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owns and edits. At first the paper was quite small, but as its patronage increased the dimensions of the paper were enlarged to correspond. It is now a six-column quarto. In politics it is unswervingly Democratic, but in local affairs it does not display a partisan spirit, always supporting any measure for the good of the people, whatever its political birth might have been. In connection with the paper, there is a good job office and a specialty is made of first-class job work. The presses are modern and are operated with electricity as the motive power. In 1887 he was appointed adjutant-general of the state by Governor Adams, and during his term of office occurred the Ute outbreak. The National Guard were ordered to the field to quell the disturbance, and with General West at their head drove the marauding Indians back to their reservation. The Guard spent a month in active service, and their success was so marked that the Utes have since refrained from stealing and killing cattle, as heretofore. He served for two years as adjutant-general and became very popular with the Guard, whose equipment and drill he noticeably improved. Under his direction new uniforms were purchased and armories established at Denver, Leadville and Colorado Springs. A signal corps was also instituted, which has since been made one of the permanent adjuncts of the Guard. He is now an officer on the retired list, with the rank of brigadier-general.
General West is commander of P. H. Dodd Post No. 3, G. A. R. and is past senior vice-commander of the department of Colorado. He organized the Association of Jefferson County Pioneers, of which he has been president much of the time since. In religious belief he and his wife are Episcopalians. They have three children: Marguerite, Mrs. George M. Kimball, of Golden; Leslie B., who assists his father in the publication of the Transcript; and Harley D., now at Manila, P. I., as a member of Company K, First Colorado Volunteers.
HALMON
WRAY, a farmer of Larimer County, residing on township 4, range
69, was born in Franklin County, Va., in 1847, and is a son of
Daniel and Naomi (Johnson) Wray, natives of Virginia. His father,
who spent his entire life in the Old Dominion, followed the
pursuits of farmer, tanner and blacksmith, and was for a number of
years squire of the town, of which he was a leading citizen. His
death occurred in 1863, when he was fifty-one years of age. His
widow, who is now in her eightieth year, resides with her son,
Mankino, in Iowa.
At the age of eighteen, in 1865, Mr. Wray, of this sketch, came as far west as Marion County, Iowa, and there embarked in general farming in connection with his brother, the two renting a farm together. In 1873 he crossed the plains to Colorado, arriving in Longmont on the 4th of July. The following year, in partnership with his brother-in-law, R. J. Patterson, he rented a farm, which he assisted in cultivating for a year. He then returned to Tennessee to buy cattle, which he fed on the range. Coming from that state to Colorado, he stopped at his old home in Iowa. In 1875 he returned to Longmont and bought some cattle, which he pastured on the South Platte River. He engaged in cattle-raising until 1878, when he sold out. During the same year he bought eighty-four acres on section 14, where he now resides. March 1, 1878, he hauled the first load of stone for his present home. He made a number of valuable improvements and has followed general farming, dairying and stockraising, on his eighty-four and one-third acres of fine land, all of which is improved. He is a stockholder and director in the Farmers' roller mill at Berthoud. For some years he has held stock in the Handy Ditch Company, of which he was among the original promoters.
Politically Mr. Wray was a Democrat until 1892, since which time he has voted the People's party ticket. In religion he is identified with the German Baptist Brethren Church. April 7, 1878, he was united in marriage with Stella, daughter of John R. Ullery, one of the pioneers of Boulder County, having come here in 1863. At that time the Indians were on the warpath; they had been very troublesome some years before and more so shortly afterward, but Mr. Ullery's family were fortunate in getting through unmolested. They are the parents of three children: Nettie V., Katie E. and Edward N. The family residence is situated on the farm, near the town of Berthoud on the west. Mr. Wray raises fine fruit (principally apples), which he ships to Denver and adjoining places. He is interested
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in fruit-raising and for a number of years was secretary of the board of horticulture, during winch time he inspected fruit in various sections. In 1895 he served as judge of fruits at the Loveland fair. He has frequently taken premiums for the finest displays of fruits, and also for his wheat, which has scaled sixty-five pounds per bushel.
EORGE
CLARKE, a leading and successful farmer of Boulder County, is a
self-made man, having won his way from poverty to affluence by his
own exertions. He came to the state in 1873, with little means,
and by industry and frugality has been able to amass considerable
property. He was born in Shropshire, England, at Woolston,
Oswestry, on the moor side at Masbury, March 13, 1849. His father,
John Clarke, was born in the same house as himself, and was a
farmer, dying November 6, 1890, at the advanced age of
seventy-eight years. This house had been in the family for years,
and his grandfather, John Clarke, was also born there. The Clarkes
were an old family of Oswestry. John Clarke had been a family name
for several generations, and a brother now bears the name. His
father married Elizabeth Edwards, of Monmouthshire, Wales. Her
parents were farmers in that country. She died April 23, 1891,
aged seventy-one years, and lies buried, with her husband, in the
West Felton churchyard. Five children, four sons and one daughter,
survive them: John, who resides on the old homestead; Mary, Mrs.
Samuel Lloyd, who died at Oswestry; Thomas, a fattier of Boulder
County; George, the subject of this biography; and Richard, a
farmer of Weld County, this state.
The first nineteen years of his life, Mr. Clarke spent on his father's farm, attending pay school, where the money for the schooling had to be taken every Monday morning. From 1868 to 1870 he secured employment in Oswestry, and at the end of that time set sail for America, coming by way of Liverpool, on the steamer, "City of Pathia." He landed in New York, and at once went to Connecticut, where he worked on a farm near Menden for two years, and then pushed his way west as far as Iowa, stopping near Iowa City until the following year, when he came to Colorado. He at once set about finding work as a farm hand, at which he continued two years, and then rented a farm two miles north of Longmont. In 1876 he purchased eighty acres from the north part of this farm which he at once began to improve. He enlarged the ditch that his land might have better irrigation, and began in the cattle business. He also dealt in horses. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres east of his first purchase, and later another forty adjoining, and on this makes his home. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres of land in one body, within a quarter of a mile of the corporation of Longmont, in a high state of cultivation. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres west of Longmont and city property in addition. His is one of the best improved farms in this part of the state, having a fine residence, large, roomy and convenient barns, a windmill to pump and carry water, and all the improved machinery that is needed to aid in the work. He is quick to adopt modern methods when he sees they will be a benefit to him, and one idea recently taken advantage of by him is the potato planter and digger, a great labor saving machine. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. At one time he had a cattle range in Little Elk Park, then on the Platte. His farm is stocked with some fine horses, among them being Percheron and draft horses. He was for many years a member of the firm of Clarke & Delfor, stock dealers and butchers of Longmont, but afterwards sold his interest. He is closely identified with the public interests of the city, being a stockholder in the Farmers' Milling and Elevator Company, the Longmont Creamery Company and the Farmers' National Bank.
Mr. Clarke was married in 1871,
in Connecticut, to Miss Margaret Thurrott, a lady of pleasing
address and amiable disposition, who has been a constant help to
him by her encouragement and counsel. She was born in New
Brunswick, and is a daughter of John Thurrott, a native of
Scotland, near Edinburgh. Her grandfather, John Thurrott, settled
in Weldford, Kent County, New Brunswick, and was a farmer. He was
a strong Presbyterian and a good man. He died at quite an advanced
age, after a long life of usefulness. Her father was also a
farmer, and died after attaining his seventy-eighth year. Her
mother, Mary Morton, was born in Scotland, a daughter of James
Morton, a farmer, and died at the old home when nearly seventy.
Twelve
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children grew to adult years, ten of them still living. One brother lives in Connecticut, and the remaining eight live within sight of the old home. Mrs. Clarke was the sixth child, and was educated and reared in Weldford. They have three bright children, Alma, Ethel and Lynn, who give great promise for the future.
Mr. Clarke was the first of his family to come to this country, and since his coming two brothers, Thomas and Richard, have joined him. He is past grand in the lodge of Odd Fellows, a member of the encampment, and both he and his wife are members of the Rebekah Lodge. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World, They are attendants of the Congregational Church of Longmont, and give valuable aid to that society. He is captain of the Longmont Gun Club, and a fine shot, as is shown by him capturing the gold medal of the club twice, besides securing a number of other prizes. He is a silver Republican and has served as delegate to conventions.
OHN
J. WHITE, who, although a comparatively young man has had much
experience in the practice of his profession, stands in the
foremost rank among the lawyers of Clear Creek County, and is an
influential citizen of Georgetown. He is a son of P. F. and Ann
(McCaughery) White, and was born in Nevadaville, Gilpin County,
Colo., March 25, 1870. He is of Irish extraction and is a grandson
of John White, who followed the occupation of a farmer in Ireland
throughout his entire life.
P. F. White, the father of our subject, was born in Ireland and performed the duties which characterize the life of every farmer boy, until he was nineteen years of age, when he emigrated to America. He located in Massachusetts, and obtained his first employment in the iron mills of Taunton, Bristol County, continuing until 1862, when he decided to cross the western plains. The great railway systems of to-day, which convey passengers to all parts of the country in a few days, were then in their infancy, and the long, tedious journey was accomplished by means of ox-teams, many difficulties being encountered and overcome. This hardy old settler located at Nevadaville, Gilpin County, Colo., and there engaged in mining and prospecting for some time, and later in freighting between Denver and Georgetown, Clear Creek County, moving his family to the latter town in 1872. He continued at that line of work until 1874, when he turned his attention to mining and at the present time holds the responsible position of inside foreman of the Joseph Reynolds mines at Silver Creek, near the town of Lawson. He married Ann McCaughery, by whom he had seven children, three of whom now live, namely: Bernard, George J. and John J., all worthy citizens of Georgetown. Mr. White was bereaved of his beloved wife's companionship by death in May, 1896.
John J. White was taken to Georgetown by his parents in 1872, and there obtained his primary education in the public schools. In 1885 he entered Brown University, of Providence, R. I., one of the best educational institutions our country affords, and attended until the close of the junior year, when he returned to his home in Colorado. He then conducted a pharmacy in the town of Empire for a period of seven months, and subsequently engaged in the grocery business for one year at Idaho Springs. He next went to Lawson and was employed in the Two Sister mines for one year, after which, in 1892, he began the study of law in Denver, a profession for which he is well qualified by natural talents, and in the following year entered the law department of the University of Denver, paying his own way with the means he acquired during his years of work. He was graduated in June, 1895, and received the degree of Bachelor of Law. In the same month, he was admitted to the state bar, and immediately thereafter entered upon a practice in Georgetown, where he has since continued. A man of unusual shrewdness and judgment, a deep thinker and convincing speaker, he has won many cases before the courts and is firmly established in a large clientage. He is enterprising and energetic and in addition to his law practice is financially interested in mines. He is one in whose character there is much to admire, and he is held in the highest esteem by his many friends and fellow-citizens.
In political affiliations Mr. White is an ardent Democrat and in 1898 was elected president of the school board; his popularity is shown in that election by the fact that out of a possible four hundred and thirty-six votes his opponent received but one hundred and twenty. Fraternally he is a member of Lodge No. 5, I. O. O. F., Silver
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Queen Lodge of Georgetown, and Pocahontas Lodge, Mohican Tribe No. 54, I. O. R. M., of which he has been sachem. He is also a member of the alumni association of the law department of the University of Denver.
RS.
JULIA A. HARMON. Feeling that some of the most important events in
my life will not be preserved if I leave the task of writing them
to others, I have decided to prepare it myself. I was born in
Randolph County, Va., in 1835, the daughter of Samuel and Naomi
(Hoffman) Rexroad. My father, who was born in 1803, was engaged in
the lumber business in New Albany, Ind., and died there December
18, 1840, when I was quite young. My mother, who was born January
15, 1807, was a second time married, a few years after the death
of Mr. Rexroad becoming the wife of Hiram Harmon. She died
February 8, 1857. After her death her brother, P. H. Hoffman, of
Kentucky, wrote her obituary, which appears below;
"It falls to my lot to chronicle the exit from earth to heaven of my dear sister, Mrs. Naomi Harmon, who departed her life at her husband's residence, in Whiteside County, Ill., February 8, 1857, at five o'clock A. P.1. Sister Harmon was the eldest daughter of Michael and Susannah Hoffman. She was born in Pendleton County, Va., January 15, 1807, and from the best of my information she embraced Christianity in 1830, and united herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, at the same time under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Tucker, of the Pittsburg conference in the Randolph circuit. She continued a worthy and accepted member of the church from her first connection to the day God said, 'It is enough. Come up higher.' Sister Harmon has been the subject of much affliction for many years. In early life she met with the misfortune of losing, by death, the husband of her youth, Samuel Rexroad, with whom she had lived in happiness, and who left her in charge of five small children, four daughters and one son. She resided at that time in New Albany, Ind. Her second daughter went to Henderson, Ky., to spend a short time with a friend, but, alas! she was seen no more by her mother. The sad intelligence was soon returned that Amanda was burned to death in Henderson. The youngest daughter was sent to live with her grandmother in Virginia, but sweet little Emma was returned no more to her afflicted parent; word soon fell on her ear that Emma, too, was dead.
"Thus in a short time three of her dear family were taken away from her, and she was left to mourn her irreparable loss. She moved to Illinois to spend her remaining days with friends.
There to ameliorate her condition, she was married to Mr. Harmon, who now feels deeply his loss occasioned by her death. She lived but a few years after her second marriage. Sister Harmon was a high-minded and kind-hearted Christian lady, pleasing and affable in her manners, though unassuming, yet much respected and loved by her neighbors. She had been an obedient daughter. She was an affectionate wife and kind mother, and an obliging neighbor. Her end was peace and consolation, in the promises of Him in whose hand are the issues of life and death, feeling that all things work together for good to them that love God. Truly her change of worlds was triumphant. I was informed by Miss S. V. M. that two or three weeks prior to her death were spent in prayer and praise; that her greatest desire was to depart and be with Christ, who had always been her best friend, in affliction and in health. A few minutes before she closed her eyes on earth, she inquired of a sister how long it would be before she was released. She was informed that one hour would in all probability close her earthly pilgrimage. She gave assent, by a nod of her head, and in a few minutes her work was ended, as peacefully as the summer sun sinks into the western horizon. O, that this dispensation may be sanctified to the everlasting good of her two remaining daughters, orphaned son and afflicted husband, and all her kindred."
In the year 1861 my husband, myself and our two little girls, Katie and Nellie, came to Colorado, leaving Illinois April 11, crossing the plains in a covered wagon, and arriving in Golden City June 8. In our travels we saw many Indians, but they were not on the warpath at that time. Later on many white people were killed and much property destroyed. We came here as gold seekers, but that was not a success. We then moved to a farm on Boulder Creek. With the care of a large dairy and a family of small children my life was a very hard one. My son,
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Wilson M., was born August 26, 1861; Frank H. was born January 30, 1863; and Guy D., March 5, 1867. When my children were old enough to go to school, we moved to Boulder, where I maintained them the best I could, always working very hard. After a few years we again moved on a farm where my boys made for themselves and me good homes ten miles southeast of the city of Boulder.
All of the children are married except Frank, who lives with me. Katie is the wife of T. B. Compton, a shoemaker by trade, living in Boulder. They have two children: Claude, eighteen years old, who is attending the high school; and Camille, thirteen years old, who is not strong enough to attend public school and is studying under a private teacher at home. Nellie is married to John R. Miner, a farmer living in Weld County. They have two children: Nettie and Ray, sixteen and fourteen years old respectively. The first of the boys to marry was Guy, who married Maggie Dixon, an English girl; they have one son, Raymond, now six years of age. Wilson married Mary Harris, a Welsh girl. They have three children: Earl, six years old; Julia, four; and Ella.
ETER
H. MULLIGAN, whose home is on section 14, township 9, range 63
west, Elbert County, was horn in County Mayo, Ireland, August 15,
1846, a son of John and Bridget Mulligan. He was about ten years
of age when his parents moved to Lancashire, England, and there he
was employed in cotton mills for some years. In 1864, at the age
of eighteen, he emigrated to America, and for a year made his home
in New York, but afterward went to Jackson County, Mo., and from
there a few months later removed to Leavenworth, Kan.
While in the latter city Mr. Mulligan enlisted in Company G, Third United States Infantry, of the regular army. He remained in the service for three years, then was discharged at Fort Lyon, Colo., but after some time re-enlisted in the same company for five years, then was discharged at Conchoda, La. He re-enlisted for five years and was discharged at Fort Shaw, Mont. In the fall of 1868 he took part in the battle of Wichita Mountains under General Custer. In September, 1874, he took part in the quelling of the riot at New Orleans, and in 1877 he was similarly engaged at Pittsburg. On being ordered west, he went to Montana to watch the movements of Sitting Bull and was stationed at Fort Logan, Mont., for some time, but from there went to Milk River, Mont., and then came to Fort Shaw, where he was discharged September 20, 1881.
In 1870, in Fort Lyon, Mr. Mulligan married Miss Henrietta Kunze, daughter of Frederick Kunze, and a native of Germany. She was quite small when brought to America by her parents and was given a fair education in the common schools of this country. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Mulligan, namely: August, who was born at Lamar, Mo., in 1873; Frederick, who was born at Jefferson Barracks, La., in 1875, and is a private in Company G, First Colorado Infantry, now on duty on the Philippine Islands; Isabelle, who was born at Fort Shaw, Mont.; Richard and John, who were born in Elbert County, the latter June 13, 1886.
In 1881 Mr. Mulligan bought one hundred and sixty acres that form the nucleus of his present property. To it he added from time to time until his possessions now aggregate nine hundred and twenty acres, lying on Comanche Creek and containing valuable improvements. The location of the property makes it desirable for cattle-raising, and we find that Mr. Mulligan has made a specialty of this business, in which the larger portion of his property has been accumulated. He is identified with Elbert Lodge No. 86, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs and is now past grand. He is also a charter member of the Home Forum. In 1872 he voted for Grant, but is now an advocate of the People's party, and in 1895 was the Populist candidate for sheriff of Elbert County.
ILLIAM
M. GRAVES, one of the well-known residents of Jefferson County,
was born near Bloomington, Ill., August 12, 1846, a son of Oliver
and Lucy (Story) Graves. He was the eldest of five children, the
others of whom are: John, a farmer, living near Broomfield, Colo.;
Mary, who married F. Porter Smith, a farmer near Broomfield;
Edward, who resides in Denver and is interested in mining; and
Harry, a merchant of Broomfield.
The father of our subject was born in Montpelier, Vt., March 13, 1813, and spent the years of
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youth in his native town, but after his marriage he removed to New York state, where he remained some years. Removing thence to Bloomington, Ill., he opened up a wholesale and retail grocery business, which he carried on for four years, and then retired from business and embarked in farming. In 1849, when the California gold fever was at its height, he started across the plains, and pursued his way, amid dangers from Indians and perils from other sources, until he reached his destination. His journey was a thrilling one, and while he escaped arousing the enmity of the Indians himself, he witnessed many harrowing scenes, one of which was the skinning of a white man, alive, by the Indians, as a revenge upon him for shooting an Indian squaw. With the skin of the man they whipped his brother and father. Such dreadful scenes as these he was forced to witness, and it was with gratitude in his heart that he finally reached his destination. He was very successful and after two years returned home, with his grandfather, Palmer Story, bringing a neat sum of money with him.
Coming to Colorado during the Pike's Peak excitement of 1859, Mr. Graves engaged in mining at Spring Gulch. In 1860 he returned to Illinois and brought his family west with him, settling twelve miles from Black Hawk, where he bought a toll road from Golden Gate, twelve miles up into the mountains. However, he was unable to hold it and in 1862 he removed to Arvada, where he had taken up a ranch in January, 1861. Here he settled and continued to reside until his death, May 4, 1896.
At the age of seventeen our subject apprenticed himself to the blacksmith's trade at Golden Gate, under Ashley Howard. At the expiration of eighteen months he went to Denver and served Ansel Barker, on the present site of Brown Brothers' wholesale grocery business. While there he was offered six lots on that site for $350, but refused to buy them. After working for two years in the same position, his father's illness caused him to resign his place and return home, where he took charge of the home farm. After eighteen months, January 14, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Perrin, and then began farming independently. After three years he turned his attention to the threshing business, having bought a thresher in the fall of 1868. About the same time he had also built a blacksmith's shop in Arvada, and here he has since followed his trade. He now has three steam threshers, which are busy during the season, and in connection with his blacksmith business he has a shop fitted up with feed grinders, planing mill, turning lathe, band saw, etc.
Eleven children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Graves, but three of them died in infancy. The others are named as follows: Ollie, Charles, Ruth, Annie, Robert, Ida (deceased), Louise and Nellie. In 1892 Mr. Graves was elected county commissioner on the Republican ticket and served for two terms in that capacity. For fifteen years he has been a school director of his district.
ILLIAM
L. BUSH, cashier of the First National Bank of Idaho Springs, was
born in Ontario County, N. Y., January 4, 1861, and is a son of
Henry C. and Helen M. (Benham) Bush, both natives of the same
county. The father's family had been old-time residents of the
east, where he was engaged in farming. Later he crossed the plains
to California, where he remained many years, then moved into
Montana, and from that state to Colorado, arriving here in 1872 or
1873. He first located in Denver and then went to Golden, where he
opened a hotel and made considerable money, enabling him to retire
to a farm and spend the remainder of his days in comfort. He still
resides on this farm, which is situated near Brighton. During the
war he lived in New York and volunteered for the army, but was
rejected by the examining physician. He married Helen Benham and
they had four children, three of whom are still living, as
follows: Andrew M., a fruit grower in Arvada, this state; Mary,
Mrs. C. J. Hart, of Pueblo; and William.
William L. Bush came to this state with his father's family and a brother-in-law, Judge Hart, stopping first at Living Springs Station, a small station on the Overland stage route, where they remained a little over a year. About this time the Indians became very hostile and murdered the people on a neighboring ranch some five or six miles distant, and when the news of the massacre was reported the family moved to Denver. William attended school there and at Golden, where they afterwards moved, just before the Colorado Central Railroad was built. He was a
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student at Jarvis Hall and in Golden for two years, and then accompanied his parents to Brighton, where they engaged in farming and raising horses. He assisted with the work about the farm and attended school at Pueblo, and the Centennial high school during the winters. His brother was agent for the Union Pacific at Brighton, and there he picked up a pretty good knowledge of telegraphy, and when about twenty years old was appointed night operator at that station. He was then transferred to Erie station on the same road for a short time, then went to Fort Collins as operator and bill clerk. He was there from June, 1882, until January, 1883, when he came to Idaho Springs as agent for the Colorado Central division of the Union Pacific Railroad. He acted in that capacity until February, 1886, and then accepted a position as bookkeeper in the First National Bank, which was then in its third year as a national bank. Two years later he was made assistant cashier, and in 1895 was appointed cashier, which position he still holds. This is a conservative bank, one of the most reliable in the state, has strong resources, and went through the panic without a run. He is a member of the firm of Bush & Armstrong, general insurance, representing the old-line insurance companies, and is the largest here.
Mr. Bush married Miss Jennie C, Griswold, of Niles, Mich. Her parents died while she was young, and her education was received in Niles. She is a member of the Episcopal Church, and a lady of high character. For two terms Mr. Bush was city treasurer, and is now the president of the school board. He belongs to the American Bankers' Association, and was one of the organizers of the Idaho Springs chamber of commerce, of which he has been treasurer from the first. In politics he is a Republican, deeply interested in the success of his party. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, and is one of the most prominent Masons in the state. He was made a member of that body December 15, 1884, in Lodge No. 26, Idaho Springs, was elected master December 19, 1888, and each succeeding year until 1893. In September, 1890, he was appointed grand orator, and was elected junior grand warden the following year, and senior grand warden in 1892. He was deputy grand master of Colorado in 1893, and grand master the following year, being the second youngest man in the United States to fill that office, according to the records of the Grand Lodge. He is representative for the Grand Lodge of South Dakota, and the Grand Chapter of South Carolina, near the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Colorado. He was initiated in Central City Chapter No. 1, R. A. M., on the 18th of May, 1892, signed the petition for dispensation of Idaho Springs Chapter No. 30, was one of its organizers and first high priest, serving from 1893 to 1896 inclusive. In 1895 he was appointed grand royal arch captain of the Grand Chapter of Colorado, and the following year was made O. P. S. In 1897 he was appointed grand captain of the host and elected grand scribe in 1898, which position he still holds. He belongs to Central City Commandery No. 2, K. T., of which he became a member July 1, 1892.
UDGE
FRANK P. SECOR. Prominent in the legal profession as well as in
the ranks of the Republican party, Judge Secor is known far and
wide in Colorado, of which he has been a resident for seventeen
years. In January, 1895, he received the appointment of deputy
attorney general of the state, and ably discharged the responsible
duties of that position until the following autumn, resigning when
he was nominated for the office of judge of Boulder County. He was
the only man elected on the Republican ticket in this county,
which fact speaks well for his personal popularity and
acknowledged worth as a citizen and member of the bar. Entering
upon the new duties January 1, 1896, for a term of three years, he
has amply justified the predictions of his innumerable friends,
and has made a record of which they are proud. He is an ardent
champion of the principles of the Republican party, and has
attended every state convention as a delegate since he cast in his
lot with the people of this commonwealth. In 1890 he was elected
to the Colorado legislature, and during the sessions of 1891
served as chairman of the committee on judiciary and succeeded in
getting passed a bill on irrigation.
The Secor family is of French and Holland. Dutch extraction, and for several generations were representative people of Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather of the judge, Walter Secor, was a native of New York state, and in
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1842 he went to Wisconsin and engaged in farming near Racine. His son Theodore was a member of the first constitutional convention of Wisconsin, and is now a resident of Iowa,
Gurdon Secor, father of our subject, was born in the vicinity of Albany, N. Y., and accompanied his father in his removal to Wisconsin. He was interested in agricultural pursuits during his active years, and spent his last days in Longmont, Colo., where his death took place when he was in his seventy-seventh year. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Stuart, was of Scotch descent, and was a native of New York. She died in Wisconsin in 1867, at the age of fifty-two years. All but two of their nine children lived to grow up, and two have since passed away. Minerva, Mrs. R. M. Walker, lives in Racine; William W., who died in 1888, was a farmer and lumber merchant in Longmont, and one of the pioneers of this state; Eliza, Mrs. B. G. Purma, died in Platteville, Wis.; Marilla is Mrs. D. G. Purma, of Washington, D. C; David E. lives in Longmont; and Rosalia is Mrs. Stephen Butler, of the same town.
The birth of Judge Secor occurred October 25, 1852, in Racine, Wis., and when he was seventeen years of age he entered the state normal school at Platteville, there preparing himself for college, and in the meanwhile teaching school for a portion of each year. In 1875 he went to Evanston, Ill., where he entered the preparatory department of the Northwestern University and in the Centennial year he was enrolled as a student in the University of Michigan. During the junior year he resumed teaching again, and from January, 1879, to the close of the school year in the summer of 1881, he was the principal of the Chippewa Falls, Wis., schools. In 1881 he came west. The same fall he took up the study of law with Attorney-General Carr, and was admitted to the bar in 1883. He continued his pleasant connection with Mr. Carr, who, when he was elected attorney-general, made the young man his deputy. For several years Judge Secor has made his home in Longmont, and has been attorney for the town and secretary of the school board here. He is a member in high standing in numerous fraternal organizations; is past master of Longmont Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M.; belongs to Longmont Chapter No. 9, R. A. M.; Long's Peak Commandery No. 12, K. P., and was grand lecturer of the grand lodge of the state in 1895. He is also identified with the Odd Fellows' Society at Longmont, with the Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
In February, 1884, judge Secor married Miss Sarah Ross, of Longmont. She is a daughter of Jonathan Ross, who died in Longmont when threescore and ten years old. Mrs. Secor is a native of Pittsburg and was educated in the public schools of Chicago, Ill. The judge and wife have two children, Gray and Harriet.
At this writing, owing to the ill health of Mrs. Secor, which requires a residence in a lower climate, Judge Secor has decided to remove in the near future to Chicago, Ill., where he will enter the legal firm of Washburn, Secor & Munger, William B. Washburn, the senior member, being a classmate of our subject. At the last county convention of the Republican party, Judge Secor was renominated for his present office by acclamation, but was obliged to resign for the reason above stated.
HARLES
H. WELCH, whose home is located on section 36, township 5, range
66, Weld County, is one of the gallant heroes of the great
northwest, one of those who fought and suffered untold hardships
that the way might be cleared for the on-coming civilization. He
was a member of the famous Seventh Cavalry, U. S. A., belonging to
Company B, under command of General Reno. A portion of the
regiment, under the leadership of General Custer, a dashing
officer, were ruthlessly massacred by the Sioux Indians, who,
several thousand in number, had encamped on the Little Big Horn
River. Not one of Custer's brave little band survived to tell the
story, but it is believed that he led his men forward to the
attack upon the red men (who were on the warpath and had been
ravaging Wyoming and Montana), without sufficient caution and
should have waited for re-inforcements. General Reno had attacked
the Indians at the lower end of their encampment, which extended
along the banks of the river for some three miles, and maintained
his position on the bluffs until fresh troops reached him. The
Seventh Cavalry lost two hundred and sixty-one men and had
fifty-two wounded in this unfortunate campaign.
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June 3, 1873, Mr. Welch had enlisted in the army, and after five years of gallant and distinguished service he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability, June 2, 1878. In the fall of 1877 he took part in an important campaign against the Nez Perce Indians and fought in the battles with Chief Joseph at Snake Creek, Mont., September 30, and October 1, 2 and 3. Here he met with the great misfortune of his life, for since then he has been crippled. He was shot in the right hip, the bone being shattered, and after he had fallen to the ground was again struck by a bullet, it entering the left knee. He was in the advance charge and was directly exposed to the murderous fire of the Indians, who were entrenched in a ravine. Mr. Welch lay on the ground uncared for from eight to five o'clock, but had dragged himself about one hundred yards away to a safer position. He was then carried off the field in a blanket, but his leg was not set and properly attended to for twenty-two days, or until they arrived at Fort Buford. For several years he was obliged to use crutches and was quite an invalid. During these years he lived with his brother-in-law, Mr. Godfrey. While in the service Mr. Welch acted as an orderly for General Custer and was well and intimately acquainted with the gallant officer. For his own bravery and notable service he was recommended for medals of honor, and is thoroughly deserving of the admiration which is universally accorded him.
In many ways Mr. Welch has had more to contend with in life than most men. He was but four years of age when, to all intents and purposes, he lost his father, and from that time forward he has had an up-hill struggle. He was born March 16, 1845, in the city of New York, his parents being James and Alice Welch, natives of Ireland. The father was largely interested in coal mines in Pennsylvania for a few years, but in 1849, when the California gold excitement came on, he joined a company who started across the plains and was never heard from again. He left a wife and six children. The latter all lived to maturity, namely: John, the eldest, now deceased, who was a soldier of the Civil war; Maria F., who never married; Anna; Patrick, who died in the east; Katie, the wife of Allen Godfrey, of Weld County, Colo.; and Charles H.
When he was a lad of twelve years Charles H. Welch left his mother's roof and went to Nashville, Ill., where he lived with his brother Patrick. He spent ten years in that section of the country and then went to St. Paul, where he enlisted in the army. June 1, 1880, he married Carrie Godfrey, daughter of Holon and Matilda (Richards) Godfrey. She was born in what is now Logan County, but was then included in Weld. Her father was one of the early pioneers and Indian fighters of this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Welch settled down upon their present ranch, which property had been taken up by Mr. Godfrey. Though he is not able to do very active work our subject superintends the place and is prospering. He has made numerous improvements on the farm, and it is now considered one of the best in the neighborhood. He has always been a Republican and is an Odd Fellow, a member of Poudre Valley Lodge No. 12. His five children are named as follows: Katie A., Alice Maude, Elmer, Lydia and Custer. The youngest child, it is needless to mention, was named in honor of the brave general whom all admire and honor.
ON.
GEORGE A. PATTEN. The career of this esteemed and honored pioneer
of Idaho Springs is one made up of unusual enterprise, energy and
wise forethought. His life has been busy and useful and his
influence far-reaching. Whatever has affected the welfare of his
fellows in this section of the state he has taken a deep and
personal interest in, and has often exercised his talents, means
and time in furthering public measures of value. That his ability
has been recognized and appreciated may be seen by those who read
his interesting history. Born in Surry, Hancock County, Me., in
1835, Mr. Patten is one of the seven children of Ambrose and Sarah
(Cook) Patten. His great-grandfather, Matthew Patten, of
Massachusetts, was one of the first settlers of Surry, Me,, and in
his honor many local points were named, such as Patten's Bay,
Patten's Pond, etc. He was a worthy representative of a very old
family in New England, of English descent, and was commonly known
as "Colonel" Patten. His son, John, grandfather of our subject,
was a farmer and lumberman, and these occupations were followed by
Ambrose Patten, in turn. The latter was also interested in
ship-building, often having
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vessels in process of construction on Patten's Bay, and in addition to this, he was more or less concerned in the coasting trade. Born in June, 1808, he lived to pass the years allotted to man by the Psalmist, as he died in 1881. His wife was sixty-three years old at the time of her death. Both were devout members of the Baptist Church, the father having been a deacon and elder for over a quarter of a century. Mrs. Sarah Patten was a daughter of Captain Cook, of Beverly, Mass. He was lost at sea and at a later date his family removed to Maine.
George A. Patten is the eldest of his parents' family. One child died in infancy and the other brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Sarah F. Phillips, of Surry; Lydia T., of Boston; Mrs. Priscilla Haynes, of Boston; Ambrose and Charles L., a grocer of Idaho Springs. Ambrose served in the Civil war in a Maine regiment, came to Colorado in 1864 and died in Aspen, this state. They were all reared to mature years in the town of their birth, receiving public-school advantages.
When a youth of about seventeen years Mr. Patten entered the coasting trade, and made several trips. In the autumn of 1857 he started for the then far west, and settling in the territory of Minnesota, turned his energies to lumbering. At the end of two years he returned home for a visit, but in the fall of 1859 he again lauded in St. Paul. The next spring he joined a wagon train bound for Pike's Peak. The party proceeded through Iowa to Omaha, thence up the Platte River, taking sufficient time to allow their cattle to graze along the way. The journey thus consumed over two months, but was safely completed about the 1st of May. From Golden City Mr. Patten went to Blackhawk, arriving there May 6. Liking the place and believing in its future, he entered the lumber trade and for about a year was also interested in placer-mining in Lake Gulch, it was in the beginning of 1861 that Mr. Patten came to Idaho Springs and engaged in placer-mining. Three years later he opened a store containing general merchandise on Miner street. The building which he thus occupied was then the only frame structure in the town. Buying the property, he continued to do business there for several years. Success attended him and his friends throughout this section became legion. All of his supplies had to be brought across the plains from Missouri by teams. At length, in company with a Mr. Bogue, Mr. Patten built a livery barn here and embarked in the transportation business. A few years later he sold the livery but continued merchandising until 1892, being the oldest business man of the town at the time that he disposed of his store. In the meantime he built two substantial brick blocks, each two stories in height, and situated centrally on Miner street, between First and Second avenues. In addition to the enterprises mentioned, he has been active in mining operations. He owns the Patten & Patten Extension, the Red Jacket (which he developed) and others. These valuable mines are situated about a mile and a quarter from this town in Virginia Canon, and are tunneled six hundred feet into the side of the mountain.
Mr. Patten has been an enthusiastic Republican since the party was organized. In the Centennial year, made memorable by the admission of Colorado to statehood, he was chosen to represent this district in the first legislature convened in the infant commonwealth. He was the nominee of the Republicans, and well did he discharge the numerous duties which fell to his share. He served on a great many important committees, mining, roads, etc., and about this time voted first for Teller and Chaffee for United States senators. In 1884 Mr. Patten was again elected to the assembly and was chairman of the committee on engrossing, besides acting as a member of the committee on mining, etc. Once more he used his ballot in favor of Senator Teller. From 1868 to 1883 Mr. Patten was the postmaster of Idaho Springs, then tendering his resignation. Several terms he has been treasurer of the local school board and during these periods he has assisted in the erection of numerous school buildings. He was one of the board when the fine high school was put up and has ever used his influence on the side of excellent facilities for the children. In early days he was one of the incorporators of the town, serving on its first board of trustees, and later, as well, on several occasions. For years he has been connected with the blue lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Idaho Springs.
In his native town Mr. Patten married Miss Sophia F. Osgood in 1875. She was born in Blue Hill, Me. Three children constituted the family of this worthy couple, Georgia, Lillian O. and
