Fremont County , Colorado

Biographies

 

                                                                                   JAMES A. ADAMS.
This gentleman has spent nearly all his life in Colorado, having come here with his parents when he was but thirteen years of age. He was born in Jackson County, Mo., March 30, 1850. His father was a Baptist clergyman, and also a farmer. James received the benefits of a good school while in Missouri, but his advantages in that line were very limited after coming to this new country—schoolhouses which now adorn so many towns were then unknown. After arriving in Colorado, his father located at Bent's Old Fort, where he resided two years, after which they removed to Fremont County, where the subject of this sketch has since lived. After arriving at manhood, he engaged in stock-raising and farming, which he has carried on with success. He was married, in 1875, to Emma Frazier, daughter of Reuben Frazier, of Cation City.
 

                                                                                  WATSON R. AGARD.
Mr. Agard was born in Portage County, Ohio, August 27, 1837. In 1840, his parents removed to Illinois, and settled in Adams County ; this was before the Indians had entirely given up their right to that part of the public domain. He was brought up a farmer, and given a good common-school education. He served his country in the Second Missouri State Militia. His father died in 1854 ; he being the youngest son, he remained at home with his mother, and in 1865 they removed to Missouri. In the same year he was married to Miss Ophelia De Groodt. His mother died in 1870, at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. In 1873, he emigrated to Colorado ; after wandering through the mines and mountains for two years, he settled in Cañon City, where he has since resided, and, through appointment or election, has occupied the position of peace officer almost constantly. Mr. Agard's ancestors, as well as himself, were men who believed in fighting for their country. His grandfather was in the Revolutionary war, and his father in the war of 1812.
 

                                                                                     E. T. AILING.
Mr. Ailing, the senior member of the firm of Ailing & Co., Cañon City, was born in Connecticut, Oct. 26, 1827. He graduated in the class of 1851, at Brown University; he then went to Tennessee, and was engaged in teaching till 1857 ; after which he went to Minnesota, and in 1864 commenced the hardware business, where he was very prosperous for several years. His health failing, he sought a Colorado climate ; came to Cañon City in 1875, and started the hardware business, under the firm name of Ailing, Curtis & Co., and later as Ailing & Co. The firm has built up a large wholesale and retail trade. Mr. Ailing is also senior member of the firm of Ailing & Co., of Silver Cliff and Ouray. He has regained his health, and is one of Colorado's most energetic business men, highly respected by all.
 

                                                                         EBENEZER B. ALLING.
Mr. Alling was born in Mississippi December 26, 1852. The family moved to Minnesota, where he lived until 1875. He first attended the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Ill., and afterward the University of Minnesota, at Minneapolis. He also took a thorough business course at Curtiss & Hyte's Business College, at Minneapolis. After two years of active business, his health failed him, and he removed to Cation City, Colo., in 1875, and became partner in the hardware house of Alling, Curtis & Co., soon after changed to Ailing & Co. Like many other invalids, he has regained his health in a Colorado climate, and has built up a large and lucrative business. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Julia P. Fitch, of Anoka, Minn.
 

                                                                                 HENRY BELKNAP.
Mr. Belknap was born in Virginia April 1, `1836. His father still resides there, and is now 100 years old, and still retains his faculties remarkably well. Henry attended the common schools, and worked upon the farm till he was nineteen years of age, when he started out to battle with life for himself. He went to Missouri, where he worked by the month fortwo years. He then crossed the plains to Salt Lake, Utah, with an ox team. After remaining there one year, he returned to Missouri. In 1862, he came to Colorado, and located upon a farm in Fremont County, where he has since resided. In 1863, he was married to Miss Nancy Young, of Jackson County, Mo.
 

                                                                                 JACOB A. BETTS.
Mr. Betts was born in Washington County, Md., November 12, 1830. His father was a blacksmith. The early advantages Jacob had for an education was a subscription school till he was fifteen years of age. He then went to learn the tailor's trade. He worked at this business twelve years ; afterward went to Illinois and farmed two years. In 1859, he turned his face Westward, and in May he arrived in Denver, just before the great snow storm which caused so much suffering on the plains. He went to Central City, and remained there till fall, when he went to New Mexico. In the spring, he returned, and spent the summer in Central. In the fall. he started for San Juan County, but was taken sick on the way, and stopped on the Greenhorn. Here he remained three years. Subsequently he was in the grocery trade in Pueblo for three years. In 1873, he bought the ranch he now lives on, in Custer County, near the line of Fremont. He owns 320 acres of laid in Custer County, and 420 acres in Fremont. He is very extensively engaged in raising horses and cattle. Mr. Betts was Sheriff of Pueblo County in 1864 and 1865. He was married, November 8, 1866, to Sarah E. Parker.
 

                                                                                           H. T. BLAKE.
Among the live editors of Colorado is to be found H. T. Blake, of the Canon City Record. He was born in Philadelphia. Penn., May 27, 1846. At the early age of Philadelphia, years, he enlisted in the Sixth Ohio Infantry, and served three years and two months. He was the youngest man in the regiment. He was always at the front ; he was in the hottest part of the fight in the battles in Western Virginia, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, finishing up with Sher-man's march through Georgia, and still he never was wounded, and was always well and ready for duty. In 1865, he was clerk in the Brooklyn, N. Y., Navy Yard, and from 1865 to 1868 was Clerk of the Union League Club of New York City ; from 1868 to 1871, was clerk on Lake Champlain steamers. In 1871, he came to Colorado, and engaged as book-keeper in a bank in Greeley. In 1872 and 1873, was proprietor of the Manitou House at Manitou Springs. In 1874, was clerk of the Colorado Springs Hotel, and in 1875 was book-keeper in the First National Bank of Colorado Springs. In 1876, he went to Rosita., and was cashier of a bank there ; was appointed the first Sheriff of Custer County, in 1877. He was sixteen months Superintendent of Mallett's Reduction Works. In February, 1879, he bought the Canon City Record. He has made of that paper not only a financial success, but one of the liveliest weekly papers in the State. He also carries on an extensive real estate business in connection with his paper. Mr. Blake has always stood high with every one whom he has done business for, and has never left a man's employ but what that man stood ready to give him the best kind of recommendation. He has always been a stanch Republican, but is always ready, through his paper, to deal fearlessly with anything like fraud or corruption. He is very liberal—always ready to respond to any laudable enterprise. Mr. Blake was married, in 1870, to Miss Austin, of New York, who died at Greeley October 15, 1871, of typhoid fever. He remained a widower till June 4, 1876, when he was married to Miss Cornelia Davis, at Rosita ; her father was one the oldest prospectors in that district. Their first child, Harry Custer Blake, was born March 8, 1877, and died at eleven months of age; their second, Percival A. Blake, born April I, 1879 ; the third, Harry T. Blake, January 30, 1881. Mr. Blake stands high in the estimation of the people of Canon, as a man of ability and strict integrity.
 

                                                                                   ALEXANDER BOWIE.
Mr. Bowie was born in Linlithgowshire, England, in 1845. He came to America in 1865, and as practical coal miner and pit-boss in mines of Cape Breton, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, has been thoroughly educated in all the minutiae of this important industry. In June, 1877, he was a candidate for Mine Inspector fbr the first division in the bituminous coal region in Pennsylvania, and in a class of sixty of the expert miners of the State, only fifteen of whom passed the rigid inspection of the State Board, he was first among the number of successful candidates. He has since been Superintendent of leading mines, until called to the superintendency of the Cañon City Coal Company, in 1880, with headquarters at Rockdale, Fremont County. Being also an experienced mining engineer, and having a thorough understanding of coal formations in different portions of the country, his practical explorations in the Canon City Coal Basin have resulted in some of the most valuable discoveries yet made in the basin, far exceeding the deductions of all the geological experts who have reported on the region since its discovery.
 

                                                                                MRS. RUTH C. BRUCE.
This history would not be complete without a sketch of this lady. She has seen so many hardships and went through so many trying scenes, and still, when it became necessary, taken the part of a man in bringing up her family and managing her extensive ranch, that she has become extensively known all through Southern Colorado. She was born in Vermont October 13, 1808. At the age of fifteen, she removed with her parents to New York State; they remained there seven years, when they removed to Ohio. At the age of twenty-four she was married to Owen Marsh, and they removed to Hillsdale, Mich. After seven years of married life Mr. Marsh died; she afterward married Franklin Bruce. They lived at different times in Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Kansas till 1860, when they came to Colorado. They first went to California Gulch, but in the fall removed to Fremont County, on Hardscrabble Creek, where she has since resided. In 1862, Mr. Bruce had occasion to go to a saw mill a few miles up the creek. He did not come that night as was expected. Mrs. Bruce was alarmed for his safety and started parties early the next morning in search of him. They found his body, he having been murdered by two Espanosias, who had taken his horse and fled; these same parties kept on their course of murder and robbery until some thirty persons had been killed by them. They were finally hunted down by the settlers and shot. Although Mrs. Bruce had lost her husband in this tragic manner, she still remained on her ranch with her children, and to-day has one of the best farms in Fremont County. She lives with her daughter, Mrs. Jones. She has another daughter who married Henry Burroughs, and lives a short distance from her down the creek. Mrs. Bruce is very highly respected by all her neighbors.
 

                                                                                 SAMUEL H. BOYD.
Among the old pioneers who came to Colorado in an early day is the subject of this sketch ; he has; seen a great many ups and downs ; made money and lost it by misfortunes and made it again several times. But he is a man of nerve and pluck and never gives up. He is now proprietor of the Boyd House, Canon City, and is doing a thriving business. Mr. Boyd was born in Wheeling, Virginia, December 9, 1827. At the age of twelve years, he learned the wire-working business, when he was so small he had to stand upon a box to reach the work-bench; he worked at this business twelve years. He then went to Missouri, and was traveling salesman for Elliott, Hay & Stanly, selling wheat fans; he was engaged at this for five years. He then went to St. Joseph, Mo., and was at one time City Marshal ; he was also in the grocery business, till 1862, when he came to Colorado, leaving his family in St. Joseph. In 1863, he went back for them. He was engaged in various mining camps, until 1864, when he went to Fremont County and engaged in farming. When his crops were nicely started and everything looking finely, including thirty acres of wheat and sixty acres of corn and other vegetables, the grasshoppers came and completely destroyed the whole crop, almost in a night. He has been engaged for several years in hotel-keeping in Cañon City, and always kept a good house. He is a genial, whole-souled man, and every one is his friend. He has been Trustee of the city at different times, and, in 1880, was elected its Mayor.
 

                                                                                   MARTIN BRUMBLY
This gentleman is an old-timer in Colorado. He is a rustler in business. He has been all over the State since 1859, ever ready to turn his hand to anything honorable where he could see money in it. He was born in Ohio February 3, 1834. At the early age of thirteen years, he started out in life and has taken care of himself since. At the age of twenty-three, he took a trip through Iowa and Minnesota—sometimes working at the carpenter's trade, at others farming. In 1859, he crossed the plains to Colorado. He has been in various businesses at different points. In 1864, was in the Sand Creek Indian war, under Capt. Talbot. In 1866, was master mechanic in building Fort Reynolds, after which he went to Pueblo, remaining there till 1874, when he went to Rosita, then a new mining camp, and engaged in merchandising and livery business. Later on and during the railroad war, he came to Canon City, where he has since resided. He has a nice livery, well stocked, and Mrs. Brambly has an extensive millinery store.
 

                                                                                HENRY BURNETT.
Among the old-timers who crossed the plains in '59 is found the subject of this sketch. He was born in South Hadley, Mass., July 15, 1815. At the age of fifteen years, he went to learn the mason's trade ; he worked at this business till 1849, when he was one of the first to emigrate to California. A company of 126 bought a ship, and went around Cape Horn ; was seven months on the voyage between New York and California. After remaining there eighteen months engaged in mining, he returned to Massachusetts. In 1853, he went to Kane County, Ill , farming and working at his trade for two years. He then went to Minnesota, and took up a farm, and lived there till 1859, when, hearing of the rich gold and silver regions of Colorado, crossed the plains with the throng, and located for the winter on the Hard-scrabble. In the following spring, he went to the mountains prospecting. He was in the Tarryall placer diggings for three years. In the fall of 1863, he went to Montana, and remained there three years. In 1866, to Fremont County, where he has been engaged in farming and stock business since ; he has been very successful. He is highly respected, and has concluded to make Colorado his home while he lives.
 

                                                                                 J. F. CAMPBELL.
Among the younger men of enterprise and business integrity who have been connected with the business interests of Cañon City for three years past, is J. F. Campbell. He was born in Madison, Wis., March 10, 1857. When eleven years of age, his parents moved to Canton, Ohio, at which place he received a common-school education. At the age of seventeen years, he entered upon a clerkship in one of Canton's leading book stores. Here, by his strict attention to business, faithfulness and pleasant ways, he made many friends. In two years' time, he left this position to accept the better one of book-keeper in a large hardware store of the same place. In February, 1877, he came to Colorado, and entered the Fremont County Bank of Cañon City, as book-keeper. After two years of faithful service in this capacity, he was made Cashier of the bank, which same position he still holds. He was married, in January, 1881, to Miss Hattie N. Danner, of Canton, Ohio. In the April municipal election of the same year, he was elected Mayor of the city of Canon, being at the time but twenty-four years of age—the youngest man on the ticket, and the youngest Mayor in the State.
 

                                                                        GEORGE R. CASSEDY.
Mr. Cassedy was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1849. His father was a coal miner, being the one who opened the first coal mine in that county. In 1872, he went into the jewelry and music business; he continued in that business till April, 1880, when he came to Canon City, Colo., and entered into partnership with Mr. Shaffer ; and now Shaffer & Cassedy have one of the finest jewelry stores in the southern portion of the State.
 

                                                                              HON. JAMES CLELLAND.
James Clelland was born in Glasgow, Scotland, September 20, 1823. He was married to Miss Anna Bayne in 1845 ; they have one son and one daughter. He came to America in 1848, located in Iowa City, Iowa, and for ten years engaged in the construction of railroads. In 1860, he removed to Atchison, Kan., and with mule and ox trains followed the overland freighting business, making about six round trips to Denver each season, passing unharmed through all the perils of life on the plains. He was with the well-known wholesale firm of Stebbins & Porter, in Denver, for several years, gaining through them a large acquaintance throughout the State. In 1871, he removed to Canon City, becoming at once permanently identified with the county, by purchase of real estate, and by engaging in trade, the grocery portion of which he had specially fitted himself for by his long connection with the above-named firm. By his close attention to business, he has endeared himself to a large following of customers, among whom he is known far and near as " Uncle Jimmy." In politics, he is a Democrat. He was member from Fremont County in the last Territorial Council in 1876, and Senator from this (the Fourteenth) district in the first State Senate, in 1877, where he won considerable distinction for his ready manner of dispatching business, and his aptness in adapting himself to the phases of legislative life. In the famous railroad war of this county, conceiving it to be the only way to correct the misunderstandings existing between the Denver & Rio Grande Railway and the people, he early fostered schemes to secure a competing line, and punish them in turn if possible, being a Director and Treasurer of the Canon City & San Juan Railroad, which was the first company to beard the Denver & Rio Grande lion in its claimed exclusive Grand Canon fastness. The opportunity came in that never-to-be-forgotten—by people of this county—April 19, 1878, commencement of the Grand Cañon war, in which he entered with spirit, which did not lag until the courts and compromises ruled out the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, to which the local company was allied. It was not his province to pour oil on the troubled waters the sinews of war were his forte, and the Denver & Rio Grande toppled on the verge of bankruptcy over the contest. That Mr. Clelland, as well as the antagonist, have come out stron g financially, shows the stuff of which the contestants were made. He is acknowledged to be a natural leader, so much so that in whatever station he occupies, it is calculated his counsels must prevail, which, being a man of sound judgment and large experience in business and among the people, there is seldom any objection to, the more especially as success uniformly crowns his schemes for himself or the public. The social amenities of life have some attractions for him, but generally show a tendency toward financial ends ; while in his son, George W., the opposite trait predominates —overflowing with wit and good feeling through whatsoever shadows may darken his pathway. His only daughter, Frances, now the wife of James H. Peabody, Esq., is a model wife, and a great favorite among a large circle of friends. To his connection with the Canon City Water Works, the public are in a large measure indebted for this inestimable blessing to the town. He has just completed another fine store, the most substantial and best-finished store in town, in which he inaugurated the use of the beautiful Rockvale buff stone for trimming purposes. He is a working member of Royal Arch Masonry, also Treasurer of the Blue Lodge, and active in all public enterprises.
 

                                                                              WILLIAM C. CATLIN.
Among the early pioneers of Colorado who came in search of fortunes was William C. Catlin, and right well has his anticipations been realized. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1827. At the age of twenty-two years, he concluded to seek his fortune in a new world ; he came to America with his young wife, and first located in Medina, Ohio ; after four years he went to Nebraska, but being desirous of seeing what was still further west, he crossed the plains into Colorado. He spent two years in mining in California Gulch, after which he removed to Fremont County. He has shown great enterprise in farming, raising stock and brick-making. He has furnished all the bricks used in building up the nice blocks in Canon City. He has a very handsome residence and grounds in South Callon, and is one of the most active business men in the community, highly respected by all the people.
 

                                                                                    HON. A. D. COOPER.
Mr. Cooper ranks among the old pioneers of Colorado, he having emigrated here in 1859. He was born in Venango County, Penn., September 22, 1822. He received a good district school education, and also attended Farmington Academy, at Trumbull, Ohio. At the age of twenty-two years, he went to Kentucky, where he was engaged in teaching for three years. He then returned to his former home, and was engaged in farming and buying stock, which he would drive to Eastern markets to sell. In 1858, he moved to Nebraska ; after remaining there one year, he again turned his face toward the setting sun, arriving June 16, at Auraria. In August, he crossed the range and located on the Blue. He was one of the number who built Fort Mary B. He was elected Delegate to the first Constitutional Convention, from Summit County, which met in Golden, in July, 1865. He was elected State Senator to the first State Legislature, which met at Golden, in 1365 ; was Enrolling Clerk for two years in the Territorial Legislature. In 1867, he moved to Clear Creek County, where he engaged in mining till 1869, when he came to Fremont County, where he still lives. He owns a nice farm, nine miles from Canon City, but he lives in the city-, and has occupied the position of Postmaster for two years. He represented Fremont, Lake, Park and Saguache Counties in the Ninth Territorial, Legislature. He also represented the same counties in the Third Constitutional Convention, which framed the present constitution. In all his official capacities, Mr. Cooper has performed his duties to the perfect satisfaction of his constituents ; and for honesty and strict integrity, no man in Colorado stands higher than Mr. Cooper.
 

                                                                                          JABEZ T. COX.
Mr. Cox is one of the leading lawyers of Southern Colorado ; he being one of the firm of Macon & Cox, Cañon City. He was born in Clinton County, Ohio, January 27, 1846. He was educated at Westfield Academy, Indiana; after which he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. He practiced his profession in Tipton, Ind., till 1875, when he removed to Hutchinson. Kan. In 1878, he was nominated by the Democrats and indorsed by the Greenback party, for Attorney General. He was beaten by Willard Davis, by only six thousand votes, while the head of the ticket was beaten by over forty thousand. He polled the largest vote ever given for any Democrat in the State of Kansas. In 1879, he came to Canon City, Colo., where he has had a very successful practice since.
 

                                                                                         M. MILLS CRAIG.
Among the substantial farmers of Fremont County is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Craig was born upon a farm in Burke County, N. C., October 16, 1832. He remained at home, receiving a good education at the common schools and high school at Burnsville, N. C., until he was twenty-one years of age; after which he taught school for five years. In 1860, he joined the throng who were marching westward in search of gold. He first went to Frying-Pan Gulch, and later to other camps, till 1861, not finding mining all he expected, he removed to Fremont County, and has been extensively engaged in farming since. He owns 320 acres of nice land four miles from Canon City. In January, 1869, he was married to Rebecca E. Brown, of McDowell County, N. C.
 

                                                                               THOMAS H. CRAVEN. M. D.
This gentleman was born near Richmond, Mo., May 26, 1837. His boyhood days were spent upon his father's farm. He received a common-school education. In 1856, he took a position as clerk in his brother's store at Camden, Mo. Here he remained four years, after which he began the study of medicine with Dr. W. W. Mosby, of Richmond, Mo. He attended one term at Richmond College, but in 1862, feeling that his country needed his services, he recruited Company H, Fifty-first Regiment of Missouri Volunteers, and was elected its Captain. He served principally on scout duty in the Western Department, until May, 1863, when he resigned his position on account of failing health. He then went to Philadelphia, Penn., and continued the study of medicine at Jefferson Medical College. He began practicing at Kearney, Clay Co., Mo., in April, 1864. In August of the same year, he removed to Colorado, and resumed practice at Nevada, Gilpin County. In April, 1869, removed to Cañon City, where he has continued the practice of his profession with marked success. In 1873, he was elected Treasurer of Fremont County, reelected in 1875, and declined the nomination in 1877. He has never sought official positions, but the office and the people sought him. He is President of the Fremont Medical Society, and a member of the State Medical Society. He is Surgeon of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Company. The Doctor enjoys a lucrative practice, and has the respect and esteem of the people.
 

                                                                                   BENJAMIN CURTIS.
Among the worthy foreigners who have come to America in search of homes, and found them in Colorado, is the subject of this sketch. He was born in England August 25, 1825. At the age of fifteen years, he went to learn the machinist's trade, and followed that business in his native country till 1857, when he removed, with his wife and two small boys, to Canada. After remaining there one year, they went to St. Joseph, Mo., where he followed his old business in connection with railroading. In 1863, he came to Colorado, and was in Central City and Black Hawk till 1868, when he removed to Fremont County, and located upon a farm on Four Mile Creek, four miles from Cañon City, where he and his two sons still reside. They have an elegant place. with all the modern improvements and comforts of home around them. Mr. Curtis is very highly respected by the people of Fremont County.
 

                                                                                  SYLVESTER H. DAVIS.
Mr. Davis has been upon the frontier most of his life. He was born upon a farm in Kentucky June 6, 1814. At the age of twenty-three, he went to Arkansas as agent for Cooper, Tanner & Erickson, in herding cattle and supplying the Indians. In 1840, he went back to his former home, and was engaged till 1849 in farming. He was then one of the first pioneers who went to California ; here he remained till 1852, when he returned to Missouri. In the fall of 1853, he went to Texas, where he remained during the winter, and in the spring of 1854 removing to Kansas, then almost entirely a new country. Here he lived ten years, becoming familiar with the Indians, learning to talk their language, and trading with them extensively. In 1863, he removed to Colorado, locating near Colorado Springs ; afterward removed to Fremont County, where he has since resided, on a farm on Four Mile Creek, and about three miles from Cañon City.
 

                                                                                        J. A. DRAPER.
Mr. Draper was born in Onondaga County, N. Y. March 26, 1813. He received a district school education, and at the age of eighteen years he commenced learning the hatter's trade; he worked at his trade for twelve years in different places. In 1843, he moved to Waukau, Winnebago Co., Wis., where he engaged in farming for six years. The following seven years were spent in mercantile business. In 1861, he removed to Fremont County, Colo., where he has since resided, engaged in farming and mercantile business. He has been very successful in his business and now owns considerable real estate in Cañon City. He has occupied the position of County Treasurer and Postmaster at different times. He has the respect of all his neighbors and is looked upon as one of the substantial old pioneers of the country.
 

                                                                                              A. W. DENNIS.
A. W. Dennis, photographer, Callon City, was born in Rockland, Me., December 29, 1858. At the age of five years, he moved to Hallowell, Me., and attended school there for six years. In 1869, he removed to Melrose, Mass., and in 1870 was thrown from a wagon and was so injured that he has never entirely recovered from the effects of the accident. The injuries were so severe that the best medical skill in this country seemed to be unable to afford relief, and, in 1871, he was removed to London, where he was admitted to the St. Thomas Hospital and soon after began to recover, but did not fully recover his health so as to do business until nearly five years later. In 1876, he returned to America and settled in Austin, Minn., where in the next year, he began to learn his present business. He remained in Minnesota till April, 1880, when he came to Cañon City, which he expects to make his permanent home. Most of the Fremont County portraits in this book are from photographs taken by him.
 

                                                                                 GEORGE E. DUDLEY.
George E. Dudley is the oldest son of Henry and Emily E. Dudley, and was born in Vassalboro, Kennebec Co., Me., December 29, 1847. His ancestors were English. Thomas Dudley, the first of the family who came to America, arrived in "old colonial times," and was chosen Second Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony. The subject of our sketch entered the Sophomore class of Waterville College, Maine, in the autumn of 1879. After leaving that institution, he accepted a professorship in the Hope Street College of Quakers in Providence, R. I., where he remained until his health became impaired. At about this time, he was offered the superintendency of the Westboro (Massachusetts) State Reform School, but declined to accept the position. He went to Canon City in June, 1875, and had charge of its public schools four years. In the summer of 1879, he engaged in mining enterprises in Gunnison County, and was one of the pioneers in locating the present beautiful city of Gothic in the Elk Mountains. At its general election in 1880, for City Directors, he received its banner vote, not having a vote cast against him. He has his residence in Canon City, and will make it his home.
 

                                                                                 MICHAEL DUEBER.
Mr. Michael Dueber is a Prussian by birth. He emigrated to America, with his parents, in 1854, being then but nine years of age, locating at Newport, Ky. At the early age of twelve years, he went to Chillicothe, Ohio, to clerk in the dry goods store of C. J. Miller ; he remained in Mr. Miller's employ four years. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, as clerk for C. W. De Land, and remained there four years. In 1865, he went to Leavenworth, Kan., and engaged himself to B. Flesher & Co. ; in the fall of the same year, being only twenty years of age, he was sent by this firm with a stock of goods to New Mexico. The next year, he entered a partnership with Vicente Romero, a Mexican, in the general merchandise business, at La Cueva, Mora Co., N. M. He remained there one year. and when gold was discovered in the Morano District he went there and was one of the founders of the town of Elizabethtown. He was engaged there in merchandising, hotel keeping and mining, till 1869. He was also Justice of the Peace there three terms. He then went to Arizona and California, returning to Denver in 1870. In 1871, he came to Cañon City to open the penitentiary ; was one of the guards till 1874. He then engaged in the manufacture of brick and in stock-raising till April, 1877, when he was appointed Deputy Warden in the Penitentiary, which position he still occupies.
 

                                                                                            WARREN R. FOWLER.
W. R. Fowler was born in Central New York in 1815, one year after the close of the last war with Great Britain, in which his father had been a soldier. His father was descended from the first Chief Magistrate of the Colony of New Haven, Connecticut, and his mother from Lord Raymond, of England. The family of seven children, though busily employed on a farm, were comfortably reared and given a good common-school education. When nineteen years old, Mr. Fowler began teaching during the winters, preparing himself for the regular examination by employing every spare moment during the intervals of farm labor in summer, and attending a short term at the academy in the autumn. He continued his studies in the sciences, the higher mathematics and the Latin language, all of which he taught to some extent during the seventeen years in which he was engaged in teaching. At the age of twenty-two years, he married Miss Charlotte J. Cheesebro, a cultivated and much esteemed young lady of Whitestown, N. Y., with whom he has since lived most happily. They have one son and one daughter, both of whom are married and have families. In 1849, he decided to seek his fortune in California. He embarked in a sailing vessel, all available steamers having been fully engaged three months ahead. During a voyage of nearly six months he suffered continuously from sea-sickness. It would be extremely interesting to trace in detail his many exciting adventures while in pursuit of wealth in the Golden State, his hardships, and hairbreadth escapes from savage Indians, but our space forbids it, and we must be content with a mere allusion to one or two, and hasten on to record subsequent events of his life. On one occasion, while making his way from San Francisco to Horse Shoe Bar, on American River, he became separated from his companions, and following an Indian trail became lost among the hills. Night came on and with it a meeting with eight wild Indians, from whom, however, he escaped unharmed, and retracing his way reached the main road, where he fell in with a party of sailors, who were traveling by night to avoid the intense heat of the day, and accompanied them to his destination. On another occasion, he swam the American River, near its mouth, pushing before him a raft of brush, upon which he had placed his clothes, containing a purse of gold and other valuables. Each twig of his brush heap furnished resistance to the water, and it was only by putting forth almost superhuman exertions that he escaped being swept into the rushing Sacramento just below. He at last succeeded in touching bottom some three rods from the opposite bank and landed his cargo safely, but it is safe to say he never afterward attempted to cross a river with a brush heap for a bark. This satisfied his desire for river navigation, but he afterward became interested in a vessel engaged in the lumber trade, also a vessel in traffic with the Celestial Empire, in teas and other products, which returned large profits. In California, he succeeded in amassing about $8,000 in gold, and turned homeward after an absence of two years. While at Sacramento, he had passed through one of the most terrible cholera seasons ever experienced in America, and now on the Isthmus - of Darien he contracted a lingering fever, which came near ending his life. Upon his recovery, he engaged in the lumber trade at Utica, N. Y., and continued in that business for three years. About this time, the Great West, of which Chicago was the center, opened up vast fields for enterprise. Thither he went with a friend, and purchased 8,000 acres of native prairie land, from which he realized a splendid profit within two years. After two years more spent in selling merchandise, he made such investments in Chicago, that in one year he was the owner of property worth $50,000. In the financial crisis of 1857-58, he lost much of his property, and became so disheartened as to abandon much that might have been saved. Completely discouraged, he sought relief in the new country known as "Pike's Peak," a land said to abound in gold. Financial trouble had caused him to pause and consider whether money and its pursuit were the desideratum of life. Riches had taken wings and flown away when least expected; that which had been acquired through years of toil had vanished. Heartsick and discouraged, he sought comfort in the promises of the word of God, and found rest and peace. Joy and hope took the place of gloom and despair, and he entered cheerfully upon the Christian life, which he has continued faithfully to the present time. He united with he Presbyterian Church, was elected Deacon and acted as such till he left for Colorado. He set out with an ox team, consisting of three yoke of oxen, taking his family and an outfit, among which were some bibles, theological text-books, Sabbath-school books, a package of tracts and some sermons, he being determined to bring his religion across the Missouri River, a thing many have failed to do. Arriving at Canon City on the 10th of August, 1860, he found a wide field for his Christian efforts, which he was not slow to occupy. Public services were held every Sunday, a Sabbath school was established and no Sabbath passed without the distribution of tracts throughout the entire settlement. Very soon a simple code of laws was enacted, and Mr. Fowler was unanimously chosen to administer them. Before long a Methodist preacher came to the place and established a small society of that communion, with which Mr. Fowler then united, and has since remained connected. During his residence in Canon, he has been for six years Superintendent of Schools, and by him were organized most of the school districts of Fremont and Custer Counties.

Mr. Fowler has had personal acquaintance with some of the rites, notably with Ouray, who came on one occasion to his house to buy powder. Its sale to Indians being unlawful, 'the demand was refused, but when the request was for a present of flour it was readily granted, the chief promptly returning the sacks in which had been packed the " shorts " given to - him and his people. Mr. Fowler is a strong advocate of total abstinence principles, in relation to the church, to society and to politics. He will not vote for any candidate for any public office who drinks intoxicants, or who favors their use. He has taken a lively interest in politics, and has several times been proposed as a candidate for the State Legislature, but as he neither believes in asking for a nomination nor soliciting votes, it has always been found necessary to put forward some other person. Although Mr. Fowler came into the country with an ox team and used no other for several years, he has long since discarded their use and adopted horses and carriages, which he greatly prefers. Yet he has great regard for the peaceful, quiet ox, which served him so faithfully for five or six years, and with which he has traveled thousands of miles over mountain roads, camping under the blue sky, encountering rains and snows, often sleeping, moistened by the one or covered by the other, during all of which his patient oxen have been his companions and friends. This sketch but outlines the remarkable incidents and experiences in the career of this representative pioneer, who, by his many sterling qualities, has won an enviable standing among his fellow-citizens and in the community at large.
 

                                                                      HON. WILLARD B. FELTON.
Mr. Felton is a descendant of Nathaniel Felton, who came to America from England in 1633. Since coming to Colorado, he has been very closely identified with its growth and prosperity, having been elected to some position of trust nearly every year. He was born in Massachusetts Nov. 26, 1837. His father owned a large grist and saw mill ; he remained at home till he was fifteen years of age, when he went to Boston, and engaged with the wholesale dry goods house of Austin, Sumner & Co. as 'assistant book-keeper. He remained with' the same house till the spring of 1862 ; he then came to Colorado, and located in Frying-Pan Gulch, Lake County ; from there he went to Cache Creek Gulch, Lake County, where he remained till 1870. While there he organized the Treasury Mining Company, and built a fifteen-stamp mill. He was elected to the Constitutional Convention in 1864 ; he was Enrolling Clerk in the Council in 1865. In 1868, he was elected Superintendent of Schools for Lake County, also appointed County Judge the same year. In 1870, he went to Saguache County, and engaged in farming and stock-raising till 1875. He was Superintendent of Schools for 1871. In 1872. he was Assessor. He was County Judge from 1873 to 1881 ; he was Chief Clerk in the house for the first and second terms of the State Legislature. He was one of the members of the Constitutional Convention in 1875 ; after the Constitution was enrolled, Mr. Felton discovered that they had made no provision for appointing Presidential Electors for 1876, and through his foresight and influence, Section 19 of the schedule was added, empowering the Legislature to appoint electors to represent the State, thereby securing the election of Hayes. He was publisher and proprietor of the Saguache Chronicle from April, 1876, to January-, 1881. In February, 1879, he was appointed one of the Commissioners of the Penitentiary. He was Clerk of the District Court of his county for 1880. He was appointed Warden of the Penitentiary in December. 1880, to fill a vacancy ; and in February, 1881, he was re-appointed to the same position for the full term of two years. He was Secretary of the Republican State Conventions in 1876 and 1880. He was, in 1869, married to Rhoda Royal ; he has one son and one daughter.
 

                                                                          CAPT. SAMUEL T. FERRIER.
Prominent among the business men of Canon City is Capt. Ferrier. He was born in a log cabin, in the woods of Indiana, January 3, 1839. The country being new, his school advantages were limited till he became twenty-one years of age; he then entered Waneland Collegiate Institute, where he remained one year. When the war broke out, he was one of the first to respond to the call of his country. He enlisted in the "Bloody Ninth" Indiana Regiment ; after three months' service, he entered the Second Indiana Cavalry, with which he remained till the close of the war ; first as private, afterward Captain. He was in Gen. Thomas' command, and he and his regiment were always at the front. After the war closed, be went back to Indiana, and engaged in farming and handling stock. In 1866, he was married to Mary Eversol. In 1877, he removed to Canon City, Colorado, where he has since resided, engaged in the transfer business, being a member of the Canon City Transfer Company. He is one of the City Council, elected in 1880, and re-elected in 1881.
 

                                                                           AMBROSE FLOURNOY.
This gentleman was born on a farm in Jackson County, Mo., September 1, 1832. He received what education he could get from the common schools. He remained at home with his father until twenty-three years of age, and then went to Johnson County, Kan., where he ran a saw-mill till 1858 ; he then returned to his former home, and in 1860 he started with a saw-mill with ox teams across the plains. He put up his mill in El Paso County, near Pike's Peak ; this he ran for awhile, and sold out, and returned again to his home in Missouri. He, like many others who return East, was not contented, and in 1863 he came back to Colorado and located at old Fort Lyon. In 1865, he moved to Four Mile Creek, in Fremont County, where he has since resided engaged in farming.
 

                                                                                CHARLES W. FOWLER.
Mr. Fowler was born in New Hartford, N. Y., Nov. 28, 1840 ; was one of the first graduates from Bryant & Stratton's College at Chicago. Readily taking to the forms of business and a favorite generally, he was called upon to leave the home of his good parents, Mr. and Mrs W. R. Fowler, to try pioneer life in Montana, being offered choice between clerkship in the Bank of Helena, or clerkship of the U. S. District Court for the Territory- He accepted the latter, which he filled with great credit for years 186364-65-66. He was one of the first to mine in Washington Gulch, in Elk Mountain country, and advertised Gunnison County with his pen extensively years ago, while traveling agent and correspondent through the Southwest for the Colorado Chieftain., and during same period, he wrote one of the best articles descriptive of advantages of this county yet written, large numbers of which were circulated by our citizens. During his younger days, his pocket was a veritable horn of plenty. Now that he is married and has a bright family of little pets, as with us all, the horn must be carried to keep the ducats in for use rainy days. At present he is in the Railway Mail Service, and acknowledged to stand at the head of the list in the West. Long live Charles W.
 

                                                                                    JESSE FRAZER.
Uncle Jesse Frazer "as he is familiarly called by every one, is one of the pioneers of Colorado. While he came here in 1859, with the throng who came in search of the precious metals, he had a different point in view, it was to find lands upon which to found a home for the balance of his life. And right well has he succeeded, as one who reads this sketch will see. Perhaps no person in Colorado has seen greater hardships, and underwent more privations in an early day, than " Uncle Jesse" and his estimable wife. He was born in St. Charles County, Mo., April 12, 18'19. In 1827, he removed with his parents to Illinois. He was in Quincy when it was composed of only two houses, and those built of logs. Reared in a new country, his advantages for an education were very limited. He remained in Illinois and Missouri engaged in farming till 1859, when he came to Colorado and stopped for one year on the Platte River, above Denver ; he then came to Fremont County, and located on the Arkansas River, eight miles below Canon City, where he now resides. In that early day, the nearest point at which they could buy any supplies was Denver, except occasionally from a trail wagon going through the country. At one time he heard of a supply wagon at Cation City, and went there on foot and bought a sack of flour, for which he paid $18, and carried it upon his shoulder home eight miles. Just before leaving Denver, he was married to Mrs. Ash ; and well did she do her part in this new country, often staying alone surrounded by Indians, while her husband went to Denver. She was the first white woman in Fremont County. Mr. Frazer commenced tilling the soil with a novel plow, made from a crooked stick ; with this he put in quite a crop, and raised quite an amount of vegetables the first year. In 1867, Mr. Frazer put out a few apple trees ; finding they did well, he has added to them, till now he has by far the best orchard in Colorado. In fact, the writer has been all through the East. in what are known as fruit-growing counties, but never saw so thrifty and beautiful a young orchard anywhere. It comprises 2,000 trees, consisting of apples, pears and plums, all set out at uniform distances from each other, and the ground nicely tilled. He also raises extensively all kinds of berries. Mr. Frazer sold in 1879 and 1880, each year, over $2,000 worth of fruit. He is also extensively engaged in raising bees, from which he gets a good revenue every year ; besides, he raises all kinds of grain. Although Mr. Frazer has seen many hardships, he has now in his old age the satisfaction of looking over his vast fields of the richest land on earth, with plenty of everything to make him comfortable. He no longer has to go to Denver on foot or with an ox team, for the onward march of progress has brought the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad right through his lands, with a station at Florence, only one mile away. He is held in the highest respect by every one.
 

                                                                                 REUBEN J. FRAZIER.
The subject of this biography was born in Randolph County, Ind., January 23, 1834. Removed with his parents, in 1837, to Iowa, then Black Hawk Territory. He was engaged on the farm till 1859, when he came to Colorado ; has been a resident of Fremont County since 1860, engaged in farming and dealing in cattle. He was married, in 1856, to Miss L. J. Smith ; he has a family of eight children, all born in Fremont County, except one. lie has held the office of City Marshal and Deputy Sheriff at different times.
 

                                                                                   GEORGE HADDEN.
Mr. Hadden, the Superintendent of the Colorado Coal & Mining Company at Coal Creek, Colo., is a native of Scotland. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1846. He came to America in 1863. He first commenced coal mining, on George's Creek, Maryland ; later on he was in Kentucky, where he spent two years. In 1870, he was appointed Superintendent of the Hazleton Coal Company in Kansas ; he was there three years. He then came to Cedar Point, Colo., and opened up the mines there for the same company. This proved a failure, and the company was merged into the Jefferson Coal Company. He then went to Golden and opened up their mines there. In 1872, he came to Coal Creek and took the position he has held since. Mr. Hadden is a man of rare ability as a miner. He is a perfect gentleman, and is held in high esteem by all.

                                                                           THEODORE M. HARDING.
We hear the remark made frequently, I did not come to Colorado for my health." Mr. Harding did come for his health. Having been given up to die in the East, he came here as a last resort. He has not only regained his health but has built up a large and lucrative business in Canon City, in the short time he has been here. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 6, 1855. At the age of sixteen years, he entered the hardware establishment of Perrin & Gaff, in his native city, where he remained for eight years. In 1879, he came to Colorado. After being here a short time, and his health improving rapidly, his brother came on and they engaged in the hardware business, now having two stores, one at Canon City and one at Irving. He was elected one of the Board of Trustees of Callon City in 1880, and was re-elected in 1881.
 

                                                                                JOHN H. HARRISON.
Mr. Harrison is the County Treasurer of Fremont County. He was born in Henry County, Ky., March 23, 1844. His father was a Presbyterian clergyman. John received a good education, spending four years at Westminster College, Fulton, Mo. In 1864, he came to Colorado and located at Cañon City ; has been farming, merchandising, or in the real estate business since. He was County Commissioner from 1876 to 1879. In 1879, was elected to his present office. He was married to Miss Mary E. Franck in 1879.
 

                                                                                   WILLIAM A. HELM.
One of the early settlers of Colorado is William A. Helm, of Cañon City. He was born in Bedford, Penn., September 19, 1831. His father was a cabinet-maker, a trade which William learned, and worked with his father till 1852, they having moved to Indiana when William was nine years of age. In 1852, he went to Iowa, and spent one year, after which he went back to Indiana, and in 1854, he went into business for himself, at Wintersett. After six months, he returned to Oskaloosa, and went in partnership with his father. Very soon after, his father died, after which he carried on the business at different places till 1860, when he came to Colorado. He first stopped in Golden, and in the fall went to Denver. In 1861, he went back for his family, and that winter located near Canon City on a ranch. After threeyears, he came to Canon City, where he has since resided. Mr. Helm saw some hard times in those days, when there was no place to buy provisions nearer than Denver. But he fought it through, and says, with all his privations, he was happy in anticipation of the future. After coming to Callon, he opened the first hotel ever here, which he ran for three years. He has now an elegant home in the heart of the city, surrounded with plenty. He has taken great interest in growing fruits, and has a lovely orchard of all kinds of fruits, of which he is justly proud. He has also a very nice farm of ninety acres, two miles east of the city. Mr. Helm is also interested quite extensively in mines near Gothic City.
 

                                                                              FRANK HARTWELL.
Frank Hartwell, one of the publishers of the "History of Fremont and 'Custer Counties," was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., December 12, 1833. At the age of sixteen, he went to learn the blacksmith's trade. In 1865, he came to Colorado, first locating at Georgetown ; here he remained three years, and then removed to Pueblo. After one year there, he moved onto a ranch in Fremont County, where he spent one year, since which time he has resided in Canon City, engaged in his trade. In 1879, he, in connection with Mr. Brinkley, published a history of Fremont and Custer Counties, a very interesting and worthy work. He was married, in 1856, to Miss Eliza Harris, of North Hampton, Mass.
 

                                                                             GEORGE HENRY.
Mr. Henry was born on a farm in Hardin County, Ohio, April 27, 1843. When sixteen years of age, he started out in life for himself. He worked by the month for four years, and then, in 1863. came to Colorado. He first worked in a quartz-mill at Black Hawk for six months, after which he removed to Fremont County, where he has been engaged in stock-raising and farming since. He was married to Margaret Brewster in 1866.
 

                                                                              RUDOLPH JESKE.
Mr. Jeske was born in Prussia July 1, 1842. Twenty-five years of his early life was spent in his native country, six years of when he was in the Prussian army. In 1867, he sought a new home in America. He spent two and one-half years in Chicago, Ill., in the wholesale tobacco and cigar business. At the end of this time, there was a large German colony formed in Chicago for the purpose of locating in the West, and Mr. Jeske was one of the committee who was sent out to find a desirable place to locate. They decided upon the Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado, and the colony came on in 1869. In 1872, he came to Cañon City, and embarked in his old business of tobacco and cigars, and has succeeded in building up a very large trade, occupying the whole of one of the largest stores in the city. Mr. Jeske enjoys the respect and esteem of the people to a high degree.
 

                                                                              JOHN W. JOHNSON.
Perhaps no man in Colorado has seen more of the frontiersman's life than the man whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Gallatin County, Ky., June 30, 1826. He was a farmer's son, and received only the advantages of the common schools of that day. In the spring of 1848, he went to St. Joseph, Mo., and served his apprenticeship as brick-layer. In the fall of 1849, he went to Iowa, where he worked at his trade till 1855, when he crossed the plains to California. In the spring of 1859, he went to Trinity County, where he remained two years. The summer of 1861 he spent in Nevada. In 1862, he went to the Caribou Mines in British America. In 1864, went to Idaho City. In 1869, he came to Fremont County, and bought him a farm. He went to Pueblo, and remained five years, working at his trade. Many of the fine brick blocks of that city, and also Canon City, were built by him. He is now turning attention to farming, having recently added to his possessions two large farms adjoining. Mr. Johnson is highly respected, and considered one of the solid men of Fremont County.
 

                                                                             WILBUR K. JOHNSON.
This gentleman was born in Hopkinton, Mass., April 18, 1852. At an early age, he removed with his parents to Iowa City, Iowa, where he enjoyed good advantages for an education, first at the common schools and later at the State University at Iowa City. At the age of twenty-one years, he took a position as traveling salesman for Diebold, Norris & Co., safe manufacturers at Camden, Ohio. He traveled far this firm two years, and then took a similar position with J. M. Butler, a paper dealer of Chicago, Ill. He remained at this business till he came to Colorado, in 1879, arriving in Callon City July 20. He, seeing the need of a good system of water works, first got the franchise of the town, then formed a stock company, composed of the citizens of Cañon. Mr. Johnson was sent to Boston by the company, to select the pump and machinery, and the people of Cation are largely indebted to Mr. Johnson for originating, and, in connection with the company he formed, carrying on to completion one of the best systems of water works in the country. Mr. Johnson, though young in years, has demonstrated that he is a practical business man. Having a great amount of energy and sound judgment, he carries to a successful termination any enterprise which he undertakes.
 

                                                                            WILLIAM E. JOHNSON.
Mr. Johnson was born in Hopkinton, Mass., October 26, 1857. When he was six years of age, his father, who was an extensive contractor, moved to Iowa City, Iowa. He received a good education at the common schools and later at the State University at Iowa City. Feeling that the Far West was the place for young men with pluck and energy, he started for Colorado with only $17 in money. He worked his way along, and arrived in Alamosa July 4, 1878. He at once went to work, and soon fortune began to smile upon him. He soon after came to Cañon City, and commenced the real estate business in a small way. It soon grew into a large business and he was eminently successful. In the fall of 1879, he opened the banking house of William E. Johnson ; this proved another very successful move. In August, 1880, he sold out to what is now known as the Exchange Bank. He was very instrumental in connection with his brother. Wilbur K. Johnson, and 0. G. Stanly, in forming the company for building the water works, and to their efforts Cañon City is indebted to a great extent for one of the best systems of water works in the country.
 

                                                                                     HON. LEWIS JONES.
Hon. Lewis Jones was born in Bourbon County, Ky. in 1799; he subsequently moved to Boone County, Mo., in 1808 ; was married to Mrs. Elizabeth McKinney in 1818, and moved to Shawnee Nation, where he was Government Blacksmith for four years ; moved from there to Independence, Mo., in 1823, being the first settler on the ground ; served as Justice of the Peace and Judge of the County Court ; took an active part in the Mormon troubles of the years 1835-36, and in the fall of 1837 was Commissary on expedition of Missouri State Militia against the Osage Indians. He afterward engaged in the Santa Fe traffic, making his first trip in 1829, when he trusted a treacherous guide and was robbed, in the Taos Mountains, of his large pack train and everything except his private horse and a small quantity of provisions. It was some years before he recuperated, when he embarked in the same trade, extending his operations to Chihuahua; he soon made his losses up, as he cleared on some trips $10,000, or more. On one trip, when he was furnished with an escort of 200 Mexican soldiers, when on the Cimarron River, Indians appeared with the cross carried, hoisted high before them, at which the Mexican officer was inspired with confidence as to their peaceful intentions, and invited them into camp and were passing the pipe of peace, when the Indians, at a signal, gave the war-whoop and fired promiscuously among them, killing only the officer in charge of the troops. Mr. Jones and the train men being more suspicious of the Indians, were not in the parley, grabbed their firearms and in turn so surprised the Indians that they fled in consternation, being hotly pursued by the entire force, who slaughtered the Indians without mercy. They afterward reported their loss to Mexicans at 125. He extended his operations to near the City of Old Mexico, and was there at the time of the proclamation of war with the United States in 1846. He succeeded in escaping with 40,000 pounds of silver and $3,000 in gold. In 1849, when he proposed to go to California, his fame as a traveler caused 300 people to apply to go under his leadership. He fitted out a large train, accompanied by Rev. B. F. Moore, of Cañon, his son-in-law and Green J. Jones, his son, now living on Currant Creek ; taking with him supplies for eighteen months. Before starting, he freed several slaves he was owner of. At the sink of the Humboldt, many of his animals having given out, he abandoned three prairie schooner wagons loaded with provisions and closely sheeted, marking on them, Let every hungry man who comes this way help himself." In California, quite a number reported to him that the provisions found in his wagons saved their lives. He remained but two years in California, when he returned, when he engaged in real estate operations, which proved more lucrative than his trip to the Golden Gate. He then finished the Jones Hotel (fall of 1852), at Independence, which cost $22,000. In 1859, he made a trip by wagon to Texas, accompanied by his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Moore. In 1860, he fitted out a train loaded with miners' supplies for Colorado, coming the Arkansas River route, and leaving a part of his stock at Colorado Springs, and taking the balance to Hamilton, where he established a store. In the fall of 1861, he moved to Montgomery, where he did extensive mining, sinking one shaft 285 feet, expending in his operations $35,000. He was elected to and served in the Territorial Council from Park County District. He went to Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1864, where he made a sale of one-third of his interest ; he received $35,000 cash, and $50,000 was placed to the working capital fund of the Pittsburgh Company they organized at that time, and machinery was brought on. He afterward built fine large stores at Lincoln's (now called Little Buttes), also at Colorado City. In 1867, retiring from trade, he engaged successfully in the cattle business, when he moved to Canon City, where he built two of the largest, most substantial residences of brick and stone we yet have. For the last twenty years of his life, he was an active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and used his money freely for its support, and in church edifices, being one of the largest subscribers toward the church in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Jones had a great passion for traveling among the mountains, being at the ages of eighty-one and seventy-five when on their last trip, and annually made a trip to visit their children in Missouri. He was stricken with paralysis in August, 1875, from which he never recovered, and from that time until his death, April 20. 1876, was confined to his bed, much of the time perfectly helpless, though always patient and resigned to the approaching close of his earthly career. He willed to the Cañon City Cumberland Presbyterian Church $300 a year for four years, and to the Rocky Mountain Presbytery the same sum for the same period of time. A good man in the full sense of the term gone to receive his reward.
 

                                                                                       J. W. LESTER.
Mr. Lester came to Colorado twenty-two years ago, and has had his full share of ups and downs incident to pioneer life. He was born in Bucks County, Penn., November 17, 1828. At the age of nine years his parents moved to Ohio. His chances for gaining an education were very limited. In 1852, he moved to Indiana ; he came to Colorado in 1859 in search of gold and silver, and right hard did he work to find it, for twelve years in Colorado and Nevada. Not finding the precious metals as plentiful as his ambition desired, he turned his attention, in 1871, to farming. He now owns 240 acres of fine land four miles below Florence, on the Arkansas River. Mr. Lester was married, in 1852, to Elizabeth N. Wilson ; he has lost two sons by death, and has two daughters living ; one, Mrs. Cyrus R. Hen-line, who lives at the homestead ; the other, Mrs. C. C. H. Bruce, who lives in Custer County.
 

                                                                          JAMES F. LEWIS, M. D.
James Fletcher Lewis was born July 21, 1844. In his youthful days he developed a talent for medic-.-.1 studies, and while attending Isbury University, at Greencastle, Ind., he prosecuted the study of medicine under Dr. J. W. Hall, an eminent practitioner of that city. He left his studies to serve his country during the rebellion, and performed gallant service. On his return he completed his college course, graduating with the highest honors of his class. 'kis health at this time partially failed, and his life was threatened with an early and untimely end. His alma mater has considered herself honored in conferring upon him honorary titles these later years, and in adding his name to her scientific societies. He pursued the thorough medical course of the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, receiving its diploma in 1810, with all the honors it and the personal commendation of the faculty could confer. In October of the same year, he was married, and, after practicing for a time at his old home, his wife's health failed, and they moved to Missouri; and, finally, in August. 1872, they were both Obliged to seek the boon of health in the invigorating atmosphere of Colorado. They presented letters to the Methodist Episcopal Church of this place, and were received in full fellowship, the doctor taking more than ordinary interest in church work. He also was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, and joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was appointed Medical Examiner by the Pension Bureau. Constant in his studies, he sought to give his patients the benefits of the most approved practice of the times. To relieve suffering he was called upon, and responded, night and day, until typhoid fever fastened its fangs in his own debilitated system. Still he attended to his practice, until forced to seek his bed, and then the fever raged with such fury as to baffle the utmost skill of his faithful attendants. He was literally worn out. His statement that he could do no more, and that he could not recover, proved too true, and he died at Canon City September 30, 1879, after a life rich in labor and sacrifice for the good of his fellow-men.
 

                                                                                     ROBERT S. LEWIS.
Among the younger men of enterprise and business integrity who have been connected with the business interests of Cañon City for a number of years, is R. S. Lewis. He was born in New Haven County, Conn., January 1, 1850. His father was a farmer, and had a family of eight children, Robert being the youngest. He received a good education at the common school, and afterward at the high school in a neighboring village. At the age of eighteen years, he started out in life to make his way in the world for himself. He engaged as traveling salesman for a cutlery house, and remained in this business three years, after which he clerked in a drug store two years. In 1873, having a desire to see the Western world, he came to Colorado, and located in Canon City, where he has since resided, engaged at one time in the drug business, and later on in the McClure House, and now is a member of the Cation City Transfer Company. He was married, October 29, 1880, to Miss Helen M. Sheetz. He has been one of the City Council for two years.
 

                                                                                      JOHN LOCKE.
Mr. Locke was born in Marion County, Ohio, October 4, 1829. When he was one year old, his father moved to Indiana, and afterward to Michigan ; was living in Michigan during the Black Hawk war. His father being a farmer, the only education he got was by attending district school winters and working on the farm summers. In 1850, he went to Illinois, where he remained till 1859, when he came to Colorado. He spent one year prospecting for gold and silver, after which he freighted across the plains till 1863. He then located in Fremont County, where he has since resided. He has held the office of County Commissioner six years since he has lived in the county. He has a nice farm in the suburbs of Canon City, overlooking the entire city, and takes great interest in fitting up and gathering home comforts around him. He was married, in 1861, to Barbara Ann Welch.
 

                                                                                           EDWIN LOBACH
It is safe to say that there is no man in Colorado who has had a more chequered life than Edwin Lobach. If all were written of his travels and hardships, his ups and downs, it would fill a volume. He was born in Pennsylvania August 1, 1834. When only seven years old, his parents both died, and his uncle was appointed his guardian, and he went to live with him. At the age of fifteen years, he went to learn the saddler's trade. Two years later, he went to Freeport, Ill.; not finding a job there, he footed it to Mount Carmel ; there he was more fortunate. and got employment for the winter. In 1854. he went to St. Louis, from there to Independence, Mo.; here he engaged to drive a team of five yoke of oxen to Salt Lake, Utah ; he was three and one-half months on the road. After arriving at Salt Lake. he started with a party of sixteen to foot it to California. At that time, there was but one settlement or ranch upon the whole route. They had one pony team to take provisions for the whole party. He followed mining, staging and working at his trade, at different points in California and Oregon, till 1858, when he returned to his native State, and attended school one winter. In 1859, he started for Pike's Peak. He was at several points trading with the miners till 1860. when he went back to Leavenworth, Kan., and commenced freighting. In 1862, he fitted out a freighting train of twenty-six wagons, six yoke of oxen to the wagon, to haul freight between Leavenworth and Denver. In 1865, he went to Salt Lake again ; from there to Helena, Mont. ; remained there trading and mining for a year ; then back to Salt Lake. He then fitted up ten six-mule teams to haul freight from the Colorado River to Pahranagat, but they could not get up the river with the freight, sohe loaded up with salt at the salt banks, and brought that back, He then went to Los Angeles, and freighted back a quartz-mill. Afterward he went to Julesburg, and freighted for Wells, Fargo & Co. In the spring of 1868, he went to grading on the Union Pacific Railroad; continued with them till the road was finished to Promontory Point. He afterward went from point to point, east and south, till 1870, when he located in Fremont County, and has been engaged in farming and stock-raising since. In 1871, he was married to Miss Nancy A. Crouch, a very estimable lady. He then quit his roving, and settled down on one of the best farms in the Arkansas Valley. He has all the comforts of a home around him, and with his happy little family, he seems just as contented as though he had not traveled all over the world. He does not aspire to political honors, but rather spends his time looking after his ranch and herds of horses and cattle.
 

                                                                                    AUGUSTUS MACON.
Mr. Macon is senior member of the law firm of Macon & Cox, Cañon City. He was born in Christian County, Ky., September 10, 1832. In 1839, his father moved to Bloomington, Ill. At the age of twenty-two years, he began the study of law, and two years later was admitted to the bar. He at once located at Omaha. Neb., where he had a very successful practice until 1865. when he came to Colorado, and located at Canon City, where he has since resided, practicing his profession. The firm of Macon & Cox is considered one of the leading law firms in the State. Mr. Macon never aspired to political honors, but has preferred to give all his time and energies to his profession. Re not only stands high as a lawyer and advocate, but also as a gentlemen by all his brother lawyers. By his strict integrity and his liberal views in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his adopted city, he has won the respect of all the people.
 

                                                                              COL. WILLIAM HENRY MAY.
This gentleman was born in Vermont June 13, 1832. He remained on a farm with his parents till he was twenty-one years of age, after which he worked by the month till 1857, w hen he went to Nebraska. In the fall of the same year he went to Iowa, where he remained till 1860. He then came to Colorado, locating in Fremont County, where he has since resided.
He has been engaged in farming most of the time. He at one time owned the land where the Cañon City coal mines are now located. He is a stockholder and director in that company now. He is a bachelor, having always preferred single blessedness.
 

                                                                               HON. JAMES A. McCANDLESS.
The subject of this sketch was born in North Carolina February 28, 1836. He was a farmer's son, and the means for getting an education were very limited, and what he did get were by his own efforts. At the age of nineteen years, he went for himself and engaged in the mercantile business for three years. He then went to Jones County, Neb., where he engaged in farming and stock-raising till 1864, when he removed to Colorado. He followed the pursuit of farming at the head of the Grand Calton, Fremont County, for two years, after which he moved to Florence, in the same county, where he now resides, largely interested in raising horses and general farming. In 1877, he was appointed by the Governor, County Commissioner. He was elected to the Legislature in 1878, and re-elected in 1880. He was married at the early age of seventeen years to Sarah Franklin, in North Carolina. Mr. McCandless is a genial, whole-souled man, respected by every one. In his official capacity, he has worked hard for the interests of his constituents, and given general satisfaction, as his reelection shows.
 

                                                                                   WILLIAM H. McCLURE.
This gentleman is one of Fremont County's most worthy citizens, and has been very largely instrumental in building up her interests, especially in Cañon City, where he resides. He is a native of Kentucky ; born on a farm in Pulaski County, January 16, 1837. He received only such an education as could be obtained at the common schools, but enough to make him a thorough business man. After attaining his majority, he engaged in mercantile business in Iowa for one year, subsequently followed farming for seven years. He came to Colorado in 1864, and located at Canon City, and was engaged in mercantile business for ten years, and has since then been in the real estate business. He built the first frame house in Cañon City ; it was for a long time the finest residence in Fremont County. He also built the McClure House, one of the finest brick hotels in Southern Colorado. He also built some very handsome brick blocks of stores, which are certainly an ornament to the town. He and his brother, J. C. McClure, built the Grape Creek wagon road. Mr. McClure's faith in Canon City, and his indomitable push in business, led him to invest more largely than his means would warrant. The depreciation in real estate caused his failure, and he had to succumb to the fate of many other good men, and the splendid blocks of buildings passed into other hands. But his perseverance and keen business tact has enabled him to come out from under the cloud, and he is now in possession of most of the old property again.
 

                                                                                   WILLIAM B. McGEE.
Mr. McGee is one of those men who sought a Colorado climate for his health, he being troubled very badly in the East with that terrible disease, asthma. He was born in Massachusetts March 9, 1834. His parents were farmers, but he got a good common-school education. He went to Illinois. where he remained a few years, but his health was such that he found he could not live there, and, in 1875, he came to Colorado and located in Carton City. He has not only regained his health, but has built up a very large wholesale and retail grocery business. The firm is McGee & Mack, and they sell goods all through the southern portion of Colorado. Mr. McGee is one of those genial, whole-souled gentlemen one loves to meet, and by his fair dealing and strict integrity he has gained the confidence and esteem of every one in Canon City.
 

                                                                                     REV. B. F. MOORE.
The subject of this biography was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., in 1820. He removed to Jackson County, Mo., in 1837 ; he entered the ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church when twenty-one years of age. He was married to Miss Nancy C. Jones, in Independence, Mo., in July, 1844. Went to California in 1849, not remaining but two years on account of the distasteful recklessness displayed in every department of association, though he enjoyed occasions when permitted to preach to the miners, owing to their unusual interest when their attention was once secured. While returning, via Panama, an episode occurred which brought out the fighting pluck of the Parson. There were no wharfs, and ships anchored twelve miles out, passengers and baggage being transferred to within three-fourths of a mile of shore by natives in small boats. On disembarking, he was placed in charge of the gun, and his father-in-law, Lewis Jones', trunk containing their treasure. It was a heavy tug for the natives, through the water, mud and shells, to the beach, yet they managed to get far ahead of the balance of the party, and on approaching the beach, kept yelling Oro ! Oro ! Spanish for gold. By the time they were ready to drop it on the beach. quite a number of natives were gathered, and they made attempts to take the trunk to the hotel for the traveler. He resolutely thrust them aside, cocked the gun and threatened to give the contents to any who might venture to interfere with his baggage. There was a great turmoil amongst them, and a Frenchman, coming out of the crowd, told Mr. Moore he was in great danger. He made him, too, stand back, and in various ways gained time until the main party approached. There was no load in his gun, and the party joked him about playing bluff too well for a parson. In 1862, he first came to Colorado, being attacked with lung fever on the way, and was in a very low condition when he arrived. He took up his permanent residence in Montgomery in 1865 ; came to Fremont County in September, 1866. These were the special days of fraternal feeling among the members of the churches in Cation, and it is still their boast that there is one town in the country at least, where " brethren can dwell together in unity." He early set to work in the erection of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, placing upon it the "First Church Bell " in the Arkansas Valley whose silvery tones invited the wayward to come into the fold. He is a Royal Arch Mason and Chaplain of the Blue Lodge in Caton.
 

                                                                            THOMAS D. PALMER, M. D.
Among the active and prosperous young professional men of Colorado is Dr. Thomas D. Palmer, of Caton City. His genial and gentlemanly ways, strict integrity and close attention to his business and profession has already, in the short time he has been there, gained him a very lucrative practice. He was born in Jackson, Miss., February 28, 1850. He commenced
the study of medicine with Dr. Wirt Johnson, in his native town in 1869 ; after which he attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Penn., receiving his degree of M. D. in 171. After his first course of lectures he was appointed assistant to Dr. Charles Carter at the Northern Dispensary, Philadelphia, where he enjoyed great advantages for clinical study and practice. He located in Mendon, Mo., in June, 1871. He enjoyed a large practice there for eight years, but on account of failing health, he left to see what a Colorado climate would do for him. He came to Caton City in 1879, and has built up, in two years, a lucrative practice, besides regaining his health. He was married, April 5, 1877, to Mary Bell Freeman, daughter of Gen. John D. Freeman, of Jackson, Miss.
 

                                                                                REV. JOHN W. PARTRIDGE.
Rev. John W. Partridge, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cation City, was born in Princeton, Mass., September 24, 1844. He was prepared for college at Wooster, Mass. He graduated from Yale. College in 1867, and took a theological course at Princeton and Andover. He commenced the ministry at New Haven, Conn., where he remained three years and a half, but poor health compelled him to resign. He came to Colorado, but after six months returned to Scranton, Penn., and took charge of the Second Presbyterian Church for two years. His health was such he was obliged to abandon the East permanently. He returned to Colorado and located at Greeley, where he remained two years; here he lost his wife and little boy. Later on he came to Caton City, where he has since resided, beloved by his church and respected by every one.
 

                                                                     DAVID GEORGE PEABODY.
This gentleman is an old-timer in Colorado, having crossed the plain in 1860, with four yoke of oxen, lauding in Denver without money, but with plenty of energy and pluck. He made a large fortune in Denver merchandising, but in the panic of 1873 he was obliged to succumb. But he has rallied again and is one of the leading dry goods men of Caton City. He was born in Vermont March 23, 1835. At the age of thirteen years he learned the carpenter's trade with his father, he worked at his trade and clerking till 1855, he then went to Illinois, and was agent for the New England Union Store at Dover, for one year. He was for a time in the real estate business in Minnesota, and finally turned his face toward the Rocky Mountains. He at once went to Georgia Gulch, over the Ute Pass ; he was engaged mining and merchandising until 1862, a part of which time he was Postmaster, when he returned to Denver, where he engaged in merchandising till 1875, when he came to Cañon City. He was a member of the first Constitutional Convention, and also of the first State Legislature. He was married in 1864, to Julia Penfield, also again in 1878, to Fannie E. Thayer, of Brandon, Wis. He has one son and one daughter by his first wife.
 

                                                                       JAMES H. PEABODY.
Among the highly respected and thorough business young men of Cañon City is James H. Peabody, of the firm of Clelland & Peabody, grocers. He was born in Orange County, Vt., August 21, 1852. He received a good district school education, and afterward a thorough course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, at Burlington, Vt. He came to Colorado in 1872, and was for two years book-keeper for J. 0. Jordon, in Pueblo. In the spring of 1875, he removed to Cañon City and was book-keeper for James Clelland for one year and a half. He then took one-half the business. They are one of the leading grocery firms in the city. In 1878, he was married to Mr. Clelland's daughter.
 

                                                                             DR. WILLIAM K. PERKINS.
This gentleman, although not a pioneer, has come to Colorado to stay. He came to Canon City in May, 1880, and established himself in the dentistry business, and has already built up a very large practice. He was born in Bethel, Conn., March 18, 1856. At the age of seventeen years, he commenced the study of dentistry, in Cumberland, Md., and graduated at New Haven, Conn. He then went to Cumberland, Md., and formed a partnership with H. Virgil Porter ; remained there with a very successful practice till he came to Colorado.
 

                                                                             JOSEPH JUDSON PHELPS.
Mr. Phelps was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., July 17, 1825. His father moved to Ohio when he was eight years of age. The only advantages for an education was the common district school. After spending several
years in Ohio and Illinois, he came to Colorado in 1860. After spending one year and a half at Black Hawk, Colo., he went back to Illinois, and engaged in farming, except six months that he was in the army, until 1865, when he again returned to Colorado, engaged in teaming and raising stock in Canon City, where he now resides. In 1879, he was elected County Commissioner for Fremont County. Mr. Phelps is a very exemplary man, and is held in high esteem by all his neighbors. He has been a member of the Baptist Church since 1848, and takes a very active part in church affairs. He was married to Rosilla Fossett, in Illinois, in 1856.
 

                                                                                     IRA R. PORTER.
Among the substantial farmers of Fremont County is Ira R. Porter. He was born December 8, 1838. in Knox County, Ohio. At eight years of age, his parents moved to Iowa. When eighteen years of age, he began life for himself, and engaged in farming till 1864, when, becoming anxious to see more of Western life, he started for Colorado, arriving in Canon City on the 4th day of May. He was engaged in freighting for four years. Then he bought a ranch on Hardscrabble, where he now resides. He is a model farmer, and a man who enjoys the universal respect of his neighbors. Mr. Porter was married, in 1862, to Catharine Kelly, of Iowa.
 

                                                                          JOSEPH L. PRENTISS, M. D.
Dr. Prentiss was born in Norwich, N. Y., June 8, 1842. He removed with his parents to Kansas His father was a physician and druggist. He worked in the drug store and studied medicine for four years ; then entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, and graduated from there in 1865. He took ad eundem degree in Bellevue Hospital in 1867. He was medical cadet in the army in 1863. He received the appointment as Surgeon of the First Kansas Volunteers. He had charge of the general hospital at Talequagh, Cherokee Nation, for six months. He was one of the youngest surgeons in the army. He came to Colorado in 1872, and has been practicing his profession and conducting a drug store since. He was Physician for the Penitentiary for five years. He was married in Kansas, to Mary Anderson, who died in 1875. In 1878, he was again married, to Marian N. Little, of Denver ; he has three sons.

                                                                                           JESSE RADER.
Among the old-timers who came to Colorado in an early day and battled with its privations and hardships is Jesse Rader. He was born on a farm in East Tennessee May 25, 1829. His facilities for an education were only the common schools. In 1855, he went to Missouri, and in 1860 came to Colorado and operated in the mines of Summit County until 1864. when he returned for his family, and in the fall of the same year he removed to Fremont County, where he has since resided. He has an elegant farm on Four Mile Creek, a few miles from Callon City. He was married, in 1854, to Miss E. D. Bell, in Green County, E. Tenn. Mr. Rader enjoys the respect and esteem of all his neighbors.
 

                                                                                         F. A. RAYNOLDS.
Nowhere in the civilized world has the old maxim of "Industry brings its own reward " been better exemplified than in the life of Mr. F. A. Raynolds, now the most prominent bank president in the State of Colorado. He is now only thirty years of age, and for nearly two years has been President of the First National Bank of Leadville, the most flourishing and successful bank in the great carbonate metropolis. The following will be of interest to our readers, as it is a true outline of the life of the youngest National Bank President in the United States. F. A. Raynolds was born in Canton, Ohio, on September 26, 1850: His father was a first-class business man, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits when young F. A. was born. At an early age, the common schools of Canton had amongst its pupils the subject of this biography, and here he remained until about fifteen years of age, when his attention was turned to the more difficult pursuit of making his own living. Upon leaving school, he entered the dry goods house of David Zollars & Co., father of John W: Zollars, now cashier of the First National Bank of Leadville. At the end of three years, Mr. Raynolds had saved from his earnings about $500, which he was desirous of investing in some good speculation. The most promising of several which were presented to him was a butter and egg scheme, which promised large returns, but unfortunately yielded nothing, and finally resulted in the loss of his entire investment. Shortly after this failure, the position of traveling salesman for
the Eagle Woolen Mills, of Canton, Ohio, was offered to Mr. Raynolds, which he willingly accepted, as it gave him an opportunity to earn a good living, and develop his latent business ability. Appreciating his merit, in two years he was made Secretary and Treasurer of the same company, and under his personal supervision and management the stock of the concern advanced from 50 cents to par, and the young treasurer was the means of making some very handsome profits for the corporation. Iu this manner the time rolled on, until he was imbued with the advice of Horace Greeley, and decided to "go West," and the 4th day of August, 1874, found Mr. Raynolds in Callon City, Colo., starting a bank. This was, and still is, the Fremont County Bank, of which Mr. R. was made Cashier, and afterward promoted to President. This proving a profitable investment, and seeing an opportunity to start another similar institution at Rosita, in 1876, the doors of the bank at that place were thrown open, with F. A. Raynolds as President. Two years later, the Leadville boom was starting, and another chance was offered, and as quickly accepted, in the Carbonate camp ; and in April, 1878, Mr. Raynolds was the silent partner of Zollars, Eshelman & Co., of the Lake County Bank ; and in less than a year later was elected to the presidency of the same institution, although it had then changed its title to the First National Bank. At this time he was only twenty-eight years of age, and President of a National and two State Banks. In the fall of the same year, the Custer County Bank was started at Silver Cliff, about thirty miles from Carton. This has proven itself to be the best investment, as yet, of any of his undertakings, although the competition at Silver Cliff is stronger than anywhere else in the State. It is the second mining town in importance, and the third in population, in Colorado. Notwithstanding the competition, however, through the able management and business-like efforts of Mr. F. A. Raynolds, the President, and F. W. Dewalt, Cashier, the Custer County Bank is doing nine-tenths of the business of the town. In the spring and summer of 1880, the institutions at Buena Vista, Alpine and Saguache, were started by Mr. F. A. Raynolds, and are doing a prosperous business. Considerable forethought and ability have been displayed by. Mr. Raynolds in organizing this chain of banks, as now the majority of the business of the State, excluding Denver, is transacted through his several institutions, and "they can assist each other to a wonderful degree in making business. Mr. Raynolds takes a lively interest in educational matters, and is now President of the Board of Trustees of a new college to be established in Cañon City. Although Mr. Raynolds is but thirty years of age, his hair is slightly sprinkled with gray. He is of courteous demeanor and agreeable, and also quick in his decisions in business matters. In business he is invariably cool and decided, and although sharp at a bargain, scorns to take any mean advantage. He is a universal favorite with all his employees and associates, and from the even tenor of his living, a long and prosperous life will probably be the reward of his efforts.
 

                                                                                           AARON RIPLEY.
Aaron Ripley was born in Ohio March 24, 1835. His life was spent upon a farm and working in a saw-mill till he was eighteen years of age. He then started for himself and took charge of a saw-mill at Plymouth, Ind., until March, 1859, when he crossed the plains to Colorado. He first mined for one year in the Gregory diggings *and then went to California Gulch, and was engaged in supplying the miners for four years, buying his stock in Denver. In 1871, he removed to Garden Park, Fremont County, and has been engaged in farming and stock-raising since. Mr. Ripley is highly respected and is one of the solid men of Fremont County.
 

                                                                                GEORGE ROCKAFELLOW.
Mr. George Rockafellow was born in Bethlehem, Huntingdon County, N. J., near the city of Philadelphia. His parents moved to Alexandria, on the Delaware, when he was four years old, and were among the pioneers in Western New York, where they settled, near Nunda, Livingston County, when he was twenty-two years of age. The place then had but two houses, a blacksmith-shop and a little log schoolhouse, which was also used for a house of worship. He was married to Eliza Warner, January 11, 1835. For ten years he did his full share subduing the forests of the Genesee Valley country. In 1837, he moved to Conesus, in same county, where his family of one son and two daughters was reared. He built the large stone flouring-mills of that place, and for many years his brand of flour ranked among the best in the seaboard cities. In addition to his home mills, that turned out 100 barrels flour per day, he stocked the Shaker Frost Hollow and Pike's Hollow Mills, each of about the same capacity, besides dealing extensively in wheat. Being previous to advent of railroads, all this business was done by canal, the product often arriving on a market so different than when started, that the fluctuations of fortune with him were great. It required good judgment, besides almost sleepless labor to keep the wheels all moving. He was an active member of the Baptist Church from boyhood, and foremost in every good work in the community. The location of the Buffalo, Corning & New York Railroad through that region, was, in a great measure, owing to his efforts and influence. Having a good memory for the pleasing events that characterized pioneer life, his office was a rendezvous for the old settlers, where temperate good cheer always held sway, as he possessed in a marked degree the confidence and respect of the people. The writer calls to mind one or two of his anecdotes about neighbor Deacon, at Nunda, who was addicted to asking long blessings, but on one occasion, being hurried by business, he closed abruptly with : "All of which we ask for Christ's sake —histe up your old frouzzle-head," to his patient wife, who had disposed her head for a long dissertation over the sins of the world. The old deacon, in saying grace, always asked for a " competency of this world's goods." Mr. R. asked him what he meant by that, as he was already the richest man in the region ; the old deacon answered : " Why, I suppose I mean a little more." The schoolmaster of that period excited his full powers of mimicry, as well as contempt. He described the Jersey schoolmaster as ignorant, brutal and drunken, with tact to dupe older persons, but none to manage younger ones with. On account of the struggles to secure an education in that day, he felt a great interest in the progress of schools in later years, being one of the most earnest and earliest advocates of the free school system in New York State. In 1856, he moved with his family to Lyons, Mich., where his estimable wife died in 1869. He came to Colorado in 1860, at different times owning and working gulch claims in " Georgia Gulch," " On the Blue," (where he was caught through the hips by cav, Mg of a mine bank, and suffered for months), "Stilson Patch" and Tarryall Diggings," meeting with all the ups and downs of those times. The placer mines below Hamilton, on Como side of gulch, which bear his name, cover a large number of acres, and which he worked with hydraulic. He sold in the winter of 1866-67, taking up permanent residence in Cañon. In politics, was Republican, he and Anson Rudd, Esq., being the only ones to vote for right of suffrage to the colored men in Canon City Precinct. He, however, could not resist the temptation to vote for Horace Greeley, who. he believed, could, better than any other man, carry out the policy of charity to all," and make friends of those who so recently had been in deathly combat. He came first to Cañon the fall of 1864, and ran the Four Mile Mill for Col. E. Johnson and Egbert Bradley, in which, though a very crude affair, he made an article of flour that the old settlers now often remark "was just as good as they wished for ; besides, they received a much more satisfactory return from their grain than the newer, more perfectly constructed mills give them, or, as John Smith used to say, Rockey' gives us more flour by holding up the mill with one hand and grinding with the other, than we used to get back in America." The me Indians swapped buckskins for flour a good deal with him, and on one occasion, when Colorow and his band had swapped quite a pile of buckskins, which, as trade after trade was closed, were thrown back on a pile of sacks of flour, as he stooped to regulate the grinding, he discovered a movement toward his buckskin piles ; suddenly turning, he found it was Colorow himself in the act of appropriating them to trade over. He grabbed them from him, and drove the whole band from the mill, refusing to trade with them for some days, until they assured him that he was heap buena, and Colorow heap cheat," when trade relations were resumed, and no attempt was ever made after that to disturb what did not belong to them. Wheat was 8 to 10 cents per pound, and flour $15 to $18 per sack. In his trips among the mines selling flour, he constantly advocated the advantages of this portion of Arkansas Valley, and did his utmost to turn the very lucrative trade of Granite, Cache Creek, Oro, Buckskin, Fair-play, Hamilton, Breckenridge and tributary mines, this way. He was a member of the Canon Park Claim Club, and promoter of the present Big Ditch " for irrigating the park, which he believed would some day be of great value, when brought under proper cultivation, for raising fruit as well as grain, and early set out a large orchard, which was labor and expense lost, owing to the length of time the trees were in transit from the States. His ideas on that subject are now proven by experience to have been correct, as shown by the orchard-dotted farms that are outgrowing the name of ranches, and the beautiful trees and vines that surround the home he built in Cañon, are lasting monuments to his taste, which have encouraged many younger persons to plant seeds and trees. The last three summers of his life were spent in Lake County mines, as all kinds of mining possessed a peculiar fascination for him. His efforts on Fryer Hill to secure a location did not strike him favorably with the advantages of that location. As he commenced digging a shaft on ground that seemed unoccupied, Chicken Bill suddenly appeared before him with a cocked rifle leveled at him, and asked: " What you doing here sir ? " He said he answered: " Sinking here, and that he really thought he was by the way he felt just at that time. The result was, neither he nor Chicken Bill were made millionaires over that ground. The labors of an active, eventful life, were closed at seventy-four years of age, receiving marked attentions from neighbors and friends during his last sickness. His memory was honored by all places of business in the city being closed during the funeral exercises, his last resting-place being in Colorado soil, to which he was so warmly attached, and is marked by a plain granite monument, bearing only the inscription,
 

GEORGE ROCKAFELLOW.
Born November 18, 1805,
Died April 21, 1880.
 

                                                                         CAPT. B. F. ROCKAFELLOW.
Capt. Rockafellow was born November 18, 1835, in Nunda, Livingston Co., N. Y. He' attended high schools, Temple Hill, Geneseo and the Wesleyan Seminary, Lima, N. Y., also one season at Oberlin, where he paid his way by selling Goodrich's " History of All Nations ' in surrounding towns on Saturdays. He lived in New York State until nineteen years of age, when his parents moved to Lyons, Mich., and he entered active life on his own account. In 1857-58, he built the Gothic Steam Mills of that place ; taking a partner in 1859, using the grand water-power of that point as soon as completed. The mills did a large business and excellent work. In the summer of 1862, he enlisted in the Sixth Regiment of Michigan Cavalry, then forming at Grand Rapids, Mich. Was mustered Second Lieutenant October 12, 1862 ; First Lieutenant, dating back from July to March 16, 1863. Was seriously wounded in the battle of the Wilderness May 6, 1864, and on July 23, was commissioned Captain of Company I, which promotion was dated back to March 16 of that year. The Sixth was armed with Spencer rifles, and was one of the regiments of Michigan Cavalry Brigade commanded by Gen. George A. Custer, through which he won his Major General's star. He tells a story of President Lincoln he thinks never before related in print, that before their regiments left Washington, Col. Francis C. Kellogg, their member of Congress, who had the honor of organizing the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, arranged to present the officers to the President at the White House, remarking, after the President had given each officer the impulses of his earnest heart, through the touch of the sturdy grip of his hand, " Mr. President, the officers of this cavalry brigade propose to present Gen. Jeb Stuart to you (his initials J. E. B.). As will be remembered, at that time Gen. Stuart was raiding about Gen. McClellan's army, and was their special terror. President Lincoln, complacently turning toward the officers, said, " Gentlemen, I should much rather see Gen. Stuart than all of you." The brigade were in the main true to their promise, killing him in an engagement May 11, 1864. Capt. R. took an active part in many of the important engagements and raids of Gen. Sheridan's cavalry when Second Lieutenant, in command of company, at the time of the battle of Gettysburg. His company was part of a force of 140 men entrusted with important duty of going to rear of Gen. Lee's army and destroying his ponton boats and train at Falling Waters. Leaving Frederick City on the 3d and marching all night, they surprised the rebel forces, numbering several hundred, who were guarding the ponton trains, on the morning of July 4, 1863, giving them such an unexpected salute at daybreak of that memorable day, that most of them fled in consternation, offering but faint resistance. The men of his command swam the Potomac under fire to get possession of the first ponton, and take others across to scuttle and set adrift all the pontons which were supposed by the rebels to be safely swung to the Virginia shore. They killed one, wounded several, and captured fifteen prisoners ; they captured a large quantity of ammunition, which was consigned to the waters of the Potomac. When after destroying part of the immense ponton train, they brought their prisoners and rebel baggage wagons, well filled with goods that had been stolen from Maryland and Pennsylvania stores, across, and made a hurried march to Hagerstown and out that night, being between the rebel forces at Williamsport and those approaching them on retreat from Gettysburg. Gen. Lee stated in his official report, that owing to the great rise in the river and the loss of his ponton trains at Falling Waters, that his army was delayed seven days. He was assigned to the command of the First Division at Camp Stoneman, near Washington, while unable for field duty from effect of his wounds. The duties were to equip, mount and forward recruits, who were sent in large numbers to fill the decimated ranks of the cavalry divisions, having counterpart organizations in this camp. Upon reaching City Point, Va., from Sheridan's famous Charlottesville and James River raid, of February and March, 1865, on which large numbers of cavalry were dismounted, he was appointed Quartermaster of Sheridan's Remount camp at that place, which required an officer of his active habits, as receiving ordnance, garrison equipage, horses and other quartermaster stores, and fitting out men belonging to scores of regiments daily, with the utmost dispatch and without losses, was no trifling undertaking, not having aid of experienced clerks. After the rebellion closed, he was on Gen. P. E. Connor's Powder River Indian Expedition, during the close of which the three years' service of the brigade expired and the men who had been mustered in to fill the gaps in the old regiments were ordered, November, 1865, to Fort Bridger to be consolidated into the First Michigan Veteran Cavalry, and Capt. R., by order of Gen. Dodge, assigned to command of Company D, that regiment, and ordered to Camp Douglas, Salt Lake. With the exception of too much dress parade for old soldiers, the winter passed off pleasantly, and he gained much information about the Saints " without fighting for it. Was mustered out in March, 1866, and came by teams to Denver, having quite an eventful trip. Here he met his father, who came to the State in 1860. They mined the placer below Hamilton that season with hydraulic, and in the fall moved to Canon City. That winter he returned to the States via the Arkansas River route, and sold their mines to Philadelphia parties. April 30. following, he was married to Miss Kittie M. King, of Michigan, and they took up their permanent 'home at Canon City. He embarked in trade in 1869 doing, a large business, and was appointed Postmaster in August, 1869, which position he held to May 15, 1879. He labored unceasingly for the opening and improvement of the wagon roads connecting Canon with the mountain mining districts, and to secure railroads and all other improvements. What he has accomplished has been through the most persistent effort, surmounting difficulties that his friends advised him were insurmountable. As to his feeling for his adopted home, Frank Warner, editor of the Avalanche, said, when giving a pen portrait of him as President of a newly elected Board of Trustees of Cañon City, " That he would go further, and work harder, in worse weather, for the good of Canon than any other man in it." Be that as it may, he has done his share of pioneer work, and is entitled to rest. He is a Royal Arch Mason, an active Republican in politics, Secretary of the C. C. H. & I. Co., of Continental Divide Mining Company, and of the Canon City Coal Company ; is a farmer and amateur orchardist in the Canon Park. and has mercantile interests at Salida and Rockvale.
 

                                                                                        ANSON RUDD.
Anson Rudd was born in Springfield, Erie Co., Penn., July 12, 1819; he lived on a farm until 1833, when his father moved to Columbus, Ohio, where his grandfather, Judge Jarvis Pike (cousin of Gen. Pike, for whom Pike's Peak was named) was living, who was then publishing the Thompsonian Recorder, into which office young Anson was duly installed as boy of all work. During his stay in the office, he acquired a partial knowledge of the mysterious art of printing, but just at this time, owing to the death of his mother and grandfather, his father determined to return to Pennsylvania, whither Anson accompanied him, this being in the spring of 1836. During the following summer and fall. he followed the occupation of sailor on Lake Erie. The following November found himself and father again on the move, this time for the Far West. They arrived in Pittsfield, county seat of Pike County, Ill., on the 1st of January, 1837. The following summer, Anson made a trip into the Indian country west of the Missouri River ; returned to Pittsfield and learned the blacksmith's trade, and remained there until the war with Mexico, when he volunteered in Company K, First Regiment Illinois Volunteer, second requisition, commanded by Col. Newby, of Mount Sterling, Brown County, Ill. After a short rendezvous at Alton, his command was ordered to take steamer for Leavenworth, there to make final preparations for a pedestrian journey across the plains to Santa Fe, which, after a toilsome march of nearly three months ( July, August and September), they arrived at their destination, where, after remaining a short time, they again took up their line of march down the Rio Grande, en route for Old Mexico. Chihuahua being their objective point. After marching about 200 miles below Santa Fe, which consumed about one month of time, they were ordered back to Santa Fe, by Brig. Gen. Pat Price, of Missouri, who was placed in command of all the forces in the New Mexican Department, thereby leaving Newby's command to do post duty at Santa Fe, and placing the Missouri troops in the field in front. After returning to Santa Fe, Rudd was detailed on detective duty, which position he held till the close of the war. Taking his discharge in Santa Fe, he attached himself to a merchant train going into Old Mexico. He went as far as Chihuahua, and after remaining there a few months returned again to Santa Fe. Here he followed the occupation of painter, and assisted in painting the first two theaters in Santa Fe, the Mexican and American, and the first play put upon the stage was written by old Gen. Thomas, then a Lieutenant in the regular service, its hero and characters were soldiers in Mexico, under Gen. Taylor. Rudd next went on the police force, and was employed in that duty and guarding the commissary of the post for Col. Washington, then in command, until he started for California, in March, 1849. During his police experience, Santa Fe could boast more specimens of depraved humanity than any place of the same amount of population. It had absorbed all of the camp followers of the Northwestern division of the army in Mexico ; the old mountaineers, representing almost every nationality ; renegades from the Indian nations; gamblers from many parts of the world, and the Mexican population doubly demoralized by their contact with this vicious element which the war introduced. In fact it was pandemonium intensified, and to bring order out of this chaotic, discordant, and corrupt element he found no boy's play, but instead a rather serious job. Cutting and shooting were the order of the day, and the terpsichorean votaries were taxed to their utmost capacity to keep in successful operation the three or four fandangoes that were in full blast every night in different parts of the city, and to look after these and the numerous gambling dens that ramified every possible locality where they could attract victims, kept a policeman busy night and day. There was no moral, religious or secular law in Mexico restraining or regulating this vice of gambling in any manner. Priest and laymen sat at the same table betting at their favorite game (monte). Rich and poor, bond and free, women in high life, and peons of the most degraded character drank and bet at the same bank on the most familiar terms. It was no unusual sight to see a priest, deep in his cups, recklessly betting the money that he had obtained from his parishoners for shriving them of sins of which he was the putrid embodiment. Here it was that Rudd formed the acquaintance of many of the old mountaineers, of which Bill Williams and Joe Walker were illustrious types. Kit Carson was of more recent date, and was greatly indebted for his notoriety to his association with Gen. Fremont; Williams and Walker antedated him by several years, and approached nearer to the ideal mountaineer than any other men in the Rocky Mountains, having commenced their career in the mountains as trappers and hunters nearly seventy years ago. He met Fremont and party in Santa Fe at the time of Fremont's disastrous attempt to cross the mountains in the winter of 184849, and tried to get a place in his corps to accompany him to California, but Fremont having his full complement of men, and the conditions proposed not meeting with the views of Mr. Rudd, he concluded to assist in organizing a small company of adventurous spirits and attempt to go through on a short route which lay through Zuma Pass to Zuma Village ,thence through the heart of the Apache country to the Pima villages on the Gila River. A party of thirteen had attempted the same route about a month previous, and eleven of the thirteen were killed; the names of the two that escaped were William Ward and Green Marshall. Ward escaped unhurt, but Marshall was badly wounded. The Indians, supposing they had killed the whole party, commenced rifling the packs. While they were absorbed in this, the men escaped, taking separate directions, and after many hardships arrived in California in the latter part of the ensuing summer. But nothing daunted, Rudd's party, who took up their line of march. The first point of any note made after leaving Santa Fe was the Yuma villages, about three hundred miles west of Santa Fe, where the party remained for several days partaking of the hospitality of the people. Here they added to their outfit such supplies as they thought would be necessary to last' them to the Pima villages, knowing they could obtain nothing from the Apaches, they being hostile to the Americans. After passing Red River, they arrived in the Apache country about the 1st of May. Here the party arranged a plan to meet the Apaches in council and represent to them that they were an advance of the American army sent out to fight the Mexicans, although the war with Mexico had closed, but the Apaches being unaware of this the party took this means of deceiving them and so be able to get through their country without trouble. Meeting the Indians in council they told them they were an advance of a large army and were authorized by the Government to raise a company of Indians to fight the Mexicans, but the Apaches having just returned from a successful raid through the States of Chihuahua and Sonora, where they had obtained large numbers of horses and cattle, and several Mexican women and children as prisoners, they were disposed to lay in camp and enjoy their spoils before making another raid into Mexico, but they, however, agreed to give us a safe passage through their country. The party here found themselves short of provisions, but succeeded in obtaining some dried horse meat from the Indians, this being the only provisions to be obtained of them. This, together with a small quantity of flour, served to keep them in a half-starved condition until they reached the Gila River, seventy miles above the Pima villages. Here the party was reduced so low that they were compelled to kill one of their horses, which served to keep them alive until the villages were reached, where relief was found. The party remained several days at the villages to recuperate and make preparations for the continuance of their journey down the Gila en route to California. For provisions they obtained a quantity of penola, made of parched corn or wheat and mezquit bean ground together, and about a peck of parched corn. A short distance from the Pima villages, they intercepted the southern immigration. and received the first reliable information in regard to the gold discoveries toward which the party had been heading. The party arrived at the Colorado River near the present location of Fort Yuma, July 3, 1849, and crossed the river on rafts on the 4th. Here they found a large body of Yuma Indians encamped, and they showed some signs of hostility, but did not seriously molest the party. At this place, the party entered on the Great Desert, which was crossed in two nights and one day, being one hundred miles across, and this being passed they pushed on to the first settlement in California, arriving there on the fourth day out from the Colorado River. Here, at Warner's ranch, was obtained a supply of beef, sufficient to last to Col. Williams' ranch, thirty-six miles east of Los Angeles. Arriving at Williams' ranch, the party remained ten days to rest up, and then continued their march for the gold mines, arriving on the Tuolumne River in the forepart of September. • Mr. Rudd remained in the mining district for five years, being in the Digger Indian war. During this time he visited all the principal mining camps of California, but failed to acquire his fortune as others had done. In 1854, he started for Illinois, returning by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans, arriving in Pittsfield, Ill., about the middle of April the same year. After paying a short visit to New York, he returned and went to Iowa, here going into the cattle and mule business, buying in Northern Missouri and Southern Iowa and driving them to Minnesota to sell them. In the spring of 1857, he left Iowa and went to Kansas, remaining there three years, and on the 10th day of May, 1860, left for Colorado, arriving in Denver the 3d of July following. He went from here through the mountains, going by the way of Tarry all, Fairplay and Buckskin Joe, but finding no location to suit him, went to Canon City, arriving there on the 7th of August, and liking the place and surroundings, located and has clung to Canon through all its vicissitudes. Mr. Rudd was Commissioner to lay out the county, the first Sheriff, County Commissioner for two years, Provost Marshal at time of the rebellion, Oil Inspector, Postmaster, Clerk of the liveliest People's Court that ever administered justice, was candidate for Lieutenant Governor, and the pioneer blacksmith, who had skill to keep the machinery and shooting-irons as well as plowshares of the county in working order ; was one of the locators of the wagon roads leading from Cañon City to Currant Creek and South Park, to Wet Mountain Valley and the Upper Arkansas region; guide for the German Colony, under Carl Wulsten, to Wet Mountain Valley; President of Cation City Ditch Company for years ; first Warden of the Penitentiary under the State organization and one of the Commissioners who located it. He is a natural politician, enjoying the success of his party—Republican—better than anything except a good joke, which his good wife, Mrs. Harriet Rudd, should be able to compile an interesting volume of. His son, Anson S. Rudd, was born June 23, 1861, being the first child born in Canon City, and is truly "a worthy son of an illustrious sire," being an only child, the solicitude for his welfare approaches devotion. This June 5, when Mr. Rudd took a fall over ten feet from a staging in a new stone house he is erecting, and his relatives and friends were fearing a fatal termination from the injuries he received, the smallest of which was a broken collar-bone, he rallied sufficiently to say, " I am glad it was not my boy." Mr. Rudd has always been fearless for the right, and has been, from his first location here, warred against by bad men, whose names will go to oblivion, while his name will be treasured for his good acts and kindly impulses. His familiarity with the climate and products West and Southward caused him to have faith in this as a good region for fruit-raising, owing to its sheltered position, and early commenced its culture. being able now, in fact, to bask under his own vines and fruit, if not fig trees. He is favored by a happy muse, and on very many festal occasions has enlivened the community by his keen wit and deep insight into the thoughts and emotions of the people of Canon.
 

                                                                                        J. J. RISSER.
Mr. Risser was born in Ashland County, Ohio, July 12, 1835. He was reared upon a farm till the age of eighteen years, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1856, he went to Illinois and settled in McDonough County ; here he remained till 1865, farming and working at his trade. Feeling there was a wider field open for him in the Far West, he came to Colorado and located in Fremont County. where he has since lived, engaged in farming and handling stock ; the latter business he has carried on extensively for several years. He was County Commissioner for two terms. Mr. Risser was married in McDonough County, Ill., in 1859, to Jane A. Locke.
 

                                                                                       JULIUS RUF.
Mr. Ruf was born in Germany April 11,1841. He was educated in the common schools and also at a mechanical school. He spent six years in the German Army ; the balance of the time, till he was twenty-eight years of age, he worked at cabinet-making, when he emigrated to America. He spent the first year in Chicago; after which he joined a German colony of over ninety families, and they came to Colorado and located in Wet Mountain Valley, in what is now Custer County, then Fremont County. The colony, after one year, dissolved, and Mr. Ruf came to Canon City and worked at his trade. In 1880, he started a large furniture establishment, and has now. one of the finest stores of the kind in Southern Colorado. He was married in, 1869, to Barbara Deibler ; he has a very interesting family of three children, one son and two daughters. Mr. Ruf is highly respected and has the reputation of a fair and honest dealer.
 

                                                                                 HIRAM W. SANDERS.
The gentleman whose name appears above was born on a farm in Tennessee, November 14, 1833. He received a good common school education. At the age of twenty-one years, hewent to Trenton, Tenn., to clerk in a dry goods store; here he remained five years, after which he went to Kentucky, and, after clerking one year there, he went into business for himself ; after three years, he sold out and returned to Tennessee, where he clerked one year, and then went to Cincinnati, and was salesman in a wholesale dry goods house for one year. From there he went to St. Louis and occupied the same position for five years. In 1873, he came to Canon City, Colo., where he has been in the grocery and real estate business. Mr. Sanders lived a bachelor till he was forty-six years of age, when he was married to Mrs. Mollie Johnson. He is very highly respected by his neighbors. He is ever ready to lend a helping hand to all the improvements of the town.
 

                                                                                AUGUSTUS SARTOR.
Mr. Sartor was born in Prussia September 28, 1840. He came to America with his parents, in 1853, who located in Fulton, Mo.; here he remained till 1864, when he came to Colorado, and selected Canon City as his home. He has seen all the ups and downs of the town, but here he stayed when others left, and to-day he is owner of one of the best livery stables in Southern Colorado. He was County Commissioner six years. He was married to Mary Todd, formerly of Independence, Mo., in 1874.
 

                                                                                            B. F. SHAFFER.
Mr. Shaffer, the present Sheriff of Fremont County, was born in Crawford Co., Penn., March 11, 1832. A t an early age, he learned the carpenter's trade, which business he carried on in his native county, excepting one year spent in Illinois, till 1857, when he went to Minnesota, spending two years there and in Dakota, and in 1859, he went to Colorado, locating in Central City and engaged in mining for five years. He then went to Boulder, where he remained till 1869, when he removed to Fremont County. He never has been out of Colorado but once in twenty-two years. He was married, in 1865, to Anne E. Alger, formerly of Syracuse, N. Y. He was elected Sheriff of Fremont County in 1877, and re-elected in 1879.
 

                                                                              GEORGE R. SHAFFER.
The subject of this sketch was born in Pennsylvania October 14, 1847. His school facilities were very limited. When fifteen years of age, he went to learn the jeweler's trade. In 1866, he went to Missouri, and clerked in a warehouse, and was also Captain of a steamer on the Osage River when he was only nineteen years of age. In 1868, he returned to Shenandoah, Penn., and went into the jewelry business with a capital of only $200. Here he remained, doing a successful business till 1879, when he emigrated to Colorado and established the same business in Canon City, under the firm name of Shaffer & Cassedy.
 

                                                                                         MRS. M. M. SHEETZ.
A lady who is worthy of especial mention in this work is one whose name appears at the head of this sketch. She was born in Tioga County, Penn., in 1832. She was reared in Western New York, and, when fourteen years of age, moved to Illinois, then a very new country. Her advantages for school having been superior to those in her adopted State, she commenced teaching before she was fifteen years of age, and continued with but short interruptions for four years. The next two years were spent at Mt. Morris Seminary, and the next two as Assistant Principal in the High School at Freeport, Ill. In 1853, she was married to Mr. H. M. Sheetz, then editor and publisher of the Freeport Journal. In 1856, Mr. Sheetz sold this paper, and moved to Steele County, Minn., at that time a Territory, and started the first newspaper in the interior, or back from the Mississippi River. Young and ambitious, life seemed full of golden opportunities in which to experience all they hoped or were willing to work for. Their efforts were abundantly rewarded, and an honorable position with a flattering future seemed before them, when, in October, 1859, Mr. Sheetz died of a prevalent typhoid fever. This changed the bright anticipations and pathways of all her after life. She continued to conduct the Owatonna Journal after his death, until circumstances rendered it necessary for her to return to Illinois with her two young children. Here she worked in the post office at Freeport two years, and during the war devoted much time and energy to the sanitary work, as also caring for the soldiers' families at home. Her health becoming impaired by the labor necessary in providing for her own family and the self-imposed work outside her own home, she determined, in October, 1872, to re-move with her family to Colorado for whatever benefit it might have in store for her. She spent a part of the first year in Pueblo, and then removed to Cañon City, where she has since resided, beloved and respected by every one. She has labored hard for every enterprise tending to improve her adopted city. She never forgot her own school advantages, and to her is largely due the splendid condition the school of Canon City is in at the present time. She is a member of the School Board—a position she has occupied for a long time. The two fatherless daughters have grown to womanhood, and both married—one to Fred A. Raynolds, the other to R. S. Lewis, both highly respected gentlemen of Cation City.
 

                                                                                  ORSON G. STANLEY.
This gentleman is one of those self-made men in every sense of the word. He was born upon a farm near Columbus, Ohio, November 23, 1838. He never attended school but nine months in his life. At the age of twenty years, he removed to Kansas, and engaged in freighting and trading with the Indians. In 1866, he came to Colorado, and located at Canon City. At the age of thirty-five years, he went into the office of Augustus Macon to study law, and was admitted to the bar in 1876, when he opened an office in Canon City, and has had a good practice ever since. He was married to Mary King in 1868. He has one daughter and one son.
 

                                                                                         WILLIAM A. STUMP.
Among the enterprising farmers of Colorado is found William A. Stump. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, April 14, 1843. After receiving a good common-school education, and remaining at home with his father till twenty-one years of age, he went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and at once engaged to Col. Johnson to drive an ox team across the plains to Colorado. After reaching Cass County, Iowa, the Indians being so troublesome, they concluded to lay up with their train till spring. They then finished their journey, locating in Fremont County, Colo., where the subject of this sketch has since lived, engaged in stock-raising and farming. He has an elegant farm on Four Mile Creek, upon which is an elegant grove of immense oak trees, and a beautiful stream of water running past their door, and on a summer's day it is a place one is loath to leave. He was married, in 1875, to Mary Rader, daughter of Jesse Rader.
 

                                                                                      MILBY SMITH.
Milby Smith, called by everybody " Grandpa," was father of John T. Smith. They were from the eastern shore of Maryland to this county. He was in the war of 1812—was an exemplary, Christian old gentleman, fond of field sports and angling. All remember his well-kept garden. Once when he came for his mail to Carton, the writer, who was Postmaster at the time, said : " Grandpa, I am afraid your folks have forgotten you this time." The old gentleman replied, in his deliberate way : ".Ah, yes. I am afraid I have outlived all rrfy friends. " That he had not, was evidenced by the deep feeling of sadness in the community when the good old man died.
 

                                                                                  RUFUS E. SMITH. M. D.
Dr. Smith was born in Pointe Coupe Parish, La., December 9, 1839. His parents were farmers, owning a large plantation and several slaves. At the age of eighteen years, he went to New Orleans, and entered the Jackson Medcal Institute ; remained at this school two years. He then taught school for two years. In the spring of 1862, he joined the Confederate army, and after serving one- year and a halt; he was taken prisoner by the Federal forces, and was taken to Fort Morton, Indiana, where he was confined till the close of the war. He then came to Colorado. He was in various portions of the State till 1872, when he came to Fremont County, and has practiced his profession since. He was married to Mollie A. Arthur in March, 1867.
 

                                                                              CHALMERS W. TALBOT.
Mr. Talbot was born in Lewiston, Ill., in 1842. He received his education in Lewiston Academy. In 1860, accepted a position as book-keeper in the Bank of Kentucky, Columbus, Ky., and remained there during that portion of the war, to the fall of 1862, and was appointed agent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which then had its terminus at that point, which position he held for two years, when he engaged in the grocery trade in the same place for five years, where he built up a large business, and had a branch in a neighboring town. In 1869, he came by rail to Cheyenne, and thence by coach to Denver and Central. Visiting the several portions of the State in search of location, he decided upon Wet Mountain Valley, before the road to it was built, and getting lost on the route in. In a few months, he made an engagement in the cattle business for a term of five years, with Mr. George C. Beckwith. It was a very large paying business at that time, owing to the immense range as yet unoccupied by smaller herds. In the winter of 1865. he was married to Miss Ella Hastings. About the same time, he embarked in the drug business in Canon City, in a small way, and, by close application, with honorable dealing, built up a retail and jobbing business that has enabled him recently to retire to the cool shades of the mountains and the enjoyments of Eastern travel, without taking thought for the morrow, except in its relations to mankind. He has been for several years an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Canon City. Is a Republican, though he has taken but little part in politics. Is a good pattern of a true-hearted, upright citizen.
 

                                                                                   STEPHEN J. TANNER.
Mr. Tanner was born in Kentucky January 28, 1837. His father was a tanner, and he early learned the trade, and worked at it with his father till 1856, when he removed to Lamar County, Texas. Here he carried on the same business, connected with merchandising. Mr. Tanner is a man of strong Southern principles. He entered Bragg's army as Lieutenant, and served the Confederate cause three years in that capacity. In 1871, he came to Colorado, and has been extensively engaged in farming near Florence, Fremont County, since. He has a very nice ranch of four hundred acres.
 

                                                                                    JOSHUA TATMAN.
Among the worthy members of society in Canon City is Joshua Tatman. He was born in Kentucky March 11, 1829. At an early age, his parents removed to Clermont County, Ohio. He was reared upon a farm, and his education consisted of what could be gained at the common district school. After becoming of age, he worked by the month in various places till 1860, when, hearing of the gold and silver fields of Colorado, he emigrated here. After taking in the different mining points for awhile, he finally settled in Fremont County, and bought him a farm on Four Mile Creek, where he has continued to reside till 1880. when he sold out and removed to South Canon. He was married in 1865 to Rose Fenton, of Illinois.
 

                                                                                         JOHN H. TERRY.
Judge Terry was born in Marion County, Ohio, in 1837. His early life was spent at home on the farm. He received a good common-school education. He came to Colorado in 1860, and located in Black Hawk, and was engaged in mining and milling for two years. In the spring of 1863, he took charge of the Black Hawk Gold Stamp Mill, running it with marked success until the spring of 1868. He afterward built the Eagle Mill, which he ran for two years, and then sold to the Black Hawk Company. He then removed to Fremont County, purchasing the Warford and Frazer farms, near Canon City. He was elected Probate Judge of Fremont County in 1872 for two years. After his term expired he went back to Black Hawk, and resumed his milling pursuits for about two years, when he returned to Fremont County. He was elected to the office of County Judge. but in the spring of 1881 he resigned, on account of too pressing private business, having added to his possessions the Rev. B. M. Adams and Cold Spring farms in Garden Park. He is extensively engaged in raising blooded stock. The Judge was married in 1865 to Lydia Ellis, who was a native of New York State. but resided at that time in Marseilles, Ohio. They have an interesting family of two little boys and one girl. They have all the comforts of a nice home around them, and no family in Fremont County stands higher in the estimation of the people than Judge Terry's.
 

                                                                                     FELIX TOUPAIN
Mr. Toupain is a Canadian by birth, but has lived in the States most of his life. He was born in Montreal, Canada, September 30, 1835. At the age of eighteen years, he removed to Wisconsin, and later on to Nebraska. In 1857, he went to Salt Lake, Utah Territory, after which he returned to the States, and served four years in the Union army, in the Eighth Kansas. In 1867, he came to Colorado, and resided in Canon City seven years, working at the carpenter's trade, since which time he has lived at Hayden Creek, engaged in farming and hotel-keeping. He is one of the company who have now the Hayden Pass Toll Road nearly completed across the mountains. He is a very active man in whatever he undertakes, and is very highly respected by his neighbors.
 

                                                                                    THOMAS VIRDEN.
Mr. Virden is one of the well known pioneers of Fremont County. He was born March 14, 1831. His only means of obtaining an education was the common district school, and poor at that. At an early age, he moved with his parents to Iowa. He lived with his father on the farm till he was twenty-one years of age, and then started life for himself in the real estate business, connected with farming. After three years, he went to Nebraska, and took a mail contract. He carried the mail for three years. In 1861, impelled by the exciting reports of the rich discovery of the precious metals in Colorado, he came in search of them, and for four years prospected at different points, with varied success. He then settled in Fremont County, where he has since resided. His occupation has been mostly stock-raising. In 1864, he served 100 days in the Third Colorado Regiment, fighting the Indians. He was in the Sand Creek fight, where 100 whites and 500 Indians were killed. He was Assessor for Fremont County in 1872. He was married, in 1867, to Emma Strong, of Shellsburg, Iowa.
 

                                                                                 CHARLES E. WALDO.
C. E. Waldo, attorney-at-law and member of the bar of Fremont County, was born February 28, 1846, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He is the son of Rev. L. F. Waldo. Most of his boyhood days were spent in Michigan and Illinois. He received a poor common-school education. He read law with Sam P. Dale in Illinois, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He practiced in Beardstown, Ill., the two following years: In the fall of 1873, he came to Denver, Colo., and remained there two years, then removed to Canon City, and has since practiced in the courts of Fremont and Custer Counties. Mr. Waldo is President of the Canon School Board. He is also Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of the Order of Odd Fellows.
 

                                                                                    HENRY WALLER.
This gentleman was born in Polk County, East Tenn., August 17, 1843. When the war broke out, in 1860, although he was but seventeen, he espoused the cause of the Confederacy, and enlisted to fight for it. He was in active service until Grant took Vicksburg, when Mr. Waller was taken prisoner. He was taken North, and held at different points until October, 1864, when he enlisted in the Union army, and went to Dakota to fight the Indians. He was there one year, and was mustered out of the service. He remained in Dakota ten years engaged in trading with the Indians. During two years of this time he had a mail contract. In 1875, he removed to a farm on Four Mile Creek, in Fremont County, where he has since resided. He was married in Dakota, in 1866, to Miss Sophia Frainyard. Mr. Waller is a man highly respected in Fremont County.
 

                                                                                        ALBERT WALTER.
Among the wealthy members of the German population now in Colorado appears the name of Albert Walter. He was born in Germany January 28, 1835. In 1853, he sought a home in America. He first located in Delphos, Miami County, Ohio ; after three years, removed to Lecompton, Kan.; after two years, he still longed to see more of the Far West, and crossed the plains to Colorado, and stopped in Denver. He at once enlisted, and served four and a half years with honor, part of the time on the staff of Gen. Henry ; was Provost Marshal part of the time in Denver. In 1870, was appointed to take charge of the prison at Canon City ; at that time it was United States property ; he remained in charge three and a half years, since which time he has been in grocery, bakery and confectionery business in Cation City. He was a good soldier, and in private life is highly respected by the people.
 

                                                                                   HON. S. D. WEBSTER.
This gentleman was born in Nova Scotia in 1818: moved near Cleveland in 1836. lived there about ten years, when he moved to Indiana. His health being poor, from there he went sailing, which he followed for ten years, sailing on nearly every ocean and sea on the globe. Was on the southwest coast of Australia before white men had inhabited within a 1,000 miles, where now are large cities. Was in New Zealand when it did not have 100 white inhabitants. His experience as harpooner, or boat steerer, while whaling over two years in North Pacific Ocean, required the display of great coolness, as well as daring and courage. As so few understand the manner of taking the whale, we give it as we have heard him describe it. It was his duty to throw the harpoon into the whale, which would often dart almost with the velocity of light to the depths of the sea, taking with him one thousand to twelve hundred feet of rope, coiled in a large tub aft in the small boat. When the monster came up for air, the active sailors gathered up and coiled it, to be paid out again and again, until the strength of the whale becoming exhausted, they would gather up on him, when the boat header, who is also officer of the ship, exchanges places with the harpooner, and thrusts the diamond shaped instrument (on metallic rod three feet long, with handle five feet long), striking back of the shoulder blade to its vitals. If a good thrust, the sea will be crimson with blood about him, and he will spout the dark clotted life fluid twelve to fifteen feet into the air. When dead, the whale turns upon its side, and the vessel comes alongside. The fourfold pulley tackle, suspended from the mainmast head, are fastened with grappling hooks into a strip of the blubber about three feet wide. The outer skin being dark and soft, and the blubber, or light-colored fatty skin, twelve to eighteen inches thick, which overlays the beef-like flesh of the whale, and from which is peeled by a dozen seamen heaving on the windlass with great zest, while the officers cut the blubber in spiral courses around the body, which is steadily rolled over and over until stripped of its oil-bearing wealth. The blubber is then cut in small blocks, called horse-pieces, and then minced into thin slices, and tried out in kettles holding several barrels each. The black, or right whale, being most numerous, the sperm whale being different in its feeding habits, shape of head, etc. The black whalebone of the market comes from the upper jaw, which in a large whale is twenty feet long. The whalebone is in slabs, thick at the end, which fits in the jaw much like our own teeth. It is very wide in upper and outer portion—six to twelve inches —the thickest part being outside and about half an inch apart. The edge of the thin inner portion has hair about as long and coarse as a horse's mane, which, when the whale feeds, lay back across the interstices, forming a seive, through which, as the water from its open mouth rushes outward, the small insects upon which it feeds, not larger than a flea, are caught when these are wiped by the ponderous tongue, which weighs twelve hundred to two thousand pounds ; these layer bones being very short at end of nose, lengthening to ten to twelve feet at middle, and then shortening to the socket of jaw. It is covered on the outside with an immense lip, which is dropped down horizontally. when the whale feeds, and which permits free passage of the water between the slabs of whalebone, the lower jaw seeming to serve no purpose except to hold tongue, which bears oil also ; and the great lip, which closes over the upper jaw, and completes the conformation of the head. Judge Webster came' to Colorado by the Arkansas route the fall of 1860, residing in this county most of the time since. He is a steadfast Republican, and knew the political status of every voter in the county for years. Says he did not exactly approve of the way his political opponents swallowed the oath of allegiance to a nation they wished to see transformed to one resting on corner-stone of ownership in man, and with or without State's rights. He was elected to the Territorial Legislature, and served with much honor to himself during the session of 1864. Having a stock ranch in Webster Park, that and the Canon to Wet Mountain Valley, bears his name. He first settled in Wild-cat Park, after travel had ruined the stock range in Webster Park and Canon. He had a taste of mercantile life in Canon one or two seasons, again returning to stock pursuits, finally selling his herd, after disposing of the Wild-cat Park ranch to William F. Bailey, Esq. He now owns a fine farm on the San Juan River, where he proposes to open a store. He has thus far in life fought clear from feminine influences, and thinks himself invincible to their charms.
 

                                                                                     H. CLAY WEBSTER.
Mr. Webster was born in Haddenfield, N. J., August 12, 1850. At the age of fifteen years, he engaged as a clerk in the drug store of Thomas R. Coombs, of Philadelphia, Penn. ; he was there one year and then, on account of sickness brought on by hard work. he had to leave. In 1871, he graduated at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. In 1872, he started the drug business in his native town. In July, 1875, his health failing again, he came to Colorado, leaving his business with a clerk. In 1876, he sold his business East and located in Fremont County, this State, and was Surveyor for the Santa Fe Railroad for two years. In 1880, he was appointed Assessor for Fremont County, and was also elected Coroner, leading his ticket.
 

                                                                                    EUGENE WESTON.
This gentleman was born in Bloomfield, Me., September 24, 1835. He removed to Henry, Ill., in November, 1850 ; to St. Louis in June, 1858. and thence to Kansas in August. 1858. In May, 1859. he started with a company for Pike's Peak, but the company stampeded back and he was obliged to return, but he at once set out on a trading expedition to New Mexico ; returning in October, he taught school during the winter and again started for Pike's Peak in May, 1860, reaching Denver July 3, 1860. He went to California Gulch, and thence to Canon City, in November. He carried on a ranch during the summer of 1861, on St. Charles Creek. In 1862, he went to Pueblo ; was elected Constable and Sheriff, and at one time was the only executive officer in a county seventy-five by one hundred and fifty miles in extent. In the fall of 1864, he enlisted in the Third Colorado Cavalry, and took part in the battle of Sand Creek. He served as County Clerk, Clerk of the Probate Court, and Deputy Clerk of the United States District Court, and County Assessor from 1865 to 1867, inclusive ; and, from 1868 to 1870, was engaged in freighting, building and contracting. He returned to Canon City in 1871, where he has since resided. He is a Republican in politics ; a leading member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and was foremost in the erection of of their church building. He is Secretary of the Pioneer Association ; is sufficient botanist to possess a great passion for flowers, and has lectured on the same on several occasions, in which he set forth in glowing terms the advantages to accrue to our people in the cultivation of fruits and flowers, and setting out shade trees. He still follows building, and has purchased grounds to set out a vineyard, and thus fully demonstrate his theories. His father, now living with him, is quite aged, and is, even now, accepted as authority on many scholarly subjects. He is a Presbyterian ; a good and true and much respected gentleman. The first school taught in Pueblo, and it is believed in the whole Lower Arkansas Valley, was by Miss Clara Weston, his sister ; unfortunately she received but about one-half the stipend agreed on, though often undergoing great exposure from having to wade the Fontaine qui Souffle, then a large, flowing stream, twice a day—the foot bridge having been swept off and all the men away on Indian campaigns.
 

                                                                             THOMAS ALLEN WILKINSON.
Mr. Wilkinson is one of those rare persons who believes he never gets too old to get an education, even if he did not have advantages in his boyhood days. He was born on a farm near Oswego, N. Y. October 16, 1841. At the age of sixteen he bought from his father his time till he was twenty-one, and started out in life for himself. In September, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Thirty-Second Wisconsin Volunteers, and served till May, 1865. While in the army he said he found the need of a good education, and was bound to have it. In one month after leaving the army, he entered Milton College, where after three years' hard study, he graduated with honors. While in college he was married to Anna C. Stewart, also a student in the same college. After leaving college, he followed the vocation of teacher in Kansas, till his health failed him, and he had to give it up. He was one of the founders of Arkansas City, Kan. While here, he held the office of School Commissioner two terms. In 1879, he was in New Mexico, in the employ of Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. In 1880, he came to Rockdale, Fremont County, Colo., where he is running a general store. He is also proprietor of the Mount Pleasant House, Pueblo. Mrs. Wilkinson is in charge of that, and it is one of the best conducted hotels in the city.
 

                                                                                     THOMAS S. WELLS.
Mr. Wells is a native of England, but an old-timer in Colorado. He was born December 16, 1838. He came to America when thirteen years of age with his parents and located in New York. In 1854, they removed to Lawrence, Kan. In 1860, he came to Colorado with an ox team and went direct to the gold diggings of California Gulch. He was Superintendent of the first hydraulic fluming that was put in operation in Colorado. He was for a time Justice of the Peace, also Probate Judge. He was Sergeant-at- Arms of the Territorial Legislature one term. He remained a bachelor till 1880; he was then married to Celia Gage, of Jacksonville, Ill. He has now an elegant residence in Cation City, although he is largely interested in mining in the vicinity of Leadville.

History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado
O L Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1881 - Pages 647- 688
Transcribed 25 January 2006 by Martha A Crosley Graham

 

Site Created: 25 January 2006

Martha A Crosley Graham