USA > Colorado > Larimer County > History of Larimer County, Colorado > Part 61
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HISTORY OF
LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO
surance and loan business. For several years be- fore his death, which occurred on Jan. 22nd, 1909, Mr. Abbott suffered from creeping paralysis, which unfitted him for active business pursuits of any kind, and he was, perforce, compelled to retire. Until stricken with the disease which finally re- sulted in his death, he was one of the most active of men and a broad-minded, whole-souled, genial
HON. JOHN C. ABBOTT
gentleman. He was optimistic regarding the fu- ture of the Cache la Poudre valley, and in the pio- neer days predicted what has since come to pass re- specting the growth and importance of his chosen home, and was himself a prominent factor in pro- moting and aiding in its upbuilding. He was one of the pioneer farmers and business men of the Caché la Poudre valley, and did his part and did it well, too, to subdue the wilderness and make it what it is today. His widow and two sons are still living, the eldest, Frank D Abbott, being a member of the Fort Collins Abstract company. Previous to his connection with that company he had served the county two terms, or four years, as County Clerk and Recorder, and was also a dep- uty in that office for four years. The other son,
Albert D. Abbott, is engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business. Mrs. Abbott, widow of our subject, is a lady of fine literary attainments and has been a welcome contributor to the local press for many years. She is now past three- score and ten, and is only waiting for the summons to join her companion on the other side.
MARTIN CALLOWAY was born on a farm, Dec. 20th, 1846, in Clinton county, Indiana. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of his na- tive county. His parents both died within four months of each other, leaving him to care for him- self at six years of age. When 19 years of age he enlisted, on Feb. 22nd, 1865, in Company F, 150th regiment of Indiana Volunteers, serving in the ranks until the close of the Civil war. On Jan. 7th, 1868, he married Mary Hackerd and in April, 1869, he and his wife came to Larimer county and located on a ranch in Boxelder canon. This ranch is now owned by the Greenacre Brothers. Like all new-
MARTIN CALLOWAY
comers on the border, Mr. and Mrs. Calloway suf- fered many hardships, passed through privations, and endured many tribulations incident to pioneer life. Mr. Calloway cut hay and hauled it with an
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HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO
ox team to Cheyenne, exchanging it for household supplies and cash, meanwhile fencing, ditching and otherwise improving his ranch. The Indian troubles on the border were practically at an end, but life on a lonely ranch in the hills, many miles from neighbors, is not like living in a city with every convenience at hand and surrounded by good friends . and kind neighbors. Along in the 70's he engaged in sheep raising and wool growing which was then a profitable business. Mr. Calloway was taken sick with pneumonia in January, 1879, and died on the 7th of that month at his home, leaving his wife and two young daughters to face the vicissitudes of life without his protecting care. The daughters are named Clara, now married and living in Wyoming, and Emma, who is at home with her mother in Fort Collins.
CHARLES B. ANDREWS .- Born on Aug. 6th, 1854, in Alleghany City, Pennsylvania; died on Nov. 17th, 1905, in Fort Collins, Colorado. He was a son of Col. James Andrews, for many years a successful civil engineer and railroad contractor and who, associated with Captain Eads, built the famous bridge over the Mississippi river at St. Louis, later assisting in the construction of the jet- ties at the mouth of that stream. Our subject laid the foundation for an education in the public schools of his native city, subsequently building thereon at the Western University of Pennsylvania at Pittsburg. Failing health forced him to aban- don his studies before completing the regular course and to seek a more genial climate. He was afflicted with asthma and, hoping to get relief from his sufferings, he went to Florida and then to California. He passed through Denver in 1871, en route to California, returning from the Pacific coast the following year to Colorado, locating in Fort Collins, which was thereafter his home. Here he found the much sought for relief and was com- paratively free from suffering for nearly thirty years. He had not lived in Colorado many months before he embarked in the cattle business and the venture proved successful, financially. He was as- sociated with the late Abner Loomis for several years in buying, raising and selling of cattle. The Loomis & Andrews range was near Casper, Wyom- ing, for a time and then on the Belle Fourche, South Dakota. They sold their herds in 1882 for $127,000 and retired from the cattle business. Mr. Andrews then invested in farm lands in the Caché la Poudre valley and in city property in Fort Collins. Besides being an extensive land owner, he was a
stockholder and director of the . Poudre Valley bank, now the Poudre Valley National bank, and was vice-president of that institution when he died. In March, 1881, Mr. Andrews was joined in mar- riage with Julia Henderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Henderson. One child, a son, James H. Andrews, a graduate of the Colorado Agricultural college, and now a civil engineer by profession, was born of the union. Mrs. Andrews and her son still make their home in Fort Collins, though they have large ranches and stock interests in the mountains near Livermore, where they spend most of the summer each year. Mr. An- drews was a lovable character. Simple in habits, unaffected in manner, democratic in thought and actions and a very genial gentleman. He meas- ured men by the standard of their mental and moral worth, and not by their bank accounts. There was not a false note in his make-up to mar the harmony of a well-balanced man in spirit and he lived an ideal life, notwithstanding his affliction. Long a sufferer from asthma he was debarred from pur- suits that required the exercises of physical strength, yet he went about the work that he could do best in a quiet, orderly manner, accom- plishing results that surprised those who knew how badly he was handicapped. He was a man who at all times and under all circumstances com- manded the confidence and esteem of his fellow- men. His uprightness and integrity were above suspicion, and in all the relations of life he was the same modest, genial and companionable gentle- man and model citizen. In 1902 he had a beautiful home, one of the finest in Fort Collins, erected on Canon avenue, for himself and family, but did not live long afterwards to enjoy it, so cruel and in- consistent is the irony of fate. This is still the home of his surviving loved ones.
EUGENE F. BRAWNER was born Aug. 30th, 1867, in Delavan, Illinois, of Scotch-Irish and Hol- land-Dutch descent. He was educated in his native state and came from there to Denver, Colorado, with his father's family in 1888. On Oct. 20th. 1889, he was joined in marriage with Mary B. Hastings, who can trace her ancestry back to Wil- liam the Conqueror. She was born March 31st, 1871, at Three Rivers, Massachusetts, where she was educated, coming to Colorado in 1888, and settling in Denver, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Brawner have six living children, Mrs. Bessie Wadlin of California, Eugene H., Grace L., Marguerite K., W. Howard, and Paul H. at
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HISTORY OF LARIMER
COUNTY,
COLORADO
home. Our subject learned the bricklayer's trade in his youth and is now one of the leading brick contractors in the northern part of Colorado. He moved with his family from Denver to Fort Col- lins in 1894 and the last named city has since been his home. Besides being the brick contractor for several of the large public buildings and business blocks of Fort Collins, he is often called to neigh-
EUGENE F. BRAWNER
boring towns and cities to construct important buildings. At the present time he and his son, Eugene, are constructing a large addition to the Longmont High school building. Mr. Brawner is a member of Fort Collins lodge No. 804, B. P. O. Elks, and also of several other fraternal orders. Besides being a first-class brick-layer, he is a crack shot with a rifle and has taken part in several of the state shooting tournaments.
RALPH BOSWORTH .-- This young business man was born in Fort Collins Sept. 18th, 1877. He was educated here and has made this city his home. He was married to Daisy Welch in 1903. Their home has been made doubly happy by the welcome visits of the stork. Three little ones were born to them, two of whom are living, a little girl, Mary
Lucille, and a little boy, Robert Daryl. Mr. Bos- worth has been engaged for many years in the plumbing business. He, like many another young business man, is piloting his craft by the compass of rugged honesty, content to anchor in the harbor of success through the open sea of fair dealing.
HARRIS AKIN was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Akin. He was born on his father's farm in Will county, Illinois, near Lockport, on July 7th, 1859. He was a member of the first graduating class of the Hoopeston (Illinois) High school. Mr. Akin came to Fort Collins with his parents on Dec. 12th, 1879, and in 1881 and 1882 he attended the State university at Boulder. On Jan. 7th, 1885, he and Laura E. Stickle were united in marriage at Denver. Mrs. Akin is a native of Colorado. She was born near Golden, on May 23rd, 1862. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Akin, Victor H., Helen, and How- ard. Mr. Akin has made Larimer county his home since he first arrived. In 1897 he located on a farm in the Boxelder valley, seven miles northeast of Fort Collins, and there he has a comfortable home, surrounded by neighbors who esteem him and his estimable wife.
O. F. BEIER .- Many of the residents of Colo- rado came to the state in early days in what was then called prairie schooners; very few have made the trip as Mr. Beier has done in a modern, up-to- date automobile. He motored from Detroit in the fall of 1908, making the trip in 19 days. Mr. Beier was born in St. Clair county, Michigan, Dec. 19th, 1882. He was educated at New Haven and Romeo in that state, and was married to Edith Tweedie, May 16th, 1907. A bright little boy, the joy of their lives, J. Kenneth, is the fruit of their union.
A. E. CROCKER .- Mr. Crocker came to Colorado in July, 1866, when, following the close of the Civil war, the territory began taking on new growth, and he was personally acquainted with many of the men, governors, judges, and other representative citizens who figured largely in public affairs at that and subsequent periods. He was born Oct. 2nd, 1846, in Burlington, Vermont, receiving his education in the common schools of his native state and at the Rockford, Illinois, High school. He enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Volunteer cavalry, under Colonel Farnsworth, and served three years in the war for the preservation of the Union. He came to Colo- rado soon after being mustered out of the service;
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spent 18 years in Denver, Boulder and other parts of the state and came to Fort Collins in 1884. He married Martha Stewart, daughter of A. T. Stew- art, a prominent Boulder county coal miner, in 1881, at Camfield. Two sons, James Arthur of Fort Collins and Frank B. of Salt Lake City were born of this union. While in the military service during the Civil war his regiment participated in
A. E. CROCKER
most of the important battles fought by the army of the Potomac, including the Wilderness, Cold Har- bor, Antietam, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. Soon after locating in Fort Col- lins Mr. Crocker entered Judge Jefferson Mc- Anelly's law office and began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1893. Since then he has been deputy sheriff, two years; constable, ten years; truant officer and local agent of the Humane society. He is a member of George H. Thomas Post No. 7, Grand Army of the Republic, and is the present senior vice-commander of the post; is a republican in politics and has served his party as chairman of the First ward committee for twelve years. Mr. Crocker is a strong advocate of temper- ance and neither uses liquor nor tobacco in any
form. Through prudence and careful management he has acquired considerable property in Fort Col- lins, and is looked upon as a useful and valuable citizen.
PHILEMON P. BLACK .- The death of this esti- mable gentleman and Caché la Poudre pioneer, which occurred Nov. 2nd, 1901, removed from life one of the county's most esteemed farmer citizens. Mr. Black was a native of Chautauqua county, New York, born June 17th, 1825. He came to the Caché la Poudre valley in 1874 and located on a tract of wild land three miles north of Fort Collins and at once began to improve and make a farm and a home for himself and family. One of his first notable efforts was the planting of an orchard, and it may be truly said of him that he was foremost among the pioneers to demonstrate that fruit could be successfully grown here. By reason of his suc- cess many others were induced to plant orchards in what has since proved to be one of the best fruit regions in Colorado. He left a widow and five grown children. His companion and the mother of his children rejoined him in the "land of the leal" in 1907, but the children are, save one, still living, though widely scattered from the old home.
ROBERT J. ANDREWS .- Nearly a third of a century has passed since Mr. Andrews made Fort Collins his home. He first came to this state in 1879. He spent ten years of his life in Wyoming, where the zephyrs carry pebbles all the year around. Mr. Andrews was born in Allegheny City, Penn- sylvania, in 1863. He was educated in his home town and at Andover, Massachusetts. He was married April 11th, 1899, to Katherine Kelley. Mr. Andrews has made many investments in dif- ferent enterprises since coming to the West, and his capital has entered largely into the develop- ment of the country.
CAPT. GEORGE E. Buss .- Born, Oct. 14th, 1829, in the state of Massachusetts ; died, April 7th, 1908, in Fort Collins, Colorado, in the 79th year of his age. At the age of 22 Mr. Buss moved to the state of New York, and on April 25th, 1854, married Frances A. Butts of Booneville, New York. One child, now Mrs. Varah Armstrong, was born of the union. Two days after President Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers to put down the southern rebellion, Mr. Buss en- listed as a private in the 14th regiment of New York Volunteer infantry, and was immediately pro- moted and made a sergeant of his company; later
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given a second lieutenant's commission. During the first two years of the Civil war he participated in the following battles: Hanover Court House, May 12th, 1862; Mechanicsville, June 26th, 1862; Gaines' Mill, June 27th, 1862; Malvern Hill, July 1st, 1862; Second Bull Run, Aug. 28th, 1862; An-
CAPT. GEORGE E. BUSS
tietam, Sept. 17th, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 3rd, 1863. In November and December, 1863, he was on detached service, recruiting for the 21st New York Volunteer cavalry at Boonsville, New York, and in January, 1864, he joined that regiment at Hall's Mill, Virginia, having been mustered in for three years, or during the war. For distinguished bravery on the battle-field he was commissioned a first lieutenant. While in the cavalry service he took part in the Wilson's Run raid and also in the battles at Piedmont, Winchester, Rood's Hill and a number of skirmishes. His term of enlistment not having expired at the close of the war, he was sent with his regiment to Camp Collins, to assist in keeping the Indians in check and protecting the Overland stage, the emigrant trains and the settlers. He arrived at Camp Collins in August, 1865, where he remained until June, 1866, when his regiment
was mustered out in Denver, and he was given the brevet rank of captain. Among the well-known of- ficers of his regiment who remained to become citi- zens of Larimer county were Capt. N. H. Mel- drum, Lieut. John H. Mandeville, Lieut. Fred Wallace, and himself. Only two of the quartette are now living, Captain Meldrum and Lieutenant Mandeville. Lieutenant Wallace died in 1878, and the subject of this sketch in 1908. On being mus- tered out of the service, Captain Buss purchased a team and wagon and started east after his family, having already purchased a tract of land near the present village of Timnath. He returned to Colo- rado with his wife and child in September, 1866, and at once began to improve and develop his farm, joining with F. W. Sherwood and others in taking out an irrigating ditch from which to water his land. From that time until he died, our subject had been a continuous resident of Larimer county, and was a'
MRS. GEORGE E. BUSS
loyal, public-spirited and trustworthy citizen. His first wife died in 1882, and in 1884 he married Hattie A. Treat of Sharon, Wisconsin, who sur- vives him. In 1890 Captain Buss sold his farm and moved to Fort Collins, which is still the home of
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FRED R. BAKER
HISTORY OF
LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO
Mrs. Buss. For several years previous to his death Captain Buss was debarred by physical infirmities from active participation in public affairs, but through all his weakness and suffering he was the same brave soldier that he was on the battle-field, the same true-hearted, loyal gentleman, friend and neighbor, and all through life held to the same hopeful, trusting spirit which characterize all of Nature's noblemen. He was a cherished member of the George H. Thomas Post No. 7, Grand Army of the Republic, which order conducted his burial services in Grandview cemetery.
FREDERICK R. BAKER was born in Northhamp- tonshire, England, Feb. 18th, 1844. His father, Richard Baker, an English farmer, brought his fam- ily to America in 1852, when the subject of this sketch was eight years of age, and settled in Loraine county, Ohio, near the town of Elyria, where he engaged in farming. Amid the surroundings of farm life the lad grew to manhood's estate and was educated. In 1863 Mr. Baker enlisted in the Union Light Guard, Seventh Independent troop, Ohio Volunteer cavalry, famous as the Black Horse squadron that served as escort to Abraham Lincoln. This company was raised by Governor Todd, Ohio's noted war governor, for special service, but subse- quently enlisted as a regular three-year volunteer, at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Baker was engaged on duty in Washington, D. C., carrying dispatches of great importance to and from the President to the War department and the army during the exciting times of the great Civil war. For a time he did duty for Col Lafayette C. Baker, chief of the secret service. With his company he participated in the grand re- view at Washington, and in September, 1865, was mustered out of the service with an honorable dis- charge. He cherished many pleasant recollections of President Lincoln, with whom he became well acquainted, and considered him not only the great- est of statesmen, but the simplest and kindest of men he ever knew. Returning to his home in Ohio at the close of the war, Mr. Baker engaged in farm- ing until 1873, when he came to the Caché la Pou- dre valley and took up a homestead one-half mile southeast of Fort Collins, on which his only son, Edward R. Baker, now resides. In December, 1876, Mr. Baker returned to Ohio and was married to Elenora S. Jackson of Amherst. Mr. Baker was a successful farmer and stock grower, taking special pride in fine cattle. He was one of the first to in- troduce thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle into Lari- mer county, which he bred and raised with great
success. He retired from the farm in 1890 and moved to Fort Collins, erecting a handsome home at the corner of Matthews and Mulberry streets, where he resided until his death. Mr. Baker was chosen through the partiality of the people to many important public positions of trust and responsibil- ity, discharging the duties of which with ability, faithfulness and fidelity. He served one term, from 1890 to 1893, as a member of the board of County Commissioners and was chairman of the board dur- ing the last year of his service upon it; was a direc- tor in the First National bank for twenty years, an office he held till his death, a testimonial of the con- fidence placed in him by his fellow citizens and co- workers. He was associated with others in promot- ing the Larimer County Fair association, which years ago gave to Colorado its best county fairs, equal to the state fair at Pueblo. In the spring of 1895 Mr. Baker was elected mayor of Fort Col- lins and was thrice re-elected to the position, giving the city each of the four terms a clean, honorable and satisfactory administration, during which time the City park was conceived and created, though Mayor Baker met with strong opposition. At that time Fort Collins owned but half of the square now known as Lincoln park, and the mayor wanted the city to purchase the other half. After a protracted struggle, Mr. Baker, with the assist- ance of those; favorable to the project, succeeded in his efforts, thereby obtaining for the public ample room for recreation and pleasure purposes. He also was instrumental in having the Carnegie library building located in the park, thus making it one of the city's beauty spots. Mr. Baker was a charter member of the Geo. H. Thomas Post No. 7, Grand Army of the Republic, and served once as aide on the staff of the department commander. He was a trustee of the Presbyterian church for more than a score of years, and president of its board for many years. But one child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker, Edward R. Baker, who, with his wife and one child, reside on the home farm. The mother occupies the home in Fort Collins. Frederick R. Baker departed this life on May 2, 1906. His whole life had been a busy one, and it can be truly said of him that the world is better for his having lived in it.
MERLIN H. AYLESWORTH, only son of Dr. Bar- ton O. and Georgia (Shores) Aylesworth, and one of the rising young lawyers of Fort Collins, was born July 19th, 1886, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He obtained the rudiments of an education in the pub-
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lic schools, completing his studies at the Colorado Agricultural college, the University of Colorado, University of Wisconsin and the Denver univer- sity, the last named institution conferring upon him the degree of LL. B. He came from Iowa to Denver, Colorado, with his parents in 1896 and to Fort Collins in 1898, and the last named city is still his home. Mr. Aylesworth was united in
MERLIN H. AYLESWORTH
marriage, Oct. 20th, 1909, with Blanche M. Par- rett of Denver, and they have one child, Barton J. Aylesworth. Our subject opened a law office in Fort Collins in 1908 and began the practice of his profession and is having excellent success. He is attorney for the Commercial Bank & Trust Com- pany, and local attorney for the Northern Colo- rado Power Company. In October, 1910, he was elected chairman of the Larimer County Republi- can Central committee, which position he still holds. He has been appointed county attorney and will assume the duties of the office Aug. 1st, 1911. He takes a lively interest in public affairs and is active in promoting and advancing the welfare of his chosen home. He is a member of the Larimer County Bar association and has a high standing as
a lawyer and as a citizen. His father, Dr. Barton O. Aylesworth, was president of the Colorado Agricultural college from 1898 to 1909, when he resigned to engage in other lines of work.
J. S. BAILEY, owner and publisher of the Ber- thoud Bulletin, conducts an independent paper, ac- knowledging no political boss, but giving facts as he sees them. He was born near Janesville, Indi- ana, Jan. 11th, 1857; was married to Emma Mc- Creery July 22nd, 1884. To this union were born four children, of whom two are living, J. W. and Glen Bailey. He was educated at private schools and the Kirksville State Normal in Missouri. He came to Loveland in February, 1910, but is now of Berthoud, and is a welcome addition to Lari- mer county's progressive population.
HON. AARON S. BENSON .- In this sketch we shall endeavor to set forth in a limited number of words some of the activities of one of Larimer county's foremost and most loyal of citizens, a man who has done a great deal by precept and example to encourage and promote the development and up- building of the varied industries of the county and to advance the cause of education and civilization. Indeed, we think it can be said without varying from the truth that few men have ever lived in the county who can justly be credited with having done more in that direction than Aaron S. Benson. He has built and assisted in building irrigating canals and ditches, opened up and improved farms, encour- aged fruit growing and stimulated the production of field crops of greater value than had been the rule theretofore and has been one of Loveland's right hand men in advancing the material, social, educational and the moral welfare of that city. As president of the pioneer bank of Loveland for twen- ty-seven years, he has been able to aid and assist many public enterprises that have inured to the growth of that city and has helped many a man to his feet who was laboring under a stress of un- toward financial circumstances and sent them on their way rejoicing to prosperity. Mr. Benson was born June 14th, 1837, in Monroe county, New York, the son of Sherman and Jane (Shaw) Benson. His boyhood was spent in his native state and in the state of Iowa, whither his parents moved when he was a child. In 1862 he went from Iowa to Dutchess county, New York, for the purpose of settling up his maternal grandfather's estate, return- ing to his home in Louden, Iowa, in 1865. Here he was engaged in the nursery business for several
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