grandma Frink, as she was known for her mothering of some 50 children, helping them through school. Both Daisy and her mother loved genealogy, and EP traced the heritage of both of her parents back to William the Conqueror.
Daisy was an ardent outdoors woman and deer hunter. This was something she shared with her husband. But, tragically, the end of Ben’s story ends with a fateful hunting trip.
Ben's Tragic Deer Hunting Trip
Ben had gone deer hunting in mountains, drank from stream water, and later got the "fever." On December 17, 1922, Benjamin Tucker Counter died at home from Typhoid Fever. He had a Knights Templar Funeral Escort. His brothers from Masonic Lodge 87 (A.F. & A.M.) attended his funeral, along with family and friends from both Fort Lupton and Brighton. The service was held at the Alhambra Theatre in Brighton, with the service conducted by Rev. Morgan of the Fort Lupton Methodist Church. Ben's Fort Lupton Press obituary read, “The sterling character of Mr. Counter will be apparent when one realizes the big theater was packed to the doors by friends who braved the bitter cold to do him honor.” The theater, now gone, seated 600.
Daisy died peacefully at the age of 91. Ben and Daisy are buried at Elmwood Cemetery next to their two infant sons, one who died in 1911 and one in 1919. Left behind were his three children: Benjamin Frink (who was 10 at the time), Ruth Elaine (7), and baby Helen Marguerite (only 17 mos.).
A Note from the Author
This story was shared by local historian and writer, Robin Kring, at the 12th Annual Elmwood Cemetery Historic Walk. She is grateful to Nora Medina, at the Fort Lupton Museum for sharing research materials. The author has conducted additional research to supplement the material and can be contacted at Clear Creek Publishing with any additions or corrections. using the Contact form at the bottom of the Home Page.
A special thank you to Daisy’s family who have shared their stories, artifacts, and papers with the museum. This has allowed us to get to know this amazing woman who not only inspires us with her success but provides us with a local area heritage that makes us proud. I hope the readers have enjoyed the story of our Boss Farmer in Frocks, Master Cheesemaker, Company President, and Mathematician Wiz. She was one, truly amazing and remarkable Victorian woman born ahead her time.
