History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 114

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company
Publication date: 1889-95
Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co.
Number of Pages: 791


USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV > Part 114


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WILLIAMSON, J. A., dairyman, was born in Clermont county, Ohio. IS58, and where he received a good practical education. He became a citizen of Denver in isso, and, hav- ing followed the hotel business, he at once took the management of the Planter's hotel, which he condueted for three years. In ISS7. he established a dairy In the town of Harmon. to which he has since given his exclusive attention.


WHITE, Torrence, farmer, was born In Pennsylvania in 1843 and moved with his


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parents to Ohio, where he remained until 1860. He went to Michigan and in 1861 enlisted in the 13th Mich. infantry, company H, and served until August, 1865, when he was dis- "harged and immediately returned to Michi- gan. He resided there until 1869, when he came to Denver and located on Ralston creek. lie now resides in Jefferson county and is the possessor of a large and well improved farm, comprising 420 acres of land.


WILMORE, Charles T., fruit grower, was born in Toronto, Can., in 1856. but spent his boyhood in the state of Maryland, where he received his education. In 1872 he came to Colorado and settled on the Platte river two miles above Denver, adjoining Barnum, where he was engaged in the business of gardening. In March, 1SS0, he entered upon the business of raising fruit for the Denver market and has been very successful. His home place has about eleven acres, well stocked with all kinds of fruit, with eom- modious buildings, including a beautiful home. He has another tract of about ten aeres in Norwood. nearly all improved with fruit, and also 160 acres, eleven miles north of Denver, near Church's ranch, with ten acres of apple trees and the balance in grain and hay. lle married, in Aug., 1879, Lelia Bradway. He is an attendant of the Trinity M. E. church, a supporter of the same and of the public schools. Is a director in the Denver Fruit Growers' association. Ile has thirty acres northwest of Denver eleven miles, and also two houses and lots on Logan street, South Denver.


WOLPART, David, was born in Muskegon county, Ohio., Nov. 23, 1833, and received his education in the common schools of his county, which were at that time generally taught in log cabins. Ile moved to Iowa and subsequently to Illinois. He came to the Rocky Mountains in May. 1859, via New Mexico, and his was the first wagon that was taken into South Park. He attempted to go over the range but after reaching a rocky canon returned to Fairplay. He, in company with seventeen others, went with pack animals to French Gulch, and while elaims were being staked he was appointed a pilot to take the teams through the country. but owing to the reported uprising of the Indians, he returned to Fairplay and, coming to Denver, took up a quarter section of land. While his partner held the claim, Mr. Wolpart assisted in building the Clayton block on Larimer street. The following spring he erected a log cabin on his place, where he had about one hundred horses and three hundred eattle.


came to Colorado, arriving in Denver in 1865. Ile first went into Arkansas valley, but in the fall of 1866 located near Salida and en- gaged in farming and stock raising, and still follows the same occupation. In the summer of IS6S the Ute Indians were camped in large numbers near his present residence, and the chief of the tribe made serious objection to Mr. White remaining there as a settler. but after some delay the matter was amicably arranged. Mr. White is deeply interested in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the com- munity where he has so long resided.


WEISENHORN, Frank, became a citizen of Colorado in 1862, and started in the mer- cantile business, and at the same time kept a boarding house. Ile was also engaged in other enterprises until 1875, when he estab- lished a brewery at Boulder. Beginning in a small way, he has increased the capacity of his plant until the annual volume of his business is very large. lle owns a ranch of 360 acres of well-improved land, and some valuable real estate in the town of Boulder. Mr. Weisenhorn is one of the prosperons. stirring men of this county.


WESTON, P. M., was one of the earliest pioneers to Colorado. He came to Boulder county in 1859, and courageously endured all the hardships and privations incident to life at that period on the extreme frontier of civilization. After spending a year in Boulder county, and the same time in Denver, he went to Colorado City, where, after a brief sojourn, he moved to Park county, remaining there until 1867. During that year he took up his residence at Twin Lakes, but the following year became a citizen of Granite. In 1871 he purchased the ranch where he now lives. Ile built the first house that was erected in Granite, and has, since coming to Colorado, spent much time in prospecting.


WILSON, R. C., was born in Union county. Ky .. Dec. 11, 1847, and remained there until he was eight years old. Ile was then sent to Louisville in the same state, where he at- tended school, and later to La Grange college. In 1862 he left school and enlisted in the Con- federate army. Ile was one of nine dispatch carriers under Gen. Hood at Nashville, Tenn .. and was also with Gen. John Morgan in his raid through Indiana and Ohio. Ile returned home in 1865, and in the spring of 1866 left Louisville on the steamboat Rose Hyat and went to Fort Benton on the Missouri river. From that time until the present he has been on the western frontier engaged in mining. He came to Colorado in 1874, and located in California Gulch. In the summer of 1879 he went to Aspen and became interested in three paying mines. lle was one of the first alder- men of Aspen and assisted in drawing up the ordinances of the town. He is now settled upon a ranch in Garfield county on


WHITE, Otis, was born in the town of Sugar Grove, Warren county, Pa., in 1841. He received his education in the common schools, of his native county, and remained at home until 1864, when he started for the West. After spending about a year in Illinois, Wisconsin, lowa and Kansas, he the Roaring Fork river, twenty-eight miles


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below Aspen, and is engaged in fish culture Mich., remaining some fifteen years, and and stock raising.


WRIGHT, H. E., was born in Lanark county, Can., June 19, 1849, but soon after- ward went with his parents to Gray county. where he was educated in the common schools, and where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1870 he emi- grated to Puget Sound, Oregon, and lived at Seattle, Olympia and Tacoma until 1874. when he came to Colorado. In the fall of that year ho prospected the San Juan country. going to Howardsville and Silverton. He was among the pioneer miners in the Mount Snoffels district, now in Ouray county, where he located the Wheel of Fortune group of mines. He has owned and disposed of some of the more important mines in that county, and is still actively engaged in min- ing operations. He is a charter member of the A. O. C. W. lodge at Onray, and at one time was a county commissioner of that county. llo is largely interested in well-im- proved real estate in the county, and does much for the advancement of the material


meanwhile was graduated from the high school in that place. Thereafter ho engaged for a time in the wholesale and retail boot and shoe trade with his father. In 18SI he came to Denver, and for two and a half years was city passenger agent for the Denver and Rio Grande railway; afterward for two years assistant ticket agent in the Union depot at Pueblo, to which place he removed in 1883. In the spring of 1887 he was the democratic candidate for city treasurer, but was defeated. In the spring of 1887 he engaged in the real estate business, in which he has since been employed with material success. He is an active and enterprising young man, alive to the importance of building up the better interests of his adopted city, and has con- tributed of his means to charitable objects and institutions.


WESTON, Eugene, a pioneer of southern Colorado, was born in Bloomfield (now Skow- hegan), Maine, Sept. 24, 1835. A remote an- costor came from Normandy with William the Conqueror, in 1065, and at this date our interests of the little city where he resides. subject still has the ancient Weston coat- WIGHT, Joseph B., was born at Andover. Ohio, Sept. 17, 1832, and remained at his birth place until twenty-three years of age, in the meantime attending the common schools and the Kingsville academy. His early years were spent on a farm, and before leaving home he learned the cabinetmaker's and joiner's trade. lle moved to Colorado in 1860, and was by turns a carpenter, merchant and stage station keeper. He resided for a brief period in Salt Lake City, where, in company, with his brother, le conducted a freight line between that place and Virginia City, He returned to Colorado in 1867 and wrought at his trade until 1872, and then moved to the farm where he now lives, four miles from Denver. The farm is well improved and in addition to general erops he raises fruits and berries. Ho was married in 1859 to Samantha Robin- son of Wisconsin. They have two children- Clara Pickett and Lucy. of-arms and crest. A nearer ancestor was Thomas Weston of London, who honght and outfitted the good ship Mayflower in 1620 at. his own expense. The family organized a colony and settled in Salem, Mass., in 1614. llis grandfather was one of the first settlers in the wilds of Maine in 1774. He was a merchant, land surveyor and magistrate, The father of Engene settled in West Springfield. Mass., in 1847, but in 1850 purchased a farm near llenry, Ill., which Eugene and his brothers tilled, attending the common school a part of each winter. In the winter of 1857- 58 Engene taught a school. In Ione of the latter year he went to St. Louis; thence in August to Kansas near Atchison, where he clerked in a store. The following spring of 1859 he joined a party for Pike's Peak, but in due course met a big stampede of more than 3,000 wagons returing from the alleged gold fields, which caused his company to WILSON, W. H., was born in Virginia In 1827. At twenty-two years of age he went to St. Louis, taught school two years and then removed to Kansas, remaining until 1857. when he returned to Missouri, and two years latter came to Colorado, where for a like period he was engaged in mining and as storekeeper at Hamilton, in Park county. He was elected probate judge and served two years. The next seven years were spent in ranching. In 1878 he returned to his native state and a year afterwards came back to Colorado, and. again settling in Park county, located a ranch of 280 acres. turn back. On reaching the Missouri river, Weston joined a trading outfit bound to New Mexico. in the winter of '50-60 he taught school. In the spring of 1560 ho drove an ox-team to California Gulch, worked in the mines and prospected nutil the ensning fall: then located in Canon City. In 1861 he farmed a tract of land on the St. Charles in Pueblo county. The next year he engaged in the sime pursuit near the town of Pueblo. where he promoted the erection of the first flouring mill built in southern Colorado, for which service he was granted an eighth in- dividual interest in the Pueblo town site. In the fall of 1862 he was elected constable, and for nearly two years thereafter was the only executive officer in the county, which em-


WILEY, O. L., real estate broker, was born in Albion, Orleans county, N. Y. Aug. 22. 1859, and at an early age removed with his braced all the territory between Beaver parents to Bellevue. Nob., where he remained Freek. twenty-two miles west of Pueblo. about four years, then settled in Paw-Paw, to the east line of the state, includ-


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ing a part of Huerfano. When a sheriff was elected Weston became his deputy. Dur- ing the summer of 1864 he was an active partner in building a swing ferry-boat across the Arkansas river. In August, 1864. be en- listed in company G., 3d Colorado cavalry, and with it served in the memorable battle of Sand Creek. He built and filled the first ice- house in Pueblo. In the spring of 1865 he was appointed deputy county clerk. There was no court house, no county or court seals, no books of record save a three folio ruled day-book. The county and court records and papers were jumbled together in a candle- box. Ile was also appointed deputy clerk of the United States court, 3d judicial district, and on taking possession found the papers of the court in the same condition. Later he was made clerk of the county court; secured a license to practice as claim agent to pro- eure discharges and pay for the enlisted men of the 3d cavalry. Mr. Weston was the first notary public in all the region south of Denver. When he entered the service of Pueblo county, its warrants were worth only 15 cents on the dollar; there was no money in the treasury; no county commissioners, no as- sessor. The public debt amounted to $5,000. No assessment bad been made for two years. In the fall of 1865 he was elected county clerk, and soon afterward drafted a. bill an- thorizing a special assessment, which was passed by the territorial legislature with an emergency clause. The commissioners ap- pointed an assessor, and in the spring of 1866 the country was assessed for a special tax to pay its indebtedness and for current expenses. lle caused the collection of a for- feited criminal bond, with the proceeds of which a building for court uses was pur- chased. Ile designed the county and court seals, and secured from Philadelphia a full set of record books at a cost of $600. lle was appointed assessor, and also «ensus taker, finding in the latter capacity a total population of 800 in the county which then embraced 40 by 160 square miles. There were only five marriageable girls, three of whom were of Mexican birth, In 1866 he pre-empted the tract which is now covered by the court house and some of the more costly residences of the city, but lost it by a contest. In the fall of 1867 he was a candidate for county clerk, but was defeated. During the winter of 1867-68 he freighted merchandise between Pueblo, Fort Lyon, Trinidad and Denver. In the spring of ISES, as deputy United States marshal, he was given charge of a band of robbers and outlaws, led by the notorious Elias Coo. alias "Tex," then being tried in the United States court. In the sum- mer of 1868, as a contractor and builder, he built St. Peter's church. The next winter be took a contract. to subdivide publie lands in and near the present town of La Junta, and during that season secured a charter, and. with Mr. Lewis Conley, organized the first


Odd Fellows' lodge instituted south of the Divide. The season of 1870 was passed in contracting and building. In the spring of ISTI, he settled in Canon City, and the en- suing fall organized Christ church at that place. In 1876 be made a collection of the minerals of Fremont County for the Centen- nial Exposition, but it was not forwarded. In ISTS he engaged in the real estate busi- ness, and in 1881 organized the Colorado Pioneers' society of Fremont county. being elected secretary thereof, which position he has held continuously to date. In 1882 he was appointed a commissioner to collect the minerals of that county for exhibition at Denver. Feb. 25. 1884, be married Miss Nellie Pearson of Manchester, N. HI. Ile was one of the promoters of the county Horticul- tural society and has ever since been its secretary. In 1890 he was chief organizer and is vice-president of the Grand Cañon Plaster & Cement company, to utilize the immense deposit of gypsum and alabaster east of Canon City, spending the summer in developing this the most wonderful deposit of alabaster in the world. In 1891 he col- lected the minerals of Fremont county for the Mineral Palace of Pueblo. lle has a family of two daughters and one son. The foregoing rapid epitome indicates an extreme- ly active, useful and eventful life, bis con- nection with the primary stages of Pueblo history being especially interesting.


WELLS, Reuben C., manufacturer, has the distinction of being the first white child born on the site of the present beautiful city of Moline. Ill. His father, Huntington Wells, was a native of Vermont, but settled in Rock Island county at a very early period, some time before the Black Hawk war, in which Generals Scott and Taylor commanded, and in which Abraham Lincoln commanded a company. Ile was one of the founders of Moline, which was laid out on bis farm. Reuben was born on this farm Sept. 26, 1833. In 1850 his father and himself made the over- land trip to California. Soon after their ar- rival his father died. Reuben remained until 1853 engaged in mining, then returned to Illinois and entered the employ of Mr. John Deere-a noted manufacturer of plows-as assistant bookkeeper. continuing until 1859. In the spring of that year with A. Mansur and others he came to Colorado, but returned east in the fall with hundreds of others who failed to discover the golden fleece. There- after until 1869 he was engaged in various business enterprises in Illinois. In the year last mentioned he came back to the Rocky Mountains and settled in the picturesque town of Golden, purchased a paper mill, the first ever established in our state, and con- dueted it continuously for many years. It was only a ernde affair when he took it and was built up by him. Many prodieted failure. He not only did not fail but made it a profit


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able business despite all opposition, though dation laid for the successful career he has oftentimes in hard struggle. For many since pursued. He came to Colorado in 1882 years he supplied the newspapers of Denver and settled in Denver. Eighteen months and some of the mountain towns with print- later he entered the South Park railroad ing paper, and from the beginning furnished shops, continuing there a year and a half. when, deciding to engage in business on his the larger part of the cheaper grades of wrapping material to merchants and others, own behalf, he opened a market in West About 1874 he opened a large wholesale paper honse, the first in Denver, from which a part of his manufactured stock was marketed. Denver. Success attending the effort, in due time he was enabled to erect a handsome two- story brick business block, 50 by 75 feet, in which his trade is now carried on.


WELLS, Joseph H., stock grower, was born in Bedford, England, Jan. 30, 1842. Ile emi- grated to New York in 1853, and a year later to the territory of Kansas, where he remained all through the free soil and pro-slavery con- test until 1860, then came to Colorado. He en- listed in the 2d regiment Colorado cavalry, and served therein until the close of the war. Since that period he has been a resident of this state, much of the time engaged in min- ing. Ile was clerk of the district court for Lake county some years, and from 1875 to 1882 was clerk and recorder of that county. For several years, also, he was chairman of the republican county committee. Since 1882 he has resided on his fine ranch at Villa Grove in Saguache county, engaged in rais- ing horses and cattle.


WOODSON, Frederick A., lawyer, was born in Buckingham county, Va., Aug. 18, 1821. llis ancestors settled on the James river, in 1624, and from them have come a numerous offspring. His grandfather was an othcer in the Revolutionary army, and suffered many of the hardships and privations of that heroic and memorable struggle. In those days the most authentic news of the war was often conveyed by private letters. Mr. Woodson's grandfather's letters, written while in the army and sent back to his affianeed bride. were read aloud at a country church as being the latest tidings from the front. In this way the people of the neighborhood where he lived wore irregularly informed of the progress of the war. Frederick A. remained there for twenty-three years. De attended Yale col- lege and was graduated in 18444, at the age of twenty years. After qualifying himself


WARREN, Alan I., was born in Wheeling, W. Va., March 15, 1868, of an old New Eng- land family. For the past fifty years his father has been engaged in the oil and chem- for the practice of law, he soon left that pur- ical trade in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, suit to engage in other business. He taught The son was graduated from the public school in Mississippi twelve months and in schools at the age of fifteen, then attended Alabama a year and a half. He went to Cali- Lindsley institute, and at nineteen was grad- fornia and spent six years in mining, and was nated therefrom. Ile attended college at De subsequently engaged in the same business Paw University, in Greencastle, Ind., then in Alabama, where he lived until 1880. Hte took a two years' course in law at Boston purchased a farm in that state, for the iron l'niversity. He came to Denver in Feb., 1892, and entered the law office of Teller & Orahood, remaining eighteen months. In 1894 he was furnace that was put up at that place. Dur- elected to the House of the General Assembly from Arapahoe county. ore that was on it, and founded the city of Aniston, where he built the first blast ing a period of financial dopression, this property passed out of his hands. He inar- ried a great-grandaughter of General Pickens, of Revolutionary fame, and to them have been born tive children, all of whom are now grown. On acount of overwork, his health became impaired, when he came to Colorado. The climate of this state has exerted Its recuperative influence upon him to such an extent that he now enjoys his usual strength and vigor. He was appointed police magis- trate in South Denver in 1893, and during the same year was elected a justice of the pellee. lle is a man of excellent education, possess- ing good legal attainments, as well as long years of practical experience.


WARRANT, Mrs. Lena A., was born in Woodbury county, lowa, Oct. 8, 1554, and rame with her parents to Colorado in 1860. The family settled on Cherry creek, nine inlles above Denver, and two years after- ward moved to Pueblo, where Mrs. Warrant received her education in the public schools. After her marriage with John JJ. Warrant. they resided in Colfax county, N. M., seven years, where he was engaged in stock raising. Disposing of their property, they went to Minnesota in 1883, but returned to Colorado the same year. Her husband dled four years afterward, and since that time she has carried on the farm, which they had pur- chased, and with the help of a small pension has supported herself and six children.


YEAMAN, Caldwell, lawyer and jurist, was born in Hardin county, Ky .. near the birth- place of Abraham Lincoln, May 11, 1519. llis guished lawyer, and both parents were


WADDINGTON, Richard B., was born In father, Stephen M. Yeaman, was a distin-


Yorkshire, England, In 1859, and remained at the place of his nativity until 1882. during descended from English families of high re- which time his education was received in the pute. Caldwell was mainly educated at home public schools of that country and the foun- under the tuition of two accomplished and


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cultured brothers, Harvey and Malcolm. He the district, supreme and United States courts is not a graduate of any academic institute or raised him to the highest rank. In October, college, yet when launched upon the busy sea 1879 he married Miss Adelaide Roberts, of In- of life was well versed in literature and law. dependence, Mo., a lady of superb beauty and Having adopted the legal profession, this be- fine accomplishments. rame the basis of his studies and the bent of his career. From 1871 to 1876 he pursued YOUNG, Frank C. See Vol. III, page 230. the lines just indicated in Kansas City, Mo .. having been admitted to practice in his native YANKEE, William H., miner, was born in Sedalia, Mo., in July, 1840, and was educated in the common schools. When but nineteen years of age, he severed his connection with home and friends, and started for the Pike's Peak country, whither he arrived in 1859. He immediately engaged in mining and con- tinned until 1861. when, in answer to the call of his country for volunteers to fight for the old flag. he returned to Sedalia and en- listed as 2d lieutenant in the 33d Missouri volunteer infantry, and served eighteen months. In 1863 he returned to Colorado and resumed his old employment of mining. He has followed that occupation extensively in Gilpin, Clear Creek, Park, Hinsdale, Lake. and Pitkin counties, and also in New and Old Mexico. He has been interested in the Lon- don, Queen of the Hills in Park county, the Chieftain in Leadville, Express at Aspen. Golden Fleece in Hinsdale county, and is manager of the Homestake mine in New Mexico. The average value of the ore in this mine is $180 per ton, and the vein is about twelve inches thick. There is now blocked out in sight about $300,000 worth of ore. There are few better paying properties in the entire Rocky Mountain region than the Home- stake. Col. Yankee was in the cattle busi- ness a short time in Wyoming, and also in the banking business a brief period. During the war he was twice wounded. The first time in the third finger of his right hand and the second time in his right foot, the latter disabling him to such an extent he was com- pelled to resign his commission and quit the army. He was married Dec. 24, 1860, to Miss Sara E. Bourn of Sedalia, who died Nov. 16. 1888, leaving three children born of this mar- riage. They are, Elgin S., now of Salt Lake: Mary Ann, the wife of HI. E. Demorest of Denver; Evalina, wife of Geo. B. Anderson of Lewiston, N. C. Col. Yankee's second mar- riage occurred in Denver Oct. 21. 1891, when he was united to Mrs. Mary Boyer. In poli- ties he is a democrat. and in religion a "Christian Scientist." He has a palatial resi- dence in Highlands, surrounded by an ex- tensive lawn made attractive by flowers. shade trees and shrubbery. It is one of the most perfect of the many ideal homes for which Denver and its environs are justly noted. It stands upon the most elevated spot of ground in that vicinity, and from its dome may be seen much of the city, and a wide scope of country diversified by mountain, hill and plain. Here the colonel, when not en- stato. In 1876 his brother Harvey, a brilliant attorney of Louisville, Ky., was, by failing health, obliged to seek the climate of Colorado, where soon afterward Caldwell joined him. They settled in the thriving city of Trinidad and opened an office there. A few months later, just at the dawn of flattering success. Harvey died, after which Caldwell continued the business alone. Naturally industrious and painstaking, patiently and skillfully searching the depths of every proposition submitted to him, by winning a number of complicated suits he rose rapidly in his pro- fession and soon was regarded as a fit an- tagonist for the older and more experienced attorneys of the state. He was distinguished for cool and ready dexterity in the manage- ment of his cases, and also, when occasion presented, for wide acquaintance with politi- val economy. Bred a democrat, in 1878 he was nominated by the state convention of his party at Pueblo for the office of attorney- general, but was not elected owing to the large preponderance of republican sentiment. Throughout Las Animas and neighboring counties he was universally respected for his extensive information upon publie questions, his honorable character, courteous address and legal ability. On the platform he was an excellent debater, clear, concise and forcible. In 1882 he was elected judge of the judicial district which comprised the counties of ('uster, Bent, Fremont, Las Animas, Huer- fano and Pueblo. He performed his duties for six years, enjoying a high reputation as a jurist both among the people and the bar. llis profound knowledge of law, his moral courage, the uprightness as well as the in- dependence of his character, secured for him great confidence and esteem. At the close of his term he declined the proffer of a renomi- nation made by both democrats and republi- rans and resumed his practice in Trinidad. Subsequently his party tendered him the nomination for justice of the supreme court, but this he also declined. In the Eighth Gon- eral Assembly, the democrats in both houses, though in the minority, cast their votes for him for United States senator against Henry M. Teller. In 1890 he was nominated for gov- ernor but was unsuccessful. He then re- moved from Trinidad and settled in Denver, forming a partnership with Hon. Charles C. Parsons. In this wider arena, his well- grounded reputation for ability in handling important cases was greatly increased and within a year he became one of the foremost gaged in forwarding the numerous enter- lawyers of the city. llis arguments before prises with which he is connected, enjoys the




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