JOSEPH OAKS.
Mardos Collection
JOSEPH OAKS.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 967
mont; Montana A., wife of W. W. Stone, M. B., of the Indian Territory; S. R. Alberta, at home; J. Merrill, who is engaged in farming and stockraising in California; G. Berry, at home; Mary A., a public-school teacher; Reno C., a watchmaker and engraver, employed in Longmont; and Elmer E., a graduate of the Grand Island Business and Normal College, at Grand Island, Neb., who is now representing a New York firm at Lead, S. Dak.
OSEPH OAKS, whose home is on section 23, township 9, range 64 west, near the village of Elbert, in Elbert County, was born in Upper Canada, January 16, 1840, and is a son of Gideon and Elizabeth (Bowman) Oaks. His father, who was born in Baden, Germany, emigrated to Canada and there married Miss Bowman, who was born in Pennsylvania. Afterward, about 1850, they removed to New York, settling at Tonawanda, near Buffalo. Some years later they established their home in Washington County, Wis. At the time of removal to Wisconsin, Joseph Oaks was a lad of some fourteen years. He had no educational advantages, his time being closely given to the task of clearing and cultivating land. In 1859 he went to St. Joseph, Mo., where for a few months he worked at any employment he could find. In 1860 he joined a surveying party that surveyed the head of the Republican River. Indians were troublesome and it was impossible, on their account, to complete the survey. After being robbed of their provisions, the men where transferred by the Cheyennes across the Platte. It was the agreement that Mr. Oaks should receive $40 a month, but he never received a penny; and so was without money when he reached Denver, in December, 1860. His first work in this state was on the survey up Clear Creek to Blackhawk and Central City, his provisions, surveying instruments, etc., being hauled there by hand sleds. His second work was that of cutting cordwood. Later he worked on a wagon road near Boulder. In 1861 he bought a squatter's claim, and since then he has bought other land, until his landed possessions now aggregate about two thousand acres.
In what was then Douglas (now Elbert) County, in 1865, Mr. Oaks married Miss Maria Ann Arterburn, a native of Illinois. Seven children were born of that union. Of his second marriage, which united him with Paulina Ribley, three children were born, viz.: Louis Gideon, Frank Bernhardt and Lena Josephena. Four of his children are married, viz.: Agnes, who married John Cliber, and has six children; Joseph William, who married Mabel Salt and has one child; Laura E., who married William Green, of Elbert County, and has three children; and James N., who married Ida Gifferd, of Elbert County. Politically Mr. Oaks is a Democrat in national issues, but independent in local affairs.
UGUST NELSON, one of the most substantial farmers of Boulder County, is a man who is justly entitled to great credit for the success he has made of his life. Beginning his career in the United States in his early manhood, he overcame all of the obstacles of the strange language and customs, rose above the frequent financial reverses which came to him, and by energy and perseverance at last won the victory. All honor must be paid such a man, one who, at the same time, is loyal to the law and government of his adopted country, upholding her schools and seeking to promote her general prosperity.
Mr. Nelson, whose home is located about four and one-half miles from the town of Longmont, is a native of Sweden, and was born April 16, 1841. He has five brothers and sisters living, and nine are deceased. The father, Nels Larson, was born in 1800 on the old family homestead in Sweden. This property has been in the family for many generations. Nels Larson was one of the most influential men of his neighborhood and time, and though he had little schooling, was so well read and well informed that he was looked up to as an authority upon all subjects. He filled nearly every local office within the gift of his friends and associates, and of him it could be truly said that he had not an enemy in the world. He headed every public movement for the good of the community, sympathized and consoled the weak and afflicted, and put into daily practice the loving, helpful spirit of Christianity. He passed to his reward in 1883. His father, Lars Anderson, a farmer, was blind for twenty-six years, but ten years prior to his death regained his sight.
August Nelson attended the public schools until he was fifteen years of age, and then, leaving
968
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. home, he started out to make his own livelihood. During the next ten years he labored industriously, improving his opportunities, and April 26, 1866, he bade adieu to the friends and scenes of his youth and sailed from Halmstad to Gothenburg, and thence to Hull, England, on his way to the New World. At Liverpool he took passage in a steamer bound for New York, but the ship had proceeded on her way only as far as Queenstown when she was obliged to return to her starting-point, owing to the fact that cholera had broken out on board. The passengers had to remain on the ship for eight days, while scores of deaths took place. At last they were placed in quarantine, and held for twenty-one days. Then Mr. Nelson again embarked for New York and reached that city June 13, after being kept in quarantine three days. He had but $29 in gold, and this amount had been borrowed. He went by train to Chicago, and from there to Batavia, Ill., where he found employment in the stone-quarries for the next four years.
It was in 1870 that Mr. Nelson came to Colorado. He arrived in Blackhawk April 9, and during the succeeding four years he labored in the mines and smelting mills of that region. In the year 1874 he came to the valley of the Boulder with a capital of some $3,000. He purchased a quarter-section of land for $1,000, it being wild and without improvements. He busily set to work to cultivate the land and to make it a model farm, such as he desired, but, after three crops had been destroyed by the grasshoppers and lack of water, the owner of the property found himself without funds and therefore returned to Blackhawk and resumed his former employment there. Six months passed and he came back to his farm with sufficient motley to put in another crop. This time fortune smiled, upon him and from that year he met with success, and to-day is one of the well-to-do farmers of the valley. As he could afford it he invested in other land until he now finds himself the owner of five hundred and fifty acres - a fine homestead. He takes great interest in the public schools and is a member of the local board of education
Religiously he is a Lutheran, and is an active member of the church. In his political attitude he is Republican.
July 2, 1877, Mr. Nelson married Miss Clara Soderburg and to them have been born seven children. Six of the number are living and are bright, intelligent young people, of whom their parents have occasion to be proud. They are named as follows: Nancy A., Arthur P., Clara A., Axel L., August E. and John H. The fourth child, Charles F., died several years ago.
ERRICK McLEOD, a very energetic and popular young man, is now acting efficiently in the double office of city clerk and city treasurer of Central City, Gilpin County. To the last-named position he was elected on the People's party ticket in 1896, was re-elected in 1897 and again in 1898. In the spring of 1898 he was further honored by being made city clerk by the board of aldermen. In national affairs he supports the Democratic platform and nominees by his ballot, but in county politics he sides with the People's party, and for the past two years has been the chairman of the city central committee. He has proved himself to be thoroughly trustworthy, painstaking and faithful to the interests of his fellow-citizens, and, in consequence, he enjoys their respect and admiration.
The parents of our subject are Francis B. and Elizabeth (Morrison) McLeod, natives of Prince Edward Island. The father was a man of excellent educational attainments, and for a period was a teacher in his native district. While still a young man he attended Grinnell College in Iowa, and from that point came to this state about 1867. He married here and engaged in farming and mining enterprises. Afterwards he returned to Prince Edward Island and taught school and carried on a farm there until 1877, when he again settled in Colorado, this time to become a permanent resident. He has been interested in a ranch and in mines in Gilpin County, and is now living in this city. He was county superintendent of schools for one term, and has been recognized as an authority on educational matters wherever he has dwelt for any length of time. His family comprises ten children. Florence died in childhood; Malcolm was drowned in Missouri Lake while trying to save the life of his uncle; William is interested in tinning enterprises, and lives in Central City; Carrie and Rachel are teachers here, the former being in the high school faculty; the younger children are: George, Catherine, Mary, Felicia and Martha.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 969
The paternal grandfather of Herrick McLeod was Rev. Duncan McLeod, who was a native of the Isle of Skye, Scotland. He was a minister of the Presbyterian Church and labored diligently for the spread of the gospel. At an early day he settled in Prince Edward Island, and continued to live there until summoned to his reward. The father of Mrs. Elizabeth McLeod was Angus Morrison, who was born in Rosshire, Scotland, ninety-six years ago, and is still living, his home being in this city. He located in Prince Edward Island when he was a young man, and for years was a seafaring man, sailing along the Atlantic coast, fishing and engaging in various maritime enterprises.
Herrick McLeod was born at Missouri Lake, Gilpin County, April 2, 1870, and is the eldest of his parents' large family. He was but two years old when he was taken back to Prince Edward Island, and within a few years he accompanied his elders to Bellevue, Iowa. After living there for three years he came to this county and attended the public schools of Central City. In 1886 he graduated from the high school here and soon embarked in mining and prospecting. He developed the Notaway mine in Russell Gulch until the profits from it were decidedly remunerative. For nearly five years he was bookkeeper for Morrison, Harris & Co. He then resumed operations in the Notaway mine, and was connected with it altogether eleven years, then selling out in 1897. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has been financier of the local lodge. With the other members of his family he attends the Presbyterian Church. He is a musician of no small ability, and with his excellent bass voice completes a quartette composed of himself, brother and sisters.
In Saxe-Coburg, Germany, the subject of this sketch was born November 10, 1836, a son of John C. and Margaret (Schilling) Hertha. His father, who was a native of the same place as himself, learned the carpenter's trade and in 1840 crossed the ocean to America, where for thirteen years he followed his trade in New York City. From there removing to Illinois, he settled upon a farm in Lee County, where he continued to reside until his death.
The education obtained by our subject was limited to a brief attendance at common schools. After reaching man's estate, he went south and engaged in steamboating, running on the Julius H. Smith, as watchman, from St. Louis to Florence, Ala. The captain of the boat was P. H. Rhody, afterward known as "Rebel" Rhody. On the breaking out of the war he came to St. Louis and enlisted in the Third Missouri Infantry, under Colonel Siegel, in April, 1861. The regiment was immediately sent to the front, and their first engagement was at Camp Jackson, Mo. Later they participated in the battles of Dug Springs, Carthage, Wilson's Creek, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth. In the battles of Wilson's Creek and Corinth Mr. Hertha was wounded, and in July, 1862, he was mustered out of the service on account of sickness. When the Sioux war broke out, in the fall of 1862, he was in St. Paul, Minn. Buying a horse, saddle and bridle, and providing himself with fire-arms, he joined what was known as Cullom's Guards, a company of state militia, and started after the Indians. After burying the dead of a company of men whom the red men had slaughtered on the lower boundary of the reservation, he and the others of the party crossed the river and camped at Birch Cooly. On the next morning they were surrounded by about five hundred Indians, and for forty-six hours they fought against desperate odds. So fiercely did the battle rage, that out of more than ninety horses, only one remained alive and Mr. Hertha had two bullets in his body when Colonel Hale fortunately came to his relief. From
970
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. that place the men were ordered to Fort Richley and from there were sent back to St. Paul, where they were disbanded, on refusing to agree to take their prisoners alive.
Shortly after his return from active warfare, Mr. Hertha was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Meinhardt. Afterward he went to Davenport, Iowa, and spent the winter, but seeing no business opening there for him, he went to Atchison, Kan., and began freighting on the plains. He continued freighting until the Union Pacific Railroad was completed, his route extending from the end of the road until it reached the North Platte. From Cheyenne he later freighted to Blackhawk and other mining camps. When the Denver Pacific road was built, freighting ceased to be profitable, and he then came to Boulder County, settling on the ranch where he has since made his home.
Six children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hertha, namely: John, deceased; Louisa, wife of S. A. Fuller, of Longmont; Edwin, a stationary engineer at Longmont; Louis S., proprietor of the livery stables at Berthoud, Larimer County; George W., deceased; and Albert, at home. The wife and mother died August 16, 1876, deeply mourned by her husband and children.
In fraternal relations Mr. Hertha is identified with St. Vrain Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M., Montezuma Tribe No. 34, I. O. R. M., and McPherson's Post No. 6, G. A. R.
EORGE H. HALL, one of the early settlers of Colorado, has resided for a score of years on his present fine homestead, which is situated three and a-half miles northeast of Longmont. Within his memory and knowledge this thriving western city has sprung up, as it is built upon ground which he formerly tilled, and at that time, shortly after the close of the Civil war, he lived in one of the two houses which stood on the site. The house which sheltered him then was later removed, and to-day, in its stead, stands the Imperial Hotel. In his pioneer life he experienced the vicissitudes which fell to the lot of all, and in turn he mined, farmed, prospected and freighted, without becoming rich or comfortably well-off at any of these pursuits. The fortunes which some were so happy as to acquire did not fall to his share, and it was only by earnest, unremitting labor that he came into possession of the competence which he now enjoys.
Grandfather Asa Hall, a man of Scotch descent and hardihood of character, was a native of Canada, and was a prosperous farmer for his day. His son David, father of George H., was born in the city of Toronto in 1813. When he arrived at man's estate he adopted his father's vocation, and in 1850 removed to Illinois. Taking up his abode in Kane County, he lived there until death put an end to his career some five years later. He married, before leaving Canada, Miss Charlotte Hooker and to them were born two children, a son and daughter. The latter is Sarah, wife of D. S. Coffman, who is interested in mining operations, and lives in Glendale, Colo.
George H. Hall, whose birth occurred in Canada, September 21, 1842, was a lad of but thirteen years when his father died, and his mother's death taking place three years later, he was thus early thrown upon his own resources. He came into possession of the old homestead in Kane County, Ill., and diligently set about its management, to the best of his youthful ability. He was young at the time that the war broke out, and, having no one to restrain him, he enlisted in an independent company. Later he was attached to Company H, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, sometimes called Dodson's Cavalry. This company served during the war as the bodyguard of Curtice, Halleck and Steele, each in turn. Mr. Hall was an orderly on General Steele's staff from March, 1862, until he received his honorable discharge from the army in the autumn of 1864. Prior to being on the general's staff he was on detached duty, carrying dispatches, etc. Returning to Illinois, Mr. Hall bought horses for the government during much of the following year.
In 1855 Mr. Hall started for the west, going much of the distance to Denver by stage. He arrived in that city October 10, 1865, and thence proceeded to Nevadaville, where he engaged in mining. Failing in his endeavors to obtain satisfactory results for his labors he came to this valley, which he first beheld on the anniversary of Washington's birth, 1865. Then, as previously mentioned, he embarked in farming on the very land now occupied by Longmont. In
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 971
the autumn of 1866 he harvested a goodly crop here, but the next year, after he had planted wheat and paid twelve and a-half cents a pound for the seed, the grasshoppers indeed made "life a burden," for they swept the land bare of vegetation. He was left without resources, and started in the business of freighting. He hauled the lumber for the first house erected in Cheyenne, and continued in the transportation business until April, 1869. The White Pine mining excitement then drew him to Nevada and for the next two years he traveled and prospected in that state and in Utah, California and Arizona. Once more, in the spring of 1871, the attractions of Colorado proved alluring, and since that time he has never sought for a home or occupation elsewhere. For seven years after his return here he rented land in the neighborhood of Longmont, and in 1878 he permanently located on the homestead where he is to-day.
Mr. Hall has always been highly in favor of good schools and the best possible educational privileges for the young. For some twelve years he served efficiently as secretary of the local board of education. Fraternally he is associated with Longmont Lodge No. 9, A. O. U. W., and McPherson Post No. 6, G. A. R. His ballot is used in favor of the principles and nominees of the Republican party. His marriage to Miss Nellie Mumford occurred in 1875, in Longmont.
LISHA M. PERKINS, the well-known mayor of Evans, and the genial and popular proprietor of the Perkins Hotel, was born in Tazewell County, Ill., December 17, 1833. His father, Elisha M. Perkins, Sr., was probably a native of Virginia, but spent his youth in Kentucky, and removed to Illinois at an early day, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of Tazewell County. He engaged in farming and dealing in fine stock, and also conducted a shoe store for a time. About 1841 he laid out the town of Circleville upon his land in Illinois, erected a large hotel, which he conducted for several years, while the community around him grew to a thriving country town. He was one of the best-known men in that part of the country, was an ardent Democrat in politics, took an active part in the presidential campaign of 1840, and served as deputy sheriff of Tazewell County for one term. He died at the age of fifty-nine years, near Des Moines, Iowa, where he lived for a few years. He had also spent three years in Warren County, Ill, and the same length of time in Gentry County, Mo., after which he removed to Iowa, where he was engaged in the milling business. He married Susan Barker, of Kentucky, and to them were born eleven children, but only five are now living: Isaac N., a resident of Indian Territory; Daniel; Zedec C., of Nebraska; Artemecia, widow of William McGee; and Elisha M. The wife and mother died at about the age of seventy.
Our subject obtained the greater part of his education in an old log schoolhouse in Iowa. Leaving home at the age of sixteen he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he spent a few years with a cousin, and then returned to the parental roof. He worked on the home farm and with his brother, Isaac N., operated his father's mill. In 1851 he went to Adams County, Ill., on horseback, and spent the summer with his brother, Zedec C. In 1852 he went to Pike County, that state, and began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1859. In the spring of 1854 he bought a piece of land in Marion County, Iowa, and give some attention to farming for two years. While at that place his first wife died, May 22, 1854.
Mr. Perkins then returned to Warren County, Ill., and with his brother, Isaac N., rebuilt the old mill, which he sold on its completion. In the winter of 1856 he went to Kansas, where he erected houses for sale, and served as constable of Capioma, Nemaha County. In 1860 with his brother, John W. Perkins, Stephen Shelton, J. S. Dunbar and H. C. Stanley, he started over the plains to Denver, arriving there on the 22d of May. A few days later he went to Central City, where he engaged in mining, but after the Civil war broke out he returned to Denver and enlisted. He only remained there for a few weeks, however, when he again went to Central City and resumed mining. A few weeks later he returned to Denver and started for home by the way of the Platte River, but when near that city the boat capsized and he lost all his belongings. In company with two other men he started out on foot looking for work and proceeded down the South Platte to its mouth, where he was employed on a farm that summer. In 1862 he again went to Denver, acting as cook for the wagon train of Garrison & Hulbert, Sand the following winter
972
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. worked on the ranch of N. H. Gage. While there he married his present wife, Margaret Jane Hoover, daughter of C. J. Hoover, of Denver. He then bought a ranch on the Platte River, on the main stage line between Denver and Julesburg, and successfully operated the same for two years, but in 1864 was driven away by the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians, who killed two men. Going to Fort Wicket he entered into partnership with Holan Godfrey, and together they conducted a ranch until the Indian massacre January 16, 1865, when the red men drove off their stock. That spring he returned east after his family, and on again coming to Colorado, in the fall of 1865, he settled on his old ranch on the Platte, his brothers, D. R. and J. W., being with him. In partnership with J. S. Dunbar he opened a stage station at Bijou Creek, which they conducted about a year in connection with the ranch. Mr. Perkins then took charge of the home stage station for Wells, Fargo & Co., sixteen miles distant. After spending the winter of 1868-69 in Denver, he took up government land at Godfrey Bottom on the Platte River, where J. S. Dunbar now lives, and there carried on farming and stock-raising, dealing in fine eastern cows. In 1871 he removed to the town of Evans, and the next year opened the Gerry Hotel, which he conducted one winter. The following year he was engaged in the livery business in St. Louis Valley, and in 1874 was appointed deputy sheriff of Weld County, under David C. Wyatt, being re-appointed under Joseph McKissock two years later.
Since retiring from that office he has been interested in the hotel and livery business in Evans, and he and his wife have become the owners of some good residence property in that place. To Mr. Perkins and his second wife one child was born, a daughter, Ida M. She became the wife of Albert Huffsmith, of Evans. Mrs. Huffsmith died in 1890, leaving two children, Jesse B. and J. Miller, who are now living with their grandfather, our subject.
As a Democrat, Mr. Perkins has taken quite an active and prominent part in local political affairs, and has been honored with several official positions of trust and responsibility. He served as county commissioner for three years, and as a trustee of Evans for three terms, and in April, 1898, was elected mayor, which office he is now filling with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. At one time be was nominated for sheriff of Weld County, but withdrew in favor of James Bailey, an old friend. As a citizen he stands ready to discharge every duty devolving upon him, and he has proved a most faithful and popular official.
G. A. Lundin is the only son of John and Mary Caroline (Lindblad) Lundin. A sister, Edla A., is the wife of Gustave E. Wedeen and lives on the old family homestead. The father, born in Sweden in the province of Nerike, November 13, 1821, died January 29, 1892. He was a farmer by occupation and possessed great mechanical genius, making his own wagons and shoes, and in short, it was his pride that he was able to construct nearly everything that he needed, in his humble and simple life. His wife was a daughter of Olaf Lindblad, who for thirty years was a corporal in the Royal Regiment No. 21. Our subject's paternal grandfather, John Lundin, and his great-grandfather, Andrew Lundin, were both farmers. The latter was a son of the celebrated Swedish general, John Lundin, who, for twelve years was a prisoner in the fort at Bender, Turkey, along with the unfortunate
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 973
Charles XII, of Sweden. The general escaped at the end of twelve years of captivity, as did also Lord Hamilton, and together the two walked all the way across the continent, at last safely arriving at their old homes. The poor general found, like Enoch Arden, that his wife had given him up as dead and had married again, and to add to his sorrow, the old homestead, which had been long in the family, had been parted with to strangers, during a dreadful famine, for a sack of flour.
When he was a lad of eight years Gustave A. Lundin could read and write and thoroughly knew the Lutheran Church catechism. His father took great pride in his only son and was determined that he should settle down on the home farm. The youth attended school until he was twelve, when he turned his whole attention to the management of the old farm, and this routine continued for six years. But he chafed under the restraint and finally went to Stockholm and began serving an apprenticeship as a machinist in the railroad machine-shops. He received very small wages for the first six months, and, as he could not subsist upon such a sum, and his father refused to assist him, he was finally compelled to return home. He became very desirous of coming to America then, but to this plan his father turned a deaf ear also, and, as he was not of age, would not allow him to come. When he was only six years old his mother had deposited $3 in the bank for him when he became a man, and year by year this amount had grown, as the boy added to the amount from time to time, and thus, upon his twenty-first birthday, May 11, 1880, he had $400 to his credit.
March 29, I880, young Lundin sailed from Gothenburg to Frederickshaven, Denmark, whence he went to Bremen, and there embarked on the steamer "Rehm" for New York City. He reached the great metropolis April 22, and at once went to Chicago. There, while employed as a day laborer in Lincoln Park, he set out many trees that now afford beauty and shade to that well-known recreation ground. On the 2d of June he took out naturalization papers. The following day he took the train for the northwest, and landing in Green Bay, Wis., thence went by stage to Ephraim, that state. In the autumn he located seventy-five miles north of Green Bay, Wis,, and bought forty acres of land, with the expectation of becoming a permanent resident of the county. At the end of two years, however, he returned to Chicago, and entered the employ of the Bowmanville Nurseries. There he labored for twelve months, then accepting a position with Coyle Brothers, undertakers and liverymen.
June 4, 1884, Mr. Lundin started for the west. After passing a week in Idaho Springs he came to Boulder, and for several months worked for William Newland, on his fruit farm. The mining fever then took possession of him, and returning to Idaho Springs he engaged in mining operations for several years, in the meantime leasing numerous well-known properties. In 1887 he went to Aspen, Colo., and continued mining with varying success until 1893, when he purchased his present homestead, since which time he has given his chief attention to farming. During the summer of 1890 he visited Salt Lake City, Utah, and there bought two city lots which he still owns. Later he was employed in the mines at Eureka, Utah.
Upon the thirty-second anniversary of his birth, May 11, 1891, Mr. Lundin married Miss Ingrid Pearson, in Denver. Mrs. Lundin is the daughter of Andrew Pearson, who was a railroad station-master in Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Lundin are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Aspen. Their only child is Walter E., a bright little fellow, born in 1892.
ODOLPHUS N. SMITH, one of the prosperous ranchmen of Weld County, his home place being six miles southeast of Longmont, was born in Waukesha County, Wis., February 20, 1944, a son of N. K. and Helen M. (Campbell) Smith. He was one of seven children, who were named as follows: Emma S., now the widow of C. M. Tyler; Frank O., wife of Senator J. P. Maxwell; Nina F., Mrs. E. J. Temple; Dora O., who married D. B. Leach; Jennie S., widow of Dr. G. A. Clark; L. K. and Rodolphus N.
The father of our subject was a native of York state, born in Jefferson County in 1810. He grew to manhood on the home farm. With a love for study, he readily acquired a thorough education. In early manhood he fitted himself for a civil engineer and divided his time between school teaching and engineering. When about twenty-one
974
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. years of age he went to Canada, but three years later removed with his family to Ohio, thence to Indiana, and a short time later to Wisconsin. In 1849 he left his family on their farm in Waukesha County and crossed the plains to California, where he spent three years in the mining regions, returning home in 1852. The next year he and his family started, by wagon, for California, he driving a herd of cattle; but when he reached Iowa, the Indian depredations were so numerous that he abandoned the proposed trip, and spent the next two years in Iowa. Removing in 1855 to Baraboo, Wis., he embarked in the hardware business, but after some years sold his stock and opened a grocery, conducting the latter until 1860, Then with his family, he again started for the west, bringing with him across the plains one of the first quartz mills erected in Blackhawk. Arriving in Colorado, in the spring of 1860 he and a brother constructed the Smith toll road from the end of the old Golden Gate road up to Central and Blackhawk, which proved a most profitable undertaking.
In the spring of 1861 with C. M. Tyler, our subject embarked in the lumber business in Blackhawk, having extensive sawmill interests near that town, and for three years they had a business that averaged $1,500 per day. In 1877 he sold his many and valuable interests in the mountains and moved to Boulder, where he erected a handsome residence and settled down to enjoy the fruits of his labor. His death occurred December 26, 1894. For six years he served as commissioner of Gilpin County, and was recognized as one of the best commissioners the county ever had. For a number of years he also held office as assessor. He was known as a man of integrity and upright life, one whose fortune was amassed in honorable channels and whose character was irreproachable. He married Miss Campbell, who was the first white woman in Vernon, Waukesha County, Wis., and who took the first prize for needlework at the World's Fair.
One year after our subject came to Colorado, he and two sisters returned to Wisconsin to finish their educations, and for one year they attended a seminary at Baraboo, after which they were the Mezomanie high school for one term. While there, he wrote his parents that he wanted to enlist in the army; his father replied that there were prospects of trouble in Colorado with the Texas rangers and, if he wished to fight, to come home and enlist, where his fighting would not only serve the government, but assist in protecting his home folk as well. He accepted the advice, returned home and engaged in freighting on the plains, but the need of his services as a soldier did not arise, so he continued teaming until 1866. While near Alkali Station in Nebraska in 1865, he and the train of sixty wagons of which he was captain, were attacked by five or six hundred Indians. They at once corraled their stock and prepared to meet their savage foes. After one or two volleys the Indians retreated and the train resumed its journey to Omaha.
In 1866 Mr. Smith came to his present farm of three hundred and twenty acres, six miles southeast of Longmont, where he embarked in the stock business. He has since given his attention to general agriculture. Politically a Republican, he was in 1884 the Republican nominee for county commissioner and was elected by a large majority. The office was so efficiently filled that at the expiration of his first term he was reelected, and again at the end of the second term, serving nine consecutive years. For twenty-seven years he held the office of treasurer of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen:
In 1865 Mr. Smith married Miss Josie Pendleton, a native of Cook County, Ill. Six children were born to their union. The oldest son, Fred N., has charge of the home farm; he is identified with the Woodmen of the World. The second son, Frank M., who is a member of the Odd Fellows' and Woodmen lodges, is engaged in the transfer business at Longmont. The third son, Dolph E., is with his parents. Florence H., the fourth child, is deceased. Alice D. is the wife of Lowell S. Smith, of Longmont; and Jeannette H. is at home.
AMUEL L. JOHNSTON, a farmer of Douglas County, resides on section 25, township 10, range 67 west, two and one-half miles southeast of Greenland. He was horn at Bishop Mills, Canada, December 29, 1850, a son of William and Jane (Wilson) Johnston, natives of the north of Ireland. After their marriage, some time during the '30s, they emigrated to Canada, and have since made their home at
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