Biographies A - B | Adams County, COGenWeb

BIOGRAPHIES A - B

Aicher, Cornelius

Cornelius Aicher, a farmer and stock raiser of Adams county, was born in Germany, October 3. 1845. a son of Gabriel and Balbine fLehr) Aicher, who were also natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives. They reared a family of six children, all of whom are yet living.

Cornelius Aicher, spending his youthful days in his native country, there acquired his education and in 1868, when a young man of about twenty-three years, came to the new world, first settling in Iowa City, Iowa, where he lived for a year. He next removed to Marshall county, Iowa, where he resided until 1885 and was there engaged in the cooperage business in the city of Marshalltown. In 1885 he arrived in Colorado, where he became identified with the cattle industry, and in 1900 he purchased the farm whereon he now resides, comprising eighty acres all under ditch. He has since greatly improved this property through the erection of an attractive residence and fine barns and outbuildings, providing ample shelter for grain and stock. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and everything about the place is indicative of his thoroughness, system and progressiveness.

In 1873 Mr. Aicher was married to Miss Lena Estel, a native of Germany, and to them have been bom seven children: Fred, who was accidentally killed at the age of fifteen years; George E., a farmer; Charles P., a mining engineer; Louis C. and Edward H., twins, who are with the government in the agricultural department; Mildred A., the wife of C. M. Welch, of Denver; and Albert W., who is farming with his father,

Mr. Aicher is a member of the Grange and is interested in all of the work of that organization to promote knowledge of benefit to the agriculturist. His political support is given the democratic party, and while he has never sought or held political office, he has served on the school board. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Aicher is a self-made man and has made a handsome fortune since coming to America.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 551-552

Belknap, James H.

James H. Belknap, a respected and substantial resident of Caiion City, where his birth occurred in 1870, is a son of Henry and Mary (Young) Belknap, the father a native of West Virginia, while the mother was born in Jackson county, Missouri, not far from Kansas ,City. In the year 1865 Henry Belknap came to Colorado and preempted land on Beaver creek in Fremont county. He became not only one of the pioneer settlers of the district but one of the most successful and well known cattle men. Here he remained and reared his family.

His son. James H. Belknap, acquired a common school education and, continuing in 'the occupation to which he was reared, he is now the owner of an eight hundred acre ranch in the Wet Mountain valley near Hillside, Colorado, and has important live stock interests. He rents all of his cultivated land on the ranch but takes care of the cattle business, in which he has continued throughout his entire life, becoming one of the well known cattle men of his part of the state.

On the 30th of January, 1918, Mr. Belknap was united in marriage to Miss Caroline C. Wagner, a daughter of C. M. and Helen C. (Jacobs) Wagner, of Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Belknap was educated in the Chicago Musical College and for several years traveled extensively in the United States as a pianist and teacher of music. Mr. and Mrs. Belknap make their home at No. 2002 East Main street in Cafion City, where they have an attractive residence that is the abode of warm-hearted hospitality that is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.

In his political views Mr. Belknap is a democrat and in 1916 was elected to the office 'of county commissioner for a four years' term, so that he is now serving in that position, the duties of which he discharges with marked promptness and fidelity. He is always loyal to any interest entrusted to his care and is actuated by a most progressive spirit in all that he has undertaken, whether for the public good or for the advancement of his individual interests.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, p. 582

Black, Samuel M.

Samuel M. Black was a respected Colorado farmer whose business enterprise and personal worth classed him with the citizens of value in the community in which he lived. He made his home tor a considerable period near Brighton and was held in the highest respect by all who knew him throughout that section of the state. His birth occurred near Cleveland, in Erie county, Ohio, in 1853, his parents being James M. and Mary (Atherton) Black. He acquired a public school education in Erie county and there resided until he reached the age of nineteen years, when in 1872 he made his
way westward to Colorado, settling on Clear creek. Jefferson county. He subsequently removed to the vicinity of Brighton, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land which he carefully and systematically farmed to the time of his death, which occurred in 1886.

It was in 1874 that Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Mollie E. Darnall, a daughter of Milton and Mary (Williams) Darnall. They were married in Golden, Colorado, and to them was born a daughter, Jessie M., whose birth occurred in Golden and who attended district school No. 10 in Adams county and also the high school of Denver. On the 17th of December, 1901, she gave her hand in marriage to Clayton A. Reniff, of Brighton, who was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and came to Colorado in 1899. He engaged in farming near Brighton to the time of his demise, which occurred
on the 5th of April, 1913. He had energetically and persistently carried on the work of the fields and his labors brought good returns as the years passed by. To him and his wife were born four children, Marion, Willard. Blanche and Robert.

Four generations of the Black family have resided in Colorado, for the father of Samuel M. Black settled in Golden, where he lived and farmed until he retired on account of age. He there passed the sunset days of life and died in 1908 at the venerable age of eighty-five years, while his wife passed away in May, 1914. Thus the family has borne their full part in the work of general development and improvement in the state.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, p. 471

Blatzer, James W.

James W. Blatzer, carrying on general farming and stock raising in Adams county, is of Austrian birth. He was born February 19, 1872, a son of Wenzel and Carolina (Yoksh) Blatzer. who were also natives of Austria. They came to America in 1880, when their son, James W., was a lad of but eight years, and settled first in Kansas, where they remained for ten months. They then resumed their westward journey, making their way to Denver, Colorado, where they arrived September 6, 1881, and there resided until 1883. They afterward took up their abode upon the farm which is now the home of James W. Blatzer. The father secured this as a homestead claim of eighty acres and at once began the development and improvement of the land, which he continued to farm and further cultivate until his death. His wife has also passed away and but four of their twelve children are yet living.

With the establishment of the family home in Colorado, James W. Blatzer became a pupil in the public schools of this state and during vacation periods and after his textbooks were put aside he assisted in the work of the home farm, continuing to assist his father until he reached the age of twenty-two, when he took charge of the home place and afterward purchased the property, which he has since improved with fine buildings. He has an attractive residence and large and substantial barns and outbuildings which furnish ample shelter to grain and stock. Everything about the place is kept in good repair and the land is all under the ditch, thus greatly enhancing its productiveness.

In 1907 Mr. Blatzer was married to Mrs. Dora (Baasch) Deunermann, a native of Grand Island. Nebraska, and the widow of Henry Deunermann. By her former marriage she had one son, who has passed away, and to Mr. and Mrs. Blatzer have been born two daughters, Daisy and Arthalia.

In his political views Mr. Blatzer has been a democrat since attaining man's estate but has never been active as a political worker or office seeker. He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a self-made man whose success is the direct outcome of his persistent and earnest labor. He has worked diligently and is recognized as one of the progressive farmers of Adams county, while his unfaltering labors have brought to him a fair measure of prosperity.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 667-668

Blundell, Hugh

Hugh Blundell, who throughout his entire life has been identified with farming interests in Colorado and is now the owner of an excellent ranch near Brighton, was born in this state on the 8th of October, 18S0, a son of William and Mary (Donaldson) Brundell, both of whom were natives of Wisconsin. They there resided until 1861, when they crossed the plains and were identified with farming interests on the Platte river until 1880, when the father homesteaded eighty acres of land near what is now the town of Brighton. He took up his abode upon that place and there carried on general
farming until his death, which occurred in 1911. He brought his land under a high state of cultivation, energetically and persistently carrying on the work of the fields until his labors brought results which were most gratifying, his farm becoming one of the attractive features of the neighborhood. His widow survived him for several years, passing away in 1917.

Hugh Blundell was reared under the parental roof and pursued his education in District School No. 10 of Adams county. Through vacation periods he worked with his father in the fields and after his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts and attention upon further farm work and continued to assist his father until the latter's death. Since that time he has had charge of the work of the old homestead and is regarded as one of the progressive agriculturists of the neighborhood. He is wide-awake to everything that will prove of interest and benefit in the operation of his farm
and his labors are productive of good results.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Blundell is one of the Woodmen of the World and politically he is a republican but not an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business interests.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, p. 531

Bramming, Frederick

Frederick Bramming, who has been actively identified with general agricultural pursuits in Adams county during the past fourteen years, is now the owner of an excellent farm of eighty-six acres situated two miles east of Eastlake. His birth occurred in Denmark on the 16th of October, 1884, his parents being Christian and Margaret (Vind) Bramming, who spent their entire lives in that country. They reared a family of five children, all of whom survive and all of whom are yet residents of Denmark with the exception of our subject.

Frederick Bramming obtained his education in the land of his nativity and there spent the first twenty years of his life. In March, 1904, desiring to take advantage of the opportunities offered in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made his way across the country to Adams county, Colorado, where he has remained continuously since. He at once secured employment as a farm hand and by dint of untiring industry and close economy acquired the means that enabled him to purchase the property whereon he now resides. It lies two miles east of Eastlake and is a rich and productive tract of eighty-six acres, all of the land being under the ditch. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also devotes considerable attention to stock raising and in both branches of his business has won a well merited measure of success.

In 1912 Mr. Bramming was united in marriage to Miss Maud Sheridan, a native of Colorado, by whom he has two sons, John F. and Henry. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his attendance at the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Bramming are a popular young couple and well and favorably known throughout the community in which they make their home. Mr. Bramming has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek his fortune on this side of the Atlantic, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought
and in their wise utilization has won a gratifying degree of prosperity.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, p. 530

Bringe, Frank

There are distinct epochs in the history of Colorado. Settlement began in the state many years ago but for a considerable period attention was chiefly given to mining interests and to stock raising. Mining camps sprang up here and there as gold and other metals were discovered and upon the broad plains the stockman pastured his herds, but for a considerable period there was little done toward demonstrating the value of the state for crop production. At length, however, the attention of the country was drawn to the fact that the supposedly arid lands of Colorado were extremely fertile,
especially when irrigation systems brought water to the fields, and many settlers flocked therefore to the state and have wrought a marked transformation in its appearance. Today almost every crop produced in the temperate zone is here successfully cultivated and Frank Bringe Is among those who are carrying on general farming and stock raising in Adams county.

He was born in Danville, Illinois, August 29, 1873, a son of Theodore and Lena (Knack) Bringe, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America in 1862 and settled in Danville, Illinois, where they resided for a time, but afterward removed to Detroit, Michigan, where they remained for nine years. They next took up their abode in Chicago, where they lived for three years, and in 1888 they removed to Colorado, settling in Adams county, where both passed away. Their family numbered six children, of whom three survive.

Frank Bringe was a youth of fourteen years at the time the family home was established in this state. He acquired a common school education and he continued with his father during the period of his boyhood and youth. He then turned his attention to farming and stock raising in Adams county and has since concentrated his efforts and energies upon agricultural pursuits, being now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of good land, all fairly improved. He raises good crops and at the same time he has a splendid herd of graded cattle upon his place. Both branches of his business are proving successful and indicate his ability and enterprise In business affairs.

In 1901 Mr. Bringe was united in marriage to Miss Albie Hamill, a native of St. Clair county, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Martha (Douglas) Hamill, who were likewise natives of the Prairie state and came of Irish and Scotch parentage. Both the father and mother are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bringe have become the parents of a daughter, Irene Roberta, who was bom July 28, 1902.

Mr. Bringe votes with the democratic party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as school director of his district for a number of years and is interested in advancing the standards of education in his locality. In fact he stands for advancement and progress in all things and his own career has been marked by successive stages of development that has brought him to a creditable position among the farmers and stockraisers of Adams county. He may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out in the business world empty-handed and has worked his way upward by persistent effort and indefatigable energy. Today he is in possession of a good property and is numbered among the substantial residents of his community.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 806-807

Brewer, James Monroe

James Monroe Brewer was a representative farmer and substantial citizen of Adams county but was called to his final rest on the 8th of November, 1897, leaving to his family a comfortable competence and the priceless heritage of a good name. He was at that time but forty-two years of age, his birth having occurred in Carrollton, Kentucky, on the 18th of August, 1855. He was a son of John Randolph and Hannah Katherine Brewer and a nephew of George Brewer, who was one of the soldiers of the Civil war. His parents crossed the plains in the early '60s. traveling with team and
wagon and camping out along the roadside at night. Ultimately they reached Colorado, settling in Arapahoe county, where the father homesteaded and carried on general agricultural pursuits until he passed away.

James Monroe Brewer was but a young lad at the time of the arrival of the family in this state and his education was acquired in the district schools near his father's home. He shared with tlie family in all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life and afterward engaged in farming with his father, thus early gaining broad practical experience concerning the best metliods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Later he purchased about two hundred and eighty acres of land, which he continued to cultivate and improve until his death, which occurred on the 8th of November, 1897.

It was on the 27th of October, 1881, in Golden, Colorado, that Mr. Brewer was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Belgen, a daughter of Solomon and Mary Ann (Clark) Belgen. Mrs. Brewer was born in England and came to Colorado with her parents, being reared and educated in this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Brewer were born the following named. Halvin, the eldest of the family, married Margaret J. Waterhouse and has one child, Margaret J. Linus is the second of the family. Ted married Ethel Hedensbury and has two children. Nora and James. Earl is with the United States army in France. Frank has also responded to the call of the colors and is with the United States troops. Fannie is at home. Elizabeth is the wife of George Johnson.
Elma Ora gave her hand in marriage to William Heebner, who is mentioned on another page of this work. Three children have passed away.

Mr. Brewer filled the office of school director and was a stalwart champion not only of the cause of education but of every plan and measure for the welfare and benefit of his community. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church and he lived an upright, honorable life that commended him to the confidence, high regard and goodwill of all with whom he was associated. His widow still occupies the old homestead farm, which she received at her husband's death, and in its management and control she has displayed excellent business ability. Her social qualities, too, have won her many friends in the community in which she makes her home.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, p. 796

Brewer, John Randolph

John Randolph Brewer, a retired farmer of Adams county, dates his residence in Colorado from 18G3 and in 1864 the family home was established upon the farm which he now owns and cultivates. He was born in Carrollton, Kentucky, September 14, 1851, his parents being John I. and Hannah C. (Zllar) [sic] Brewer. The father was born amid the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia, while the mother was a native of Kentucky. Mr. Brewer devoted his time and energies to the occupation of farming and on leaving Kentucky in 1861 removed to Missouri with his family, living in that state for two
years. In 1863 he came with his wife and children to Colorado and settled in what is now Adams county, taking up his abode upon a farm. The following year he entered as a claim a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which his son, John R., now resides. With characteristic energy he began the development and improvement of the place and as the years passed added to it modern equipment. Both he and his wife died on this farm.

John R. Brewer was one of a family of five children, three of whom are now living.

His youthful days were spent in the usual manner of the farmbred boy who divides his time between the acquirement of a public school education and the work of the farm and after attaining his majority he began farming on his own account on the old home stead which he now owns, comprising seventy-two acres of irrigated land. His work is evidenced in the excellent appearance of the place and in the improvements which he has put upon it. His has been an active and useful life and whatever success he has achieved has come as the direct reward of his persistent and earnest efforts at
farming and stock raising.

Mr. Brewer is a democrat in his political views but has never sought or desired office. He belongs to the Grange and is interested in its work to disseminate knowledge that will promote the agricultural development of the county. There are few residents of Adams county who have so long resided within its borders as Mr. Brewer, who has made his home here for flfty-five years. There is no phase of its growth and development with which he is not familiar and his reminiscences of the early days are most interesting.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 419-420

Bromey, Calvin Emmett

Calvin Emmett Bromley, a well known ranchman who since 1906 has occupied and managed the old homestead property near Brighton, was born about six miles north of Denver on the 18th of June, 1881. His parents are Martin and Grace (Clodtfelter) Bromley, who were early residents of eastern Colorado. The father was born in Peru, Clinton county, New York, and came to this state in 1878, turning his attention to the cattle business after taking up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres on Sand Creek. In 1S86 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres from the Union Pacific Railroad Company and has since owned and improved the property, actively carrying on farming for many years. He was the first sheriff of Adams county and has been closely identified with pioneer progress and development as well as with the advancement that has been made in more recent years. In Denver, on the 2d of September, 1880, he married Grace Clodtfelter, who was brought to Colorado in 1861, during her infancy. Her grandfather was the Rev. Keeler, who built the first brick house in Denver and was one of the first ministers of the Episcopal church of the city. He had a brother, Jack Keeler, who was the first sheriff of Arapahoe territory, having come to Colorado in 1858. Martin and Grace (Clodtfelter) Bromley became the parents of nine children, of whom Calvin E. is the eldest, the others being: Daniel, now living in California; Martin V., who is at Barr, Colorado; Thomas, a resident of Brighton; Maude; Harrick H.; Donald, living in Denver; David; and Grace.

Calvin E. Bromley was educated in district schools of Adams county and worked with his father upon the home farm for a few years after his textbooks were put aside. He then turned his attention to mining, in which pursuit he engaged for a few years but in 1906 returned to the old home place and has sinc.e given his attention to agricultural pursuits there, leasing the farm at the present time from his father. He has added to its development and to its improvement and is accounted one of the progressive agriculturists of his section of the state.

On the 4th of August, 1909, in Denver, Mr. Bromley was married to Miss Pearl L. Duncan, a daughter of William and Amanda Melvina (Horton) Duncan. Mrs. Bromley was born in Kansas. Mr. Bromley is actuated in all that he does by a spirit of enterprise and his labors are productive of splendid results in the attainment of agricultural success.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, p. 594

Brown, Merritt Morton

In the vicinity of Barr Lake is the ranch property of Merritt Morton Brown, recognized as one of the progressive farmers of his section. He was born in Greensburg, Decatur county, Indiana, April 11, 1863, a son of James Madison and Rhoda Emily (Stout) Brown. James Madison Brown was born January 17, 1827, and died, in Indiana, October 10, 1880. His widow, who was born March 29, 1831, spent the latter years of her life in Colorado, making her home with her sons, and passed to eternal rest June 25, 1913. In the maternal line the ancestry of Mr. Brown can be traced back to Richard Stout, who was the progenitor of the family in America and landed at New York with a party of emigrants from England in 1618. One of his sons, Jonathan Stout, founded Hopewell, New Jersey, and a son of Jonathan Stout, Joab, served in the Revolutionary war, being present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. Richard Stout married a Miss Van Princess, who came from Holland about the year 1620.

In the schools of his native county Merritt M. Brown pursued his education till he reached the age of eighteen years, after which he gave his undivided attention to the cultivation of the old homestead farm in connection with his brother for four years. When a young man of twenty-two he left Indiana for Kansas and there he again engaged in farming for two years. In 1887 he arrived in Denver, Colorado, and was engaged in general contracting with his brother, George E. Brown, until 1905, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of dry land and turned his attention to general farming. Upon this place he pastures from thirty to forty head of cattle. His labor has been untiring, his purpose high and his effort unfaltering, and that he is now one of the substantial ranchmen of his county is due to these qualities.

On the 17th of May, 1893, Mr. Brown was married in Denver to Miss Amy McBoyle, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Truman) McBoyle. Her father was born in Scotland and her mother in England and each came to the United States when quite small. They met and were married in La Salle, Illinois, and in 1865 came to Colorado, crossing the plains with ox teams. The father was a skilled machinist and followed his trade in Blackhawk, Colorado, until he was injured. He afterward purchased a relinquishment in Jefferson county, proved up on the property and secured title thereto. Later he went to Chicago, where he was operated on for the injury which he had previously sustained and in the operation passed away. His wife had
died during the period that he was upon the farm. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born the following named: Truman Stout, who died at the age of twenty-one; Walter E., who is now in France with the One Hundred and Ninth Pennsylvania Infantry; Rayburn A., who also joined the army but was discharged on account of disability due to an accident; Donald; Quintin; Berenice; and Eunice. In politics Mr. Brown maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He has served as school director but has never been an office seeker, concentrating his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. Whatever he has achieved is the direct result of earnest, persistent effort, and that he is
now one of the successful ranchmen of Adams county is a record of which he has every reason to be proud.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 603-604