Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 168

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 168

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Capt. Robert White, a descendant of Peregrine White, was a sailor on Lake Champlain, and owned his own boats. His daughter, Laura, was born at Shelburne Point, Chittenden County, Vt., and died at the same town when about fifty years of age. By her marriage to Reuben Nash she had five children, all of whom are living, our subject being the third in order of birth. Reuben Nash was born in Shelburne, a member of an old Massachusetts family that were early settlers of Shelburne. He was a farmer and county officer and died at the old homestead when sixty-five years of age. He was a son of Truman Nash, a native of York state, and a soldier in the war of 1812, who settled on a farm on the shore of Lake Champlain in Chittenden County, and engaged in its cultivation, also held a number of township offices.

The subject of this sketch was born October 2, 1842, on a farm that stood on the present site of Dr. Webb's summer residence and grounds on Lake Champlain. He was reared in Shelburne and Burlington, and graduated from Williston Academy in the latter city. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth Vermont Infantry, and was mustered into the Second Vermont Brigade at Brattleboro. He served under General Casey in the defense of Washington for one year, after which he was assigned to duty on the Potomac from Centreville to the mouth of the river. He took part in the three days' battle at Gettysburg, and soon afterward was mustered out, with the regiment, in the fall of 1863. He arrived in New York City twelve hours before the riot broke out, and his regiment there volunteered to return to service, but the riot was quelled and so they were not needed. Returning home he clerked in the general mercantile store of C. L. Hart in Bur-

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lington. In 1868 he went to Kalamazoo, Mich., where he clerked for four years, going from there in 1872 to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he began in the hardware and agricultural implement business for himself. He continued in the same place until 1886, when he came to Pueblo. Here he has taken a prominent part in public affairs. He was president of the old Board of Trade and one of its directors at the time of the erection of its build- ing. When the Commercial Club succeeded the Board of Trade, he was made its first president. Later he took an active part in establishing the Business Men's Club, the present organization. In national issues he advocates Democratic prin- ciples, but in local matters he has made it his aim to vote for those who will strive to advance the welfare of the city, irrespective of political affilia- tions. He has been connected with several fra- ternal organizations, and is a member of Upton Post of the Grand Army.

In Kalamazoo, Mich., Mr. Nash married Miss Blanche Fletcher, who was born at St. Catha- rines, Canada, and is an estimable and refined lady, and a member of the Episcopal Church. The two children comprising their family are: Harry Fletcher, who is connected with his father in business; and Bessie Anna, a student of the high school of this city.

G EORGE W. GARLAND came to Phillips County in 1888 in company with his brother and took a claim near Holyoke, but remained in town, while his brother engaged in farming and the stock business. Shortly afterward he opened a wagon shop, with material for building wagons, and while the town was booming he made money rapidly, but, with the decadence of the boom, he and the other active spirits who had spent money in the upbuilding and improvement of the town were heavy losers. After a few years his brother returned to Iowa and opened a wagon and carriage shop at Sheridan, where he is now doing a prosperous business. He, how- ever, has continued to make this county his home. In the fall of 1895 he disposed of his business and was elected, on the Republican ticket, by a handsome majority, to the office of county assessor. In the fall of 1898 he was re- turned to the office, which he has filled with efficiency and ability.

Mr. Garland was born in Iroquois County, Il1., November 6, 1862, a son of John and Sarah (Jones) Garland. He was one of nine children,

seven of whom are living, viz .: William S., a sta- tionary engineer at Omaha, Neb .; Lewis H., who is engaged in horse-shoeing and the wagou-repair business in central Missouri; James F., proprie- tor of a repair and blacksmith's shop at Canton, Ill .; Tarplay J., who was our subject's company- ion in the first years of his residence in Colorado; George W .; Lydia M., wife of Thomas Good, a harness dealer in Kansas; and Hannah.

A native of Indiana, born in 1820, our sub- ject's father grew to manhood there and engaged in farming. Accompanied by his family, he re- moved to Iroquois County, Ill., and settled upon a farm, where he remained for twelve years. Afterward he resided in Sheridan, Iowa, for five years. Since then he has been retired, and is spending his declining years among his children. Our subject acquired a common-school education, and also attended the Sheridan high school. On approaching manhood he apprenticed himself to the trade of carriage-building, applying himself to the iron part of the business. After five years he and his brother, Tarplay J., engaged in busi- ness for themselves, opening a shop in Sheridan, but in the spring of 1888 they disposed of their business and came to Colorado.

The marriage of Mr. Garland, May 8, 1884, united him with Miss Arpey M. Gillaspey, who was born in Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa, a daughter of William Gillaspey, a native of Pennsylvania and for years a farmer of Iowa. Mr. Garland has two living children, Blanche and George F., and has lost three by death. He is a member of Holyoke Lodge No. 76, I. O. O. F .; Encampment No. 46, of Holyoke; and Holyoke Lodge, A. O. U. W. Twice he was elected to the office of mayor and for four years served as a member of the town council. He was the first chief of the fire department of Holyoke, and filled the position for six years. Since the organiza- tion of the band lie has been its leader. In many other ways he has aided plans for the benefit of his town and county, which have in him a public- spirited and enterprising citizen.

- ICHARD D. MILLER, the owner of a large cattle rauch in Arapahoe County, was born in Cumberland County, Ky., July 28, 1826. At the age of seventeen he started out in life for himself. After a short time spent in Arkansas, in 1845 he went to Texas, where his time was prin- cipally spent until 1866. He then came to Colo- rado and settled upon his present farm, where he

PHILO B. UPSON.

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has since engaged in raising stock. He has wit- nessed the improvements of the county and has assisted in the development of its agriculural resources. In politics he is a Democrat. He served in the Mexican and Civil wars, in the latter being on the frontier under Gen. Kirby Smith.

In 1855 Mr. Miller married Miss Mary J. Cure- ton, who was born in Franklin County, Ark. They became the parents of two sons and two daughters, the latter, Ollie and Maud, being with their parents. The older son, Warner D., is a stockman and owns land adjoining his father's property. The younger son, William B., who married Ruth M. Van Wormer, daughter of I. P. Van Wormer, had one child, a son, named Brax- ton Miller. He was engaged in the cattle busi- ness until his death, September 26, 1898.

HILO B. UPSON, who is one of Sedgwick County's most influential residents, was born in Medina County, Ohio, June 14, 1844, a son of Reuben A. and Jane (Furber) Upson. Of nine children comprising the family, three survive, those besides himself being Benja- min L., a farmer of Henry County, Ill., and Mary L., wife of Joseph U. Barnes, of Minne- apolis, Minn. His father, who was born near Watertown, Conn., in 1808, in childhood accom- panied his parents to Ohio, settling in Summit County, where he grew to manhood. Afterward he returned to Connecticut and worked for Seth Thomas one year, later going back to Ohio, where he married and settled upon a farm. About 1836 he removed to Iowa, going down the Ohio and up the Mississippi, and in that state he homesteaded a tract of land. However, not find- ing the prospects satisfactory, he returned to Ohio in 1837, walking from Rock Island to Chicago, where he took a steamer to Cleveland. He set- tled in Medina County, but later returned to Summit County. In 1869 he traded for a hotel in the town of Cuyahoga Falls. For two years he was proprietor of the hotel. In 1871 he re- moved to Henry County, Ill., and there resided until his death, which occurred in February, 1884. His wife was born in 1810 and is still living, her home being with her son Benjamin L.

At the outbreak of the Civil war our subject took up arms for the Union. He enlisted in July, 1862, as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Infantry, and went to the front. The regiment's first service was

provost duty in Cincinnati and Covington, which lasted for a year. Thence they went to Mur- freesboro, and during the winter of 1863-64 did picket duty. In the summer of 1864 Mr. Upson was one of thirty men detached to man a block house on the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad near Lavergne. On the 5th of December the men were surrounded by General Forest and were captured. Twenty days later he escaped at Pu- laski, Tenn., while his company were confined in Andersonville prison. Later, when these pris- oners were paroled and were returning home, their steamer "Sultana" was blown up near Memphis and the captain and many of the com- pany lost their lives.

After his escape, Mr. Upson returned to Mur- freesboro, where he rejoined his regiment. A few days later he was again detailed to duty at the point where he was captured, the block house having been destroyed by the Confederates at the time of their capture. There he remained on duty until he was recalled for his discharge. He received an honorable discharge at Murfreesboro, Tenn., in July, 1865, and from that city returned to Cleveland, where he was paid off. Returning home, he remained there until 1867, when he went to Illinois. For two years he worked as a farm hand in Henry County. During that time, March 12, 1868, he married Sarah A., daughter of Stephen Richardson, a farmer of Rock Island County, Il1. She was born in Pleasant Valley, Ill., and received fair educational advantages. Of her marriage to Mr. Upson eleven children were born, and of these all but one are living. William G. is engaged in farming and the stock business in Logan County; Clara L. is the wife of E. C. Smith, a stockman of Sedgwick County; Charles B. is cashier and paying teller of the Min- neapolis Title, Insurance and Trust Company, of Minneapolis; Joseph Clinton is a business man of Minneapolis; John E. is a member of Company B, Thirteenth Minnesota Infantry, now in Manila, he having left the State University of Minnesota to enlist in the army; Chloe Etta is a teacher in the public school at Sedgwick; Jennie E., Ray R., Daniel D. and Bessie R. are students in the local schools.

In 1869 Mr. Upson rented a farm, which he carried on for three years, and then bought land five miles from Geneseo, which place he owned and cultivated for thirteen years. In 1885 he came to Colorado, arriving at his present home, two miles west of Sedgwick, in the spring of the

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year. He homesteaded his place and was the first man to settle in the township. For some years he was engaged in the cattle business, but in 1892 turned his interests over to the manage- ment of his son and went to Wadena, Minn., to take charge of a farm loan agency. He was made vice-president of the Wadena State Bank. One year later he went to Minneapolis, where he was engaged with the Minneapolis Title and Trust Company as collector, continuing in that place until August, 1895, when he severed his connection with the company and returned to Colorado, once more taking charge of his cattle business.

When Sedgwick County was cut off from Lo- ga11, in 1889, Mr. Upson was selected by Gover- nor Cooper to act as one of the first county com- missioners. In the fall he was formally elected. of age. to fill a term of three years, being the only mem- ber of the first board who was returned to the office. In the fall of 1892 he was chosen as an alternate delegate to the national Republican con- vention, which convened at Minneapolis and nominated Benjamin Harrison for president. In religion he is identified with the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He is active in Grand Army matters, and is past commander of Julesburg Post No. 21, G. A. R., department of Colorado and Wyoming.

HOMAS WILSON MC CURDY, assessor of Morgan County, came to Colorado for the first time in 1880, settling in Greeley, where he took up three hundred and twenty acres of fertile land as a homestead and timber claim, and upon that tract he began farm pursuits. In 1886 he disposed of his landed interests and re- turned to the east, settling in Iowa, where he en- gaged in the stock business. However, one year later he returned to Colorado and again settled in Greeley, but in 1888 came to Morgan County, where he has acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land and has successfully engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits. In November, 1897, he was elected county assessor, and this office he has since ably filled.

In Coshocton County, Ohio, our subject was born July 10, 1851, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Welling) McCurdy. He was fourth among six children, the others of whom are: Daniel, who is a grocer in Muscatine, Iowa; Rebecca J., widow of Thomas Jones, of Madison, S. Dak .; Louis C., of Portland, Ore .; Minerva, who married Jolin

Moffit, a traveling salesman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Allen, a prominent farmer of Musca- tine County, Iowa. The father was born in Cosh- octon County March 19, 1821, and there grew to manhood, married and settled upon a farm. In 1868 he removed with his family to Musca- tine County, Iowa, and there he is now living at seventy-eight years of age. His father, Daniel McCurdy, was a native of Ireland, and in early life settled in America, where he devoted his time to general farming. He died when eighty-three years of age. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Thomas Welling, a native of Har- rison County, Ohio, and by occupation a farmer. During early life he assisted in the building of the canals in his section of the country. His death occurred when he was eighty-seven years

The education of our subject was acquired principally in common schools and the West Bed- ford (Ohio) Academy. After reaching his ma- jority he took charge of the home place, which he farmed during the summer season, while the winter months were devoted to teaching in local schools. In 1878 he married Miss Mary L. Ken- nedy, of West Bedford, Ohio, daughter of Philip Kennedy, a well-known farmer of that section. Two years after his marriage he brought his wife to Colorado and has since made his home in this state, with the exception of a year spent in Iowa. He is an enterprising and popular citizen, and is highly esteemed in his circle of acquaintances. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Oscar, who was educated in the Fort Morgan high school; Fred and Bernice, who are pupils in local schools, and Ralph.

12 ASMUS NELSON, county treasurer of Mor- gan County, was born in Denmark, Novem- ber 12, 1847, being third among the four chil- dren of Nels and Christina ( Herickson) Rasmus- son. His father was born in Denmark in 1814 and was early initiated into farin work, which occupation he continued to follow until his death in 1867; his wife was born in Denmark in 1824 and died in America in 1882.

· At the age of twelve years our subject began to be self-supporting. At first he worked as a farm hand on farms adjoining his father's lome- stead. Later, realizing that his education was insufficient, he worked during the summer and applied his savings during the winter toward finishing his education. Upon attaining his ma-

JOSEPH PETERSON.

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jority, he determined to seek new fields for his labor. In 1868 he embarked for America and arrived in Boston on the 27th of March, from which city he went direct to Neenah, Wis. From that time until 1872 he worked as a farm laborer in different parts of the northwest. In 1872 he came to Colorado, locating in what was then Buffalo, Weld County, where he took up land and began in the cattle business.

In 1882 Mr. Nelson came to what is now Mor- gan County, settling at Brush, which was then a mere station. He built the first house in the town and purchased a ranch, where he engaged in the stock business. Through his efforts the postoffice was established. He was appointed postmaster, but shortly afterward, his other busi- ness requiring his attention, he turned the office over to Mrs. Leavitt. On the Populist ticket, in 1895, he was elected county treasurer, and so satisfactory was his service that at the expiration of his term he was again elected, in 1897. As an officer, he is trustworthy, efficient and pains- taking, and his attention is closely given to the proper discharge of his official duties. Through honorable character and business ability, he has become one of the substantial and esteemed citi- zens of the county. He is a member of Poudre Lodge No. 12, I. O. O. F.

The marriage of Mr. Nelson, in 1872, united him with Miss K. B. Hendricks. Four children were born of their union, viz .: Gilbert, a student in Lincoln (Neb.) University; Frederick, who is attending the institute at Colorado Springs; Mabel and Thomas, who are with their parents.

OSEPH PETERSON. It is said that biog- raphy yields to no other subject in point of interest and profit, and it is especially inter- esting to note the progress that has been made along various lines of business by those of foreign birth who have sought homes in America-the readiness with which they adapt themselves to the different methods and customs of America, recognize the advantages offered and utilize the opportunities which the new world affords. Mr. Peterson is a native of Sweden, who has met with well-deserved success on this side of the Atlantic, and is to-day one of the most successful stockmen of Pueblo County, his ranch being near Rye. During a portion of the time he has resided in Pueblo. In 1892 he built a house in the city and lived there for a time to educate his children.

He was born in Halmstead, Sweden, Septem-

ber 29, 1845, and was reared on a farm, his father being an extensive agriculturist of that country. He early became familiar with every department of farm work, and obtained his literary education in the home school. He was twenty-three years of age when he came to the United States, and first located in Elk County, Pa., east of the Alle- gheny Mountains, where he worked in the lumber woods and in a saw mill until 1873. Having a brother in Holt County, Mo., he decided to come west, and in that year took up his residence upon his present ranch in Pueblo County, Colo. For a short time he conducted a store near his ranch, and was also engaged in the freighting business all over the west for several years, but in 1882 he located permanently upon his ranch and has since given his attention wholly to general farm- ing and stock-raising. He has often had as high as one hundred head of stock upon his place at one time, and that branch of his business has proved quite profitable. He also cuts consider- able hay. He has a well-improved place, all under fence; a good orchard has been set out, and substantial buildings erected. He also owns some valuable property in Pueblo, which brings him a good rent.

August 25, 1875, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Peterson, a sister of John Peterson, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. They have two sons, very bright young men: Wilkins O., who is now attending the state university in Boulder; and Scott Roscoe, " who is bookkeeper in the Western National Bank of Pueblo. In his political affiliation Mr. Peter- son is a Republican, and he has most efficiently filled the offices of road overseer and school di- rector for some years.

HOMAS SPROULL, who has made Colo- rado his home since the fall of 1865, resides at Badito, on the old government trail at the base of the mountains. For thirty-seven years he has lived in Huerfano County. While Colorado was still a territory he served as sheriff, assessor and county commissioner, but of late years he has preferred not to mingle in public affairs, but gives his entire attention to farming and cattle-raising. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1834, and left home at twenty-one years of age, going first to Iowa. In the fall of 1856 he went to "bleeding" Kansas, in order to assist in pro- tecting the free state settlers; he found that region destitute of law and order, and its residents in a

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state of terror on account of the many perils that surrounded them. In 1868 he started across the plains for Salt Lake City, where it was thought there would be war with the Mormons. Thence, when it was found there would be no war, he proceeded to California in the spring of 1869, and from there to Old Mexico. From there, in the spring of 1862 he journeyed up the Gulf of Cali- fornia to Fort Yuma on the Colorado River, where he engaged as a teamster in General Carlton's ex- pedition into Arizona and Texas, under the em- ploy of the government. He continued a gov- ernment employe until the war closed, and then came to Colorado. He was first a teamster, then a wagon-master, and later one of the Carlton ex- press carriers, being always in the front of the command.

Mr. Sproull has the greatest faith in the future of the Centennial state of Colorado. In time, it is his belief, it will be one of the richest states in the Union, possessing minerals of all kinds and fine agricultural lands for one hundred miles along the base of the Rocky Mountains. As a fruit region, it is unexcelled. Alfalfa, which is a fine feed for cattle, is raised, the average being from three to six tons an acre. In the early part of the settlement of Colorado, the country south of Denver was the last to be settled, although possessing superior advantages; the reason for this was because eastern immigrants were told, on arriving in Denver, that there were only Mexi- 'cans to the south and the country was not safe; but this was a misrepresentation, as there are as good citizens among the Mexicans as among any other nationality. There is more undiscovered mineral in Huerfano County than in any other part of the state, coal, tin, gold, silver and cop- per being found there. In Huerfano Canon Sierra Blanca they are finding some of the richest mines in America. While every region has its special advantages, and also its disadvantages, yet Mr. Sproull is firmly convinced that Huerfano has as few disadvantages as any locality, and that Colo- rado is one of the best states in the Union. Wild animals, such as coyotes, wolves, bears, etc., that formerly endangered the cattle, are now be- ing exterminated and will soon entirely disap- pear. Indians have disappeared entirely from this region. Churches and schools have been es- tablished that compare favorably with those in eastern states. There is a large amount of good farming land that has as yet remained uncultiva- ted, for the reason that it is not irrigated; but

ditches are being built, also reservoirs for the storing of water, and, with irrigation, the settler is always sure of a crop. The free grazing lands for cattle and sheep have proved a great help to the stockman. Formerly cattle were wintered on the range, but it is being found that the best way is to feed them, as alfalfa is cheap. Stockmen are buying better grades of sheep, cattle and horses, than they did in early days, and there are now in Colorado as fine thoroughbreds as money will buy.

Now is a good time for a young man to come to Colorado, and for several years to come the man who comes here will have everything in his favor. Employment can always be secured in mines, if such is the preference of the settler; but this is far from being the only avenue of work. Resources are innumerable and prospects excel- lent. Colorado is a silver state and Mr. Sproull is a silver Republican. He is a warm admirer of Henry M. Teller, who was the "backbone" of the Republican party in Colorado during territo- rial days, and whose influence has done so much for the upbuilding of the state.

ARL J. SIGFRID, junior member of the law firm of Henry & Sigfrid, has been en- gaged in the practice of law at Ouray since 1893, and in connection with his partner, Lyman I. Henry, has built up an extensive patronage and an enviable reputation as an attorney and counselor. Since 1894 the firm has been retained as county attorneys, while for three years Mr. Sigfrid held office as city attorney and for a similar period he was retained as assistant dis- trict attorney. At this writing he is vice-presi- dent of the Seventh Judicial Bar Association, in the work of which he has been active.

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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 168

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