Larimer County, Colorado - The whole text, 1911 (part 21 of 22)

Charles H. Sheldon^ cashier of the Poudre Valley bank and its successor, the Poudre Valley National bank, for a period of nearly 33 years, and one of the best known business men of Larimer county, was born August 11th, 1852, at Moscow, Livingston county, New York. He received his education in the public schools of his native county and at the New York Normal school of Geneseo. He was the son of John and Emeline (Higgins) Sheldon, and was brought up on a farm. Like other boys of the period, he played hookey at school, hunted bird's nests, patronized the old swimming hole at every suitable opportunity, raided orchards and watermelon patches and took his threshings like a stoic, without a whimper. Believing that the West offered better opportunities for young men than the thickly settled portions of his native state, he packed his trunk and came to Colorado, arriving in Fort Collins in June, 1874. On May 1st, 1875, he became employed as bookkeeper in the A. K. & E. B. Yount bank and was made cashier of the bank in the fall of 1876. He continued in that position until the fall of 1878, and on November 11th, of that year, started the Poudre Valley bank in company with W. C. Stover. On June 3rd, 1879, Mr. Sheldon married Martha A. Trimble, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Trimble. They have an only daughter, Miss Olive L. Sheldon, who is a member of the home circle. He and his family have a beautiful home at the corner of Howes and Oak streets.

Hon. John M. Cunningham. - The sons and daughters of Ohio, the Buckeye State, have done their share in building up the Union during the past half century. They are a progressive and forceful people, no matter whether they are from Lake Erie's shore, Ohio river's bank, the Western Reserve or the Southern tier. And in the settlement of the great west the "Buckeyes" have forged well to the front and made their mark in city, in town, in mining camp, or on the fruitful soil of the prairie. John M. Cunningham and his estimable wife are from Ohio, and during their residence of 32 years in Loveland, they have ably aided in making it a city of prosperity and of happy homes. Mr. Cunningham was born on a farm in Guernsey county, Ohio, January 4, ,1853. He received a good education after which he taught school for four years. In 1875 he moved to Morning Sun, Iowa, where he remained three years, but returned to his old home in 1877 and married Margaret H. Hutcheson. In 1878 Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham came to Colorado, arriving in Loveland on May 1. The now prosperous and growing little city was then a struggling hamlet, but ambitious to discard its swaddling clothes, and the building of homes and business houses was in a flourishing condition. Mr. Cunningham had a good knowledge of the builder's trade, and for ten years he worked at it. Many of Loveland's early pretentious structures were the work of his brain and hand, the BartholfiE opera house being the most conspicuous. Mr. Cunningham then engaged in the lumber business with J. R. Anderson in 1899, and for nine years he and his partner handled all the lumber, etc., that was sold in that town. Prior to his withdrawal from the lumber trade, Mr. Cunningham had assisted m the organization of the Larimer County bank.

and in August, 1898, he became associated with that monetary institution as assistant cashier, a position which he held for about two and a half years, then became cashier on January 1, 1901, the ofKce he still retains. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham, John H. and J. George. The young men are engaged in business with their father, under the corporate name of Cunningham Lumber & Supply company, with Cunningham senior as its President. Mr. Cunningham never had any itching for political office or power, but during his residence in Loveland he has been on the town and school boards. He prefers a business career, and would not change his home life for any office in the gift of the people. He has always had an abiding faith in Loveland's progress and to him the pretty little city is the most sacred spot on earth. During his 32 years residence in that city he has secured a fair share of this world's goods. Such men and women as Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are a credit to any community and the appreciation in which they are held by friends and neighbors is evidence of their worth. In November, 1910, Mr. Cunningham was elected as a Republican, over N. C. Farnworth, Democrat, to represent Larimer county in the Eighteenth General assembly of Colorado, an office which he is filling with credit to himself and to the honor of the county.

A. J. Williams,, a successful and prosperous stockman of Livermore, Colorado, was born July 17th, 1868, in Nova Scotia, where he received his education. He came to Colorado in 1892, and settled on the Lone Pine, Larimer county and engaged in the stock business which he still follows. In March, 1910, he moved to his present location, where he owns and has improved what is now known as the Cedar Valley ranch. On July 19th, 1910, our subject was united in marriage with Frances B. Funk, after having lived a bachelor for more than a score of years.

Ed. Harris was born January 30th, 1841, on a farm in Indiana and received his education in the public schools of his native state. On September 25th, 1867, he married Henrietta Honnold and the names of their children are Jesse, Frank, Bert, Ed, Chester and Myrtle. Our subject came with his family to Fort Collins in 1879, arriving May 29th. He is a farmer by occupation and, with the exception of one year that he lived in Boulder, has spent thirty-two years in Fort Collins and vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have spent three winters in

California, but their home has been in Colorado ever since, they came west in 1879. Mr. Harris has met with a fair measure of success in his undertakings and is passing his declining years amid peace and plenty.

Kintzing P. Pew

before he attained his majority, Mr. Pew started westward, arriving in Fort Collins, April 1st, 1868, having come from Cheyenne to Laporte on the stage in company with Thos. L. Moore. He afterwards engaged in farming, raised stock, and ran a threshing machine for a good many years. He married Mrs. Anna Bailey, June 29th, 1874, and three children were born to them, Mrs W. M. Wilson of Long Beach, California; Roy Pew of Saratoga, Wyoming, and Mrs. Edna Gregory of Denver. Mr. Pew sold his farm a few years ago, and for much of the time since has been deputy postmaster at Laporte and salesman in the store. There are few men that can count up more friends, wherever he is known, than genial, big-hearted "Kintz"

Pew. In the early days, Mr. Pew did his part bravely in the work of developing and converting a new country into a habitable and prosperous region, where the banner of civilization could be kept waving all down through the ages as evidence of the redemption of a wilderness from savagery and barbarism. He was ever ready to do a friend a favor, if within his power, and never turned a pleading mendicant from his door empty handed. His children are all well to do.

Benjamin F. Hottel. - Elsewhere in this book it is written that five classes of pioneers aided in the opening up of this great Rocky Mountain region to settlers. They were explorers, trappers, gold hunters, soldiers and those in search of homes. There is yet another - the industrial pioneer - and he is not the least in merit to his predecessors. It is true that he .did not encounter the hardships, deprivations and dangers of the first comers, but he had many chances in business lines. He was not afraid to invest his money in undertakings that ultimately helped to make Larimer county, its towns and cities what they are today. By his foresight, energy and courage he did as much towards developing and building up the country as those who followed trails, freighted food stuffs and merchandise from point to point; as the man who built the first house deserving the name, plowed the first furrow, dug the first irrigating ditch or spread out his herds of cattle over the plains. Among the latter, Benjamin F. Hottel stands well towards the head of the list. Mr. Hottel is a native of Virginia, born, reared and educated in the famous Shenandoah valley. He came west in 1875, stopping first at Omaha where he engaged in the wholesale grocery business. Later he put a herd of cattle on the rich pasture lands of Wyoming, casting his lot with Fort Collins in October, 1877. At this time he was less than thirty years of age but he had foresight, courage, energy and ability and seeing in the Cache la Poudre valley a future of great industrial promise, he determined to aid in its development. He had learned the miller's trade in his father's mill in the Old Dominion and did not hesitate to associate himself with Joseph Mason in operating the Lindell mills, then owned by Mr. Mason, and since then Fort Collins has been the home of himself and family. In February, 1880, he bought a half interest in the mill, purchasing the other half &f the Mason estate after Mr. Mason's death in 1881, becoming sole owner. In 1885 he sold the property to the Colorado Milling & Ele- vator company, but has since remained as manager of the mills for the company. Since becoming identified with the Lindell Mills, Mr. Hottel has paid to the farmers of the Cache la Poudre valley millions of dollars for wheat and other grains and is looked upon and recognized as one of the foremost men of Fort Collins. He is possessed of great strength of character, marked breadth of vision and is enterprising and public spirited. He was one of the leaders in the movement which resulted in getting one of the largest sugar factories in the state built in Fort Collins, himself subscribing for $25,000 worth of stock in the enterprise and was made first President of the company. He is always ready with voice and purse to help along and promote any enterprise or undertaking that promises to advance the material, social and moral welfare of the community. Although he has never been an officer-seeker and has always been averse to accepting public office, he did consent to serve the city twice as an alderman from his ward, rendering splendid service each time. He is a large hearted, broad-minded man and one of the main stays of the business interests of Fort Collins. His benevolences amount to a large sum each year, yet he bestows them in a quiet, modest way, not "letting his left hand know what his right hand doeth" in such matters. In January, 1910, Mr. Hottel was elected President of the Poudre Valley National bank with which institution he had long been connected as a stockholder and director. In 1875 he was married to Emma Mantz and three children, Charles M., Anna Josephine (now deceased), and Mary E. are the fruits of the union. In religion, Mr. Hottel is an Episcopalian and in politics, a democrat.

L. D. Crain. - To rise from the station of an humble farmer boy through all the grades of the public schools of Indiana, including the High school, then entering Purdue University, graduating therefrom in June, 1892 with the degree of B. M. E., and coming direct to Fort Collins to accept the position of assistant to Professor J. W. Lawrence of the Mechanical Engineering department of the Colorado Agricultural college, and being promoted to a professorship in that institution, is an experience that Mr. Crain can look back upon with infinite pleasure, and is a record that challenges the admiration of all right thinking people. Mr. Crain was born February 3rd, 1868, near Angola, Steuben county, Indiana. He worked on his father's farm until he entered the

Angola High school, from which he was graduated in 1887. He matriculated in Purdue University, September 18th, 1888, graduating therefrom in June, 1892, with the degree of B. M. E. He came direct from Purdue to Fort Collins in August of that year and became assistant to Prof. J. W. Lawrence in th'e department of Mechanical Engineering at the Colorado Agricultural college. He re- mained in this department until 1903, when he was elected Professor of Electrical Engineering and started the course of electrical engineering at that institution. This he conducted two years and then resigned to go into business. He was connected with the college for a period of thirteen years, less one year spent in Cornell University taking post graduate work, receiving there the M. M. E. degree in June, 1902. He was married in the summer of 1894 to Laura Willson, daughter of Rev. S. R. Willson, and a college classmate. She died in 1895. He married September 16th, 1901, Miss Aureli Bouton, daughter of Judge and Mrs. J. H. Bouton. The names of his three children are L. D. Jr., Jay B. and Richard W. On retiring from the college faculty, Mr. Crain engaged in the hardware business as a member of the firm of The Bouton & Grain Hardware company in which he has continued. He was made a Master Mason in Angola Lodge No. 236, Angola, Indiana; a Royal Arch Mason in Cache la Poudre Chapter No. 11, R. A. M., and Knight Templer in DeMolay Commandry No. 13 K. T., Fort Collins. He affiliated with Collins lodge No. 19, A. F. & A. M. soon after coming to Fort Collins, and served it as Worshipful Master in 1900. He has also been High Priest of Cache la Poudre chapter, and Eminent Commander of DeMolay commandery. Worthy Patron of Collins chapter No. 26 O. E. S., and Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Colorado. He is a member of Denver council of Royal and Select Masters, and is a 32nd degree Mason, being a member of Denver Consistory A. A. S. R. of Colorado. He joined the O. E. S. in Indiana in 1889. Mr. Crain is also a Knight of Pythias and has served two terms as Chancellor Commander of Larimer Lodge No. 101, K. of P., and one term as Grand Chancellor of Colorado.

R. Q. Tenney was born March 14th, 1838, in Lebanon, New Hampshire; spent boyhood on a farm; enlisted in company C 15th Vermont Infantry in August, 1862; mustered in as commissary sergeant; came to Fort Collins in June, 1871, and followed farming and dairying; was first Master of Grange No. 7, organized in 1874; engaged in stock business in 1883 with brother, Melvin A. Tenney; was Water Commissioner for District No. 3, in 1893-4; follows irrigation engineering and was one of the originators of the Park Creek Irrigation district.

John Zimmerman. - This noted frontiersman, traveler, hunter, guide, miner and Larimer county pioneer was born in 1840 mid the towering peaks of the Alps of Switzerland. He emigrated with his family to the United States when a small boy, the family locating near La Crosse, Wisconsin. Here he grew to manhood and received his education. He came with his family from Minnesota to Larimer county in 1880 and located at Cameron pass where he spent four years hunting, prospecting and serving as guide to tourists. In 1884 he moved his family to his present location which has been his home for 27 years. With a rude saw mill he cut the lumber with which to build a few cottages, doing the work himself mainly, and began to entertain mountain visitors, and tourists. His resort became so widely noted for its hospitality and good cheer that he decided to build a large and commodious hotel in which to accommodate and entertain his guests, and the "Keystone" at Home postoffice, a three story and basement brick structure containing about 40 rooms and equipped with hot and cold water and other modern conveniences was the result. Mr. Zimmerman made the brick for the building and did much of the construction work himself. His wife died in 1903 leaving husband and four children, two sons and two daughters, Ed and Casper and the Misses Eda and Agnes Zimmerman.

Judge William B. Osborn. - Judge Osborn Is a pioneer of Larimer county In the fullest meaning of the term. His was the first family in the Big Thompson valley. He built the first house with a shingled roof In the valley, and Mrs. Osborn was the first woman settler. The judge also was the first man to bring cereal seed into that section. In 1862 he purchased half a bushel of oats, half a bushel of wheat and half a bushel of rye, but his faithful wife Is entitled to equal credit, for part of her money - made by the work of her own hands - went toward the payment. Mr. Osborn was the first judge of the Larimer county court; performed the first marriage ceremony in Larimer county, at his home, Andrew Ames and Miss Cooper being the contracting parties, and presided at the first funeral of a white person in the county, reading the Episcopal burial service from the book of prayer, at the burial of Mrs. Joseph Markley in 1862. William B. Osborn was born on his father's farm, in Milo township, Yates county. New York, on July 17, 1824. While still a boy his family moved on to a farm in Perry, Wyoming county. New York, and William grew up like every other farm lad, doing the chores and attending the district school. When a young man he went to a High school at Perry till he was 21, then his father gave him the means to go to Sclpio, Ohio, to see an aunt. Young Osborn applied for and obtained a school where he taught for nearly three years. He had formed the acquaintance of a young medical man, but recently graduated, and William thought that he would like to master the mysteries of the medical profession. The money he earned as a pedagog he laid out on a medical education, devoting all his vacation periods to gaining a knowledge of medicine and surgery. After a three years' residence in Scipio, his medical friend moved to East Liberty, Ohio, and William went with him as a friend and assistant. There he met his fate and through that medium he forsook powders and pills, lancet and ligatures. At East Liberty he met Margaret C. Castetter, and the young people were married. They lived on a farm near South Bend, Indiana, without any disposition to change their lot in life till 1860. In the spring of 1860 he, and twenty-one others, left South Bend for Colorado, and on May 15, they pitched their tents at Gold Dirt, a camp six miles from Central City. There was every evidence of gold in abundance - both placer and quartz - and the need of a legal camp organization was quite apparent. A meeting was called and attended by every man in the camp and this resulted in the election of Mr. Osborn as secretary of that district. His duties were to issue certificates of discovery and preemption and every night his little ofKce was crowded by prospectors to have their discoveries placed on record and get their certificates showing ownership of claims. Then the gold seekers needed a miner's court and one was organized with Clerk Osborn as judge. That fall a Boulder merchant, Harris Tarbox, with whom Judge Osborn was quite friendly, induced him to visit the Big Thompson valley. He sang its praises as an ideal place to farm and raise live stock and the judge rode over with him. A man named Samuel Heffner had squatted on a fine piece of bottom land a little east of where Loveland was afterward located, and the judge bought his relinquishment. This farm is still in the family, and on it resides Milo Y. Osborn, only son of the judge. Returning to Gold Dirt, the judge resumed his clerical and judicial duties, but he was determined at some future day to return to the soil - he loving a farmer's life. The next spring Mrs. Osborn and children came to Gold Dirt and after a stay of a few months all moved on to the acres Mr. Osborn had purchased. There was nothing on it to speak of, as a habitation, but its new owner had a log house built in which they resided. Judge Osborn has occupied many positions of honor and trust since his residence in Colorado. Aside from his services at the gold camp, he was the first county judge of Larimer county, appointed to that office by the commissioners. At the expiration of his term he was appointed county treasurer to fill a defaulter's unexpired term, and on its completion he was elected for another term. He also was appointed assessor of the county; appointed member of the State Reform School board, and while holding that office he was appointed a member of the State Board of Horticulture, but declined, owing to too many business cares. Next he was appointed clerk of the horticultural board and resided in Denver for a year, but not caring to be away from the farm, he resigned. He is now secretary and treasurer of the Loveland Cemetery association and that is enough duty for a man of his years to perform. Five children were born to Judge and Mrs. Osborn, three of whom are living and enjoy the comfort of having loving families ; Mrs. Ella C. Scott, of Fort Collins; Milo Y. Osborn, residing on the old home farm, and Mrs. Cora B. Timpke, of Loveland. On July 17, 1910, our subject was 86 years of age. He is in full possession of all his faculties and his fund of stories of events of the early days in Colorado and Larimer county would more than fill a book the size of this history, and during all his days he has lived a remarkably clean life. The noble woman who has been his companion for over 62 years, is entitled to a full measure of praise. Always hopeful and cheerful, she has been helpmeet and counselor to the man of her choice; making him feel year after year, that God has been very good to him.

Abner E. Sprague, locating engineer for the Missouri Pacific railroad in Nebraska for five years, assistant engineer for the Union Pacific railroad in Colorado for several years and County Surveyor of Larimer county for three terms, was born March 28th, 1850, in Dundee, Illinois. He came to the Big Thompson valley in July, 1864, where he received the rudiments of an education. His father, Thos. Sprague, came to Colorado in 1860. Our subject married M. Alberta Morrison in December, 1888. They have no children. Mr. Sprague settled in Estes Park in 1875, and has been a resident of Larimer county since 1864. His present home is in Loveland, where he is engaged in civil engineering, surveying and ranching. In 1864, the Sprague family settled in the Big Thompson valley near the county line between Larimer and Weld counties.

Dr. Mary D. Reckly is entitled to the distinction of being the first woman physician to open an office in Fort Collins for the practice of her profession. This she did in 1904, and is still engaged in healing the sick and soothing the afflicted. She was born at, and received her early education in Hillsboro, Ohio, the former home of Colonel W. O. Collins, the gallant soldier for whom Fort Collins is named. She has an A. B. degree from the University of Denver, and is a graduate both from a regular school of medicine and a school of osteopathy. She has spent three years pursuing medical studies in Europe and is a skilled and sympathetic

Samuel F. Webster. - To cause a nickel to multiply itself two million times, resulting in an increment of $100,000, within a period of twenty- three years, is one of the most notable achievements of a farmer's boy on record; but that is what the subject of this sketch has accomplished since he arrived at the age of sixteen years. How did he do it? Well, he didn't do it by loafing about town, playing pool for the drinks or cigars, bucking the tiger or betting on futures. No, he didn't get his start in that way. He got it by steady, hard work, long hours in the field plowing, sowing and harvesting crops, feeding stock, wise management and prudent husbanding of his resources. When Sam was sixteen years of age he began to shift for himself. He left home with one solitary nickel in his pocket and the clothes he had on his back. That was in 1887. After working a few months for farmers he bought 160 acres of land of F. C. Avery, agreeing to pay $6,000 for it with interest at 12 per cent. He also went into debt $600 for two spans of horses for use in working his land. Before he was twenty-five years old he had paid for his farm and teams, had a good bunch of cattle and money in the bank. Since then his progress towards wealth and independence has been rapid. He has added 240 broad acres to his land holdings and has now a fully equipped farm of 400 acres of as productive land as there is in the county, well stocked with horses and cattle; owns considerable city property and is a stockholder in the First National bank of Fort Collins. Mr. Webster was born March 12th, 1871, in Cass county, Missouri, and received his education in the public schools. In 1875 he came from Missouri with his father's family to Larimer county. His father, Stewart Webster, followed freighting for two years and in 1877, he homesteaded a quarter of a section of land in the Harmony district on which he lived for more than twenty years. Our subject married Maggie Angell on January 25th, 1905, at

Mrs. Samuel F. Webster

Colorado Springs and she has been a real helpmeet, much of his success being due to her counsel and advice. She is a daughter of James Angell who came from Bedford, Iowa, where she was born in 1882, to Larimer county in 1885, and settled first in the Little Thompson vaDey, moving thence to the Buckhorn valley where he still resides. Mr. Webster moved his family from the farm to Fort Collins in 1905 and that city is still his home. He has five children, Isabel, Catherine, Elizabeth, Hazel, and Samuel J. Webster, all at home. Our subject resides with his family in a handsome and nicely furnished home at 300 Matthews street, where he is now enjoying life and the fruits of his well-earned fortune. He is an ardent lover of a good horse and has owned several speed ring winners. He is a public spirited citizen and is ever ready to help along a worthy public enterprise.

C. O. Culver. - Our subject in this instance was not a pioneer, but he is one of the solid, substantial and most highly respected citizens of Larimer county. Mr. Culver was born September 26th, 1854, on a farm near Athens, Illinois. His education was obtained in the public schools and in a business college, and on February 19th, 1878, he married Mary J. Rice of Jacksonville, Illinois. Of this union five children were born, C. A., M. Alma, G. Warren, Howard B., and Edith H., all natives of Menard county, Illinois. He came with his family from Illinois to Fort Collins in 1903, and purchased what was then known as the Trimble farm, one mile south of the College, which is still the family home. Mr. Culver is a progressive and prosperous farmer and stock feeder, and he and his family stand high in business, social and church circles. He is a director of the Fort Collins National bank and his wise counsel is often sought in business matters.

GusTAV E. Lyckman. - No better specimens of sturdy manhood have forsaken their homes beyond the Atlantic and forsworn their allegiance to foreign prince and potentate than those who have come from Sweden to be enrolled as citizens of the American Republic. Almost invariably they possess the vigor, the industry, the prudence and the love of freedom which make them good citizens of our favored land. Obedience to the established laws of the country and recognition of the rights of others are, as a rule, marked characteristics of natives of Sweden. The principle "live and let live" seems to have been engrafted upon their souls in childhood and to have grown with their growth into a living, sentient motive. Such a man at least, was Gustav E. Lyckman. He was born March 25th, 1833, in Stockholm, Sweden, where he received his education. He emigrated to the United States in 1865, and after spending two years in Chicago, familiarizing himself with the ways, customs and habits of the American people and with their laws and institutions, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he engaged in the mercantile business which he followed for a few years, then selling his store and buying a farm which he conducted until he came to Fort Collins in 1886, to join his son, Gus. A. Lyckman, who had preceded him several years. Here he lived until his death on July 11th, 1910. He is survived by one child (Mrs. Anna E. Sturdevant, late of Boulder, died Oct., 1904), G. A. Lyckman of the Cache la Poudre valley. The son has been a well-known and highly esteemed resident and successful farmer of that valley for nearly a third of a century and has done much to help develop its agricultural resources. He is a stockholder in the Water Supply & Storage company and for several years a member of its board of directors. was built into Larimer county, and that valley is still his home. In 1893 he married Laura Richart, daughter of a Big' Thompson pioneer. They have no children. Mr. Boyd is a butcher by occupation.

Louis Papa, step-son of Mariana Modena, who settled in the Big Thompson valley in 1858, was born in Walla Walla, Washington, in the late for- ties or early fifties of the Nineteenth century, the exact year of his birth being unknown to him. He is of French and Indian descent. He came to the Big Thompson valley with mother and step-father and that has been his home for more than fifty years. His ranch is in the Big Thompson canon, where he carries on gardening and cattle raising.

John S. Oliver was born May 25th, 1846, in Adams county, Illinois; moved to Missouri in 1859; enlisted in March, 1862, in Co. "H" of the 6th, Mo., Volunteer cavalry, and on expiration of two years' service, reenlisted in Co. "B" of 13th, Mo., cavalry. The regiment was retained in service after the war closed and in 1865 sent to Denver as escort to Gen. Upton ; two companies were sent to Fort Collins and four to Fort Morgan to do guard duty; mustered out in 1866; followed farming until 1874, when he came to Fort Collins, where he has since lived. He married for his first wife Sarah J. Luke, who died in 1909; remarried Mrs. Rebecca Powers in 1910; has three sons, Thomas, Charles and George ; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Williams and Mrs. Kate Hodges.

W. E. Willis was born in 1829, in Harrison county. West Virginia; reared on a farm and attended district school; married Harriett E. Bosworth in 1851 and the names of their children are Perry H., Squire L., George, William E., Raymond L. Mr. Willis came to Colorado in 1871, and located on a farm in Pleasant Valley where he successfully followed gardening for several years. He was an honest, industrious and prudent man and a loyal citizen of the county. Mrs. Willis was a sister of P. J., H. P. and W. P. Bosworth, all of. Larimer county. Our subject is descended from a colonial family of Virginia, his ancestors settling in that colony in the early years of the Seventeenth century. His great, great grandfather was a school teacher in Virginia before the revolutionary war and one of the contracts executed between him and the school authorities of that period is still in existence. It provided among other things that he should receive in payment for his services so many bushels of corn, so much bacon and a certain amount of money, and that he should be excused from teaching so many days during the term so that he could hoe his own corn. Mr. Willis was an honest, hard working citizen. He died August 17th, 1902, aged 73 years. During the Civil war he was in the United States transportation service.

George H. Willcox was one of the first men to recognize the value of Colorado's most succulent grasses and to fully grasp the advantages of that magnificient forage plant, alfalfa, as a food for dairy cattle. He came west from Iowa, in 1880, where he was born October 19th, 1856; married Rose Webber at Ouray, Colorado, February 22nd, 1893. For a number of years Mr. Willcox has been in the dairy business and is now located near Fort Collins. He owns a splendid herd of selected dairy animals, and has among the number many very choice specimens of the Holstein breed, remarkable for their milk producing qualities, true types of the one purpose animal. Mr. Willcox is an active, energetic man who has built up a fine business by square dealing and honest treatment to a long list of patrons.

Mr. And Mrs. John G. Coy

John G. Coy, one of Larimer county's foremost farmers and mcist highly respected pioneer citizens, was born April 14th, 1834, in Oswego, New York. His parents were English people and his father was a miller by trade. At the age of ten years, our subject was left an orphan and thrown upon the care of an uncle. When 13 years of age he went to live with an uncle in Illinois and worked on a farm for five years, returning then to Oswego. In the fall of 1852, he went by sea to New Orleans, thence up the Mississippi to St. Louis. Here he joined a caravan bound for California, which crossed the continent and arrived at its destination that fall. He first found employment on a ranch; then made shingles and spent a few years in mining with indifferent success. Mr. Coy returned to New York in the spring of 1861, via the Isthmus of Panama and in the spring of 1862 he and Emily Adams were married. Mrs. Coy was born near Norwich, England, in 1838, and was the second eldest of a family of eleven children. Her parents came to America when she was three years of age. Her mother died when she was 15 and her father followed his wife to the grave six years later, leaving her to care for the family of children. After teaching school about a year and a half, she married Mr. Coy and shortly afterwards bride and groom started on their long and perilous trip across the dreary Plains. They left Cuba, Missouri, with three yoke of oxen, a light covered wagon, a tent, a saddle horse and provisions enough to last them through to California. The story of the trials, accidents and incidents, met with on this trip is related in a paper read by Mrs. Coy at an annual banquet of the Pioneer association, which is reproduced elsewhere in this volume under the caption "Crossing the Plains in 1862". Mr. and Mrs. Coy arrived in the Cache la Poudre valley and on the site of their present home on August 1st, 1862, where they concluded to remain through the following fall and winter as the season was too late to safely venture on the long trip to the Pacific coast. One winter in Colorado removed all thoughts of going on to California and for nearly half a century the Cache la Poudre valley has been their home. Mr. Coy occupies and carries on the farm he located on in 1862 and it is one of the best and most productive farms in the county. He is a thorough going farmer, stock feeder and business man, which furnishes the key to his success in life. His farm is highly improved and yields its owner a handsome income annually. The farm buildings are modern in character and arranged with special reference to utility and convenience. Since becoming a citizen of the Cache la Poudre valley, Mr. Coy has twice served the county as a member of the board of county commissioners, once the candidate of his party for state senator and once for governor of Colorado, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs. That he failed of an election to these high positions was not due to lack of personal popularity but to the fact that his party was largely in the minority. Mr. and Mrs. Coy have been the parents of ten children, four of whom died at a tender age. The six surviving are all married and well settled in life. The eldest, Elizabeth, is the wife of Prof. James W. Lawrence, head of the department of mechanical engineering at the Colorado Agricultural college. She was a member of the,- first class to graduate from that institution receiving ; the degree of B. S. in 1884. The other daughters are now Mrs. John M. Hoffman, of Fort Collins and Mrs. George Bertram, of Idaho Falls, Idaho. The sons are named W. B. Coy, a farmer of Torrington, Wyoming; John E. Coy, a farmer of Fort Collins, and Burgis Coy, a civil engineer in charge of construction work on the Laramie-Poudre Reservoir and Irrigation company's mammoth irrigation projects.

James M. Naylor was born September 30th, 1854, in Shelby county, Missouri; married Sarah E. Golay, born August 15th, 1859, in Shelby county on July 6th, 1879; came to Colorado in 1873, and engaged in stock raising until 1878 when he went to Missouri and married. He then returned to Colorado in 1881, locating three miles northwest of Loveland, and engaged in farming and stock raising; moved in 1882 three miles east of Loveland, and in 1890 to the Alexander place near the Little dam. In 1891, he moved to Chaffee county, Colorado, selling his range stock in 1897 and moving back to the Big Thompson valley to a place two miles northeast of Loveland, w^here he fed sheep and cattle until 1909, when he moved his family to Loveland, and is now living a retired life at 409 E. 7th street. Mr. Naylor is one of the enterprising and thrifty farmers and stock raisers of Larimer county.

Samuel H. Eidson was born in 1850, in Adams county, Illinois, where he received his education ; came to Colorado in 1871, locating first in Boulder county; moved to Larimer county in 1879 and is a farmer by occupation ; married Carrie Ackerman in 1879 at Hygiene, Colo., and their children's names are, Otto, Elmo, Carl, Lester, Jean, Gladys, Theodore, and Josephine. Mr. Eidson helped to build the Handy and Home Supply irrigating canals and Mariana reservoir.

John Lewis Herzinger. - Born April 1st, 1854 in Germany; died January 12th, 1899, in Loveland, Colorado. This simple statement tells of the opening and closing of a long and useful life - a life marked by good deeds, love for his fellowman, his country, his home, his family and his God. For more than a score of years Mr. Herzinger was a leading citizen and business man of Loveland arid was known far and wide because of his manliness, his unselfish and spotless character and for his good citizenship. He came with his parents from the Fatherland to the United States when four years of age, the family settling in Jackson, Missouri. Here he obtained a common school education and learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1849 he went to California, where he remained several years. On October 5th, 1860, he was joined in marriage with Mary M. Loyd of Frederickstown, Missouri, who survives him. No child- ren were born of the union. During the civil war, Mr. Herzinger served as scout under Generals Grant and Prentice, and was commended for his loyalty and many acts of bravery. In 1871 he came from Missouri to Caribou, Boulder county, where he became associated with S. B. Harter in the mercantile business - a partnership which continued for more than a quarter of a century. In the fall of 1877, the firm moved to Loveland and erected the first brick store building and hall in that town. Mr. Herzinger was mayor of Loveland for two years and was for many years a director of the Bank of Loveland. Strict integrity and a keen business mind characterized all his dealings. He joined the Odd Fellows in California and was a charter member of Loveland lodge No. 36, I. O. of O. F. ; also a member of the Methodist church.

Hannah M. Case was born May 17th, 1845, in Athens county, Ohio, the daughter of a merchant and manufacturer, D. B. Stewart, for whom her birth place was named. She was educated at Miller's Seminary, and at the" age of 20, married J. M. Case, the inventor of the roller process employed in the manufacture of flour. Of this union six children were born, two boys and four girls, all of whom are living. Their names are Mrs. Rosamond Herd, of Cortland, Arizona; Murray B. Case also of Arizona; Ethel A. Hicks, of Lamont, Iowa; Harvey O. Case of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Mrs. Mabel L. Baisden, of Havana, Cuba, and Luella Case of Fort Collins. Mrs. Case and her youngest daughter, Luella, came to Fort Collins in 1899, and that place has since been their home.

John W. Seaman. - Died at midnight on January 9th, 1907, at his home in Loveland, aged 63 years. Mr. Seaman was born in 1844, at Bellefontaine, Ohio. He was educated in the public schools of that day, and in 1862, when but 18 years of age, he enlisted in the 96th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was discharged at Vicksburg in 1863, on account of disability. Recovering his health, he reentered the army in 1864 in the 132nd Ohio Infantry, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. When the Civil war closed he returned to his Ohio home, where he remained until 1871, coming then to Colorado and locating in Evans. In 1877, Mr. Seaman came to Loveland and took charge of George Krouskop's general store. In 1883, he was appointed Postmaster by President Arthur, and gave the community splendid service. After retiring from the postoffice in 1888, he again engaged in the mercantile business, and twice served Loveland as member of the board of town trustees. In the fall of 1901 he was elected County Assessor, and reelected in the fall of 1904. He was a careful, painstaking and one of the most conscientious public officials Larimer county ever had. He left a widow, three sons and a young daughter. The eldest son is the present Assessor of the county.

Cooke Rhea now a prosperous Jackson county ranchman, but a former resident of Fort Collins, has been on the frontier nearly all his life. He was born October 28th, 1844, in Mercer county, Missouri, and relocated in Platte county, Nebraska. In November, 1886, he married Carrie Growendike at Rawlins, Wyoming, and his living children are Ethel R., Clara L., Spartan W. and Ruth N. His daughter Ethel was the first child born in Big Creek Park, Jackson county. Mr. Rhea came to Kansas in 1854, in Border Ruffian times, and to Colorado in 1872, returning to Kansas the following year. In the raid the Cheyenne Indians made through Kansas in 1875, he captured Chief Dull Knife's horse and kept the animal until he died. He came back to Colorado in 1880, and in 1882 helped to build the Greeley, Salt Lake- & Pacific railroad, having a sub-contract for grading the track across the Sherwood ranch west of Timnath. In the fall of 1882 he went to North Park, locating on a stock ranch, in Big Creek Park, where he still lives. Mr. Rhea did a good deal of hunting game for market the first few years of his life in the park, always with good success. Antelope, deer, elk and bear were plentiful in those days, and he shot and killed twenty-seven antelope in one day. Of other game killed that year (1882) there were four bear, eleven deer, seventeen elk and seven mountain sheep.

Prof. Edward B. House, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. House of Greeley, and head of the department of Civil and Irrigation Engineering of the Colorado State Agricultural college was born February 27th, 1872. His father came to Colorado in 1865 and his mother in 1870. The family lived at Evans until 1878 and then moved to Greeley. There were three children in the family, Edward B., George W., and Louise, now Mrs. Downey, all of whom were educated in the public schools of Greeley. Our subject graduated from the Greeley High school in 1891, and then spent a year at work earning money to enable him to enter college. He spent the year 1893 at the University of Pittsburg, going thence to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, graduating therefrom with the degree of B. S. (E. E.) on June 20th, 1896, as one of the honor members of a class of 851 students. He came to Fort Collins and began work at the Colorado State Agricultural college on September 1st, 1896, as assistant in mathematics and physics; was made professor of mathematics January 1st, 1897 and held the chair of mathematics for nine years; did irrigation work during the summer vacations for several years; worked on the Colorado-Kansas case two summers and was stationed at Chamber's lake one summer. The degree of M. S. was conferred upon him June 3rd, 1904, and September 1st, 1905, he vvas chosen associate professor of Irrigation Engineering. He held this position five years. On June 15th, 1910, he was promoted to professor of Civil and Irrigation Engineering, and on April 1st, 1911 he was placed at the head of that department of college work. On August 25th, 1896, Professor House was joined In marriage with Harriet Chandler of Macomb, Illinois, who had been a teacher in the public schools of Fort Collins. They have three children; Edward C, Margaret, and Joseph C. House, all at home. Professor House is a member of Larimer Lodge No. 101, Knights of Pythias and represented the lodge in the Grand lodge of Colorado in 1901 ; was elected Grand Master at Arms in 1904, and Grand Chancellor in 1907, leading the Colorado Pythians through a successful and prosperous year.

Wilbur R. Thornton

1901, at Loveland, was a native of the state of New York. He married Jessie Scoville in 1877, at Attica, New York, and they came to Colorado the same year. His early pursuits were teaching school and carpenter work, but after coming to Larimer county his business was chiefly farming, at which he was very successful. For many years he was the moving spirit and president of the Home Supply ditch. In 1891 he was elected a county commissioner on the democratic and prohibition ticket, serving his term of three years with marked ability and satisfaction; for seven months he was manager of the Berthoud Mill and pulled the affairs of the Milling company through the panic of 1893-4, after being repeatedly requested to take full charge. Mr. Thornton had lived in and around Loveland for nearly thirty years, when he died, holding the respect and confidence of all who knew without a break through all those years. He left surviving three children, Clarence F., Theresa R., and Bruce J. Thornton. The family lives at 355 West 5th street, Loveland. Mr. Thornton was by nature, education and experience well fitted for almost any position in the gift of the people and had he lived he would no doubt have been called upon to serve the people in many public capacities. He knew how to transact public as well as private business in a methodical and accurate manner and was of great service in this regard as a member of the board of county commissioners. Larimer county never had a more competent and conscientious member of the board than he proved to be or one that gave better service. His death was not only a great loss to his family but a distinct loss to the community in which he lived and to the county at large.

William A. Shipp was born April 2nd, 1855, at Jordan Grove, Iowa; educated at Irving, Kansas, and at Laporte, Colorado; came to Colorado in 1868 with his father's family and settled at Laporte. He was joined in marriage with Maggie Lawrence on March 29th, 1880, and they have four children; Elsie, Albert, Walter and Alice. Mr. Shipp has followed farming for many years with a fair measure of success. He resides in Pleasant Valley.

William T. Newell was born December 12th, 1830, in Hancock county. West Virginia; raised on a farm and received his education in the common schools; went to Iowa in 1854, remaining in that state until 1860, when he crossed the Plains with an ox team and arrived at Central City, Colorado, May 20th; engaged in mining and lumbering in Gilpin county for 23 years; came to the Little Thompson valley in 1883, having, in 1874, purchased 320 acres of land situated 14 miles east of Berthoud, which he fenced for pasture; married Carrie E. Bradley, daughter of S. H. and Anna Laurie Bradley of Black Hawk, in January, 1867; ten children were born of the union, five of them are living: J. H. Newell, manager of Mintener Lumber company, Berthoud ; W. A. Newell, S. Ernest and William T., farmers near Berthoud, and Charles S. Newell of the Colorado Telephone company, Denver. Mr. Newell crossed the Plains seven times in a wagon and tells some thrilling Indian stories. He and his wife are passing their declining years in the village of Berthoud.

Hon. Joseph Murray. - ^Joseph Murray, special agent of the United States Treasury Department in charge of the Seal islands of Alaska, died in Fort Collins, October 4th, 1898, at the age of 55 years. Mr. Murray was born April 10th, 1843 in County Kildare, near Dublin, Ireland, and was educated in the national schools of Ireland and at Salford college, England. Of humble but honest parentage, he early developed those traits of character that made him a noted man throughout his eventful life. His leading characteristics were a cheerful and vivacious temperament, enthusiasm, ready sympathy for the weak and suffering and untiring energy. Mr. Murray, at the age of 18 years, came to the United States and joined the Union Army, enlisting in the famous 69th New York Volunteers, which was attached to General Francis Meagher's Irish brigade. He fought in the army of the Potomac from Manassas to the Wilderness, participating in the first big battle of the war at Bull Run, July 21st, 1861, also in the battles at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was commissioned a second lieutenant before the war ended. After being mustered out, Mr. Murray followed bookkeeping In New York, going thence to Paterson, New Jersey to become foreman of a factory. In August, 1869, he married Miss Margaret H. Jordan of Whippany, New Jersey, who survives him. They came to Colorado in 1870, with the Greeley Colony, and went bravely to work together to make a home on the barren Plains. Mr. Murray assisted materially in the organizing of the town of Greeley and in bringing order out of chaos. Three years later he moved to Larimer county and took up a homestead in the Harmony district and engaged in farming. He was elected assessor of the county in 1874, and was the candidate of the republican party for sheriff in 1876, but was defeated. Later he identified himself with the Farmers' Alliance and labor movements. He was called the father of the Knights of Labor in Colorado and assisted in organizing lodges all over the state and in attempting to improve the conditions of the laboring classes. He was also an aggressive champion of the farmers' movement and was the leader in organizing the Farmers' Milling & Elevator company, in which he was a very heavy loser. In 1889, President

Harrison appointed him special agent of the treasury department to take charge of the Alaska seal fisheries, a position he held up to the time of his death. In the care of the seal rookeries and the supervision of the fish canneries he had an extensive territory to cover, requiring him to travel from the Pribyloff Islands to Sitka, a distance of 5,000 miles. He did a great deal to preserve seal life from pelagic sealers, and assisted materially in bringing about the settlement of the vexed seal question between the United States and Great Britain. He was on his way to Washington to prepare and submit his report, and stopped off to visit his family after an absence of two years when stricken with paralysis of the brain from which he failed to recover. Thus ended the life and public services of one of the most useful and popular men that ever dwelt in Larimer county.

William Ringland was bom in County Down, Ireland, on Nov. 5, 1841, on the farm that had been in his father's family for over 200 years. On February 1, 1867, he and Margaret Ann Ireland were married, the ceremony being performed in the Presbyterian church, Killileigh, County Down, by the Rev. Andrew Braky, the pastor who performed a similar service for the father and mother of the groom, and in the same church. Twin sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ringland, on October 14, 1870, the mother dying the following February. The father and his sons set sail for America, via Liverpool, England. He left his sons with an uncle in Ohio and continued his journey, arriving in Larimer county, about the 26th of March, 1871, and here he has since lived.

Perry Reeder. - Our subject is one of the thrifty, prosperous farmers of Larimer county, who, starting with little except a clear brain and willing hands, has made good. He was born March 8th, 1863, in West Virginia, mid the booming of cannon, the whistling of bullets and the rattle of drums of the Civil war period, and was educated at Carthage, Illinois. He came to Colorado in 1887, and went to work on a farm for E. B. Davis, south of Timnath. In 1894, he married Emma E. Allam of Windsor, who died in March, 1903, leaving a daughter, Fannie, and a son, Albert. Soon after his first marriage, he took charge of the Alex Barry farm south of Windsor, where he lived for six years. In 1901 he bought a farm of 160 acres six miles east of Fort Collins, on which he still resides. In June, 1904, Mr. Reeder married, for his second wife, Mrs. Lizzie Walker of Fort Collins. His farm is watered from the Larimer County canal, one of the best irrigating canals in the state. He has fed sheep for 14 years and has found it to be a very profitable industry.

Frederick J. Schroeder. - Born of German parents, June 7th, 1857, in Auglaise county, Ohio, our subject received his education in the public schools of Cincinnati. Soon after leaving school he began work in a grocery store, and later went to Knoxville, Ohio, where he apprenticed himself to learn the harness maker's trade. He then returned to Cincinnati and resumed the occupation of salesman in a grocery store, which he followed until he was 22 years of age, and then went into business for himself. In 1882 he married Emma E. Konsheim, and seven children are living as fruits of the union, whose names are Albert, Margaret, Edna, John, Lewis, Theodore, arid Mary, all at home. Seized with the western fever in 1883, Mr. Schroeder came with his family to Larimer county and took up the claim in Livermore that Arthur Aldrich now owns and occupies.

After spending a year in the mountains, he moved to Fort Collins in 1884, and went to work in Evans, Thoman & company's market. In 1885, he went into partnership with John Yost and the firm bought the Standard market on Linden street and continued in that line of business until 1904, when he sold out. Since then, Mr. Schroeder has been engaged in buying and selling live stock, feeding cattle and sheep for market and in wool growing in which he has had splendid success. Though neither a politician nor an office seeker, he has through the unsought partiality of friends served the First ward of Fort Collins five years as its representative in the city council, one year by appointment and two full terms by election, making an enviable record for faithfulness and fidelity to trust. He has a beautiful home on Remington street and is the owner of considerable other real estate. He is a public spirited, progressive citizen and no man in the home of his adoption enjoys to greater extent the good will, confidence and respect of his fellowmen than Frederick J. Schroeder.

O. C. Peck was born April 24, 1824, in Virginia; died January 28, 1886, at his farm home three and one-half miles south of Fort Collins, aged 62 years. Mr. Peck came to Fort Collins in 1871 and remained here until 1877, when he returned to Missouri. During his first residence here he engaged largely in building enterprises and was the builder of the stone hotel on Jefferson street, known as the City hotel. He also built and owned a large brick business block on Jefferson street, recently occupied by the Fort Collins Buggy company, besides several other buildings of less importance. After spending some six years in Missouri he returned to Fort Collins and settled on the farm on which he died. He was the father of Mrs. D. L. Powers of this city and Mrs. P. G. Terry of Wellington.

Peter Schelt was born September 10th, 1835, in Germany; came to the United States in 1848; after reaching manhood's estate he worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines, later moving to Illinois; enlisted at the outbreak of the Civil war in the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Col. U. S. Grant. Our subject was mustered out in 1865, and in 1867, he came to the Big Thompson valley and engaged in freighting from Denver to Fort Laramie; married Viola Severance in January, 1871, who bore him five children, Mrs. Frank Cunningham, Mrs. Emma Webster, Will- iam, Frank and Augustus Schelt; settled in the Cache la Poudre valley in 1878, later moving to Fort Collins which w^as his home until he died, September 5th, 1904, while attending a soldier's reunion at Loveland. Mrs. Schelt is now a resident of Fort Collins.

Virgil W. Stoddard was born June 29th, 1852, in Sullivan county. New York, where he received his education. He came to Colorado in April, 1874, and settled in Greeley; came to Loveland in 1881 and engaged in the livery business with George W. Foote, the partnership continuing for twentytwo years, and it is a significant fact that not the slightest friction or misunderstanding occurred in the firm in all that time. Our subject married Josephine Kelley, January 26th, 1881, and six children were born to them; Mabel G., Max C, George, Frank, Dr. Fred W. and Jennie L. Stoddard. Mr. Stoddard retired from active business pursuits several years ago, devoting his attention to his extensive property interests. He was a stockholder in the First National bank of Loveland when he died on February 22nd, 1911. He was a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Loveland for thirty years and his death was sincerely mourned.

George M. Clammer. - Mr. Clammer has but recently engaged in business in Colorado, reaching Fort Collins in July, 1907, which was his first location in the state. When he arrived in Colorado he looked the state over and finding this city a most desirable and advantageous point invested his capital in the grocery and bakery business. He became a partner in the firm of H. H. Wallis & Co., which is doing buisness at the old Mcintosh stand on College avenue. Mr. Clammer was born in West Virginia, at Grantsville, in Calhoun county, October 29th, 1869. He was married to Miss Ida McNeill at Smithville, Ritchie county, in the same state, April ,29th, 1900, and received his education at the same place.

Joseph Hammerly, one of the successful and prosperous farmers of the Cache la Poudre valley, was born October 16th, 1865, at Mount Sterling, Crawford county, Wisconsin, and was educated in the public schools of his native town. On July 11th, 1888, he married Elizabeth Dowling at Boscobel, Wisconsin, and on January 3rd, 1891, he and his family arrived at Bellvue, Larimer county. Mr. and Mrs. Hammerly have nine children; Delia E., Fred E., Edson J., Gertie M., Maggie F., Joseph L., Louis R., Elizabeth M. and

Clara Belle. Mr. Hammerly owns 240 arces of land near Laporte and 640 acres at Galeton, Weld county. Part of his home farm at Laporte is the land that Antoine Janis squatted on in 1844, Mr. Janis being the first white settler to make a permanent location in all that part of Colorado lying north of the Arkansas river. Our subject began moving westward in

Mr. And Mrs Joseph Hammerly

1885, first to Iowa, then to Minnesota, Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska, living at Freeport in the last named state five years, engaged in farming. Our subject was a son of Leonard and Elspeth (Chandler) Hammerly, who were natives of Switzerland. They were married in 1852 and crossed the Atlantic shortly afterwards to the United States and settling in Crawford county, Wisconsin. They were the parents of eight children, four boys and four girls, all born in Wisconsin and are all living, except one son and one daughter who died in their youth. The parents are also both dead. Our subject bought his farm at Laporte of Tobias Miller, one of the best known of the pioneers of the Cache la Poudre valley who purchased it of Antoine Janis.

Prof. James W. Lawrence, dean of the Colorado Agricultural college and head of the department of Mechanical Engineering at that institution, was born December 14th, 1858, in Toronto, Canada. His childhood, youth and early manhood were passed in New England. He passed through all the school grades of Boston and from the High school, he went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in 1879 from the department of Mechanic Arts. After leaving school he was immediately employed by the Pacific Mills at Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he remained four years. It was while employed here that he received an offer to take charge of the department of Mechanical Engineering of the Colorado State Agricultural college, which he accepted. He arrived in Fort Collins March 19th, 1883, and immediately began the work of building up the department to its present splendid proportions and of which he has since been the head - a period of twenty-eight successive years. Prof. Lawrence is a member of Fort Collins lodge No. 19, A. F. & A. M. ; a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; of the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education ; of The American

Society for the Advancement of Science and of the Colorado Schoolmaster's club. On June 19th, 1890, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Coy, and they have one son, George Coy Lawrence. Mrs. Elizabeth (Coy) Lawrence, eldest daughter of John G. Coy and Emily (Adams) Coy was born September 23rd, 1865 on her father's farm, near Fort Collins, and was the first white girl born in the Cache la Poudre valley. Although a native of Colorado, she has the distinction of having crossed the Plains in a prairie schooner. When she was about one year old her parents took her east, having a wagon in a freight train in which mules furnished the motive power. On their return west, they had their own wagon and teams. Miss Coy attended the public schools in Fort Collins and in 1880, she entered the first class of the Agricultural college, graduating therefrom in June, 1884, being the first lady graduate. After graduation she served two years as an instructor in the college. She was married, as stated, June 19th, 1890. She has been a member of the Woman's club since its organization in 1889, and also its president one term.

John M. Tinsman was born March 22nd, 1851 in Clark county, Missouri; educated in the public schools of his birthplace and at St. Francis academy; married Mattie E. Goodrich, December 12th, 1876, at LaGrange, Missouri, and their children are named Jesse L., J. Russell, Emmett P., Frank G., and Mary L. Tinsman. Mr. Tinscan came with his family to Windsor, Weld county, February 8th, 1892, and engaged in general farming which he followed until 1903, when he moved on to a farm near Timnath, which he carried on until 1908 and then moved his family to Fort Collins where they now reside. He is a good farmer and has had excellent success in crop growing and stock feeding in Colorado. The family resides at 412 South Howes street.

Ebenezer C. Richards died in Fort Collins on November 23rd, 1906, aged more than four score years. Mr. Richards was born in West Charleston, Vermont, February 22, 1826. He came west in 1873 and to Fort Collins in 1880, and engaged in farming. He was a good farmer and an excellent citizen, doing his part valiantly in the movement to develop the agricultural industries of the county. His wife passed on to the other world several years before he did and since that he had made his home with his son, John C. Richards. A son and a daughter are his only surviving children.

Rock Bush. - This is the story of Rock Bush, the only man remaining of that hardy band of pioneers who came to the Cache la Poudre in 1858-9 to .subdue the wilderness and to build homes for themselves and their families. Mr. Bush, now 79 years of age, is a typical frontiersman. He has lived continuously on the farm he took up fifty-one years ago, a respected and revered citizen. Mr. Bush was born in 1832, in Canada, of F-rench extraction.. He received his education in the common schools of the period and soon after attaining his majority, becoming enamored with the love of adventure from listening to the stories told of the wild west, he crossed the Plains with an ox team in 1857, following the North Platte route, and arrived at Green river after a three month's trip. Here he spent two years operating a ferry on Green river for the accommodation of emigrants. It was while thus engaged that he heard from emigrants the story of the beautiful Cache la Poudre valley and the opportunities it afforded to the home seeker, and that was what induced him to come here in 1859. He located a squatter's claim on the river bottom three miles east of Laporte, built himself a cabin and settled down to a farmer's life. Early in the seventies he married Johanna Forbes, the daughter of a pioneer, by whom he had five children, Rock, Guy, George, Amelia and Gussie. The Indians never troubled him and for fifty-two years he has lived a quiet, ^jeaceful life in the enjoyment of good health and the confidence and respect of his neighbors. In the winter of 1863, Mr. Bush hunted and trapped beaver on the headwaters of the Laramie river, where he secured 400 skins in one month's time. In going and returning to the trapping grounds, he followed the Cherokee trail to the Laramie Plains and thence over Sand Creek pass to the Laramie river. The beaver skins captured on that trip brought him a good sum of money.

James W. Shipp, one of the pioneers of the Cache la Poudre valley, was born March 27th, 1831, in Indiana; died June 16th, 1900, at Laporte. At the age of 20, he moved to Linn county, Iowa and on March 27th, 1853, he married Rebecca Barkley. Nine children were born to them, seven of whom are still living. Mr. Shipp came with his family to Laporte in 1868, and after spend- ing one year in that place, he moved to a farm in Pleasant Valley on which he died. He was a good and loyal citizen, hospitable and kind, never turning the stranger from his door.

Henry Akin, one of the pioneer farmers of the Cache la Poudre valley, was born August 20th, 1819, in the old historic Hill house at Johnstown, New York. He was cotemporary with Elizabeth

Henry Akin

Cady Stanton, both belonging to the same classes in the common schools of the period. He was brought up on a farm and early learned the habits of industry and prudence so carefully inculcated by successful farmers in the eastern states. On December 28th, 1841, he was united in marriage with Eunice Harris. Six sons were born of the union, all of whom are living; Henry, superintendent of a railroad at Houston, Texas ; Myron H., Harris, A. I. and William B. of Fort Collins, and John S. Akin of Houston, Texas. The subject of this sketch came with his younger children from Illinois to Fort Collins in 1879 and settled on a tract of raw prairie land situated three miles south-west of Fort Collins. Here, with the help of his sons, he sub- dued the soil and brought his farm under a high state of cultivation. His wife died in February, 1896, and he followed her to the grave in 1904. Mr. Akin was a good farmer, an excellent citizen, and a kind and obliging neighbor. He lived to see his sons all well settled in life and enjoying the friendship, confidence and esteem of those who know them. Eunice (Harris) Akin, daughter of Israel and Phebe (Barker) Harris was born in 1824, in Pine Plains, Dutchess county, New York. Her father was a prominent man and was a member of the New York legislature in 1820-21. In 1818 he was appointed Colonel of the 20th regiment of the New York state militia. Our subject married Henry Akin, December 28th, 1841, emigrated to Lockport, Illinois, in 1843 and in 1875 moved to Vermillion county, Illinois, and from thence in 1880, to Fort Collins, Colorado, where she died February 16th, 1896, aged 72 years.

Mrs. Henry Akin

Henry H. Thayer, a descendant of a well known New England family which traces its ancestry back to Colonial times, was born on June 17th, 1845, in Deerfield, Massachusetts; educated in the public schools of Deerfield and Bernards- town of that state; married Sarah A. Dickinson, October 7th, 1870; children, Mrs. Mabel A. Horner, Homer D., Lewis H., and Ernest W. Thayer. Mr. Thayer and family arrived in Colorado in September, 1904, locating on a farm about one mile south of Timnath. He is an enterprising and thorough farmer as his success and the appearance of his farm indicates, and is well pleased with the country. He now resides on Main street, Timnath, and is vice-president of the Farmer's bank of that town.

E. Chester Giddings. - When a young man starts out bare-handed on a rented farm to make a fortune, and through industry, proper management and the exercise of good judgment and wise foresight, succeeds in accomplishing his purpose within a score of years, besides increasing the fertility of the land and placing it in better condition than when he began operations, it proves that he is composed of the right kind of material; that brain and muscle joined forces and worked hand in hand for success in his case. Yet, that is the experience of the subject of this sketch. His success also speaks in strong terms of the productiveness of Colorado soil when well treated. Mr. Giddings first saw the light of day on March 7th, 1867, in Warren county, Illinois. He is a son of Loren Giddings, and the second of a family of eight children - four boys and four girls. He was raised on a farm, obtaining his education in the public schools. He spent two years in Iowa and in February, 1883, came with his father's family to Fort Collins, which has since been his home. After assisting his father on the farm for a few years, he hired out to drive team for his uncle, Leander Giddings, who was engaged in the ice and transfer business, and worked for him for four years. On Christmas day, 1888, he married Miss Agnes E. Mason, and the following year rented a farm and began laying the foundation for a competence for himself and family. Two children, Melissa E. and Ralph L., both at home, have blessed the union. For twelve years, Mr. Giddings has carried on the farm he now occupies and not in a single one of these years has he failed to have a good snug balance of profit to his credit after paying rental and all running expenses. The secret of this is that he is a thoroughly practical farmer and that when there is work to do he does it, or sees that it is done, instead of spending his time in town talking politics or playing seven-up with the boys. Two years ago he bought and furnished a handsome home on West Mountain avenue in

Fort Collins where he and his family spend the winter months, although not a day passes that he does not visit and oversee the work on his farm, which is situated in the Boxelder valley, six miles northeast of Fort Collins. Mr. Giddings is a member of Collins lodge No. 19, A. F. & A. M.; of Cache la Poudre Chapter No. 11 R. A. M. ; of DeMolay commandery No. 13 K. T. ; of El Jebel Tempel of the Mystic Shrine, and Eastern Star ; the Elks arid Woodmen of the World, and is seldom absent from the meetings of any of these orders. Mrs. E. C. Giddings (Agnes E. Mason, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Augustine Mason, pioneers of the Cache la Poudre valley), was born October 31st, 1867, and to her belongs the honor of being the first white child born in Fort Collins. She grew to womanhood's estate on her father's farm, receiving her education in the public schools of district No. 11, and on December 25th, 1888, she was united in marriage with E. Chester Giddings. She has always been a true and faithful helpmeet, sharing her husband's burdens and rejoicing in his successes, never neglecting a duty as wife and mother or shirking a responsibility. She is a member of the Eastern Star and also of several literary and social clubs, and is a leader in all good works. She is a lady of culture and refinement and enjoys the acquaintance and friendship of a very wide circle, finding her greatest pleasure, however, in the duties of her home surrounded by her husband and children.

Peter G. Terry is a native of Illinois, born March 19th, 1840. Came to Colorado in 1869, locating at Denver. In 1870, he helped to build the Denver Pacific railroad and in 1871 came to Fort Collins and filed a homestead claim on land now covered by Terry lake. He lived on this farm until it was purchased in 1890 by the Larimer & Weld reservoir company, but was engaged during the winter of 1879-80 freighting to Leadville from Denver. In 1885 he preempted 160 acres in the Boxelder valley three miles northwest of Wellington, on which he now resides. He helped to build the Jackson ditch and superintended the installation of the Terry lake headgates. Mr. Terry served three years during the Civil war in company B of the 11th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war. In 1888 he was joined in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Peck and two children have blessed the union, Mrs. Laura M. Davis of Fort Collins, and Miss Mary R. Terry, who resides with Jier

GusTAVE WiCH. - Born and reared on a Bavarian farm, educated in the schools of his native country, followed farming and rafting lumber down the river Main until he came to the United States, were some of the boyhood and early manhood ex- periences of our subject. Mr. Wich made his advent into the world on June 24th, 1859, and twenty-three years later he led Margaret Eber to the marriage altar. His good wife has borne him eleven children, all of whom are living save one, who died at an early age. The names of his living children are, John W., George A., Fred G., Andrew J., Charles C, Clara M., Gustave, Vernie, Henry and William Wich. Two of the sons, John and Fred are married and have homes of their own, all the others still claim shelter under the parental roof. In 1885 Mr. Wich came direct from Bavaria to Fort Collins and he has since been a worthy and upright citizen of Larimer county. He worked as a farm hand for difEerent farmers for about a year and a half and thert sent for his family to join him here in the land of liberty. In 1887 he preempted 40 acres of land in the Boxelder valley, but later when his little farm was needed for a reservoir site, he sold it and bought 80 acres situated a mile south of the present town of Wellington. He kept adding to his farm until now he owns 320 acres of as fine land as the state affords, all improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has a beautiful home and is one of the prosperous and stable citizens of the county. He has been school director for about ten years and has twice been elected a justice of the peace in his precinct.

Alexander Strachan. - In the more recent years of the settlement of the West, Colorado has drawn heavily upon Scotland for very many of its most practical farmers. Among the number is Alexander Strachan who located in Larimer county in 1896. He arrived in Denver in 1888, coming from Aberdeenshire, where he received his education. He married Miss Jessie Craigmyle, in 1881. A daughter and a son, Alice and James A. are their only children. Mr. Strachan owns a fine farm south of Fort Collins and is one of the big lamb feeders of the valley.

Adna R. Chaffee. - Another of the sturdy pioneers of the Cache la Poudre "passed on to that bourne whence no traveler returns," when Adna R. Chaffee died, April 5th, 1907. Mr. Chaffee had played an important part as a pioneer citizen of Larimer county in the movement to demonstrate its agricultural and industrial possibilities, and to promote the welfare of the community. Had he lived one day longer he would have been 83 years of age, as he was born April 6, 1824. Herkimer county. New York, was the place of his nativity. When about 12 years old he went with his father's family to Michigan, where he came to manhood's estate. After attaining his majority, Mr. Chaffee followed lumbering as an avocation until 1860, when he started for Colorado. He crossed the Plains with an ox team, and was 40 days on the road between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Denver, arriving at the last named place in July of that year. He first located in Russell Gulch, where he put in three months at placer mining, going then to Golden and thence to Green Mountain Falls, where he conducted a hotel until January, 1862. He then came to Larimer county and settled in the Big Thompson valley about one and a half miles west of the present city of Loveland. In 1863 he took charge of the Laporte station for the Overland Stage company, and in October of that year he moved to a farm situated one mile down the river from the present city of Fort Collins. Here he and his family lived until 1888 when he moved to Fort Collins, which was his home until he died. Mr. Chaffee married Sarah Piper in Michigan, and she with one son, Frank Chaffee, a member of the present board of County Commissioners, survive him.

Mrs. Josephine Hupp. - Proprietor and manager of the Hupp hotel in Estes park, was born in 1857, in Michigan, and received her education at Rockford, in her native state. She was married ia 1876 and has one son, Harrie Elmer Blinn, who was the first child born in Loveland. In 1906, Mrs. Hupp and Miss Ella Hupp built the Hupp hotel in Estes park, and in 1908 they purchased a large new building on the opposite side of the street, which is now known as the Hupp annex, and Mrs. Hupp is manager of both. Mrs. Hupp is a thorough business woman and a deservedly popular hostess.

Archie C. Ward^ local manager for the Colorado Telephone company at Estes Park, was born January 17th, 1881, in Stockton, California; educated at Bancroft, Nebraska; married Ruth Whitford, October 9th, 1900, and they have one child, Gerald. Mr. Ward came to Colorado June 10th, 1905 and located first at Waverly, later moving to Estes Park, where he now resides.

Henry T. Miller. - Few men have done more to promote and advance the material interests of Larimer county than Henry T. Miller, and few men stand higher in the estimation of his friends and acquaintances than he does. Ever since he came to the county, forty years ago, he has devoted his mental and physical energies to the development of the resources and advantages of his chosen home, and is recognized as one of the most enterprising of citizens. Mr. Miller was born June 13th, 1840, in Fulton county, Illinois, and was educated in Iowa, in which state he grew to manhood. On January 1st, 1868, he married Lettie Buchanan, and the names of their living children are Mrs. Jessie Stradley, Mrs. Lettie Martin, Catherine Miller, Mrs. Nina Stuart, Mrs. Florence Scott, Harry H., and Dr. N. J. Miller. At the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Miller enlisted in the 8th Iowa Infantry, and served four years in the field in that and in the 33rd Iowa Infantry. He has been a soldier, a farmer, a stockman, a county oiBcer, and again a farmer and has made good. He came to Colorado in 1870, bringing with him a car load of mules which he sold in Golden. He then went east after his family and while crossing the Plains on his return west in 1872 was badly frightened by a band of Sioux, which tried to stampede a bunch of horses he was driving to Colorado, but he got out of the scrape without the loss of an animal. He located that year at Namaqua on the Big Thompson, and followed freighting from the Missouri river. In 1880, Mr. Miller purchased the Alford ranch and horse stock on Rabbit Creek and lived there three years, when he moved on to the place now occupied by Campton's summer resort, at Cherokee Park. He was elected county commissioner in the fall of 1881 and served the county in that office for three years, being chairman of the board from 1883 to January, 1884. Through his efforts a post office was established at St. Cloud in 1885. He sold his property at St. Cloud in the late 80's and moved to Fort Collins which has since been his home. Besides

George Stearly^ one of the best known citizens of the county of German origin, has been a resident of Laporte since 1873. George Stearly was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, near Stuttgard, April

George Stearly

19, 1851 and was but 22 years of age when he first trod the fruitful soil of his adopted state. He was married at Denver to Mrs. Sarah E. Stearly. They have one son, Byron. Mrs. Stearly 's son Fred, makes his home with them, also a nephew Harry I. Nettleton. Mr. Stearly is still a resident of Laporte where for nearly forty years his hearty greeting has welcomed visiting friends and transient travelers. He is now a' solid farmer and stockman, being possessed of one of the largest ranch properties in the county. It consists of 1300 acres near Laporte devoted to alfalfa, grains and pasture. He also owns herds of cattle, horses, and mules. Mr. Stearly engaged largely in winter feeding of cattle for market for many years. After his arrival in Laporte, he conducted the only blacksmith shop in the valley outside of Fort Collins, and the, product of his hands became so famous for durability and finish that his services were in constant demand. He has lived a life of usefulness, doing good and lending a helping hand. Mr. Stearly has served on the Laporte Board of Education for many years as a director.

Mrs. Julia A. Henderson. - Mrs. Henderson came to Colorado with her father, Harvey H. Samuels, her mother, three brothers and two sisters, settling down in the Big Thompson valley in 1863, where they have been in the ranch and cattle business ever since. Mrs. Henderson was born in Illinois, February 18th, 1839, and was married to Mr. Henderson in 1866. She has four sons, George E., James W., John H., and Thomas M. Henderson. Her maiden name was Julia A. Samuels. The family came here from Iowa, and has engaged extensively in raising fine stock and ranching.

Grattan Lawder was born on an English ship on the border of France, May 17th, 1865. When about 12 years of age she came from Ireland to Clinton, Iowa, where she received her education. She came to Colorado in May, 1883, and located on the Elkhorn in Larimer county. On July 19th, 1888, she was united in marriage with Sir Cecil Moon, a British Baronet, and became Lady Catherine Moon. In 1899 she accompanied her husband to England where she remained until 1902, when she returned to her home on the Elkhorn where she has since lived. She is the owner of a fine 2100- acre stock ranch and is engaged in the cattle business and general ranching. Lady Moon is a good business woman and a lover of good horses.

Oscar J. Smith, one of the progressive and substantial farmers and stock feeders of the Little Thompson valley, was born December 22nd, 1855, in Livingston county, Missouri, where he received his education. His wife, Margaret J. Smith, was born April 18th, 1861, at Jacksonville, Illinois, and was married to Oscar J. Smith in 1885 at Chilicothe, Mo. They have four children, all natives of Colorado. Mr. Smith came to Colorado July 28th, 1878, and settled first at Longmont, where he lived until 1889, moving then to a farm in the vicinity of Berthoud. Since coming west, Mr. Smith's business has been farming and sheep feeding, chiefly, in which he has had good success. The names of the children are Virginia M. Smith and

Frederick Gross. - Beginning with little and ending with much is the record that, so far as material things are concerned, stands to the credit of the subject of this sketch. But this result was not attained without a struggle. He battled manfully in his younger days against adverse circumstances and at last came off victor. What though the brown locks of youth are silvered o'er with gray; what though his step is not as lithe, his form as erect and his sight as keen as when, stimulated by ambition, he arrived in Fort Collins more than a third of a century ago to carve out a home and a competence for himself and family among strangers in a new and undeveloped region. He accomplished his purpose and now rejoices in the realization of his fondest hopes. Frederick Gross was born August 28th, 1840, in Hargeshiem, Prussia, and received his education in his native town. He was born and reared on a farm in a country where small land holdings and the thorough cultivation of every foot of the soil, and intense farming was almost the universal rule. But the lessons he learned in his youth on his father's farm, stood him well in hand when he settled down to the life of a Colorado farmer. Mr. Gross emigrated to the United States in 1862. For the first five months he was employed in a bakery in New York City and then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Here he worked at blacksmithing for twelve years. He came to Colorado in 1875 and for three years worked as a farm hand, a part of the time for his brother-inlaw, Lewis Kern, of Windsor, who had come west a few years before. In the spring of 1878, Mr. Gross bought 80 acres of land situated in the Harmony District of Fred Hoyt, and another contiguous 80-acre tract of F. C. Avery. He built a small house, dug a well and fenced his land and raised a small crop that year. The succeeding year he harvested a larger and better crop and the beginning of the smiles of fortune dates from that period. He had mastered the science of intense farming on his father's limited acres in Germany and the knowledge thus gained, coupled with energy and industry enabled him to outstrip many of his neighbors in the annual yields of his broad and well tilled acres. He soon became known as the farmer who never failed to raise a good crop. Year by year he added to the value of his farm by good and substantial improvements, including a large and handsome brick house, barns, sheds and corrals, and when he retired two years ago and left the care of the farm to his son, George, he was counted one of the foremost men of means in the district. In 1869, he married Anna K. Brost in Milwaukee who bore him three sons, Fred W., of Scottsbluff, Nebraska ; Charles of Kimball, Nebraska and George on the home farm. Mrs. Gross died in April, 1908 and in April, 1910 our subject married Martha Manson, for his second wife, and they reside at 335 East Magnolia street, Fort Collins.

John Deaver came from Iowa to Colorado in 1860, arriving in Denver in May of that year. He went immediately to the Gregory Gulch gold digging and spent several years at mining and running a saw mill at Black Hawk and Central City. He came to Larimer county in 1870 and located on a stock ranch on Redstone creek, where he lived until 1880, when he moved to Fort Collins, which has since been the family home. He was engaged in the flour and feed business and in conducting a livery stable for several years. For the past ten years he has been looking after a herd of cattle ranging in the Upper Poudre country between Home and Chambers lake, making his headquarters during the summer months at the Thayer ranch, near Zimmerman's. He is married and has an adopted daughter, Mrs. Harry Schreck, with whom Mrs. Deaver makes her home during his absence in the mountains.

Frank T. Woods was born September 13th, 1872, at Greeley, and educated at Fort Collins, Colorado; married Rose Gilkison, June 6th, 1898, and they have two daughters, Loma Z. and Myrna R. Woods. Follows ranching and dairying near Walden, in Jackson county. Our subject was a son of the late C. I. Woods and spent his early boyhood on his father's stock ranch at St. Cloud, Colorado, moving thence with his father's family to Fort Collins in 1880.

George Giddings, born March 25th, 1874, at Cameron, Warren county, Illinois; died December 3rd, 1909, in Fort Collins, Colorado; lived on his father's farm for more than 21 years; married Delia Smith of New York, August 6th, 1874. Two sons were their only children, Edwin F. and Minot J. The family came from Illinois to Fort Collins on December 24th, 1883. Our subject followed various occupations and was engineer at the City Water Works for several years. His last years were spent on a small farm north of Fort Collins.

P. J. McHuGH, M. D. - Since February, 1890, Dr. McHugh has been identified with the professional and also with the business interests of Fort Collins and has contributed to its advancement by his connection with progressive enterprises and public spirited movements. He was born near Essex, Essex county, Ontario, Canada, on September 17th, 1863. His parents were born in County Cavan,

Ireland. They migrated to Canada in 1846, and his father was sheriff of Essex county for nineteen years. There were ten children in his family, five boys and five girls and our subject was the youngest of the. five boys. He received his education in the public schools of Essex; taught school in Essex two years, was clerk in the postofKce at Windsor six years being in the money order and savings department three years of the time; graduated from the Detroit College of Medicine in 1888; served as hospital interne in Harper hospital for a year and a half; came to Fort Collins in 1890, which place is still his home. He took post graduate work at New York during the season of 1897-98, and at Vienna, Austria, in 1904; married Lerah G. Stratton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harris Stratton who were Fort Collins pioneers, on January 21, 1892. Three sons, Keith P., Jerome A., and Wier J. Mc- Hugh are the fruits of the union. Dr. McHugh has been a member of the State Board of Medical Examiners for six years; President of the Colorado State Medical Society in 1907-8; President of the Larimer county Medical Society; Mayor of Fort Collins from 1903 to 1905, and is a director and secretary of the S"ort Collins Hospital association and a stockholder in the Northern Hotel compiany.