GEORGE STEARLY.
Mardos Collection
GEORGE STEARLY.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1009
rence, Kan., January 6, 1864. They have but one child, a son, William, born in Colorado, and residing with his parents.
EORGE STEARLY may be counted among those who, by industry and frugality, have gained a competency, and are classed as substantial, representative citizens of Colorado. He is now living in LaPorte, Larimer County, where he has six acres of land planted to fruit, his orchard containing choice apple, cherry and plum trees. He is of the sturdy German race, having been born in Wurtemberg, Germany, near Stuttgart, April 19, 1851. His father, George, was a brick manufacturer of that place, but brought his family to America about 1854, and settled in Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, Pa., where he engaged in coal mining until 1868. He then moved to Wood River, Buffalo County, Neb., and took up a homestead, upon which he resided until his death, when over seventy years old. The mother, Barbara Craft Stearly, was also a native of Germany, and now resides on the old homestead. There were eight children, seven sons and one daughter. Six sons are living, three in the vicinity of the old home, and three in Colorado. John lives near Pueblo, and Samuel at Victor.
George Stearly was the oldest member of the family, and lived in Pennsylvania until seventeen years of age. He attended the public schools until twelve, when he began work as a slate picker in a colliery, and later was employed in mines. In the spring of 1868 he came west to Nebraska, where he was employed for a year at Sheldon, on section 30, on the Union Pacific Railroad. The following year he went to Nebraska City, and was apprenticed for two years to learn the trade of a blacksmith. At the expiration of his apprenticeship he began blacksmithing for himself at Marysville, Kan., where he remained two years, then came to LaPorte and continued the same work. His shop for the first two years was in an old log building, and in 1875 he built the shop now owned by him. About this time he went to Snake River, Grant County, on a prospecting and mining expedition, but returned to his old stand, and once more took up blacksmithing, which he still carries on. He is interested in mining, being one of the owners of the Gold Bug mine at Manhattan. He has a finely improved farm of five hundred and sixty acres, near LaPorte, which he pre-empted, timber claimed and homesteaded. This is all under high cultivation, has good buildings, and is irrigated by the Water Supply and Storage Company, whose ditch he helped put through. There is a large orchard on the farm, and he raises a large crop of onions, also wheat, oats and alfalfa. When he came to the state there were many French and Indians, and the main business was stock-raising, as the country was all an open plain. He is a large stock-raiser, for the past seven years devoting much of his attention to the raising of mules, and easily takes the lead in that line in the county. His brand is the letter T with lazy S. He made a great many brands when in the shop.
Mr. Stearly was married in Denver to Miss Sarah E. Winter, a native of Pennsylvania. They have one child, Byron. Politically Mr. Stearly is a silver Republican, and is interested in the success of his party, but has never been an aspirant for office, although he has served on the school board.
ENRY G. CHURCHES, a successful farmer residing six miles east of Longmont, in Weld County, was born in Somersetshire, England, September 11, 1852, a son of John and Mary A. (Collipriest) Churches. He was one of seven children, of whom three are living: Georgiana, wife of Kane G. Baldwin, of Nashville, Tenn.; Henry G., our subject; and Sarah A., who resides with her parents. His father, also a native of Somersetshire, was born in 1823 and grew to manhood upon a farm. After his marriage he settled upon a farm of his own, and being a man of great enterprise and activity, he engaged successfully in farming, dairying, cheesemaking, butchering and stock-raising. In 1855 he crossed the ocean and settled in Dubuque County, Iowa, where he spent the winter; thence removing to Sullivan County, Mo., he resided there for five years, engaged in farming. His next removal, in 1862, brought him and his family to Colorado. For one year he worked for a dairyman in Jefferson, assisting in butter and cheese making. He then bought his present property, four miles northeast of Golden, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres. At first
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. he bought squatters' rights and when the land was surveyed, proved on it. Here at first he gave his entire attention to cheese and butter making, but later embarked in the stock business and horse-breeding quite extensively. For twelve years he also carried on a meat market in Golden. To-day he is one of the substantial men of Jefferson County, owning nearly nine hundred acres of land and other interests. Among his large circle of acquaintances he is known as "Uncle Johnny."
At twenty-one years of age our subject began business life for himself. For seven years he farmed one hundred and sixty acres, owned by his father, in Weld County, receiving one-half of the products for his own, and also one hundred and sixty acres of his own. In 1881 he acquired his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Weld County, six miles from Longmont. February 22, 1881, he was united in marriage with Miss Belle Haslip, a native of Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of Robert Haslip, who was born in Ireland, of Scotch descent, and came to America in 1830, settling in New York state, where he spent some years. On his removal to Pennsylvania, he settled upon a farm in Mercer County. In 1856 he removed to Blue Earth County, Minn., and there continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1892.
After his marriage our subject, with his young wife, settled on his newly acquired homestead and began farming his land, also embarked in the cattle business. He gained an increasing prosperity, and is to-day one of the representative farmers of the county. He and his wife became the parents of six children, four of whom are living: Mary B., Harry Boyd, Henry Glen and John Robert. In religion Mr. Churches is identified with the United Brethren denomination. Fraternally he is a member of Longmont Tent No. 13, K. O. T. M.
Garrett M. Stewart, father of our subject, was a native of Kentucky. He became a pioneer in Missouri, having entered from the government land in Schuyler County. He was a justice of the peace for years, and was twice a candidate for the legislature. Always interested in educational matters, he organized the first school district in his section of Missouri, and was himself a teacher for several years. His wife, who was Sarah B. Goodrich prior to their marriage, was a native of Tennessee. Their family comprised seven children, only two of whom now survive, Henry F. and Isaac N., of Weld County.
The birth of H. F. Stewart occurred in Schuyler County, Mo., June 2, 1849. His father died when he was a child of eight years and the mother lived but eight years longer. The eldest brother, James G., lost his life in the Civil war. He had volunteered as a private in the Tenth Missouri Infantry, and while on duty as a guard for prisoners of war at Rock Island, Ill., he contracted small-pox, which disease resulted in his death. A sister, Sarah, married Isaac M. Yates, a teacher in the schools of Ottumuwa and Oskaloosa, Iowa. After the death of our subject's father and elder brother the care of the family gradually devolved upon his youthful shoulders. He assumed the management of the old farm and eventually bought out the other heirs.
In 1877 H. F. Stewart sold the farm to his brothers, W. R. and Isaac N., and removed to Colorado. At first he settled near Longmont, but in 1879 purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres. There were no ditches here then, and he became one of the most active promoters of the Home Supply Ditch and Reservoir Company. This company was organized by about a score of the pioneers who met and discussed plans but were unable to raise the small amount of the incorporation fee. They managed to carry on the project, giving notes, and had the
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1011
company incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000. Since then the capital stock has been doubled and everything is in a most flourishing condition, Mr. Stewart was the president of the concern for three years and has been on the board of directors.
The first marriage of Mr. Stewart was with Anna L. Brautley, a native of Alabama. The ceremony was performed January 27, 1871. Their only child is Mary, wife of William Ginther, who is a farmer of Lone Tree Lake district, Larimer County, Colo. May 1, 1879, Mr. Stewart married Hannah J. Whittaker, daughter of I. N. and Louisa (Norman) Whittaker, natives of Virginia. The father was a successful farmer, and was one of the early settlers of Schuyler County, Mo., where Mrs. Stewart was born, there he held the office of justice of the peace for years and was a man of prominence in his prime. He is now living with his married daughter, Lucinda, Mrs. William Branstraitor, of Davis County, Iowa, The six children of Henry F. and Hannah Stewart are named as follows: Louie M., Don G., Hallie, Clay W., Homer F. and Ruby P. Mrs. Stewart is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
ENJAMIN PRINCE, senior member of the firm of B. Prince & Son, coal miners and dealers, at Morrison, Jefferson County, was born in Worcestershire, England, May 25, 1848, a son of George and Anne (Sambrook) Prince. He is the eldest of the five surviving members of the family, the others being: Catherine, wife of Thomas Williams; John, who lives in Erie, Weld County, Colo.; James, also living in Erie; and Rachel, wife of Joseph Sambrook of Erie.
A native of England, born at Oldbury in 1826, George Prince was employed in coal mines from earliest youth, and followed mining until his death, which occurred in 1896. His wife is still living and makes her home with her daughter in Erie. Benjamin Prince, of this sketch, acquired a very hunted education, and the knowledge he now possesses was obtained principally by reading and self-culture. In boyhood he secured work in the Oldbury coal mines, where he remained until eighteen years of age, Thence going to Yorkshire, England, he worked at Nomanton, twelve miles from Leeds, for ten years.
January 4, 1877, he set sail for America, buying a ticket direct to Golden, where he arrived January 25. Here he was employed in the coal mines for eighteen months, after which he came to his present location and leased the coal bank that he has since operated, with the exception of three years (1882-85) spent in Denver. In 1885 he released the coal bank and two years later bought the property, consisting of eighty acres. Here may be seen some of the most valuable clay beds in Colorado, the veins running from six to one hundred and twenty-five feet wide. The strata contains twenty-three veins of clay and seven veins of coal.
May 20, 1866, Mr. Prince married Miss Maria Louise Basterfield, a native of Worcestershire. Ten children were born of their union, but only four of these are now living, viz.: George W., Sarah J., Albert B. and David S. The eldest son, who is the junior member of the firm of B. Prince & Son, is one of the rising young business men of Colorado. He has practically grown to manhood in the mines, and profiting from what he has seen, he has become an expert miner. Some time since he, with his brother Albert as a partner, located a group of five mines on Soda Creek, three miles below Idaho Springs, known as the Chance group of mines. Here the brothers worked diligently to develop the property, and recently were rewarded for their labors by striking a rich body of ore. So highly are they regarded by their acquaintances that they are not only welcomed as genial companions, but their good judgment is praised and their advice is sought by many miners who have made mining their lifetime study. They have bright prospects before them, and there is every indication that ere many years shall have passed they will rank among the wealthy and prominent miners in the state.
LONZO STRONG BABCOCK. Four miles south of Littleton, on section 6, township 6 south, range 68 west, lie nine hundred and sixty acres comprising the homestead of Mr. Babcock. In addition to this property he has the control of six hundred and forty acres, also lying in Douglas County. Since be came here, in the fall of 1859, and took up a squatters' claim, his nearest neighbor being on Wolcott's place, he has witnessed time gradual development of
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Douglas County, and its settlement by substantial farmers. The land was a wilderness when he came, and it was only after years of labor on his part that it was placed under cultivation. For some time he made his home in a log cabin, and later he built a log house that furnished him with more room; the house in which he now lives is a stone building of a substantial character. He has given his attention to general farming and the cattle business, in the latter of which he has been particularly successful.
In Willimantic, Windham County, Conn., the subject of this sketch was born February 20, 1838, a son of Elijah and Mary A. (Strong) Babcock. His paternal ancestors were of English stock, and had been identified with New England from colonial days. He grew to manhood on the homestead farm and received a fair education. In 1859 he came to Colorado, in company with a brother, the two traveling by ox-team from Iowa City, where they left April 11, arriving in Boulder June 25. In the latter city he assisted in laying out the town. His ventures at mining did not meet with success, although he tried it in the mountains at Central City and other places. He came to what is now Douglas County and during the first winter here lived on what game could be secured by the aid of his rifle. Deer were especially plentiful, and many of them fell beneath his unerring aim. Early in 1860 he settled upon his present homestead.
The first marriage of Mr. Babcock took place in 1864 and united him with Miss Rose Estlack, by whom he had three children, namely: Jessie, who married John Pollock and lives at Spring Valley, Colo.; Eugene and Charles A., who reside on the home farm. In 1878 Mr. Babcock was united in marriage with Miss Lillian Darrow, whose home was near Chicago, but who had, for some time been teaching school in Douglas County. She was born in LaSalle County, Ill., and was a graduate of Chicago schools. Her parents, Anderson and May (Henderson) Darrow, were pioneers of Illinois.
Politically a Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Babcock has been a delegate to various conventions and was nominated by his party for sheriff of Douglas County. The nomination, however, was made against his wishes and he refused to make a canvass for office. From December, 1878, to 1882, he served as deputy United States marshal for the district of Colorado. At this writing he is serving as deputy sheriff. He remembers this section of country in the days when settlers were few and improvements rare, and when Indians threatened the lives of the few white men here. In 1864 the red men came through this county on a raid, and our subject, with a company of nearly forty men, chased them some ninety miles, failing, however, to overtake them. He has contributed his quota to the development of the material resources of the county, among whose citizens he has long held a prominent place.
January 3, 1882, Mr. Williams married Miss Mary Russell, of El Paso County. She was born in Douglas County, a daughter of John and Honora (Foley) Russell, and received a public-school education. They are the parents of seven living children, namely: Minnie, Anna, Oliver Perry, Frances, Ruth, Grace and William McKinley, all of whom were born on the home farm. Mr. Williams owns about seventy head of cattle but makes farming his principal occupation, and in it he has met with success. Politically he has always been a Republican. His party elected him county commissioner, which position he held for three years. He was also nominated for the legislature and for county clerk in 1897, but failed
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of election. Fraternally he is connected with Monument Camp No. 302, Woodmen of the World, of which he was consul for a time.
The mother of Mr. Williams continued to make her home in Colorado until her death, which occurred November 27, 1897, at eighty-one years of age, her birth having occurred May 16, 1816. Her husband was a year older than herself; born in 1815.
LIAS ROBERTS resides in the southeastern part of Douglas County, on section 31, township 11, range 65, ten miles northeast of Monument, El Paso County. In 1879 he bought the improvements already made and homesteaded one hundred, and sixty acres, to which he has since added until his landed possessions now aggregate four hundred and eighty acres in his home ranch and three hundred and sixty acres near Eastonville. Here he engages in general farm pursuits.
In Shelby County, Ind., Mr. Roberts was born April 3, 1842, a son of Wade and Mathana (Nail) Roberts. When he was nine years of age his parents moved to Macoupin County, Ill., where they rented land for a few years. Later they bought two hundred acres in Montgomery County, and from there in 1866 removed to Dade County, Mo. In 1872 removal was made to Morgan County, Mo., but two years later they went to Texas, and from there returned to Morgan County, where the father died in 1893. The mother is still living in Morgan County and is seventy-eight years of age. All of her ten children are living, Elias being the second of these in order of birth. His boyhood days were spent in farm work in the various places where his parents resided. He received a fair education in common schools.
The marriage of Mr. Roberts was solemnized October 27, 1864, and united him with Miss Nancy A. Laughlin, who was born in Beaver County, Pa. She accompanied her parents, Thomas and Nancy (Wright) Laughlin, to Dade County, Mo., and from there during the war moved to Montgomery County, Ill., where they remained until the close of the war. It is a singular coincidence that Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were born on the same day and year, he the second of ten children and she the second of nine, and both had one sister older.
In 1865 Mr. Roberts settled in Dade County, Mo., and rented land belonging to his wife's father. A year later he bought sixty acres of unimproved land, and there remained until 1872, when he sold out and the following year came to Colorado. Leaving his old home May 13, with an ox-team and a drove of cattle he started on the long journey across the plains, and after a hard trip of ten weeks he reached his destination. In the fall he took a pre-emption claim near Eastonville, and for a few weeks slept in his wagon, but as soon as he had built a log shanty he removed his household effects to it. In 1878 he sold the claim and the following year bought his present property.
Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have three children: The older son, Thomas W., was born in Montgomery County, Ill., and is a farmer, owning two hundred and twenty acres of land near the homestead; Ida Adella was born in Dade County, Mo., and is with her parents; Homer L., also a native of Dade County, owns and cultivates sixty acres of land near Eastonville. Mr. Roberts was reared in the faith of the Democracy, but is not active in politics, preferring to devote himself to his agricultural interests.
OREN SORENSEN, one of the successful merchants of Golden and a member of the firm of Wasson & Sorensen, was born in Nordordalen, Norway, June 12, 1849, the son of John and Kari (Olson) Sorensen, also natives of Norway. His father, who was a farmer in the old country, died in Kansas while visiting his son there in 1896; and during the same year his wife passed away in Norway. They were the parents of ten children, all but one of whom are still living, six of these being in America.
In the common schools of Norway the subject of this sketch received a fair education. In July, 1868, he came from Copenhagen to New York, thence traveled west to Janesville, Wis., where he was employed for a short time. In the spring of 1869 he took up a homestead claim in Kansas, eighty acres of which were within the railroad limit, in Waubansee County, near Altavista. After he had proved upon the property he bought an adjacent tract, making a total acreage of one hundred and sixty; which he improved and placed under cultivation. Eighteen years were spent on
1014
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. that place, after which, in 1887, he came to Golden, but soon went to the mining district in the San Luis Valley, where he pre-empted a claim. Returning to Golden in less than two years, he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law and established the grocery house of Wasson & Sorensen, on Washington avenue, where he has since conducted business. In 1897 he built a comfortable residence on Second street.
Politically Mr. Sorensen is a Republican and while in Kansas served as treasurer of his school district. During his residence in that state he married Margaret E. Wasson, who was born in Peoria, Ill. They are the parents four sons, Roy, George, Dudley and Alfred. He has a fine family of sons and is justly proud of their ability and intelligence. He is a man of great moral worth and fine character. He is fond of his home, as is natural to the people who come from that country where nothing is held in higher reverence than the sanctity of the home and family. Like others of that nationality, he possesses the thrift, sound common sense and determination of character that almost invariably bring financial prosperity. By his honest dealings with all, he has won the patronage of the people of Golden and the surrounding country, who hold him in the highest esteem for his integrity and honorable character.
OHN B. BLUNT, a farmer and dairyman, resides one and one-quarter miles east of Sedalia, Douglas County, where he owns a ranch of sixteen hundred acres. He came to this state from Kansas in 1873, driving a herd of cattle, and joined his wife and son, who had preceded him some months. Soon settling on his present homestead, he bought one hundred and sitxy (sic) acres, to which he has added from time to time until the place has reached its present proportions. In 1874 he erected the residence where he has since made his home.
In the town of Franklin, Hancock County, Me., Mr. Blunt was born June 18, 1836, a son of John and Elmira (Blunt) Blunt. His father, who was a farmer, moved to Darke County, Ohio, in 1852 and bought land, making his home there until the fall of 1855. Early in that year John B. and his older half-brother, Elbridge G., went to Franklin County, Kan., and squatted on government land,, the father soon following his sons,
He was three times married and had children by each union. James O., who was born of the first marriage, graduated from the Columbus (Ohio) Medical College and went to Kansas in 1856, afterward taking part in the border wars of pre-Rebellion times. When the Civil war opened he raised a company, of which he was made captain, and later, by reason of valor in conflict, was promoted to be a major-general. After the war he made Leavenworth, Kan., his home, but the management of business for Indian tribes kept him in Washington, D. C., much of his time and there he died. He left three children.
Elbridge G. Blunt, who was a son of John Blunt by his first marriage, was a sailor for a number of years previous to the war. He crossed the ocean twelve times and was shipwrecked three times; once, when sailing to Ireland, during the famine there, with a cargo of corn, he was wrecked and was obliged to throw all the corn overboard. During the Civil war he served in the command of his older brother, the major-general, and acted as a scout. After the war he removed to Chicago, where he was employed as an engineer. His death occurred in that city in September, 1896. He had married Miss Mary B. Garton, of Darke County, Ohio, and left five children.
In 1861 the subject of this sketch enlisted in Company A, Third Kansas Infantry, which afterward was consolidated with the Fourth Kansas Infantry, and became Company C, Tenth Kansas Infantry. In July, 1862, he was raised from the ranks to be first lieutenant of Company D, Third Regiment of Indian Home Guards, and was in the scouting service, taking part in many skirmishes and the battles of Newtonia, Mo., and Greenleaf Prairie, I. T. He was never wounded nor captured, and though sick for a time, he was too plucky to go to the hospital. At Newtonia he was in command of sixty Indians; there were a few hundred against several thousand, and the small band, after being surrounded, had to cut their way out. In the fall of 1863 he resigned on account of poor health and because his father needed his assistance. After his resignation he took part in the battle of Westport, where he commanded a company, and later he was commissioned as captain by Governor Crawford.
In April, 1864, Mr. Blunt married Miss May Hansborough, their wedding being solemnized at
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Mount Gilead, Anderson County, Kan. Three children were born of their union: The oldest, Elmer Valentine, whose birth occurred in Franklin County, Kan., February 14, 1865, is now living at the home place. The only daughter, Ella, died in Kansas when two years of age; and Harry, the youngest child, died in Colorado when eight years of age. The only surviving son was married, January 27, 1891, to Miss Fannie E. Brooking, of Littleton, Colo., but a native of Huntsville, Mo.; and they have one child, Mary Eugenia, born July 19, 1892. Fraternally our subject is connected with J. G. Blunt Post No. 6, G. A. R., of which he is past commander. His father was a Whig and all the sons became Republicans. Mr. Blunt was elected county commissioner of Douglas County and served for three years.
AVID BIRKLE, the owner of valuable residence and business property in Platteville, where he resides, and also the owner of finely improved farm property in Weld County, was born near Stuttgart, in the south of Germany, in 1838, a son of Christopher and Phillipene Birkle. His parents spent their entire lives in Germany, where they died, the father at seventy-five and the mother at fifty-five.
At the age of fifteen years our subject started for America, in company with an older sister. He landed in New Orleans in April, 1854, and from there proceeded to St. Joseph, Mo., where he followed the blacksmith's trade and teaming. Remaining there until 1860, he then came west in search of a location, and arrived in Denver on the 1st of June, after a tedious trip across the plains with an ox-team. Two weeks were spent in Denver, after which he went down to the Platte River and began cutting hay: Later he took up government land. In 1866 he obtained a patent for section 25, township 3, range 67, and began general farming and the stock business. From time to time he purchased other land, until he is now owner of five hundred and sixty acres, all under cultivation. As a stock dealer he has been quite successful, keeping on his place about two hundred and fifty head of cattle, besides a number of fine horses.
Recognizing the necessity of suitable irrigation, Mr. Birkle took an active interest in securing ditches and laterals. In 1866 lie aided in the organization of the Meadow Island Ditch Company, and helped to build the ditch, which waters a portion of his land. For several years he served as president of the company. In 1876 he took part in organizing the Beaman ditch, in which he became a stockholder, and for several years held the offices of president and treasurer. In 1862 he built a private ditch for watering his land, but after the construction of the larger ditches he abandoned his first ditch. In 1878 he erected a substantial stone barn on his homestead, which is said to be the finest barn in Weld County. Two years before he had built a two-story residence. Remaining on the farm until 1893, he then removed to the village of Platteville, where he had built the Birkle hall in 1888, and where he now owns several public buildings and residences.
Politically Mr. Birkle is a Democrat. He was the organizer of school district No. 13, and for eighteen years served upon the board of trustees, as president or treasurer. In 1864 he went to Missouri and there married Miss Johanna Bruner, whom lie brought back with him to his frontier home. Reaching the place, he found that the Indians had been there in his absence and had driven away some of his stock. He and his wife have gained the respect of their acquaintances during the long years of their residence in Weld County, and are known and honored for their integrity, industry and perseverance. They are the parents of five children, whom they have trained to useful manhood and womanhood. The oldest daughter, Elizabeth, is the wife of William Egner, a farmer of Weld County. The sons are John and Louis, who manage the old homestead, and the younger daughters, Rosie, wife of Charles Howard, of Platteville; and Hattie. Mr. and Mrs. Birkle are members of the Catholic Church.
OHN LOUGHRAN, a successful mine superintendent, whose home is in Central City, Gilpin County, is a self-made man in every way, as circumstances forced him to rely upon himself when he was but a child, and from a very early age he supported himself entirely. When most children are privileged to attend school he was working hard in a factory and in 1862 he and his brother Enos set out together to seek a new home and fortune in the United States, he
1016
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. being then but fourteen years of age. They experienced many of the ups and downs of life in the strange country, but managed to gain a foothold and finally came off victors in the struggle.
John Loughran, Sr., was a native of Ireland, and so was his wife, whose name before their marriage was Agnes Gollogly. In early manhood the father came to America, locating in Pennsylvania, but ultimately returned to the Emerald Isle and in 1852 removed with his family to Ayrshire, Scotland. The mother and children came to America after the death of the father. James, the eldest son, died in Iowa, and Frank, the youngest, died in Colorado. Enos, previously mentioned, is now living in Denver, as is also the next younger brother, Hugh. Maggie resides in Georgetown and Ellen in Central City. Mrs. Loughran departed this life in this city.
The birth of the subject of this article occurred in Ireland in 1848, and when he was in his fifth year his family moved to Scotland. Two years later he was initiated into the grim world of business by being employed in an Ayrshire factory, and at thirteen he was apprenticed to a brickmoulder and learned the trade. He sailed from Liverpool in the good ship "Universe" twenty-six years ago, and after a tedious voyage of six weeks and three days landed at his destination, New York City. From there he went to Wisconsin and a month later started across the plains with a party who outfitted with ox-teams. Their journey was by the oft-traveled Platte River route, a trip of seven weeks' duration. In July our subject arrived in Denver and at once came to the mountains. He prospected at Bobtail Hill, Gilpin County, for a time and then entered the employ of the old Blackhawk Company. In the years that followed he worked in nearly every mine of any importance in the district and for nine years was inside foreman of the Saratoga mine. He is now operating Wood & Buckly's mines, and exercises general management of the whole. Personally he is interested in various mining ventures and in company with three others is operating the mine known as Mountain City. He is a practical man of affairs, thoroughly understanding his business. In his political opinion, he holds with the Democratic party.
In Central City Mr. Loughran and Miss Maria Donovan were married in 1870. She was born in Boston, Mass., and has lived in this town since 1869. The following-named children were born to our subject and wife: James, an engineer at Central City; Mrs. Mamie Mackin, of Denver; John, at home; Maggie, who died when young; Katie and Joseph, both deceased; Loretta; Henry and Francis, twins.
HARLES G. HICKOX, of Central City, Gilpin County, was born in this county January 18, 1865, near the left hand fork of Willis gulch. His father, George Hickox, was born in England, but came to New York when a young man, and in 1859 came to this state and engaged in mining in Willis gulch, Russell gulch and Gilson gulch. His wife, Louisa Hemmenway, was born in New York state, and died in 1872, just three months from the time of her husband's death. Of their thirteen children, ten are now living, of whom Charles and Hiram are now in Colorado. One brother, Lewis, served through the war in a Colorado regiment, but is now in Illinois.
Charles G. Hickox, who was the youngest of the family, lived near Central City until nine years old, and then went to Golden. After his parents' death he had to do for himself, and his schooling was such as could be obtained by attending during the winter months. He remained in Jefferson County for three years, and then went to Larimer County and worked on a farm until fifteen. At that age he began working in a sawmill at Ralston, Jefferson County, and soon became head sawyer for Neil Brothers on Boulder Creek. In 1894 he came to Central City and bought the stone and brick structure, in which he has his livery, sale and boarding stable. It is a large building, 60x90 feet and two stories high; the basement is the horse stable, and the first floor is used for carriages, coaches, etc. He runs a daily stage to Idaho Springs via Russell, and a line of hacks from Blackhawk to Central City and Nevadaville. While working in the sawmill he engaged in the cattle business, and after he had been at this for a time bought a farm and continued to handle stock until he opened his livery barn. This farm consists of five hundred acres and is situated on the Ralston at the extreme east of Gilpin County, and is on the county road, occupying a beautiful location. The place
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