USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 76
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MATHEW McCASLIN.
In the last decades agricultural and particularly live stock interests in Colorado have taken on such importance that they now rank equally with the great interest that has made the state famous-mining. In the development and growth of live stock interests Mathew McCaslin has had prominent part, being one of the foremost agricul- turists of Boulder county, owning a valuable property ou section 36, township 3, range 7, about five miles west of Longmont and one mile south of Hygiene. A native of Boulder county and coming of an old and honored pioneer family, he was born October 31, 1862, a son of Mathew L. and Miranda (Haggerty) McCaslin, natives of Pennsylvania. For some time the father was employed on the Mississippi river between Burlington. Iowa, and New Orleans but in 1849, when the news of the great gold discoveries in California reverberated throughout the world, he was seized by the gold fever, and following the trend of many adventurous spirits, migrated to California, where he remained for six years. He then set his face eastward again, retracing his steps to Nebraska, which state he made his home for two years, and in the fall of 1858 he made his way to Denver, or rather to the site upon which Denver now stands. He subsequently engaged in mining in Boulder county near the city of Boulder, thus continuing for four years, but at the end of that period took up land, which he im- proved and successfully operated throughout the remainder of his life. A few years before his death, however, he removed to Longmont, thus enjoying in his last years the advantages of city life. He was also quite successful in the cattle business, add- ing greatly to his income from this source. His demise occurred February 10, 1913, while his wife died August 1, 1909.
Mathew McCaslin was reared under the careful guidance of his parents and re- ceived his education in the rural schools of Boulder county, rounding out his schooling in Boulder. He remained with his parents, ably assisting in the work of the farm until twenty-one years of age, and then set out upon his independent career. For ten years he rented land, carefully saving whatever he could from his income, and at the end of that time was enabled to acquire title to his present place, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. As his means increased he added to his holdings and he now owns eight hundred acres of valuable land. He has erected up-to-date buildings, has a modern residence and the machinery and equipment of the property indicate him to be a substantial and progressive agriculturist. His livestock interests are important and he gives particular attention to pure bred white-faced Hereford
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cattle, raising and feeding cattle and also dealing along this line. Moreover, he is a stockholder in the Farmers National Bank of Longmont and is interested in the Long- mont Farmers Mill & Elevator Company.
On the 20th of October, 1887, Mr. McCasiin married Miss Mollie Montgomery, a daughter of William A. and Jennie (Munger) Montgomery, the latter a native of Iowa and the former of West Virginia. In 1861, as a young man, the father came to Colo- rado and for a time was located at Blackhawk but subsequently came to Boulder county and took up land which he improved and operated for many years to good advantage. Having acquired a comfortable fortune, he then retired and removed to Boulder, where for eighteen years he lived in the enjoyment of the fruits of his for- mer labors. His death occurred in June, 1911, and he is survived by his widow, who makes her home in Boulder. To Mr. and Mrs. McCaslin were born nine children, of whom James passed away August 13, 1890, at the age of hut five days. The others are: Katherine, who married William R. McKelvie, of Niwot, Colorado; Jane C., the wife of Harold E. Schauer, of Gillette, Wyoming; George M., at home; Wilder D., who joined the United States army in the country's fight for world democracy; and Vera, Edith, Miranda and Andrew Lowry, all at home. Mr. and Mrs. McCaslin and their family enjoy the highest respect and regard of their neighbors and have many friends in Boulder county, their social position being an enviable one.
There is much credit due Mr. McCaslin for what he has achieved, as he is a man of sterling worth, who by making use of opportunities has attained an honorable position in life through his own labors. His connection with Colorado, going back to the primitive days on the frontier, has been of benefit not only to himself but also to the state, for he has ably assisted in development and growth, particularly along the line of agricultural endeavor and stock raising. He is therefore a citizen of sub- stantial worth. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the principles underlying those organizations guide him in his life's work. In his political relationship he is independent, preferring to follow his own judgment and giving his support where he believes it will be of the most good to the greatest number. The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest.
RICHARD M. BEASLEY.
Farming interests of Boulder county are prominently represented by Richard M. Beasley, who has been successful not only along general agricultural lines but is also one of the foremost stock raisers and dealers of his neighborhood. A native of Colorado, he has inherited the spirit of western enterprise peculiar to this part of the country and has made good use of that enterprise, combining it with industry and perseverance in order to attain the position which he now occupies as one of the substantial citizens of his state. He was born October 2, 1866, a son of James Jackson and Eliza (Jones) Beasley, the former born in Illinois and the latter in Indiana. They are numbered among Colorado's pioneers, for they removed here in 1860, the father taking up a home- stead on Ralston creek, nine miles northwest of Denver. In 1872, however, he acquired land in Boulder county, his first settlement being on the place of his father-in-law, Jolın J. Jones. As he prospered he purchased from time to time additional land and at one period had over sixteen hundred acres, all of which was highly suitable for cultivation. In 1880 he sold the home place. He and his wife passed away in the city of Longmont. James J. Beasley was always interested in irrigation, early recogniz- ing its value, and was the man to set on foot the project of the Boulder & White Rock ditch, also known as the Beasley ditch. As organizer of this waterworks he not only promoted his own prosperity but did valuable service to his neighbors and his county in general. Mr. and Mrs. Beasley were the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living.
Richard M. Beasley was reared and educated in the neighborhood of his father's ranch, receiving his education in the common schools. He continued upon the home place until he reached his majority, when he engaged in the stock business and in farm- ing independently. In 1886 he began on his present farm and to its cultivation has since devoted his undivided attention. It comprises two hundred and eighty acres, all of which are under the ditch and are now bearing rich returns for the years of labor which he has bestowed upon them. He has erected, a number of fine buildings to shelter his grain and stock and everything about his property indicates the progres- sive agriculturist of the twentieth century. Moreover, Mr. Beasley is a stockholder
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RICHARD M. BEASLEY AND FAMILY
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in the ditch company as well as the Longmont Farmers Mill. This ditch is still known as the Beasley ditch and is the same which his father assisted in organizing.
In 1893 Mr. Beasley was united in marriage to Miss Clara Forsyth, who was horn to the north of the United States border, in Nova Scotia, a daughter of Grandison and Eunice (Porter) Forsyth, natives of Nova Scotia, in which country the father died. The mother later removed to Boston, Massachusetts, and there she is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Beasley were horn thirteen children, as follows: William L., who makes his home in Iowa; Ray J. and Roy G., twins, the former of whom has joined the United States army and the latter deceased; Vera G., of Longmont, who is a nurse; Cecil M., who remains on the home place; Eva E., who resides in Longmont and also follows nursing; Iva L., deceased; Augusta M., who also has passed away; Hazel, deceased; Bertha J., who is at home; Velma, deceased; Richard Lynn; and Francis E. The family attend the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest.
Mr. Beasley is loyal to the democratic party, whose candidates he upholds at the polls. For twenty-two years he has served on the school board, contributing in no small degree to educational advancement in his section. He is a progressive and aggressive man who attacks anything to which he gives his attention with contagious enthusiasm and he has therefore gained a success that places him among the substan- tial citizens of Boulder county.
CHARLES SANSTAD.
Charles Sanstad dates his residence in Adams county from 1902 hut has made his home in Colorado since 1888. Throughout the intervening years he has been connected with farming interests and has met with well merited success because of his persistency of purpose and close application. Sweden numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in that country November 1, 1866, his parents being Axel and Christine Sanstad, who upon coming to America, settled in Illinois.
Charles Sanstad, then a lad of but ten years, was reared in Illinois and pursued his education in the district schools near his boyhood home. When his textbooks . were put aside he began earning his living and was employed hy others until he had attained his majority. He then began renting land which he cultivated for three years, at the end of which time he removed to Nebraska in 1884 and was a resident of that state until 1888. In the latter year he came to Colorado, making his way to Limon, where he built the first house in the town. He was then identified with farming interests in Lincoln county and also conducted a hotel. Taking up a ranch, he engaged in run- ning cattle there until 1902, when he removed to Adams county and purchased two hundred and twenty-seven acres, which now constitute one of the valuahle ranches of the district. He is engaged quite extensively in raising alfalfa, also in raising hogs and feeding cattle, purchasing his stock in the fall and fattening it for sale in the spring.
In Galesburg, Illinois, Mr. Sanstad was married to Miss Matilda Carlson, a native of Sweden, and they have become the parents of three children, Bert, Oscar and Delia. In his political views Mr. Sanstad is a democrat, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is a man of many sterling qualities and his genuine worth and high character rank him with the representative and highly esteemed ranchmen of Adams county.
JOHN FUNK.
John Funk, a successful ranchman living in the vicinity of Eastlake, raised the first crop in his district and throughout the intervening period has been closely iden- tified with the development of ranching interests in that section. Thirty-seven years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since he took up his abode in Colorado and during this period he has lived in several localities but at all times has been a contributing factor to the progress of the community in which he has resided. He was born in Funkstown, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, June 26, 1845, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shank) Funk, the former a miller by trade. The grand- father was the first settler in that part of Pennsylvania and the town was named Funks- town in his honor.
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John Funk of this review was reared and educated in Franklin county, where he remained to the age of twenty years, and during that period was engaged in flour milling. In 1871, however, he determined to try his fortune in the west and made his way to Colorado. He resumed the milling business in Jefferson county, where he remained for two years. He next preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land on the St. Vrain river and afterward homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in Arapahoe county but did not prove up on that property. After leaving that place he settled upon his present farm, purchasing three hundred and twenty acres near Eastlake. He has hereon engaged in farming and raised the first crops in this section. His labors have demonstrated the possibilities for successful farming in the district and his work has brought to him very gratifying and substantial success.
On a farm on the Clear Creek road, in Jefferson county, Mr. Funk was married to Miss Sarah Ellen Fielden and to them were born the following named: Mrs. Norah Ellen Starr, William T., Beatrice Bertha, John B. and James. The two sons, John B. and James, each cultivate one hundred and sixty acres of their father's land, while he is practically living retired, although giving to each son some assistance in the farm work during the busy season. Mrs. Funk passed away on October 10, 1887.
Mr. Funk is a warm friend of the cause of education and for twenty-two years served as school director in District No. 71, Adams county, and when he retired from the office was succeeded by his son. His political endorsement is given to the republi- can party and he has served as road overseer. He stands for those things which are most worth while in the life of the individual and the community and in his busi- ness career he has demonstrated the possibility for successful accomplishment through individual effort.
FRED E. ROBINSON.
Fred E. Robinson, who is engaged in general farming and in raising and feeding stock, developing important business interests of this character, is one of the native sons of Colorado, his birth having occurred in Boulder county, where he still makes his home. He was born March 12, 1872, a son of Silas and Eliza (Buster) Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. Silas Robinson arrived in Denver thirty-two years ago and there he was engaged in the livery business for a number of years, conducting an establishment of that kind with considerable success. Later he moved back onto his ranch in Boulder county, where he died in 1905 at the age of fifty-nine years, his birth having occurred in 1844 at Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois. His father, Elijah Robinson, was a na- tive of Maine, as was the latter's father, Captain James Robinson. The family is of English descent, having settled in New England in the early days of its history. At the age of seventeen Silas Robinson started for California but stopped a year in Nevada, whence he made his way to the Golden state, arriving there at the age of eighteen. The trip from his home state, Illinois, to Nevada he made with a lot of horses, riding horseback for the entire distance. He was accompanied by his brother Gilman, who became a rancher and later removed with his family to Longmont, Colo- rado, where he died. Silas Robinson subsequently returned to Illinois and thence he after a while drove a team to Boulder county, Colorado, to a little town named Bur- lington. In the meantime his parents had sold out their property interests in Illinois and had removed to Missouri and to that state Silas Robinson returned in order to visit his parents and there he met Eliza Buster, whom he there married. The latter is a daughter of David and Nancy (Brown) Buster, old settlers of Missouri, in which state Mrs. Robinson' was born at Kingston. Her grandfather, Michael Buster, who had come from Ireland to America, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. After that conflict he married and then settled in Virginia, where his son David was born. It was in the year 1870 that Mr. and Mrs. Robinson married and they then at once came to Colorado, settling in Boulder county, where the former devoted his attention for many years to agricultural pursuits, with the exception of the time during which he was engaged in business in Denver. To them were born six children: Fred E. of this review; Herbert Leon, who resides in Kansas; Lela, the wife of L. C. Davis, of Brighton, Colorado; Stilla, who was married to Harry Alexander, by whom she had a son, Donald, who was later adopted by his grandmother as Harry Robinson, Mrs. Alexander having passed away; Ada C., the wife of J. D. Devine, of Denver, Colorado; and Lena, who died in infancy. The death of Silas Robinson in 1905 occa- sioned deep regret to his many friends in Boulder county and Denver, as he was a straigthforward business man and a loyal friend. In his politics he was a repub-
FRED E. ROBINSON
MRS. FRED E. ROBINSON
Vol. IV-40
MRS. ELIZA ROBINSON
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM R. HOWELL
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lican and fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Robinson, who survives, now makes her home at Allenspark, in Boulder county, where she is proving up on a homestead which adjoins the holdings of her son, Fred E.
The last named was reared and educated in Boulder county, attending the com- mon schools, and after attaining his majority he determined to continue in the occu- pation to which he had been reared. He early became familiar with the best meth- ods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and in 1898 he removed to the farm upon which he now makes his home, a splendid tract of one thousand acres, all of which is under irrigation and well improved. He also has another ranch of twenty- seven hundred and forty acres in Boulder county. There are excellent buildings upon his home place and in addition to the pleasant home there are large barns and sheds for the ample shelter of grain and stock. The latest improved farm machinery is used in facilitating the work of the fields and in fact the equipment of the place is all that is found upon the model farm of the twentieth century. In addition to cul- tivating various crops best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Robinson is engaged ex- tensively in raising and feeding stock, having about three hundred . head of Here- ford cattle upon his place annually. He also ships several carloads of hogs each year. He has ever been deeply interested in the question of irrigation and was a director of the Lower Boulder Consolidated Reservoir & Ditch Company for nineteen years and served for fifteen years as president, in which connection he did much to advance irrigation interests in the district. He has made a close study of everything relative to the question of water supply and water rights and his work in that direction has been most beneficial.
In 1898 Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Hattie L. Howell, who was born on Boulder creek, August 12, 1876, a daughter of William R. and Cora (Sheldon) Howell. The father was born in Canada and the mother in the state of New York and they were married in Colorado. William R. Howell was one of the famous band of 'fifty-niners and one of the first settlers on the creek. He early became interested in farming, homesteading the farm upon which Mr. and Mrs. Robinson now reside. His home was made of sandstone and is still standing. Mr. Howell early realized the importance of irrigation and was one of the organizers of the first ditch, known as the Lower Boulder ditch, which was the first ditch and water right in Colorado. He proved upon the right for the ditch. During the balance of his life he was one of its directors and for many years president. Taking a prominent part and an active interest in politics as a democrat, he served as sheriff of Boulder county for eight years, his long continuance in office giving evidence of the great confidence and trust his fellow citizens had in him. His agricultural interests ran particularly to stock and he was one of the first to raise Hereford cattle here. His ranch comprised nine hundred and twenty acres in Boulder valley, in Boulder county. Mr. Howell died in Needles, California, December 15, 1899, when he was on a trip in order to regain his health. He was then sixty-five years of age. Since his demise his widow has been a resident of Los Angeles, California, and is now seventy-nine years of age. As a young woman she came from Michigan to this state with a family named Leonard, taking up her residence in Boulder county, where Mr. and Mrs. Howell met and mar- ried. In their family were two daughters, the sister of Mrs. Robinson being Mrs. Carrie Wood, a resident of California. To Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have been born three children: William H., now eighteen years of age; Verna Irene, twelve years; and Harold E., a lad of nine.
Mr. Robinson holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Farmers Union, having assisted in organizing the first Farmers Union in Boulder county. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought political office. He has been officially connected with the schools, however, and is now acting as president of the school board. His entire life has been passed in Boulder county and has been an exemplification of the spirit of enterprise which has heen the dominant factor in the steady and substantial upbuilding of the west.
T. WEBSTER HOYT.
T. Webster Hoyt, a practitioner at the Denver bar, with offices in the Ernest & Cranmer building, was born in Niagara county, New York, May 10, 1853. His father, Ziba Hoyt, was born in Batavia, New York, and followed the occupation of farming as a life work, his death occurring in 1856, when his son, T. Webster, was but three
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years of age. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Jane Edwards, was also a native of the Empire state and has now passed away.
T. Webster Hoyt attended the district union school in his home locality and the high school at Lockport, New York. He afterward took up the profession of teaching and became principal of the schools in Charlotte, New York, but in 1888, in order to prepare for other professional activity, matriculated in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor as a law student and won his LL. B. degree upon graduation on the 26th of June, 1890. He was admitted to the bar at Lansing, Michigan, in the same year and on the 20th of September of that year arrived in Denver. Here he at once entered upon the practice of law, in which he has since been engaged, and for twenty-six years he occupied the same offices. Throughout the entire period he has practiced alone, so that his success is the direct result of his ability and power in handling im- portant litigated interests. His practice has often had to do with involved and intricate legal problems, for which he has found ready solution. He engages in general practice in all of the state and federal courts, including the United States supreme court, and he is an honored and valued representative of the Denver Bar Association and the Colorado State Bar Association.
In 1898 Mr. Hoyt was united in marriage to Miss Hilda LeFevre, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and they have a son, Webster LeFevre, seventeen years of age, who is now a pupil in the East Denver high school. Mr. Hoyt is a member of the Central Pres- byterian church and is a member of the faculty of the Bible Institute of Colorado He is also prominent in musical circles and has been a director of several musical organizations. He is a man of splendid character and of quiet dignity. In him there is nothing of that familiarity which causes the individual to greet everyone as a close friend, but he is ever courteous and affable, with a smile for those whom he meets, and true worth can always win his friendship. His qualities are such as make for personal popularity and he has a host of friends throughout Denver and the state. He is a motor enthusiast and with his wife and son has made many automobile trips across the continent. A representative of the well known New York family of Hoyt, his career has been cast in harmony with that of an honorable ancestry and his work as a supporter of the best interests of Denver, as a champion of its material, intel- lectual, social and moral progress, has made him one of its most valued and honored citizens.
CLEMENS E. KNAUS.
Valuable farming interests of Boulder county are represented by Clemens E. Knaus, a successful young rancher, whose property is located near Niwot. Besides general farming he has given close attention to stock raising and along both lines is meeting with gratifying success. His farm is situated on section 25, about three- fourths of a mile north of Niwot, not far from his hirthplace. A son of Clemens and Eliza (Greub) Knaus, who are mentioned on other pages of this work, Clemens E. Knaus was born in Boulder county January 9, 1884. He was reared under the parental roof and from his parents he received the first lessons in regard to life's conduct. The rural schools afforded him his educational opportunities and after completing his education he remained with his father until he reached his majority. In that period of his life his father gave to each of his sons a farm and Clemens E. Knaus received one hundred acres as his share. This property he has since developed to good purpose. He has made many improvements thereon, instituting modern facilities and equip- ment, and now receives a gratifying income on account of his careful management. Moreover, he is a stockholder in the Farmers Insurance Company of Denver.
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