Larimer County, Colorado - The whole text, 1911 (part 13 of 22)

tween the two points. His coaches went out of Fort Collins loaded almost every day during that summer and fall. Postoffices were established at Home and Chambers lake, with John VanDoIah as postmaster at the lake and Paul Mansfield at Home. The Home postoffice was kept in a small cabin still standing on what is now known as the Williams' ranch, formerly owned by C. B. Andrews and called the Shetland ranch. John R. Brown, who was post blacksmith for the troops when they were at old Camp Collins in 1864-5 and 6, located on this ranch in 1880, selling it in 1885 to Mr. Andrews and he in turn, a few years ago, to C. E. Williams. H. C. Peterson and family, R. W. Durkee, George Grill and others took up land along the river between Pingree camp and Poudre falls in 1881-2. S. B. Stewart built a hotel at the foot of Pingree hill that year which he called Rustic, and which he conducted for three or four years. It soon became a famous resort for summer tourists and he had a good run of custom during the summer seasons. Norman W. Frey and Dixon & DeRivas located at what is now called Pinehurst about that time.

In the spring of 1884, Mr. Zimmerman moved his family down from Cameron pass and occupied a cabin on the north side of the river nearly opposite to where he afterwards built the Keystone hotel. He soon had a saw mill running, cutting out lumber for two frame cottages which he erected in 1886 on the south side of the river where, for several years, he and his family hospitably entertained summer visitors. These cottages are still standing and serve as annexes to the Keystone hotel, a fine three story brick structure, thoroughly modern in all of its appointments, erected in 1896, which he and his daughters, the Misses Eda and Agnes, still successfully conduct. Soon after locating here, Mr.

R. W. Durkee, H. C. Peterson and John R. Brown sold their ranches in 1885 to C. B. Andrews and left the mountains, Mr. Peterson, Capt. Coon and John Lyon going with their families to the White river country, locating near the present town of Meeker. Mr. Peterson died there in 1896, and Capt. Coon died in Connecticut in 1903. Mr. Peterson's widow and one daughter, Mrs. J. H. Setzler, are residents of Fort Collins and his two sons, Ray of San Francisco and Lee of Meeker, are living. The Stewart Toll road became an open public highway in 1902. Casper Zimmerman has carried the mail from Fort Collins to the Home postoffice for the past twenty years, and his stage line is now equipped for forty-five miles of the distance with steam automobiles, which cover the route from Fort Collins to Elkhorn in four hours. Over the remaining fourteen miles, the mail and passengers are carried in stages drawn by horses.

THE history of a country is best told in a record of the lives of its people," said Macaulay, the great English historian. With this statement in view, this biographical record has been prepared. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent public. In this volume will be found the life stories of many of the pioneers of Larimer county, whose lives and characters are worthy the imitation of coming generations. It tells when and how they crossed the Plains and settled in Larimer county ; of how they lived and what they did in the early days. It tells how some, beginning life in poverty, by industry and good management, have become wealthy. It tells of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as public officials. It tells of' those in every walk of life who have striven to succeed, and records how success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells how that many, in the pride and strength of early manhood, left the plow and the anvil, the office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's call went bravely forth "to do or die," and how through their efiEorts the savages of the west were subdued, and of those who fought valiantly for a restored Union. Coming generations will appreciate these sketches and preserve them as a sacred treasure from the fact that they contain much of the history of Larimer county that would never find its way into the public records. Care has been taken in the compilation of these sketches, and every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and it is believed that few errors of consequence will be found. In addition to the biographical sketches, steel and half-tone portraits of many pioneers and representative citizens are given. The faces of some and their biographical sketches will be missed in this book. For this, the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give the desired information, while others were indifferent. On the whole, however, the publishers believe the work contains a great deal that will interest and instruct the present and future generations and be appreciated by the loyal citizens of Larimer county. June, 1911. The Courier Printing ^ Publishing Co.

General R. A. Cameron, founder and first president and superintendent of the Fort Collins Agricultural Colony, established in 1872, died on Thursday, March 15, 1894, at his home in Canon City, after a lingering illness. A sketch of his life and public service follows: General Cameron was born February 22, 1828, in Brooklyn, New York. He moved to Indiana, near Chicago, In 1842, graduated at the Indiana Medical college in the spring of 1850, and was a member of the Indiana legislature in 1860-61. At the breaking out of the Civil war, he raised a company in two days and was mustered in as Captain in the 9th Indiana Infantry, was made lieutenant colonel of the 19th Indiana and sent to the defence of Washington in July, 1861; was made colonel of the 34th Indiana and took part in the battles of Island No. 10, New Madrid, Port Gibson, capture of Memphis and siege of Vicksburg. He was for bravery and good conduct at Port Gibson, under the eye of Gen. Grant, commissioned brigadier general. After the opening of the Mississippi river he was in command of the Third division of the Thirteenth army corps in the Red river campaign, under Gen. Banks, until General Ransom was wounded at Sabine Cross roads in Louisana, when the command of the corps fell to him. He was placed in command of the district of La Fourch, with headquarters at Thibodeauxville, Louisana, after the Red river campaign, and remained there until the close of the war. Soon after the war the Louisiana legislature, at the motion of Duncan Smith, changed the name of Sabine to Cameron, as a compliment to General Cameron for having done his duty with as little friction as possible and preserved his honor and Integrity under all circumstances. In 1870 General Cameron assisted N. C. Meeker in organizing the colony which located In Greeley, Colorado, and took charge as superintendent of the enterprise until it proved a success. He repeated his experiments at Manitou and Colorado Springs and afterwards, in 1872, organized the Fort Collins Agricultural Colony. He was made warden of the Colorado state penitentiary by Governor Eaton in

1885, serving two years in that capacity. He was an important factor in the settlement of the Cache la Poudre valley and contributed largely of his means and energy to the establishment of colonies at Greeley, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, doing much in his day to bring the state into notice and in aiding in its settlement and development.

Louis R. Blackstock. - Born in Atlanta, Georgia, November 5th, 1842; die.d at Fort Collins, Colorado, April 12th, 1904. He came to Larimer county in 1869 and settled on a farm in Pleasant valley near the present town of Bellvue, where he lived for more than a third of a century. In 1902 Mr. Blackstock gave up farming and moved his family to Fort Collins and opened and successfully conducted the Blackstock hotel on Jefferson street until death supervened. He was twice married, his first wife being a sister of former county commissioner W. P. Bosworth and P. J. Bosworth of Fort Collins, and of Harlan P. Bosworth of Stove Prairie. Two children, Lee Blackstock and Mrs. Ernest Honnold were born of the union, both of whom are living. His second wife was Mrs. Wiseman whom he married in 1894, and who survives him. He was a man of many sterling qualities of heart and mind, and, though tenacious of what he believed to be his rights, was well liked.

Walter E. Mansfield, D. C, was born November 25, 1871, at Meridian, Mississippi; came to Colorado in 1873, locating first at Las Animas, coming thence to Fort Collins, in September, 1910; married Mary M. Morgan in 1907; graduate of the Cleveland school of Psychology and at the National school of Metaphysical Science ; the National school of Chiropractic; chiropractor by profession having an office at the northeast corner of College avenue and Oak street. Fort Collins. He contends that from a Chiropractic standpoint disease emanates from a pressure upon the nerves leading from the spinal cord.

Ulysses S. Hankins, was bom January 9th, 1868, at New Market, Iowa; received his education in the public schools and at the Colorado Agricultural college. He was reared on a farm and is a son of W. A. Hankins of Loveland. He came from Iowa with his parents to Colorado in 1879 and the family settled on a homestead claim near Loveland, Larimer county. Our subject was married November 18th, 1891, to Cora Pegg in Fort Collins. They have one child, a son, named Harlan who is at home with his parents. For the past seven years has most acceptably filled the post of field superintendent for the Great Western Sugar company in the Berthoud district. In the spring of 1910, Mr. Hankins moved from his farm into the town of Berthoud, where he now resides.

Thomas J. Montgomery

Macoupin county, Illinois. He was reared on a farm until 16 years of age when he came to Golden, Colorado, with his uncle, W. A. H. Loveland. This was in 1866. He clerked in his uncle's store at Golden when that place was the Capital of Colorado, learning telegraphy of R. E. Gamble at night after the store was closed. In 1867 he applied for a position as government telegrapher, was accepted and sent to Fort Sedgwick and from there to Mud Springs on the North Platte; had charge of this station eight months and was then transferred to Bovay's ranch and then to Alkali Flats. That year he entered the employ of the Union Pacific and was sent to Cheyenne to superintend the installation of telegraph offices along the line of the railroad west of that point, opening the office at Colorado Junction, Granite Canon, Tie Siding, Buford, Laramie and others on west. He witnessed some stirring times at Mud Springs and Bovays, as the Indians were very troublesome that year. He went back to his Illinois home in the fall of 1870 and took a complete course in bookkeeping and commercial law at the Commercial college in Springfield. In the winter of 1873 he was appointed night operator at Martinsburg on what is now the Wabash road, remaining in the company's employ about a year. In February, 1875, he married Addie Z. Eberman, and moved to Golden in 1876, and was employed by the Colorado Central railroad as operator at Longraont until October 7, when he came to Fort Collins to take charge of the station as agent and telegraph operator. He first opened an office in Joseph Mason's store on Jefferson street remaining there until October 22, when he moved the office into the unfinished depot. In 1881, Mr. Montgomery was elected county clerk and re-elected in 1883, serving two full terms. He then moved on to a stock ranch near St. Cloud and engaged in the cattle business, selling ranch and stock In 1890 and returning to Fort Collins, which has since been his home. His first wife died in October, 1893, and in January, 1899, he married Helen E. Lunn, who died a few years ago. He has one son, Hugh, child by his first wife, who is now general manager of the Electric Light and Heating plant at Auburn, New York. His present occupation is that of conveyancer and dealer in real estate, placing loans, etc.

S. W. Johnson. - Born November 25th, 1852, in Perry county, Ohio ; educated at Sterling, Whiteside county, Illinois; married Maud M. Cochrane, February 16th, 1898; three children, Wesley, Lovina and Ephriam ; came to Fort Collins, March 1st, 1904 and engaged in farming; stockholder in and director of the Fort Collins National bank and is recognized as a high class citizen.

Sylvanus Oldfield was born December 23rd, 1847, in Richland county, Ohio. Went with his father's family to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1856, where he went to school and worked on a farm. At the age of 16, he enlisted in company K of the 28th Iowa infantry, February 29th, 1864, serving until the end of the Civil war. Was wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19th, 1864. At the close of the war he located on a homestead in Thayer county, Nebraska, where he lived until he came to Colorado in the fall of 1887. He married Hattie E. Wilson, January 1st, 1873, at Delhi,

Iowa. Came to Larimer county in 1900 and spent two years on a farm near Trilby school house, moving then to Fort Collins, where he still resides. Was one year field superintendent for the Great Western Sugar company, and for the past six years has been in the United States mail service as rural route carrier. He has four surviving children ; Mrs. Nellie E. Cline of Adams county, Colorado; Mrs. Daisy E. Pavitt, of Greeley, Colorado ; Raymond A. of Covina, California, and Mrs. Bessie Russell of Fort Collins.

Walter Dixon^ born in Brampton, Derbyshire, England, in the year 1839; married in 1865 to Mary Ann Hall. There have been born to them eight children. When the people who formed the Greeley colony, in Weld county, came to the West in 1870, Mr. Dixon joined them and in 1885 he moved with his family to Fort Collins. In February, 1887, he settled upon a farm five miles northwest of the latter city where he still resides.

John C. Matthews. - The subject of this sketch died November 9th, 1897, at White's hospital in Fort Collins, aged 72 years. Mr. Matthews was a native of Missouri, but came to the Cache la Poudre valley in 1866 and located at Laporte, then the county seat of Larimer county. He at once became an important factor in the development and upbuilding of his chosen home. He taught the first public school at Laporte. While thus employed he was made county jailer and also appointed deputy clerk, discharging the duties of all three positions with the utmost faithfulness and fidelity. In the county clerk's office he brought order out of chaos, opening the first regular set of record books for the county. Later he engaged in the mercantile business at Laporte in partnership with the late A. H. Patterson, the firm subsequently moving its stock of goods to Fort Collins, which had been selected as the county seat. In 1870, Mr. Patterson sold his interest in the store to the late William C. Stover and the firm of Stover & Matthews carried on the business together until 1876, when Mr. Matthews disposed of his interest in the firm to Mr. Stover and retired. Until the big brick building at the corner of JefEerson and Linden streets was erected in 1874, Stover & Matthews occupied the old Grout building which stood where Frank P. Stover's drug store now stands. That was the first brick store building erected in Fort Collins and it was occupied for thirty-six years for mercantile and other purposes and until, in the spring of 1910, it was razed by the Union Pacific rail- road company. The Free Masons met on the second floor of the building for about ten years. Mr. Matthews was twice elected county clerk of Larimer county, and held other offices of trust and responsibility, always giving the utmost satisfaction. One of his greatest claims upon the regard of the community and one for which his memory will long be revered, lies, perhaps, in his gift of eighty acres of land to the state for the use of the Agricultural college and which is now embraced in the present college farm. It was through the generosity and public spirit of Mr. Matthews, Arthur H. Patterson, Joseph Mason and Henry C. Peterson, each of whom made a free gift to the state of land, that the friends of the college were able to secure the location of that institution in Fort Collins. One of the beautiful residence streets of the county seat was named in honor of Mr. Matthews. He was never married. His burial was according to the rites of the Masonic order of which he had been a member for more than a quarter of a century.

Peter Anderson. - Whether as farm hand, when a boy, freighter across the Plains in 1864-5, farmer, stockman, at the head of a big mercantile business, banker, school director, city alderman, or President of the Chamber of Commerce, Peter Anderson was ever the same kindly, urbane, genial and progressive citizen that he is today. His early life was a strenuous one and his success in later years is proof of the metal that is in him. He made good as a chore boy on a Wisconsin farm, as a bull-whacker on the Plains, as a Colorado farmer, as stockman controlling big herds of cattle on a Wyoming range, for the past twenty-two years as head of an important mercantile establishment, as Vice-President of the First National bank, as a city alderman,, a member of the board of education and as President of the Chamber of Commerce. He has never lost his grip nor fallen down with anything he has ever undertaken, and is today one of the foremost citizens of the county. He enjoys the confidence and respect of every person in the world that knows him. Having been a resident of the county for forty-five years and known to be an enterprising, energetic, progressive and public spirited man, the number of his friends and acquaintances runs up into the thousands. He is a natural born booster and has always stood ready with voice, pen and purse to help advance any project or enterprise that gave promise of aiding in the growth, development and prosperity of his chosen home. Indeed, he has been personally identified with many of the public enterprises that have since added to the fame and prosperity of Fort Collins and Larimer county. He has helped to build and maintain churches, encouraged popular education both as a private citizen and school officer, and has done much in the way of developing the resources of and in advancing the material prosperity of the county. He is benevolent and generous and, with kindly advice and open purse, has helped many a poor man to get on his feet and started on the road to independence. His private character is unimpeachable and his domestic life a happy one. In all his intercourse with his fellowmen he is an inborn gentleman. Mr. Anderson was born October 17th, 1845, near Honefos, Norway, and can, therefore, never be President of the United States, no matter how much the people should want him to be. His father died when he was five years of age, and two years later his widowed mother, with her little flock of five children, the subject of this sketch being next to the youngest, came to the United States and settled in Walworth county, Wisconsin. The family was poor, dreadfully poor, hence Peter, when less than nine years of age, was put out to work as chore boy for a farmer, his meagre earnings going into the common fund for the support of his mother and her dependent little ones. From that time until the spring before he was sixteen years old, he worked on a farm summers and went to school winters. In the fall of 1864 he turned his face westward and arrived in Denver in due time. After working at the saddler's trade with William Lindenmeier a few months, he bought four yoke of oxen and a wagon and began freighting across the Plains, making three trips from Denver to the Missouri river during the years 1864 and 1865. In the fall of 1865 he bought George R. Mcintosh's squatter's claim of 160 acres of land and improvements thereon. This claim is situated east of and adjoining what is now the sugar factory farm, and forms a part of Mr. Anderson's splendid and highly improved 330-acre farm. On the claim was a small log cabin which Mr. Anderson moved into on January 14, 1866, and which was his bachelor home for about ten years. In 1866 he became associated with William Lindenmeier, Sr., in farming and stock business and they continued as partners until 1878, when Mr. Lindenmeier retired from the firm. Mr. Anderson then took his two brothers in as partners and they run cattle in Northern Wyoming and Western Nebraska, until 1890, when they disposed of their holdings and retired from that line. In the fall of 1887, they turned 5,000 head of cattle on the range and were only able to gather 2,000 head the following spring, the hard winter of 1887-1888 having killed ofE 3,000 head, involving a loss to the firm of $90,000. In September, 1878, Mr. Anderson married Mary Severson of Black Earth, Wisconsin. She died in September, 1891, leaving her husband with the care of a young daughter, who is now Mrs. Cora Riddell. In October, 1892, he married for his second wife, Mrs. Anna J. Kriplin, of Whitewater, Wis., who was his boyhood's sweetheart, but who married while he was out west, her husband dying a few years before Mr. Anderson's first wife died. The union has been a happy one and blessed with one living son, Howard, now about 13 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have a beautiful home at the corner of Howes and Oak streets and are generous and hospitable entertainers. Since 1888 he has been engaged in the mercantile business in this city, in which he has been very successful. He has served one term as alderman from the 3rd ward, three terms as member of the board of education, several years as director and Vice- President of the First National bank, and one year as President of the Chamber of Commerce.

Herbert S. Pease was born July .18th, 1861, at Flint, Michigan ; married Minnie B. Morrish, born September 10th, 1865, at his own birthplace, January 10th, 1884; moved in 1885 to Buffalo county, Nebraska, and was engaged in the drug business there until 1899, when he came to Fort .Collins. Mr. and Mrs. Pease have two children, Glenn R., born September 9th, 1889, and Ray H., born August 16th, 1894.

Benjamin T. Whedbee. - Because of length of years and useful life, many years of it spent in the service of the people as a public official, and because of his integrity and rugged honesty, characteristics that marked his every act, public or private, the late Benjamin T. Whedbee was one of the most remarkable of the early pioneers of the Cache la Poudre valley. He was born Nov. 14th, 1812, in Orange county. North Carolina, and died in Fort Collins Oct. 24th, 1910, aged nearly 98 years. He moved to Missouri in 1832 and, after visiting several portions of that state, settled in Buchanan county. He worked at the carpenter trade, on a farm, and was engaged in the mercantile business a part of the time. He came to Colorado in 1863- and settled in what is now known as Pleasant valley, a name he gave it soon after his arrival. He removed to Fort Collins in April, 1871, and opened and kept the first drug store north of Boulder. He disposed of this store in 1875 and engaged in the general merchandise business, on the corner of Mountain and College avenues, retiring from active business pursuits in 1881. He served the people of his chosen home as a member of the board of town trustees and also as mayor one term with sig- nal fidelity and faithfulness. When Larimer county was organized for judicial purposes, in 1864, Governor John Evans appointed Mr. Whedbee its first county treasurer, and he was twice thereafter elected to the same office by the people. While in that position he carried the tax roll and the records in his pocket, and when he met a taxpayer on the street he would collect the amount due the county and give receipt. He also carried the county money and when he met a man with a warrant he would pay the amount the county owed. There was no court house at the time and business was done in rather crude fashion. Everybody trusted "Uncle Ben," for he was as honest as the day is long, and everything he did was done carefully and well. Mrs. Whedbee died in 1886, and for a long time

"Uncle Ben," who had no children, made his home with a relative, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Travis. Upon her death the care of the aged man fell to Mrs. Travis' two daughters, Grace and Marian, who most faithfully and constantly nursed him, attending to every want as though they were his own children. Mr. Whedbee erected the first county jail. It was a small, but substantially built, log building, and served a good purpose for several years. He was a member of the Presbyterian church; had been a Master Mason for more than fifty years, and was buried with Masonic honors.

John Eraser was born at Lumphanan, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the 10th day of June, 1871, and came to Fort Collins in May, 1892. Upon his arrival in this country he at once engaged in farming and has continued in that occupation to the present time. On the 20th of September, 1904, he was married to Miss Jeannie Taggart, a native of the same county in Scotland in which Mr. Eraser was born. Since coming to Colorado, Mr. Eraser has shown the same thrift and economy which is noticeable in so many of his countrymen and is rapidly nearing a condition of independence which assures his ease and comfort as age comes upon him.

Henry C. Peterson was, perhaps, the first white civilian to locate permanently in Old Camp Collins. If not the first, he was one of the first. He was born April 9, 1836, in Williamsburg, Ohio, where he received his education in the public schools and later learned the trade of a millwright. Endowed with a love for adventure, and a desire to share in the far-famed riches of Colorado gold mines, he journeyed across the Plains with the great rush in 1859 and worked in the mines of Gregory Gulch and freighted until 1864, when he located in Camp Collins. The soldiers had established a military post here that year and he immediately secured employment as a gunsmith, repairing guns for the soldiers. In 1865, he cut the logs for and built the first dwelling house erected in Fort Collins. It was built for Mrs. Elizabeth (Aunty) Stone, in which she kept a mess house for the officers of the post. It was also Fort Collins' first hotel and was used for that purpose until 1873. In company with Mrs. Stone, who was a woman of means, he began in 1867 the erection of a flour mill and completed it in 1868. At this time there was only one other mill north of Denver and that was built the same year at Old St. Louis on the Big Thompson. Stone & Peterson operated the mill until

1873, when they sold it to Joseph Mason, who in the winter of 1880, sold a half interest in it to Benjamin E. Hotfel, and it has since been known as the Lindell Mills. It was destroyed by fire in June, 1886, and immediately rebuilt. Mr. Peterson married Mary Lyon, April 8th, 1872. Miss Lyon came across the Plains from Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, in 1864 with her brothers, William and John, and after spending a few years at Laporte went to Cheyenne to live, returning to Fort Collins in 1870. Of her union with Mr. Peterson there are four surviving children, two sons, Lee and Roy, and two daughters, Mrs. J. H. Setzler and Mrs. Ella Grove, both of this city. Lee Peterson is a prominent citizen of Meeker, Colorado, and Roy is a resident of San Francisco, California. In the spring of 1881, Mr. Peterson took up land on the Upper Poudre and lived there with his family until 1885, when they moved to Buford, Rio Blanco county. He died at Meeker, April 10th, 1896. His widow resides with her daughter, Mrs. Setzler, of Fort Collins. He was a public spirited man, a devoted husband and father and was held in high esteem by all the pioneers of the Cache la Poudre valley. He built the first school house in Fort Collins, a frame structure, erected in 1871 ; burnt the first kiln of brick and built the first brick house here. This house was erected in 1873 and stood on Lincoln avenue, near the Lindell Mills.

S. H. BiRDSALL was born at Venango, Crawford county, Penn., in the year 1836. He entered the Allegheny college at Meadville, Penn., in 1855, and finished the course of instruction there in the spring of 1860. While still a student at college, Mr. Birdsall commenced to give lessons in music. He took a Normal course in music at Meadville in 1867, and was able thereafter to greatly improve his method of teaching. In August, 1862, he entered the Union army as private in Company K, 150th regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served for one year on the private guard of President Lincoln in Washington. In 1863, he raised a company of colored troops and became regimental quartermaster. When mustered out in 1865, at Roanoke Island, he was made agent of the Freedman's Bureau. His health was beginning to show the effect of exposure and after a year or two spent in trying to recuperate, he went to Titusville, Pa., and taught music in the schools of that city. He came west with the Greeley colony in 1870. In the spring of 1871, he moved upon a tract of land near Timnath in Larimer county. Mr. Birdsall was married in 1860 to Amanda D. Knerr of Venango, Pennsylvania. Two daughters were born to this union. The principal work of his life has been to impart instruction to youth. He has had large experience in teaching in the public schools, and has been especially successful in the giving of instruction in music. He has a happy faculty of versification which he has exhibited in the production of many rousing campaign songs. Mr. Birdsall is now a resident of Kimball county, Nebraska. He has been many years a member of the M. E. church and retains his membership in the Masonic and G. A. R. orders. His present address is Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.

Harry L. Gilpin-Brown was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 18th day of October, 1860. He was educated at Harrow school, and came to Colorado in 1880, first settling near Timnath, in Larimer county. He was the son of George Gilpin-Brown of Sedbury Park, Yorkshire, and related to Gov. Gilpin of Colorado. In 1890, having lived a few years in North Park, he bought a farm near Livermore where he resided until his death in June, 1905. On the 18th of January, 1893, he married Sylvia Swan of Larimer county. While living on his Livermore farm, he engaged in the cattle business with marked success. His health after coming to America was never good and he was thus precluded from participating in public affairs.

Jesse M. Sherwood. - Judge Jesse M. Sherwood, one of the pioneers of the Cache la Poudre valley, died Nov. 30th, 1879, at the home of his brother, F. W. Sherwood, four and one-half miles southeast of Fort Collins, from Bright's disease of the kidneys. He was about 65 years of age. He was born in Oswego county. New York, and emigrated to Wisconsin in 1834. Soon after that he located at Manitowoc in that state, where he lived several years, engaged in lumbering in Manitowoc and Calumet counties. In 1854 a township in Calumet county was named for him. He always took a prominent part in the public affairs of northern Wisconsin, and represented Manitowoc county in the state legislature in the early years of that county, and also held other important positions of public trust. Judge Sherwood left Manitowoc for the West in the spring of 1860 and, crossing the Plains with an ox team in company with his brother, F.

W. Sherwood, arrived in the Cache la Poudre valley in December of that year, both locating on the place vvrhere he died. The brothers engaged in farming and stock raising and were very successful. Judge Sherwood was twice elected probate judge of Larimer county and once a member of the Territorial council. In 1875-6 he became interested in mines and mining property at Caribou, Boulder county, where he lived until the beginning of his last sickness, when he was brought to his former home by his brother. Judge Sherwood was a man of great courage, fine ability and excellent social qualities, who left the impress of his master mind on the destiny of Larimer county.

John R. Ullery was born in western Ohio in 1832; moved to Nebraska in 1856, and married Mary Wheeler Feb. 2nd, 1858, at Brownsville, Nebraska; seven children were born to the union, only three of whom are living; came to Colorado in 1862, did carpenter work for several years and then engaged in farming in the Little Thompson valley; went to Missouri in 1897, remaining until 1908, when he returned to Berthoud ; spent a short time at Grand Junction. The names of his children are Mrs. Stella M. Wray of Berthoud, Mrs. Anna L. Shellenberger, Nampa, Idaho, and Forest Ullery, Nampa, Idaho.

George R. Strauss. - Sketches of the lives of men identified with the earliest history of the set tlement of a community and whose brain and brawn contributed to the development of the resource of a country, converting it from a wilderness into a populous, prosperous and highly civilized region, are always interesting and instructive. Such men mark the beginning of the history of communities and commonwealths. To such men as George Robert Strauss, a pioneer of pioneers, who, realizing the possibilities of the Cache la Poudre valley, set about establishing a home and doing his part toward redeeming a wild, unfrequented region, the present inhabitants of Larimer county owe an everlasting debt of gratitude. It can almost be said of a truth that the history of the white settlement of the county began with the advent in its borders of Mr. Strauss on May 15th, 1860. There was, to be sure, a small Settlement at Laporte composed mainly of trappers, fur traders and adventurers, who were of a migratory character, here today and there tomorrow, but permanent settlers were few and far between when Mr. Strauss located here. George Robert Strauss was born Nov. 20, 1831, in Columbia, South Carolina. At the age of fifteen he left his native state and went to Kentucky, where he spent seven years of his life, going thence to Indiana. A little later we find him moving westward to Missouri, where he remained three years. He was in Kansas during the exciting times of the border ruffian war. In 1858, he entered government employ and started from Fort Leavenworth with an ox train loaded with supplies for General Albert Sidney Johnston's soldiers, then located at Camp Floyd, near Salt Lake, Utah. Shortly after arriving at his destination, in the summer of 1858, Mr. Strauss purchased a team of horses and wagon and, with three or four companions, started for California. He had not proceeded far on the journey ere he was taken sick with pneumonia. While wrestling with the disease a party of Mormons passed by and, espying his team and outfit, promptly appropriated them to their own use, leaving him without means to continue his journey. On recovering from his illness, Mr. Strauss' sole worldly possessions consisted of $10.00 in money and the clothes he had on his back. He gave a returning emigrant a dollar to take him back to Provost, Utah, where he spent the winter of 1858-9 and the following summer, do- ing such odd jobs as fell to his hands. During the winter of 1859-60 he herded cattle for some drovers from the Indian territory. About the first of April, 1860, accompanied by Robert Lawrence, Mr. Strauss turned his footsteps eastward. He had noted the beauty and character of the Cache la Poudre valley on his outward journey in 1858, and he decided to come back here and set his stakes for a home. The travelers had one pony and on his back were packed bedding, extra clothing, cooking utensils and provisions. The entire journey from Camp Floyd to the Cache la Poudre valley was made on foot, and they were six weeks on the road. The weary, foot-sore travelers reached a point on the bank of the river about a mile east of Fort Collins on the evening of the 15th of May, 1860, and spent the night there. They were without a cent of money, but as game was plentiful there was no danger of starving. The next day they began prospecting their surroundings and looking for something to do. Aside from a collection of log cabins at Laporte, only a few of which were occupied, there were but four human habitations on the river from the canon to the point where the stream empties into the Platte. One of these stood on the farm now owned by M. L. Landes near Laporte. Todd Randall's cabin on what is now the Slockett farm, two and one-half miles southeast of Fort Collins, one on what is now the James Cuthbertson farm, four miles below Fort Collins, and Robert Boyd lived in the fourth, located a short distance west of the present city of Greeley. Other than these, there was not another building of any kind in the valley. The first summer after coming here Mr. Strauss eked out a bare existence by doing odd jobs here and there as he could get them to do. In .the fall of 1860 he joined a band of hunters and spent the following winter killing game in the mountains and marketing it in Denver. The summer of 1861 he started out in business by himself and planted a garden which yielded him good returns, his vegetables finding a ready sale to emigrant trains moving through the country. Thus, from a pioneer settler without a penny, by industry, perseverance, and the exercise of prudence and good judgment, he amassed a handsome property. Whenever he had a few dollars to spare he invested them in cattle and these grew into large herds. The homestead he located on in 1860 is situated on the bottom lands about a mile up the river from Timnath, and here he lived a single man for fortyfour years, dying from exposure during the flood of May 20th, 1904. The circumstances surrounding the death of this estimable man and pioneer are indeed sad. Along in the evening of the day of the flood, the water came rushing through his home, admonishing him to seek safety in flight to a neighbor's. He left the house and started for the house of James Strang, his nearest neighbor, but being old and feeble he could not withstand the force of the rushing water and was carried to a wire fence at which he managed to gain a standing position and maintain it by holding on to the top wire. He called for help, but the noise of the rushing torrent drowned his voice and he was not heard. At daylight the following morning he was discovered by Mr. Strang and rescued from the perilous position and taken to Mr. Strang's house. He had been standing all night in cold virater and became so chilled by exposure that he lived but a few hours after reaching a place of safety. He was buried with Masonic honors on Wednesday, May 25th. Thus passed away, at the age of 73 years, one of the very first of the rugged pioneers who helped to make the Cache la Poudre valley what it is today - one of the wealthiest and most prosperous regions in the United States.

Mr. Strauss was a specimen of the brave, independent westerners; sanguine in temperament, genial in disposition and honorable in thought and deed, unostentatious at all times. He lived a simple. Christian life, esteemed and admired by all who knew him. He was a factor in the development of the Cache la Poudre valley and watched its progress and advancement with almost a father's solicitude. It is to such men as he that his survivors in the valley are greatly indebted.

George Porter Avery was born on December 25th, 1852, and was educated at Cazenovia and Syracuse Universities. He has been twice married. He came to Colorado, settling at Fort Collins in the fall of 1896. The greater part of Mr. Avery's life has been devoted to the preaching of the gospel under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal church.

William F. Watrous. - ^The venerable William F. Watrous closed his eyes in death on Monday afternoon, July 18th, 1910, at the family home, 115 Shields street, Fort Collins. Mr. Watrous was born Aug. 10, 1825, in Bridgewater, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and was therefore nearly 85 years of age. When six years old his father moved to a farm in Broome county, New York, in the valley of the Susquehanna river, where the boy grew to manhood's estate. He received his education in the public schools of New York and at a neighboring academy. On Nov. 4th, 1847, he was united in marriage with Jane B. Carrier, who, with four children, survive him. The children's names and residences are : Mrs. Alice M. Patterson, widow of the late A. H. Patterson, Pueblo; William A. Watrous, Wheatland, Wyoming; Frank L. Watrous and Miss Anna Watrous, Fort Collins. In the fall of 1849 Mr. Watrous and his wife and little daughter, Alice, emigrated from New York to Wisconsin and located in the unbroken forests of Charlestown, Calumet county. Young and ambitious and strong of heart, he worked with undaunted courage and cheering hopes to carve out a home for himself and family. He early took an active interest in fruit growing and was the first to demonstrate that apples and all the hardy kinds of fruit could be grown with success in northeastern Wisconsin. In the fall of 1864 he sold his Calumet county farm and moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where he engaged quite extensively in fruit growing and market gardening, remaining here until the winter of 1871, when he came with his family to Larimer county, which had since been his home. He purchased a farm situated in the Cache la Poudre valley, about three miles northwest of Fort Collins, on which he lived until 1874. He then moved to Fort Collins and built himself a house at the corner of College avenue and Myrtle street. In 1882 he sold the most of his town property and moved to a fruit farm situated on the river bank about one mile northwest of Fort Collins, on which he lived until about two years ago, when increasing years with their physical burdens admonished him to retire from active business pursuits. From early manhood Mr. Watrous took an active interest in public affairs and there were but few years of his life in Wisconsin that he did not hold some official position either in town or county, always with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. In 1862 he represented his county in the Wisconsin legislature, and for several years in succession was chairman of the town board of supervisors, which made him also a member of the board of county supervisors. Since coming to Larimer county, in 1871, he had been a publicspirited, progressive citizen, always among the foremost in assisting with energy, pen and purse, any enterprise that promised to advance the material, social, educational and moral interests of his chosen home. In March, 1877, Governor Routt appointed him a member of the first state board of agriculture, a position he occupied until April, 1891, a period of fourteen years. He was elected president at the first meeting of that board and continued to preside over its meetings for a period of nearly ten years. It was during his administration that the main college building and various other buildings connected therewith were erected. When the main building was ready for use and it was decided to open school in the spring of 1879, it was found that there was no public money to be had for that purpose until later in the season. To get over this difficulty Mr. Watrous and the late John J. Ryan, who was also a member of the board of agriculture, went to Denver and borrowed $3,000 at a bank on the strength of their joint note, and with this money the school was opened and started off on its career of usefulness. After the taxes had been collected later on the note was paid off out of college funds. In the spring of 1882 he was elected a member of the board of town trustees, which contracted for and supervised the construction of Fort Collins' first system of waterworks, and his name, with those of the other members of the board, is engraved on a stone tablet inserted in the front wall of the old pump house. He was one of the pioneers in fruit growing in Colorado, sharing that honor with the late J. S. McClel- land, A. N. Hoag and Z. C. Plummer, and his and their success in that direction gave encouragement to hundreds of others in Larimer county, who now boast of fine orchards and an abundance of healthgiving and health-preserving fruits.

Charles V. Howard

the pioneer farmers of the Cache la Poudre valley, having located on a farm four miles northwest of Fort Collins in 1870. This was his home for thirtyfive years, but owing to failing health he was obliged to give up hard work and therefore sold his farm in 1905 and moved to Fort Collins. He is survived by two children, a married daughter in California, and a son, Charles, who was with his father when he died.

Benj. Preston. - Among the foreign born farmer citizens of Larimer county, who after enduring the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life and the opening to cultivation of virgin soil, and who by arduous labor and close and intelligent attention to work in hand, is now enjoying a well- earned respite from the strenuous activities of farm life, mid health and plenty, and surrounded by children and friends, Benj. Preston stands well up toward the head of the ranks of the successful and prosperous. Mr. Preston is one of the best known and most warmly admired citizens of the county. He began with little, and unless overtaken by illfortune, will end with much hard-earned increment. He was born a poor English farmer's boy. May 9th, 1848, at Kirby Kane, Suffolk, England, where he received his education. At the age of sixteen years he left the parental home and started for the United States, arriving in New York, April 5th, 1866, going thence to Battle Creek, Michigan to meet an uncle who had sent for him and paid his passage to this country. Speaking of this period in his life he jokingly says, "I came to this country because I was needed here and was sent for." After attaining his majority he started for the wild and wooly west, stopping first in Cheyenne and coming to the Cache la Poudre valley that fall. During the few months he spent in Cheyenne he was employed as hostler in the Union Pacific round-house and has many a time cleaned the engine known as the D. H. Moffat, then employed on construction work on the Denver Pacific railroad. In 1870 Mr. Preston and a man named Silas Doty cultivated a part of Judge A. F. Howes' ranch, and in 1871 he moved on to John Brush's place in the Big Thompson valley, and farmed it one year until 1877, when he bought the land he lives on at the present time, from Edgar Avery, of Greeley, paying $10 per acre for it, with water rights. It was then a piece of raw land without a building, fence or tree on it and looked quite different from the way it does now, with its beautiful and commodious farm house, large barn, sheds and corrals, its fruit and shade trees and vegetable and flower gardens, making it one of the most attractive farm homes in the county, as it is one of the most productive. With the land he got the same water rights that he holds now in the Warren Lake reservoir for which he has during the present year (1910) refused $16,- 000. The 228 acre farm with water rights that he paid $1,600 for in 1877, could not be bought now for less than $45,000. Mr. Preston broke up a part of his land that fall and raised his first crop in 1878 and has since been a uniformly successful farmer and stock feeder, and has since accumulated a handsome competence. He was united in marriage with Miss Hessie S. Bell, daughter of the late Thomas P. Bell, in November,

1874, and they have three children living; Mrs. Clara L. Halderman, Charles B. and William A. Preston. He has been president of the Fort Collins Sheep Feeders' association, president of the Fort Collins Beet Growers association and has done more to increase the yield of spring wheat than any other man in Colorado. He is an enterprising and public spirited citizen and has been identified with many progressive movements calculated to develop the resources of the county and advance the material welfare of its citizens. He is interested with his son Charles and his son-in-law B. J. Halderman, in the improvement and cultivation of 640 acres of land in the San Luis valley in Costilla county.

Robert S. Fedder was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1855. His early education was received in his native city, where he resided until

1875, when he came to Colorado. In 1880 and 1881 he served as deputy clerk of Grand county and prior to that time he served in the same capacity in Larimer county for a few months, under Charles P. Scott. He returned to this county in 1882, receiving the appointment as deputy under the then county clerk, T. J. Montgomery. He held the office of deputy treasurer under John L. Thomas, who was elected in 1893. In January, 1895, he became clerk of the district court, under Judge Jay H. Bouton. In 1906 he was appointed a deputy in the office of the secretary of state and, on returning from Denver, he was appointed city clerk to succeed T. H. Garrett, who resigned to go on his ranch. In the following year, 1907, he was elected to the office and his re-election took place in 1909, the present being his second term. He was married in this city October 17, 1895, to Miss Mamie Snyder, who survives him. They had no children. He died Sept. 2nd, 1910.

Eugene Holmes^ was born September 14th, 1845, near Pontiac, Michigan. His father died August 6, 1847, and his mother moved to New York state where she died in December, 1854. Our subject was educated at Cazenovia seminary, N. Y. On August 31st, 1864, he enlisted in 189th N. Y. volunteer infantry and participated in the siege of Petersburg, the battle of Five Forks and at the surrender of Gen. Lee at Appomattox. He was married August 14th, 1876, to Jennie Kelly of Hannibal, N. Y. After teaching school several years in New York, Mr. Holmes came to Fort Collins May 31st, 1878, and followed teaching in different parts of Larimer county for a number of years. He was one of the teachers employed in

September, 1879 to conduct the second school taught in the Remington building which was completed that year. Mr. Holmes has a beautiful home on Laporte avenue and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.

meier coming to the Pike Peak region in 1860 with the rush of gold seekers, and in 1861, enlisted in company B of the First Colorado volunteer cavalry, Col. John M. Chivington commanding, serving all through the Civil war. He participated in the fights at Apache Canon, Pigeon's Ranch and Peralto, New Mexico, and did valiant service as an Indian fighter in 1864-5. In 1874, when our subject was seven years of age, the Lindenmeier family moved from Denver to Cheyenne, where he received his education in the public schools. His father at that time was engaged in the cattle business in company with Peter Anderson and later moved his family to Fort Collins. On January 15th, 1887, William Jr. was joined in marriage with Caroline Cleave in Fort Collins, and four children, Sheridan W., Clark

Hall, Warren and Mary Alice, are the fruits of the union. Soon after his marriage our subject opened a jeweler's store on College avenue, which he conducted several years and then moved on to his father's farm at Lindenmeier Lake and followed farming, stock raising and stock feeding with excellent success. In the spring of 1908, when the Denver Interurban extended its street car tracks to Lindenmeier Lake the subject of this sketch began fitting up the grounds bordering the lake as a pleasure resort for the entertainment of summer visitors and picnic parties. A naptha launch and a number of row boats were placed on the lake, a dancing pavilion, refreshment hall and other attractions and conveniences constructed which together with the grove of shade and fruit trees, make it a delightful resort. Mr. Lindenmeier is a member of three Masonic orders. Blue lodge, Royal Arch chapter, Commandery of Knight Templers; Woodman of the World, Modern Woodmen of America, Elks and Sons of Veterans.

Otto A. Killer^ assistant cashier of the First I^Jational Bank of Fort Collins, was born July 19th, 1^83, in New York City, and was educated at Elyria, Ohio. He was married August 15th, 1907, to Clara Henkel. They have one child, a daughter, Louise L. Hiller. The family came from Ohio to Fort Collins arriving here January 29th, 1908, and Mr. Hiller has since been employed in the First National Bank. Mr. Hiller is of German decent and speaks, reads and writes in the German language fluently. His father is a teacher at the German school in Elyria, Ohio. Mr. Hiller started in the banking business in the latter city in 1901 as collector and advanced steadily to the position of assistant cashier, which position he still occupies with the First National bank of Fort Collins.

John E. Roberts and Ellis H. Roberts. - These two gentlemen comprise the firm of John E. and Ellis H. Roberts, stockmen and dairymen, late of the Upper Boxelder. John E. was born in Deerfield, Oneida county. New York, March 24th, 1836. He arrived in Colorado July 1st, 1878, settling on the Boxelder 26 miles northwest of Fort Collins. May 19th, 1871, Mr. J. E. Roberts was joined in wedlock to Mary Coates. Two daughters and one son were born of the union, Elizabeth, born August 20th, 1882; Edwin J., November 7th, 1888, and Laura B., November 5th, 1890. Ellis H. Roberts was born in Deerfield, New York on December 14th, 1849, coming to Colorado July 23rd, 1874, and engaging in the stock and ranch business with his brother on Boxelder creek. The brothers have grown prosperous during the 37 years of their partnership and were until they sold out, classed among the large stockmen of the county, owning a fine ranch property and a comfortable home where friend and stranger alike were always most hospitably received. They are now both residents of Fort Collins.

John Sheldon was born January 29, 1813, at Deerfield, Massachusetts; died January 2, 1886, in Fort Collins, aged nearly 73 years. His father's family removed from Massachusetts to Western New York at an early day, where he received a good common school education. He came to Fort Collins in 1874 and engaged in wool growing, locating on the farm on which he died. Prospect park and the new city park were portions of his farm. Mr. Sheldon disposed of his flocks in 1879 and gave his whole attention to cultivating his farm, then one of the finest in Larimer county. He was one of the pioneer farmers of the valley and was the first to introduce alfalfa and advocate its production as a forage plant. He was known far and wide as one of the most enterprising and progressive farmers in the county, and he did much, both by precept and example, to encourage agriculture and stock growing in Colorado. Two sons, Charles H. Sheldon, cashier of the Poudre valley National bank, and Henry, who died a few years ago, survived his death, his wife having died in New York state many years ago.

George C. Briggs was born in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, on May 10, 1860. He came to northern Colorado in 1880, settling in Evans, Weld county, where he engaged in the mercantile business. In January, 1889, he and Isabelle Parks of Washington, Kansas, were united in marriage and four children were the results of the union: Ethel, Elmira Agnes and J. Glenn. In 1901 Mr. Briggs and family moved to Loveland where he engaged in the newspaper business, being editor and business manager of the Loveland Register. Later he retired and entered mercantile circles again, but sold out in the spring of 1910. During his nine years residence in Loveland, Mr. Briggs has taken a prominent part in that city's affairs. He has served one term as mayor; was president of its chamber of commerce; member of the Elks, Odd Fellows and W. O. W.; and for eight years he was on its school board. He is a pushing, progressive American, a type that has forced Colorado to the front of its sister states the past quarter of a century, and as a neighbor and friend he is highly esteemed by all. He was mayor of Evans 16 years, and the town's postmaster for five years.

Hon. Benjamin H. Eaton. - The people of Larimer and Weld counties, particularly the early settlers of those counties, will always, retain a warm place in their hearts for sturdy Benjamin H. Eaton, Colorado's only farmer governor who filled the executive chair of State from January, 1885, to January, 1887, through the partiality of those who knew and appreciated his great worth as a commonwealth builder. Coming to Colorado in 1859, during the first days of the Pikes' Peak gold excitement, he was, until his death in 1904, one of the foremost and most prominent citizens of the state. His elevation to the highest position within the gift of the commonwealth is sufficient proof of his prominence as a citizen. During his life he witnessed the remarkable development of the various industries of the Centennial State, himself largely contributing thereto. Contemporaneous history establishes the fact that he did more than any other one man to develop the agricultural resources of Colorado and bring them up to their present high and prosperous standing. At one time he owned ninety 160 acre farms in Weld county, nearly all of them watered from canals and reservoirs of his own construction. Mr. Eaton was born in Harrison county, Ohio, and was the second eldest of eight children, six of whom attained mature years. Upon completing his education the subject of this sketch taught school in Ohio for a time. In 1854 he removed to Louisa county, Iowa, where he taught school two years, returning to Ohio in 1856 and was there united in marriage with Delilah Wolf. His wife died May 31st, 1857, leaving a son, Aaron J., who is now a prominent citizen of Weld county. In the spring of 1858, he went a second time to Iowa, but a year later crossed the Plains to Colorado. Here, and in New Mexico, he prospected and mined and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1864 he returned to Louisa county, Iowa, and married Rebecca J. Hill. Crossing the Plains with his bride, he settled upon land in Weld county, adjoining the east line of Larimer county and embarked in stock raising. Fort Collins was then his nearest postoffice and trading point and here he formed many strong and lasting friendships. He was one of the charter members of the Collins lodge No. 19, A. F. & A. M. and remained a

In addition to his ranching and stock raising pursuits, Mr. Eaton early became contractor and constructor of irrigating canals and reservoirs, through the building of which he greatly promoted and advanced the agricultural interests of the counties of Larimer and Weld. In 1873, associated with John C. Abbott, he constructed what is known as Larimer county Canal No. 2, which waters a large tract of productive land west, south and southeast of Fort Collins. This was one of the first canals built in Larimer county to carry water on to the bluff lands. In the fall of 1878, Mr. Eaton began work on the Larimer & Weld Canal, known as the Eaton ditch, which at that time was the largest and longest irrigating canal in the state. The headgate is situated about two and a half miles northwest of Fort Collins and the canal is about 70 miles in length. He completed this project in 1879 and then went to Denver and built what is known as the High Line canal for a company of English capitalists. Later he built the Wind, sor reservoir and still later the Sand creek ditch which draws water from Sand creek and brings it over Boulder Ridge and discharges it into the North fork of the Cache la Poudre river. By his second wife he had a son Bruce G. who resides in Greeley, and a daughter, Jennie B., wife of J. M. B. Petrikin, also a prominent citizen of Greeley. Mr. Eaton died in 1906, at Greeley.

Hon. Thomas H. Johnson was born in Dixon, Illinois, May 23, 1839. He was a farmer's son and used to hard and honest labor from sunrise to sundown. In those days school houses were few and far between and the opportunity for boys and girls to get the rudiments of an education were scarce. But "Tom" mastered the three R's and worked on the farm, thereby becoming well grounded in the cultivation of the soil and the growing of live stock. After he had reached his majority he became infected with the Western fever, and wanted to be a gold seeker and he joined an imigrant party for Colorado, arriving at Golden on June 29, 1860. But placer mining did not appeal to him when he reached the El Dorado of his hopes, and with a small party of men he came to the Big Thompson valley, arriving there on July 3rd. His brief stay at and about Golden had shown him that hay was a valuable commodity. There was plenty of rich grass on the prairie that could be cut and hauled into the mines, and hay at from $100 to $150 per ton at Black Hawk and Central City, was far more profitable than placer mining for it was more sure. The hay was in sight, while the yellow metal was elusive and not to be found where expected. He farmed quite a number of acres, several of them being planted with potatoes, and he and a neighbor, Frank Card, were first in the valley to raise them in quantities to sell. They hauled them to Forts Laramie and Sanders in Wyoming and Fort Morgan, Colorado. Mr. Johnson also engaged at stock raising while tilling the soil. He got a contract in 1867 from the Union Pacific railroad company to grade the right of way from Cheyenne, west to Ogden, Utah, which was completed in due time. Mr. Johnson is a Republican and from boyhood has always taken an interest in politics. In 1865 or 1866 he with Judge Howes and others, called the first Republican mass meeting ever held in Larimer county. It convened in Fort Collins and elected delegates to the Territorial convention held in Denver, and from that day to the present, Tom has been an active participant and one of the chief attendants at county and state conventions. He has also been [28+] an active member of the Cattlemen's association held in Denver and elsewhere, and his voice could always be heard as in ringing, forceful tones he spoke for what he believed to be the best policy; and he has always been listened to with respect and deference. He returned to Dixon in the winter of 1868 and '69 and married Eliza M. Rogers on February 25th, 1869. The young couple came to the Big Thompson valley and there they have resided since, every roof that covered them being home in its best sense ; made so by a woman whose altar has been the family hearthstone. Four children bless this union, three of them surviving. They are Burton W. Johnson, engaged at mining at Seven Troughs, Nevada; Mrs. Myrna A. Richey of Lone Tree, Iowa and Mrs. Edna G. Ish of Longmont. Mr. Johnson has held positions of ' trust and could have held elective ofBce more had he so minded. He was Larimer county's representative in the Third General assembly; was deputy warden of the state penitentiary during Governor Mclntire's adminstration ; and Governor Thomas appointed him state game and fish commissioner, offices that he filled with credit to himself and the state. As the years rolled on the old guard of pioneers is becoming less and in a few short years the last pioneer will have crossed the range - and none will he more mourned in state or valley than Thomas H. Johnson - true citizen, loving husband, affectionate father and staunch friend.

Walter L. Fenton was born at Mineral Ridge, Trumbull county, Ohio, on the 20th day of December, 1832. He was married in 1854, to Margaret Evans, and in 1880 came to Larimer county and settled at Berthoud. From the age of eighteen years until sixty, he followed the blacksmith trade. There are five children. Mr. Fenton by reason of advancing years has retired from active labor and now resides at Berthoud.

William S. Taylor, one of Larimer county's most esteemed and best loved pioneers, died on April 10th, 1899, at Pasadena, California, which had been his home since 1891. Few men have ever lived in the county who were better known and more universally admired because of his generous nature, genial disposition and frank, cordial and companionable characteristics, than big-hekrted William Stone Taylor. He was born May 10th, 1835, in Washmgton, Pennsylvania, and was therefore nearly 64 years of age when death called him hence. He went at an early age with his parents to Illinois, and in

1862 came to Laporte, this county, which was his home for nearly thirty years. He came west to enter the employ of the Overland Stage company and kept the stage station at Virginia Dale during the perilous years of 1863-4-5, when the Indians were so troublesortie.

Almost the entire country was then an unbroken wilderness, inhabited only by marauding and murderous bands of Indians. Later he kept the stage station at Cooper Creek, Wyoming, and in the fall of 1867, after the Union Pacific railroad had been completed to Cheyenne, and the stage line had been changed to run from Denver to Cheyenne, he took charge of the hotel and station at Laporte, remaining there for several years. Here he had the pleasure of entertaining General Grant and party as it passed through the country in 1868; and on Sunday, June 21st, 1865, Hon. Schuyler Colfax, afterward vice-president of the United States, and Samuel Bowles, editor of .the Springfield, Massachusetts, Republican, spent the day with him and his accomplished wife at Virginia Dale. After the completion of the Union and Central Pacific roads to the Western coast and the abandonment of the Laporte stage station, Mr. Taylor bought the hotel building and moved it onto his farm, just east of Laporte, where he lived for nearly 20 years. The farm is now owned by M. L. Landes. Shortly after the death of his first wife, in July, 1886, Mr. Taylor sold his farm and stock and spent much of his time in traveling, making Fort Collins his home, however, until he moved to California in 1891. In 1890 he married Mary Murch, who, with one daughter, survives him. Mr. Taylor was noted for his genuine western hospitality, his kind heart and liberality. He loved his home and friends, and his latch-string could always be found on the outside. He was the life of social gatherings and no man ever enjoyed the companionship of congenial spirits better than he did.

Frank E. Baxter is a native of WoodhuU, Steuben county. New York, where he first saw the light on February 16th, 1852. He was educated at Woodhull academy and, having moved to Atlantic, Iowa, was there married on the 5th of September, 1875, to Miss Frank A. Hoyt. To this union was born a son, Ray Baxter. Mr. Baxter migrated to Colorado in 1883, and first settled at Stratton Park in Larimer county. Having lost his first wife, after some years of widowhood, he was married to Miss Florence E. Woods of Fort Collins, and this marriage has been blessed by the birth of three daughters, Norma, Leone and Lucile, and a son, Frank E. Jr. The subject of our sketch is emphatically what is known in the expressive language of the West as a "hustler". He has been active in the politics of the county and has been several times elected by the people to offices of trust which he has filled with integrity and to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He has engaged successfully in farming as well as in the mercantile business. His social nature is largely developed and he delights in the society of his neighbors and acquaintances. An active member of several- lodges, he is known as a worker. Fearless in the expression of his opinion while tolerant of the opinions of others, he exerts an influence for good. His entire honesty in dealing with his fellows serves as an example and encouragement to the virtuous and as a rebuke to the vicious. Not a little of the progress and development of Larimer county is due to Mr. Baxter and men of his class.

Frederick Lee Beery is engaged in the cultivation of fruitlands in the vicinity of Loveland, Larimer county, where he has resided since the autumn of 1899. He was married on the 25 th day of December, 1907. Mr. Beery is a successful farmer, and energetic young man and a respected citizen. His only child, Victor Lee Beery, was born May 30, 1910.

George Carlson was born of Swedish parents, on the 23rd of October, 1876, at Alta, Buena Vista county, Iowa. His parents moved to Colorado while George was still very young and the first eight years of his school life were passed at Villa Park public schools in Barnum, near Denver. Under the necessity to carve out for himself a career, he labored on a farm and by industry and economy he was enabled to accumulate sufficient money to meet the expense of a course of study at the Agricultural college at Fort Collins, which institution he attended during the years 1892 and 3. The year 1894-5 was spent in teaching school in the Ashton district, in Weld county. Having saved enough money to enable him to again take up his studies, he entered the State Normal school in 1895, and in 1898 was graduated from that institution with marked credit. At the Normal school, Mr. Carlson evinced a love for athletic sports which he never failed to manifest during all of his subsequent career as a student. Such youthful trophies and honors as may be won upon the football grounds were frequently awarded him and the election by his fellow students from time to time to offices in their various associations gives evidence of his popularity among them. The course at the Normal completed, he wished to pursue his studies further, and in the fall of 1898, entered the State university at Boulder. Here he did literary work of a character that won for him the commendation of his instructors and opened the way to his becoming instructor in English in the preparatory school of the university. In 1892 he was graduated from the university, receiving the degree of A. B. His preparatory or preliminary study was now completed and it became necessary for him to decide upon a calling for life and to enter upon the special preparation for that. He chose the profession of the law and graduated from the law school in 1905. His first year after admission to the bar was spent in the practice of the law in the state of Idaho. In 1905, he settled in Fort Collins and opened an office and has continued to the present time in the practice of his profession. On the 29th day of August, 1906, Mr. Carlson was married to Miss Rose Alps and there have been born to them two children, a boy and a girl. He was appointed in 1906 deputy district attorney for the county of Larimer and won some reputation by the vigorous and successful manner in which he prosecuted violators of the law prohibiting the sale of intoxicants. Before the expiration of his term of appointment, he resigned the office of deputy prosecutor and for a few months confined himself to a private practice. In 1908, he was elected district attorney for the Eighth judicial district of Colorado. Mr. Carlson has met with flattering success in the practice of the law and gives promise of a successful future. He is studious, careful and possessed of a fair, judicial mind; his clients are dealt with in a spirit of fairness and courtesy and he is respected by the members of the bar. He has been active in the field of politics and has met with some success as a public speaker. His perseverence, amiable address and scholarship are calculated to carry him far and he is sure to give a good account of himself as the years go by.

Charles H. Kennedy was born May 6th, 1887, in Ritchie county. West Virginia; educated at Indian Creek school, Beatrice, West Virginia; married Grace E. Morgan of Hendley, Nebraska, April 16th, 1910; came to Fort Collins, July 25th,

1906, and lives at 1002 South College avenue. He is a groceryman by occupation and a valuable addition to the business and social life of the home of his adoption.

J. L. Nightingale was born in Alexander, Nebraska, on the 4th of November, 1867. His education commenced in the common schools of that state was completed at the Baptist seminary at Gibbon, Nebraska, followed by a business course at Greeley. He operated as a mining- solicitor for a time and at last took up his residence at Livermore, in Larimer county, where he served for eight years as deputy postmaster. He then for two years filled the office of Game warden and for the last six years has acted as assistant postmaster at Fort Collins. Mr. Nightingale's genial good nature has won for him the friendship, and his sterling honesty has secured the esteem of all with whom business brings him in contact.

Thomas Chalmers Bunyan, President of the Berthoud National bank, has always occupied a high position in the estimation of the people in every community in which he has lived, particularly in that of Berthoud where he has spent nearly twenty years of a busy life. He is a native of West Charlton, New York, where he was born August 30th, 1847. His parents were John Bunyan and Jane T. (Chalmers) Bunyan. He was educated at Charlton academy and at Union college, graduating from the latter with the degrees of A. B. and A. M. Soon after completing his studies at Union college, he was chosen superintendent of the schools of Ballston Spa, New York, serving in that capacity from 1872 until he came to Colorado in 1892. Upon assuming this position, Mr. Bunyan set at work at once to reorganize the system then in operation and succeeded in establishing what developed into a system that was the pride of Ballstonians. He gradually raised the standard until it became one of the most perfect and best conducted systems of graded schools in towns of the size of Ballston Spa in the Empire State. He was also actively identified with other educational interests outside of the Ballston schools. He was, while a resident of Ballston Spa, a not infrequent contributor to leading educational periodicals and was the author of numerous papers on educational subjects which were read before gatherings of teachers. He was one of the organizers and the first President of the Saratoga county, New York, Teachers' association, one of the most prosperous and influential organizations of the kind in that state. After coming to Berthoud in 1892, he dropped educational work, but not his interest in the education of the masses, to engage in the banking business. He founded the Bank of Berthoud that year and his success in that venture has been all and more than he had reason to expect, when he opened the doors of his bank for the first time. He has been President of the bank and its successor the Berthoud National bank since April 1st, 1892. Personally, Mr. Bunyan is too well known in the Little Thompson valley and Larimer county to need any words of praise in this sketch. His uniform courtesy and even temperament, his strong convictions of what is right and what is wrong, his personal presence and his rare intellectual powers have fitted him to make and to hold as friends all those whose friendship is worth considering. His family is an interesting one and every member of it is held in high esteem. Mr. Bunyan was married August 11th, 1875, to Miss Ellen M. Hallowell, at West Charlton, New York. Four children have come to bless the union, their names being John Bunyan, cashier of the Berthoud National bank; William C. Bunyan, assistant cashier of the bank; Julia and Ellen T. Bunyan, all of them graduates of the University of Colorado. Mr. Bunyan has a fine large library of well selected books where he spends his leisure hours in reading.

George Bear

25th, 1855, to Aliss Ellen Landell, who was also of English birth. There were born to them nine children, eight of whom are still living, being Mrs. J. W. Humphrey, of Kansas City, Missouri; J. P. Bear, of Fort Collins; Mrs. H. C. Henderson, of Los Angeles, California; F. A. Bear, of Boise, Idaho; Mrs. M. B. Stewart, of Denver; George Bear, of Bellvue, Colorado; Mrs. W. A. Farnham, of Alamosa, Colorado and Mrs. A. C. Rutherford, of Twin Falls, Idaho.

The subject of this note came to Black Hawk, Colorado, in 1863, and in 1864 located on a farm in Boulder county, where he engaged in stock raising in connection with general farming. In 1880, he moved with his family to Larimer county and settled on a farm near Bellvue. Here he continued the same business of farming and stockgrowing as had occupied his attention in Boulder county, until the time of his death, which occurred on May 11th, 1903. Mr. Bear met with success in his undertakings and was possessed of a comfortable amount of worldly goods. He was a consistent member of the church, a kind parent and an upright citizen. He came to the state when little had been done to test its possibilities and lived to see it rank as one of the best in the Union. He raised a family, none of whom has failed to follow in the lines of right conduct so persistently followed by the father.

Mrs. Emeline Dorman has been a resident of Larimer county for the last five years, her home being at Berthoud. She was born near Dayton, Ohio, on March 8, 1842. Her husband, to whom she was married in 1860, was in the Civil war and saw much active service. Mrs. Dorman is the mother of seven sons, three of whom are citizens of Larimer county.

George E. Graham, son of Edmund A. Graham, the pioneer painter and decorator of Fort Collins, was born November 21st, 1871, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Two years later his parents moved to Fort Collins where our subject learned and has since successfully followed his father's occupation for 18 years. On November 22nd, 1899, he married Mary A. Philippi, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Philippi, who was born June 6th, 1880 in Fort Collins.

Thomas C. Halvorson. - The thirty years our subject has spent at farming in the Cache la Poudre valley have been fruitful of good results, and he is now numbered among the comfortably well-off retired farmers of Fort Collins. He was born January 31st, 1854, at Hjoring, Denmark, and obtained his education in the public schools of his native land. He was a soldier in the King's army for 15 months and a corporal during six months of the time. He came to the United States when a young man and on March 29th, 1881, married Nelsina Gotf redsen at Penn Yan, New York. Two months later. May 24th, he and his bride landed in Fort Collins and he at once engaged in farming and stock raising. He worked the F. W. Garrett farm three years and then took up a homestead in the Boxelder district. He sold the improvements on this claim, relinquished his right and bought an 80 acre farm on which he lived for 16 years. He now resides on the corner of Peterson and Myrtle streets, Fort Collins. In the fall of 1909 he bought a 160-acre farm situated nine miles northwest of Fort Collins.

Swan Gustaf Anderson was born in Sweden, on December 28th, 1861, and came to America and to Larimer county in 1881. In 1894, he was married to Matilda Carlson who also was born in Sweden, on the 9th day of June, 1863. Three sons and a daughter have been born to them. Mr. Anderson has been engaged in farming since coming to this country. He is a man to be trusted.

William Mabel was born in December, 1858, in a log house in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; came to Fort Collins in 1876, spending first three years in Spring Canon as cow puncher; has since lived on Stover street ; brickmason ; married Annie Carroll, January 2nd, 1885, in Fort Collins; four children, Harriet, Laura G., Eva V. and Jessie C. Mabel; worked in oil fields of Pennsylvania before coming to Colorado; has invented a number of useful mechanical appliances.

Rev. William H. McCreery was born in the Ligonier valley, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on November 17, 1839. When nine years old his father moved onto a farm in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and there he divided his boyhood days attending district school and at work on the home place. From the school he went to the academy in Marion, Pennsylvania and pursued his studies for a higher education till August, 1862, when he enlisted in the 139th infantry, Pennsylvania volunteers, ready to give his life, if necessary, in defense of the Union. Later he enlisted in the United States signal corps. There he stayed until mustered out in August, 1865. On his return home, he resumed his studies at Dayton academy and was graduated from Westminister college with first honors in 1870. From 1870 to 1873 he was in charge of the Mount Pleasant academy, Pennsylvania, during which time he was preceptor of Z. X. Snyder, now president of the State Normal school of Greeley. Mr. McCreery attended the Allegheny Theological seminary, was graduated in 1870, and ordained a minister of the United Presbyterian church, in August, 1874. Shortly after that he and his family moved to Colorado, coming direct to what is now known as Loveland, and here he has remained. He organized the United Presbyterian church in that city on November 25, 1875i the pioneer United

Presbyterian church of Colorado. The congregation numbered 15, and to-day it has enrolled on its register about 400 communicants. In 1879 he ceased his pastoral duties, owing to ill health, lived quietly, but in the fall of 1882 he was appointed superintendent of Larimer county's schools. To this office he was twice re-elected by an overwhelming majority. His occupancy of that office proved he was the right man in the right place, for the school districts increased 100 per cent, or from 27 to 54, and that number has been but slightly augmented to the present day. Those five years represented a great development in school matters and the former superintendent is entitled to great praise for his ability and work. Part of Mr. McCreery's duty was to locate all school district boundaries and place them on section lines, arid the work was well and ably done. From 1888 to 1889 he conducted a private school in Loveland, then engaged in real estate, loans and insurance, and in these lines he is still engaged, enjoying good health and an optimistic placidity of mind that is refreshing to friends and acquaintances. In 1870 the Rev. William H. McCreery and Martha Mar- shall of Dayton, Pennsylvania, were united in marriage, and three children still live to add to their parents' joy and happiness. They are Mrs. Mabel Tuggy of Riverside, California; Mrs. Ida Berger of Shoshone, Wyoming and ' the Rev. Elbert Mc Creery, a missionary at Dolieb Hill, Sobat river, London, Africa. Mrs. McCreery died in May, 1900 and three years later he married Miss Julia McCreery, who still shares with him the enjoyments and responsibilities of the home.

James E. DuBois was born October 23rd, 1843, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and came to Colorado in 1859, while still in his teens. The family first located on Boulder creek, but in 1870 moved to the Big Thompson valley which remained its home for many years. Mr. DuBois early took an interest in mining and spent several seasons prospecting and hunting for precious minerals, which, however, seemed to elude him for he was never successful at mining. In 1885 he was elected county clerk of Larimer county, and re-elected in 1887, serving the people both terms with fidelity and to the satisfaction of the people. Shortly after retiring from the county clerk's office, he was appointed a member of the state board of agriculture and in 1897 was elected secretary of that board. On the 4th day of April, 1888, he was united in marriage to Henrietta LeBoeuf who died December 9th, 1898. Mr. Du Bois died in 1901.

Charles Clay. - The pioneer colored man of Larimer county, had been a familiar figure about the streets of Fort Collins for nearly half a century. He was born a slave October 10th, 1828, on the farm of William Robertson, in Calloway county, ^Missouri. When his master died, Mr. Clay became the property of John Robertson, his former master's son. Charles was in St. Charles, Missouri, when the war broke out, engaged in purchasing his freedom. He was to pay $2,000 for himself, but after paying $600 of the claim, concluded he had paid enough and started for California, going as cook for a wagon train. On getting to Fort Laramie the train was held with others because of the hostility of the Indians along the route. He there engaged as cook for an officers' mess of ten. From that time until he came to Colorado he saw exciting times and was in several Indian fights. He was with Lieutenant Casper Collins' party when that gallant soldier was killed by the savages in 1863, and relates a graphic story of that sad affair. Lieutenant Collins was a son of Col. W. O. Collins for whom Fort Collins was named. The story of his tragic death is related elsewhere in this volume, practically as Clay tells it. During the fight, Clay, armed with a carbine, laid behind the parked wagons shooting at Indians whenever he could see a good mark. Clay came to Colorado in 1864, and worked as cook for William Mcllvaine, who kept the Overland stage station at Latham at the junction of the Cache la Poudre and the South Platte. After staying there a year he went to Denver to work as cook in the Old Planters hotel for Jim McNassar at $80 per month. Late in the season of 1865 he came to Laporte and worked for a German who was operating a brewery there. Next he was employed by W. S. Taylor as cook at the Laporte stage station. Clay became a permanent resident of Fort Collins in 1875 and that city had since been his home. He has followed various occupations since locating in Fort Collins, including that of farmer, cook, barber, butcher and shoemaker and has been city scavenger for nearly twenty years. He was one of the most interesting characters in the city. Everybody knew him and was his friend. Mr. Clay died on Wednesday, August 31, 1910.

William H. McCormick was born in Noble county, Ohio; came to Denver April 7th, 1870; taught school two years in Arapahoe county; came to Larimer county as a Home Missionary of the United Brethren church, which has since been his home, his work requiring visits to all the settlements from the Divide south of Denver to the Cache la Poudre valley, making his trips on horseback; knew most of the families in the great valleys between Denver and Fort Collins ; first visited Big Thompson valley in the fall of 1870; married Anna M. Brunner of Denver, October 15th, 1879, and soon afterwards moved to his farm near Berthoud; moved from farm to Berthoud in 1890 and engaged in the mercantile business in which he still remains; represented Larimer county in the 5th General assembly and was a faithful, conscientious member of that body. Mr. McCormick has traveled a great deal, having visited nearly all the lands and countries on the globe and is a cultured and well informed gentleman. He has two children, Mrs. Grace Doke, wife of Attorney I. J. Doke of Loveland, and W. E. McCormick.

S. F. Stewart is a southern man by birth, reaching Colorado from North Carolina Aug. 2nd, 1889. He located in Fort Collins, where he has been a fixture up to this time. Independence day, 1856, is the date of his birth. He was educated in the pub- lie schools of his native state and married June 15th, 1887, in Graham county, Kansas, Lena R. Tritt. The names of his sons are Paul L., George S., and Modern W. For sixteen years Mr. Stewart was engaged in the farm implement business, but is now conducting a general store on Jefferson street. He is very well known to the farming community as a courteous, obliging and accommodating man, thoroughly reliable in all his dealings.

Mrs. Elizabeth Stone. - Civilization in Fort Collins may be said to have had its beginning when Lewis Stone and his wife, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Stone, better known all over Northern Colorado as "Aunty" Stone, located in Camp Collins in September, 1864. Mrs. Stone was the first white woman to become a permanent resident in what is now Fort Collins, which continued to be her home until death called her hence on December 4th, 1895. She was a remarkable woman in many respects, leading a busy, useful life, doing good in the world, finally passing on to her reward in the 95 th year of her age. There have been and are more renowned women in the world than good old "Aunty" Stone, women of higher educational attainments, of nobler intellectual endowments, loftier aspirations and who outranked her in social distinction, but never one whose sympathies were broader or more fruitful, or who did more by precept and example to sustain the weak, encourage the oppressed, inspire the halting and disheartened and to put new life and hope into the despondent than she did during her long and eventful life. Every good cause found in her a friend ready to listen and prompt to undertake in its behalf to the full measure of her time, and ability. She encouraged the weak and faint of heart and sent them on their way rejoicing. She was acute, thoughtful, original and persistent. She worked on another's plans for the advancement of good as eagerly as if they were her own. She sought out the unfortunate and quietly helped them or saw that they were helped. She was a simple hearted, unostentatious, yet forceful woman. Every good work in church or community found in her a friend and enthusiastic supporter. Every evil cause had in her a relentless foe. She was a friend to the friendless, a mother to the motherless, the guide and counsellor of youth and an upright Christian woman. She was, withal, a faithful, devoted wife and mother. Such were the chief characteristics of the first white woman to settle in and establish a home in Fort Collins, and from the very beginning her influence upon the wild, sometimes reckless, natures of the soldiers stationed here at that time and upon those who came after they had gone, was of a marked beneficial character. The presence among them of a noble, white-souled woman and her constant appeal to their better nature, exerted a wholesome influence and restrained them from the indulgence in those demoralizing excesses, so common among men on the frontier, away from the civilizing influences of home and dear friends.