USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 56
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JAMES TYNON
MRS. REBECCA TYNON
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acres, twenty-five miles from Denver on Running creek. He planted an orchard in oblong shape, containing eight thousand apple trees, with a fine graded gravel drive- way fifty feet wide between orchard and lake, and called it the Jefferson County Farm. Mr. Tynon laid out on his land the Tynon addition to the city of Denver, thus creating a part of the city which has proven of great benefit to its growth. His enterprise was evident in many ways, but one instance may be cited here as an example, for it was he who induced the street car company to extend their car line to North Denver, obtaining this desired result by giving to the company a block of land. Mr. Tynon was also closely connected with actual building operations, having erected a number of houses. He looked after his interests until 1914, when he retired from active business, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, his death occurring on the 6th of March, 1918, when he was in the eighty-third year of his age. He was ever a loyal member of the Masonic fraternity and exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit and purpose of the craft. His course was ever straightforward and honorable and the policy which he pursued in relation to the early settlers constituted a most important element in the development of the section of the state, as it allowed the early settlers to gain a start. He was a man of generous spirit. of high principle and friendly disposition, and the sterling worth of his character commanded for him the esteem and admiration of all who knew him.
Mrs. Tynon, who preceded her husband in death by twenty years, passing away January 21, 1898, was a native of Westmoreland county, New Brunswick, and there she was educated. In Boston, Massachusetts, in 1858, she met and married James Tynon. She was a woman of the highest qualities of character, who ever took a great interest in church work, and particularly was she interested in the old Lawrence Street Trinity church in Denver, to the welfare of which she earenstly and tirelessly gave her efforts,-in fact its charities and humanitarian branches found her ever among the leaders. The oldest members of the church still tenderly remember her kind, motherly ways and her unselfish consideration for others. Because of these Christian duties, however, she never neglected her own household but on the contrary was a steadfast. true and real helpmate to her husband.
Her daughter, Adeline Tynon, was educated at Loretta Academy in Denver and later in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she spent two years at the Moravian Seminary. During her entire life she has been closely associated with her cherished parents both as a daughter and constant companion. After the passing of her mother she was her father's sole solace and close associate as well as business aid. Miss Tynan is a member of the Eastern Star, the White Shrine and the Territorial Daughters. She greatly contributed to the pleasure of her parents by her real ability as an artist. Her home is filled with examples of paintings that express her trueness of conception, her thorough appreciation of color schemes and blending and her cleverness in technique. There are many watercolors of Colorado scenes as well as paintings in oil, representing portraits, lansdcapes and still life, as well as pictures which have been done in silk and wool. In her quiet life Miss Tynon gives honor to the memory of her beloved mother and father, the latter of whom she so recently lost in death.
EDWIN WIGHT GIDDINGS.
Edwin Wight Giddings, merchant, mine owner, banker and holder of valuable real estate interests, to whom, however, business was but one phase of his existence, for another side of his nature showed broad charity, liberal philanthropy and assistance of all those projects and measures which are of cultural and moral worth and value, came to be recognized as one of Colorado Springs' foremost citizens, so that his death was deeply deplored when on the 6th of December, 1913, he passed away. He was twenty-four years of age when he came to this state from Romeo, Michigan, his native city, and took up his abode in Colorado Springs, where he lived for more than four decades. He traveled extensively over the state in the early days and in other sec- tions of the west, representing a commercial house of Denver, and thus he established a very wide acquaintance, winning friendships that endured throughout life. He was most widely known throughout the Rocky Mountain region and wherever known was held in the highest esteem. He became an active factor in the commercial circles of Colorado Springs when forty years prior to his death he established a dry goods store on South Tejon street. A few years later a change in the firm led to the adoption of the style of Giddings Brothers & Bent and at a later period the firm became Giddings Brothers. As the years passed they developed one of the largest and best known depart-
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ment stores in their section of the state and also one of the most substantial in the west. The methods of the house would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and every effort was put forth to please the patrons, so that it came to be recognized "once a customer, always a customer" with the Giddings house. In the early '90s Edwin W. Giddings erected a brick block at the corner of Tejon and Kiowa streets in Colorado Springs and remained an active factor in the control of the business until 1911, when he and his brother withdrew to be succeeded by his son, Ralph O., and T. C. Kirkwood, the present well known firm of Giddings & Kirkwood. After laying the foundation of his fortune in the mercantile business Mr. Giddings began investing largely in lands and live stock not only in Colorado but in other western states. He also became an investor in mining properties in the Cripple Creek district and was one of the owners of the Strong mine, one of the big producers of that region. He was likewise interested in several other properties, including the El Paso Gold King. He shared largely in the development of the gold camp and was one of the men who bore the brunt of early struggles in that region. He became identified with the banking interests of Colorado Springs, holding a large amount of stock in two of the leading moneycd institutions of the city, and he was also the owner of "Commission Row" at the corner of Huerfano and South Cascade avenue, together with two buildings on South Tejon street.
On the 19th of May, 1870, Mr. Giddings was married in Romeo, Michigan, to Miss Hester Elizabeth Ayres, whose parents were from the state of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Giddings became parents of four children: Louis E., now of Colorado Springs; Sarah A., the wife of Dr. B. B. Griffith, of Springfield, Illinois, by whom she has two children; Ralph O., of Colorado Springs, who has two children; and Roy W .. of San Diego, Cali- fornia, father of four children.
While Mr. Giddings was regarded as one of the wealthiest men in Colorado Springs, it was well known that his success resulted entirely from his own efforts, his good busi- ness judgment and his irreproachable integrity. His word came to be recognized as of sterling worth. It was on a par with any bond solemnized by signature and seal. He did not weigh his acts in the scale of policy but tested them by the standard of right, and in all of his business affairs he was never known to take advantage of the necessi- ties of his fellowmen.
Mr. Giddings was prominent in Masonic circles, holding membership in El Paso Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M., almost from the time of its organization until his demise. He also had membership in Pikes Peak Commandery, No. 6, K. T., and he belonged to Colorado Springs Lodge, No. 309. B. P. O. E. He had membership in the El Paso Club, but in later years his time was divided between his office and his home, which, accord- ing to a contemporary biographer, "became the Mecca for hundreds of people who had personal troubles to relate or friendships to renew." Mr. Giddings belonged to no church but was a generous supporter of all. He believed firmly in the good which they pro- moted and his aid could be counted upon to further any cause which he considered of value in bringing higher ideals to the individual and higher standards of community service. The hospitals of the city indeed numbered him as a benefactor and in each institution of the kind in Colorado Springs there were many patients who were there recuperating through the kindly generosity of Mr. Giddings. He became one of the organizers and strongest supporters of the old Chamber of Commerce and with its revival some three years before his death he was elected, though much against his will,. to the presidency and continued in the office for two years, filling the position at the sacrifice of his business affairs, his time and his strength. He was a most charitable man and his benevolences were many, yet frequently none knew of them save himself and the recipient. He had the faculty of placing young or old, rich or poor, at ease in his presence. Friendship was to him no mere idle term. It meant personal obliga- tion as well as companionship-the obligation to assist wherever and whenever he could. He cared nothing for society in the usually accepted sense of the term, but he drew his friends to him with "hoops of steel." His widow still occupies the family home in Colorado Springs and is one of the city's most earnest workers along the lines of charity, civic development and war service, her labors being far-reaching and beneficial.
HARRISON K. HANKINS.
Harrison K. Hankins, residing on a ranch a mile north of Berthoud, in Larimer county, was born in Indiana, September 27, 1847, a son of David and Rebecca (Pace) Hankins, who were natives of Knoxville. Tennessee. The father was a farmer by occu- pation and at a very early day removed to Indiana, where he purchased land which Vol. IV-30
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he improved and cultivated for some time, becoming closely identified with the pioneer development of that state. He afterward sold his property there and went to south- western Iowa, where he again purchased and improved a farm, of which he became owner in 1855. He continued the cultivation of that land until 1890, when he came to Larimer county, Colorado, where he purchased a little place, residing thereon for several years. He then retired from active business life and made his home with his daughter at Windsor. Colorado, to the time of his death, which occurred on the 17th of August, 1898. His widow survived for a number of years, passing away in the fall of 1906.
Harrison K. Hankins was reared and educated in Iowa and remained with his parents until he attained his majority. He then rented land which he cultivated for a time until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm. He afterward improved and operated his land until 1881, when he came to Larimer county, Colorado. For a year thereafter he rented land and then pur- chased a place which he continued to cultivate for three years. On selling that prop- erty he returned to Iowa but never unpacked his goods in the latter state. He returned to Colorado with Larimer county as his destination and bought his present place of one hundred and sixty acres. This he set about improving and has since operated it. He has won success as the years have passed, bringing his land under a high state of cultivation and adding to it many improvements in the way of good buildings.
On the 18th of August, 1869, Mr. Hankins was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Lindsey, a daughter of John and Margaret (Alkire) Lindsey, who were natives of Illi- nois and of Ohio respectively. The father was a farmer in Indiana and Minnesota and afterward removed to Iowa, where he purchased land which he continued to cultivate throughout his remaining days. He died August 12, 1889, while his wife survived until January 30, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Hankins have become the parents of five children: Harry, who is farming with his father; Ina, the wife of Frank Kee, living in Windsor, Colorado; Bert, whose home is at Wellington, Colorado; and two who have passed away. Minnie, who was the eldest, died July 4, 1877, at the age of five years, and Fred died in August, 1911, at the age of thirty-one years.
In his political views Mr. Hankins has always been a democrat. He has held several local offices, including that of school director, but his time and attention nave been largely devoted to his business affairs and he has made a specialty of feeding sheep for a number of years, while his son is engaged largely in the raising of Holstein cattle. Fraternally Mr. Hankins is connected with the Masonic order and is a worthy exemplar of the craft, loyally following its teachings. His religious faith is that of the United Brethren church and his aid and influence are given at all times on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement.
ERNEST W. THAYER.
Ernest W. Thayer, classed with the enterprising and progressive citizens of Timnath, is now the cashier of the Farmers Bank of Timnath. He was born in .South Deerfield, Massachusetts, July 25, 1884. a son of Henry H. and Sarah (Dickin- son) Thayer, who are likewise natives of the old Bay state. The father followed farming in Massachusetts until October 5, 1894, when he sought the opportunities offered in the growing west and became a resident of Greeley, Colorado. Subsequently he took up his abode upon a farm a mile and a half south of Timnath, which he pur- chased. He at once began developing the place and the plow soon wrought a marked transformation in its appearance. Year by year he carefully tilled his fields and har- vested good crops until 1908, when he retired from active business life and removed to Timnath, where he has since made his home, his earnest toil in previous years having brought to him a comfortable competence that now enables him to enjoy all of life's necessities and many of its luxuries. His wife is also living.
Ernest W. Thayer, spending his youthful days in Massachusetts and in Larimer county, Colorado, pursued his education in the public schools of the two states and afterward was graduated from the commercial department of the Agricultural College at Fort Collins. For a year he engaged in bookkeeping in Timnath and then in com- pany with I. J. Meade and John A. Cross organized the Farmers Bank of Timnath, which was established as a private bank. but later they took out a state charter. From the beginning Mr. Thayer has served as cashier and has contributed in no small degree to the success of the bank, which was organized June 21, 1906, with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars, which sum has since been increased to fifteen thousand dollars.
Est Layer
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The bank now has a surplus of twenty-five thousand dollars and its deposits amount to two hundred and fifty-one thousand dollars. The other officers are: J. M. Edwards, president; H. H. Thayer and H. G. Springer, vice presidents.
On the 17th of June, 1908, Mr. Thayer was united in marriage to Miss Roxie Love, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Love. The father, a native of New York, took up his abode among the pioneer settlers of Dawson county, Nebraska, and there devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active busi- ness career. He still resides on his farm there hut is now living retired in the enjoy- ment of well earned rest.
Mr. Thayer is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a loyal adherent of the society. He belongs to the Presbyterian church, to the support of which he makes generous contribution, and he is a stanch advocate of republican prin- ciples. It is characteristic of him that he gives earnest support to any cause or move- ment which he espouses and he is always recognized as a champion of the best interests of his community.
U. S. GRANT FREDERICK.
U. S. Grant Frederick, living seven miles southeast of Fort Collins, in Larimer county, was born in Johnson county, Iowa, in January, 1866, a son of Phillip S. and Nancy (Keagy) Frederick, who were natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. The father was a painter by trade and followed that pursuit in Pennsylvania until he removed westward to Iowa at an early day. He purchased land in Johnson county, where he carried on farming for a time, and after the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Twenty-second Iowa Infantry. He was in camp from Mon- day until Saturday, when he was discharged on account of the condition of his health. He then returned to Iowa and later went to Missouri, where he purchased land, which he improved, but on account of his health he could not do much work upon it and accordingly he rented the land most of the time. In 1879 he came to Colorado, driving across the country from Missouri, the trip being made for the benefit of his health. He settled in Larimer county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which his son Grant now resides. He at once began to develop and improve the place and continued its further cultivation throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in January, 1901, when he had reached the age of seventy-three years. His wife passed away in 1907. when seventy years of age.
Grant Frederick was reared and educated in Missouri and in Larimer county, Colorado, being thirteen years of age when brought by his parents to this state. There were eight children, and three sons and two daughters died within fourteen days of scarlet fever prior to the father's death. Mr. Frederick of this review became identified with the farming interests of Colorado through the purchase of eighty acres of the old home farm, which he has since continued to develop and improve until he now has it in splendid shape. He has continued its cultivation throughout the intervening years and has made of it an excellent property whereon he raises high grade stock. making a specialty of feeding sheep.
On the 28th of August, 1895, Mr. Frederick was married to Miss Magdalena L. Franz, and to them were born four children, Henry P., Florence E., Harvey C. and Esther C., who was the first born and died in 1898, when only three months old.
Mr. Frederick is a member of the Woodmen of the World and also of the Improved Order of Red Men. He has always voted with the republican party and is a stanch advocate of its principles but does not seek nor desire office. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his loyaity to its teachings has made him a highly respected citizen of his community.
E. K. C. EVANS.
E. K. C. Evans is now living retired in Loveland but for many years was actively engaged in farming in Larimer county, making his home four and a half miles south- east of Loveland. The rest which he is now enjoying is well merited for he has earned it through earnest and unfaltering labor. He was born in Pennsylvania. June 7, 1838. a son of North and Mary ( Black) Evans, who were natives of Wales and came to
MR. AND MRS. E. K. C. EVANS
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America in early life. They settled in Pennsylvania, where the father purchased land and carried on farming throughout his remaining days.
E. K. C. Evans spent his youth in Pennsylvania and pursued a public school edu- cation there. He worked for his father until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he felt his duty to his country surmounted every other interest in his life and he enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment, with which he served for four years in defense of the Union cause, participating in a number of hotly contested engagements. When the war was over and the nation's starry banner had been planted over the capitol of the Confederacy he returned to his home and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked in Pennsylvania until the fall of 1874.
It was at that date that Mr. Evans arrived in Colorado. He made his way to Denver, where he again worked at his trade for two years and then removed to Long- mont, where he resided for three years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Larimer county and secured a homestead claim which he at once set ahout improving and which he continued to cultivate and develop until 1902, when he retired from active business life and removed to Loveland, where he has since made his home, although spending the winter seasons in the balmy climate of California.
It was on the 12th of November, 1865, that Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Fenton, a daughter of Abner Fenton. a native of Pennsylvania, who was a blacksmith by trade. Her father followed that pursuit in the Keystone state through- out his entire life and both he and his wife passed away there. Mr. and Mrs. Evans became the parents of four children: Lois, now the wife of T. E. Burnes, residing at Milliken, Colorado; Alma, the wife of Ellett McNeil, residing at Loveland; Howard L., who is operating his father's farm; and Cecelia, the wife of Eugene C. Bunker, living at Monrovia, California.
Mr. Evans is a member of the board of directors of the Larimer County Bank & Trust Company of Loveland. He has prospered as the years have passed and he has bought more land from time to time until he now owns four hundred acres, all well improved. His possessions are the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is as true and loyal to his country in all matters of citizenship as he was when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south. His religious faith is that of the Christian church and he is serving as one of the church trustees. His life has ever been actuated by high and honorable principles and worthy motives and he has ever commanded the confidence, goodwill and high regard of those with whom he has been associated.
HOWARD L. EVANS.
Howard L. Evans, son of E. K. C. Evans, whose sketch is given above, was born in Pennsylvania, October 18, 1870, and was therefore but four years of age when his parents came to Colorado. Here he spent his youthful days and was educated in the rural schools and at Loveland. At the age of eighteen years he went to Kansas. where he was employed as a farm hand, and in 1902, when his father retired from the active management and supervision of the farm, Howard L. Evans rented the old home place and continued to cultivate it for four years. He then went to Nebraska, where he was employed for four years in boiler shops at North Platte, but on the expiration of that period he returned and again rented the old homestead, which he has since cultivated. He now operates the entire four hundred acres, all of which is under cultivation save a small tract of fifteen acres. He produces large crops of those cereals best adapted to soil and climate and employs the most progressive methods in the conduct and improvement of his place.
On the 7th of September, 1894, Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Maude Wolff, a daughter of John and Jennie (Jenkins) Wolff, who were natives of West Virginia. Her father was an educator in his early days and afterward took up the study of law. In 1882 he removed to Minden, Nebraska, where he served as county attorney for three years. He also learned the printer's trade and published a news- paper in West Virginia and afterward at Little Rock, Arkansas. Finally he home- steaded land near Lowell, Nebraska. and devoted his remaining days to general agri- cultural pursuits, passing away upon his farm in 1912. His widow is now living at Kearney, Nebraska. To Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Evans have been born five children: Harry K., who was born September 3, 1896, and is now a brakeman living at Needles,
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California; Arlie L., who was born September 1, 1901; Lois J. and Lloyd L., born July 24, 1906; and Virginia M., born May 18, 1910.
Politically Mr. Evans maintains an independent course nor has he ever sought or desired public office. His religious faith is that of the Christian church and its teachings guide him in all of the relations of life. He is a man of high and honorable principles, active and energetic in business, reliable in citizenship, and the many sterling traits of character which he has displayed have gained for him a host of warm friends in Larimer county.
SAMUEL M. BLACK.
Samuel M. Black was a respected Colorado farmer whose business enterprise and personal worth classed him with the citizens of value in the community in which he lived. He made his home for a considerable period near Brighton and was held in the highest respect by all who knew him throughout that section of the state. His birth occurred near Cleveland, in Erie county, Ohio, in 1853, his parents being James M. and Mary (Atherton) Black. He acquired a public school education in Erie county and there resided until he reached the age of nineteen years, when in 1872 he made his way westward to Colorado, settling on Clear creek, Jefferson county. He subsequently removed to the vicinity of Brighton, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land which he carefully and systematically farmed to the time of his death, which occurred in 1886.
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