Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 94

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 94

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1873. Six years later she resigned, and shortly afterward was elected to the presidency of Har- din College, which grew in excellence and repu- tation under her judicious management. While at Palmyra she was married to H. T. Baird, the business manager of the institution over which she presided.

By her first marriage she had three children, the subject of this sketch, and his two sisters, Mrs. Belle True and Miss Itonia J. Baird, who are teachers in Hardin College. Mrs. True is a noted artist and has had pictures on exhibition in well-known art galleries, much of her work receiving premiums and honorable mention when exhibited with the paintings by masters. Miss Itonia J. was educated in Belgium and Holland and is a young lady of exceptional culture, whose advantages and talent fit her for prominencein the educational world. In 1885 Mrs. Baird built the Baird Female College at Clinton, Mo., and of this institution she has since been president; through her wise oversight, the institution has been developed into one of the leading colleges for ladies in the west. An article read by her at the Woman's Congress in Chicago in 1893 at- tracted wide attention and was received with ap- proval. In the work of the Baptist Church she has taken a prominent part through her entire life and is widely known among its members.

The Baird family descends from three brothers who came from Scotland to America and were early settlers of Kentucky. Jesse K. Baird was born in Kentucky, but removed to Missouri in 1854, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a graduate of the Louisville Law School and practiced law in Kentucky, where he had large interests in plantations and slaves. After removing to Missouri he engaged in practice in Liberty and Lancaster. About 1856 he surveyed the Missouri and Iowa line for the United States government. In politics a Democrat, he bore a prominent part in public affairs in Missouri. At the opening of the Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate army under Capt. John T. Davis, of Missouri, and was assigned to General Price's brigade and General Porter's regiment in cavalry service. He continued in the army until the close of the war. The exposure of camp life and long marches caused him to contract a cold, from which serious symptoms developed, causing his death in 1871, at the age of forty-nine years.

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childhood in Missouri, where he attended school. Later he was a student in the high school of Springfield, Il1. In 1869-70 he attended the Louisville University medical department, and while there received appointment as assistant physician to the Illinois state penitentiary at Joliet, which he accepted, remaining there until September, 1876. Later he completed his course in Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he graduated in 1877, with the degree of M. D. Opening an office in Nevada, Mo., he also car- ried on a drug store there, but in 1879 sold out and went to Mexico, Mo., where he engaged in the drug business and practiced his profession. In August, 1880, he came to Colorado, settling in Pueblo, where he was county physician for two years and also carried on a general practice. In 1886 he came to Walsenburg, where he has since carried on practice, making a specialty of children's diseases.

Politically Dr. Baird is a Democrat. For ten years he served as a member of the town council, and in 1899 was elected mayor of the town, in which positions he has fostered movements for the town's advancement. Besides his other in- terests he owns considerable real estate and is in- terested in mining. Fraternally he is connected with Diamond Lodge No. 49, K. P., in which he is past chancellor and member of the grand lodge; Unity Lodge No. 70, I. O. O. F., in which he is past master, and is also a member of the Rebekahs; Woodmen of the World, and Watoga Tribe No. 173, I. O. R. M., in which he is past sachem. In 1874 he married Miss Sarah E. Bar- rett, of Joliet, Ill., and they have two children: Jessie B., wife of D. T. Wyckoff, and Chattie Belle.

ILLIAM H. RICKER, of Pueblo, has been a resident of this city for many years, and is well known among its citizens. He was born in Peru, Me., in August, 1843, but spent his early childhood years in Maine and Massachusetts. His father, William Ricker, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, settled in Kan- sas in 1854, and participated in its activities dur- ing territorial days. A pioneer there, he cleared and cultivated a farm. From that state he came to Colorado, and while crossing the Fountain River was drowned in 1867.

When the family moved to Kansas our subject was a boy of seventeen years. He spent some years in Lawrence, and was there at the time the

town was destroyed prior to the war. In 1860 he came to Colorado, settling in Pueblo, then a small trading point. He assisted in building one of the first houses in the town. There are few now living who remember Pueblo as it was in 1860. Many have the impression that it was a Mexican town, but the real facts are that the word Pueblo is indicative of a half-civilized Indian tribe from Mexico, and the city was at one time an Indian village, inhabited by these Pueblos. For two years the Mormons also made it their headquar- ters, but finally went further west to Utah.

At the time Mr. Ricker came to Pueblo the channel of the Arkansas River was different from what it is now. Then it was very crooked, and one bend ran up to what is now First street, while another part ran near the present site of the Union depot, and in other places it has also been greatly changed. Mr. Ricker and his party laid out the town. There being no surveyor among them they sent to Denver for one, and as there were no government field notes, the town was laid out by the compass, which accounts for the fact that the streets do not run directly north and south.

After one year in Pueblo Mr. Ricker went to the mountains. In the fall of 1861 he first saw Denver, then a mere village. There he enlisted in Company B, First Colorado Infantry, and was assigned to duty on the frontier of New Mexico. For two years he engaged in guarding property and fighting Indians, and was stationed at Fort Riley and other forts on the Arkansas. During one winter provisions were so scarce that the al- lowance was limited to four ounces of flour a day, which, with a small amount of coffee, comprised the rations. One of the most desperate struggles in which he took part was that at Pigeon ranch, where his regiment, though small in numbers, held the Texans back for an entire day. Many of the important battles of the regiment have never been mentioned in history, and there are comparatively few who are aware of the extent of service rendered by the First.

Upon being discharged from the army in 1865, Mr. Ricker settled on the Solomon River near Minneapolis, Kan., where he remained for five years. In the fall of 1870 he returned to Pueblo, where he has since made his home, during part of the time engaging in the stock business, while for some years he also had the leading livery here. He owns a number of houses on West Twelfth street, and one on the mesa that he

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rents, also owns the residence at No. 605 West Twelfth street, which he occupies. Politically a lifelong Republican, he has taken an active part in local affairs, but has never cared for public of- fices. Fraternally he is connected with Camp No. 2, Woodmen of the World, and the Grand Army of the Republic.

In 1891 Mr. Ricker married Mrs. Martha J. (Reynolds) Hall, who spent her early life in Ohio, and came from there to Colorado in 1889. Her father, Patrick H. Reynolds, was a farmer of Ohio, and during the Civil war served in the Ninety-first Ohio Infantry.

A NCIE EVERETT, who is engaged in the meat business at Lamar, Prowers County, came to this town in the fall of 1886, a few months after the village had been laid out. At once opening a meat market, he has since carried on business at this point, and in addition to his retail trade he is engaged in the wholesale dressed-meat business, and also ships live stock. Besides the building in which he has his market and other town property he is owner of two hun- dred and eighty acres situated adjacent to the town, and watered by Bed Rock ditch, for the use of which he has a two hundred acre water right.

A sou of John and Anna (Smith) Everett, the subject of this sketch was born in Washington County, Ohio, May 29, 1847. When he was seven years of age he accompanied his parents to Lawrence County, Ohio, and afterward remained on his father's farm until 1864. From the age of fourteen he has been self-supporting. On remov- ing to Kansas in 1864 he began to take contracts to cut timber for the railroad, and from that time he followed contracting in Missouri and Kansas until 1874. Meantime he was married, in Law- rence County, Ohio, November 3, 1868, to Miss L. C. Daly, a native of Noble County, Ohio. As a contractor he was fairly successful, but the ill- ness of his father caused him to return to Ohio in 1874, and he took care of his father until the lat- ter's death the following year. His next venture was as proprietor of a general store in the coun- try near the old homestead, where he continued until his mother's death in 1885. He then left Ohio and drove west through the Mississippi Valley and into Colorado, looking for a healthful location, as his wife was in poor health. Arriv- ing in Lamar he concluded to settle here, and at once began in the meat business. In 1895 he erected the brick store building which he has

since occupied. He is also owner of residence property in the town. The various important local enterprises (mill, hotel, etc.) have all re- ceived his assistance. He is a public-spirited citizen, ready to help in any measure that prom- ises to advance the interests of his town.

Mr. and Mrs. Everett became the parents of four sons: J. E., M. E. and A. E. (twins) and Orion. The eldest son, who was born in Wyan- dotte, Kan., married Miss Hattie Cummings in Lamar, September 28, 1892, and they have three children, Frank E., Margaret L. and William A. M. E., who was born at Orrick, Ray County, Mo., was married at Lamar to Miss Madge Brad- ley, by whom he has three children. A. E. is unmarried and resides in Lamar, as does also the youngest son, Orion, who was born in Lawrence County, Ohio.

Together with two of his sons, Mr. Everett is connected with Lamar Camp No. 36, Woodmen of the World, in which he has been an officer and active worker. He has never cared for office, his tastes not running in the line of politics, but he believes in Democratic principles and may be re- lied upon to support them at the polls.

OBERT PLENDERLEITH, one of the rep- resentative citizens of La Junta, and an ex- tensive sheep-raiser of Otero County, is of Scotch birth and ancestry, a member of a family of Lanarkshire, district of Biggar. There he was born March 24, 1860, and there the days of his boyhood were uneventfully but happily passed. He grew to manhood upon a farm, taught from early age to assist in its cultivation. Often he heard of the new world, with its pros- pects and opportunities, and his mind was fixed in a determination to seek a home beyond the ocean.

When about twenty-two years of age he came to the United States, and proceeding westward to Kansas, settled in Chase County. He secured land and engaged in tilling the soil and raising stock. However, he was not satisfied with the country, and decided to come further west. In the fall of 1884 he came to what was then a part of Bent (now Otero) County, and opened a ranch near Timpas, a small village. He possesses the ability common to his countrymen, that of carry- ing on the sheep business successfully. For eleven years he remained on a ranch he owned with Liston Cooper as a partner, owning four thousand head of sheep. In 1895 he came to

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La Junta, where he has since made his head- quarters. He owns between eight and nine thou- sand sheep on the range, and has a number of men engaged in herding and feeding them. The fact that for a few years the sheep industry has enjoyed a steady revival through the increased price of wool, and the large demand for lamb and mutton, has raised the price of his stock and greatly increased the aggregate value of the herd.

Mr. Plenderleith gives his entire time to his business affairs, and, therefore, does not partici- pate in politics. However, he votes the Repub- lican ticket at elections, and is interested in the party's success. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Plender- leith was married June 24, 1893, to Miss Agnes Lance, daughter of Salem and Sarah (Inman) Lance, and a native of Shelby County, Il1.

J. KIRKLAND. Prominent among the successful farmers and extensive stock- growers of Pueblo County may be named the subject of this historical notice, whose ranch is pleasantly located eight miles from Beulah, and who, by his enterprise and energy in the direction of his chosen industry has given to his work a significance and beauty of which few deemed it capable. He was born in Mercer County, Ky., in 1853, and is a son of J. P. and Melinda (Devine) Kirkland, also natives of that state, where the mother died when our subject was ten years old. The father is now a farmer of Ark- ansas. His other children were: J. W., a merchant of Arkansas; C. H., formerly a Methodist Epis- copal minister, now deceased; Jennie, wife of Louis Ruthford; and Lizzie, wife of William Ruthford, of Arkansas.

The subject of this review remained in his native state until ten years of age, his education being acquired in the schools of Lebanon, Ky. He then accompanied his father on his removal to Franklin County, Ind., where the following two years were passed, and at the end of that time went to Kirkville, Adair County, Mo., where he lived for one year. His next home was in Labette County, Kan., but in April, 1879, he became a resident of Pueblo, Colo. He was interested in railroads for some years, being con- nected first with the Santa Fe and later with the Rio Grande Railroad. He was with the latter for seven years, during which time he never lost a day. He commenced in the transfer depart- ment and gradually worked his way upward

until he held an important and responsible posi- tion, which fact plainly indicates his efficient serv- ice and the confidence and trust reposed in him by the company. About eleven years ago he located upon his present ranch in Pueblo County and has since given his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, making all of the improve- ments upon his place.

In 1876 Mr. Kirkland married Miss Ada Moore, who was born in Fort Madison, Iowa, but when young accompanied her family on their removal to Kansas. She had three brothers and seven sisters, of whom two brothers and one sister are now deceased. Those living are: Walter, Mrs. Leheck and Mrs. J. H. Carver, all of Pueblo; Mrs. J. Sitton, who lives in Pueblo County, near Beulah; Mrs. J. D. Adams and Mrs. B. D. Bedell, both of Chetopa, Kan .; and Mrs. George Sever, who lives in the Indian Territory. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk- land, Stella is the wife of Benjamin Gray and resides in Pueblo; Douglas was accidentally shot at the age of fourteen years; Maudie died in Pueblo at the age of ten months; Myrtle, Ernest and Wilbur are at home.

Mr. Kirkland is a supporter of the Democratic party and an advocate of the free coinage of silver. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen and takes a deep interest in every enterprise cal- culated to advance the moral or material welfare of the county.

W. SITTON, whose home is near Beulah, is a worthy representative of the farming and stock-raising interests of Pueblo County. He was born in Pike County, Ill., in 1834, spent his boyhood and youth there and was educated in its public schools. His father, Terrel Sitton, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was a pioneer of Illinois, having located there when it was still a territory. He was a carpenter, bridge builder and contractor by occupation, and spent most of his life in Pike County, where he died when our subject was only a year and a-half old. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anni Cooper, was a native of Illinois, and a repre- sentative of one of its pioneer families.

At the age of fourteen years J. W. Sitton began his business career by working as a farm hand or at any occupation which he could find to do. In 1869 he went to Kansas, where he was engaged in farming and mercantile business until 1882, and in 1889 he came to Colorado and took up his

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residence in Pueblo, where he followed contract- ing and also operated a sawmill for six years. Seven years ago he purchased his present ranch, which is now under a high state of cultivation and well stocked with a good grade of horses and cattle. He has made most of the improvements upon the place, and has met with excellent suc- cess in his farming operations here.

In 1861 Mr. Sitton was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Shane, a resident of Illinois. To them were born four children, as follows: James, the present foreman of the Iller smelter at Pueblo; Anna, wife of George Jackson, of Pueblo, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; J. P., who is married and lives near his father; and W. E., a stockman, who also lives near the home farm.

Mr. Sitton manifested his patriotism during the Civil war by enlisting in the Second Illinois Cavalry, but he was rejected by the examining physician. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party. He affiliates with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.

HOMAS GEORGE HORN, M. D., who has engaged in practice in Colorado Springs since 1874, is the oldest practicing physi- cian in the city, and one of the most successful as well. He is the owner of the calcic springs, whose waters furnish an absolute specific for catarrhal diseases, and are also a magnificent nerve tonic. For the purpose of utilizing the water in the treatment of invalids he has organ- ized a company, of which he is president and medical director, and which has now in process of erection a sanitarium of two hundred and eighty rooms. The location of the sanitarium is upon ten acres of ground near the Horn mineral springs, where the altitude meets the require- ments of the greatest number of diseases, and where the summers are delightful and the winters mild. The main building, which will be fire- proof and of brick, will be equipped with all modern appliances, including mechanical mas- sage, plunge baths, private dining rooms, lecture and reading rooms, and a solarium on the roof. In addition there will be small private cottages for those who prefer seclusion and quiet.

The Horn family was founded in America by three brothers from Germany, George, William and Thomas Horn, who crossed the ocean in 1640 and settled in Pennsylvania. George had a son, George, Jr., who removed to Martinsburg,

Berkeley County, Va., and participated in the Revolutionary war. He died at eighty-four years of age. His son, Thomas, was born and reared in Martinsburg, and engaged in the blacksmith's business near that town, also carried on a large plantation. On his land he had a fruit orchard and a kiln for drying peaches. One night the kiln took fire and in endeavoring to subdue the fire he fell into a spring, and as a result caught a severe cold that brought on brain fever and terminated fatally. He was then thirty-two years of age. He left a son, Thomas George, who was only ten days old.

The wife of Thomas Horn was Mary Hout, a native of Virginia and daughter of George Michael Hout, who was born near Strasburg, Germany, and became a large planter in Vir- ginia. The Houts are direct descendants of Martin Luther, and are of the Lutheran faith. Dr. Horn has in his possession a clock that be- longed to the family in Germany, also a pitcher that was one of a 'set presented to a granddaugh- ter of Martin Luther on her wedding day. Mrs. Horn reared her children on a farm near Mar- tinsburg, and on that place she died, at fifty-two years. Of her family, the oldest, Mrs. Margaret Jane Sigler, died in Colorado. The youngest of the number, and the only son among four chil- dren, was the subject of this article, who was born September 5, 1832, near Martinsburg. He attended the public schools until fifteen, when he entered St. James' College at Hagerstown, and there he remained until his graduation. After- ward he taught school near Martinsburg until his mother died. In 1852 he went to Missouri and became an employe in a drug store in St. Charles, where he learned the apothecary's trade. In 1855 he entered the Sisters' Hospital in St. Louis, where he remained until the outbreak of the war. In the spring of 1861 he entered the Federal army as assistant surgeon and served at Car- thage, Mo., where he was left in charge of the wounded of both sides after the battle. While working on the field and in the hospital, Quan- trell's forces came down upon him and captured him with others, all of whom were shot but him- self. The fact that he was a physician caused his life to be spared. He worked day and night in caring for Quantrell's wounded men. Finally he was taken to Fort Smith, Ark., where he re- mained a prisoner for almost six months, and was then pressed into the Confederate service as a surgeon. Soon after the battle of Pine Grove he

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made his escape and returned to his home. How- health, in which capacity he served for four ever, the exposure and hardships of his prison years. At the convention of the American Med- ical Association, held in Nashville, Tenn., he read an article relating to diseases of the air pas- sages, which was very favorably received by the profession. His skill in his profession is con- ceded by all who know him, and has placed him in the front ranks of Colorado physicians. experiences had brought on consumption and he was in very poor health. With care and atten- tion he became stronger, and then entered the hospital service at Fort Scott and Fort Riley, Kan., where he remained until 1867. The next year he was graduated from St. Louis Medical College with the degree of M. D., and at once settled in Junction City, Kan., where he prac- ticed until 1874. Since then he has carried on a general practice in Colorado Springs. During the entire period of his residence in the west he has been interested in mining, and is president, secretary and treasurer of several companies.

Articles contributed by Dr. Horn to various medical journals have been of value in bringing before the profession the remedial utility of Colo- rado climate and air. In 1876, under Governor Routt, he traveled over the entire state, examin- ing the various mineral springs and making a careful, thorough report of their value, together with an analysis of their component parts. He assisted in organizing the School for Deaf Mutes, of which he was resident physician for nine years. Together with Governor Evans and other promi- nent men, he served upon the board of directors of the Denver University during the first eight years of its existence. At one time he was presi- dent of the State Medical Association, and he is also a member of the El Paso County and Ameri- can Medical Associations.

In Carthage, Mo., Dr. Horn married Mrs. Emily C. (Shannon) Chenault, who was born in Little Rock, Ark. Of their eight children two - place of five acres, and worked in the employ of are living: Lela, Mrs. Richards, and Mabel, Mrs. others for some years. In 1872 he came to Colo- rado with Mr. Overton, for whom he had worked in Wisconsin. After a few years he bought a farın one and one-fourth miles northwest of Foun- tain, and there he made his home during the re- mainder of his life. He improved the place by irrigation and set out fruit trees, besides making other improvements. Of his ten children, eight are still living. They are named as follows: James, who is a ranchman in El Paso County; Henry T .; Charles E., a stockman in Montana; Sarah, who married James Anderson, of Foun- tain, and has one child; Alfred, who is repre- sented elsewhere in this volume; Amanda, who lives in Colorado Springs; Harry, who is unmar- ried and lives in El Paso County; and Eli, the youngest, who was adopted into the family of a Mr. Davidson and was taken to Kansas when he Lacy, the former of this city, the latter of Califor- nia. The family residence is at No. 403 North Nevada avenue. Politically Dr. Horn is a Re- publican. For a number of years he has been a member of the board of school directors. In the Episcopal Church he is junior warden, and for years has been active in Sunday-school work. He is a member of the encampment of Odd Fel- lows, lieutenant-colonel and assistant surgeon- general of the department of Mississippi, Patri- archs' Militant, Muscovites; Junior Order United American Mechanics; El Paso Lodge No. 13, A. F. & A. M., Colorado Springs; Chapter No. 6, R. A. M .; Pike's Peak Commandery No. 6, K. T., and El Jebel Temple, N. M. S., of Den- ver. His high standing as a physician led to his appointment as a member of the state board of

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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 94

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