USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 54
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In February, 1892, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Ida Hankins, a daugh- ter of William A. and Sarah (Alkire) Hankins, who are natives of Indiana. Her father removed to Taylor county, Iowa, during the pioneer epoch in the development of that district and while living there enlisted for active service in the Union army as a member of the Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry, with which he served for three years during the Civil war. He continued to engage in farming in lowa until 1878, when he removed to Boulder county, Colorado, and there carried on farming until 1880. He then took up his abode in Larimer county and secured a homestead at Campion, which he improved and further developed as the years passed by until 1917, when he retired from active busi- ness. He still resides, however, at Campion and his wife is also living. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born seven children but the first born, Grace, died September 17, 1897, at the age of four years, four months and three days. The others are: Paul, who is farm- ing his father's place; Geneva, who is attending a missionary school of the Seventh Day Adventists; Ethyle, also in school; and Berthia, Charles and Ida, at home.
Mr. Wilson has been able to provide liberally for his family, for he has been very successful in his business affairs and is the owner of considerable other land that he looks after besides the home place. He makes a business of feeding cattle and in addition to his property in Larimer county he owns a section and a quarter in Weld county that is largely devoted to the raising of wheat. He broke the first dry land in northern Colo- rado, planting an acre to turkey red fall wheat, and he has branched out until in 1918 he raised fifteen thousand bushels. Three years ago he received a check for thirty thou- sand dollars for wheat raised on a section and a half of land lying mostly in Weld county. He has made a thorough study of the possibilities for production in dry farming and has been very successful. He has ever been actuated by a progressive spirit and was one of the first men in the state to buy the combined harvester and thresher. His business affairs are most wisely, carefully and profitably conducted and he has at all times been actuated by a spirit of progress that constitutes an example that many others have followed. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the Seventh Day Adventist church.
WILLIAM C. KORTUM.
A well improved farm property is that owned and operated by William C. Kortum in the vicinity of East Lake. He has been the owner of this place since 1915, in which year he purchased one hundred and forty-four acres of land that now constitutes one of the fine farms of Adams county. Mr. Kortum is a native of Holstein, Germany. He was born July 17, 1864. a son of Detlev and Lena Kortum. The father came to the United States in 1893 and remained for four years, after which he returned to Germany but again made his way to the new world in 1912. Both he and his wife have now passed away. In their family were six children.
William C. Kortum was educated in the schools of his native country and there worked at farm labor, while for three years he was a member of the German army. In 1890 he came to Colorado, making his way to Denver, and for eight years he conducted a dairy. In 1915 he made investment in his present home place of one hundred and forty- four acres near East Lake, in Adams county, and has since engaged in farming it, devot-
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ing his attention largely to the production of wheat and hay. He has a fine house upon his place and large substantial harns, and in fact all of the improvements are in keeping with the progressive spirit of modern farming.
On the 9th of April, 1902, Mr. Kortum was married in Denver to Miss Sophie Bunz, a daughter of Henry Bunz and also a native of Germany who came to America in 1891. The children of this marriage are: William, who is operating a threshing machine; Mary, now Mrs. Louis Dierks; Gustaf; and Anna.
In his political views Mr. Kortum is a democrat, having always supported the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. His religious faith is that of the Luth- eran church, his membership being with the congregation that has its house of worship at Twenty-sixth and Lawrence streets in Denver. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world. Having voluntarily chosen to become an American citizen and therefore owing his allegiance to this land, he has cooperated in well defined plans and measures for the advancement and progress of community and commonwealth.
JOSEPH STANDLEY.
Joseph Standley, who passed away on the 14th of January, 1917, was a man whose high principles and broad mindedness were manifest in every relation of life. His history is an inspiring one, indicating what may be accomplished through individual effort directed by keen intelligence and sound judgment. Mr. Standley was a native of Illinois, born November 1, 1838, and was therefore in the seventy-ninth year of his age when called to his final rest. In his boyhood days he accompanied his parents to Nebraska and was there reared upon the home farm, acquiring his education in one of the typical little district schoolhouses. He had no other educational training, but in the school of experience learned many valuable lessons. His naturally keen intel- lect enabled him to glean knowledge from every situation of life and his associates knew hlm as a man of broad Information and liberal culture. He was a young man of twenty- five years when in 1863 he came to Colorado, making his way to Central City, Gilpin county, then called Nevada or Bald Mountain. He engaged in prospesting and in the early days he purchased a ranch property on Clear creek, of which he remained the owner for forty years hut lived thereon for only one summer. Hls mining interests proved profitable. He became the owner of the celebrated California mine, which yielded him a large fortune. He was particularly successful in his mining ventures hy reason of the extreme care which he displayed in making his investments and the efficiency and economy with which he operated the properties that came under his control.
From Central City Mr. Standley removed to Golden and afterward became a resident of Denver, becoming a well known figure in financial circles of the capital city. In 1870 he entered into business relations with Joseph A. Thatcher, now chairman of the board of the Denver National Bank, and thus formed the banking firm of Thatcher & Standley, taking over the business of the hanking house of Warren, Hussey & Com- pany. After conducting their interests as a private banking institution for three years the firm of Thatcher & Standley organized the First National Bank of Central City, the former becoming its president and the latter its vice president. The bank has maintained a prosperous existence throughout all the intervening years and until the time of his demise Mr. Standley remained one of its stockholders, while Mr. Thatcher is still connected with the institution, but both retired as officers about fifteen years before the death of Mr. Standley. It was in 1884 that these two gentlemen, together with Dennis Sullivan, William H. James, Edward Eddy and James B. Grant, organized the Denver National Bank and from that time until called to his final rest Mr. Standley remained a member of its directorate and rendered most valuable service to the institution in his sound business advice and judgment. To other fields Mr. Standley also extended his efforts. He was prominently connected with the raising of fine horses in association with J. W. Gaynor of Boulder county and this enterprise, like the others with which he was connected, proved profitable. In fact whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion, his energy and keen discrimination enabling him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties which arose in his business career.
It was in 1863 that Joseph Standley was united in marriage to Miss Ellen M. Shay. Theirs was an ideal home relationship which was terminated in the death of Mr. Standley on the 14th of January, 1917. His pronounced characteristics and his sterling worth are indicated in the following:
JOSEPH STANDLEY
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"Denver, February 7, 1917.
"To the Directors of the Denver National Bank, Denver, Colo. "Gentlemen:
"The committee appointed by your board to draft resolutions on the death of our highly esteemed director, Mr. Joseph Standley, beg to submit the following:
"Mr. Standley died in San Diego, California, on Sunday, January 14, 1917, of a paralytic stroke after a brief illness. Mr. Standley was one of our oldest directors. He joined Mr. Sullivan, Governor Grant, Mr. James, Mr. Eddy, Mr. Sauer and Mr. Thatcher in organizing the Denver National Bank in December, 1884. From that date, although a silent man, unpretentious, retiring and unobtrustive, he was a most loyal, earnest and effective worker in the interest of and the building up of the bank in every way and at all times during the trying days of 1893 and again in 1907 he stood ready to place his entire fortune at the disposal of the bank to meet the threatened situation regardless of his personal interests. Although Mr. Standley lived in Denver more than thirty years, he was but little known, a quiet man of strong friendships and unques- tioned loyalty and also of the strictest honor and integrity. In all of his relations, not only with his friends but with all mankind, his simple word was as good as his bond in any undertaking.
"Resolved that in the death of Mr. Standley the bank has lost one of its most valued directors, a kindly, lovable man whose friendship and association were highly prized by every member of the board, and we hereby extend our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Standley and all relatives of the family.
"Resolved that these resolutions be recorded in the minute book of the bank and a copy be engraved and presented to Mrs. Standley.
Respectfully, "J. A. THATCHER. "HARRY C. JAMES."
Such an appreciation from lifetime friends is indeed a record of which the widow and the many friends of Mr. Standley may well be proud. Following the death of her husband Mrs. Standley erected a beautiful mausoleum in Fairmount cemetery at a cost of fifty-three thousand three hundred and fifty dollars. It is a most artistio structure, huilt in the style of Grecian architecture, with heavy bronze doors and having a height of twenty feet. It was built of Vermont granite and was completed on the 30th of June, 1918. In addition Mrs. Standley has given as a memorial to her husband the north wing of the City Museum in City Park, which is one hundred and fifty by seventy feet and was erected at a cost of seventy-five thousand dollars.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Standley was a Mason and always exemplified the highest principles and purposes of the craft. Loyalty was one of his most marked characteristics-loyalty to the business interests which he represented, loyalty to his friends and loyalty to the ideals which he ever cherished. No one ever came to know Joseph Standley that did not appreciate him at his true worth and his memory will long be cherished by all who came within the circle of his friendship.
JEREMIAH LEGGETT.
Jeremiah Leggett, whose life record covered a span of almost eighty years, was born in Licking county, Ohio, May 16, 1837, and passed away in Boulder county, Colorado, on the 4th of September, 1916. He was a son of James and Elizabeth (Younger) Leggett, whose family numbered seven children. The father was born in Virginia in 1816 and removed with his parents to Ohio in his boyhood, settling in Licking county, where he was reared and married. He early entered upon an appren- ticeship to the trade of shoemaking, which he followed in Licking county until 1852, when he removed to Indiana with his family. For two and a half years thereafter he carried on farming in Henry county, but in 1854 left Indiana and went to Polk county, Iowa, where he secured a farm and engaged in dealing extensively in cattle and hogs. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, for his death occurred in 1856. He was a son of Thomas Leggett, a native of Scotland, who in his youthful days came to the new world, settling in Virginia, where he married and made his home for a number of years. He afterwards removed to Ohio, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. The maternal grandfather of Jeremiah Leg- gett was also a native of Scotland and became a resident of Virginia in his youthful days.
The educational opportunities of Jeremiah Leggett were quite limited but he
MR. AND MRS. JEREMIAH LEGGETT
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became a well informed man through study, reading and observation. He possessed an observing eye and retentive memory and was constantly adding to his fund of knowledge. He was nineteen years of age when his father died and the support of the family then devolved upon him as he was the eldest of the seven children. On the 31st of October, 1861, when a young man of twenty-four years, he was married to Miss Augusta Mary Hinman, a native of Ohio like her husband and a daughter of Porter T. Hinman, who was born near Buffalo, New York, July 6, 1816. Her grandfather, Anson Hinman, was for many years judge of the county court and was prominently identified with military matters, holding the rank of general in the state militia. Porter Hinman, owing to the death of his parents, was early thrown upon his own resources and when a lad of fifteen years went to Buffalo and afterward settled on Grand island, in the Niagara river, where he spent three years as clerk for the Grand Island Company, a ship-building concern, and afterward he became clerk on the steamship Constellation, plying on Lake Erie. Two years afterward he removed to Mansfield, Ohio, where he engaged in teaching a writing school for about five years. While there he wedded Mary A. Smith and in 1845 removed to Clinton county, Indiana, where he devoted four years to mining. During the excitement resulting from the discovery of gold in California he went to the Pacific coast in 1849 and there engaged in mining and in freighting until 1853. With his return to the Mississippi valley he settled in Illinois and for two and a half years was engaged in farming in McDonough county. He afterward occupied a clerical position in the United States land office at Des Moines, Iowa, and thence removed to Polk City, Iowa, where he operated a saw- mill, becoming in time proprietor of two sawmills. which he profitably conducted. He also served as postmaster of Polk City for three years. In 1860 he came to Colo- rado, accompanied by his eldest son, and preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land on Left Hand creek. In 1862 he returned to Iowa but again came to Colo- rado, this time accompanied by his second son. The next year he once more returned and brought his family with him to Colorado, subsequent to which time he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the cultivation of his land. About 1876 he made his way to the mines of Hahns Peak, and while there identified with mining for three years he also served as judge of Routt county and postmaster of the town. In 1884 he was called upon to represent his district in the state legislature, being elected on the republican ticket. Thus in various ways he left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the development and the history of the state, passing away June 8, 1894.
After his marriage to Augusta Mary Hinman, Mr. Leggett continued to live upon the old homestead farm and care for the younger members of his father's family, but when most of his brothers and sisters had married and left home he, with his wife and two children, started for Colorado in 1866. They left Polk county, Iowa, on the 5th of April, crossed the plains with horses and wagons and arrived at Left Hand creek on the 18th of May. Mr. Leggett had previously visited the state in 1860, in company with three others, at which time they journeyed with horses and two wagons and spent six months in the mining regions of the state. After his return to Colorado Mr. Leggett took up farming on Left Hand creek but a year later removed to Boulder creek and took charge of the landed interests of the Ni Wot Mining Company, acting in that capacity for four years. In 1871 he began the cultivation of a farm in Boulder county and in the following year purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and removed to that place. Later he extended its boundaries by the further purchase of one hundred and sixty acres, so that he became the owner of a half section. He always gave considerable attention to the breeding and raising of cattle and horses, which constituted an important branch of his business. In 1897 he erected the present family home, a substantial brick residence, which is one of the attractive country homes of Boulder county and is known as Clifton Place. His was a busy and useful life in which energy and enterprise triumphed over difficulties and obstacles and led the way to success.
Mr. and Mrs. Leggett became the parents of six children. Harriet A., who was horn September 18, 1862, is the widow of Willard Slocum and resides in Loveland, Larimer county, Colorado. Alice M. was born in August, 1864, and died October 9. 1871. James E. was born August 8, 1866, and passed away January 30, 1867. Edgar W., born March 2, 1868, is superintendent of the Rock Springs Mining Company and resides at Four Mile, in Routt county. Mary E., born April 17, 1871, graduated from the State Normal School, then taught school for ten years and is now the wife of Dell C. Strever, foreman of the Union Pacific shops at Laramie, Wyoming; Nathan H., horn December 2, 1878, married Grace E. Cline and resides at home.
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The death of the husband and father occurred September 4, 1916, and he was laid to rest in the Columbia cemetery at Boulder. He had given his political allegiance to the republican party and he belonged to Eureka Lodge, No. 1, A. O. U. W., and to the Boulder Valley Grange, of which he served as master, and for one term he was overseer of the State Grange. He also served for a decade as president of the Boulder Industrial Association and for many years was a member of the school board. In a word, he stood for progress and improvement in public affairs and gave his support to every measure or movement that was calculated to upbuild the interests of the community.
Mr. Leggett was a great lover of children, a trait in his character which revealed the true kindness of his heart. In all his transactions he ever proved himself reliable and trustworthy and in the real sense of the phrase it may be said of him that his word was as good as his bond. The rare event of their golden wedding was not a mere family celebration to Mr. and Mrs. Leggett, which was accompanied with due and memorable ceremonies, but it was to them most significant as the day from which they looked back over fifty years of a happy union, in which they had shared joys and sorrows, hardship and pleasantness. For fifty-four years they lived together until death separated them. Together they came to this state and with them they had a team and the fixed determination to succeed, but they were not blessed with money when they started out to carve a competence from a wilderness. The dangers and hardships of early life they equably shared in those early days, as they afterward enjoyed the success which came to them. Through such lives, filled with faithfully performed duties-performed from day to day and unreservedly-the development, growth and present prosperity of this commonwealth have been brought about and therefore there is due to Mr. and Mrs. Leggett the gratitude of a present generation, which enjoys advantages of which they in their young lives were deprived.
Mrs. Leggett still remains on the old homestead of three hundred and twenty acres, which is splendidly improved and which her son Nathan now works. She is a member of the Presbyterian church and she belongs to the Royal Neighbors and to the Grange. The family has long figured prominently in connection with public affairs in the county and Mrs. Leggett is held in the highest esteem, as was her husband.
CARL M. EIDSON.
Carl M. Eidson, living on section 2, township 4, range 69, his place being a half mile east of the railroad at Campion, was born in Weld county, Colorado, August 26, 1884, a son of Samuel H. and Carrie (Ackerman) Eidson, the former a native of Adams county, Illinois, and the latter of Michigan. The father was a farmer in Illinois until about 1875, when he came to Colorado, where he was employed as a farm hand for three years. He then took up a homestead, which he improved and cultivated until 1906, winning substantial success in the careful conduct of his farm. In the year indicated, however, he retired from active business life and removed to southern California, where he and his wife have since resided. The maternal grandparents of Carl M. Eidson were among the first settlers of Longmont, Boulder county, Colorado. The younger sister of Mrs. Carrie Ackerman was the first white child born in the colony of Longmont and in recog- nition of this distinction was later awarded a city lot by the municipality of Longmont. She disposed of this in 1905 and now makes her home in southern California. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Eidson became the parents of ten children, as follows: Otto, who is engaged in farming in Oregon; Elmo W., a resident of Oakland, California; Carl M., of this review; Lester, who is a member of the United States army; Jean, who passed away in February, 1915; Gladys, the wife of Lewis Strickler, of Fruitvale, California; Josephine, also living in California; Theodore, a resident of Longbeach, California; Irwin, who was accidentally drowned; and one who died in infancy.
Carl M. Eidson was reared and educated in Weld county. He attended the rural schools and also the high school at Loveland, Larimer county, and he remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, assisting in the work of the farm. He after- ward rented the home place and also purchased his present ranch of one hundred and sixty acres but later sold some of his property, now owning one hundred and thirty acres. He and his brother continued to cultivate the old homestead in addition to the farm of Carl M. Eidson and resided upon the old home place until 1909, when he removed to his present farm, which he has since improved in fine shape. This place was also homesteaded by his uncle, who operated it for a number of years. Carl M. Eidson now
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has a nicely improved farm, which he has cultivated according to progressive .
methods, productive of excellent results. He is specializing in the raising of pure bred shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and the stock raising feature of his business is adding materially to his annual income.
On the 1st of January, 1908, Mr. Eidson was married to Miss Janie L. Drage, a daughter of Charles H. and Belle ( Bransom) Drage, who were natives of Illinois. The father was a farmer of that state and there carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1888, when he came to Colorado and settled in Larimer county, where he bought and improved land, which he has since owned and cultivated. His wife passed away in March, 1904. Their family numbered four children, as follows: Vivian, a farmer residing in Weld county; Mrs. Eidson; Alma, the wife of R. S. Foster, who took up a homestead claim in Weld county and is engaged in agricultural pursuits there; and C. Leonard, a farmer living in Larimer county. To Mr. and Mrs. Eidson have been born three children: Carrie Belle, whose birth occurred in September, 1908; Roland L., born May 2. 1913; and Donald Roy, in October, 1915.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church and Mr. Eidson belongs to the Fraternal Aid Union. In politics he is a democrat, and while never an aspirant for political office, he has served as school director. He is interested in all that has to do with public progress and improvement and he cooperates heartily in all movements for the general good. He is a representative of old pioneer familles of the state and the work which was instituted by his father along the lines of agricultural development has been carried forward by him and he ranks today with the representative farmers of this district.
JOHN W. GAYNOR.
John W. Gaynor is a well known and highly respected farmer and stockman of Boulder county and is also one of the veterans of the Civil war. His worth as a man well entitles him to mention among the substantial citizens of the state. He was born in Ireland. March 17, 1842, a son of James and Margaret (McElligott) Gaynor, who were natives of the Emerald isle, whence they came to America in 1847, settling in Ohio, at which time John W. was a little lad of but five years. The family remained in Ohio until 1856, when the parents removed to Green county, Wisconsin, where both spent their remaining days. They had a family of four children, of whom two are now living, our subject and Peter O. Gaynor of Pueblo, a civil engineer who was the originator of the Georgetown loop.
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