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Downing has been a pioneer. In 1862 he introduced alfalfa into Colorado, bringing the seed from Old Mexico and planting it on his farm. However, he raised it for years and used it for feed before others would consent to use it; now it is considered indispensable and every farmer raises it in large quantities. He also introduced some of the first fine breeds of poultry raised in the state, and brought fourteen dozen quail to Colorado, the first ever in the state. By importation from the east he brought fine Arabian stallions into the state, and in the recent festival of the mountain and plain his horses were the finest in the parade. He owned the celebrated horse South Australian, sired by West Australian, a thoroughbred horse on both sides, and the finest of its kind ever in England. His standard-bred and blooded horses are as fine as can he found in the United States. For twenty years he has raised sugar beets, often having as much as five hundred tons annually, and he has a machine that cuts them up for feeding to the stock. In cattle-raising he makes a specialty of Shorthorns. He brought the first Herefords ever in Colorado, buying them from Erastus Corning of Albany, N. Y. This was considered the best herd in England or America. He paid $1,000 for three calves only six months old.
The Downing family were Hicksite Quakers of English extraction. Elias Hicks, founder of that branch of the Friends, was a cousin of Jacob Downing, Sr., our subject's father, the latter was born at Glencove, L. I., in 1785, the son of a Revolutionary soldier, and removed to Albany, N. Y., where he speculated in western lands. He owned several large farms in Ohio and Illinois. Much of his work was of a nature permanent in its good results. About 1843 he built the Boston & Albany railroad from Boston. He graded Brooklyn Heights and cleaned out the bar in the Hudson. Politically he was a Democrat. While on a business trip to Ohio in 1858 he died, in Rochester. His wife, Jane Winne, was born in Albany and died at her daughter's home in Cleveland when nearly eighty years of age. She was of Holland-Dutch ancestry. Her father, William P., was born in Albany and died there at the age of one hundred and eight years. Of her eleven children, seven attained maturity and four are living.
Our subject, who was the youngest of the family, was born in Albany in April, 1830, and received his education in Albany Academy. At the age of fourteen he entered the Albany City bank as clerk under Erastus Corning, president of the New York Central Railroad. In 1850, while returning from Cleveland to Albany, he took passage on a Lake Erie steamer, the "America," and during the trip the boiler burst. He and five others were in a stateroom at the time and a half-hour later he was the only one living. After the explosion he tried in vain to kick the door open, and finally found an auger hole through which he could inhale fresh air. His hands were burned and the pillow over his head was in flames. The steamer was seen by the "Alabama," whose crew put out the fire and rescued the passengers. Mr. Downing suffered so severely from the explosion that his health was seriously impaired and he traveled in the south for some time, hoping to recover his strength. On his return to Albany he resumed work in the office, but the confinement proved injurious to him, and he again started to travel. This time he went through Canada, visited Chicago and made a tour through Texas, and for some time hunted buffalo on the plains. He studied law with Ward & Stanford in Chicago and in 1858 was admitted to the Illinois bar. He opened an office in Denver and in the summer of 1860 was elected municipal judge, but resigned soon after to resume his law practice.
On hearing of the attack on Fort Sumter in 1861, he organized Company D, First Colorado Cavalry, of which he was commissioned captain by Governor Gilpin. He marched with it to New Mexico and was engaged in all the battles of that campaign, being promoted from captain to major for gallantry in these actions. March 26, 1862, he was with the command that defeated the Texas rangers and drove them back toward Texas. Two days later they were again defeated. The skirmishes were attended with much bloodshed and many of his men were killed. On his return he had only four or five men who had not been injured during the campaign and of these only one is now in Denver, Mike Ivory, who carried the colors. It is a peculiar fact that the regiment was not mustered into service until six months after it had been on the field.
When relieved from New Mexico duty Major Downing returned to Colorado. On arriving at
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Fort Lyon, on the Arkansas River, he was ordered to proceed to Fort Larned, Kan., and take command of that post. For five months he was stationed there. He was compelled to protect two hundred and forty miles of the Arkansas stage and emigrant route, with only one hundred and fifty men. He wrote General Schofield for more men, but they could not be furnished. Major Downing said he would hold the post if he could, and General Schofield said "Go ahead." The major had consultations with the northern and southern chiefs separately and managed so as to have them fighting each other, which prevented them from molesting the whites. When relieved from the command, he was highly complimented by Major-General Curtis for the able manner in which he had performed his duties, for during his term of management not a life was lost, nor were the stages materially molested. He was appointed assistant inspector-general to inspect Camp Fillmore, Fort Lyon, Camp Wynkoop, Fort Garland, Guadaloupe, Forts Laramie and Halleck, Camps Collins, Sanborn and Weld, embracing an immense territory inhabited only by Indians. During the depredations of 1864 many people had been killed by the savages and supplies seized. Colonel Chivington, then commanding the military district of Colorado, ordered Major Downing to take such troops as could be spared from Camp Sanborn and to find and punish the Indians. After a long search he found them camped at Cedar Canon, and charged upon them, routing them with a loss of thirty-eight killed and many wounded. On returning to Denver three weeks later, he was placed under arrest for causing an Indian war and was ordered to the states; but, upon the request of the inspector-general, he reported that the cause of the trouble was the action of the Indian agents, who were robbing the Indians of the supplies intended for them; the Indians knowing what they ought to have would take revenge by killing white settlers. A copy of this report reached President Lincoln, who investigated and found that matters were even worse than reported, and had his life been spared the disturbances would soon have been remedied.
In 1865 Major Downing was mustered out of service and turned his attention to the practice of law. The next year he went to New York City, but not liking the place he returned west.
In 1867 he was elected probate judge on the Republican ticket and held the position for two years. Having become the owner of two thousand acres five miles west of Denver, in 1869 he began the improvement of the tract by irrigating, fencing, etc. Here he has since engaged in raising cattle and horses, and in general farming. He laid out Downing's addition to North Denver, eighty acres; Downing's addition to East Denver, one hundred and twenty acres; and Downington, three hundred acres, on Colfax avenue near City Park. In land and money he gave $18,000 toward the building of the Colfax avenue street car. Some years ago he originated the bill providing six hundred and forty acres for City Park, which passed the lower house, but was reduced to three hundred and twenty acres in the senate. With the assistance of other property owners he improved Mount View boulevard, extending from the park six miles east, running north of Downington; the street is one hundred and twenty feet wide and will eventually be the finest drive in the city. His ranch is called Downingdale and is one of the most highly improved in the vicinity of Denver.
In 1863 Major Downing joined Union Lodge No. 7, A. F. & A. M. For years he was commander of Phil Kearney Post, G. A. R., but not being able to attend the meetings he resigned. The post afterward disbanded and he then joined Reno Post. He was president of the Soldiers Association of Colorado, which in 1866 was absorbed in the Grand Army. In 1851 he joined Forest City Lodge No. 162, I. O. O. F., at Cleveland, and afterward joined the order in Denver, but is not connected with it at present. At one time he was a Knight of Pythias. He was a Republican from the organization of the party, and voted for General Fremont for president. He has never desired public office for himself; but has been active in aiding his friends who enter the lists of candidates for offices.
In Glens Falls, N. Y., Major Downing married Miss Caroline Rosecrans, who was born near Albany and received an excellent education at Mrs. Willard's Seminary, Troy (the first ladies' seminary in the state of New York). She is of Dutch descent, a member of a pioneer family of New York. Her great-grandfather, with two of his brothers, took part in the Revolution, and a cousin, recently deceased, was a prominent gen-
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eral in the Civil war; another cousin, Judge Enoch Rosecrans, is a prominent jurist in New York. The parents of Mrs. Downing were Henry and Mary (Mosher) Rosecrans, the former a farmer who died in York state at the age of seventy-one; the latter a native of Dutchess County and of English lineage. Mrs. Downing is president of the Pioneer Ladies' Aid Society, and belongs to the Woman's and Clio Clubs, has been identified with the First Baptist Church for twenty-two years and takes an active part in benevolent and religious enterprises. She is a life member of the Denver Orphans' Home Association and gave the first $100 received by that institution. She is also a member of the Homeopathic Hospital Association, the Kindergarten Association, the Newsboys' Home, Denver Sewing Guild and Denver Coal Guild. Her capability in executive management has made her a prominent factor in important enterprises where the assistance of ladies is essential, while her winning manners and unfailing courtesy of demeanor make her popular in every circle. The following poem was composed by her, and dedicated to
COLORADO PIONEERS
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And the ties of many years
And all the lessons that were taught
By the early pioneer?
The early pioneer so brave -
The hardy pioneer,
Let all unite to sing the praise
Of the early pioneers.And as the years go rolling on
And they've reached the other shore,
For their deeds of valor and of love
You'll prize them more and more.
Then give to them a loving hand
And hearty words of cheer
As you follow in the footsteps of
The early pioneer.
ORMAN GRISWOLD BURNHAM, M. D., was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Denver Homeopathic Medical College and served as the first president of the institution. He was president of the Colorado State Homeopathic Medical Society, in the growth of which he has always been actively interested. For several years he was president of the Humane Society, of which he is a charter member. In other matters relating to the health of the people he has taken a warm interest. He is an enthusiastic homeopathist, and has done much to promote the success of this school of medicine in Denver.
In 1819, while the red men still roamed unmolested through the forests of Ohio, two brothers, Ellsworth and Moses Burnham, came to that state from Connecticut and located in Erie County, of which they were pioneers. Their father, Capt. Joseph T. Burnham, was born in Connecticut, of English descent, and followed farm pursuits to some extent, but gave his attention largely to the occupation of a carpenter and builder. He was a man of means as well as of noble character, and his influence was felt in the progress of his locality and the development of its interests. When he was quite old he made a trip in his private conveyance to Ohio and Michigan, where he visited relatives and friends.
Ellsworth Burnham, who was one of a family of four sons and two daughters, was born in Connecticut and died in Saginaw, Mich., when eighty-four years of age. His occupation was that of farming, which he followed in Ohio, retiring from active business life in Michigan. He married Maria Walker, who was born in Tolland County, Conn., a daughter of Norman and Hulda Walker, of Connecticut. Her death occurred in Michigan when she was eighty-four years of age. In her family there were three sons, Joseph T., Norman G. and Henry E. Norman G. was born in Berlin, Erie County, Ohio, September 30, 1829, and grew to manhood on the home farm. At the age of seventeen he became a student in the Norwalk Academy, where he had for his roommate the late Gen. James B. McPherson. While studying in the summers he devoted the winters to teaching school. After some years devoted to the study of medicine, he graduated at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, and commenced his active connection with the profession.
For two years Dr. Burnham was physician to the Berlin Heights Sanitarium and was associated with Prof. B. L. Hill, M. B., who procured the charter for the Cleveland Homeopathic College. For a time he attended the Ohio Wesleyan University and afterward spent one winter in the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College, whose faculty conferred upon him an honorary degree. While in Cincinnati he attended the first course of lectures on homeopathy delivered west of the
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Allegheny Mountains. He was associated for three years with Prof. H. P. Gatchell, former dean of the Cleveland Homeopathic College, under whose preceptorship he gained a broad fund of medical and scientific knowledge. From Cleveland he went to Indianapolis, where he located and built up a large practice. After eleven busy and profitable years there, he removed to St. Louis, and three years later removed to Colorado, reaching Denver October 9, 1879.
Dr. N. G. Burnham was married May 7, 1861, in Medina, Medina County, Ohio, to Miss Mary K. Treat, a daughter of Adner A. Treat, who is a man of remarkable vitality and, though now one hundred and one years of age, still retains much of the vigor of his prime. He now makes his home with his daughter in Denver. Mrs. Burnham received an academic education in Medina, Ohio. She is a native of Fayetteville, N. Y., where her childhood was spent amid rural scenes. She is noted for her domestic qualities, and takes an active interest in the Woman's Club of Denver, of which she is a member, and she also has been a most active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Dr. and Mrs. Burnham have four children: Arthur T.; Grace N., wife of Eugene Knight; Florence P., wife of N. O. Vosburgh, Jr., of Denver; and Norman G., Jr., who died when seventeen years of age. The family are identified with St. Mark's Episcopal Church, which the doctor assisted in organizing and in which he was a vestryman for five years while it was yet a mission. Fraternally he is connected with Denver Lodge No. 5, A. F. & A. M., Colorado Commandery No. 1, K. P., and took his thirty-second degree in the consistory of Indiana at Indianapolis; he is also a member of El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine. In addition to his professional work he is interested in the insurance business as president of the Denver Life Insurance Company. Politically he has been a Republican, but in the campaign of 1896 he allied himself with the silver forces and cast his vote for William Jennings Bryan. While in Ohio he voted for John Sherman at his first election to congress and supported John C. Fremont for president. He is a member of the medical staff of Arapahoe County Hospital, also a member of the advisory board of health of Denver.
No citizen is more desirous to see his city, state and nation attain the highest prosperity than Dr. Burnham. An article written by himself and published in the Denver Republican of March 16, 1898, gives an idea of his earnestness and zeal as a citizen, devoted to his country's welfare. We quote from it, as follows: "The wild manifestations of selfishness and greed among the business elements, past and present, at the expense of the competitor, the reputation and welfare of the city and state, has been too much in evidence. It is high time that a halt should be called, a retrospect be taken and a change of policy entered upon, laying aside the 'swaddling clothes' of the past, deep dyed in the blood sweat effort, each to slaughter the other with treachery and usurpation.
"The time has come when questionable ways of business men must be eliminated. How better can we enter upon such an era than by profiting by the experiences and adopting the methods of some of our neighboring cities, who have established and well-regulated associations, whose members work together as a unit for the advancement and protection of their respective business interests, as well as to guard the reputation and aid the growth of their municipalities. Such united efforts with an ever watchful care in guarding our varied business interests must form the key to our future growth. Concentration of earnest effort is the only hope for large success."
UGUST
H. KOEPER, an enterprising farmer and sheep-feeder of Larimer
County, residing in Bellvue, was born in Anglaize County, Ohio,
near the village of New Bremen, July 19, 1853, being a son of
Henry and Annie (Simer) Koeper, natives of Germany, but from early
life residents of Ohio. Of their six children all but one are
still living, our subject being the oldest of the number and the
only one in Colorado. He was reared on a farm and at an early age
bought a farm of seventy acres, to which he added until he had one
hundred and fourteen acres devoted to general farming.
In the fall of 1892 Mr. Keeper came to Colorado, having made arrangements to settle in Larimer County. The next year he brought his family here and settled on two hundred and forty acres six miles south of Fort Collins. During the same year he bought his present farm of two hundred and twenty acres, and for a year farmed
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both places, after which he gave his attention solely to the cultivation of this property. He has improved the land by the erection of a neat residence and two barns and windmill. For the shelter of his sheep he has a shed about four hundred feet long. He has sown his land to alfalfa, which he uses for feeding his sheep. He also deals in horses and cattle, owning a number of Percherons, Shorthorns and Jerseys. For the convenience of shipment he has a siding from the Gulf Railroad on his place. In coming to this state, it was his intention to engage in the sheepfeeding business, and he has made no mistake in his choice of occupation, for he has been very successful. He is a member of the Larimer County Sheep Feeders' Association.
While living in Ohio, Mr. Koeper married Alvina Corlina Schroeder, a native of that state, and a daughter of Richard and Corlina (Leets) Schroeder, of New Bremen. Mr. Schroeder had four children: Julius, who is in Ohio, and the son of his first wife, Sophie (Breggemann) Koeper, deceased; Alice, Herbert and Dewey, children of his second marriage. Since 1894 Mr. Keeper has been a member of the board of school directors of district No. 50, and is now its president. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In religious belief he is a Lutheran.
OHN
A. WASSON, a successful merchant of Golden and member of the board
of aldermen, was born in Page County, Iowa, in 1862, the son of
George and Harriet (Munshower) Wasson, natives respectively of
Schenectady, N. Y., and Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Thomas
Wasson, who was the son of a Revolutionary soldier, was born in
New York, of Scotch descent, and in an early day removed to Iowa,
where he afterward engaged in farming. Three of his sons served in
the Second Iowa Cavalry during the Civil war, remaining at the
front for three years.
When a young man George Wasson went to Page County, Iowa. After the close of the war, in which he served for three years, he located in Peoria, Ill., and there, after a long and honorable connection with the city street railway company, he is living in retirement. He is a member of the Grand Army in that city. His wife, who was a daughter of John Munshower, a farmer of Pennsylvania, died in Kansas, where the family resided from 1876 to 1886, but after her death her husband returned to Peoria. They were the parents of two children: John A., and Maggie, wife of Soren Sorensen, who is a partner of Mr. Wasson.
From infancy until fourteen years of age, the subject of this sketch made his home in Peoria, and afterward he resided upon a farm at Altavista, Wabaunsee County, Kan. His father, Mr. Sorensen and himself owned farms in the same neighborhood, and he engaged in the cultivation of his tract of one hundred and sixty acres until 1887, since which time he has rented it. Coming to Colorado in 1887, he located in the San Luis Valley, then in the midst of its boom, and there he engaged in farming and stock-raising, also assisted in opening the Loveland and Henry ditch. In 1889 he came to Golden and in partnership with his brother-in-law opened a grocery on Washington avenue, three doors from his present location. In 1898 the firm erected anew building, fitted up for their business, and here they have since carried on a large trade in groceries and produce.
In Golden Mr. Wasson married Eleanor M. Behr, who was born in Blackhawk, Colo., the daughter of Adolph Behr, a pioneer of Golden, for some years a miner in Gilpin County, but now a resident of Golden. Politically Mr. Wasson is a silver Republican. On this ticket, in 1897, he was elected to represent the first ward upon the board of aldermen and has since been chairman of the committee on streets and a member of other committees. He has represented the Knights of Pythias of Golden in the Grand Lodge three times and is a past officer of the lodge, also recorder of the Uniform Rank.
EORGE
A. SNOW, a prominent merchant of Byers, Arapahoe County, was born
in Currytown, Montgomery County, N. Y., May 16, 1848, and is a son
of Dr. Simeon and Margaret (Dievendorff) Snow, natives of
Massachusetts and New York respectively. His father removed to New
York in early life and settled at Yatesville, but later removed to
Currytown, where he spent the remainder of his life engaged in
professional work. He was prominent in the
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Democratic party and took an active part in local affairs. For some time he served as county commissioner of Montgomery County, and also served in the state senate of New York. He died about 1865. The Snow family was founded in America by two brothers, who came from England and settled in Massachusetts. His father-in-law, Jacob Dievendorff, of Holland descent, was scalped by the Indians in boyhood during the Revolution, but lived and in time became a well-to-do farmer.
The family of Dr. Simeon Snow consisted of five sons and two daughters. Jacob D., the oldest son, resides near the old homestead in New York. Norman Leslie, now deceased, was surgeon of the One Hundred and Fifty-third New York Regiment during the Civil war. Horatio N. is an officer in the Mechanics and Farmers' National Bank, of Albany, N. Y. Charles S. resides on the old homestead, which he assists in cultivating. Elizabeth is the wife of Seth Ramsey, of Argusville, N. Y.; and Margaret E. married Dr. A. Van Der Veer, of Albany, N. Y., a specialist in surgery.
The education of our subject was obtained in the graded schools of Fairfield, N. Y. He engaged in the lumber business from 1866 to 1879 at Albany, N. Y., and in the latter year came to Colorado, settling in Arapahoe County and starting a sheep ranch eight miles south of Byers, which he conducted for several years, when he removed his flock to Trego County, Kan., remaining only one year, when he returned to Albany, N. Y. There he again engaged in the lumber business till 1887, when, on account of health, he returned to Colorado and engaged again in the stock business. He bought an interest in a store at Byers about 1890, and one year later bought out his partners. He has since handled general merchandise, hay, grain and farm machinery.
In Currytown, N. Y., Mr. Snow married Miss Maria Frances Diefendorff, who was born in the same place as himself. They have one son and one daughter, Anson Leslie and Eva Frances. In politics Mr. Snow is a Democrat. Under the administration of President McKinley he was appointed postmaster, which office he still fills. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which he contributes. During his residence in Albany he was for twelve years a member of the National Guard. Mr. Snow has been successful in business enterprises, and his life is an example to a younger generation.
IDEON
L. BURTON, a well-known merchant of Deer Trail, Arapahoe County,
is also the owner of a store situated one-half mile from his
store, and, besides superintending the management of his
mercantile interests, he also engages in raising sheep, horses and
cattle. He was born in Stokes County, N. C., in 1850, and is a
descendant of a race of seafaring Englishmen, who settled in
Virginia in an early day. His grandfather, Samuel Burton, who was
a sailor, served as a soldier in the Revolution.
The father of our subject, David Burton, was born in Charlottesville, Va., and enlisted in the Henry County volunteers during the war of 1812, serving until he was discharged February 27, 1815, at Richmond, Va. Three years later he married Winifred Lawson and moved to North Carolina, where he spent his remaining years upon a farm. He was one of the commissioners appointed to divide Stokes County. Politically he was first a Henry Clay Whig and during the Civil war a Democrat, though he did all within his power to prevent war. He was a deacon in the primitive Baptist Church, with which he was identified for more than forty years. He died May 8, 1872.
Our subject's mother, Winifred (Lawson) Burton, was a native of North Carolina, her parents having settled with the French colony in that state shortly before 1812. They were French, and were driven from their native land on account of their religious views, being members of the Baptist Church. Some of the exiles who came with them to America settled near New Orleans. Mr. Lawson was a traveling Baptist minister, and preached in many parts of the south. She was born in 1815 and is still living in Stokes County, N. C. Besides our subject she has two living children: James S., a farmer in North Carolina; and Melissa, wife of W. P. Sans, living in the same county with her mother.
The early years in the life of our subject were spent in Stokes County, where he attended the public schools and the Danbury Institute. At the age of twenty-one he was appointed deputy sheriff and a few months later was made con-
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stable. He held the latter office for two years and was then re-elected, but resigned in order to accept the position of deputy sheriff and jailer. In that capacity he served for four years, when the sheriff failed, and he was appointed to serve out the unexpired term of one year. At the expiration of that time he was elected treasurer of the county and served a full term of two years. Soon afterward, in 1884, on account of poor health, he came to Arapahoe County, and homesteaded his present ranch at Deer Trail. Four years after coming here he purchased the store which he has since, with the assistance of a clerk, conducted successfully.
In 1876 Mr. Burton married Miss Ruth K Lackey. She was born in Stokes County, N. C., and her father, Samuel J. Lackey, was a miller and farmer, as well as a primitive Baptist preacher. To Mr. and Mrs. Burton were born four children who are now living, namely: Robert W., Samuel D., George E. and Laura Ethel, all at home. Mr. Burton has been a lifelong Democrat and was elected justice of the peace a few months after settling in Arapahoe County. In 1895 he was appointed postmaster, and is still filling that position, to the satisfaction of all. In religion he is identified with the primitive Baptist Church.
AMES
O. PHILLIPS is a well-known and successful farmer and
stock-raiser, located on section 32, township 10 south, range 63
west, and has been pursuing that independent calling in this
vicinity since the year 1870, when he took up a claim of one
hundred and sixty acres; he now owns sixteen hundred and forty
acres in all, part of which is in and around the town of Colorado
Springs and the rest near Pueblo. He was born in Saco, Me.,
February 20, 1840, and is a son of Oliver and Eliza (Moulton)
Phillips.
Oliver Phillips was also born in Maine in 1807 and was of sturdy Irish origin. He followed farming the major part of his active days. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. He married Eliza Moulton, who was born in Maine in 1805, and they reared four sons, namely: Daniel, William Wallace, James O. (our subject) and Ivory. Daniel enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Maine Volunteer Infantry, as first lieutenant, but was soon promoted to captain; he participated in many engagements and was killed in General Sheridan's famous battle. William Wallace served about six months as a private. Ivory was also in the Civil war, and was a private in the Twenty-fifth Maine Regiment. He is now a resident of New Milford, Conn., but owns a large tract of land in this state; he came to Colorado in 1869, where he resided many years, during which time he was engaged in raising sheep and was one of the largest sheep-raisers in the state.
James O. Phillips was reared on his father's farm and spent five terms in the academy at Gorham, Me.; he then taught school one term, and when the Civil war broke out he enlisted in Company G, Forty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, serving about two years on guard duty. After peace had been restored he returned to his home in Maine and in 1865, in company with six of his schoolmates, he started for Colorado. They went by rail as far as Nevada, Iowa, and from there, having bought three teams, they drove across the plains, arriving in Deliver on April 1 of that year. The first two years in that state were spent in Central City, engaged in mining; in 1866 he returned to his native state, where he remained until 1870, when he again went to Colorado, and in partnership with his brother he engaged in raising sheep. It was not his intention to make Colorado his home when he left for that country, but as he met with such great success in the sheep business, he changed his mind and in 1870 took up a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land; in the following year he bought another one hundred and sixty acres. He has added to his first purchase from time to time, until now he is the proprietor of sixteen hundred and forty acres. He owns valuable real estate in Pueblo, Colorado Springs and in El Paso County. His principal occupation is cattle-raising and breeding horses, but he carries on general farming to a large extent; he is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens and does all in his power to promote the welfare of his adopted county.
In 1866, when Mr. Phillips returned from Colorado to his native state, he married, December 16 of that year, Emma J. Harmon, of Boxton, Me., and their home has been blessed by the birth of six children, as follows: Frank; Clarence; Stella, a graduate from the Colorado State Nor-
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mal and now engaged in teaching school; Edith, the wife of Frank Capell and they live on a ranch near our subject; Anna; and James Harmon, born August 6, 1881. Our subject has been a lifelong Democrat, as was his father; his father was a Douglas man, and he wrote and delivered a speech for him. Our subject has served as county commissioner seven years; ten years as postmaster of Bijou Basin; and as justice of the peace for many years. Fraternally he became a member of the Masonic order at Gorham, Me.
DWIN
VOLNEY BEDFORD is numbered among the enterprising young business
men of Boulder. About five years ago he first embarked in trade in
this place and from that time to the present his patronage has
steadily increased and the circle of his friends widened in the
same proportion. He is genial, well educated and popular with all
who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Fraternally he belongs
to the Knights of Pythias and is the recorder of the Boulder lodge
of the Uniform Rank of that order and is vice-chief of the local
lodge of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.
The history of the Bedford family in England appears in the various volumes of heraldry, notably Burke's "Peerage," the Duke of Bedford being among the peers of the realm. The records show that the first of the name to emigrate from England to America was William Bedford, who crossed the Atlantic in the "James" in 1621, settling in Virginia at a very early period in the history of the colony. His name appears in the "Muster of the Inhabitants of the Neck-of-Land neare James Citty, taken February the 4th, 1624." The parish register states that his son, Richard Bedford, died in July, 1679, and was buried on the 23d of that month. The descendants of the latter became scattered through various parts of the Old Dominion, and were mainly planters by occupation. A collateral representative of the same family was Gunning Bedford, a friend of Benjamin Franklin, and deceased in 1812. His monument in the churchyard in Market street, Wilmington, Del., bears on one side the family arms, an escutcheon charged with three lion's gambs couped and erect within a bordure. For crest: A lion's gamb couped and erect.
Littleberry Bedford, great-grandfather of E. V. Bedford, was born in Virginia, but removed from there to Kentucky in an early day. His son, A. V., the next in line of descent, was born and reared in Kentucky, and, following his father's example in the choice of an occupation, he became a practical farmer. For a few years he engaged in farming near the old homestead, and then removed to the neighborhood of Paris, Bourbon County, Ky. His son, James G., father of our subject, was born near Paris, Ky., and was one of ten children. Going to Missouri, he turned his attention to the cultivation of a homestead which he purchased near Paris, Monroe County. In 1879 he came to Colorado, and invested in mining enterprises, in several of which he met with gratifying returns. Later he resided in Breckenridge, and there was likewise engaged in mining. Ill health at last overtook him and his death occurred in the Denver hospital in 1886. During the Civil war he enlisted from Paris, Ky., and was made captain of a company in the First Kentucky Regiment of Mounted Rifles, and served valiantly throughout the strife, on behalf of the cause in which he believed. Two of his brothers, J. D. and B. Bedford, were members of the same regiment. The wife of James G. Bedford, who died in Georgetown, Colo., in 1881, while on a visit, bore the maiden name of Nannie Holliday. She was born in Monroe County, Mo., being the daughter of T. H. Holliday, a pioneer of that section of the state. He was a native of Kentucky, and after settling in Missouri, became an extensive dealer in cattle and mules, and was a man of wealth and prominence in his community. The Hollidays (or Hollydays, as some branches of the family spelled the name in early days) were early settlers of Virginia. The muster of inhabitants of St. Michael's, taken in 1680, states that among the residents of the town were William Holliday, his wife and four children and a servant.
Edwin V. Bedford is in the prime of early manhood, as he was born but little over thirty years ago, March 26, 1867. His early years were passed quietly and without incident on the parental homestead in Monroe County, Mo. Of his brothers and sisters five lived to maturity and all but one of the number survive at this writing. He is the eldest of the family. In the fall of 1879 he left home and went to Colorado Springs, in
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order that he might enjoy better educational privileges than he had had hitherto, and it was not until 1881 that he returned to Missouri, his native state. He continued his studies in Holliday, Monroe County, for a period, and resided in that town up to 1887. Then, going to Humansville, Polk County, Mo., he entered into partnership with his brother, T. H., under the firm name of Bedford Brothers, in the retail meat market business. They were thus associated for about two years, at the expiration of which time our subject sold out his interest. Then, in company with H. B. Anderson, he started into the business of feeding and dealing in cattle, and was very successful in this undertaking. He came to Boulder in 1893 and with his partner bought the market with which he has since been connected. It is located at No. 1122 Pearl street, and until the death of Mr. Anderson, in 1894, was run under the style of Anderson & Bedford. Mr. Bedford purchased the whole business at that time and has since conducted it alone, on a strictly cash basis. The success which he has achieved is the result of his earnest desire to meet the wishes of his customers. Politically he sides with the Democracy.
ENJAMIN
H. TALBOTT, of Elbert County, owns and occupies a farm on section
13, township 8, range 64 west, six miles east of the village of
Elizabeth. He was born in Putnam County, Ind., August 2, 1859, a
son of James and Paulina (Dicks) Talbott, and was six years of age
when his parents moved to Paoli, Kan., but after two years, during
which time his father had engaged in the mercantile business, the
store was traded for a farm in Linn County, and the family settled
upon that place.
From an early age Mr. Talbott was helpful, assisting in the cultivation of the home farm and taking charge of the family while he was still young. During his residence in Linn County, March 5, 1887, he married Miss Nellie Keran, a native of that county, and a daughter of John and Elvira (Stites) Keran. One son was born of their union June 27, 1889. In 1890 Mr. Talbott came to Colorado and homesteaded his present property, where he has since conducted agricultural pursuits and carried on a small dairy.
While Mr. Talbott and his wife had only such advantages in childhood as the common schools afforded, they are well informed and intelligent, and rank among the best people of their county. He takes an interest in public affairs, and in political views is a stanch advocate of Republican principles. His first presidential vote was cast in 1880 for James Garfield. His interest in politics is that of a private citizen merely, as he has never sought office nor cared for political distinction.
REELEY
W. WHITFORD, of, Denver, United States attorney for the district
of Colorado, was born in Rockville, Parke County, Ind., June 5,
1856, and is a son of Prof. John W. and Jane (Harlan) Whitford.
His father, who was born in New York, in childhood went to Indiana
with his father, Dr. Welcome Whitford, and grew to manhood upon a
farm, receiving his education in Asbury University and graduating
from that school in the class of which Senator Voorhees was a
member. On completing his studies he began to teach, which
occupation he followed for a number of years. He was principal of
the Rockville schools and served for two terms as county
superintendent of schools of Parke County. His marriage was
solemnized at the Harlan homestead by Bishop Simpson, who was
president of Asbury University at that time. Five children were
born of the union and four of these are still living. Mary H.
married H. W. Leedham and lives in Denver; James C. is engaged in
business at Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and Clay B. is an attorney in
Denver. Mr. Whitford was a Whig in early life and later affiliated
with the Republicans. In religious belief he was identified with
the Methodist Episcopal Church. In January, 1859, when his son,
our subject, was less than three years of age, he died from the
result of an accidental injury. He was a man of great mental vigor
and, had his life been spared, would undoubtedly have attained
success. Being of an inventive turn of mind, he devoted himself to
originating improvements, especially in printing. It was his
theory that a combination of type could be secured that would not
make it necessary to pick up each type by itself; to make his
ideas practical he spent considerable time and money, but at the
time of his death he had not yet met with success, and the family
was therefore left without means.
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On account of his father's death our subject was forced to make his own way in the world from an early age. He was taken into the home of John T. Brown, who had married the sister of his mother, and there he remained until fifteen years of age, meantime attending school in the winter and working on the farm in the summer. It was the understanding that he was to receive $25 the first year, $35 the second, $45 the third, and so on until he was eighteen, and Mr. Brown was to pay interest on it until that time. When our subject's father knew he could not recover he had requested that Senator Harlan, his brother-in-law, maintain an oversight of the children and see that they were given educations. The senator wrote to Mrs. Whitford, when our subject was about fifteen, that if she could get the children together again, she might have the use of his farm near Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Mrs. Whitford at once went from Kansas to Iowa, where she was joined by the children. Her son, Clay B., entered the college at Mount Pleasant and Greeley W. became a pupil in the public school, while the oldest son, James C., thinking he was too old to start into school, said he would manage the farm and support the family. This he did.
After a short experience in school life, our subject began to learn the printer's trade, in the office of the Mount Pleasant Journal. He remained there about eighteen months, when, feeling the necessity of a better education, he entered the preparatory department of Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant. Through his work in the printing office and the insane asylum, also by teaching school, he earned money for his education. His mother's health failed to such an extent that it was thought best to break up housekeeping, and she went to make her home with a daughter in Kansas.
In the office of his older brother, who was an attorney, our subject read law until 1882, when he was admitted to the bar. He was without books and in debt, so made application to Frank Hatton, then assistant postmaster-general, through whose influence, and that of Senator Harlan, he was appointed a railway postal clerk in North Dakota. He remained in the service eighteen months, meantime receiving promotion. By this means he paid his debts and purchased law books. From Dakota he went to Washington Territory, and located at Whatcom, on Puget Sound, where he began in practice, remaining there until 1887. Before going he had applied to Mr. Hatton to appoint him postmaster, as he was not sure the law would make him a living. Senator Harlan advised him not to take the position, but he did, and found himself in the midst of a political struggle, for he was a stranger in the place and his appointment to the place had made him many enemies. However, he held the position until Cleveland became president. In 1883 he came to Denver, joining his brother, who had settled here in 1883. After they had been in partnership eighteen months he was appointed deputy city attorney by Mr. Shafroth. He became junior member of the law firm of Rogers, Shafroth & Whitford, and when Mr. Rogers was elected mayor, Mr. Whitford formed a partnership with F. A. Williams. In 1891 he was again appointed deputy city attorney. In 1894 he was elected attorney for the second judicial district, which embraces Denver, but that position he resigned April 30, 1897, in order to accept his present office. He cast his first ballot for President Garfield and has served as delegate to many of the Republican conventions; in 1896 he stumped the state of Colorado and while in Washington he also did considerable political work.
At Mount Pleasant, Iowa, June 4, 1890, Mr. Whitford married Miss Ida Spaulding, daughter of Rev. W. J. Spaulding, D. D., and Martha (Berry) Spaulding. They have three children: Kent Kelton, who was born in Mount Pleasant; Ruth Edna and Jane, born in Denver. In the Knights of Pythias Mr. Whitford has filled all the chairs. He is a member of Union Lodge No. 7, A. F. & A. M., and Denver Chapter, R. A. M.
ILLIAM T. LAMBERT, general manager of the Lambert Orchard Company, and proprietor of one of the finest ranches in the state, was born in Portland, Me., September 18, 1850, and is a son of Joseph and Cynthia (Meader) Lambert. In 1858 the family moved to Muscatine County, Iowa, where his father, who had been a contractor in Maine, became a farmer. From Iowa, in 1865, in a wagon drawn by an ox-team, they came to Denver, where the father first engaged in contracting and building,
