Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 150

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1530

USA > Colorado > Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present > Part 150

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REDERICK C. MOYS, manager of the Moys wholesale and retail hardware establishment in Cripple Creek, and one of the prominent and energetic business men of this district, was born in Lawrence, Kan., November 6, 1867, and in that city spent the days of childhood and youth. His education was received in public schools and a commercial college, and was of a practical na- ture, fitting him for the responsibilities of busi- ness life. In his native city he learned the tin- ner's trade. When eighteen years of age he went to New Mexico and for one year worked at his trade in Socorro, and in 1887 went from there

SILAS A. JACKSON.

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to Denver, Colo. For two years he was con- nected with the Tabor Grand opera house, after which he went to Pueblo and worked at his trade in that city.

During the early days of the Cripple Creek mining camp, in January, 1892, Mr. Moys came to this place and opened a tin shop in a tent. At first he carried on business upon a very small scale, and after a few months he sold out the business to H. P. Reiton, with whom he con- tinued as manager of the shop until Mr. Reiton made an assignment in 1897. For a year Mr. Moys remained as assignee, at the expiration of which time he incorporated the Moys Hardware Company, of which he is president, treasurer and manager.

The attention of Mr. Moys has been so closely given to business matters, that he has little time for participation in public affairs, nor has he cared, as so many of the citizens of the place have done, to identify himself with any of the important mining interests here. He has not identified himself with politics or political parties, and is independent in his vote. He is looked up- on as one of the pushing, energetic young busi- ness men of the district, in which his firm is the largest of its kind. In December, 1888, le mar- ried Miss Lena Post, of Belding, Mich., and they have one daughter, Adelaide.

ILAS A. JACKSON. Whoever labors for the development of his country, striving to de- velop its latent resources; who is devoted to the general welfare of the people; who seeks to promote the cause of justice and morality, and to advance educational, religious and agricultural interests, such a man is a public benefactor and is worthy of special mention on the pages of his- tory. This, in brief, was the character and this the record of the late Silas A. Jackson, of EI Paso County, who from the time of settling here in 1872 until his death, which occurred in Colo- rado Springs, September 26, 1891, was numbered among the most enterprising stockmen and farm- ers of the county. His original homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, on which the house stands, was improved under his energetic efforts, and from time to time he made additional pur- chases, thereby increasing the amount of his possessions.

Near Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio, Mr. Jackson was born March 12, 1819, a son of Will- iam and Maria (Humason) Jackson. He was

reared on a farm and received a common-school education, his early schooling being received from a Presbyterian minister. His paternal an- cestors were connected with Andrew Jackson, while his mother's people were from Connecticut. He grew to manhood in Trumbull County and there his first marriage took place, July 1, 1840, uniting him with Miss Jerusha Bartlett. The six children of that union were born in Ohio and are still living. Milton, who is a machinist in Clin- ton, Iowa, served in the Union army and was wounded at Vicksburg in the head, on account of which he was honorably discharged. Mason, who served for four years in the Civil war, is married and makes his home near Los Angeles, Cal., being interested in mines there. Julius, who is unmarried, was for some years engaged in the drug business in New York City, but is now a designer for wall-paper patterns. Leonard, who lives in Colorado Springs, has served as sheriff of El Paso County and is now interested in mining at Cripple Creek. Maranda, who mar- ried Edward B. Gaylord, lives in Shelby, Shelby County, Mich., where her husband is engaged in the hardware business. William, who is married and lives in New Orleans, is a con- ductor on a railroad. The youngest of the chil- dren by his first marriage was three years old when Mr. Jackson left Ohio in 1856 and moved to Clinton, Iowa. There he remained twenty years. Meantime his first wife died, and October 11, 1865, he was married a second time, his wife be- ing Miss Anna Quinn, who was born in Kingston, Canada, a daughter of Henry and Jane (Barr) Quinn, natives of Canada,and of Scotch descent. She accompanied them to Iowa and was living in Clinton at the time of her marriage. There were three children born of this union. Jennie M., who was born in Clinton, received a good education and is a woman of exceptional business ability, having managed the estate since her fath- er's death in a manner indicative of exceptional ability. The second daughter, Ida G., was also born in Clinton, Iowa, while the youngest child, Walter Silas, was born in Pueblo, Colo., April 27, 1886.

While engaged in the lumber business in Iowa Mr. Jackson was unfortunate and lost almost his entire property, so that he was a poor man when he came to Colorado and settled near Wigwam. However, by energy and perseverance he had ac- cumulated a valuable property before his death. Until a few years before his death he always

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voted the Republicau ticket, but a study of the evils of the liquor traffic caused him to become a Prohibitionist. While in Clinton he served as justice of the peace for a number of years. He was identified with the Congregational Church and was a warm-hearted Christian gentleman, who did many a kind act during his long and busy life.

UDGE HENRY DAIGRE, a well-known pioneer of southern Colorado, was born in Lower Canada in 1832, and spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native locality. Go- ing from there to New York state he secured en1- ployment in a store. As he was of French line- age and the family at home had been accustomed to use only that language, he was unfamiliar with English, and was obliged to devote considerable time to its acquisition. In 1853 he went to Louis- iana, where he was employed on railroad con- struction for a year. His next position was as brakeman on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, with headquarters in St. Louis, which position he retained for two years. Intending to locate in Nebraska, he went to that state, but was so little pleased with the prospects that he remained only one season. Afterward he was employed as a deck-hand on a boat running between St. Louis and New Orleans.

The first experience of Judge Daigre with the western frontier was in the summer of 1857, when he was employed by freighters to drive au ox-team from Leavenworth, Kan., to Fort Bridge, Utah, the headquarters of troops. The employes were given the option of remaining or returning, and some chose the former, and soon organized as a battalion of volunteers for fighting the Mormons. In this capacity he served the government for seven months. In June, 1858, the trouble having been settled, a considerable number of volunteers were mustered out of the service, and he was among those honorably discharged. Afterward he was employed by a sutler. In 1860, when the troops were ordered to New Mexico, he drove a team to Fort Garland, at that time a part of New Mexico, and there he remained, engaging with Colonel Francisco, until 1862. In 1863 he formed a part- nership with the colonel in the stock business, and locating in the Cucharras Valley, raised a crop of wheat on the present site of La Veta. The part- nership continued for ten years, when it was dis- solved. Since then the judge has given his at- tention to the raising of sheep principally, al-

though he also owns some cattle and has raised grain for feed. In 1896 he spent considerable time in Old Mexico in search of health, and from there proceeded to Florida, but the change of climate and travel failed of its desired purpose, and he has since been an invalid.

With the public life of his section Judge Daigre has been intimately identified. In 1873 he was elected county treasurer and served for one term. In1 1877 he was chosen county judge of Huerfanlo County, to fill a vacancy in the office. He also acted as deputy sheriff and deputy assessor of his county. In 1886 he was elected county judge, and at the expiration of the term was re-elected to the office, which he filled for six years. Twice he has been elected mayor of La Veta, and in mu- nicipal affairs he has been quite active. Inter- ested in educational matters he has rendered effi- cient service as member of the school board. He was one of the organizers of the La Veta Building and Loan Association. All enterprises for the benefit of his locality have received his endorse- ment. When the Rio Grande road was building he and Colonel Francisco had over seventeen hun- dred acres of land and donated the right of way, the site for depots, and two hundred acres for the site of the village of La Veta.

In 1875 Judge Daigre married Mrs. Martha Neal, widow of Dr. Neal. She died about two and one-half years after their marriage. June 2, 1886, he married Alice Collins, of Iowa, and they have a daughter, Eva Marie. The judge is con- nected with La Veta Lodge No. 59, A. F.& A. M., of which he is a charter member and was the first master; also Hnerfano Chapter No. 27, R. A. M.

12 ALLAS C. WEYAND is one of the promi- nent members of the Democratic party at Crip- ple Creek and has been active in his support of the principles for which the party stands. In 1895 and 1896 he held the office of city treasurer, and in 1897 was elected city clerk, to which office he was re-elected in 1898 for a period of two years. In the last election he received twenty- five hundred out of the three thousand votes cast here, which fact proves his popularity as an official and as a man.

In Washington, Washington County, Iowa, Mr. Weyand was born January 20, 1870, and there the first nine years of his life were passed. In 1879 he accompanied his parents to Beloit, Kan., and attended the public school of that town. When fifteen years of age he became interested

WILLIAM H. LILLEY.

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with his father in a hardware business at Burr Oak, Kan., and continued in that place for some years. He came to Colorado City, Colo., in 1890 and opened a clothing establishment, which he conducted until December, 1892. From that time he was engaged in the hardware business at Superior, Neb., until January, 1894, when he came to Cripple Creek. In this place he carried on a clothing business with his cousin, A. L. Funston, under the firm name of Weyand & Fun- ston, the two continuing together until their store was burued down in the disastrous fire of 1896. Since that time Mr. Weyand has given his at- tention principally to his official duties, and as city treasurer and city clerk has proved himself to be a most trustworthy public official. Since coming to this city he has married, his wife being Miss Sadie Davis, of Cripple Creek. He is a member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows, which he represented in the grand lodge in1 1898. He is also connected with the Woodmen of the World.

ILLIAM H. LILLEY, county commis- sioner of Park County and the owner of a ranch comprising about eight hundred acres near Jefferson, came to this county at twenty-one years of age and pre-empted a quar- ter-section of land one mile northeast of Jefferson. As he prospered, he added to his original pre- emption and has finally accumulated a large landed tract, to the management of which, and to his official duties as commissioner, his time is closely given. He has filled the position of commissioner since the fall of 1895 and is one of the most active members of the board. In poli- tics he is a strong exponent of the single tax doctrine and a warm admirer of the late Henry George.

Mr. Lilley is of English descent. His grand- parents, John and Anın (Buck) Lilley, were na- tives of North Gillsboro, England. About 1847 they moved from there to Burkinhead, Cheshire, where he engaged in the laundry business until his death in 1886. His wife had passed away in 1883. Both were members of the Church of England. Their son, John G., was born in Gillsboro June 12, 1833, and after the family removed to Cheshire he worked for six years in the Burkinhead market. At the age of twenty he came to America and stopped for a few days in Portland, Me., then shipped for Ireland as stew- ard on a vessel. The vessel was anchored at Cork for six weeks, from which place he returned

home and resumed work at the butcher's trade. Again crossing the ocean at the expiration of a year, he went from Boston to LaCrosse, Wis., where he remained from 1854 to 1860, and then came to Colorado, where for two years he prospected in the mountains. In February, 1862, he purchased the farm where he now resides. This place is situated near Littleton and comprises one hun- dred and fifty acres. In 1868 he was one of the builders of the Rough and Ready grist mill, which for years shipped its products as far east as Boston and commanded a higher price on 'change than almost any other flour in the country.

While living in LaCrosse, in 1856, John G. Lilley returned to England and on Christmas day of that year was there united in marriage with Miss Louise Ann Hiller, whose father was a civil engineer. Ten children were born of their union, namely: William H., of this sketch, who was born in LaCrosse December 12, 1857; Anna, deceased; Maggie, Mrs. Frank Soper, of Little- ton; Fred; Lucy, deceased; Harry, who is en- gaged in the livery business in Littleton; Marcia L., wife of Charles Watlington, of Madison, Ind .; Josephine, a graduate of the University of Colo- rado and now teaching at Littleton; Benjamin E., who married Maggie Monahan and assisted his father in the management of the home farm; and John. G., Jr., who is engaged in the dairy business at Cripple Creek. The wife and mother died May 7, 1895.

In politics John G. Lilley is a Republican. For nearly thirty years he has been president of the school board of Littleton. In 1872 he was elected to the legislature, in which he served one term. From 1879 to 1882 he served as county commis- sioner. He was captain of a company organized in 1864 for protection of life and property from Indians, and in 1868 the company was called out to suppress the Utes and Cheyennes. He was connected with the building of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, having a contract to deliver ties from the divide to the territory between Littleton and Sheridan.

The marriage of our subject, March 4, 1885, united him with Mrs. Flora (Case) Strickler, a na- tive of Illinois and the daughter of a prominent ranchman of Park County. By her first hus- band, Charles Strickler, she had two children, Nora and Harry, both of whom have been adopted by Mr. Lilley and bear his name. By her marriage to Mr. Lilley two children have been born, Margaret I. and Frank.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ASHINGTON IRVING EVARTS,a well- known farmer and stock-raiser residing near Beulah, Pueblo County, is a man whose successful struggle with adverse circum- stances shows what can be done by industry and economy, especially if a sensible wife seconds his efforts to secure a home and competence. Born of poor parents, he was obliged to make his way in life without any of the aids which are usually considered essential to success, and on leaving his native state did not even have a coat to wear.

Mr. Evarts was born in Killingworth, Middle- sex County, Conn., May 7, 1827, was educated in the common schools of that state, and there learned the blacksmith's trade at the age of six- teen years. At the age of twenty-two he went to Ohio, where he worked in his uncle's black- smith shop for one year, and then proceeded to Wisconsin, where he assisted in putting together the iron work on the first bridge across the Wis- consin River. For twelve years he resided in that state, spending several of the winters in the pine woods, where the people would come for hundreds of miles for lumber, and he often liad as high as one hundred ox-teams to shoe in one season. His next home was in Fillmore County, Minn., where he conducted a shop for three years, and then removed to Junction City, Kan., and stayed in Kansas about one and a-half years. From there he went to Missouri. For eleven years he was engaged in business in Missouri, and about twenty-three years ago came to Colo- rado, locating in Beulah, where he engaged in blacksmithing for eight years. At the end of that time he settled upon his present ranch, which at that time was all wild land, and he has made all of the substantial improvements now found thereon. He keeps upon his place a fine grade of stock, and in his farming operations has met with a well-deserved success. He experienced all the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, and has had some adventures with the Indi- ans. In early days he took one trip of several hundred miles with an ox-team, and has also visited California.

Mr. Evarts was married in 1861 to Miss Han- nah Kidder, who was born in Maine, her parents having gone to Maine from Vermont, but she was reared in New York state. Her father was a farmer of the Green Mountain state, where in early days his mother had to fight the Indians while her husband was fighting for the freedom of the colonies in the Revolutionary war. Mrs.

Evarts deserves great credit for the part she has taken in improving the farm. With the money she earned as nurse in Pueblo she bought stock for the place, and paid for many improvements upon the same. She has ever been a great worker, and is a most excellent woman, highly esteemed by all who know her. Mr. and Mrs. Evarts have a family of five children, as follows: W. I., who is married and lives in Silverton, Colo .; Oliver Leonard, at home; Mary, wife of Albert Wilford, who lives near our subject; Capi- tola, wife of James Berg, a farmer, stock-raiser and owner of a sawmill; and Jennette, wife of Calvin Hercules. They have lost one son, Bert, who died at the age of fourteen years. They also have fourteen grandchildren, who delight to visit at the home of their grandparents.

Politically Mr. Evarts is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and has ever taken quite an active and prominent part in local politics. He has served as constable and justice of the peace for some time, and has ever been found true to every trust reposed in him. He is a great temperance worker, and has been a member of the Sons of Temperance, the Good Templars and the Recobite Society.

AMUEL J. HIGBEE. Born in McDonough County, Ill., February 25, 1861, the subject of this sketch is the son of John and Cather- ine (Ainstine) Higbee. When he was about four years of age he was taken by his parents to Wayne County, Iowa, and there his boy hood days were passed upon a farm. He received such educa- tional advantages as the local schools afforded. At the age of twenty-one he went to Kansas, and in 1884 settled near Dodge City, remaining there about three years; next going to what is now Kearney County he took up a homestead and im- proved a farm. After five years he sold the prop- erty and removed to Colorado, where he engaged in contracting in conjunction with farming, which occupation he has followed up to the present time. Of recent years he has devoted himself more closely to agriculture and stock-raising, having purchased in 1894 one hundred and sixty acres of land near Carlton, Colo., irrigated by the Bent ditch. To the improvement of this place he has since given close attention.

He is one of the well-known Democrats of his county, and upon his party ticket was elected in the fall of 1893 to the office of county commis- sioner, and was re-elected three years later, his

MATHIAS LOCK.

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home precinct giving him sixty-seven votes out of the seventy-nine votes polled. During his in- cumbency of the position the Carlton bridge was built, also the large iron bridge that spans the Arkansas River at Lamar. He is a man of en- terprise and progressive spirit and is assisting in the work of developing the resources of Prowers County. Fraternally he is a member of the Wood- men of the World.

In Hamilton County, Kan., July 5, 1891, Mr. Higbee married Miss Emily Swords, who was born in Warren County, Ind., and accompanied her parents to Kansas in girlhood. They are the parents of two children, Harry and Clara, both of whom were born in Colorado.

M ATHIAS LOCK. In presenting to the read- ers of this volume the biography of the late Mr. Lock, we are perpetuating the life work of an industrious, persevering and success- ful farmer of El Paso County. Coming to Colo- rado at the time of the gold excitement, he and his wife made their way across the plains in 1860, with an ox-team, the monotonous journey con- suming several months. June 2, of that year, he arrived in Boulder. Naturally his first at- tempts were at mining. However, as he did not pay expenses, he concluded the best thing to do would be to seek another occupation. He and his wife went to Denver, where both worked as they found opportunity. In 1862 they came to the valley of Fountain, where he was so success- ful that at the time of his death, March 6, 1888, he owned a section and a-quarter of land. Since then Mrs. Lock has added one hundred and sixty acres by purchase, and is now the owner of ten hundred and twenty acres, besides a store build- ing in Fountain.

Mr. Lock was born near the River Rhine in Germany, October 23, 1829, a son of Anton and Anna Lock. He was reared in a small village and received a common-school education. Being one of thirteen children whose parents were poor, the necessity of earning his own livelihood was forced upon him at an early age. He learned the baker's trade and also learned to grind grain. At the age of twenty-three years he came to America, and settled at Ripley, Ill., where he learned the potter's trade. While there he became acquain- ted with Miss Barbara Gruber, of Mount Sterling, Ill. She was born in Germany and at eleven years of age accompanied her parents to America, spending a few years in Pittsburg, Pa., and thence

removing to Illinois. They were united in mar- riage March 1, 1859, and the following year came to Colorado. In religion they were reared in the Catholic faith, to which they afterward adhered. In politics he was a Democrat, but not active in public affairs.

In 1863 Mrs. Lock was alone at the house on the ranch with her first-born, a boy baby less than two years old, when five or six Indians came riding toward the house. Her husband was out on the ranch at work. She became frightened and with her baby began to run, screaming at the top of her voice, while the Indians followed her. Her husband hearing her screams came running to her rescue, and reached her before the Indians. When they came up, they laughed and said they meant no harm to her.

Nine children were born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lock. Of these, four died in infancy and five are still living. U. K., who lives in Fountain, is married and has onechild. Howena is the wife of John Spicer and the mother of four children; they make their home in Fountain. Tena is the wife of Henry T. Williams and has two children. William Bismarck, who is a lawyer, resides with his mother. Irwin is also at home. For eight years Mrs. Lock assis- ted her sons in the management of a store at Fountain. Now, however, she devotes her atten- tion entirely to the oversight of her large landed interests. She is a woman of marked capability and has superintended her estate in such a man- ner as to increase its value.

B ARNEY EVANS, a highly respected citi- zen of Pueblo, now serving as county com- missioner of Pueblo County, is the possessor of a handsome property which enables him to spend his declining years in the pleasurable en- joyment of his accumulations. The record of his life, previous to 1896, when he retired, is that of an active, enterprising, methodical and sagaci- ous business man, who bent his energies to the honorable acquirement of a comfortable com- petence for himself and family.

Mr. Evans was born in Andrew County, Mo., March 2, 1840, and is a son of John and Frances (Todd) Evans. The father was a blacksmith by trade, but most of his life was devoted to the work of the ministry in the Baptist Church. During his last years, however, he was engaged in the stock business in Pueblo County. He was a very prominent and influential citizen of

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the communities where he lived; was at one time an honored member of the Missouri legislature; and when Fort Sumter was fired upon in 1861, was serving as a member of the Kansas legisla- ture. He was a strong Union man and a true Christian. He died in Pueblo County in 1896, at the ripe old age of seventy-nine years. His wife was a native of Kentucky and a blood rel- ative of the wife of Abraham Lincoln

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Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 150

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1530

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1530