USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 83
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104
Following his marriage Mr. Arbuthnot purchased the present home farm and the young couple began their domestic life there. Mrs. Arbuthnot still owns the property, which is known as the old Haystack Mountain farm and comprises two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land which, carefully cultivated, an- nually returns to her a gratifying income.
To Mr. and Mrs. Arbuthnot were born six children: F. W., who follows farming in Boulder county; W. C., also a farmer; George J., living In California; Malissa L., who is the wife of John A. Walker, of Torrance, California; Estella M., who is a dressmaker and lives at home; and Sidney A., who operates the old homestead place of two hundred and forty acres, devoting his time and energies to general farming, and stock raising. His work is of the greatest value and assistance to his mother, whom he relieves of much care and anxiety by the capable and wise manner in which he cares for the property and directs the business affairs of the place. More than a half century has come and gone since the Arbuthnot home was established in Col- orado and throughout the intervening years representatives of the name have taken an active and helpful part not only in advancing agricultural interests but In pro- moting public progress as well, proving ever most loyal and faithful citizens.
GEORGE W. RABB.
George W. Rabb, actively identified with farming and stock raising interests in Boulder county, comes to Colorado from Ohio. His birth occurred in Licking county of the latter state March 7, 1845, his parents being John and Susan (Van Fossen) Rabb, who were likewise natives of the Buckeye state. Removing westward, they settled in Brown county, Illinois, where they continued to reside until called to the home beyond. They had a family of seven children, three of whom are living.
George W. Rabb was reared in Licking county, Ohio, and pursued a common school education there. In 1865 he went across the country to Virginia City, Montana, with freighting wagons and ox teams, the trip requiring about six months. He after- ward took a freighting team from Montana to Salt Lake City and continued actively in the freighting business in this way for two years. In 1867 he became a resident of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and was there employed by the Union Pacific Railroad for one summer. On the expiration of that period he returned to Illinois, where he again lived for about a year, but in July, 1870, again made his way to the west, settling in Boulder county, Colorado, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land that he still owns. As the years have passed he has carried on the work of im- provement and now has an excellent farm property on which are found good build- ings, a fine orchard that he has planted and a magnificent grove of trees. His fields produce rich crops of golden grain and he also makes stock raising a feature of his business. He has worked earnestly and persistently to attain success and each year has made progress that has brought him at length to the gratifying position which he now occupies as one of the substantial agriculturists of Boulder county.
Mr. Rabb has been married twice. In 1876 he wedded Miss Harriett Goodhue and to them was born a daughter, Blanche, now the wife of Fred Autrey, manager of the Rocky Mountain Stores Company store at Lafayette, Colorado. Mrs. Rabb passed away in 1893 and in 1895 Mr. Rabb wedded Miss Emma Jennings, who was born in the state of New York, a daughter of Asa and Charlotte (Foot) Jennings, both of whom have passed away. By the second marriage there have been born two children: Edith L., who is a high school graduate; and Wesley G. Both are yet at home. Mrs. Rabb
-
GEORGE W. RABB
676
HISTORY OF COLORADO
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Eastern Star and the Ladies' Aid of Lafayette. Mr. Rabb belongs to the Grange and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has served on the school hoard for a number of years and is interested in the welfare and progress of the community. cooperating heartily in all well defined plans and measures for the general good. He has had many and varied experiences throughout the west, making him familiar with all phases of frontier life, and he has lived to see this once wild and undeveloped region converted into a populous and prosperous section, enjoying all the advantages and opportunities of the older east.
-
PHILIP KUHN.
Philip Kuhn, superintendent of the Denver county farm, which is located in Adams county, was born in Germany, April 5, 1861, a son of Jacob and Katherine (Cramer) Kuhn, who were also natives of that county, where they spent their entire lives. They had a family of nine children. six of whom are now living, three being in America and three in Germany.
Philip Kuhn acquired his education in a high school of Germany and at the age of thirteen years crossed the Atalntic to the new world, settling in Colorado in 1874. He learned the blacksmith's trade in early life and in 1876 entered the employ of Senator Bowen at Summitville, Colorado, continuing with him for three years. Iu 1879 he went to Leadville, where he was employed until 1881, after which he engaged in mining until 1885. At the end of that four year period he returned to Denver, where he remained until 1890, when he went to Cripple Creek, Colorado, where he followed mining until 1896. Again he returned to Denver and later went to the gold fields of Nevada, where he remained for a year. Subsequently he returned to Denver and engaged in the sheep and cattle dip business in connection with J. L. L. Russell but sold his interest in the business in 1909, when he opened the State Cap- itol cigar store. This he conducted for three years and in 1912 he sold that business and engaged in mining at Atlantic, Wyoming, for a year and a half. He next returned to Colorado, after which he was appointed superintendent of the Denver county farm, with which he was connected until the expiration of the term of Mr. Arnold. He was afterward out of the position for about a year hut in 1916 was reappointed and is still active in that capacity.
In 1898 Mr. Kuhn was married to Miss Anna' Percen, a native of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1885. They have a daughter, Alma, who is a student in the high school at Brighton.
WILLIAM WANEKA.
William Waneka is the owner of an excellent farm property of two hundred and forty-eight and one-half acres splendidly irrigated and improved, constituting one of the valuable properties of Boulder county. Mr. Waneka was born in New Haven, Connecti- cut, October 11, 1860, a son of Adolph and Anna Waneka, who were natives of Germany and came to America in 1860, settling first in Connecticut, where they resided until 1861 and then removed to Colorado. They took up their abode in Boulder county, the father securing a homestead, on which he huilt a log cabin with a dirt roof and clapboard door with the proverbial latchstring. In true pioneer style the family began life in this section of the country and shared in many of the hardships and privations inci- dent to the settlement of the frontier. They lived upon this place for several years and both parents passed away in Colorado. In their family were three children, all of whom survive.
William Waneka was educated in the common schools of Colorado and was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. When his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts upon farming and coal mining and was thus engaged for seventeen years. Since then he has given his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits. He purchased the farm upon which he now resides, having two hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, all of which is under ditch. He raises various cereals best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here and he also makes stock raising an important branch of his business, handling hogs, cattle and horses.
677
HISTORY OF COLORADO
In 1891 Mr. Waneka was married to Miss Ellen Murphy and to them were born five children: May, the wife of Charles Newbiff; Clarence Augustus, of Boulder county; William, residing in Weld county; Barbara, the wife of Joe Limbers, of Lafayette, Missouri; and Cora, who has passed away. Following the death of his first wife, Mr. Waneka was married in 1900 to Miss Ida McAfee. They have become parents of two children: Ada, now deceased; and Charles Raymond ("Tony").
Mr. Waneka is a self-educated man and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in a business way. He started out in life empty-handed and his pros- perity has come to him as the direct and legitimate reward of earnest, persistent effort. Moreover, he deserves mention in this volume as one of the honored pioneers of the locality, having for fifty-seven years resided continuously in Boulder county, so that he has been a witness of practically its entire development and improvement. His memory covers the period of Indian occupancy in this section of the state and harks back to the time when the greater part of the land was still unclaimed and. uncultivated. He has seen the arid stretches of sand, dotted here and there by sage- brush, transformed into rich and productive fields, annually yielding golden harvests. He has seen the wild animals driven out before the advancing civilization and their place taken in turn by high grade domestic animals, for stock raising has become one of the important sources of wealth to the state. The memory of Mr. Waneka indeed forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and he rejoices in all that has occurred, making Colorado one of the important states of the Union. .
A. D. HOLT.
A. D. Holt is a resident farmer of Boulder county. His position is that of one of the representative agriculturists of the community and his success is the direct reward of persistent and earnest labor. Mr. Holt is a native of the state of New York. He was born October 20, 1847. a son of Erastus and Carolina (Dutton) Holt, both of whom were natives of Connecticut, where they were reared and married. Sub- sequently they removed to the Empire state and both spent their remaining days in New York, where they passed away. They had a family of six children, of whom two are living.
A. D. Holt was reared in the Empire state and pursued a public school education there. He came to Colorado-in 1871, making his way to Boulder county and settling at Longmont. There he cast in hislot with the pioneer residents of the town and served as one of its first aldermen. He took an active interest in the upbuilding and progress of the community and of the county and later turned his attention to farm- ing, taking up a homestead in Weld county which he still owns. His landed possessions comprise seven hundred and seventy acres, all under a high state of cultivation and upon which many modern improvements have been made. The buildings are attrac- tive, the fields are carefully cultivated and everything about the place is indicative of the progressive spirit and the practical methods of the owner. Mr. Holt is truly a self-made man, for he started out in the business world empty-handed and by per- sistent energy and enterprise has reached the point of affluence. Aside from his farm- ing interests he is the president of the Farmers' Milling Company of Longmont and also the president of the Highland Ditch Company-the great work of his life. He was one of the originators of this successful enterprise, which had been proposed by several men before, but failed of materialization. Mr. Holt took it up and in his able hands it became a success. The ditch company irrigates forty thousand acres and has six reservoirs. The stock of the company, which once sold at fort dollars per share, now stands at three thousand dollars. The reservoirs cost tì › hundred `se study thousand dollars and it is a farmers' cooperative company. He has made of irrigation problems and is doing everything in his power to recla. 9 land through a practical system of irrigation that will greatly enhance its pr 'eness.
In 1874 Mr. Holt was united in marriage to Fannie Merrill, of the : New terlan
York, and to them were born three children. Arthur E., who was a P minister in Fort Worth, Texas, is now at the point of taking over the es of
social secretary of the Congregationalists of the United States and will enter . n his new position in March, 1919. Benjamin Merrill Holt, the second son, organiz. 1 the search and home department of the Young Men's Christian Association in the Fitish zone in France. In August, 1918, he was assigned to the tank corps and was then made a Red Cross director to the Second Army Corps. When these forces were withdrawn
A. D. HOLT
DIRECTORS OF THE LONGMONT FARMERS MILLING AND ELEVATOR COMPANY
680
HISTORY OF COLORADO
he was appointed to look after the evacuation of the civilians in the battle zone and worked between the lines up to the time of the armistice. After having spent sometime in Belgium he returned home. Florence, the only daughter, is the wife of Loyal L. Breckenridge, of Twin Falls, Idaho, who for six months served at the head of a very important mission in connection with the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation in France. Mrs. Holt passed away about twenty-four years ago. In 1896 Mr. Holt married Mrs. Ella J. (Gray) Decker, who by her former marriage had a daughter, Laura, now the wife of Frank Smith.
In his political views Mr. Holt has always been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. He has served on the school board of Weld county and he is regarded as a substantial citizen whose aid and cooperation can always be counted upon to further any plan or measure for the general good. During the war Mr. Holt served as a member of the Council of Defense and also was very active in the 100% Club, of which he was president. The purpose of this organization was to give all possible help to the campaigns and drives of the government, so that they were prop- erly organized and successfully carried through. Moreover, the club made it its duty to look after slackers. His activities in connection with war service, however, were not exhausted by these two positions, but he also did valuable work as deputy county food administrator and, moreover, was very successful as one of the four- minute men, delivering many patriotic addresses in and about Longmont. In all affairs with which Mr. Holt has been connected he has been actuated by a spirit of enterprise and progress-that same spirit which is manifest in the splendid improve- ments upon his place and in his support of any measure instituted to promote agri- cultural interests in the state.
JOE DEXTER.
Joe Dexter, devoting his attention to general farming in Boulder county, was horn in Zellam, Ziller, Tyrol, Austria, February 2, 1853, a son of Joe and Anna (Read- er) Dexter, who were natives of that country. where they continued to make their home until called to their final rest. They had a family of five children, but Joe Dexter is the only one now living.
Spending his boyhood and youth in his native country, Mr. Dexter of this review there acquired his education and in 1875 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He first located in Pennsylvania, where he remained for four years, and in 1879 he came to Colorado, making his way to Boulder county, where he took up coal mining. He was thus engaged for a number of years, after which he turned his attention' to agricultural pursuits, purchasing the farm whereon he now resides. He has forty acres of land, ail under ditch, and he has greatly improved this with good buildings.
In 1882 Mr. Dexter was married to Miss Carolina Lackner, a native of Austria, and to them were born seven children all of whom married: Elizabeth, the wife of D. Grant; Anna, who has passed away; Joe, who follows farming; Robert. who fol- lows the same occupation; Carolina, the wife of Lloyd Hodgson; Grace, the widow of L. C. Blackledge, and Herman, also a farmer.
Mr. Dexter is a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the Grange. He has worked earnestly to gain a start and he found his opportunity in America, where effort is not hampered by caste or class. Here he has steadily advanced, and industry and close application have in time made him the owner of a good farm.
EDWARD P. DAHLINGER.
Edward P. Dahlinger, who is engaged in general farming and dairying having six hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Adams county, has won for himself high regard and many friends. He was born in Detroit, Michigan. March 12, 1876, a son of Frederick and Johanna (Goetz) Dahlinger, who are referred to at greater length elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of another son.
Edward P. Dahlinger being about four years of age when the family came to Colorado, was reared and educated in Adams county and is indebted to its public school system for his opportunities. Through vacation periods he worked in the fields and continued to assist in the cultivation of the home farm until he was thirty
681
HISTORY OF COLORADO
years of age. In the meantime he had saved his earnings and was then able to pur- chase two hundred and forty acres of land situated on section 33, township 1, range 66 west. Later he invested in six hundred and forty acres in Adams county and is today one of the progressive farmers of the district, making a specialty of dairying. This he successfully carries on in connection with the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. The place is well improved, being neat and thrifty in appearance, and the farm is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, while modern farm machinery greatly facilitates the work.
In 1906 Mr. Dahlinger was married to Miss Stella M. Tyler, who, was horn in Colorado, a daughter of Samuel and Eva (Stenger) Tyler, the former a native of England, while the latter was born in Pennsylvania. They came to Colorado at an early period in the development of the state and the father's death here occurred, while the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Dahlinger have become parents of two children, Everett J. and Esther M.
In his political views Mr. Dahlinger is a democrat and has served on the school board but does not seek nor desire political office. He stands for all that is pro- gressive and beneficial in community affairs, and is classed with the substantial and representative citizens of Adams county.
FREDERICK MILHEIM.
The name of Frederick Milheim, who passed away on the 1st of January, 1916, was synonymous with enterprise, determination and progressiveness in business and with loyalty in citizenship. He never felt that he was too busy to give aid to his com- munity or his country when such was needed and during the Civil war he did active service for his adopted land. A native of Switzerland, he was born on his father's farm near the city of Berne. November 17, 1846, his parents being John and Mary Milheim, who passed away during the early boyhood of their son. He was a youth of sixteen years when, accompanied by his younger brother, Alexander Milheim, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. They made their way to New Jersey, where for a few months they were employed on farms. Frederick Milheim then proceeded to Niagara Falls and afterward to Allegan county, Michigan, where he was living at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Not long afterward he entered the employ of the United States government as a teamster, being regularly enlisted, and was on duty in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. When he and his detachment of comrades were on the Tennessee river about sixty-five miles above Chattanooga they were captured by the Confederate forces and sent to a southern prison, but not long afterward Mr. Milheim was released and was mustered out on the 28th of February. 1865, at Chat- tanooga, Tennessee.
With his return to Michigan, Mr. Milheim became interested in a western project, joining a company of men who were preparing to cross the plains and who in April left St. Louis, Missouri. After two weeks' travel they reached Omaha, Nebraska, where Mr. Milheim hired out to drive an ox team across the plains, for which service he was to receive thirty-five dollars per month. The Indians were on the warpath and there were many hardships, trials and privations to be endured which were incident to travel over the western plains in those days. At length the long and arduous trip was completed and on the 6th of August they reached Denver.
The wagon train drew into the city and Mr. Milheim, his contract with his employer completed, then sought and obtained a position in a bakery, while later he engaged in farming upon a ranch near the city. Other work at times claimed his attention, for he assisted in the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad, hewing ties, working on tunnels and doing other labor in connection with the construction of the road. He was thus engaged for two or three years and subsequently he was employed at Omaha. Nebraska, by the Union Pacific Railroad. From that point he went back to Allegan county, Michigan, where he worked in a shingle mill for a few months, and there he, had the misfortune to lose his arm, which was caught in a machinery belt and torn off. For four months he suffered almost untold agony but because of his splendid constitution he gradually recovered from the shock and his health came back. Although thus handicapped, his spirit was undaunted and although he was offered numerous opportunities in a business way in Michigan he longed to return to Colorado, believing that the future held much in store for the state.
Accordingly in 1872 Mr. Milheim again arrived in Colorado and for four years was employed by Emile Riethman in herding dairy cows. He afterward worked at
682
HISTORY OF COLORADO
various occupations and carefully saved his earnings. Thrift is the basis of all suc- cess and "thrift is the power to save." Mr. Milheim learned to save, spending nothing more in those early days than for the necessities of life. In 1879 his capital was sufficient to enable him to purchase eighty acres of wild land, constituting his present homestead farm. For two or more years he was able to make but few improvements upon the place and in order to secure the necessary money he engaged in the cattle business in Wyoming for a part of the time. Subsequent to his marriage, however, he took up his abode upon his land and concentrated his efforts and attention upon the cultivation of the fields and upon stock raising. He thoroughly studied his work, made the best use of his time and opportunities and bravely faced life's battles and came out conqueror in the strife. He had but one hundred dollars when he landed in Colo- rado and although handicapped by the loss of his arm he had not lost his courageous spirit. In the course of time he became the owner of an excellent farm on section 18, township 1 south, range 66 west, in Adams county. near Brighton. He transformed this place from a barren tract into one of the highly cultivated farms of the district. His land was well watered by a splendid system of irrigation ditches and he annually gathered good harvests. He was one of the interested advocates in the plan for the Fulton ditch and became one of the stockholders in the company.
On the 14th of November, 1883, Mr. Milheim was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hagus, a daughter of Andrew Hagus, and to them were born four children, Fred A., Josephine, Clara and Benita. Mr. Milheim had membership with the Sons of Her- mann and filled various offices in Koerner Lodge, No. 4, of Brighton. He also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows as a member of Fidelity Lodge at Brighton. Politically he maintained an independent course. He always attributed much of his success to the encouragement and assistance of his wife, who since the death of her husband on the Ist of January, 1916, has made her home in Brighton. Mr. Milheim left behind him many warm friends. who esteemed him for his personal worth, his ability and his courageous spirit.
ABNER C. GOODHUE.
Abner C. Goodhue, whose remains now rest in the Green Mountain cemetery at Boulder, was prominently identified with the agricultural development of his section of the state and with the promotion of its irrigation interests. His activities were ever of a character that contributed to public progress and prosperity as well as to individual success, and Boulder county numbered him among its most valued residents. Mr. Goodhue was born in Toronto, Canada, October I, 1832, a son of George and Harriet (Cushing) Goodhue, who were also natives of Canada. On leaving that country they removed to Minnesota, where the mother passed away. The father afterward came to Colorado and spent his last days in Boulder county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.