Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 151

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 151

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In his native county Barney Evans was reared, his education being obtained in its common schools. In 1855 he moved with his parents to Johnson County, Kan., where he made his home until 1881, and during the Civil war was a mem- ber of the Kansas State Militia, which most of the time was on guard duty along the border. When Price made his famous raid through Kan- sas, he was near enough to the scene of action to hear the cannons of that general's army at Law- rence, and twodaysafter theengagement he visited the battle ground. After the close of the war he engaged in farming and stock-raising in that state until coming to Pueblo County, Colo., in 1881. He first located about twenty miles east of the city of Pueblo, on the Fort Reynolds reser- vation, and during his entire residence there was extensively interested in stock raising until he retired from active business life a few years ago. He subsequently sold his ranches. One of the ranches on which he spent three years, is located near Vineland, and he also lived for a few years in Vineland and on the St. Charles River, but now makes his home in East Pueblo, where he has a very pleasant two-story brick residence at No. 1004 East Tenth street.

In 1861 Mr. Evans married Miss Minerva J. Kenton, a native of Indiana, and a descendant of Simon Kenton, the noted Indian fighter. To them were born seven sons and four daugh- ters, all living with the exception of Hattie, who was married and left two small children who now make their home with our subject. The others are: John F., Charles and Harvey, who are en- gaged in ranching and the stock business in Pueblo County; and Taylor, Arthur, George, Floyd, Etta, Lucy and Stella May, all at home.

Mr. Evans is a Master Mason, and a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; while politically he has been a life-long Demo- crat. In 1896 he was elected county commis- sioner of Pueblo County, and so acceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected in the fall of 1898, being the present incumbent. A man

of keen perception, of unbounded enterprise, his success in life is due entirely to his own efforts, and he deserves prominent mention among the lead- ing and representative men of the county. His genial, pleasant manner has made him quite popular in both business and social circles, and as a public-spirited, enterprising man, he is rec- ognized as a valued citizen of the community.

ACOB BEARD, a pioneer of '62 in Colorado, operated a flour mill for J. B. Doyle during the first year of his residence in this state. In 1863 he settled in Trinidad, which was then a small town. Here he built a French bur-mill, which was the first flour mill in the town and is still standing. After having operated the mill until 1868, he sold it, and with his family re- turned to visit friends in his former home city, St. Louis. One year later he came back to Trinidad, and bought a sawmill six miles above the town, but, after having operated it for a short time, the mill was destroyed by fire. He rebuilt and operated the new mill for a year. Afterward, for three years, he freighted with an ox-team be- tween Trinidad and points in New Mexico. Since stopping that work in 1882 he has made his home in Trinidad, where he dealt in real estate and merchandise, meeting with fair successas a busi- ness mail.

The first ten years of our subject's life were passed in Rockingham County, Va., where he was born January 18, 1828. He accompanied his parents in 1838 to St. Louis, where he received a common-school education. At sixteen years of age he commenced to learn the miller's trade, at which he worked in St. Louis until the spring of 1850. He then went to Mora, N. M., and was employed to take charge of the Mora mill bnilt by Colonel St. Vrain. There he manufactured flour for the government troops, it being the first flour made in New Mexico. After three years he accompanied Kit Carson and other scouts to California, and arrived in Sacramento on the 4th of July, 1853. He engaged in freighting with mule-teams from that city to the mining districts. On the 10th of October of the same year he joined a party bound for Sante Fe, N. M., and after reaching that city he began to freight with oxen and mule teams. Selling out in 1857 he built a saw and flour mill eighteen miles from Mora, N. M., and this he operated until 1862. On his arrival in Colorado he continued working in

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mills. During his long life on the frontier lie has become familiar with Spanish and speaks the language fluently.

Politically Mr. Beard is a Democrat. In 1867 he was elected a member of the legislature and before Las Animas County was cut off, he served as sheriff of Huerfano County. He has been commissioner of Las Animas County and super- intendent of public instruction, and in these as in other positions of trust, he has served intelligently and witlı fidelity. His wife, who shared with him many of the hardships of frontier existence, was Isabel, daughter of George S. Simpson. They had one son, Ernest C., who died July 18, 1898, at eighteen years of age.

DWARD B. EVERETT. From the early days of the history of Glenwood Springs Mr. Everett has been connected with its business interests. He came here in 1884, when it was a town of tents, with the Ute Indians near by. Opening a grocery in a tent, he began in business under many disadvantages, but with a determination to succeed. In 1886 he built, on Cooper avenue and Eighth street, the store build- ing in which he has since carried on business, the entire building being occupied by his stock of staple and fancy groceries. On Cooper avenue, in 1892, he built the Everett block, which he still owns; this is a two-story brick structure, and is rented out for offices and apartments and also has a store on the first floor. Besides this place, he owns other buildings in the town.

The father of our subject, Tillman Everett, was born in Kentucky, and was taken from there to Missouri at two years of age. Through his ac- tive years school teaching and farming occupied his attention. For twenty years he resided in Kansas, after which he came to Glenwood Springs and resided here until his death. He was a son of Howard Everett, a native of Virginia, and for years a farmer of Kentucky. The family was prominent in the early days of the Old Domin- ion. Our subject's mother bore the maiden name of Mary Spencer and was born in Ohio, where her . father was a farmer. Her children were as fol- lows: Osborne and Laura, both deceased; Rev- erdy, a namesake of Reverdy Johnson, and a teacher in Missouri; Nathan, deceased; Edward B., our subject, who was born in Clay County, Mo., September 21, 1851; Mina, who was a teacher and missionary of the Baptist Church in South America, and is now in New Mexico; Mil-

lard, who is with our subject; Kate, wife of Dr. Thomas Grantham, of Walsenburg, Colo .; Will, a traveling salesman, with headquarters in Denver; Lee, deceased; Hattie, wife of Frederick Walther, of Denver; and Mollie, wife of B. V. Barlow.

From 1869 to 1879 our subject resided in Kan- sas. For a time he was a student in the Commer- cial College at Olathe, that state. At the age of twenty-five he began to teach school, which occu- pation he followed in Kansas for six years. Com- ing to Colorado in 1879, he taught for a short time near Pueblo. In 1880 he engaged in min- ing and teaming at Leadville. From there, in 1884, he came to Glenwood Springs, of which city he is now one of the prosperous business men. In 1893 he was elected county commissioner of Garfield County, on the Democratic ticket; and served in that position for three years. He was also a member of the school board for six years.

The marriage of Mr. Everett, in 1887, united him with Clara, daughter of Hon. F. A. Barlow, who has been a prominent citizen of Glenwood Springs, and built, among other structures, what is now known as St. Joseph sanitarium and hotel. Mrs. Everett died in 1897, leaving one son, Ed- ward; her other son, Harold, died when fifteen months old. As a citizen, Mr. Everett has dis- played an interest in measures for the benefit of his home town and has encouraged beneficial projects by his helpful assistance and sympathy.

ARD E. FENTON, M. D., mayor of Rocky Ford, is engaged in the practice of his pro- fession at this place and is also the pro- prietor of a drug store here. As the chief executive of the town he is deeply interested in local enterprises, and every movement tending to the advancement of the business welfare or the promotion of the common prosperity meets with his encouragement and active support. In politics a Republican, he advocates with en- thusiasm and fidelity the platform of his chosen party and supports its candidates with his ballot.

Born in Bloomfield, Iowa, July 23, 1861, Dr. Fenton has been from early childhood familiar with the medical profession. His father, F. M. Fenton, M. D., was engaged in the prac- tice of medicine in Bloomfield for thirty years, and under the wise instruction of that parent he began to be familiar with the medical science when a mere child. From that time on he was permitted to study, under the supervision of his

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father, and thus he was fitted to practice some years before he received a certificate entitling him to do so. After some time he entered the Cill- cinnati College for Physicians and Surgeons, from which he graduated in 1888.

Returning to Bloomfield, the young doctor as- sisted his father in practice, but after three years he came to Rocky Ford, Otero County, Colo., where he has since carried on a general practice. In connection with his practice he has a drug business. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and its auxiliary, the Rebekas; the Knights of Pythias of Rocky Ford, and St. John's Lodge No. 75, A. F. & A. M. Active in politics, he served as a member of the city council and in 1898 was elected mayor by ac- clamation, without opposition. By his marriage to Miss Gussie Caldwell, of Shelby County, Mo., he has four children, Eva, May, Blanche and Ward C.

OREST E. DUNLAVY is the senior meni- ber of the firm of Dunlavy Brothers, of Trinidad, dealers in groceries, queensware, pianos and organs, grain, hay and feed. The two-story and basement building now occupied by the firm was erected by them in 1896 and is especially adapted for the storage and display of the large stock carried. While the present co- partnership is of comparatively recent date, the business itself is an old and established one, and a large trade has been built up in the various lines represented.

Mr. Dunlavy was born in Harrison County, Ohio, October 7, 1863. His father, A. P. Dun- lavy, also a native of Ohio, engaged in the mer- cantile business for years at Bowerston, Harri- son County, but in 1885 came to Colorado and is now living retired in Trinidad. In politics he is a Democrat. While in Bowerston he was act- ive in local affairs and was twice elected mayor of the city. By his marriage to Jennie A. Snod- grass, of Pennsylvania, eleven children were born, all now living and all residents of Trinidad except Berdella, who is now Mrs. E. W. Foster, of Buena Vista, Colo. They are named as fol- lows: F. E., J. P., William P., who comprise the firm of Dunlavy Brothers; Frank and Wil- bur, who are employed in the store; Melvin, in school; Eva, wife of Frank Lackey; Belle J., wife of Charles Hudson; Sarah, Mrs. John Marty; and Sylvia.

Our subject was educated in the public schools

and Hagerstown Academy, where he was a stu- dent for two years. After a short time in the railroad business, in 1881 he accompanied his sister, Eva, to Colorado. Securing employment with Cook & Davis, grocers of Trinidad, he re- mained with them for six years. In 1887 he formed a partnership with James Andress and opened a grocery on North Commercial street, but after two years bought his partner's interest. In 1895 F. Wardenburg bought a half-interest in the business, but retired the following year. Since then the business has been conducted by Dunlavy Brothers. The firm also own a general store at Labelle, Taos County, N. M., where they have established a trade among the miners of the district.

In 1892 Mr. Dunlavy married Miss Lillian E. James, daughter of Morris James, an old settler of Trinidad. They have three children, Eva I., Louis A. and Norman E. For a number of years Mr. Dunlavy has been a steward and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has also acted as superintendent of the Sunday-school for some time, while his wife is one of the teachers in the school. Fraternally he is past chancellor of Rocky Mountain Lodge No. 3, K. P. In ad- dition to his business property he is the owner of a fine residence and some building lots in Trinidad, and is very prosperous in business. He was reared in the Democratic faitlı and is a friend of free trade and free silver. He is deeply interested in temperance work and has taken a strong stand against the licensing of saloons, being, in 1896, the Prohibition candidate for mayor of the city, and in every way possible ex- tending his help to temperance work.

ELSON A. BALLOU, a partner in the firm of O. Ballou & Son, whose business is one of the largest in Silverton, is numbered among the reliable young business men of his town. Having been a resident of the place since a lad of nine years, he has been identified with its growth and formed a large acquaintance among its people. As might be expected of one who has spent so much of his life in Silverton, he is deep- ly interested in all movements relating to its progress and the development of its resources. In all of his work it has been his aim to advance the interests of the town, especially along com- mercial lines.

A son of Otis and Ellen (Wickham) Ballou, the subject of this article was born in Havana,

COL. F. R. FORD.

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N. Y., November 20, 1868. He spent his boy- hood days in Havana and the neighboring town of Watkins until nine years of age, when he ac- companied his parents to Colorado and settled with them at Silverton. Here he grew to man- hood, receiving his education in the local schools and at Durango. At a very early age he began to show a decided talent for business, and from the age of fifteen has been engaged in merchan-

dising. In 1896 he and his mother bought a wholesale and retail grocery business, and in their store, which is one of the best business rooms in the town, they carry on a large and encouraging trade, which extends into the neigh- boring mining camps. The assortment of goods is large and complete, while the proprietor, by his courteous manners and gentlemanly treat- ment of all customers, has gained the esteem of those with whom he has business transactions. While necessarily much of his time is given to the management of his business, he has not neglected his duty as a citizen, but takes an in- terest in local affairs as well as national issues. In 1897 he was elected to the office of county commissioner, which he has filled with fidelity.

OL. F. R. FORD, deceased, formerly one of the most prominent citizens of Monument, El Paso County, was born in Sumner, Me., May 6, 1819. He was a son of Joshua Ford, a Revolutionary soldier under General Washing- ton, and descended, through his mother, a Miss Cushman, from the famous Puritan warrior, Miles Standish. When a boy he was so diligent in his studies that he became a teacher in youth, but after a short time devoted to that occupation hie went to Abington, Mass., where he was engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. There he became acquainted with Miss Henrietta E. Bearce, whom he married May 11, 1844.

Mrs. Ford was born in Yarmouth, Me., and was a daughter of Enoch and Saralı (Jones) Bearce, natives respectively of Hebron and Fal- mouth, Me. She received an excellent education in the seminary at Yarmouth.

After his marriage Mr. Ford continued for some years to reside in Abington, Mass. In 1850 he went to California, via the isthmus, and was detained at Panama for many weeks, owing to lack of facilities for transportation. Sickness broke out among the men, both small pox and cholera taking off many of them. He assisted in nursing the sick, and, in spite of constant expos-

ure to both diseases, did not fall a victim to either. On reaching California he went to the American River, and there took a great deal of gold from the bed of the river. Finding that he was so successful he sent for his wife, and she left her three children in the east and set sail via Cape Horn for California, accompanied by her brother, Gen. Horatio B. Bearce, later a pioneer of Colorado, and well known throughout the state. After being out eleven days the vessel was struck by lightning and burned; the passen- gers and crew-there were but three ladies on the ship-escaped in open boats, and after being tossed about by a gale of wind for six days were picked up by an English ship and landed at Bos- ton.

This happened in 1855, and the unfortunate experience deterred Mrs. Ford from again at- tempting to reach California. During the same year Mr. Ford left California and went to Kan- sas, where he had directed Mrs. Ford to meet him. While in Kansas he was engaged in the hotel business, but in 1859 he turned his face toward the Rocky Mountains, lured by the bright reports of gold at Pike's Peak. His field of operations was in Gilpin County, in and about Nevada Gulch, now Nevadaville. During the '6os he organized several heavy mining compa- nies in New York and Boston, and was among the first to bring mining machinery into that now prosperous and productive section.

Colonel Ford died in Denver December 26, 1883, and is interred at Riverside Cemetery. He was a fine type of that hardy class of pioneers who led the way and blazed the trail for others. At the time of his death he had been mining for nearly thirty years, and had passed through all the rapid changes of a miner's life. . The pos- sessor of an ample fortune several times during his life, the fascinations of the work seemed to impel him on, and he repeatedly staked his for- tune on new ventures and eventually lost. His widow and one son survive him. The former is comfortably fixed at Monument, and the latter is register of the United States land office at Denver.

OHN W. DRAKE, whose valuable ranch is situated on the south fork of the South Platte, eleven and one-half miles south of Fairplay, was born in Jackson County, Mo., November 11, 1856, a son of Andrew J. and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Drake. He was one of eight children, six of whom are living, viz. : Missouri A.,

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Mary F., Virginia W., Susan A., Isaac M. and John W. His father, a native of Howard County, Mo., born October 15, 1812, removed to Jackson County in early manhood and there spent the remainder of his life. About 1842 he bought the first carding machine ever owned and operated west of St. Louis, and, in connection with farm- ing, continued to operate his wool carding machine until 1868. He was a man of consider- able force of character and was one of the sub- stantial men of his community. He died while on a visit to Topeka, Kan., November 5, 1888.

The education of our subject was limited to a brief attendance at common schools. At eighteen years of age he began life for himself. After working for one season on a farm in his native county he went to Illinois, and for one year worked as a farm hand, after which for two years he farmed on shares. He owned nothing but a horse, and was furnished the needed implements by the landlord, also another horse, and when crops were harvested, he was given one-half of the products. Returning to Missouri, he pur- chased agricultural implements and began to farm rented land. In 1881 he sold his personal property and came to Colorado, settling in South Park and securing employment as a ranch hand on the place he now owns. During the winter he spent two months in Leadville, returning to South Park in the spring. In connection with Solomon Michaels, he leased one hundred and sixty acres of state land near the Platte River. One year later he bought his partner's interest, and for eight years attended to his crops during the irrigation season. After the crops were harvested in the fall, he worked during the winter months for neighboring ranchmen. In 1891 he sold the improvements on the ranch to the High Line Reservoir Company. March 28, 1892, he purchased his present property of six hundred and thirty acres. For three years following he was superintendent of the Sixty-three ranch, where he and his family resided, but at the same time he also conducted his own ranch. Finally, although the owners of the Sixty-three ranch wished to retain his services, he felt that his own interests claimed his entire time, and in 1895 he settled upon the ranch where he now resides. He has been a successful ranchman, and his pros- perity is especially creditable when the fact is considered that he began without capital, coming to Colorado entirely without means. By means of industry and perseverance he has attained a

position of prominence in Park County. While he gives his attention closely to ranching pur- suits, he also takes an interest in public, and es- pecially in educational, affairs, and for several years served as a member of the school board of his district.

February 7, 1889, Mr. Drake married Eliza- beth L., daughter of John Thompson, a prom- inent farmer of Jackson County, Mo. Of this marriage two children were born, one of whom is living, Hattie Belle, whose birth occurred December 11, 1889.

YATT F. FARRAR, M. D. While the residence of Dr. Farrar in Garfield County covers a comparatively brief period only, yet through previous residence in other parts of Colorado and by practical experience in the varied departments of therapeutics, he has be- come a well-known and successful physician; and the reputation he held at the time of settling in Carbondale has been increased by his success as a practitioner here. He has a growing and valnable practice, and is known for his skill in the profession he has adopted.

Dr. Farrar was born in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio, August 29, 1853. His father, William Farrar, a native of Virginia, removed in early life to Ohio and there continued to reside until his death, which occurred at eighty years. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Union service as a member of an Ohio regiment, in which he remained until the close of the war. His political views were in harmony with Repub- lican principles. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow. He was a son of Benjamin Farrar, whose ancestors settled in Virginia in an early day. The mother of our subject was Sarah A. Fenner, daughter of Dorsey Fenner, of Hillsboro, Ohio. During the war she had three brothers in a Union regiment. All of her six children are still living, viz .: our subject, the eldest; Will- iam H., who is engaged in railroading, with headquarters in St. Joseph, Mo .; Arthur L., a railroad man in New Mexico; Emma, the wife of Allen Shook, of Hillsboro, Ohio; and Hattie D. and Jennie M., who live with their mother at the old homestead in Ohio.

From the high school of Hillsboro the subject of this article graduated in 1873. Later he took a course of two years in the Ohio University, after which he matriculated in Starling Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, where he carried on

Titalleth

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the regular studies, graduating in 1882. He also took a course in St. Joseph Hospital Medical College at St. Joseph, Mo. He began to practice at Burlington Junction, Mo., but soon removed to Maryville, the same state, where he remained for several years. In 1888 he settled in Wray, Yuma County, Colo., but after eighteen months removed to Glenrock, Wyo., and from there in 1892 went to Denver, Colo., where he engaged in active practice until his removal to Carbondale in 1897. He gives his attention closely to pro- fessional work, and has not identified himself with politics in any way. The fraternal organiza- tions, Woodmen of the World and Knights of Pythias, number him among their members. His marriage, October 6, 1891, united him with Miss Mary L. Hendrie, daughter of Isaac F. and Anna E. (Barber) Hendrie, and a sister of Mrs. W. Lloyd Grubb, of Carbondale. They have one child, Helen Kathleen.

AMES H. HALLETT, assessor of Archuleta County, and a well-known ranchman and stock-raiser, came to this county in 1884 and homesteaded a tract of land two and one-half miles east of Pagosa Springs. Here he owns a quarter-section of land, and is engaged in raising beef cattle and dairy cows. He is also interested in gold and silver mines at Elwood, where he owns some good prospects. For three years he carried on a mercantile business in Pagosa Springs, but his entire stock of goods and fixtures were destroyed by fire in 1895, entailing a heavy loss upon him. Notwithstanding this and other catastrophes that have befallen him, he has per- severed with earnestness, and is counted among the substantial men of his county.

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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 151

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