USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 41
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Samuel Balcom, direct ancestor of P. A. Balcom in the fourth generation in America, wedded Mary Brigham on the 14th of January, 1761. They had children as follows: Sarah, born in Massachusetts in 1762, as ascertained from her tombstone, became the wife of George Starrall in 1785 and died in 1824. Lydia was born in Massachusetts about 1765 and became the wife of Obijah Parker. Henry, born in 1768, as ascertained from the tombstone, died in 1850. Jonas was born in Paradise, Nova Scotia, in 1770. The others were: Reuben, born in 1772; Joseph Brigham; Asa, in 1778; Lucy, in 1780; and Pheba, in 1782.
Of that family Joseph Brigham Balcom was born at Paradise, Nova Scotia, about 1774 and was married about 1801 to Phoebe Tufts, who was born about 1781. He died about 1840 and his wife passed away about the same time. They had a large family, as follows: Silas, who was born about 1802, died in 1899. Major, born about 1804, married Mary Roax. Lavinia, who was born about 1806, became the wife of John Remson. Amelia and William died unmarried. David Harris, who was born about 1812, wedded Mary Willett. Seraphina Ann, who was born about 1815, became the wife of Paul Amberman. Phillis Theresa died unmarried. Leonora, who was born about 1821, became the wife of Jacob Durland. Joseph Allen, who was born about 1823, was married twice. Samuel Judson, who was born about 1827, married Elizabeth Banks. Jonas W. H., who was born about 1829, died in 1901. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Banks.
The ancestral line is thus traced down to Silas Balcom, father of Pelimon A. Balcom. He was born about 1802 and died in 1899. His wife, Anne Van Buskirk, was born in 1804 and died in 1871. They were married in 1823 and their children were as
PELIMON A. BALCOM
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follows: John Edward, who was born in Annapolis county about 1824, married Louise Stirk and died about 1901. George Bishop and Phebe Ann are the next in order of birth. Susanna, who was born about 1827, became the wife of John Fleet. Helen Maria, who was born about 1829, was married twice. Henrietta was born about 1831. Catherine and Charles Albert are the next of the family. Silas Wesley was born about 1836 and died in 1882. William Judson was born about 1839. Mary Elizabeth, who was born about 1843, became the wife of John S. Clarke. Rachel Louise was born about 1846 and died in 1867. Pelimon A. is the subject of this review.
While Pelimon A. Balcom belongs to the Canadian branch of the family, they were not among the tories who went from the United States to the northern country. Silas Balcom served in the French and Indian war and while there took a fancy to Nova Scotia. It was this that caused him and his brother Samuel afterward to remove to Paradise, Nova Scotia, about the year 1768. During the long connection of the family with the United States the name has been spelled variously Balcombe, Balcomb and Balcom. Representatives of the family in large numbers met at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo in August, 1901, and formed a permanent organization to bring the various branches of the family into closer acquaintance and to establish their records in a complete way.
Mr. Balcom of this review pursued his education in the public schools of Halifax and in an academy there but put aside his texthooks when a youth of seventeen years and entered his father's office in Kings county, Nova Scotia, there receiving his initial business training. After a short time, however, he left his father's employ and became a member of the firm of Wallace & Balcom, dealers in glassware, crockery and fancy imported goods. He was thus actively engaged until April, 1873, when he came to Denver and through the intervening period he has been identified with the upbuilding of this section of the country, with the development of its industrial and manufactur- ing interests, and is now figuring prominently in connection with its mining and manufacturing possibilities. As manager of the Radio-Active Chemical Company he is also engaged in handling mining options, making purchases and other activities of similar character in various sections of the country. He was with the firm of Phelps, Dodge & Company from 1880 until 1885, after which he returned to Denver and established a soap manufacturing business which was conducted under the name of the Colorado Soap Company and afterward under the name of the Union Soap Company until 1893. This business he developed to mammoth proportions, its annual sales reaching a million and a half dollars. Mr. Balcom is a man of marked enterprise and executive force. He displays marked discrimination in realizing the value of any business situation and has splendid powers as an organizer.
In 1884 Mr. Balcom was united in marriage to Miss Lolita Turtle, of Georgetown, Delaware, a daughter of John W. Turtle. To them was born a daughter, Edna, whose birth occurred in Denver in 1892 and who is now the wife of Lester C. Thomas, secre- tary and treasurer of the Mountain States Tractor Company at Denver, agents for the Fordson (Ford) tractor. Mr. Balcom had been previously married. In 1873 he had wedded Matilda Gossip and to them was born a son, William Wallace, who is now forty-three years of age and who is with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr. and Mrs. William W. Balcom have two children: Dorothy, born in 1897; and Pelimon Carroll, born in 1900.
In his political views Mr. Balcom has been a republican and has long supported the party, giving to it stalwart allegiance. He is a man of determined purpose whose long residence in Colorado makes him one of its pioneer settlers, and throughout the entire period he has been most deeply and helpfully interested in everything pertain- ing to the welfare and development of the state. His strong personality enables him to execute his plans and at all times he is actuated hy a spirit of enterprise and progressiveness that accomplishes results.
JULIUS AUBUCHON.
A property comprising six hundred and eighty acres of valuable ranch land is the result of the incessant industry, close application and progressive methods which Julius Aubuchon has displayed in the attainment of his success. He has been a resident of this state for thirty-six years and is therefore numbered among the pioneers of the commonwealth, having during that long period greatly contributed toward growth and development, especially along agricultural lines. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, he was born in 1860, a son of Joseph and Seline (Chomeau) Aubuchon, both of St. Louis.
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MR. AND MRS. JULIUS AUBUCHON
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and of French lineage. Gregory M. Aubuchon, the grandfather of our subject, was the first sheriff of St. Louis county, Missouri. He was a native of France and one of those early distinguished French gentlemen who settled in St. Louis, Missouri, and gave to the city that air of French refinement, traces of which are still perceptible even in these modern days of rapid changes. Cecile Aubuchon, an aunt of Joseph Aubuchon. was the first white child born in St. Louis. On the maternal side the subject of this review is of French Canadian extraction.
Julius Aubuchon acquired his education in the common schools of his native city and subsequently assisted his father on the home farm, thus acquiring valuable knowledge of agricultural methods. At the age of twenty-two, in 1882, he came to Colorado and homesteaded land in El Paso county, near the county line and about ten miles from Monument. This land was then in a wild state but Mr. Aubuchon energetic- ally took up the task of transforming it into cultivated fields and as the years passed he succeeded and prosperity attended his efforts. He added to his property as his means increased and today he has six hundred and eighty acres in one tract. The ranch is now known as Pike View and is considered one of the most valuable within the neighbor- hood. There are substantial buildings, and modern equipment and machinery are found upon the place. Enterprising and progressive, Mr. Aubuchon has never held back in making improvements, but on the contrary has often led the way and has thus inspired others.
At St. Joseph, Missouri, Julius Aubuchon was united in marriage to Rose Lavelette, of French Canadian parentage, and to this union were born seven children: Celine, who married Fred Geiger, a rancher in El Paso county; and George, Bertha. Adele, Homer, Glenn and Walter. The family are devout communicants of the Catholic church.
Mr. Aubuchon is a democrat in his political affiliations but has never been an office seeker, preferring to give liis undivided attention to his farming interests. Fraternally he is a member of Monument Lodge, No. 302, W. O. W., in which organiza- tion he has many friends. He is a public-spirited citizen who has proven himself a valuable addition to the agricultural community of his neighborhood and who has ever been ready to give his support to measures which have for their purpose general im- provement and advancement. There is great credit due him for what he has achieved, for he is a self-made man. Trustworthy and reliable, he has inspired others with confidence and enjoys the highest regard of all who know him.
CHARLES H. LOWELL.
Charles H. Lowell, living in Sedalia and numbered among the substantial ranchers of Douglas county, where his birth occurred in 1874, is a son of Charles Abner and Lydia (Bowman) Lowell, both of whom were natives of Maine and became early pioneers of Douglas county, where they arrived in the early '70s. They reared a family of six children, of whom Charles H. Lowell is the third in order of birth. His educa- tion was acquired in the common schools of his native county and he was reared to ranch life, to which he has always devoted his energies and attention. He is now actively and successfully engaged in the further development of a large ranch of twelve hundred acres near Sedalia, which is largely devoted to stock raising and dairying. It has splendid equipment for these purposes and the business is most wisely, carefully and successfully directed. The ranch is well improved in every particular according to the standards of modern farming, in the twentieth century, and as the result of his close application, unfaltering energy and sound judgment Mr. Lowell is meeting with notable and gratifying success in his ranching interests.
In 1894 Mr. Lowell was married to Miss Christian MacGregor, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was educated in a private school in Frankfort, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Lowell have become the parents of six children, Jean, Duncan, Josephine, Dorothy, Godfrey and Harry. Duncan is in the radio branch of the United States army. He enlisted in the state militia in August, 1916, and served on the Mexican border with Pershing's expedition into Mexico, after which he entered upon active service in connection with the recently terminated World war. Jean and Josephine are both graduates of the high school of Sedalia and are now teachers there. Dorothy is a student in the high school. The family home has been maintained in Sedalia in order that the children might have the advantage of the educational opportunities of the city.
Mr. Lowell is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 142, of Sedalia, and he also has membership with the Woodmen of the World at Castle Rock. His political
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allegiance is given to the republican party and he was a candidate for sheriff of Douglas county in November, 1918. The family attend the Episcopal church and socially their position is one of prominence.
OTIS A. PIKE.
Otis A. Pike is a substantial and representative merchant of Morrison, Jefferson county, in which town he was born on the 8th of May, 1877. He has always resided in Colorado, being a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state. His parents were Anderson and Hannah (Fenton) Pike, the former a native of Indiana, while the latter was born in Missouri. Removing to Iowa in early life, they were married there and in 1875 came to Colorado, taking up their abode upon a farm in Jefferson county. The father was a nephew of Lieutenant Z. M. Pike. Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson Pike continued residents of Colorado until called to the home beyond and here they reared their family of twelve children, nine of whom are living.
Otis A. Pike spent his youthful days in his father's home at Morrison and Jeffer- son county's public schools afforded him his educational opportunities. He continued through vacation periods and after his school days were over to assist his father until he reached his majority and in 1900 he embarked in merchandising, opening a store in Morrison which he has since conducted, enjoying a growing trade as the years have passed. The business is carried on under the name of the Pike-Perry Mercantile Company, with Otis A. Pike as the manager. He concentrates his entire efforts and attention upon the successful conduct of the business and has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement.
In 1902 Mr. Pike was united in marriage to Miss Mollie V. Dyer, a native of Missouri and a daughter of T. J. Dyer. Three children have been born of this marriage, Esta R., Alberta V. and Genevieve M. The family is well known socially, Mr. and Mrs. Pike having many friends in this part of the state. Mr. Pike is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge. He also has membership with the Woodmen of the World. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and in March, 1918, he was appointed post- master of Morrison, which position he is now filling. He has also served as mayor of the city for four years, giving to Morrison a businesslike and public-spirited administration that has resulted greatly to the benefit of the town.
EUGENE E. BURLINGAME.
Eugene E. Burlingame, to whom the development of mining interests in Colorado offered opportunity for successful business activity, became a resident of the state during the pioneer epoch in the development of mining interests and at the time of his death was conducting a profitable business as an assayer of Denver. He was born in Brownville, Jefferson county, New York, on the 21st of November, 1844, a son of Alvah and Mary (Waterman) Burlingame, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 20th of March, 1907, when he passed away in the capital city. His father was a farmer by occupation. Born in Little Falls, Herkimer county, New York, he was of English ancestry, his forebears having located in Rhode Island at an early period. The mother was also a native of Herkimer county, New York, and was of English and Scotch parentage.
Eugene E. Burlingame attended the public schools of Watertown, New York, and when seventeen years of age went to New York city, where for five years he was in the employ of A. K. Eaton, a practical assayer and chemist. There he acquired the training in the profession which he so successfully followed in Colorado in later years. In 1866, soon after the discovery of silver at Georgetown, he came west to this state and was appointed territorial assayer by Acting Governor Frank Hall, which appointment was confirmed by the senate. He located at Georgetown and made his home there and in Central City during the period of four years in which he held the position. He be- came interested in silver milling in Boulder county and later he removed to Silver City, New Mexico, where he operated two silver mills. After three years spent in that state, however, he returned to Colorado and established his home in Denver, where he began business as a public assayer, successfully continuing in that line until his
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demise. As he prospered he made judicious and extensive investments in real estate and was the owner of a number of valuable properties.
On the 14th of January, 1874, in Central City, Mr. Burlingame was married to Miss Alice Hoffman, a native of Illinois, who was educated in Toledo, Ohio. She survives her husband, now occupying the family residence in Denver. They became the parents of three children. Fannie, the eldest, is the wife of D. L. Mechling, and has two children, Alice and Eugene B., the latter now in the United States aviation service and an expert instructor in the air schools. Walter E. is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Bessie is the wife of Dr. R. G. Morrison, of Denver, and has two children, Ann and Graham.
Mr. Burlingame was a Mason, having taken the degrees of lodge, chapter and com- mandery, and the teachings and precepts of the order dominated his life in all of his relations with his fellowmen. His career was characterized by the thoroughness of his undertakings, study and experience gaining him added efficiency in his chosen life work, while his social qualities won for him the kindly regard of all.
DEWEY WHITNEY STRONG.
Founder and president of the Strong Mercantile Company, of Brighton, Dewey Whitney Strong is a native of Strongsville, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, his birth occurring July 28, 1848. His parents were Clark R. and Lydia (Stevens) Strong who, in 1853, left the Buckeye state and located in Kankakee, Illinois, where the father established himself in the general merchandising business, and where he resided until his death a few years later. The paternal grandfather of our immediate subject, John S. Strong, was numbered among the early pioneers of northern Ohio, having removed there from Connecticut, when the Western Reserve was a frontier country. Here he platted and established the town of Strongsville, in Cuyahoga county, the new settlement being named in honor of its founder.
Following the death of his father, Dewey W. Strong went to Hillsdale, Michigan, where he made his home with his brother. Emory M., and where he availed himself of the opportunities for an education, afforded by the excellent public schools of the flourishing little city. He afterwards became a student in Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, an institution ranking high in educational work, and one which has proven a powerful factor in shaping the minds, and moulding the characters, of the boys and girls who came within the sphere of its influence and guidance, particularly so in the earlier years, when such institutions of advanced study were few and far between in the growing west. After spending two years at Oberlin, Mr. Strong took up the pro- fession of teaching, devoting his attention to this line of work. in the public schools of northern Indiana, for about two years. He then turned his attention to the insurance business, and for the ensuing two years, was located at Geneva, Ashtabula county, Ohio.
In 1869, he decided to go still farther' west, and removed to Burlington, Kane county, Illinois, where he associated himself with one of the early merchants of the town. as clerk and assistant in a general store, and there he remained for a number of years. It was during his period of residence in Burlington, that he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy C. Roseborough, a resident there.
Failing health induced him to seek a different climate, and in May, 1873, he arrived in Colorado. After spending about a year in Denver, and in the mountains, he located a homestead in Weld county, upon which he resided for seven years. He greatly im- proved the property and in addition to general ranching. established and conducted an extensive and profitable dairying business. He also took an active interest in the development of the Fulton irrigation project.
In 1882, Mr. Strong removed to Brighton where he established himself in the general merchandising business. About two years later, J. C. Twombly acquired a partnership interest and the business was conducted under the firm name of Strong & Twombly. A dairying business was also conducted by them for many years. The firm name was later changed to The Strong-Twombly Mercantile Company and, again, still later, to The Strong Mercantile Company, under which title the business is now conducted. During all the years of its existence, under whichever name it may have been conducted, Mr. Strong has served as president and general manager, and it is not amiss to say that under his careful guidance the material success of the enterprise has been of a substantial character, while at the same time, the policy of the organiza- tion has been a potent factor in the industrial and general business development of Brighton and the surrounding community.
DEWEY W. STRONG
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To Mr. and Mrs. Strong has been born a son, Arthur James, who is associated with his father, and has taken upon himself a large share of the responsibilities and care of the management of the business. He wedded Miss Daisy Irene Potter, and they have one child, a son, Sheldon Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Strong, also have an adopted daughter, Myrta Mae, who married Edwin C. Potter, and they have one daughter, Mae Edwina. Mr. Potter responded to the call of his country, by enlisting in May, 1917, and is now in active service in France where he has won promotion to the rank of quartermaster sergeant.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, in the welfare of which both take an active part. For many years, Mr. Strong has served as elder and trustee, and he served for twenty-six consecutive years as superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Strong is a charter member of Brighton Lodge, No. 78, A. F. & A. M., and in which he is a past master. His political allegiance is with the republi- can party, and while not seeking office, he has served the community as postmaster, mayor, also as a member of the board of town trustees, taking a natural interest in, and being ready to do all in his power to promote, the welfare of the community in which he has so long resided, and where he has long been regarded as an upright, representative citizen of sterling worth and character.
GIDEON C. PRATT.
Gideon C. Pratt, deceased, was for many years a representative and highly respected farmer of Douglas county, living on section 1, township 10, range 66 west. He was born near the village of Goshen, Orange county, New York, June 8, 1834, and passed away in 1902. He was a son of Alanson E. and Sarah (Noble) Pratt. The father was a merchant of Elmira, New York, and in 1853 removed westward to Muscatine, Iowa, where he purchased a large tract of land. Later he again engaged in mercantile pursuits and in 1867 he removed to Colorado Springs, Colorado. His last days were passed at Sedalia, Missouri, where his death occurred in 1893.
Gideon C. Pratt acquired an academic education and after his textbooks were put aside secured a clerkship in the store of David A. Tuttle, of Elmira, New York, at a salary of fifty dollars per year, thus making his initial step in the commercial world. At the age of nineteen, he removed with his father to Iowa and in 1862 went to Council Bluffs, that state. From there he traveled by coach to Denver, Colorado, a trip that consumed six weeks. He afterward engaged in clerking in the bank of O. D. Cass & Company and in 1862 was sent across the range to collect a large bill. He was obliged to travel nights in order to take advantage of the crusts which then formed over the snow. He collected the full amount of the bill in gold dust and returned it safely to his employers. Later he was transferred to the branch office at Central City, where he continued to do collecting for some time. In 1867, however, he became interested in a sawmill on the divide, in Douglas county, and in 1869 he invested in seven hundred and twenty acres of land. He was thereafter closely, prominently and successfully engaged in farming, converting his land into rich and productive fields.
On the 10th of November, 1858, Mr. Pratt was united in marriage to Miss Lydia M. Cass, a daughter of the Rev. M. G. and Sophia (Putnam) Cass, the former a minister of the Presbyterian church. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pratt. Harry C., the eldest, died on the 19th of March, 1875. Lillie S., to whom we are indebted for the facts concerning her father, was married on the 8th of September, 1910, to Charles S. Heimann, of Evansville. Indiana, a graduate of the Kent College of Law at Chicago, who was practicing his profession at Castle Rock prior to his death, which occurred May 23, 1911. Nellie S. married D. J. Skinner at Spring Valley, Colorado, on the 13th of July, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner now reside at Fruita, Colorado, where the former is superintendent of the waterworks. To him and his wife have been born eight children, as follows: Emma S., the wife of Joseph Cline, of Del Norte, Colorado, by whom she has two children, Eugene and Joseph; May, the wife of Edward Freemyer, of Nampa, Idaho, by whom she has one child, June; Pearl, who gave her hand in marriage to Leonard Stewart, cashier of the First National Bank of Fruita, Colorado; Mabel C., the wife of Clarence Jeffries, a general merchant of Meeker, Colorado; Elmer, who was a member of Company M, Three Hundred and Sixty-second Infantry, was later trans- ferred to Company H, One Hundred and Ninth Infantry, was wounded in September, 1918, was then returned to America and is now in a convalescent hospital; Myrtle, who is a telegraph operator living with her parents at Fruita, Colorado; Guy, who is in Washington; and Dalton, who is twelve years of age and is attending school.
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