SOLOMON BATTERSON.
Mardos Collection
SOLOMON BATTERSON.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 825
For eight years he was engaged as an employe in a wholesale hat and cap house in New York City. In 1871 he came west and spent a few weeks in Greeley, Colo. He bought a tract of land on the north side of the Big Thompson, where he began general farming and stock-raising, in which he has since continued on his eighty acres of land. He has made a specialty of sheep-feeding, having about one thousand head on his place.
In politics a Republican, in the spring of 1876 Mr. Scott was appointed county clerk of Larimer County, and in the fall of the same year he was regularly elected to the office, which he held for three terms, at the same time being clerk of the district court. He has always taken an active part in public life and has favored plans for promoting the welfare of the people. In 1881, associated with F. C. Avery, of Fort Collins, he established the First National Bank, of which he served as cashier for three years. In 1882 he was one of the organizers of the Bank of Big Thompson and held the position of cashier for three years, the bank doing a private banking business meantime.
The marriage of Mr. Scott, in 1870, united him with Miss Hattie E. Edmond, of New York, an estimable lady, who shares with him in the regard and esteem of their acquaintances. Fraternally he has been identified with Loveland Lodge No. 53, A. F. & A. M., since 1868, and is also a member of the Eastern Star Lodge No. 23. In religion he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The prosperity that has come to him represents diligent effort extending over many years. He is a man of enterprise, joined with sound common sense, and in his farming enterprises has shown excellent judgment. In addition to raising cereals, he has planted trees and engages in fruit-growing, his specialty being raspberries. His farm is near Loveland, and is one of the best improved ranches in Larimer County.
OLOMON BATTERSON is to-day one of the most substantial and prominent stockmen of Larimer County, having acquired his large property with the help of his brave and energetic wife since their advent here some twenty-eight years ago. He came to Livermore in 1870, his only capital being two good wagons, harness, five horses, eight head of cattle and $65 after the expenses of the trip were paid. He paid $40 for a stove in Cheyenne, and the remaining $25 went for groceries and other provisions. He had his gun and it played a prominent part in their struggle during their first years of western life. He is a great hunter and a good shot, and has traveled all over the mountains of this state, killing deer, and would take the venison by wagon to Greeley or Cheyenne, selling it in a short time, but it would take about six weeks to make the trip and get home with the provisions, clothing, etc. He tanned the hides and then helped his wife convert them into buckskin suits. During this time she made butter for sale and kept such boarders as could be found in that locality, visitors to the mountains and people who were traveling through. By their untiring zeal they have acquired a considerable fortune, but the habit of industry still clings to them and to-day she has the best garden on North Park road.
Mr. Batterson was born in the town of Hume, Allegany County, N. Y., August 26, 1830, his parents being Henry and Hannah (Goff) Batterson, of the same state. His grandfather came from Pennsylvania and settled in New York state, where the father was for some years a farmer. He then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was in the same business for twelve years, and from there went to Chicago. After a short time he settled on the Illinois River in Cass County, in the "Pecan Bottom," about fifteen miles northwest of Springfield. Later he moved to Chatfield, Minn., where he died. He married Hannah Goff, whose grandfather served in the Revolutionary war. She died in Illinois. They had three sons who grew to manhood: William, now a resident of Minnesota, and a soldier in the Civil war, from that state; Solomon, whose history is given in this sketch; and Horace, who was burned in the Chicago fire.
The parents of Mr. Batterson moved to Cleveland when he was two years of age, and there he received his education in the public schools. When he was fourteen they moved to Chicago, and he worked out on the farm, first for Amos Deck, for four years, receiving $13, which was good wages for that time. The following four years he worked for Josh Morris. He remained at home until he was twenty-two and then went to Rockton, Winnebago County, and stopped at
826
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Harrison, Ill., on the Sugar River. He remained here two months, and then went to Fort Atkinson, Winneshiek County, Iowa, from there to New Oregon, same state, where he lived for five years. Going back to Harrison, Ill., he bought teams, wagons, etc., and in the fall set out for Necedah, Wis., to take up land. As he was not favorably impressed with the country, he went on through LaCrosse, and located ten miles from Owatonna, Steele County, Minn., where he engaged in farming for eight years. While living there the massacre of Blue Earth County occurred, and he moved his family to Riceville, Iowa, and from there to Algona, on the Des Moines River. However, not liking it there, he moved to Clear Lake and rented a farm of Judge George Frost and farmed for three years. The next two years were spent in teaming and railroading, and in 1870 he brought his family and teams, and drove his cattle through to Colorado. They had started for California, but stopped at the old Sherman place, near Fort Collins, to look around for a week, and then came to what is now Livermore Park, in August of that year, to locate. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres and later pre-empted as much more, giving him three hundred and twenty acres. He has since that bought two quarter-sections three miles below, and has fenced and unproved it, as he has all his land. He is engaged in the cattle business, handling thoroughbred Shorthorns and Herefords.
Mr. Batterson was married in Decorah, Iowa, by Judge Reed, to Miss Mary L. Fassett, who was born in Allegany County, N. Y., February 6, 1833. She is a daughter of John Fassett, of Pennsylvania, but of Scotch ancestry. He moved to Allegany County, N. Y., and in 1844 to Illinois, settling at Harrison, where he engaged. in farming and was one of the pioneers there. Later he removed to Riceville, Iowa, where he died. His second wife was Mrs. Sarah Peck, whose maiden name was Sarah Henry; she was a native of Rhode Island and her father was of English origin. She died in Riceville, Iowa. Of the first marriage of Mr. Fassett eleven children were born, few of whom are now living. The second marriage resulted in the birth of four children, three of whom reached years of maturity: Mary L., now Mrs. Solomon Batterson; Almon, who resides in Iowa; and Phidelia, who died in that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Batterson have been born three children: William, a cattleman in Larimer County, on the Elkhorn; Mina, Mrs. W. E. Tibbits, of Livermore Park; and Azubah, who is now deceased. Mr. Batterson is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
HEODORE A. KIBBY, whose ranch is in Weld County, near Berthoud, was born in McHenry County, Ill., in 1844, a son of Augustus and Emily (Mason) Kibby. He spent his boyhood years in the parental home and was educated in local public schools. At the age of twenty-one he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Infantry, in which he served as a private until the expiration of the war, being most of the time in Tennessee and Alabama. Returning to Illinois from the army, in the spring of 1866 he removed to Iowa and settled in Boone, where he engaged in teaming supplies for the Chicago & North-western Railroad then in process of building across the state to Council Bluffs. From 1866 to 1870 he was employed as trainman on the road.
Going back to Illinois in 1872, Mr. Kibby spent two years at his old home, after which he carried on a lumber business in Wisconsin for two years. In 1876 he visited his sister in Illinois and from there crossed the country to Colorado, where he had determined to settle. Renting land on the Big Thompson River, he began to improve the property. In the fall of 1877 he took up a tract of government land where he now lives. At once he began to improve the place, building a house during the first year. Since then he has given his attention to stock-raising and general fanning. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which is under cultivation, representing years of effort on his part.
Besides his farm interests, Mr. Kibby has always been interested in irrigation projects. He was one of the original promoters of the Hillsboro Irrigating Canal Company, of which he was the first treasurer and secretary, and is now a stockholder. Politically he is a pronounced Republican and always attends local conventions of the party. He is connected with the Grand Army Post at Loveland. In addition to his other moneyed interests, he is a stockholder in the Far-
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 827
mers' mill at Berthoud. In 1880 he married Miss Nellie Winship, of Wisconsin, and they are the parents of five children, namely: Loray, Sarah, Bertha, Arthur and Edwin H.
OBERT S. COX, who owns a valuable fruit farm near Loveland, Larimer County, has been a resident of Colorado since 1883. Coming to the state during that year, he bought a quarter-section of land eight miles east of Berthoud, and for seven years engaged in general farm pursuits. In 1890 he moved to Greeley, Weld County, and for a year was not actively engaged in any occupation, but in 1891 he settled near Loveland, buying forty-eight acres adjoining the corporation of Loveland. Here he has planted three hundred plum trees, and other varieties of fruits, as well as all kinds of berries. While his venture in the fruit business was something of a risk, his success proves that his judgment was sound in the matter. His fruit is of a fine quality and his orchards are constantly increasing in value. In addition to this property, he owns an interest in three mining claims in Larimer County and one in Boulder County.
Born near Trenton, N. J., in 1837, Mr. Cox is a son of Stewart W. Cox, who was a native of Trenton, but came west in 1837, settling in Richmond, Ind., where he followed the trade of a bricklayer. In 1883 he came to Colorado and afterward made his home with his son until his death, which occurred in 1888, at the age of seventy-three. From 1848 to 1881 he engaged in general farm pursuits in Indiana, but after coming to Colorado he became the owner of several hundred acres of land. In polities he always adhered to the Democracy. He married Julia Ann Ivens, who died in Richmond, Ind., leaving three sons, namely: Joseph and John I., who served iii the army during the Civil war and are now deceased; and Robert S., who was only three years of age at the time of his mother's death.
When our subject was a boy educational advantages were meagre in his section of country. For a time he studied in an old sod schoolhouse, where the method of instruction was as primitive as the building itself. In youth he learned the shoemaker's trade and was following it at the time the war broke out, in 1861 when he at once stopped work and enlisted in Company I, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry. He was promoted to be first lieutenant after the battle of Vicksburg. While the regiment was in camp, he was wounded, in skirmish line. He fought in the battles of the Mississippi campaign, the first battle of Island No. 10 and was with Grant at Vicksburg, Port Gibson and Champion Hills. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged. Returning home he resumed work at his trade, to which he added carpentering and the mercantile business.
In politics Mr. Cox is an active Republican and has never voted any other ticket than it. For a number of years he served as justice of the peace. Fraternally he is a member of the Loveland Lodge No. 53, A. F. & A. M. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he is an active worker and for some time has served the congregation as steward and secretary of the official board. His marriage took place in 1861 and united him with Martha J. Ogden, by whom he has had six children. Those living are: Lulu May, wife of F. M. Nevils; Nellie, who married W. H. Sheets; Homer D. and Berthard M.
OHN VETTER owns and occupies a ranch in Weld County, near Loveland, and on the Big Thompson River, and here for some years he has successfully engaged in stockraising. He is a native of Germany, and was born in 1841, a son of John Vetter. Following the custom in German families, he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, and for some years was engaged in work at that occupation. In 1865 he came to the United States, landing in New York, from which city he proceeded to Washington, D. C. For a year he followed his trade in that city, after which, in 1866, he went to Chicago, where he was employed for a year. In 1867 he went still further west to Omaha, Neb., and from that place started with an ox-train across the plains. For a short time he found employment in Pine Bluff, Laramie County, Wyo., but soon proceeded to Denver and from there to the mountains, where he engaged in teaming.
In 1878 Mr. Vetter began to operate rented land on the Big Thompson River. In 1883 he took up a homestead claim on the same river and at once began farming and stock-raising, in which he has met with success. He owns a
828
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. quarter-section of land under good cultivation, the value of which has been materially increased by his labors. In addition to his farm interests, he owns stock in the Loveland and Greeley Ditch Company. He also owns two ranches in the mountains which he uses as cattle ranges. He is a loyal citizen of his adopted country, and in politics favors the People's party. By his marriage, in 1883, to Miss Sophia Webber, he has two children, John and Charles. He has been a resident of the western country from pioneer days. When he was in Pine Bluff the Indians were troublesome and stole their teams, but did not make an attack on the men. He has witnessed the growth and development of this state, and has personally contributed to the development of its stock and agricultural resources.
EORGE O. STEVENS, who owns a finely improved farm near Greeley, Weld County, is one whom the equable climate of Colorado has done wonders for. Years ago he was given up to die by the best physicians of his old Michigan home, but he possessed a brave heart and the thought of leaving his wife and three little ones dependent upon the mercies of the world nerved him to a last desperate struggle for that priceless boon, health. His faith and courage under most trying conditions saved him from an untimely grave, and he now bids fair to reach the advanced age of his father, who passed the fourscore mark by some two years.
The parents of our subject were Ira M. and Amelia (Tripp) Stevens, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively. The father was a prosperous farmer, and spent most of his mature years in Michigan, of which state he was a pioneer, settling there in 1839. George O. Stevens was born near Lapeer, Mich., April 21, 1842, and grew to manhood upon the family homestead. He received such educational advantages as might be expected in a new country, but sparsely settled. When he was twenty years of age, in August, 1862, his youthful patriotism led to his enlisting in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry to fight for the Union. He was a member of Company K, a portion of which had the honor of capturing Jefferson Davis, He was in what was known as the Sabre Brigade, under the command of Colonel Minty, later promoted to be brigadier-general. At the close of a year and a half of very arduous service young Stevens was given an honorable discharge, on account of physical disability, his paper being dated January 1, 1864.
Returning to his old home, Mr. Stevens recuperated to some extent and then engaged in work as a carpenter in Oneida, Knox County, Ill. His home was in that city for about nine years, after which he came to Colorado, in 1871, and east in his lot with a colony which located Green City. This happened to be most unfortunate for all concerned, for those who were at the head of the enterprise were unable to secure necessary water for the district, and the town had to be abandoned. Everyone had spent much money in the hope of receiving compensation and a suitable home, but their time and funds were wasted, as it turned out. Mr. Stevens returned to Michigan and began farming, but everything seemed to militate against him and he was taken sick. For three years he was an invalid, gradually growing feebler, until death seemed imminent. Then it was that the remarkable spirit of the man took the lead, and he determined that he would make the attempt to reach Colorado once more, where he believed that he might recover.
During his army service Mr. Stevens had been stationed in Quincy, Ill., for a short time, and there he became acquainted with the lady whom he made his wife, August 4, 1863. She was a daughter of Greenbury and Rebecca (Brown) Polston, of Quincy. Mrs. Stevens, whose given name is Macy, was born in Wheeling, W. Va., and was but a child when her family removed to Illinois. She has been a noble helpmate to her husband, and without her assistance and cheering presence he probably would not have made as much of a success of life as he has done. The little family left Lapeer, Mich., May 17, 1877, in a covered wagon, and, after the tong journey across the country, finally arrived in Greeley, safe and sound. On the way the illness of some of the party compelled them to stay about two months at Guide Rock, Neb., but at length their journey was resumed and was completed November 9. From the time that they crossed the Missouri River the husband and father seemed to improve, and as the higher altitudes were reached the benefit to his health became more marked. The team of horses he drove were full brothers, three
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