USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 44
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For many years Mr. Prendergast was a member of the Grange, in which he was very active, and politically he is a democrat, thoroughly versed in the questions and issues of the day but not active in public affairs. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church, of which he is a devoted communicant. His career stands as an example to a younger generation, showing what may be accomplished in this country when there is the will to dare and to do, and there is great credit due Mr. Prender- gast for what he has achieved, as he has attained to an honorable and substantial position in life entirely through his own efforts and is therefore entitled to the proud appellation of a self-made man. While pursuing his private affairs he has contributed to the general welfare by advancing the standards in regard to stock breeding and also in relation to moral and intellectual development and has thus been a valuable factor in the upbuilding of Larimer county.
ANTHONY C. SMITH.
Anthony C. Smith has long been identified with farming interests in Colorado and is now the owner of an excellent tract of rich and valuable land near Henderson. He was born in England, December 17, 1842, a son of Isaac and Ann (Cadman) Smith. He attended school in his native country until he reached the age of twenty-one years, supplementing his public school instruction by a course in the Bristol School of Mines, from which he was graduated with the degree of Mining Engineer. He thereafter followed his profession in England and for many years was superintendent of mines, at Rhondda, South Wales. In 1870 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and made his way to Colorado, settling on Plum creek, where he purchased two thousand acres. For twenty years he devoted his attention and energies to ranching upon that place, bringing about a marked transformation in the appearance of the property. Conditions of agricultural life changed much during that period. The wide, open range gave way to the ranch and the ranch in turn to the small farm. Disposing of his property, he went to New Mexico where he engaged in lumbering and the operation of large saw- mills. Returning to Colorado Mr. Smith purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land near Henderson, on which he has since engaged in general farming and stock raising. He closely studies the condition of the soil and its needs, and through crop
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rotation and every modern method of enhancing productiveness now gathers good harvests as the reward of his labors.
In England, in 1870, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Matilda McLeod and they had four children. The eldest, Anthony Bertram, is deceased. Matilda became the wife of Eugene Conklin and they have two children, Ralph and Alice. Mabel became the wife of Irving Smith and they have three children, William F., Grace Mabel and Irving William. Mary McLeod has passed away. The wife and mother died on February 11, 1876, and on the 23d of June, 1879, Mr. Smith married Frances A. Wells, a daughter of James and Frances (Barr) Wells. She was born in London, was there'educated and came to the United States in 1879. There were four children of this marriage: Cecil Anthony; Leonard McLeod, who married Matilda Huler and who have two children, Earl Cadman and Gladys A .; Edith Ann; and Herbert Isaac.
In his political views Mr. Smith is a democrat, having supported the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He has served as justice of the peace and has made an excellent officer in that position, but he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and his belief has dominated his life in all of its relations, making him a man whom to know is to esteem and honor.
ROBERT LEE HEARON.
Robert Lee Hearon has for nineteen years been connected with the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company and for the past eleven years has been its traffic manager at Denver. He was born on the old family plantation near Columbus, Mississippi, December 13, 1865. He has in his possession genealogical records of the family tracing the ancestry back through many generations. His father Ananias Hearon, was born in South Carolina in 1816 and removed to Mississippi with his parents when a youth of eighteen years. At the age of twenty-four he started in life as a plantation overseer and served in that capacity for ten years. He is said to have been at one time the highest paid overseer in Mississippi, receiving a salary of a thousand dollars per year. His method was kindness and fatherly interest in the slaves. At the age of thirty-four years he bought the plantation of which he was overseer, and after the close of the war and the emancipation of the colored people, all but two of his former slaves returned to the plantation and wanted to be taken back by their "massa." In 1873 he came to Denver and in 1875 brought his family to Denver, his death occurring in this city in May, 1909. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Carlisle and is now living in Lin- coln, Nebraska, at the age of seventy-nine years, her birth having occurred in Aberdeen, Mississippi, in 1839.
Robert Lee Hearon pursued his education in the East Denver high school, and entered business life as clerk with the Denver, Texas & Fort Worth Railway Com- pany, now the Colorado & Southern Railway Company. He continued for eleven years with the railroad and for nineteen years has been associated with the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, in which connection he has won steady advancement and for eleven years has held the responsible and important position of traffic manager.
On the 23d of November, 1897, Mr. Hearon was united in marriage to Miss Mary Adah James, a daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Coover) James, who were married in 1865 at Bourneville, Ohio, and in 1872 removed to Coffey county, Kansas, whence in 1894 they came to Denver. The father was a farmer and stockman. He was born at South Salem, Ohio, in 1838 and died at Longbeach, California, in 1916. His parents were Reuben and Mary (Shoafstal) James and the former was a son of Reuben James, who was born at Wilmington, Delaware, and who served for thirty-three years in the United States navy. He was with Stephen Decatur as quarter gunner in the war with Tripoli in 1804, also participated in the War of 1812 and the Algerian war of 1815. Elizabeth (Coover) James, the mother of Mrs. Hearon, was born at Bourneville, Ohio, in 1838, a daughter of John and Adah (Mckenzie) Coover and a great-grand- daughter of Gideon Coover, who was born in 1738 and died in 1810. He was a private in Captain McCurdy's company of the Third Battalion of Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania Militia, in 1780, of which Samuel Erwin was the colonel, and with this command he did active service in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. James was a granddaughter of Joshua Mckenzie, who was a drummer in Lieutenant Colonel Ludwig Weltner's com- pany of the German Battalion in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Hearon is a member of the Denver Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hearon have been born twin daughters, Elizabeth and Eleanor,
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whose birth occurred in 1904, and a third daughter, Mary Carlisle, born in 1907. Mr. Hearon is a lover of all forms of outdoor life and is particularly fond of shooting. He was for many years connected with gun clubs but in recent years his close application to business has deprived him of this pleasure. His devotion to his family is one of his marked characteristics. As a business man he ranks high, his entire career being characterized by loyalty to every interest entrusted to his care. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, while his religious faith is evidenced in his member- ship in the Church of the Ascension of Denver. He likewise belongs to the Denver Club, the Denver Country Club and the Denver Civic and Commercial Association.
JOHN E. BAILEY.
John E. Bailey, a highly respected farmer, stockman and dairyman of Jefferson county, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 18th of January, 1864. His father, Joseph Bailey, a native of England, came to America and took up his abode in Chicago. He became a captain of vessels sailing on the Great Lakes, devoting his life to navigation interests. Both he and his wife passed away in Chicago leaving five children, all of whom are living.
John E. Bailey was adopted by his uncle, John Bailey, for whom he was named and who removed to Minnesota, so that the subject of this review was reared and educated in that state. After attaining his majority he went to North Dakota, where he lived for two years, and then removed to Oregon, where he engaged in the sheep business for a period of four years. He then sold out and turned his attention to mining in Colorado, spending three years in that way. He afterward located on his father-in-law's farm and has since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits, stock raising and dairying. For this purpose he keeps a number of high grade cows and has a well appointed dairy, conducted along scientific and sanitary lines, and bring- ing to him a substantial measure of success.
In 1893 Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Annie Spickerman, a native of Colorado and a daughter of A. H. and Fannie (Wylie) Spickerman. Her father settled upon the ranch now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Bailey in the year 1859 and he and his wife continued to make their home thereon until called to their final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have become the parents of seven children, Andrew, Francis, John, Anna, Joseph, Bryan and James.
The parents are members of the Episcopal church and are people of genuine worth, highly esteemed by all who know them. Mr. Bailey is also a member of the Woodmen of the World. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and while he has never sought or desired political office he has served as school director. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the community in which he resides and cooperates heartily in many plans and movements for the general good. Those who know him-and he has a wide acquaintance speak of him in terms of warm regard and many give him their enduring friendship.
HIRAM PRINCE.
An attractive brick residence standing in the midst of a highly cultivated farm in Boulder county is the home of Hiram Prince, now one of the venerable citizens of his section of the state, for he has reached the ninety-fourth milestone on life's journey. He was born in Mobile, Alabama, on the 6th of May, 1824, a son of John and Mary (Cooper) Prince, who were natives of England. They came to America in an early day, settling in Alabama, where both passed away.
Hiram Prince, who was one of a family of three children, left home when but ten . years of age and shipped on a whaling vessel. He followed the seas in that connection for twelve years and afterward engaged in steamboating as second mate on the Mississippi river. In 1864 he arrived in Colorado, making his way to Denver, and having previously acquainted himself with the blacksmith's trade, he there followed work along that line. He was the builder of the first omnibus that was run in Denver and he continued to work at his trade in that city until 1870, when he turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, purchasing the farm whereon he now resides in Boulder county. It comprises two hundred and fifty acres of rich and valuable land and he has also given eighty acres to each of his children. Upon his present farm he has made
HIRAM PRINCE
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many modern improvements, has erected the fine brick residence which he occupies and has also other good buildings which furnish ample shelter for the grain and stock. His entire farm is under the ditch and everything about the place is indicative of his careful supervision and progressive methods.
Mr. Prince was for thirty years president of the South Boulder Canyon Ditch Com- pany, which runs sixty-five cubic feet of water per second. In fact he was most closely associated with the very first irrigation schemes in his district, for he was appointed by Governor Pitkin as the first water commissioner to divide the waters in Boulder creek. He was appointed prior to the regular commission and when that body came into being it abided by his decision. He continued in that connection until he resigned in order to take up his duties in the state legislature. When the ditch company was formed in 1870 Mr. Prince made the by-laws, etc., and also made the plans for assess- ments. The same stock which originally was sold for twenty-five cents is today literally priceless, a fact which places a true valuation upon his activities in this connection.
Mr. Prince was married in Missouri in 1851 to Miss Mary Lindsey, a native of Ohio, and to them were born six children: Frank; Louis, who is identified with farm- ing in Boulder county; John, who resides with his father and carries on the home place; Clarence, of Boulder county; Mary, the wife of Al Schofield; and Emma, who married Elmer Schofield. The wife and mother passed away in 1892 and was laid to rest in Lafayette cemetery.
Mr. Prince is a republican in his political views and has twice been called upon to represent his district in the state legislature. He has also served on the school board and has stood stanchly in support of every project and measure which he deemed would prove of benefit in advancing the political, educational and moral welfare of the community. For years he was superintendent of what was known as the People's Sunday school at Denver and he has done much to further moral progress in the community. Moreover, he is a self-made man when judged from a business standpoint and has accumulated a handsome fortune. He is wonderfully well preserved for one of his years, making frequent trips to town with a team of horses. His life was for many years one of intense activity that brought to him the substantial competence that is today his, enabling him to spend the evening of life in retirement and comfort. Not- withstanding his advanced years he keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress and
"Though the snows of winter are on his head The flowers of spring are in his heart."
NELS P. SWANSON.
Nels P. Swanson, living on section 20, township 4, range 68, in Weld county, was born in Sweden, January 8, 1868, a son of Swan and Ingre (Nelson) Gumeson, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of G. S. Swanson. Nels P. Swanson was reared and educated in Sweden and when nineteen years of age came to America. He located at Berthoud, Larimer county, and worked as a farm hand for four years. He then went to Cripple Creek, where he followed mining for eleven years and on the expiration of that period he returned and rented land in Weld county. This he continued to cultivate for about fifteen years but prior to the end of that time he purchased his present place, which he cultivated for four years before taking up his abode thereon. In April, 1918, however, he removed to the farm and today he has one of the best improved places of the state. In its midst stands a thoroughly modern and beautiful brick residence, in the rear of which are large and substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. The improve- ments upon the place indicate his progressive spirit. They meet every requirement of the model farm and he has all of the latest improved machinery and every facility to promote farm work. He makes a business of feeding cattle and of raising pure bred Duroc Jersey hogs and Holstein-Friesian cattle. He is also a stockholder in the Milliken flour mill and a stockholder in the Handy Ditch Company and in the Love- land Lake & Ditch Company. He has altogether two hundred and forty acres of land, upon which are found three sets of good buildings.
In September, 1899, Mr. Swanson was united in marriage to Miss Nora Morell, a daughter of John Morell, a native of Sweden, where he spent his entire life. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson became the parents of two children: Oscar G., born January 17, 1901, who is now attending the Agricultural College at Fort Collins; and Edna, who was
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born in 1903 and died in 1906. The wife and mother passed away in September, 1907, and in September, 1908, Mr. Swanson was married to Miss Tecla Carlson. They had one child, Carl, who was born in December, 1910, and passed away in January, 1911, while Mrs. Swanson departed this life in 1912.
Mr. Swanson belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church, of which be is the secretary, and he also has membership with the Knights of The Maccabees. His political allegi- ance is given to the democratic party but he has never sought or desired office, pre- ferring to give bis undivided attention to his business affairs, which have been care- fully conducted. He has worked persistently and energetically as the years have gone by, and although he started out in life empty-handed, he is today at the head of busi- ness interests of considerable importance and is financially and officially identified with several corporations which have much to do with the development, progress and pros- perity of his section of the state.
GEORGE NICKSON.
George Nickson, who is making a creditable record as a fearless and faithful officer in the position of sheriff of Douglas county, was born and reared in the county which is still his home and with its development and upbuilding has been identified through forty-four years. His natal day was February 2, 1874, his parents being George and Sarah (Paddison) Nickson, the former a native of England, while the latter was born in Wales. The father, on coming to Colorado in the early '60s, settled at Plum creek in Douglas county, where he homesteaded and also purchased land, thereon residing to the time of his death. His widow survives and is still occupying the old home place.
George Nickson acquired a common school education and early in life took up blacksmithing jat Castle Rock, where he now owns a blacksmithing and horseshoeing shop. He continued active in the line of his trade until 1901, when he was appointed under sheriff of Douglas county by Sheriff Anderson, who is now filling the position of county judge and who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. Nickson continued to act in that capacity for four years and in 1912 was elected sheriff of Douglas county on the democratic ticket for a term of two years. Three times since then he has been reelected to the office. Four years' service as deputy and eight years' service as sheriff certainly indicates a most creditable record of faithfulness and capability. While he has retired from activity along the line of his trade, owing to the demands of his office, he is still known in the business circles of Castle Rock as one of the stockholders in the Castle Rock State Bank.
On the 25th of November, 1911, Mr. Nickson was married to Miss Bertha Howell, of Pueblo, a graduate of the Pueblo high school, who prior to her marriage engaged in teaching for several terms. Three children have been born of this union: Gweny, Betty and George Andrew. The family attend the Episcopal church and Mr. Nickson has. membership in the Odd Fellows lodge of Castle Rock and also in the Improved Order of Red Men. His time and attention at present, however, are largely given out- side of the duties of his office-to his work as chairman of the county exemption board and he is standing loyally behind the president in all of the efforts of the nation to up- hold on European soil the principles for which this country stands, based upon the belief that "all men are created free and equal."
WALTER ANDREW PETERSON.
Walter Andrew Peterson, organizer and the president of the Pioneer State Bank of Denver, which was founded in 1912, is numbered among the substantial citizens that Illinois has contributed to Colorado. He was born in Paxton, Illinois, on the 3d of September, 1872, a son of Gustav and Johanna (Jonnson) Peterson. The father, a native of Sweden, was a railway worker and in 1866 came to the new world. Both he and his wife have now passed away. They had a family of nine children, three of whom have been called to the home beyond.
Walter A. Peterson acquired a public school education in his native town and then went to Rockford, Illinois, where he attended the public schools, while later be pur- sued a course in a business college there and thus became well qualified for life's prac- tical and responsible duties. He entered upon his business career in connection with
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the Rockford (Il1.) National Bank, with which he was associated for seven years. He afterward spent three years as treasurer of the Forest City Furniture Company and for a similar period was secretary of the Forest City Bit & Tool Company of Rockford. In these various connections he was gaining valuable experience and knowledge which has been of benefit to him as the years have passed by. His residence in Denver dates from 1902, when he took up his abode in this city and became connected with the J. F. Brown Investment Company as its treasurer. He has since figured in financial circles and in 1912 became the organizer of the Pioneer State Bank, of which he was elected president, a position which he has since continuously and capably filled. Hls early experience in banking stood him in good stead in this connection and a general banking business is safely conducted. He has ever recognized the fact that the bank is most worthy of support that most carefully safeguards the interests of its depositors and the course which he has followed has commanded for the institution the highest trust and confidence.
Before leaving Illinois, Mr. Peterson was married in 1900 to Miss Alice O. Lund- vall, of Rockford, and they have become the parents of two children: Wesley Adelbert, who was born in 1903 and is now a pupil in the Manual Training high school of Denver; and Grace Evelyn, who was born in 1908 and is also pursuing her studies.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest, Mr. Peterson serving as one of the deacons of the Augustana Lutheran church. He belongs to the Denver Real Estate Exchange, also to the Denver Chamber of Commerce and the Denver Manufacturers' Association, and Is deeply interested in all plans and measures put forth by these organizations for the city's upbuilding and benefit. In 1908 he was appointed vice consul of Sweden at Den- ver and is still filling that position. He is a man of discriminating judgment in public as well as In business affairs, and his enterprise and progressiveness have carrled him steadily forward in various important relations of life.
FRANK L. MONTGOMERY.
In the passing of Frank L. Montgomery, of Parker, Colorado, Douglas county lost one of its leading citizens and honored pioneers, who for many years had contributed toward its development along various lines. During the last years of his life he lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest, having acquired a comfortable competence through ranching, to which occupation he devoted his attention during many years to good purpose, not only acquiring an individual fortune but also assisting in the agricul- tural development of his district in marked manner. A native of New Hampshire, Mr. Montgomery was born in 1846, in Fairfield, and early in his life removed with his parents to Wisconsin, where he was largely reared and received his education. During the strife between north and south he enlisted in the Union army and in the cause of freedom served for one year, at the end of which period he was honorably discharged. When the war was concluded he returned to his Wisconsin home, but having heard favorable reports of the many opportunities which were presented to a young and energetic man in Colorado, he decided to remove to that section of the country and in 1866 became a resident of this state. During the first few years he gave his attention largely to freighting, in which occupation he was quite successful, but in 1872 decided to settle upon a homestead on Cherry creek, in Douglas county. He was numbered among the pioneers residents of his part of the county and there he continued along agricultural lines for thirty-four years, or until 1906, when he sold his farming interests and retired to Parker, where he passed the remainder of his life, highly respected and honored by all who knew him. His farm became one of the valuable properties of Douglas county, for he not only brought his land under a high state of cultivation but also built model structures to shelter grain and stock and likewise instituted up-to-date equipment, prov- ing himself in every way a progressive, modern agriculturist who was ever ready to try out the latest experiments along his line of occupation in order not only to serve himself but also all others who followed the same line of vocation. In that way he not only acquired a comfortable competence for himself but also set a valuable example.
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