USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 61
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As aforementioned, Mr. and Mrs. Leyner settled in Lefthand canon, Boulder county, in what is now the town of Valmont, in the early summer of 1860, giving their attention to the raising of vegetables. The trip from Iowa across the plains
MR. AND MRS. PETER A. LEYNER
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was accomplished by driving behind ox teams in the true and primitive pioneer style. From that year until his death Peter A. Leyner was closely associated with develop- ment and progress in Boulder county and he ever stood for those plans and measures which had to do with upbuilding and substantial improvement. In Lefthand canon the family resided until the spring of 1863, when he rented the farm of W. A. David- son, on Boulder creek, on which he remained for two years, although this locality continued to be his home until his demise a period of over forty years. After the two years on the Davidson farm he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on the same creek, ten miles below Boulder City, where he first built a log cabin that was covered with a dirt roof. It had a clapboard door, from which hung the latch- string that was always on the outside, indicating the hospitable spirit that reigned within. The family shared in the hardships and privations incident to the settle- ment of the frontier and the development of a wild tract into a productive farm, but with persistent effort and determination the work was carried on. Undismayed by drawbacks, he toiled in the fields day after day in order to develop his property and bring his land under cultivation. He largely devoted his efforts to general agri- cultural pursuits and stockraising and that gradually success came to him is evident from the fact that he was enabled from time to time to purchase additional land until he was the owner of over a thousand acres, highly improved. He was ever ready to embrace the latest methods and make improvements which he considered of durable value and thus in the course of time his became one of the best developed properties of this section of the state.
To Mr. and Mrs. Leyner were born seven children, the eldest being J. George Leyner, who was the first white boy born in Boulder county. The others are: Frank W., now living in the state of Oregon; Mrs. Nora K. Hartman and Mrs. Mattie M. Howell, both mentioned elsewhere in this work; Mrs. Blanche Mackenzie, who is living in Arizona; Charles P., who makes his home in Denver; and Albert, who is still a resident of Boulder county, where he is devoting his attention to agricultural interests. He, too, is mentioned elsewhere in this work. The parents remained residents of Boulder county until they were called to their final rest. They were people of genuine worth, energetic, industrious and ambitious, and in all that he undertook Mr. Leyner won success, his persistency of purpose being one of the salient features in the attainment of his prosperity. All who knew him, and he gained a wide acquaintance as the years passed, entertained for him high regard and no history of the pioneer development of Boulder county would be complete without mention of him, as he was one of the first settlers within its borders. Hardly a home had been established in this section of the state when he took up his abode here surveying a wild and undeveloped region, to the cultivation of which he at once turned his energies, doing much to bring it to a high state of improve- ment, thus contributing toward the prosperity of the commonwealth and to general advancement.
JOHN HENRY FARMER.
A spirit of undaunted enterprise has constituted the foundation upon which John Henry Farmer has built his success. As the years have passed he has forged steadily forward along the line of his chosen occupation and is today one of the prominent and successful ranchmen living in the vicinity of East Lake. He was born in Greene county, Missouri, November 7, 1879, a son of James and Helen (Thorne) Farmer. The father devoted his life to the occupation of tilling the soil and reared his family in Missouri. There John H. Farmer pursued his education in the public schools and in his youthful days did a man's work. He has been an active factor in the world's work since reaching the age of ten years. He remained with his father for a few years and afterward worked by the month as a farm hand until twenty- two years of age. He then went to Oklahoma, where he remained for two years, after which he came to Colorado in 1905, settling in Adams county. He remained for three years on the Walley ranch as foreman, after which he took up teaming and threshing, which he followed for two years. He next purchased one hundred and sixty acres of irrigated land and he also has six hundred and forty acres of dry land. He is now conducting his farming interests on an extensive scale and is meeting with excel- lent success in his efforts. He allows no difficulty or obstacle to deter him if it can be overcome by persistent and honorable effort. He works diligently, studies the best methods and is watchful of results that are worth while. He has made for himself
JOHN H. FARMER
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a creditable place among the representative agriculturists of the community and as such deserves representation in this volume.
Mr. Farmer was married in April, 1903, to Miss Elizabeth M. Martin, a daughter of John and Susan R. Martin and a native of Missouri. They have become parents of four children: Faye Ellen, Farrell Susan, John Russell, and Velma Elizabeth.
Mr. Farmer is a republican in his political views but has never been an office seeker. He has, however, served as school director and is interested in the cause of progressive education. He is a director in the East Lake Water Company and a stock- holder in the East Lake State Bank. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Wood- men of America and to the Grange and is interested in every project of the latter organization for the development of the farming interests of the community. He is constantly studying how to improve conditions affecting agriculture, and his initiative and enterprise have been productive of excellent results.
ANDREW C. JOHNSON.
Andrew C. Johnson, who is engaged in raising wheat and alfalfa on a forty-acre farm in the vicinity of Eastlake, Adams county, was born in Sweden on the 8th of November, 1857, a son of Gustaf and Johanna Johnson, the former a farmer by occupation.
In the acquirement of his education Andrew C. Johnson attended the public schools until he reached the age of fifteen, after which he concentrated his efforts and attention upon farm work in his native country until 1884. He then bade adieu to Sweden and to the friends of his youth and early manhood, and sailed for the United States, for the reports which he heard concerning the opportunities of the new world led to his desire to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. Reaching American shores, he at once crossed the continent to Denver and thence went to Georgetown, where he engaged in mining. He was employed in that way at various points in the Rocky Mountains until 1900, when he came to Adams county, Colorado, and purchased forty acres of land near Eastlake. He has since devoted his time and energies to the development and im- provement of this property, which is largely devoted to the raising of wheat and alfalfa, and he annually gathers good crops.
Mr. Johnson was married in Golden on the 16th of October. 1891, to Miss Carrie Peterson and they have two children, Helen and Catherine. Mr. Johnson votes with the democratic party, having taken out his naturalization papers at Georgetown. He has served as secretary of School District No. 4. His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church and he contributes generously to its support and is actively inter- ested in its work. He has many substantial qualities worthy of all praise and as a representative farmer of Adams county he is well known, for his lahors have been wisely and carefully directed, bringing to him the success which he now enjoys.
ALBERT M. LEYNER.
Albert M Leyner still resides within the borders of Boulder county, where he was born, his birthplace being the farm on which he still makes his home. His natal day was November 12, 1877, and he is a son of Peter A. and Maria A. (Duck) Leynér. His father was born in Germany but came to America in early life and in Indiana was united in marriage to Miss Maria A. Duck, a native of Ohio. In 1860 they left the Mississippi valley and made their way westward to Colorado, traveling with ox team and wagon. They took up their abode in Boulder county, where the father secured a ranch, on which he built a log cabin with a dirt roof and clapboard door. The family shared in many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life and later, in the pros- perity and progress of the county.
Albert M. Leyner obtained his education in the common schools and spent his youthful days under the parental roof. He remained at home until he attained his majority, after which he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he continued to follow for ten years. He then resumed farming upon the old homestead property of his father and later he purchased this farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is now under the ditch. He has since added many modern improve- ments to the farm, which is a well developed property, carefully managed and divided
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into fields of convenient size by well kept fences. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the farm and the plowing, planting and harvesting are carried on according to modern scientific methods. He annually gathers good crops and his labors thus find a substantial reward.
In 1897 Mr. Leyner was united in marriage to Miss Maymie L. Laughlin, who was born in Colorado, a daughter of William J. and Mary Laughlin, who are still residents of Boulder county. Mr. and Mrs. Leyner have two children, George A. and Frank J., both at home.
Fraternally Mr. Leyner is connected with the Masons, having membership with Garfield Lodge, No. 50, A. F. & A. M. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. Always a resident of this county, he is widely and favorably known here and his unfaltering labor and energy have gained him a place among the substantial agricul- turists of his section.
THOMAS C. MORRISON.
Thomas C. Morrison, living at Morrison, Colorado, has practically retired from business, although it was not an unusual thing in the summer of 1918 to see him engaged in some part of farm work, for indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and, moreover, he has ever been willing to do his full part in aiding the country in the advancement of its agricultural interests notwithstanding the fact that he has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, while his financial resources are sufficient to supply him with all of the necessities and many of the comforts of life without recourse to further labor. He is a representative of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families of his section of the state. He was born in Montreal, Canada, June 22, 1847, a son of George Morrison, Sr., whose birth occurred in the same city on the 16th of April, 1822, and who was descended from Scotch ancestry. After attending school in his native country the father learned the stonecutter's trade and subsequently crossed the plains with ox teams, leaving Alton, Illinois, on the 1st of April, 1859, and making the long and arduous journey to Denver, where he arrived in May He then went to Idaho Springs, where he engaged in mining for nine weeks but at the end of that time established a small store and butcher shop just above the present power plant in the town. Later he removed to the Green Moun- tain ranch in Jefferson county, where he spent the winter of 1859-60, experiencing all the hardships and difficulties of frontier life yet bravely and resolutely meeting these hardships in order to aid in the work of reclaiming the region for the purposes of civilization. With business interests of the locality he was closely identified and began the building of the Mount Vernon House, which was one of the early hotels of the district. There he resided until spring. In 1864 he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land but afterward sold part of it to the Morrison Town Company. The present town of Morrison was named in his honor and Is located upon a part of the land formerly in his possession. He became one of the organizers of the Morrison Town Company and served for many years as its president. For some years he engaged in the operation of a stone mill and plaster of paris factory and he was the first man to deliver cut stone in Denver. With many features of pioneer development he was closely associated and his cooperation could at all times be counted upon to further measures and movements for the general good. His political allegiance was given to the republi- can party and he filled the office of justice of the peace, discharging his duties with marked fairness and impartiality. In Montreal he was married to Miss Isabella Murray, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, born in April, 1813. For many years they traveled life's journey together, heing separated by the death of Mrs. Morrison in Morrison, Colo- rado, on the 28th of February, 1887, while Mr. Morrison survived until June 11, 1895. when he, too, was called to his final rest. They were the parents of four children, of whom two passed away in infancy, the others being George and Thomas C.
The latter was a pupil in the common schools of Illinois through the period of his early boyhood and afterward continued his education at Mount Vernon, Colorado. He was a youth of twelve years at the time of the removal of the family to Colorado and has therefore been a witness of the growth and progress of the state for six decades and has ever borne his part in promoting those interests which have led to the substantial advancement and benefit of his district and state. At one time he owned a controlling interest in the Bear Creek road, but the floods of 1878 and 1879 caused him
MR. AND MRS. THOMAS C. MORRISON
GEORGE MORRISON
MRS. ISABELLA MORRISON
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great losses and in 1880 he removed to Gunnison, where he embarked in the butchering business and also opened a general store, which he conducted from 1880 until 1882. He then turned his attention to the sheep industry, in which he engaged for three years, supplying Idaho Springs and Central City with sheep and also with cattle. He started a meat market at Morrison, which he conducted for five years, but is now living retired. His life has been one of continuous activity carefully directed and his perseverance and energy have been the salient factors in winning his success.
On the 5th of October, 1873, Mr. Morrison was married to Miss Esther Schaffter, of Morrison, a daughter of David and Isabella Schaffter, who were natives of the French portion of Switzerland. They were married in that country and to them were born eight children. In 1855 David Schaffter came to America and was followed eight months later by his wife and daughter Esther, who made the voyage on a sailing vessel and were forty-eight days in crossing the Atlantic. The family settled first in Indiana, not far from Fort Wayne, and afterward removed to Ohio, whence in 1870 they made their way to Tipton, Missouri, where they spent the remainder of their days, the wife and mother passing away in 1884, at the age of seventy years, while the father was called to his final rest in 1911, at the age of eighty-seven years. Their daughter Esther came to Colorado in 1872, settling in Jefferson county, where she met and married Thomas C. Morrison. Their children are seven in number: Annabelle; Rohert; Charles; Carlton; Louise, living in Detroit; George, a resident of California; and Margarita. There are thirteen grandchildren. Both Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are members of the Christian Science church, in the work of which they are most active, and are numbered among its most prominent representatives in Morrison. Their aid and influence is ever given on the side of progress and of cultural advancement and their reading has been broad and varied.
Mr. Morrison's military record covers three months' service as a member of Com- pany K of the Third Colorado Volunteers, with which he participated in the battle of Sand Creek. He is a well known pioneer settler whose memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. He lived in the state when it was no unusual thing to see Indians, when there were many wild animals on the plains and on the hill slopes and when the work of progress and improvement seemed scarcely hegun. He has lived to witness the development of many of the important mining camps, the establishment of many now progressive towns and cities and at all times he has rejoiced in what has been accomplished as this richly endowed region has been taken over for the purposes of civilization.
CARROLL C. HENDERSHOTT.
Carroll C. Hendershott is an alert, energetic and wideawake young business man, devoting his attention to agricultural interests on section 16, township 4, range 68, in Weld county. His place is pleasantly and conveniently located about four and a half miles east of Berthoud, so that the opportunities of the city are easily obtainable. Mr. Hendershott was born in Larimer county, Colorado, October 19, 1886, a son of Louis W. and Harriet (Keirnes) Hendershott, the former a native of New York and now living retired in Berthoud. He is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Coming to Colorado in an early day, he purchased a farm about 1880 and upon the old home- stead Carroll C. Hendershott was reared. The father continued the cultivation of the land until 1900, when he turned it over to care of his sons but continued to reside upon the place until 1914, when he removed to Berthoud, where he now owns and occu- pies a beautiful home.
Carroll C. Hendershott is indebted to the public school system of Colorado for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed and which qualified him for life's practical duties. When he had mastered the elementary branches of learning he became a pupil in the high school at Berthoud and afterward enjoyed the advantage of a business course at Boulder. He remained with his parents until he had attained his majority and for four years he occupied positions as a bookkeeper at Berthoud and at Greeley, Colorado. At length, however, he resumed agricultural life by renting the old home place, which he has since operated, and he also purchased eighty acres adjoining on the west. His place is well improved and his time and attention are now given to the development and cultivation of two hundred and forty acres of land which makes ready response to the care and labor which he bestows upon it, returning sub- stantial harvests as a reward for his industry. He makes a business of feeding cattle and sheep, and adds materially to his financial resources in this way.
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In January, 1915, Mr. Hendershott was married to Miss Marion Hall, a daughter of Walter and Frances (Dyer) Hall, who were natives of Portland, Maine. Her father was for many years a sailor on the seas but eventually took up painting and paper hanging. He came to Colorado about 1900, settling in Denver, where he resided for two years and then removed to Berthoud, Larimer county, where he and his wife still make their home. Mr. and Mrs. Hendershott have become parents of two children: Carroll C., Jr., born August 8, 1917; and Horace H., born on the 4th of December, 1918.
Mr. Hendershott maintains an independent course in regard to politics, voting according to the dictates of his judgment. He is well known in Masonic circles, having taken the degrees of lodge, chapter and commandery and also of the Eastern Star. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, contributing generously to its support, and he holds to high standards of manhood and citizenship, cooperating heartily in all those interests which have to do with the uplift of the individual and the welfare of the community at large.
AMBROSE R. McCOOL.
Ambrose R. McCool is a retired farmer of Adams county to whom success in sub- stantial measure has come as the reward of his persistent, earnest and energetic efforts. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois, June 13, 1855, a son of John S. and Lucy (Rucker) McCool. The father was a native of Ohio and the mother of Indiana. They removed to Illinois at an early day and in that state the mother passed away in 1858. The father afterward left the Mississippi valley for Colorado, where he arrived in 1860, and his death occurred in this state in 1892. In the family were four children, two of whom are yet living.
It was in 1869 that Ambrose R. McCool came to Colorado, where he completed his education as a pupil in the Denver schools. In 1872 he removed to a farm that is now the county poor farm and resided thereon for twenty-seven years, at the end of which time he sold it to the county for the purpose for which it is now used. For a number of years he and his father were engaged in merchandising in Wyoming and afterward Ambrose R. McCool again took up the occupation of farming and stock raising, which he followed in Adams county, Colorado. For a considerable period he directed his efforts along that line with excellent results but has now sold his farms and is living retired, for his energy and perseverance in former years brought to him a very substantial competence that now enables him to rest from further labor.
In 1904 Mr. McCool was married to Miss Edith Foster, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of William B. and Emma (Koch) Foster, who were also natives of that state. The father has passed away but the mother is still living, making her home at the present time in Los Angeles, California. Mr. and Mrs. McCool have become parents of two children: John A., who was born March 24, 1907; and Ardanelle A., born January 25, 1911. Mrs. McCool is a graduate of the Cincinnati schools and for several years successfully engaged in teaching. She is a lady of liberal education and culture and both Mr. and Mrs. McCool occupy an enviable position in social circles. Mr. McCool belongs to Elks Lodge No. 17 and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is now serving as president of the school board and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. His has been a busy and useful life and he is truly a self-made man. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and his life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what can be accomplished through individual effort guided by sound judgment.
EDWARD F. MUNROE.
Edward F. Munroe, one of the successful ranchmen of Larimer county, who has gained substantial profits in the business of feeding cattle and sheep, makes his home on section 20, township 8. range 69 west, about six miles northeast of Fort Collins. He was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, in July, 1879, a son of John and Ann (Nixon) Munroe, who were natives of Scotland and of Canada respectively. The father was a farmer in Quebec throughout his entire life and there passed away in July, 1912, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife died in 1898, when forty-four years of age.
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Edward F. Munroe was reared and educated in Canada and remained with his parents to the age of nineteen years, when in 1898 he removed to Weld county, Colo- rado, where he secured employment as a farm hand, thus working for three years. On the expiration of that period he felt that his experience and his ability fitted him for carrying on business on his own account and he rented land near Eaton, Weld county, for a year. He then removed to Larimer county, where he cultivated rented land for nine years, after which he bought and sold several places. Finally he invested in one hundred and fifty-seven acres where he now resides. This place was fairly well improved and he has added to it various other modern improvements and has con- tinuously cultivated the ranch. He has always made a business of feeding sheep and cattle and this has proven a very profitable source of income to him. In all that he has undertaken he has won success and from time to time he has made judicious investments in property and is the owner of other farm land in Larimer county besides the place upon which he makes his home. In business affairs he has shown sound judgment and discrimination and his success is the direct outcome of these qualities combined with unfaltering diligence.
On the 24th of December, 1905, Mr. Munroe was married to Miss Gertrude E. Haney, a daughter of John and Almoria (Redd) Haney, who were natives of Illinois and of Jackson county, Missouri, respectively. The father was a stone mason by trade and in early life went to Kansas, where Mrs. Munroe was horn. Her father resided in the Sunflower state throughout his remaining days, his death there occurring in October, 1889, and his widow now makes her home in Arkansas City, Kansas.
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