History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 75

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918-19
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 844

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On the 19th of June, 1887, Mr. Burgess married Miss Sallie Wells and they have become the parents of six children, namely: Nellie, now the wife of Bert Wally; James Lewis; Lottie, the wife of Leslie Frazil; Josie; Emma; and Jack.

Since casting his first presidential vote Mr. Burgess has always been a stalwart supporter of the democratic party and for thirty years has taken a very active and influential part in local politics. He has been a delegate to county and state conven- tions and is now the candidate of his party for county commissioner. He is a public- spirited, enterprising citizen and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed. He holds membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is very fond of ont- door life, his principal recreations being hunting and fishing.

JAMES MONROE COLLINS.

James Monroe Collins, who is president of the Farmers Union of Colorado, has been successfully identified with agricultural interests in Weld county for the past quarter of a century and is now the owner of an excellent farm of three hundred and eighty acres on section 35, township 7, range 66. two miles west of Eaton. His birth occurred in Union county, Georgia, on the 16th of January. 1871, his parents being Thompson S. and Susan Jane (Cook) Collins, who were likewise natives of Georgia. The father, who followed farming and blacksmithing in that state throughout his busi- ness career, passed away in March. 1917, when sixty-six years of age. His widow now makes her home in Choestoe, near Blairsville, Georgia, and has attained the age of sixty-eight years.

James M. Collins was reared and educated in the state of his nativity, remaining under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, after which he made his home with an uncle for four years. In 1893, when a young man of twenty-two years, he came to Weld county, Colorado, and for two years thereafter was employed as a farm hand and at ditch work. He then rented the farm which he now owns and operates, purchasing the property three years later. As time has passed he has made many excellent im- provements thereon until at present it is conceded to be one of the best developed and most modernly equipped farms in the entire state. There is a large two-story brick

JAMES M. COLLINS

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residence of up-to-date construction and also a substantial barn for the shelter of grain and stock. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he devotes considerable attention to the feeding of sheep and keeps all high grade stock, including Percheron horses and Poland China hogs. In the wise and careful manage- ment of his farm he has won a measure of success that has gained him recognition among the prosperous, representative and leading citizens of his community. He was a promoter of and is a stockholder in the Potato Growers Cooperative Company of Eaton and the T. A. Duke Mercantile Company of Eaton and a stockholder in the First National Bank of Eaton, while for twelve years he has been a director of the Larimer & Weld Irrigation Company. He occupies a prominent position as president of the Farmers Union of the state, in which capacity he is now serving for the third year, and he represents the farmers of Colorado in the State war council, which holds weekly meetings in Denver.

In January, 1896, Mr. Collins was united in marriage to Miss Nannie E. Twiggs, a daughter of John W. and Sarah (Hughes) Twiggs, both of whom were natives of Georgia. The father was a school teacher and also a minister of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, following his holy calling for many years, as he began preaching when a young man of nineteen. He was also identified with agricultural pursuits to some extent, but used hired help in the active work of the fields. During the period of the Civil war he served with the Home Guard. He passed away on the 29th of June, 1917, at the age of seventy-one years, having for almost a third of a century survived his wife, whose demise occurred in June. 1885. To Mr. and Mrs. Collins were born seven children, as follows: Bruce H., whose hirth occurred June 29, 1897; Myrtle M., born in August, 1899; Marvin, born in March, 1902; Gladys E., who was born in October, 1903; Alda L., born in May, 1905; James M., Jr., who was born in January, 1908; and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Collins is an independent voter. supporting men and measures rather than party. He has served on the school board for six years and the cause of education has ever found in him a stanch champion. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church and he has been a very active worker in the cause, serving as church treasurer for the past twelve years and doing everything in his power to promote the growth and extend the influence of the church. He has also been very active in Masonry and is a charter member of Eaton Lodge. No. 109, A. F. & A. M. He was made a Mason in Alleghany Lodge, No. 114. F. & A. M., in Georgia, but demitted to become a member of Eaton Lodge. He has filled all of the chairs in the subordinate lodge, serving as worship- ful master in 1903 and again in 1909. He has also filled nearly all of the offices in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was made noble grand in 1903. His career has been an active, useful and honorable one and his labors have been crowned with pros- perity, while the sterling worth of his character is manifest in his fraternal. social and church relations.

ARBA E. LAIR.

Arba E. Lair, a worthy native son and enterprising young agriculturist of Colo- rado, is now engaged in the operation of a rented farm of one hundred and thirty acres, two and one-half miles northwest of Eaton. His birth occurred at Fort Collins, Larimer county, this state, on the 25th of October, 1888, his parents being Melville and Celia (Durand) Lair, both of whom are natives of Illinois. The father, a car- penter and contractor, also followed farming in lowa at an early day. In 1879 he removed to Fort Collins, Colorado, and through the intervening period, covering almost four decades, has been actively and successfully engaged in business as a contractor of this state. For the past twenty-seven years he has made his home in Eaton, being widely recognized as one of its substantial, respected and representative citizens. His wife is also yet living and they have an extensive circle of friends in the community where they reside.

Arba E. Lair. a little lad of three years when his parents took up their abode in Eaton in 1891, was reared and educated in that city. After putting aside his textbooks he worked as a farm hand in the employ of his brother for a year and then began the cultivation of rented land belonging to his brother-in-law, T. C. Gates, the development of which has since claimed his time and energies. The tract comprises one hundred and thirty acres and is situated about two and one-half miles northwest of Eaton. in Weld county. He has brought the place under a high state of cultivation and the well

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tilled fields annually yield golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.

In December, 1907, Mr. Lair was united in marriage to Miss Grace Baker. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen of the World. A young man of enterprise, ambition and energy, his continued success is assured and he has already become widely known as a progressive and representative citizen.

JOHN KILE.

John Kile, engaged in the garage and livery business in Rockvale, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on the 6th of August, 1854, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (McClelland) Kile. The family was founded in the United States when their son John was a little lad of but three years. They located in Pennsylvania and there continued to reside until called to their final rest.

John Kile, on attaining the age of six years, entered the public schools and pursned his education in Pennsylvania until he reached the age of ten. At that time he began working in the mines and was thus employed in Pennsylvania until he reached the age of twenty-seven years, when he removed to the west, locating in Rockvale, Colorado. He worked here in the mines from 1881 until the 1st of July, 1891, at which time he turned his attention to the automobile and livery business. He has since conducted a well equipped garage as well as a livery stable and has gained a liberal patronage.

On the 25th of December, 1877, Mr. Kile was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Kreise. They have become the parents of a large family of four sons and five daughters and they also have twelve grandchildren.

In politics Mr. Kile has always been a stalwart republican and has been the candi- date on the party ticket for representative to the general assembly. He has filled various local offices, being school director for twelve years, mayor of the town for two years, water superintendent for four years and also commissioner for the district by appointment of Governor Peabody for six years. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, of which he is a loyal adherent, and he has been a most earnest church worker and a leader in the Sunday school. His aid and influence are always on the side of progress, improvement and moral development and he has made a splen- did record in every connection as a business man, as a citizen and as an official.

FREDERICK L. NINER.

Frederick L. Niner is an honored resident of Kersey, who is now living retired after many years of successful activity in business circles. His birth occurred in Penn- sylvania on the 13th of February, 1846, his parents being Henry and Margaret (Huner ) Niner, both of whom were natives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to the United States in early life and were married in this country. Henry Niner established his home in Pennsylvania and in that state spent the remainder of his days, providing for the support of his family by working at the weaver's trade. His demise occurred in 1888, when he had reached the age of sixty-two years, while his wife, surviving him for more than a decade, was called to her final rest in 1900, at the age of seventy-seven years.

Frederick L. Niner was reared and educated in the Keystone state and after putting aside his textbooks learned the harness maker's trade. He later engaged in business along that line and remained a resident of Pennsylvania until 1878, when he removed to Plainville. Kansas, where he turned his attention to general merchandising and was thus active in business circles for about fourteen years. On the expiration of that period, his health having become impaired, he came west to Colorado. After a year spent in this state he made his way to Wyoming and there followed mercantile pursuits for five years. At the end of that time he removed to Seattle, Washington, and a year later went to Ogden, Utah, where he was engaged in business for a period of seven years. His next removal brought him to Weld county, Colorado, and he became pro- prietor of a meat market at Greeley, successfully conducting his interests in that con- nection until he sold the establishment. In 1906 he took up his abode in Kersey and through the succeeding nine years was here engaged in the harness business. The

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condition of his health, however, again made it necessary that he abandon his com- mercial activities and he has since lived retired in Kersey, having accumulated a hand- some competence during the period of his active life. He has extensive mining interests in Nevada and California and also at Leadville, Colorado. He erected buildings in Pennsylvania and in Kansas and during his sojourn in different parts of the west he has built about fifteen residences and store buildings, owning property in Utah and Wyoming and in Eaton and Kersey, Colorado. A progressive spirit has actuated hin at all times and success has come to him in well merited and gratifying measure.

On the 25th of December, 1871, Mr. Niner was united in marriage to Miss Louise Keas, a daughter of Michael and Katherine ( Miller) Keas, the latter a native of Penn- sylvania. Michael Keas was born on the ocean while his parents were en route to the new world and was reared and educated in Pennsylvania. He learned the trade of a cabinet maker, to which he devoted bis attention in early manhood, but later he became identified with agricultural interests and throughout the remainder of his life operated a farm in Pennsylvania. His death occurred in April, 1898, while his wife was called to her final rest in November, 1872. Their son, John Keas, brother of Mrs. Niner, served with the Union army throughout the entire period of hostilities between the north and the south and was killed in the last battle of the war, thus laying down his life on the altar of his country. Mr. and Mrs. Niner are the parents of three children, namely: Elmer K., who is a commercial traveler, residing in Salt Lake City, Utah; Jeanette, wife of U. G. Drummond, of Kersey, Colorado; and Leo C., who is superintendent of a large farm, west of Greeley, Colorado.

Mr. Niner has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and has served on the town board of Kersey. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and both he and his wife are identified with the Fraternal Union of America. They are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which they make their home, having gained an extensive circle of warm friends during the perlod of their residence in Weld county.

CHARLEY T. VILLARS.

Charley T. Villars, a member of the firm and manager for the Dry Climate Ink & Roller Company of Denver. in which connection he has developed a business that has already reached large and gratifying proportions, was born at Villars Chapel, Ohio, July 27, 1869, and is a son of the late Ely H. Villars, who was also born in the Buckeye state, where the family have lived from pioneer times. He came of English ancestry, being a descendant of George Villars, who crossed the Atlantic to the new world prior to the Revolutionary war, in which he took a very active part on the side of the American troops. He originally settled with four brothers in Clinton county, Ohio, and Villars Chapel was named in honor of the forbears of the subject of this review. Ely H. Villars was reared and educated in Ohio, and throughout his active life followed the live stock business, in which he met with substantial success. He also engaged in farming over three hundred acres of land, but at the outbreak of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the cessation of hostilities. He went with Sherman on the celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea and was on several occasions taken prisoner, but was never wounded. He died November 24. 1915, when seventy-two years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Kath- erine Thatcher, was also a native of Ohio and belonged to one of its oldest pioneer families, originally from Pennsylvania. They were of English origin and of Quaker faith. Mrs. Villars passed away during the latter '80s at the age of thirty-nine years. She had hecome the mother of three children, two of whom are living, Charley T. and Mary.

The former was educated in the public schools of Wilmington. Ohio, to the age of fourteen years, when he put aside his textbooks and began to earn his own living. He entered upon an apprenticeship to the printer's trade. which he afterward followed as a journeyman in various parts of the United States. In due course, he came to Denver, where be was employed as a printer and also by the American Type Founders Company until May, 1908, when the Dry Climate Ink & Roller Company was organized. He has since been actively and successfully connected with the business, of which he is the manager. This is the only firm of its kind in the west, and they have established a large clientele in nine states. They employ six skilled workmen, and that their products are of great value is shown by the fact that they are today the only one of seven firms in Denver still engaged in the business. They are agents for and manufacturers of high

CHARLEY T. VILLARS

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grade Dry Climate printing and lithographing inks, and also manufacturers of the famous Dry Climate printers' rollers, and use the latest improved gatling gun and modern equip- ment. They have a well appointed factory in Denver, and the business is steadily devel- oping. Mr. Villars is also extensively engaged in handling real estate and is the owner of a modern apartment house in the City Park district.

On the 1st of June, 1913, in Denver, Mr. Villars was married to Miss Mina Ten Eyck, a native of Denver and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Ten Eyck, who are residents of this city, where they have lived from early days. Mr. and Mrs. Villars have a son, George Thatcher, who was born in Denver, November 9, 1915. They own and occupy a pleasant home at No. 2555 Race street.

Mr. Villars obtains his chief diversion in motoring. A greater part of his time and attention is given to his business affairs, and he is a member of Typographical Union No. 49, and also of the Pioneer Printers Association. He likewise belongs to the Manu- facturers Association and the Denver Civic and Commercial Association. Fraternally he is connected with Denver Lodge, No. 17, B. P. O. E., while his religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Methodist church. His political endorsement is given to the men and measures of the republican party, and in former years he took quite an active part in politics. He is indeed a self-made man, his progress having resulted entirely from his persistent effort, intelligently directed. He realized the fact that there is always room at the top and, ambitions for advancement, he has steadily worked his way upward and has won a creditable place among the substantial and representative business men of Denver.

ARCHIE H. WAGNER.

Archie H. Wagner, superintendent of the public water works in District No. 2 at Pueblo, was born in Delaware, Ohio, on the 7th of April, 1870, and is a son of Nich- olas J. and Hattie ( Krook) Wagner. The father is a cabinet maker by trade and both he and his wife are yet living.

Archie H. Wagner was educated in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school of his home town. He afterward learned the machinist's trade, following a natural bent by so doing. He worked at the trade for four years, at the end of which time he was given a position with the Western Inspection & Weighing Association, with which he continued for fifteen years. He was in their employ when he came to Colorado in 1890. He left that company, however, to become deputy county clerk, in which position he served for two years. He then went to the water works as superintendent, acting in that capacity for two years, and in 1911 he was recalled to the position of superintendent of water works and has served in that capacity continuously since, now having charge of District No. 2. During his term of office much has been done in the way of extension and improvement. He thoroughly understands the demands of the position and the needs of the system and has done much to further this branch of public service.

On the 26th of September, 1893, Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Mary Wise and to them has been born a son, Harry C., who is now a first lientenant in the sanitary department of the United States army. He is married and has two sons.

Mr. Wagner votes with the democratic party and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He turns to fishing for recreation, greatly enjoying that sport. As a citizen he stands for all that is progressive and has to do with the public welfare. He is greatly respected wherever known and the value of his service is recognized by all who study the questions of municipal progress and policy.

WILMOT A. GIBBS.

Wilmot A. Gibbs, treasurer of the Silver Plume Consolidated Mines Company, with offices in the Foster building in Denver, was born in Menominee, Michigan, in October, 1888, a son of Chester D. and Minnie A. (Armstrong) Gibbs, who are natives of White- hall, New York, and of Cedar River, Michigan, respectively. The father, following his removal to the west, became a lumberman of Michigan and afterward conducted busi- ness along similar lines in northern Idaho for several years. He then became interested in mining and has devoted his entire time and attention to the mining industry for

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the past fifteen years. He was one of the originators of the Silver Plume Consolidated Mines Company of Silver Plume, Colorado, and is now its general manager. His operations in mining fields have been quite successful and he is a well known repre- sentative of mining interests in the state.

Wilmot A. Gibbs is a western man by training and experience and possesses the enterprising spirit which has led to the rapid development of the great western empire. He was reared in Washington, pursuing his education in its public schools, in Spo- kane College and in the University of Washington. When his education was com- pleted he became connected with the Forest Rangers in that state, spending a year in that way. He afterward became interested in mining and has assisted in promot- ing several interests of that character. In 1913 he came to Colorado and located the property of the Silver Plume Consolidated Mines Company at Silver Plume. When the company was organized he became its treasurer and has since occupied that position. He had spent more than one hundred thousand dollars upon the property before his father ever saw it. It is destined to be one of the greatest silver mines ever developed in Colorado or the United States, being in a district particular rich in silver, while the processes of mining that have been instituted are the expression of the latest scien- tifie work of this character.

On the 15th of March, 1917 Mr. Gibbs was united in marriage to Miss Netta A. Swift, a daughter of William C. and Nettie Ella (Murphy) Swift, the former a native of St. Louis, Missouri, while the mother was born in Michigan. Mrs. Gibbs was born in St. Louis, March 6, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs are well known in Denver, where they have won many friends and he stands as a splendid type of the enterprising young business men in whose vocabulary there is no such word as fail. He possesses keen insight and sagacity and whatever he undertakes is carried forward to successful com- pletion. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his political belief that of the republican party. He stanchly adheres to any principles which he espouses but he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concen- trate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs.

JAMES H. NIX.

In July, 1899, James H. Nix completed a journey of thirteen hundred miles made in a wagon. It was the thirty-third day on which he had traveled, with three others in the party, and at length he reached Eaton, his destination. He has since been a resident of this part of the state and is today owner of an excellent farm of two hun- dred and fourteen acres, constituting one of the valuable properties of Weld county.

Mr. Nix is a native of Georgia. He was born in 1879, of the marriage of Benjamin S. and Harriet (Swain) Nix, who were farming people of that state and were con- nected with the Baptist church there. The father died in the year 1902 and was laid to rest in Georgia, after which the mother came to Colorado in 1905 and is still living in Eaton.

James. H. Nix was educated in the town of his birth and at an early age began farming, assisting his father in the cultivation and improvement of the home place. When nineteen years of age he went to the Indian Territory and to the eastern part of Colorado, settling on what is called Grand river. There he worked on a farm, cul- tivating corn. In July, 1899, however, he removed to Eaton, traveling by wagon for thirteen hundred miles and completing the journey in thirty-three days. There were four in the party and after the first day out Mr. Nix was taken with malaria, from which he suffered all the way. After reaching Eaton he settled on section 2, township 6, range 66, Weld county. He worked on a farm at Eaton for three years and during that time saved a little money, with which he later rented a farm north of Kersey, securing a tract of eighty acres. During the succeeding three years hail destroyed his crops, causing him heavy losses, and subsequently he removed to a farm north of Farmers Spur, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for four years. During his period of ill luck, when hail destroyed his crops, he had to incur indebtedness to the amount of six thousand dollars, but by indefatigable energy and close attention to business he has discharged all of his financial obligations and has become the owner of a valuable farm property, which he purchased in March, 1913, and which comprises two hundred and fourteen acres of rich and productive land. He has bought and sold other small tracts of land in the county and by reason of his well conducted business affairs has come into possession of a substantial competence.

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History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 75

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed Publication date: 1918-19 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Number of Pages: 844

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918-19
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 844