EDSON WARREN.
Mardos Collection
EDSON WARREN.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 989
on all the committees. He is a member of Blackhawk Lodge No. 11, A. F. & A. M., and Ellsworth Post No. 20, G. A. R., and is a stanch Republican.
DSON WARREN, who resides four miles northwest of Fort Collins, was born in the town of Rush, Monroe County, N. Y., August 13, 1843, and is a son of Stephen and Susan (Smith) Warren. His grandfather, Newman Warren, was a farmer in Massachusetts, but moved to New York, where he cleared the timber from his land in the town of Wheatland, and cultivated it until his death. He belonged to the old historic Warren family of Massachusetts, and was a relative of General Warren, of Revolutionary fame. Stephen Warren moved to Canandaigua, N. Y., with his father, but as he did not like that location he settled in the town of Wheatland, Monroe County, and later improved a farm in the town of Rush, where he was for several years a justice of the peace. One of his brothers, Benjamin, was in the war of 1812. He married Miss Susan Smith, of Bethlehem, Pa., a daughter of Abraham Smith, formerly of Pennsylvania, but later a resident of Rush. Stephen Warren died in 1873, and his wife July 4, 1884. There were five children, viz.: Mrs. N. H. Meldrum, of Denver; James, of New York; Joseph, of Michigan; Mrs. John W. Meldrum, of Wyoming; and Edson, who was the third child of the family.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools and in Geneseo Academy, and remained at home until he was twenty-three, when he started on a tour through Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, thence back to New York. Six months later he started for Colorado, locating in Larimer County in 1870. He purchased an interest in his present farm, his partner being his brother-in-law, Hon. N. H. Meldrum. He engaged in farming and stock-raising and later bought the remainder of the farm, consisting of two hundred and forty acres. He set out a nice grove, and took up a timber claim of eight acres. He was one of the small company to construct an irrigating ditch, and his farm is well improved, with not a foot of waste ground on the place. He raise grain and alfalfa, and feeds large numbers of lambs, having at this time about two thousand head which he is feeding.
Mr. Warren was married in LaPorte to Miss Susannah L. Riddle, who was born in Iowa. Her father, John G. Riddle, settled in this state in 1870, and died twenty years later; he was born in Indiana, his father, Stephen, coming from North Carolina, and settling in Indiana, where he was a pioneer farmer. John G. was also a farmer, and when still a young man he moved to Iowa, married in Attica, Marion County, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in that state until 1870, when he brought his family to Fort Collins, and bought a farm two miles northwest of that city. This he improved and continued to cultivate up to his death, in July, 1887, at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Frances May, of Crawfordsville, Ind., whose father, Alexander, moved to Iowa and died there. She is living in Boulder, Colo. There are eleven children, namely: Mary E., Mrs. Levi Hake, of Boulder; Frances J., Mrs. M. L. Landes; Stephen Alexander, in Colorado Springs; E. Asbury, who resides at LaPorte; Esther R., Mrs. T. A. Gage, of Fort Collins; F. P., living near that place; Susannah L. Mrs. Edson Warren, of LaPorte; John M., near Fort Collins; Rachael E., Mrs. Watrous, who died in California at the age of thirty-one; Isaac C., on the old home near Fort Collins; and Ida May, Mrs. Owens, of Colorado Springs. Mr. and Mrs. Warren have four children: Frances, Marion, Whitney and Myrne. The two eldest daughters are now students at the State Agricultural College at Fort Collins. Mr. Warren is a silver Republican, but has never cared for official position.
OHN PEARSON SANDERSON, who came to Colorado in 1879, is the owner of a stock ranch in Elbert County, in partnership with his brother, Dr. W. Raymond Sanderson. He was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1855, and is descended from Irish ancestors, who founded Lee University, in Dublin, Ireland. His great-great-grandfather, Francis Sanderson, started the foundry business in the heart of Baltimore, in the early days of that city, and was engaged in that business until his death. His son, William Raymond, was born in Baltimore, but removed in early manhood to Frederick, Md., of which he was a pioneer and successful merchant. Being a man of recognized integrity, on the formation of
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Frederick County he was offered the position of county commissioner, but the pressure of other duties obliged him to decline it.
Thomas, son of William Raymond Sanderson, and father of the subject of our sketch, was born in Frederick, Md., in 1812, but removed to Baltimore, where he carried on successfully the wholesale dry-goods business. From this he retired early in life to his country seat, The Plains, a handsome estate in the suburbs of Baltimore, where he died in 1877. He was a relative of the illustrious founder of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, also of the Shrivers and Bidgelys, well-known Maryland families. His cousin, Christopher Hughes, was sent as minister to The Hague during the Monroe administration, but died before reaching his post. His brother, Dr. W. Raymond Sanderson, was for many years a well-known figure in Frederick, being a man of great information and widely read on different subjects. He died in Frederick at an advanced age, and was buried in the ancient cemetery in which repose so many of the Sanderson family.
Thomas married Hannah Ann Pearson, of Baltimore, daughter of Joseph Pearson, of English ancestry, and one of the defenders of Baltimore at the battle of North Point in 1812. He was a successful fur merchant, and retired from business in 1850, living on his estate, Highland Park, until his death, in 1860. His daughter, Mrs. Sanderson, was a woman of great strength of character and fine executive ability. She died in the same year as her husband, leaving eight children, most of whom are married and settled in the neighborhood of Baltimore. They are as follows: Mary, who married Rev. Robert H. Williams, of Highland Park; Francis, engaged in business in Baltimore and editor of one of the departments of the Baltimore American; Margaret, who resides in Baltimore; Inez J, wife of John F. Williams, a well-known attorney and politician; John Pearson, the subject of our sketch; Dr. W. Raymond, graduate of the University of Maryland, who came to Colorado in 1881 and is engaged in the cattle business with his brother John; Julia Hedges, married to Edward C. Eichelberger, a prominent attorney and owner of real-estate in Baltimore; and Eleanor, who married Graham Johnston, of Frederick, and grandson of one of the governors of Maryland.
Mr. Sanderson received his education at Academia, a school on the Juniata, Pa. After finishing his studies he returned home, and took charge of the family estate, The Plains, until he came to Colorado in 1879, bringing with him letters of introduction to Governor Gilpin and other men of prominence. He settled in Elbert County, where he purchased the Hillside ranch, on East Bijou creek, raising high-grade Shorthorn cattle and French coach horses. This ranch is well improved and well situated for the business; the chief feature is ample provision against loss. All calves at weaning time are vaccinated with the Pasteur lymph as a preventive against black leg. Mr. Sanderson is one of the early members of the Colorado Cattle Growers' Association.
In 1882 he married Lucy May Fullerton, of Baltimore, daughter of Robert B. Fullerton, a well-known dry goods merchant of that city, and a Scotch-Irishman of good family, having been born at Mayne House, the family estate, near Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland. The founder of the family emigrated from Scotland during the rebellion of Sir William Wallace. Mrs. Sanderson is of English parentage on her mother's side, and a descendant of Sir William Hemsmith, a captain in the British army. Her mother, Mrs. Eleanor Fullerton, is well known in literary circles, east and west. They have three children, John Pearson, Jr., Eleanor May and Thomas Campbell. Mr. Sanderson's family have always been Presbyterians and favored the Union cause during the Civil war. He is a stanch bimetallist, and votes for men who favor that cause.
AMUEL A. RANK, civil and mining engineer, has been United States deputy mineral surveyor for Colorado for nearly a score of years, having been appointed by Albert Johnson, surveyor general of the state, May 13, 1879. He is a member of the firm of Chase & Rank, Mr. Chase being in charge of their office, No. 509 Mining Exchange, Denver, while Mr. Rank takes the management of their Central City office.
Mr. Rank was named in honor of his paternal grandfather, Samuel Rank, who was a native of Pennsylvania and was a pioneer in Indiana, in which state his death occurred. The father of our subject was William Rank, born near Williamsport, Pa., and for years a farmer of Wabash, in the state of Indiana. In 1855 he moved
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to Olmstead County, Minn., where he was a pioneer farmer. He is still living in the vicinity of Dover, where he first located, and has served as county commissioner and in other positions of local importance. His wife, of an old Virginia family, was Miss Elizabeth J. Donaldson prior to her marriage. When a young girl she went from her native state to Kentucky with her mother. She became the mother of ten children, all but two of whom she saw live to be useful men and women, the others dying in childhood. She died in 1896.
The birth of Samuel A. Rank took place December 15, 1848, in Wabash, Ind. He received an excellent education and after completing his high-school studies entered the University of Minnesota in 1869. After taking two courses of college work he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science and Civil Engineer. Then, for a time, in order to gain practical experience, he was employed in railroad construction and in the spring of the Centennial year he came to Colorado. Going to Blackhawk he was employed in the smelting plant until the spring of 1877, when he entered the service of Hal Sayr. Four years having rolled away he left Mr. Sayr and started in business for himself in Central City. From 1881 until 1884 he was alone and then a partnership between himself and former employer was formed. In 1886, Mr. Sayr retiring, Mr. Rank and Edwin E. Chase entered upon their connection. They are both United States deputy mineral surveyors. In his line of duty Mr. Rank has made a great many maps of Gilpin and Clear Creek Counties, and assisted in surveying the road of the tramway company. He has laid out ditches and roads also, and has been county surveyor of Gilpin County five terms. In fact, he and his partner have divided the honors of that position between them for nearly eighteen years.
For six or seven years Mr. Rank held the office of city surveyor of Central City, being elected each year. He has always been a loyal Republican, but in the last campaign favored the silver side in the great contention. He has often attended the conventions of his party and has been chairman of the county committee. For one term he acted in the capacity of city alderman. His personal popularity is plainly manifested by the numerous and varied public positions of trust and prominence which he has been called upon to fill from time to time. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Central City Lodge No. 6, A. F. & A. M. When a student in the University of Minnesota he was identified with the Alpha Nu and the Chi Psi Greek letter societies.
In 1879 Mr. Rank married Miss Clara B. Childs, of Prescott, Wis. She was born in Ohio, and is a daughter of Joel Childs, also a native of Ohio. The five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rank are: Clara Louse, Arzelia Mart, Mollie Fay, Frank and Raymond. In 1895 Mr. Rank took his family to Denver and located them in a pleasant home there, in order that the children might enjoy better educational advantages. His eldest daughter is a member of the Denver high school, in the class of 1899.
HOMAS F. WALSH, junior member of the firm of Gove & Walsh, architects, with office in the McPhee building, Denver, was born in Chicago August 1, 1866. The house where he was born stood on Sherman street, about one-half mile from the present site of the courthouse. At the time of the great fire the family lived on Fifth avenue, between Polk and Taylor streets, in the block where the fire first crossed the river. When the flames leaped madly from house to house and the people fled in terror before the fire fiend, they escaped on a wagon drawn by men, as horses could not be obtained at any price. After going a few blocks to the south they reached the limit of the fire, and were then safe.
Though Mr. Walsh was then a child of only five years, he distinctly remembers the terrors of that night, which left an impression never to be eradicated from his mind. At the time the fire started the family were in bed, but between ten and eleven o'clock they got up and dressed, and at one in the morning they were compelled to flee for their lives. They took refuge on a freight platform, where they spent the entire day. Of their wearing apparel and household goods they saved only a mattress, a basket of dishes and the clothes they wore. Relatives accommodated them with two rooms, and after a few days they rented a house on the west side. Four months later, February 9, 1872, the father died, and the day after his youngest child, a daughter, was born.
The primary education of our subject was obtained in the parochial schools, which he attended
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. until twelve years of age. At the age of thirteen he secured employment in the office of a firm of architects, where he remained a year, and afterward he was with Edbrooke & Burnham, of Chicago for six years. Coming west to Denver, he was for one year an employe of Robert S. Roeschlaub, but then returned to Chicago, where he spent six years with Holabird & Roche. In 1894 he entered into his present partnership, as a member of the firm of Gove & Walsh. He is a skillful architect, possessing the excellent judgment and shrewd business qualifications that almost invariably bring success. He was married in Denver in 1891, his wife being Flora L. Clemmons, by whom he has three children: Loraine, born in Chicago; and Donald and Thomas F., Jr., born in Denver.
The success which Mr. Walsh has won is largely due to his untiring perseverance. He is a tireless worker, with keen intuition and great energy, His success is all the more commendable when the fact is considered that he has been self-supporting from boyhood. His father, John Walsh, died when he was a mere lad, and from that time he was obliged to assist in the maintenance of the other members of the family. He was the third in a family of six children and the oldest son in the family, so that upon him the responsibility of supporting the others largely devolved.
INCENT McDOWELL, a farmer and stockraiser living in the southeastern part of Douglas County, owns valuable property on section 21, township 10, range 66 west, four miles from Greenland. When he came to Colorado in 1879 he settled in Douglas County, about eight miles from his present place of residence. After a year he sold the property and for two years operated as a renter, after which he bought two hundred and forty acres. By a subsequent purchase he has become the owner, altogether, of nine hundred and sixty acres, the whole forming a valuable ranch.
Born in Dallas County, Mo., January 12, 1839, our subject is a son of Garrett and Nancy (Estes) McDowell. His father, who was born in Kentucky of Scotch ancestry, removed to Illinois with his parents in boyhood and settled in St. Clair County, where he married. Later he removed to Fountain County, Ind., and from there, in 1837, to Dallas County, Mo. In 1846 he went to Mahaska County, Iowa, and thence to Jasper County, the same state, where he died in 1855. He left four children, of whom Vincent, the third, was about sixteen years of age. At the time of his death he was operating a hotel in Monroe and was also the owner of forty acres near that town and two hundred and forty acres in Mahaska County. To the latter place the widowed mother, with our subject and a sister, returned soon after his death, and there the mother remained until 1866.
In 1860 our subject came to Colorado for the first time, driving across the plains with an oxteam and spending fifty-eight days on the way. He arrived in Denver June 2 and from there proceeded to the mines at Central City, where he remained until March, 1863. Then, returning to Iowa, he remained until 1864, when he drove an ox-team to Virginia City, Mont., taking a load of flour and bacon. He sold the flour at $32 a hundred and bacon at fifty cents a pound. Selling his team and buying a team of mules, he drove to Salt Lake; where he sold the mules and bought horses. With the latter he came through to Denver in the same year, 1864. Going to the mines at Idaho Springs, he remained there until July 4, 1865. He then returned to Iowa, and in 1866 moved the family to Jefferson County, Kan., where he engaged in farm pursuits for twelve years.
The marriage of Mr. McDowell in Monroe County, Iowa, October 29, 1863, united him with Miss Rhoda M. Donegan, of Monroe County, but a native of Jefferson County, Iowa. Her parents, John and Maria (Roberts) Donegan, were natives respectively of Ohio and Maine, and were married in Ohio, removing thence to Iowa in 1844. From Kansas our subject came to Colorado and has since made his home in Douglas County, where he is known as an experienced and enterprising cattle-dealer and raiser. His attention is given closely to farm work, and he has little leisure and less inclination to mingle in official matters. However, he is a firm adherent of Democratic principles, having voted that ticket at every election since 1864, when he supported George B. McClellan. He and his wife became the parents of seven children. Etta, who was born in Kansas, married Edgar Chambers and has one child, Darrell, now six years old. Mrs.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 993
Chambers is a widow and lives with her parents. Eva and Effie (twins) were born in Kansas. The former is the wife of Richard Peake, of Grand Junction, and has one daughter, Frances L.; Effie married James Mclnroy, of Douglas County, and has a son, Harold Vincent. The other children are: Mary, Alice, Frank and James.
While in the latter town Mr. Wright was united in marriage with Miss Maria F. Broad, of Milton, Mass., who was born in Maine, but removed to Massachusetts in childhood. During his period of residence in Dedham Mr. Wright was connected with the blacksmith's department of a woolen plant, but after a few years in that capacity he started a shop of his own at Pine Tree Brook in Milton, where he carried on business for some years. On selling out he returned to Dedham, where he opened a harness and trimming shop, and also followed the trades of wheelwright and blacksmith. After a number of years he bought an interest in a livery stable, which he conducted for two years.
In 1874, disposing of his interests in Massachusetts, Mr. Wright came to Colorado, where he worked in Pueblo a few months. In July he went to Idaho Springs, where he worked for a stage company. In December, 1876, he sent for his family, who joined him, and they resided in Idaho Springs until their removal to Douglas County in 1878. Here he homesteaded the farm he has since placed under cultivation and improved with good buildings. He and his wife are the parents of three living children, namely: Louise, Minnie and Frank H. Louise married Daniel Wilson, by whom she has five children; they reside on a ranch near her father's place. Minnie is the wife of Hiram Ellis and has four children, their home being on a ranch near the old homestead. Frank H. is married and makes his home in Denver. From early boyhood Mr. Wright has been a stanch Republican and his first presidential ballot was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1856. When in Dedham he became a member of Orient Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is an industrious, hard-working man, who richly deserves the prosperity he has gained as well as whatever of fortune the future may bring him.
EORGE F. ALEXANDER, M.D., of Castle Rock, Douglas County, is a descendant in the fourth generation of a Scotchman who crossed the ocean and made settlement near Salem, Middlesex County, Conn. Since that time the family have been residents and farmers in that state. The doctor's father, George W. Alexander, was born in New London County, Conn., and married Nancy R. Chapel; both are now about sixty-seven years of age.
The subject of this sketch was born at Uncasville, New London County, Conn., January 9, 1859. His boyhood days were spent in the village, where his father moved from the farm when he was eight years of age. He attended the graded schools and after completing the regular course therein he went to Portville, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., where he studied medicine under Dr. Goodrich. At the same time, and in order to earn the means with which to prosecute his studies, he worked in the office of William G. Johnson, a manufacturer of dyes in his home town, for three years. Afterward he took a four years' course of study in the medical department of the Buffalo University, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1885. During his summer vacations he worked in a drug store and in the state insane hospital, where for two years he had considerable experience in the treatment of nervous diseases.
After his graduation in 1885, Dr. Alexander
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. returned to his home and began to practice his profession, continuing in Uncasville for four years. While there he married Arline H., the daughter of Frederick Harris, member of the firm of Shepherd & Harris, merchant tailors of New London. Mrs. Alexander was born in New London and received splendid educational advantages, being a graduate of Vassar. She became the wife of Dr. Alexander February 13, 1889. Her health failed while the doctor was taking a course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Brooklyn, and he brought her to Colorado, settling in Fort Collins, where he built up a good practice. The change, however, did not benefit his wife, and she died in 1892. The following year, having invested and lost almost his entire property in mining interests, he came to Castle Rock and has since established a reputation as a skillful physician among the people here. February 3, 1898, he married Miss Bessie Shaw, who was born in Oregon, received her education at Athens, Ohio, and at the time of her marriage was living at Canon City, Colo., where her father held a pastorate.
While he was reared to believe in the Democracy Dr. Alexander has for some years held his allegiance to the Republican party and voted for its candidates. While living in Connecticut he became connected with the Oxoboxo Lodge No. 116, A. F. & A. M., of Montville, Conn., from which he received a demit on his removal. He is medical examiner for the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Woodmen of the World at Castle Rock.
The subject of this biography is of English descent, though on both sides of the family his ancestors were connected with the colonial New England for generations. The Clarks, an old Massachusetts family, took a leading part in the development of the state and furnished numerous brilliant men to the commonwealth.
Eugene B. Clark is the only member of a once large family circle in the west. He was born in Westville, N. Y., January 18, 1854, and was brought up in that vicinity. He received good educational advantages, and was a student in the public schools of his home district until he was seventeen years old. In 1888 he became a member of the firm of Lowell & Clark, and continued the business at the old location, on Gregory street. In January, 1897, having purchased his partner's interest, Mr. Clark succeeded to the whole business and has since managed it entirely alone. His large double store warehouses and three basements are splendidly stocked with a full line of heavy and shelf hardware, mill, mine and assayer's tools, implements and supplies. The volume of trade, both wholesale and retail, which he handles, is really phenomenal, and speaks well for his far-sightedness and judicious methods of transacting business. He is a director in the Rocky Mountain Bank of Central City and has investments in mining property. In manner he is genial and courteous, making friends wherever he goes and winning the esteem of all.
In 1881 Mr. Clark married Miss Catherine Launder in Blackhawk. Mrs. Clark is a native of Michigan, while her parents were from New Haven, Conn. Three sons and one daughter comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Clark, and are named as follows: Ernest, Chester, Elmer and Dorothy.
EORGE RATCLIFFE is one of the largest land owners in Douglas County, and, indeed, in the entire state of Colorado. He is the owner of a ranch comprising five thousand acres, all of which, excepting one-half section, lies in a
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body, on West Plum Creek, ten miles from Sedalia. Here he settled in 1861, when the land was wild and raw, and settlers few, his nearest neighbor being where the schoolhouse now stands. At first he bought a comparatively small tract, but as the years passed he added to it until his possessions reached a large acreage.
In Derby, Derbyshire, England, Mr. Ratcliffe was born January 26, 1837, a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Ball) Ratcliffe. He was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. In Chester, England, May 12, 1857, he married Miss Mary Nixon, who was born near Hartford, Cheshire, England, a daughter of Andrew and Ziprah Nixon. Soon after their marriage they started for America, and after a voyage of six weeks and three days, landed in New York in July, 1857. From there they went to Marengo, Iowa County, Iowa, where Mr. Ratcliffe secured work by the day. After two years he went to Salt Lake and began to work for Miller, Russell, Waddell & Co., with whom he remained, on the pony express conducted by them, until 1860. He then came to Denver, and here loaned out all his money and soon lost it through the failure of the parties to whom it had been loaned. Remaining in Denver until February, 1860, he then took a hunting trip in the vicinity of his present home, and was so pleased with the location that he took a squatter's claim down the creek from his present home. In 1862 he sold the claim and moved to his present location, where he has since improved a valuable ranch, and has four hundred and fifty head of cattle. In 1868, during the Indian troubles, he removed his family to Littleton.
Mr. and Mrs. Ratcliffe have four children, the eldest of whom, Elizabeth, married William Dillon, an attorney of Chicago, and has four children. The others are Pearl, Richard and Lucy, Mrs. John H. Clark, who lives on a ranch near the home of her parents. In politics Mr. Ratcliffe has been a firm adherent of the Democratic party ever since he came to this country, and upon that ticket he was three times elected county commissioner of Douglas County. In his native land he attended the Episcopal Church and has always favored its doctrines, though he has not identified himself with the denomination. He assisted in the erection of St. Philip's Church, which is near his home. Since he came here, more than thirty-five years ago, he has witnessed many changes in the surrounding country. Settlers have been attracted hither, farms have been opened up and land improved, while on every hand little towns have sprung into existence. He well remembers how, in his early days here, he often was obliged to go armed while gathering his crops, lest he might be suddenly attacked by the Indians, who, though friendly at first, afterward proved to be treacherous and dangerous enemies. In common with other early settlers he holds membership in the Association of Colorado Pioneers.
In 1883 Mr. Wolfensberger crossed the ocean to America, spending eleven days on the ocean and landing in New York, whence he went to Milwaukee, joining a brother in that city. He secured employment on a farm in Wisconsin. After he had been in this country for eighteen months he entered school, in order to perfect himself in the English language. He was successful in his work, and being economical, when he landed in Denver, March 17, 1886, he had $300 in cash. After coming here he engaged in various occupations, and at such employment as would furnish him an honest living. He took up a homestead near Sedalia, but sold it after he had held it for five years and proved up on it.
July 17, 1891, Mr. Wolfensberger married Miss
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Martha Bengtson, who had a homestead near their present place of residence. She was born in Sweden and accompanied other members of her family to this country. After she had settied in Colorado, her father, John Bengtson, came here and also took up a homestead. Of her marriage three children have been born: Edward, Torgny and Alice. In politics Mr. Wolfensberger is independent, but in 1888 he voted for the Democratic candidate, Grover Cleveland. He inclines to the Lutheran Church, having been reared in its faith. Fraternally he in connected with Castlewood Camp, Woodmen of the World.
Born in Cass County, Iowa, December 3, 1858, our subject is one of the six children of James W. and Isabelle (Slater) Brinkerhuff. Only three of the little family circle remain, Samuel, James and Rebecca. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, was born July 8, 1811. He married while young, and had five children by his first marriage, of whom two, George and Adeline, survive. After his first marriage James W. Brinkerhuff removed to Ohio, and made his home in that state until 1854. He then settled in Iowa and in 1866 came to Colorado. Here he engaged in farming on Clear Creek, near Denver. Some years afterward he took up his residence on Ralston Creek, about six miles from Golden, and on this farm his death took place in 1874. His marriage with our subject's mother had been solemnized in Ohio. She survived him, and in 1878 she homesteaded a tract of eighty acres, a portion of the farm now in the possession of her son Samuel. Her death occurred in 1891. After his father's death our subject took upon himself many of the cares and responsibilities of the household, and rapidly developed into a stalwart, noble manhood. He worked with a will in improving the new farm and ere many years had rolled over his head, he was classed with the best farmers of the district. In 1892 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of adjoining property, thus increasing his home farm to one of two hundred acres. He is a member of the order of the Woodmen of the World, belonging to Mountain Valley Camp No. 31. Politically he advocates the Democratic party platform.
Im (sic) 1885 Mr. Brinkerhuff married Miss Lavina Ballinger, daughter of Harmon Ballinger, their marriage being celebrated at the home of the lady's father, a few miles from Golden. She is a native of Colorado, her birth having taken place upon the parental homestead on Ralston's Creek. Five daughters grace the happy home of our subject and his wife. Their names in order of birth are as follows: Rosa May, Jennie L., Beulah M., Bertha L. and Erma I. The family ranks deservedly high among the residents of this locality and their pleasant home is the frequent scene of cheerful gatherings of friends.
LFRED AULSEBROOK is the proprietor of the Pioneer ranch, on section 21, township 10, range 65 west, ten miles east of Greenland, Douglas County, his land aggregating nine hundred and fifty-five acres, of which all but forty acres all in one body. He was born near Nottingham, England, December 23, 1842, and was brought to America at four months of age by his parents, John G. and Martha (Cocking) Aulsebrook. His father, who settled in Jefferson County, Wis., bought a farm of eighty acres and there resided until his death, at eighty-three years. His wife afterward came to Colorado and made her home with a daughter in Gilpin County, where her death occurred. Her remains were taken back to Wisconsin and buried beside her husband's body.
When about nineteen years of age our subject began to be self-supporting. In 1863 he came to Colorado and for a time worked in mines. As soon as he had earned a little money, he paid a debt of $40 owed an older brother, who had loaned him the necessary amount to make the trip to Colorado. In time he became owner of a one-third interest in a twenty-five-stamp mill, an enterprise which he conducted prosperously for
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