USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 65
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The nearest neighbors were miles away and one could ride for almost an unlimited distance over the plains without coming to a fence or a house to impede progress. Mr. Moxley bravely faced the hardships and conditions of pioneer life and in the course of years his labors have brought to him well deserved success.
On the 27th of October, 1905, Mr. Moxley was united in marriage to Miss Edith Brown, who was born in Colorado and was left an orphan in her infancy. They now have one son, Percy. Mr. and Mrs. Moxley are widely and favorably known in Broom- field and the surrounding country. Theirs is an attractive home, the farm being highly cultivated and splendidly improved, for throughout the years of his residence here Mr. Moxley has followed progressive methods and has done much to advance the agricultural interests of this section of the state.
MRS. ANNA THOMAS.
Mrs. Anna Thomas is the owner of an excellent farm property in Boulder county, where she is widely and favorably known. She is the widow of William J. Thomas and a daughter of Adolph Waneka. She was born in Connecticut and came to Colorado with her parents when but seven years of age. In this state therefore her girlhood days were largely passed and after reaching young womanhood she was married in 1875 to William J. Thomas, a native of Wisconsin, who came to Colorado in 1872. Following his marriage Mr. Thomas engaged in mining for several years but afterward turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and purchased the farm whereon his widow now resides, comprising three hundred and nineteen acres of excellent land, which is all under the ditch and splendidly improved. As the years passed Mr. Thomas carefully developed his place, making it one of the excellent farm properties of the district. He brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, divided his land by well kept fences and used the latest machinery to facilitate the work of the fields.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born nine children: Florence, who has passed away; Estelle, the wife of J. H. Lipsey, of Boulder county; Emma; the wife of Elmer Missick, of Seattle, Washington; Carrie, the wife of Frank Rose, of Denver; Jennie, the wife of A. Peters, of Denver; Pearl, deceased; William J .; Richard; and Dee D. The two last named are still at home and operate the farm. They carry on general agricultural pur- suits and stock raising and manifest excellent business ability in the control of the place.
The death of the husband and father occurred in 1897 and was a matter of deep regret not only to his immediate family but to many friends as well, for he was highly esteemed in the community where he made his home. Mrs. Thomas was married again to Frank Greenlee, a rancher of Boulder county and to them were born two children, Della and Mildred, residing at home. Mrs. Thomas and her family are most widely and favorably known in Boulder county, where she has lived from early pioneer times. She has been a witness of almost the entire growth and development of this section of the state and her memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past with its hardships and the progressive present with all of its opportunities.
JAMES P. MCINROY.
James P. McInroy, who is serving as county commissioner of Douglas county and is numbered among its wide-awake and progressive ranchmen, was born near Castle Rock on the 18th of December, 1875, his birthplace being the old homestead of his father, Patrick McInroy, who was born in Scotland and became one of the pioneer settlers of Colorado. Arriving in this state in an early day, he homesteaded and as the years passed on acquired large landed interests. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amelia Curtis, was born in Australia.
James P. McInroy acquired a common school education and when a lad of fifteen years started out in the business world on his own account, becoming a cow puncher and ranch hand. He was thus employed for a number of years and ultimately began ranching independently. He is today the owner of an excellent stock ranch of nine hundred and sixty acres, on which he raises good crops of alfalfa, corn, grain and hay. He also has first-class buildings upon his place, all of which were erected by him. The equipment of the farm is thoroughly modern and includes water works and an electric light plant, together with the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of planting and harvesting his crops. House and barns have most modern
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equipment and the ranch is one of the most desirable properties of this character in Colorado.
On the 28th of March. 1897, Mr. McInroy was united in marriage to Miss Effie McDowell, who was born in Jefferson county, Kansas, a daughter of Vincent and Rhoda (Donegan) McDowell. Her father came to Colorado in 1859 and was engaged in freighting for a number of years, after which he returned to Iowa. He again came to Colorado in 1879 and homesteaded in Spring Valley of Douglas county, where he acquired large landed holdings. To Mr. and Mrs. McInroy have been born seven chil- dren. Harold V., a graduate of the Colorado School of Agriculture at Fort Collins, enlisted in the Marines, August 1, 1918, and is now in the inspection office at Wash- ington, D. C. Alice A., also a high school graduate, is teaching in a country school near her home. Frank H. is a senior in the high school, while his brother, James P., is a junior student. The others of the family are Stewart R., Violet M. and Effie E.
In his political views Mr. McInroy has always been a stalwart democrat. He served for three terms of two years each in the office of assessor of Douglas county and is now serving for the first term as a county commissioner, making a creditable record in this position. He has ever been loyal and true to every trust reposed in him and his public service has been highly satisfactory to his constituents. He is identified with many clubs and societies of varied character. He belongs to the Sons of Colorado, is a member of Castle Rock Lodge, No. 142, I. O. O. F., and was honored with the presidency of the State Dairy Association from 1912 until 1916-a fact indica- tive of the prominent position which he occupies among the dairymen of the state. He is also an honorary member of the National Tax Association of New York city, having been recommended for membership by the Colorado Tax Commission in 1912 in recognition of the distinguished work done by him as assessor of Douglas county. He and his family are all members of the Episcopal church and are people of the highest respectability and worth, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. The life record of Mr. McInroy illustrates what can be accomplished by individual effort. He has never allowed obstacles or difficulties to bar his path but has overcome these by persistency of purpose, and a creditable ambi- tion has prompted him continuously to take a forward step until now he occupies a place in the front rank of the ranchmen of Douglas county.
K. G. LAMBERTSON.
K. G. Lambertson, who is engaged in farming near Eastlake, Adams county, was born in Denmark on the 2d of March, 1868, and remained in that country until fifteen years of age. It was in 1884 that he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world, for the reports which he had heard concerning the oppor- tunities in America led him to the determination to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. He did not tarry in the east but crossed the continent, arriving in Golden, Colorado, in March, 1884. There he secured employment as a farm hand, working in that way for a number of years. He was ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and at length rented a farm, which he continued to cultivate for several years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase land and he now owns two hundred and forty-eight acres of fine farm land which is highly im- proved. He has also been a successful business man in other connections. He became one of the organizers of the Eastlake State Bank and for some time was its presi- dent, contributing in substantial measure to its success.
In 1894 Mr. Lambertson was united in marriage to Miss Frances Crawford, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of King and Elizabeth (Leeper) Crawford, both of whom were natives of Ireland. whence they came to America in the '60s, establishing their home in Marion county of the Buckeye state. After some years they removed to Missouri, where they remained until 1892 and then came to Colorado, settling in Adams county, where they continued to reside until called to their final rest. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are yet living. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Lambertson. having been liberally educated, was for one year a successful school teacher. To Mr. and Mrs. Lambertson have been born three children: Harry Arthur, Lester and K. G., Jr. In the year 1910 Mr. and Mrs. Lambertson took a trip to Denmark, where he renewed the acquaintances of his boyhood and also visited many interesting points in that land and in other European countries. Mr. Lambertson has made three European trips. He has two brothers and one sister now residing in
K. G. LAMBERTSON
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America: Christian Lambertson, of California; Nels M., of Rawlins, Wyoming; and Mrs. Robert Neilson, of Denver.
Mr. Lambertson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never sought or desired office. He has concentrated his time and attention upon his business affairs with good results and as the years have passed he has made for himself a creditable position in the ranks of representative agriculturists of Adams county.
HARVEY I. TAYLOR.
Harvey I. Taylor, who is extensively engaged in farming not far from Peyton, was born at Table Rock in El Paso county, Colorado, May 12, 1886, a son of Frank E. and Sarah (Martin) Taylor. The father removed to this state from Missouri in 1876 and homesteaded land. In 1888 he removed to Peyton, where he preempted one hundred and sixty acres and secured a timber claim of equal amount. He continued to add to his holdings by purchase from time to time until he was the owner of six hundred and forty acres of very fertile land, well improved, that constitutes the old family homestead.
Harvey I. Taylor was reared under the parental roof and his educational oppor- tunities were those afforded by the public schools. He early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops in his locality and he is now the owner of five hundred acres of land adjoining the old home place. He works both ranches and is one of the most progressive agriculturists of the district. He keeps thirty milk cows and fattens more than one hundred head of cattle each year and also engages extensively in raising hogs. He is a progressive agriculturist and stock raiser and he has wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of his place hy reason of the many improvements which he has put upon it. In the year 1918 he erected an attractive new residence and everything about the place is indicative of the care and supervision of a progressive owner.
In 1914 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Audlea M. Duncan, a graduate of the Normal School at Normal, Illinois, and for several years prior to her marriage a successful teacher. She has become the mother of one child, Maida, who was horn October 7, 1917. Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints. In politics Mr. Taylor is independent and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He has traveled extensively over the United States and Canada, gaining that broad experience and culture which only travel can bring.
WILLIAM HENRY SMITH.
William Henry Smith is a leading cattle man of Fremont county and one of the most prominent operating in that business in the state. He makes his home at Cañon City, where he was born on the 14th of January, 1870, his parents being George P. and Elizabeth (Pillmore) Smith. His education was acquired in the schools of Fremont county, where he was reared, being the youngest child in his father's household. His birth occurred a few months after the parents reached Colorado. - In 1880 his elder brother, George Smith, passed away and a few weeks later the father was accidentally shot through the foot. William H. Smith, then a boy of ten years, turned his atten- tion to the cattle business at that period. The family fortunes were at a low ebb and the boy lost his first milch cows from cattle fever. He then engaged in peddling vege- tables. The course which he pursued was a notable one for a boy of his years. He seemed to possess the judgment, industry and determination of one of twice or thrice his age and with unfaltering purpose he wrested fortune from the hands of fate.
When nineteen years of age Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Howells, who had come to Canon City from Ohio. As a young man Mr. Smith worked with Rockafellow & Baker at Rockdale, the new coal camp of Fremont county. He afterward engaged in business on his own account and now in connection with a part- ner, S. R. Cox of the Union Stock Yards of Denver, owns ranches in Fremont, Chaffee, Custer and Park counties, having altogether fifteen thousand acres, of which nine thousand acres is in ranches. He remembers the days when elk and deer were so plentiful that they never thought of using the front quarters of the deer. Hunting for game in this region was his delight. Bears and mountain lions were also numer-
MR. AND MRS. FRANK E. TAYLOR
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ous up to about ten years ago and on one occasion Mr. Smith ran a bear up a tree in the Greenhorn mountains and three years ago killed a mountain lion in the Green- horn range. His memory also goes back to a time when forty years ago his father sent his mother to England for medical treatment and the trip had to be made by ox team to Cheyenne, from which point she traveled by rail to the Atlantic coast.
Great indeed have been the changes which time and man have wrought. Today Mr. Smith has a fine home in South Canon, where he transacts his business, keeping a stenographer, and there he spends the winter months. In other seasons of the year he is busy on his ranches and a part of the winters he spends in California. Most substantial success has come to him as the reward of his judicious investments, his careful management and his indefatigable effort. Peddling vegetables when a boy of ten years not only to provide for his own support but also that of his parents, he has progressed with notable rapidity toward the goal of success, following methods that any might profitably emulate and winning not only most substantial prosperity but also an honored name.
FELIX ALLEN RICHARDSON.
A highly honored and respected pioneer of the state, Felix Allen Richardson, at the age of eighty-three years, is still active in the discharge of his important duties as librarian of the supreme court of the state of Colorado, which office he has held for the past thirty-two years a record which is indeed seldom emulated. Mr. Richard- son is a Kentuckian by birth; his native city being Glasgow, in the Blue Grass state, where he was born on December 11, 1835, a son of Felix A. and Jane McMurtry (Steele) Richardson, both members of prominent southern families. The maternal great-grand- father, Andrew Steele, was a native of Londonderry county. Ireland, and came to this country before the Revolution. His grandfather, Brice Steele, the only child of Andrew Steele and his wife, Lady Ann Carr Steele, was born in Argyleshire, Scot- land, in 1774, and came to America with his mother in 1792 and settled at Lexington, Kentucky, which is still the seat of the Steele family. His great-grandfather, Andrew Steele, came to America several years in advance of his wife.
The Richardson family record goes back to the fourth earl of Lothian and members of this family also came to America before the Revolution. They took promi- nent part in the early wars of this country. Felix A. Richardson, Sr., was a native of Virginia and enlisted in the service of his country at the outbreak of the revolu- tion in Texas, in 1835. He was killed in action at San Jacinto and the pistol which he carried while in service is still in the possession of his son, our subject, a cherished relic of his venerated father, and a reminder of American heroism and valor. On February 28. 1856, the legislature of the state of Texas passed a bill authorizing the commonwealth to donate thirty-six hundred acres of public lands to the four heirs of Captain Felix A. Richardson, who had died that the cause of freedom might live. This land in many instances had been taken up, without title, by others and after many years of litigation to establish the claim of the heirs was at last all disposed of. Mrs. Jane McMurtry (Steele) Richardson died in Glasgow, Kentucky. She bore her hus- band four children, two of whom are still living: Mrs. Eliza Ann Smith, who is in her eighty-fifth year and a resident of Hot Springs, South Dakota; and Felix Allen Richardson, of this review.
During his boyhood and youth Felix Allen Richardson attended the common schools and Urania College at Glasgow, graduating from the latter institution. He then entered the printing establishment of his stepfather, his mother having again mar- ried. He was at that time only fourteen years of age but he quickly learned the art of typesetting. and having become a full fledged compositor and thoroughly acquainted with all the details of the print shop, he was given entire charge of the establishment, which he directed during the next two years. His executive ability and knowledge of detail enabled him to conduct the shop along remunerative lines and his efforts resulted in three thousand dollars profit annually, greatly to his satisfaction. He continued to follow the printer's trade until 1861, when he had commenced the study of law; but the War of the Rebellion coming on he closed up his legal studies and went into the military service of the United States and was appointed deputy provost marshal of the Third District of Kentucky, and remained in said service for about two and one-half years. When the war was practically over he resigned his position and was appointed deputy post master of Glasgow, which position he held for nearly six years. During his military service he conducted two drafts for the United States
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army. On May 12, 1873, he came to Denver to regain his health, which was quite impaired; and so well did the high altitude and climate agree with Mr. Richardson that he and his wife never returned to their old home to reside there permanently, although he has been to Kentucky on thirty-two occasions, always receiving a royal welcome from the townsfolk. The Glasgow Times always received him with an article of welcome and on various occasions has written about Mr. Richardson as one of the most respected sons of the city. After having made Denver his home for one year in order to regain his health, he decided to stay, and upon recommendation of his friend, Governor Elbert, was appointed to a position in the Denver post office, which he faithfully and efficiently filled for ten years. He then received an appointment in the United States mint at Denver and in that capacity he remained until 1886, when he was appointed bailiff and librarian of the state supreme court of Colorado. The appointment was made by Supreme Court Justice Elbert. Mr. Richardson has filled the position of librarian ever since, earning the high encomiums of the justices of the court. He is careful and systematic in the discharge of his duties and as librarian has instituted valuable measures, improving the cataloguing of records, books, etc. He is well fitted for the position and his faithfulness is rewarded by the appre- ciation of his work. He is today one of the best known men in positions of this character in the country.
In 1866, in Louisville, Kentucky, was celebrated the marriage of Mr: Richardson and Miss Mary Ellen Reader, a daughter of Samuel Parker Reader and Katherine Wilkinson Boggs Reader. The grandfather of Mrs. Richardson, John Reader, was one of those patriots who participated in the Revolutionary war, and was a member of Captain William Tucker's Company, First Regiment, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Militia, also a member of Captain John Mott's Company, same regiment, during the revolutionary war. Mr. Richardson is faithfully devoted to the republican party, which he has ever supported. His religious faith is that of the Christian church and he takes active part in its work. He belongs to the Pioneers Society and is a member of Typographical Union. No. 49, having been admitted in February, 1874. He stands high in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having for fifty-two years been an honored member of United Lodge No. 4. Mr. Richardson is interested in the cause of education not only of children but also of the grown-ups, and thoroughly believing in the great value of libraries, has given one thousand volumes out of his home col- lection to the public library of Glasgow, his native town. This act of kindness has been highly appreciated there, and although it was hard for Mr. Richardson to part from some of these books, which were like his old friends to him, he has done so gladly, for he knows that now hundreds of his home folks will have the benefit of them. He has always participated in progressive movements undertaken in the interest of his adopted city, where he has many friends among the high officials of the state as well as among the public, all of whom unite in speaking of him with the greatest respect and esteem, thoroughly admiring his qualities of character and heart. In his particular sphere of work he stands as one of the foremost and efficient men of the nation, and many of the systems which he has introduced in regard to library work and as regards the duties of court librarian have been adopted by officers in similar positions in other parts of the country.
OWEN KILKER.
A splendidly irrigated farm of one hundred and sixty acres was once the property of Owen Kilker, who was actively and prominently identified with agricultural interests in Boulder county. He was born in Ireland in May, 1842, and was brought to America when a little lad of but six years by his parents, who established the family home in Indiana. Later they removed to Colorado and both his father and mother passed away in Denver.
Owen Kilker was reared under the parental roof and no events of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for him in his boyhood days. He was married in Kansas to Miss Bridget Lavell, a native of Ireland and a daughter of Anthony and Rose (Kennedy) Lavell, who were also natives of the Emerald isle. The mother there passed away and the father and daughter afterward came to America in the year 1846. Mr. Lavell eventually passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Kilker, at the age of eighty-four years.
It was subsequent to his marriage that Mr. Kilker came to Colorado and pur-
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chased the land upon which his widow now resides. He lived thereon for about six- teen years and passed away on the old homestead in 1894.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kilker were horn nine children: Mary, now the wife of George Ellsberry; Mrs. Agnes (Kilker) Gorman, who died at the age of forty-five years; John; Michael, who died at the age of twelve years; Anthony; Eugene; one who died in infancy; James; and Patrick H. The sons now farm the land which is still owned by Mrs. Kilker-an excellent farm property of one hundred and sixty acres, all of which is under the ditch and has been improved with good buildings. In fact this is one of the attractive farms of the district and the name of Kilker has become a synonym for enterprise and progressiveness in relation to the development of the farming interests of Boulder county.
JOHN DONALDSON FLEMING.
John Donaldson Fleming, dean of the School of Law of the University of Colorado, was born in the village of Elizaville in Fleming county, Kentucky. in 1852, and is a representative of an old and distinguished southern family. The branch of the family to which he belongs and all of the Flemings in Fleming county, Kentucky, who spell their name with one "m," are of Scotch origin, probably Scotch-Irish. The founder of the family came from the County of Wigton, on the southwest coast of Scotland, about opposite Belfast, Ireland, and settled near Jamestown, Virginia, so tradition says, in the year 1616. This is also the statement of a very old record still preserved. That was only nine years after the first English settlement at Jamestown and more than three hundred years ago. This Virginia immigrant was known as Sir Thomas Fleming, second son of the Earl of Wigton. The earldom was created by King James VI of Scot- land, who became James I of England. The family was never wealthy and perhaps by the time the second son started for the new world was practically impoverished, his chief possession probably being his title, to which he succeeded perhaps on the death of his elder brother. The family was of Protestant faitli.
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