History of Colorado; Volume IV, Part 68

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 836

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GEORGE P. SMITH.

On the 26th of March, 1918, George P. Smith celebrated the ninetieth anniversary of his birth. He is widely known as an honored pioneer settler of Colorado and an esteemed resident of Cañon City. At this writing, in the closing days of 1918, he is still active, his memory is clear as a bell and his pleasures in life as keen as in the days of his younger manhood.

Mr. Smith was born in England in 1828. In his early youth the spirit of adventure came upon him and on a sailing vessel he came to the new world. The tide of emigra- tion in those early '50s flowed toward Ohio and thither the young Englishman made his way, settling in Medina, that state. There on the 22d of March, 1854, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Pillmore and they remained in the middle west until the fall of 1869, when they decided to try the mild winters of Colorado. They had removed from Ohio to Michigan and on selling their farm in that state they at once started for Cañon City. Here they found themselves in a virgin region that gave plentifully in return for toil but also called for much endurance of hardships and privations, such as are always to he met with amid pioneer conditions. When they had their home in South Canon the Indians, friendly enough, often camped in the grove near-by. Mr. Smith was at that time engaged in the cattle business, an industry in which his'son, William H., with whom he makes his home, has become prominent.

On the 23d of March, 1904, Mr. and Mrs. Smith celebrated their golden wedding, an occasion on which a great host of friends paid their tribute of respect and honor to this worthy couple. Mrs. Smith passed away in February, 1909. Her life had ever been a sweet and gentle influence and is reflected in the respect and esteem in which she was held. She was ever devoted to her home, finding her greatest happiness in ministering to the welfare and comfort of her husband and children and in enjoying their com- panionship. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born the following named: Mrs. A. J. Wilkin, of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. George A. Baker, living at Cañon City; Mrs. L. S. Bailey, also of Cañon City; William H., prominent as a cattle man of Fremont county; and George, who died in 1880.

Mr. Smith was one of that group of pioneers who planned and promoted the original South Canon ditch, the first irrigation ditch ever built in Fremont county. He ever stood for progress and improvement along all those lines which made for general de- velopment and advancement in the county and he still gives out of his rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit and guidance of others. To him the words of Victor Hugo might well apply:

"Though the shows of winter are on his head, The flowers of spring are in his heart."

JOSEPH E. WHYTAL.

Joseph E. Whytal, engaged in general farming in Adams county, was born in Kansas on the 1st of November, 1860, a son of Joseph and Helen (Miller) Whytal. The father was a native of Nova Scotia, while the mother was born in Illinois. In 1858 they became residents of Kansas, settling on a farm in that state, where for many years the father devoted his attention to the cultivation of the soil. Both he and his wife died in that state.

MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH E. WHYTAL

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Joseph E. Whytal, their only child, was reared and educated in Kansas, pur- suing his studies in the common schools. Through the periods of vacation he assisted his father in farm work and remained at home until he attained his majority, when he started out in life independently. He removed to western Kansas, where he took up a homestead claim and at once began its development and cultivation. He lived thereon until 1892, when he removed to Colorado, settling in Adams county. Still later, he spent a number of years on the Pacific coast where he engaged in farming and fruit raising, in California and also in Washington. In 1899, he returned to Colorado and again secured farm land and through the intervening period, covering about twenty years, has given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. His farm is carefully cultivated and produces rich crops annually, owing to his prac- tical and progressive methods. The place is neat and thrifty in appearance and upon it are found excellent improvements. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Whytal is connected with banking as one of the directors of the Eastlake State Bank. His property comprises one hundred and fifty-two acres of land.

On January 1, 1901, Mr. Whytal was married to Miss Nellie McCrea and to them have been born three children: Edwin, Elsie and Otis. Mrs. Whytal belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active part in charitable, and church work. She is a native of Iowa, and a daughter of William O. and Rachel (Starry) McCrea, who removed to Nebraska in 1880, and were numbered among the pioneers of that state. They took up a homestead in Furnas county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Whytal has membership with the Knights of The Mac- cabees and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has never been an office seeker or filled political positions but has served as school director and is interested in the welfare and progress of the community to the extent of giving hearty cooperation to all plans and movements for the general good. He is recog- nized as one of the progressive, successful citizens of Adams county.

LEONARD HOWARD HARVEY.

With the election of Leonard Howard Harvey, now in his twenty-third year, to the position of county assessor, the third generation of Harveys assumes its prominence in the affairs and in the development of Fremont county. The first of the Harveys in Colorado was Gilbert B. Harvey, grandfather of Leonard Howard Harvey. A veteran of the Mexican war. he served with General Winfield Scott in the brilliant campaign which ended with the capture of the city of Mexico. Having spent his early life in Virginia, he removed from that state to Ripley, Missouri, and in 1863 came to Colorado largely for the purpose of hunting big game and incidentally to prospect for gold. In 1864 he returned to Missouri, but the lure of the far west was strong and he decided to remove his family to Colorado. At that time, however, there were two great perils. The first was due to the breaking up of guerrilla bands in western Missouri and the second was the Indian menace. Massacres were of daily occurrence. But in 1871 the Harvey family finally located in Cañon City.

James Gilbert Harvey, father of Leonard Howard Harvey, became in these years one of the noted freighters of this region. He was among the first to go to Rosita, one of the "noted new mining camps of the period, but in 1879 his work was largely in the region between Leadville and Cañon City. He tells of the road lined with wagons carrying supplies and returning with ore. For a time he drove a hearse in Leadville, for there was hardly a day or night in which the wild orgies failed to end in a murder. He freighted later in the San Juan and in the Gunnison in the heyday of those camps and finally turned his attention to ranching and dairying on Current creek and became one of the prominent stockmen of the country. In 1895 he established his home in South Canon, where his widow and sons now live. His death occurred November 28, 1915, and his passing was mourned by the entire community. He had been a most prominent figure in the development and progress of the district, contributing in marked measure to its upbuilding, and there was no phase of pioneer life with which he was not familiar.

James Gilbert Harvey was united in marriage to Lucinda Nye, who was born in Can- ton, Ohio, where she attended school with Miss Ida Saxton, who later became the first lady of the land-Mrs. William Mckinley. Mrs. Harvey still, survives-a sweet, gentle soul whose fine character is mirrored in her children. These are: Frank Harvey, who was educated in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and who now conducts the large ranch; Mary E., now Mrs. J. F. Murray, who lives at Parkdale, Colorado; Leonard

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Howard Harvey, whose name introduces this review; and James Harvey, the youngest son.

Leonard Howard Harvey, who was educated in the public and high schools and in the business college of Canon City, although but twenty-three years of age, was in 1918 nominated for the office of county assessor. The county is strongly republican, and Mr. Harvey and Blake Rogers, candidate for county treasurer, were the only democrats elected. This is one of the highest tributes that could have been paid this native son of Fremont county, who took his office on the 14th of January, 1919. There is no fear felt concerning his conduct of the office, for it is well known that he is loyal to every trust reposed in him and that he holds to high standards of citizenship.

JAMES E. KIRK.

James E. Kirk, a pioneer settler of El Paso county now living retired, has reached the notable old age of eighty-seven years, his birth having occurred in Springfield, Vermont, on the 12th of April. 1831. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Whitcomb) Kirk, whose family numbered two children, the brother, George Kirk, having been killed in the first battle of Bull Run during the Civil war.

James E. Kirk was the elder child and in his boyhood days he attended the village school of Springfield, Vermont. At the age of nineteen years he left the parental roof and went to Cass county, Michigan, where he had charge of a large farm until the outbreak of the war between the north and the south in 1861. Prompted by a spirit of patriotic devotion to his country, he enlisted as a member of Company D, Thirteenth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, and continued in active service until mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, while in the hospital there. He had fought valiantly in many minor engagements and was in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, which developed into a major engagement. Prior to entering the service he had learned the machinist's trade and was occupied in the erection of sawmills in various timbered sections through- out Michigan and Missouri along the Missouri river. After being honorably discharged at the close of the Civil war he made his home in Atchison. Kansas, and continued in the sawmilling business for a number of years.

On leaving Kansas, Mr. Kirk removed to Colorado, settling first in Denver, but after a brief period passed in that city removed to El Paso county and exercised his soldier's right of taking up a homestead claim. He also erected a sawmill on what was known as the Stebbins land and on his own land built his home. After a time he engaged in ranching and eventually sold his original place, purchasing another in the same county which he later developed into a fine farm property. During his residence in El Paso county his ability for leadership in public affairs led to his selection for the office of assessor, in which position he served for five years. He was also elected road overseer and likewise served on the school committee that built the first country schoolhouse in El Paso county, at Table Rock.

At a subsequent date Mr. Kirk formed a partnership with T. B. Buchanan to handle the Stebbins property in Denver and in time they disposed of this property, which is now known as Stebbins Heights and constitutes one of the fine residential districts of the city. Messrs. Buchanan & Kirk also furnished the tie and bridge timber for the Midland Railroad and in addition to these activities Mr. Kirk was commissioned to · plant and look after a large orchard for C. B. Kountze, which has become one of the most extensive and finest orchards of the state. In more recent years Mr. Kirk has put aside the interests and affairs of active business life but although he is now well along in years he is still hale and hearty, possessing the vigor and capability of many a man of much younger age. Old age need not necessarily suggest idleness, inactivity or incapacity; on the contrary there is an old age which grows stronger and better mentally and morally as the years pass and gives out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such has been the record of James E. Kirk.

In 1861 Mr. Kirk was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Hull, a native of St. Joseph, Michigan. They became the parents of seven children, all of whom are still living, but the mother has passed away. The sons and daughters are as follows: James E. Kirk, Jr., who married Josephine Hobbs, has two children and resides in Oregon; Charles, who resides in Denver, married Miss Jenny M. L. Moore and is connected with the Colorado National Bank; Frank Kirk, who married Miss Nellie Dyer, is a twin of Charles. The two brothers have a large ranch in El Paso county, comprising five thousand acres of land, which they own jointly, and which is managed by Frank Kirk. William Kirk resides in Colorado Springs and he, too, is married.

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Nellie is the wife of John Moore and resides in Colorado Springs. Martha is the wife of E. C. Harvey and is living in Boise, Idaho. Bessie is the wife of W. J. Luck, and is living at Westminster, Colorado.

The career of James E. Kirk has been a most useful, active and honorable one and his sterling worth is attested by all with whom he has been brought in contact through social or business relations. He has contributed in marked measure to the upbuilding and development of various sections of Colorado and today he receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one of advanced years whose life has been worthily passed.

JOHN TOBIAS.

A native of Pennsylvania, John Tobias is numbered among the pioneers of Colo- rado, for he came to this state in 1871 and for many years followed agricultural pur- suits, specializing for some time in horticulture, but has now retired from the more arduous duties of life, giving his attention to the cultivation of two and a half acres, having sold the rest of his property. He was born in Berks county, in the Keystone state, September 11, 1847, and is a son of Henry W. and Hannah (Meyers) Tobias, the latter a sister of William Meyers, one of the early pioneers of Colorado, who makes his home near Henderson.

John Tobias was educated in the public schools of Reading, Pennsylvania, con- tinuing his lessons to the age of thirteen, after which he began to assist in the work of the home farm. The family home was located in Lock Haven. Only a year later his father enlisted for service in the Civil war and much of the work of the farm fell upon the shoulders of John Tobias, who was then but fourteen years of age. After the war was ended he removed with his parents to Livingston county, Missouri, where the father resumed the occupation of farming. There John Tobias remained until 1871, when he decided to take advantage of the opportunities offered in the new west and removed to Denver, where for two years he was engaged in carpentering. This was followed by gardening, to which occupation he devoted several years, but in 1879 he purchased twenty acres of land near Wheat Ridge, Colorado, to the cultivation of which he gave his attention for many years. He brought his place under a high state of cultivation, introduced modern and progressive methods and erected suitable bulld- ings, so that in time his property became one of the most valuable of the neighbor- hood. Gradually, however, he sold tracts of his land until he now has two and a half acres, which he still continues to operate.

On October 16, 1884, Mr. Tobias was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Brothers, a niece of David Brothers, who is mentioned more extensively elsewhere in this work. To this union were born two children: Ruth, the wife of H. P. Bunger; and Esther E. Mrs. Tobias died in January, 1915.

In his political affiliations Mr. Tobias is a republican and has ever upheld the standards of that party, while fraternally he belongs to the Grange at Wheat Ridge. He is a member of the Methodist church and his interest in its affairs is evident from the fact that he has served as trustee and has been superintendent of the Sunday school. Horticulture has always been his life work and hobby and he has served as secretary of the State Board of Horticulture for two years. Mr. Tobias has many friends in the neighborhood in which he resides and all speak of him in terms of the highest appreciation. By his labors he has contributed toward the development of his section of the state and is numbered among the valued citizens of the common- wealth.

JOHN GLANTZ.

John Glantz, living on section 24. township 5, range 49, in Washington county, Colorado, twenty miles northwest of Yuma, was born in Russia, November 25, 1860, a son of John and Catherine (Yost) Glantz, who were also natives of that country. The father followed farming in Russia and on coming to America in 1877 made his way to Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he worked by the day and month, thus gaining a start in the new world. He was desirous, however, of engaging in business on his own account that his labors might more directly benefit himself and later he rented land, which he continued to cultivate until 1891. He then removed to Washington county,

JOHN TOBIAS

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Colorado, where he took up a preemption and a homestead, proving up on two quarter sections. He continued to farm this, or else had it cultivated by his son, and resided upon the property throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1906. His widow survived him for a few years, passing away in 1912.

John Glantz was a youth of seventeen years when he accompanied his parents on the voyage across the Atlantic to the United States. The greater part of his education has been acquired in this country and, possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, he is constantly adding to his knowledge. In 1885 he came to Colorado and took up a preemption in Washington county. He also secured a homestead adjoining and improved the place, continuing its further development and cultivation for about fifteen years. He then purchased a half section in Yuma county, which he also im- proved, and continued to operate that ranch for twelve years. In 1914 he came to his present place, comprising a half section of land, which he has also further developed and improved. It is now in excellent condition. He has since cultivated it and it is the third farm which he has improved, so that he has added in large measure to the material progress of the community.

In 1881 Mr. Glantz was united in marriage to Miss Emma Yost, by whom he had eight children, as follows: John, who has passed away; Henry, a resident of Sterling, Colorado; William, who follows farming in Yuma county; Thomas, also an agriculturist of Yuma county, Colorado; Mrs. Margaret Cook, of Yuma; Lizzie, who makes her home in Harvard, Nebraska; and Carl and August, who died when five and three years of age respectively. On the 19th of October, 1914, Mr. Glantz was again married, his sec- ond union being with Charity N. (Carr) Draper, who had four children by a former marriage, namely: William Leo, who was born in August. 1884; C. Walter, whose birth occurred in June, 1886, and who passed away in 1890, when but four years of age; Frank N., whose natal day was October 25, 1889; and May, who was born October 10, 1892, and is now the wife of Ed Itten, a farmer of Yuma county.

In community affairs Mr. Glantz has taken an active and helpful interest. He served for two terms on the school board and he cooperates in all movements for the public good. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. His ranching interests have been wisely and carefully conducted and he has gained a very substantial measure of success. He now makes a specialty of raising Belgian horses and high-grade cattle and he is also a stockholder of the Farmers Equity Elevator Company of Yuma and of the Farmers Union Elevator & Lumher Com- pany of Yuma. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished through individual effort and honorable dealing.

JOHN JACOB WEAVER.

John Jacob Weaver, a ranchman living near Arvada, was born In Labette county, Kansas, on the 20th of January, 1868, a son of Thomas F. and Emma J. (Rooks) Weaver. The father crossed the plains to Colorado in 1859 and in 1861 enlisted in the Second Colorado Regiment of United States Cavalry, with which he fought for three years during the Civil war, being on active duty in Missouri and Kansas. He was a dispatch rider under Colonel Sigel. In 1879 he again became a resident of Colorado and purchased a relinquishment in Jefferson county, near Arvada, where he engaged in farming until about 1896, when he removed to San Diego, California, and still makes his home in that city at No. 2936 Imperial avenue.

John Jacob Weaver attended school in Kansas and in Arvada, Colorado. He was married in 1891, at which time he took charge of the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres and since that time he has given bis attention and energies to its further cultivation and development, although he has sold all but forty acres. He now has twenty acres most highly cultivated and from this property derives a substantial an- nual income. When he came to the west with his father in 1879 he drove thirty head of cattle across the plains. He is familiar with all of the pioneer experiences and frontier conditions of Colorado and rejoices in what has been accomplished as the years have gone by.

On the 23d of December, 1891, in Arvada, Mr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Allen, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Martin) Allen. She was born in Kansas and was brought to Denver by her parents during her early girlhood. By her marriage she became the mother of four children: Gertrude, now the deceased wife of

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Edward Barlow; John. Jr., deceased; Harriet, the wife of William Bueb; and Thomas F., who is attending school.

Mr. Weaver belongs to the Grange and is also a member of several fraternal orders, including Arvada Lodge. No. 145, I. O. O. F., with which he has been identified since 1900, and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is well and favorably known in the district in which he has so long resided and in which he has wisely and carefully directed his business affairs to a point that has brought him substantial success.

JOHN FREY, JR.

John Frey, Jr., is a representative ranchman living in the vicinity of Eastlake, where he owns and cultivates seventy acres of good land. He was born in Zurich, Switzerland, August 31, 1865, a son of John and Elizabeth (Meier) Frey. His education was acquired in his native country and when he was sixteen years of age, or in 1881, he came to America with his parents who, crossing the continent established their home in Denver. The father was employed for many years at the Colorado Iron Works but is now living retired, making his home with a daughter in Brighton.

John Frey, Jr., after his school days were over, spent a year at gardening and then entered the employ of the Colorado Iron Works. In 1883 his father purchased a relin- quishment in Arapahoe county and the son farmed with him until 1890. Subsequently he secured employment in Denver, where he remained for two years, after which he resumed agricultural pursuits by renting a farm in Adams county, upon which he lived for three years. He next purchased seventy acres of land between Eastlake and Broomfield and has since devoted his time and attention to its further development and cultivation. He has added many improvements to the property and made it one of the attractive places of that section of the state. It is equipped with all modern accessories of the model farm of the twentieth century and in the further operation of his land Mr. Frey follows the most progressive methods.

In Denver, on the 1st of December, 1890, Mr. Frey was married to Miss Emma Burk- hardt, who was born in Switzerland, and they have become the parents of four children, but John, Emma and Walter have all passed away, the surviving son being Warner.

Mr. Frey has the distinction of having shot the first bear in Adams county, it having evidently strayed from the mountains. For thirty-seven years he has been a resident of Colorado, witnessing much of its development and improvement and taking active part in work that has led to the further upbuilding of the section in which he makes his home. Whatever success he has achieved is the direct reward of his earnest and persistent labor, for from his youthful days he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party.

RUSSELL D. GEORGE.

Russell D. George, state geologist and head of the department of geology in the University of Colorado, has occupied the former position continuously since 1907 and the latter since 1903. Moreover, he is continuously seeking to promote the interests of the state not alone along the lines of scientific investigation and research but also in the upholding of its civic standards and the advancement of its material interests. Pro- fessor George is a native of Claremont, Ontario, Canada. He was born in the year 1866 of the marriage of Frederick and Mary (Palmer) George. The father was born in London, England, in 1822 and was a son of Samuel George, also a native of London, where for many years he engaged in business as a cloth merchant. His father was also a cloth merchant and was a native of Scotland but for many years engaged in business in London, where he passed away. His son, Samuel George, however, severed his business connections with London after long identification with the commercial interests. of the city, crossed the Atlantic to the new world and spent his last days in Toronto. His son, Frederick George, largely followed in the line of business to which his father and grandfather had directed their attention, for through many years he was a cloth importer. On account of failing health he gave up mercantile business and en- gaged in farming. He died in the year 1878, while his widow long survived, passing away in 1913.

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History of Colorado; Volume IV, Part 68

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Number of Pages: 836

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 836