USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 63
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In his political views Mr. Lamb is a democrat, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church.
RICHARD I. TALBOT.
Richard I. Talbot, who is cultivating eighty acres of irrigated land in Adams county and is very successfully carrying on his farm work, was born in Louisiana, December 18, 1852, a son of James and Ellen Talhot, hoth of whom were natives of London, England. Bidding adieu to friends and country, they sailed for America in the year 1840 and first established their home upon a farm in Louisiana, where the father
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engaged in the live stock business for a number of years. In 1856, however, he re- moved to Missouri and was afterward drowned in the Missouri river while out duck hunting. The mother with her family subsequently removed to Colorado, where she took up her abode in 1872, having driven across the country with team and wagon. She settled in Adams county, becoming one of the pioneer women of that district, and for many years she was an interested witness of the growth and progress of that region, in which she made her home until called to her final rest in 1911. In the family were six children, all of whom are yet living.
Richard I. Talbot was reared and educated in Missouri and was twenty years of age when he came to Colorado, where he has since made his home. In 1879 he pur- chased his present farm and through the intervening period has given his time, thought and energy to its development and cultivation, adding many improvements to it in the way of good buildings which furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. His fields are well fenced and everything about the place is characterized by neatness and order. The land is carefully irrigated, there being eighty acres under the ditch.
In 1887 Mr. Talbot was united in marriage to Miss Ollie Townsend, a native of Kansas and a daughter of C. Perry and Maria Reed (Moore) Townsend. C. Perry Townsend was a native of New York and with his parents removed to Illinois in his boyhood. His wife, Maria Reed Moore, was born in Marion county, Ohio, in 1839, and with her parents removed to Illinois when she was eleven years of age. In that state Mr. and Mrs. Townsend were married and there the former took up farming, going to Kansas about 1857 and arriving in Colorado in June, 1859. After a short stay in Denver he proceeded to Central City, where he engaged in mining, but later located on a ranch on the Platte river, in Arapahoe county, now Adams county, where Mr. Townsend passed away in 1864. His widow subsequently married Hiram Van Every. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot had four children: Leland S., at home; Mabel, the wife of Clarence Burnett; Ada, the wife of Clifton Duckworth; and Mattie, who died at the age of three years. The mother and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Talbot gives his political support to the republican party but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time and efforts upon his business affairs, which are wisely and carefully directed. He is a man of energy and persistency of purpose who from pioneer times has been identified with farming interests in the county, and his splendidly improved ranch property is the visible indi- cation of a life of well directed energy and thrift.
WILLARD L. FALES.
Willard L. Fales is prominently identified with business and public interests of Douglas county. He is honored and respected by all, not alone by reason of the success which he has attained, but also owing to the straightforward business principles which he has ever followed, nor has he allowed business to monopolize his time and attention. On the contrary he has cooperated in many plans and measures for the public good and during the war has served as county food administrator and chairman of the Douglas county branch of the National Council of Defense. He is also active in Red Cross work.
Mr. Fales was born in Walpole, Massachusetts, February 27, 1869, a son of Joel and Olive (Lewis) Fales, both sides of the family being among the earliest settlers of the old Bay state. He was educated in the schools of Milford, Massachusetts, and at Harvard University. He has at different times been engaged in civil and mechanical engineering. In 1887 he became a resident of southern California, where he remained for two years. In 1889 he spent several months in travel and study in Europe. In 1890 he came to Douglas county, Colorado, and in 1891 was married to Miss Linda I. Lapham, daughter of Thomas Lapham, who came to Denver from Ireland in 1874 and to Douglas county in 1875, settling upon the ranch adjoining that now owned by Mr. Fales. Immediately following their marriage they resided for several years in Los Angeles county, California. They have three children: Helen D., who is a graduate of the University of Denver and is now doing Red Cross work in the home service sec- tion at Denver; Edith, who is a senior in the University of Denver; and Frank W., who is a student in the grades of the public schools.
While Mr. Fales at this writing spends most of his time in business at Castle Rock and has for several winters spent some time in Denver, his home is and has been for many years on his ranch on West Plum creek, about seven miles south of Sedalia. Since February, 1917, he has occupied the presidency of the First National Bank of
WILLARD L. FALES
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Douglas county at Castle Rock, gradually coming to give less time to the labor and man- agement of the ranch.
Mr. Fales and his family are communicants of the Episcopal church. Fra- ternally he is a Knight Templar Mason and a Shriner. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Rocky Mountain Harvard Club of Denver, and a member of The Colorado Society of The Sons of the American Revolution. His political support is given to the republican party.
JOHN FRASER.
John Fraser, residing six miles east of Fort Collins, in Larimer county, was horn in Scotland in June, 1871, a son of David and Elizabeth (Walker) Fraser, who were also natives of Scotland. The father followed farming in that country throughout his entire life, there passing away December 22, 1915. His wife survived for about a year, her death occurring in September, 1916.
John Fraser was reared and educated in his native country, but his opportunities in the latter direction were somewhat limited, as he began earning his own living when a youth of nine years. He worked as a farm hand there until 1892, when he determined to try his fortune in the new world and came to the United States, settling at Fort Collins in Larimer county, Colorado. He soon afterward secured employment as a farm hand and spent three years in that way but during the period carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase land. He then bought twenty-five acres north of the town and also conducted the Bennett & Hood ranch of two hundred acres for seven years. Later he made investment in his present place of sixty-five acres and at once set about its further development and improvement. He has since continued its cultiva- tion with good results and now has a finely improved place. He makes a business of feeding sheep and lambs and also of raising Belgian horses and his labors are being attended with substantial success.
On the 20th of September, 1904, Mr. Fraser was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Taggart, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Smith) Taggert, who were natives of Scotland, where Mrs. Fraser was born on the 7th of August, 1873. Her father was a shoemaker by trade and always followed that pursuit in his native country. He passed away May 11, 1913, but the mother is still living in Scotland at the age of seventy-one years.
Fraternally Mr. Fraser is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his political belief that of the republican party. He is highly esteemed as a man of genuine worth, merit- ing the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for in conditions in this country he found the opportunities which he sought and through their utilization has made steady advancement in a business way.
JOHN S. KNAPP.
John S. Knapp is the owner of a beautiful country home standing in the midst of seven acres of ground and there he is living practically retired but in former years was closely and actively associated with agricultural interests in Colorado. His place is situated near Brighton and with the development and upbuilding of that section of the state he has been closely associated for many years. A native of Monroe county, New York, Mr. Knapp was born August 14, 1853, a son of Jonas and Mary (Sigler) Knapp. He acquired a district school education and then entered the State Normal School at Brockport, New York, where he studied for three terms. He afterward came to Colorado in 1882 and was associated with his uncle, Mr. Sigler, in the manage- ment of the latter's ranch. He was also sent to this state in the interests of his grand- father, James D. Sigler, and disposed of his landed possessions for him. Upon the death of the uncle Mr. Knapp purchased the ranch. He conducted the property for a considerable period and transformed it into one of the valuable ranches of the state but sold it in 1910 and has since lived retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. After disposing of his farm he purchased a most attractive country home standing in the midst of seven acres of land near Brighton and there
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he developed a fine garden. This keeps his time occupied to a considerable extent, for indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature. He largely spends the winter months in California. He is the president of the Colorado Agricultural Ditch Com- pany, a position which he has occupied for years, and he has thus kept in close touch with the irrigation interests of his community. There is no question concerning irri- gation with which he is not thoroughly familiar and along that line as well as in gen- eral farming he has always stood for progress and advancement.
On the 23d of November, 1886. Mr. Knapp was united in marriage to Miss Orrie Morris, a daughter of Richard and Rebecca Morris, whose people were pioneer settlers of Colorado. Mr. Knapp is a republican in his political views. For fifteen years he has served as a member of the school board and has ever been deeply and intensely interested in the cause of public education. He has ever attempted to maintain the highest standards in relation to the schools of his district and his work in this con- nection has been beneficial. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and he has ever loyally adhered to its teachings. He is a man of genuine personal worth whom to know is to respect and honor and he is everywhere spoken of in terms of warm regard.
EDGAR TARBELL ENSIGN.
The law, banking, insurance and public service claimed the attention and energies of Edgar Tarbell Ensign through a long and useful career covering almost seventy- nine years, and his public service covered both military activity and the establish- ment and development of national forestry interests in the west. Mr. Ensign was born at Moriah, Essex county, New York, September 9, 1839, a son of Charles W. and Harriet (Tarbell) Ensign, the latter a sister of Jonathan Tarbell, who was a lieuten- ant-colonel of the Ninety-first New York Volunteer Infantry, and became a brigadier general of United States Volunteers in the Civil war.
Edgar T. Ensign, after attending the district school and the village academy of Moriah, New York, became a student in a private school for boys conducted by a Mr. Durkee and his son at Saratoga Springs, New York. In the year 1856 he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he obtained employment in the banking house of A. J. Stearns & Company, and three years after his removal to the middle west he was there joined by his parents. He had resided in Iowa for only two years when in 1858 he was appointed deputy state treasurer. In May, 1861, however, all business and personal considerations were put aside that he might respond to the country's call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union. He joined the Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was promoted through various grades to the rank of captain. The date of his enlistment was May 4, 1861. He was commissioned second lieutenant on the 1st of June following and first lieutenant on the 1st of December of the same year, while on the 22d of June, 1862, he received the captain's commission. On the 20th of October, 1863, he was commissioned major of the Ninth Regiment of Iowa Cavalry, Volunteers, and was brevetted lieutenant-colonel and colonel of United States Volunteers, March 13, 1865. He resigned from the army on the 27th of October of the same year. His long term of active service was distinguished by the most splendid military qualities. Although wounded at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, he returned to his command and both before and afterward led his men in many a gallant charge.
In 1866 Colonel Ensign took up the study of law and won his LL. B. and A. B. degrees from the Iowa Law School, while subsequently he received the LL. B. degree from the law department of Columbian College, which was later merged into the George Washington University. With his admission to the bar in 1868, he entered upon active practice in Des Moines and the same year was made district attorney. He resided in Des Moines until 1874, when attracted by the opportunities of the west, he came to Colorado Springs and opened a law office. Soon afterward he was appointed commissioner of the United States circuit court and from 1333 until 1893 he was in public office, serving for six years as state forest commissioner and for two years as special agent of the United States general land office in the laying out of forest reserves, afterward known as national forests. His work in forestry was especially noteworthy and his public service in this connection gained for him warm commenda- tion. In 1895 he was active in organizing the Assurance Savings & Loan Association, of which he was president and manager until September, 1917. In the meantime he had entered the field of banking, having become in 1902 one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Colorado City and also of the National Bank Building Company.
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Elected to the presidency of the First National, he continued to serve in that position for three years, largely shaping its policy and directing its activities during that early period.
It was while still a resident of Des Moines that Colonel Ensign was married on the 17th of October, 1872, to Miss Lilla Butin, a daughter of Dwight L. and Charlotte C. Butin, of Baldwinsville, New York. She survives her husband and remains a resident of Colorado Springs, the Ensign home having been at No. 1415 North Nevada avenue for more than thirty-five years. There were no spectacular phases in the life of Colonel Ensign. It was ever a hard fought battle for progress, for advancement and for right and he came off victor in the strife. Whatever he undertook, the integrity of his purpose was never questioned and the Memoriam of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, to which he belonged, said: "The life career of Colonel Ensign as a gentleman, a soldier and a friend is worthy of emulation hy all." His demise occurred on the 15th of February, 1918.
REV. AGATHO STRITTMATTER, O. S. B.
Rev. Agatho Strittmatter, pastor of the Sacred Heart church at Boulder, was born in Carrolltown, Pennsylvania, on the 12th of July, 1873. His father, Andrew Stritt- matter, was also a native of Carrolltown, horn in 1829, and still resides there. He mar- ried Catherine Zorn, who was likewise a native of Carrolltown and who passed away in 1911.
In the public schools of his native city Agatho Strittmatter began his education and afterward continued his studies at St. Vincent's archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsyl- vania, where he was graduated with the class of 1899. For a year he was at St. Bene- dict's College of Newark, New Jersey, as professor and assistant pastor and suhse- quently he taught for two years in St. Vincent's college at Latrobe. In September, 1902, he was transferred to Boulder, Colorado, in charge of the missions, and a year later was transferred to Pueblo, Colorado, as founder and pastor of St. Leander's parish and there continued for three years. In August, 1906, he was sent to Boulder as pastor of Sacred Heart church. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Vincent's archabbey in Latrohe, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of July, 1899, and has since devoted his time and energies to the upbuilding of the Catholic church. He holds membership with the Knights of Columbus.
J. H. SIMPSON.
The farming interests of Adams county find a worthy representative in J. H. Simpson, who dates his residence in this state from 1879. He has therefore made his home in Colorado for almost forty years and for twelve years of this period has lived in Adams county, where he now owns and cultivates eighty acres of productive land. He was born in Ohio on the 14th of December, 1860, a son of Henry and Loretta (Ganby) Simpson, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. Removing west- ward to Illinois, they settled in McLean county in 1862 and there remained for about twenty-three years. In 1885 they again started westward, making Lincoln, Nebraska, their destination. The father died in that city but the mother survives and is now living wih her son, J. H. Simpson, at the notable old age of ninety-seven years. Not- withstanding her extreme age she is yet enjoying good health and has a remarkable memory. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children, four of whom are living.
J. H. Simpson spent his youthful days in Illinois, being but two years of age when the family home was established in that state. There he pursued a public school education and after reaching man's estate he began farming on his own account. In 1879 he came to Colorado, settling on a farm in Yuma county, where he continued to reside for more than a quarter of a century. In 1906 he removed to Adams county, where he has since made his home, and his property holdings now comprise eighty acres of land, all under irrigation. His place is very attractive in appearance owing to his careful cultivation of the fields and also owing to the many improvements which he has put upon his land. He has erected fine buildings, including an attractive residence, with good barns and outbuildings, furnishing ample shelter to grain and
REV. AGATHO STRITTMATTER, O. S. B.
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stock. He conducts a dairy business in connection with general farming and both branches are proving profitable.
In 1887 Mr. Simpson was married to Miss Anna McQueen, a native of Illinois, and they became the parents of three children, of whom Olin died in 1909 and the youngest in infancy. The second child is Blanche, the wife of C, E. Brachaire, now in the navy yard in the state of Washington.
Mr. Simpson votes with the democratic party and keeps thoroughly informed concerning the questions and issues of the day but has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to leave office holding to others. His thought, purpose and energy have been concentrated upon his business affairs and his prosperity is the direct result of his own labors. In 1899 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away leaving many friends. Mr. Simpson is widely and favorably known in Adams county, enjoying the warm regard of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
WILLIAM J. MURPHY.
William J. Murphy, who is engaged in general farming in Adams county, is one of Colorado's native sons, his birth having occurred in Denver on the 14th of April. 1874. His parents were Cornelius and Margaret Murphy, both of whom have been called to their final rest, and two of their seven children have also passed away. It was in the year 1860 that the parents came to Colorado, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Denver when that city was little more than a western mining village. They lived to witness much of its growth and development and to note the many marvelous changes which occurred in the state as the years passed.
William J. Murphy spent his youthful days under the parental roof and the public school system of Denver afforded him his chance for obtaining an education. After his textbooks were put aside he turned his attention to farming and stock rais- ing and has since carried on general agricultural pursuits. He is now the owner of the old homestead of his father, who filed on the place in 1865. It was the first farm taken up on First creek. Mr. Murphy owns one hundred and sixty acres, all under ditch, and is extensively engaged in raising beets and alfalfa. He has studied the most modern processes of developing these crops and annually gathers a large yield. He has added substantial improvements to his farm in the way of modern machinery and good buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and everything about the place indicates his progressive spirit and determination.
In 1899 Mr. Murphy was married to Miss Agnes Kam, a native of Nebraska, and they have become the parents of three children, Cornelius L., William J. and Catherine. Mr Murphy and his family are communicants of the Catholic church, being identified with the church at Brighton. In his political views Mr. Murphy is a democrat. While he has never been an office seeker, he has served on the school board and is interested in all that has to do with the development of the schools of the neighborhood. He be- longs to the Grange and eagerly avails himself of the opportunities offered by the order to advance in knowledge concerning the best methods of developing farm property. His entire life has been passed in Colorado and his career is typical of the spirit of western enterprise and progress. He has never had any false ideas of life but has ever recognized the fact that industry is the basic element of success and by reason of strenuous effort in carrying on his farm work he has met with a substantial measure of prosperity which places him with the affluent farmers of Adams county.
ORAN A. FOLEY.
Oran A. Foley, a ranchman living in the vicinity of Brighton, dates his residence in Colorado from 1894 and after spending a few weeks in Denver took up his abode in Brighton and has since lived in Adams county. He was born in Union county, Illi- nois, on the 5th of October, 1868, a son of Virgil M. and Emily (Anderson) Foley. The father was a Civil war veteran, having gone to the front with the Eighty-first Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, with which he participated in a number of hotly contested engagements, including the siege of Vicksburg, in which he was wounded. He par- ticipated altogether in eleven open field fights. His father had to leave Kentucky and removed to southern Illinois on account of his sympathy with the Union cause. He
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was a man strong in support of his honest convictions and did not hesitate to face death in defense of the Union.
Oran A. Foley pursued his early education in district schools and later enjoyed the benefit of a term's instruction in the Southern Illinois State Normal University at Carbondale. He afterward returned to the farm, where he worked with his father for two years and then secured work on the Cotton Belt Railroad, spending about two years in that connection. It was in 1894 that he made his way westward to Colorado and after remaining in the capital for a few weeks he removed to Brighton, where he entered the employ of E. A. Bromley, with whom he continued for sixteen years. He next leased one hundred and sixty acres of land near the town and engaged in the cultivation of that place until May, 1918, when he purchased eighty acres of land, which he has since owned and cultivated. He now has a good farm and his possessions are the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift.
Mr. Foley was married in Carbondale, Illinois, on the 6th of July, 1891, to Miss Rosa Ella Smith, a daughter of W. B. Smith. Mrs. Foley was born in Kansas and by her marriage has become the mother of the following named: LeRoy M., who married Helen Sheets and has one son. Raymond; H. Raymond and Emmett A., who are serving with the colors in France; Elmer; Blanche; Caroline; and Anna May. Mr. and Mrs. Foley have also reared a nephew, Harvey E. Schwartz, whom they regard as a son and who is likewise in France with the American army, fighting to oppose the military spirit which would enslave the world and make the race subject to German despotism. Mr. Foley may indeed be proud of the record of these three sons, who are rendering splendid service to their country with the khaki clad boys "over there."
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