USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 67
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Justice B. Smith was largely reared and educated in Illinois but also attended school in Iowa for two terms. Having thus prepared for life's ardous and responsible duties, he took up farming, which he followed in Iowa for one year, but in 1860 he decided to take advantage of the more inviting conditions prevailing in a newer country and therefore came to Colorado, locating in Blackhawk, where for two years he worked out by the month. He then went down to the plains and freighted from Omaha to Denver with ox teams until 1866, receiving gratifying returns from his arduous and often dangerous undertakings. Those were yet the days of the Indians and many were the hardships and difficulties which beset those who were engaged in that line of occupation. Mr. Smith had many interesting experiences in those early days which would be of interest if set forth, but space forbids. In 1867 he had acquired the means which permitted him to rent a place near Boulder and in 1869 he filed on his present 'farm, which therefore has now been in his possession for practically a half century. However, he did not remove to the property until 1879. In almost every conceivable way he has improved his farm and the first years were fraught with hardships, but he gradually brought his acres under cultivation, transforming the wild land into pro- ductive fields. However, as the years passed his income increased and he acquired more land until today he owns two hundred acres. His buildings are modern and up-to-date equipment has been installed and thus he has made his farm one of the most valuable of the neighborhood. Besides following general agricultural pursuits he has given con-
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siderable attention to stock raising and also has been successful in live stock dealing. He now feeds about a hundred head of cattle per year and has sixty head of calves. William J. Smith, a son of our subject, is in partnership with his father, the former giving his particular attention to pure bred shorthorn cattle, along which line he specializes, in fact William J. Smith has largely taken over the management of the place, in which capacity he has now acted for about twenty years, thus relieving his father of the more ardnous duties connected with farm life.
In March, 1859, Justice B. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Harris, a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Courtright) Harris, natives of New York. The father was an Illinois pioneer and one of the first settlers upon the site where now stands the great city of Chicago, in fact his eldest daughter was the first white child born in that city. Arrangements were made to have her attend the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, but unfortunately her demise occurred two weeks before that period. Mr. Harris was at one time a very wealthy man, but subsequently entering the banking business, lost his fortune. Greatly disheartened yet unbroken, he summoned up his energy and settling down to life's purposes once more, engaged in farming in Dekalb county, there spending the remainder of his life. He passed away in 1863 and his wife's death occurred in 1859.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith of this review became the parents of five children: Lewis Benjamin, who is a successful farmer located in the southwestern part of this state; James M., who follows agricultural pursuits in the Arkansas valley near Ordway, Colorado; Addie S., the widow of Albert Ransom, who died in July, 1903, Mrs. Ransom now making her home at Manitou, Colorado; John A., who died in November, 1877, at the age of fourteen years; and William J., who is now so ably assisting his father, taking charge of the many duties in connection with the management of the home property. Mrs. Smith died after an illness of two months, July 25, 1902, after forty- three years of happy married life. Her memory is still revered by many who had the honor of her acquaintance and remains as a benediction to her immediate family.
Mr. Smith has ever been interested in public movements or enterprises undertaken for the development and growth of his district and was formerly interested in and a director of the Longmont Farmers Mill & Elevator Company, which in fact he assisted in organizing and building. Now, however, he has sold his interest. He is not a politician in the commonly accepted sense of the word but has ever been a true adherent of the republican party and sincerely believes in the republican form of government as the one most conducive to the best practical results. His religious affiliation is with the United Brethren church, in the work of which organization he is helpfully in- terested. Many are the friends of Mr. Smith in Boulder county and in Hygiene and vicinity there are practically none who do not only know him but thoroughly esteem in him an honored pioneer and one of those who early in the history of the state here planted the seeds of civilization which have grown in a comparatively speaking unbe- lievably short time to rich fruition. As the last old settler of his district he is entitled to the venerahle regard in which he is generally held and the present generation by thus honoring him only repays a small tithe of thanks in return for the pioneering which was performed unstintingly and under hardships, difficulties aud dangers which can hardly be realized by those who enjoy present day security and conveniences here.
CORNELIUS AICHER.
Cornelius Aicher, a farmer and stock raiser of Adams county, was born in Germany, October 3, 1845. a son of Gabriel and Balbine (Lehr) Aicher, who were also natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives. They reared a family of six children. all of whom are yet living.
Cornelius Aicher, spending his youthful days in his native country, there acquired his education and in 1868, when a young man of about twenty-three years, came to the new world, first settling in lowa City, Iowa, where he lived for a year. He next removed to Marshall county, Iowa, where he resided until 1885 and was there engaged in the cooperage business in the city of Marshalltown. In 1885 he arrived in Colorado, where he became identified with the cattle industry, and in 1900 he purchased the farm whereon he now resides, comprising eighty acres all under ditch. He has since greatly improved this property through the erection of an attractive residence and fine barns and outbuildings, providing ample shelter for grain and stock. He uses the latest im- proved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and everything about the place is indicative of his thoroughness, system and progressiveness.
MR. AND MRS. CORNELIUS AICHER
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In 1873 Mr. Aicher was married to Miss Lena Estel, a native of Germany, and to them have been born seven children: Fred, who was accidentally killed at the age of fifteen years; George E., a farmer; Charles P., a mining engineer; Louis C. and Edward H., twins, who are with the government in the agricultural department; Mildred A., the wife of C. M. Welch, of Denver; and Albert W., who is farming with his father.
Mr. Aicher is a member of the Grange and is interested in all of the work of that organization to promote knowledge of benefit to the agriculturist. His political sup- port is given the democratic party, and while he has never sought or held political office, he has served on the school board. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Aicher is a self-made man and has made a handsome fortune since coming to America.
GEORGE E. HOSMER.
George E. Hosmer, collector of United States Customs at Denver, was born near Onarga, Iroquois county, Illinois, March 10, 1867, his parents being George W. and Harriet (Stocking) Hosmer, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. They went to Illinois at an early date, having, however, resided previously for a time in Ohio, where they were married. Subsequently they removed to Michigan and in the '60s arrived in Illinois. Their next westward removal took them to Cedar Vale, Chautauqua county, Kansas, in 1871, and there they remained throughout the residue of their days. The father died in the year 1894, while the mother passed away in 1916. During the period of the Civil war George W. Hosmer enlisted for active service at the front, joining the One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, with which he remained for three years, coming out of the war as a corporal. To him and his wife were born four children: Mrs. Viola A. Pulliam, living at Cedar Vale, Kansas; Mrs. Electa Harns, also of Cedar Vale, Kansas; John P., living at Bald Knob, Arkansas; and George E., of this review.
In early life . George E. Hosmer attended the public schools near his home and afterward became a student in the Kansas State Agricultural College of Manhattan, Kansas. In March, 1887, he arrived in Colorado and settled at Springfield, where he established the Springfield Beacon. Prior to coming to Colorado he had served an apprenticeship as a printer in Kansas. At length he sold out the Beacon and went to New Mexico, establishing his home at Springer, where he began the publication of the Springer Banner, which he edited and owned for three years. He then re- turned to Colorado and was employed on the Denver News. He was also advertising manager of the Field and Farm. He later went to Trinidad, Colorado, where for a time he edited the Daily Advertiser and later purchased the paper, which he suc- cessfully conducted until 1904. He then sold that journal and became a resident of Fort Morgan, where he purchased and published the Herald, conducting it success- fully until 1914, when he once more sold out.
In 1909 he was appointed printing commissioner of the state, while also con- ducting the Herald. In 1914 he was called upon for further public service in an appointment to the position of collector of United States Customs for Colorado, which position he has since most acceptably and capably filled. He is also custodian of the United States Federal building in Denver. In 1915 he was chosen to serve on the executive committee of the Pioneer Printers' Association of Colorado.
On the 1st of August, 1889, Mr. Hosmer was married to Miss Katherine Tipton, of Springfield, Colorado, a daughter of Judge and Mrs. F. M. Tipton, the former a well known attorney of Trinidad. Mr. and Mrs. Hosmer have become parents of two children. Mrs. Hosmer has done a great deal of newspaper work and has the distinction of being the first woman who ever occupied a position as city editor of a daily newspaper in Colorado. She has also written a great many articles and short stories for national magazines and publications, and has been a true helpmate at all times to her husband in his newspaper and public work. The son, Joe B., who was born in Springer, New Mexico, in 1890, attended the University of Denver, after which he studied journalism in the University of Missouri. Later he took a post- graduate course in business efficiency at Harvard. He joined the Three Hundred and Fourteenth Engineers in 1917 and served with them in the recent war with Germany, taking part in the Saint Mihiel drive and the Argonne Forest battle. The daughter is Katherine, who was born at Fort Morgan, January 5, 1907, and was graduated from the eighth grade in the Clayton school of Denver at eleven years age.
GEORGE E. HOSMER
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While living at Fort Morgan, Mr. Hosmer served as president of the Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Denver Press Club. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks lodge of Fort Morgan and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen. His religious faith is evidenced in his connection with the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church. Long residence in the west has made him largely familiar with the history of upbuilding and progress in this section of the country and through his association with journalistic interests, as well as a public official, he has contributed in large measure to the general devel- opment of Colorado. At a meeting of the National Editorial Association, in 1914. at Houston, Texas, Mr. Hosmer was made president of the association and presided in 1915 at the convention in Los Angeles, California. He is now acting as chair- man of the legislative committee.
Mr. Hosmer has a wide acquaintance, and those who know him esteem him as a man of superior ability, intellectual force and enterprise. He is now making an excellent public officer as collector of United States Customs for Colorado.
K. D. SWINNEY.
K. D. Swinney, who is engaged in ranching and cattle raising in Douglas county, was born at Independence, Kansas. in 1857, a son of David and Elizabeth (Cummings) Swinney, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The mother became a resident of Colorado in 1868, traveling by stage across the country from Omaha, Nebraska. The father had previously passed away while the family were residing in Kansas. Later Mrs. Swinney became the wife of Peter Brannon, of Denver, the marriage being cele- brated soon after her arrival in Colorado. The family removed to Douglas county, where Mr. Brannon homesteaded and became a prominent rancher.
K. D. Swinney continued to assist his stepfather in the further development and improvement of the homestead farm until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he married Clara Florin. He continued to make his home in St. Joseph for eight years and was employed by R. T. Davis, who operated the City Mills at that place. Subsequently he returned to Colorado and took up his abode in Douglas county, where he has since engaged in ranching and cattle raising. He now resides at Larkspur and is employed at the creamery of Carlson & Frink.
To Mr. and Mrs. Swinney were born four children: Samuel, William, Lucy and Mamie. In 1904 Mr. Swinney was married a second time, Louisa Metz of Wisconsin becoming his wife. They are well known in Larkspur and throughout the surrounding country.
In politics Mr. Swinney is a republican and while residing at Castle Rock served for one year as city marshal. He has worked diligently throughout his entire life and from early boyhood he has spent much of his time in Colorado, having been a witness of the growth and development of this state for more than a half century.
JAMES S. BOWLBY.
James S. Bowlby, a veteran of the Civil war, a Colorado pioneer and for twelve years a prominent business man of Cañon City and also for a long period an active official in connection with the mail service of the country, was born October 20, 1836, in what was then Richland but is now Ashland county, Ohio, a son of Samuel C. and Elizabeth (Baer) Bowlby, the latter of Holland descent, while the former traced his ancestry back to Thomas Bowlby, who settled in New Jersey in 1690.
James S. Bowlby was educated in the schools of Ohio and came to Colorado in 1878, when forty-two years of age. He had previously engaged in teaching in his native state for several years but at the time of the Civil war put aside all professional and personal considerations and responded to the country's call for troops, serving in the regiment commanded by Colonel James A. Garfield, afterward general, later congressman and subsequently the president of the United States. James S. Bowlby participated in the siege of Vicksburg and in other hotly contested engagements which led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms.
On removing to Cañon City in 1878, Mr. Bowlby secured a position as clerk in the
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postoffice under Captain Rockafellow and later was connected with the railway mail service. He afterward served as postmaster of Cañon City for four years and at a later period was actively identified with commercial interests, for through a period of twelve years he was associated with his son-in-law, F. P. Smith, in building up one of the largest mercantile establishments in the county.
In 1865 Mr. Bowlby was married to Miss Phoebe A. Franks, of Wayne county, Ohio, and they became the parents of four daughters and two sons: Fannie, now the wife of C. A. Biggs, of Canon City; Bessie, the wife of F. P. Smith, of Canon City; Mattie, the wife of L. M. Wingert, of Seattle; Abbie, the wife of W. E. Galley; of Canon City; Harry M., who is in the ordnance corps of the United States Army at Baltimore, Maryland; and Samuel H., living at Miami, Arizona. There are also ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Bowlby celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1915 and on the 22d of July, 1917, Mrs. Bowlby passed away. Mr. Bowlby still makes his home in Cañon City at the age of eighty-two years. He has ever been deeply interested in the Grand Army of the Republic and was commander of the post of Fremont county, while for ten years he has been its adjutant. He was also senior vice commander of the Department of Colorado and Wyoming and through these associations has always kept in close touch with his old army comrades, "the boys in blue," who served from 1861 until 1865 to preserve the Union that has come so prominently to the front as one of the greatest world powers.
ALFONSO SCHOFIELD.
A splendidly improved farm property is that owned and operated by Alfonso Schofield, whose holdings comprise three hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Boulder county and one hundred and sixty acres in Weld county. He has long given his attention to farming and stock raising in Boulder county and his position among the substantial and leading citizens is a creditable one. Mr. Schofield is a native of Nova Scotia. He was born on the 1st of April, 1862, a son of William H. and Mary E. (Downing) Schofield, who were natives of Nova Scotia, of English descent, in which country they were reared and married. Crossing the Atlantic, their parents settled in Nova Scotia. William H. and Mary E. Schofield removed to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1867 and in 1879 with their family took up their abode in Kansas, where they remained until 1891, when they came to Colorado, remaining residents of this state until called to their final rest.
Alfonso Schofield is one of a family of twelve children, two of whom died when quite young, while the rest grew to maturity and eight still survive, His mother was one of a family of sixteen children and the mother of these sixteen children lived to the age of ninety-six years, to see all of her children grow up and get married.
Alfonso Schofield was but five years old when his parents removed to Boston, Massa- chusetts, and there he attended the public schools. He was twenty years of age when in 1882 he came to Colorado, settling first in Boulder county, where he secured employ- ment at farm labor. Ambitious to engage in agricultural pursuits on his own account, he began cultivating a rented farm in 1889 and lived thereon for three years. He then located on his present property and is now the owner of three hundred and forty acres of valnable land in Boulder county, all under the ditch, and one hundred and sixty acres in Weld county. He has carefully, systematically and profitably developed and cultivated his fields and in addition to raising the crops best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here he has also engaged successfully in dairying and stock raising. He has erected all the farm buildings upon his place and everything about his farm is in- dicative of his progressive spirit and undaunted enterprise. As the years have passed he has prospered and in addition to carrying on his agricultural interests he has entered the field of bauking and for three years has been the president of the First National Bank of Lafayette.
On the 21st of February, 1892, Mr. Schofield was married to Miss Mary M. Prince, a native of Denver and a daughter of Hiram and Mary Prince, who are mentioned on other pages of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Schofield have become parents of four children: Mary E., now the wife of Theodore W. Bishop, who resides near Goodview, Boulder county; Archibald J., who is with the United States army in France, a corporal in the Second Veterinary Hospital Division, Third Army; George F., who is married and follows farming on the liome place; and Walter H., who is at North Island, San Diego, California, in the naval air station, and' is second quartermaster.
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Mr. Schofield and his family attend the Congregational church, and he is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Woodmen of the World. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. While he has never sought political office, he has served for five years on the school board and is a stanch advocate of any plan or measure for the improvement of the schools, in fact he gives hearty aid and cooperation to all measures for the general good and may well be classed among the public-spirited citizens of Boulder county. Mr. Schofield is a self-made man. as he had no money when he began his career in Colorado, and his commendable suc- cess is therefore a great credit to him. entirely attributable to his energy, industry, foresight and fairness in all of his dealings. His life has been at all times open and above board and his record is that of successful achievement as a result of earnest endeavor.
PETER N. SMITH.
Peter N. Smith is concentrating his efforts and attention upon the development and cultivation of one hundred and seventy acres of land near Globeville. He was born in Denmark on the 24th of May, 1864, and is a son of Nels and Mary Smith, the former a mechanic. Peter N. Smith was educated in his native country, where he spent the first twenty-four years of his life and then bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world. Reaching American shores, he made his way to Iowa and for three or four years was there engaged in farming in Auduhon county. He after- ward removed to Illinois, where he remained for two years, and then again went to Jowa, where he continued for two or three years. In 1896 he arrived in Colorado, set- tling at Cripple Creek. where he resided for six or seven months. Later he worked in a smelter at Denver for eight years, and on the expiration of that period purchased ten acres of land in Adams county, which he still farms. In addition he cultivates a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of leased land, devoted to the raising of wheat and hay, and his close application and unwearied industry are strong elements in his grow- ing success.
On the 8th of May, 1886, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary S. Jensen and their children are: Nels, who is upon the ranch; Lawrence, who is a member of the United States army: Michael, who is connected with the navy; John; Anna, who is the wife of Ralph Westerkamp; Inga, now Mrs. Frank Peterson; and Emma.
The religious faith of the parents is that of the Lutheran church and fraternally Mr. Smith is identified with the Woodmen of the World, having been a member of the order for twenty years. Coming to America when a young man of twenty-four years, he here found his opportunities and in their utilization has steadily advanced along the road to success. His enterprise and energy have heen pronounced and whatever he has attempted he has accomplished.
EDWARD L. GORMLEY.
Forty-four years ago Edward L. Gormley took up a homestead claim of one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 14, township 2, range 68 west, in Adams county, and here he has successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits continuously since, still owning eighty acres of the original tract. His birth occurred in Windsor, Nova Scotia, on the 21st of July. 1857, his parents being John and Eunice A. (Pelton) Gorm- ley, who there spent their entire lives. They had a family of ten children, five of whom survive.
Edward L. Gormley acquired his education in the schools of Nova Scotia and there remained to the age of seventeen. The year 1874 witnessed his arrival in Colo- rado and, making his way to Adams county, he took up the homestead claim previously mentioned and it is a most valuable and productive tract of land, being under the ditch. As the years have passed he has energetically carried on the work of the fields and by practical and progressive methods has won a measure of success that has gained him recognition among the prosperous and representative agriculturists of the community.
In 1884 Mr. Gormley was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Chamley, a native of England and a daughter of Christopher Chamley, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs.
EDWARD L. GORMLEY
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Gormley became the parents of two sons, Edward A. and Frank W., but the latter has passed away. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1913, her remains being interred in the Riverside cemetery.
In his political views Mr. Gormley is a stalwart republican, exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. He belongs to the local organization of the Grange and is a public-spirited citizen whose aid and influence are ever given on the side of progress, reform and improvement. The period of his residence in Adams county covers more than four decades and he has therefore been a witness of its growth and development from pioneer times to the present, his efforts contributing to advancement along agricultural lines in the section. He has worked persistently and earnestly as the years have passed by and the prosperity which he now enjoys is attributable entirely to his own labors.
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