Biographies N-Q | Adams County, COGenWeb

BIOGRAPHIES N - Q

Newkirk, Charles

Charles Newkirk. a farmer and stock raiser of Adams county, devoting his time and attention to the cultivation of one hundred and ten acres of land and also engaged in excavating, was born in Chase county, Kansas, November 30, 1871, a son of A. W. and Nancy (Springsteel) Newkirk, both of whom were natives of Illinois. In early life they removed to Kansas and in the spring of 1880 arrived in Colorado, where the mother passed away in 1883. The father is still living and now makes his home in Weld county, Colorado. They had a family of eleven children, seven of whom survive.

Charles Newkirk was a lad of eight years at the time the family home was established in this state and to Colorado's common school system he is indebted for his educational opportunities. His advantages, however, were somewhat limited owing to the fact that when he was but twelve years of age it was necessary for him to start out in the business world and provide for his own support— a thing that he has done continuously since. The greater part of his life has been devoted to farming and as the years passed he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase land. He now cultivates a tract of one hundred and ten acres which he has brought to a high state of development and which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his care, his practical methods and his progressiveness.

In 1895 Mr. Newkirk was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Purcell, a native of Nebraska, and to them have been born four children: Mildred, who is now the wife of Harry Brittain; and Floyd, Ruby and Athol, all yet at home.

In his political views Mr. Newkirk is a democrat but has never been an office seeker, although at the present time he is serving as deputy sheriff. Whatever he has achieved is the result of hard work and persistent energy. He early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins and his life has been a most industrious and energetic one, bringing him the merited success which crowns persistent labor.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, p. 443

Norvell, Benjamin G.

Agricultural interests of monument and that section of the state find a foremost representative in Benjamin G. Norvell, who has participated in the progress Colorado has made for forty-five years, having arrived in this state in 1873. Although seventy-four years of age Mr. Norvell is still active in his farming pursuits and is now numbered among the prosperous agriculturists of El Paso county, owning four hundred and twenty-one acres of land near Table Rock. A native of Virginia, he was born August 4, 1844, a son of Hugh and Mary J. (Foster) Norvell, also natives of the Old Dominion, born in Adams county. While Benjamin G. Norvell was yet a boy his parents removed to Pike county, Missouri, in which state they resided during the
time when the Civil war broke out. Hugh J. Norvell. the father, was greatly affected by the conflict, as he was a large slave-holder at that time, and Benjamin G. Norvell enlisted in the sharpshooters cavalry, serving for nearly two years with the Confederate army, during which period he was wounded twice. Mulheim, a native of Missouri, and to this union seven children were born, five sons

In 1871 Mr. Norvell of this review was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth and two daughters: Tullie, a resident of Denver; Martha, who married W. W. Kirk and resides at Colorado Springs; Tony, who makes his home in Idaho; Cleave, at home; William, who served with the United States army in France and who returned in January, 1919; Marvin, at home; and Sallie, who died in August, 1917.

The year 1873 marked the arrival of Mr. Norvell in Colorado, the family coming in that year to El Paso county, where our subject homesteaded near Table Rock. He has since devoted his entire attention to the development of his farm and as his means have increased he has added to his acreage until today he owns four hundred and twenty-one acres, much of which is in a good state of cultivation. He has added commodious buildings and installed modern equipment and by following progressive and modern methods has made his property one of the valuable ones of the neighborhood. In his political affiliations he is a democrat, readily supporting that party, but has never been an aspirant for office. However, he is interested in the general welfare and ever ready to give his support to worthy measures which have for their purpose the benefit of the public and since coming to El Paso county, of which he is one of the pioneers, has made many friends, all of whom speak of him in the highest terms.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 401-402

Nott, Theodore

A valuable farm of two hundred and forty-two acres in Adams county is the property of Theodore Nott, who for many years has ranked with the most progressive agriculturists of his section of the state. He is now living retired in Denver but still holds farming interests that return to him a substantial annual income. He was born in St. Lawrence county. New York, on the 8th of August, 1842, a son of Reuben and Olive (Bailey) Nott. His youthful days were passed in his native county and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the district schools he attended an academy, thus becoming well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He started out In life independently when a youth of nineteen and for four years conducted a stage line which carried the mail between Antwerp, Jefferson and Ogdensburg, New York. The succeeding year was devoted to the conduct of a livery business in Carthage, New York, and for four years he was proprietor of a livery stable at Antwerp. The west, however, attracted him and, leaving the Empire state, he started across the country for Denver, Colorado, traveling by rail to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and thence by stage to his destination. This was in the spring of 1869. He turned his attention to the dairy business as a partner of his brother, conducting business in the vicinity of Blackhawk and Central City for about four years. In the fall of 1869 his family Joined him in Colorado, for on the 11th of October, 1865, Mr. Nott had married Miss Carrie P. Proctor, of Antwerp, New York.

On removing from his ranch in Jefferson county Mr. Nott took up his abode in Denver, where he conducted a dairy business for three years, and then established his home in Arapahoe county, thirty-two miles east of Denver, where he began raising sheep. For seventeen or eighteen years he was extensively identified with the sheep industry and realized a handsome profit from his investments and labors. With the money thus gained he purchased Denver real estate but suffered heavy losses because of the collapse of the boom. In 1892 he traded property for one hundred and sixty
acres of land on section 6, township 2, range 67, and was there actively engaged in farming for many years, converting his place into one of the valuable farm properties of the state. His land is splendidly irrigated and everything about the place is kept in excellent condition. Neatness and order prevail and the buildings are large and substantial, furnishing adequate shelter for the grain and stock. Mr. Nott continued to reside upon his farm for an extended period and then, retiring from active business life in 1914, took up his abode in Denver, where he has since lived retired, enjoying
the fruits of his former toil.

To Mr. and Mrs. Nott were born six children. Edward, living at Kiowa, Colorado, married Delia Wood and has one daughter, Helen. Maud is the wife of Edward Clay, a railroad man, and has two daughters, Dorothy and Sophia. Ernest married Bertha Eberly and their children are Anna and Elizabeth. Reuben married Mamie Trout and has a daughter, Genevieve. Fred married Anna Shaw and their children are Evelyn and Edward Proctor. Stella is deceased. On the 11th of October, 1915, the children and grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Nott planned a wonderful surprise for them as a celebration of their golden wedding and the occasion was one never to be forgotten by those who participated therein. For a half century this worthy couple had traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity that checker the careers of all. To them has been accorded the privilege of passing down the hill of life together In their sunset days, a privilege that is accorded comparatively few.

In politics Mr. Nott was a supporter of democratic principles in early manhood, but after his removal to Colorado joined the ranks of the republican party, with which he has since affiliated. He has ever been a stalwart champion of the cause of education and for many years served as school director, thus giving the weight of his official aid and influence to measures for the upbuilding and improvement of the school system of the state. He has ever stood for advancement in all lines having to do with the welfare of community and country, and has taken an advanced stand upon many questions relating to public progress.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 229-230

Nowacki, Stanislaw

Stanislaw Nowacki is the owner of an excellent tract of land comprising one hundred and sixty acres near Brighton, in Adams county, and was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising for a number of years but is now largely living retired, leaving the active work of the fields to his son Michael. His birth occurred in Poland on the 26th of November, 1864, his parents being John and Mary Nowacki, who are also natives of that country and still reside there. They have six children, five of whom are now in America, while one remains in Poland.

Stanislaw Nowacki was reared and educated in his native country and there spent the first twenty-six years of his life. In 1890 he crossed the briny deep to the new world and after residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for five years returned to Poland, where he remained for about nine months. On the expiration of that period he again made the voyage to the United States, settling in Colorado in 1896, and in this state he has resided continuously to the present time. He worked as a common laborer for a number of years and by dint of untiring industry and careful economy acquired the capital which in 1908 enabled him to purchase his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Adams county. The land is all under the ditch and is now very valuable, having been brought under a high state of cultivation and improvement. Mr. Nowacki successfully carried on general farming and stock raising for a number of years but has now practically retired, his son Michael performing the active labor incident to the operation of the property.

In 1889 Mr. Nowacki was united in marriage to Miss Helen Marion Myers, a native of Poland, by whom he has five children, as follows: Michael, who operates his father's farm and who is married and has a son, Michael, Jr.; Joseph, who is in the United States army; Sadie, the wife of Victor Karzia; and Frank and Stanley, both at home.

Politically Mr. Nowacki is a stalwart democrat, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He has appreciated and wisely utilized the opportunities offered in the United States and is a self-made man whose prosperity is attributable entirely to his own efforts. His genuine personal worth is recognized by all with whom he comes in contact, so that the number of his friends has constantly grown as the circle of his acquaintance has broadened.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, p. 529

Pearce, Harmon Beardsley

Harmon Beardsley Pearce, identified with farming interests near Brighton, in Adams county, was born near Galesburg, Illinois, on the 11th of October, 1849. a son of Urbane and Elizabeth (Jackson) Pearce. The father was a farmer by occupation. The grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812 and he had one brother-in-law and seven brothers who were active defenders of the Union in the second war with England. In the maternal line the ancestry dates back to Revolutionary war times.

Harmon B. Pearce spent his youthful days upon the home farm and attended the district schools, while later he spent a year as a student in the public schools of Cambridge, Illinois, and also occasionally spent a three months' term in school in the winter season, but his opportunities were somewhat limited owning to the fact that his labors were needed upon the farm. When a youth of seventeen years he started out on his own account and learned the harness-making trade at Cambridge, Illinois, where he worked for four years. He then returned to the farm but later removed to Maryville, Missouri, where he purchased land and carried on general agricultural pursuits for five years. In 1875 he came to Colorado and spent one winter in Denver and one summer in the mountains. In 1876 he removed to the vicinity of Fort Lupton, where he took up the occupation of farming. He spent eight years on the western slope, as a fruit grower in the Grand valley, from 1892 until 1900, when he returned to Adams county, and is now farming near Brighton, where his ranch has been brought under a high state of cultivation, resulting in the annual production of large crops. He is also interested in the Fulton irrigation ditch.

Mr. Pearce was united in marriage to Miss Martha Hadley, of Maryville, Missouri, the wedding being celebrated in April, 1880. They became the parents of four children, Fred 0., Vanchie, Charles C. and Clay. The eldest son is now serving his third term as county clerk of Adams county and has been a very prominent factor in local political circles. Charles C. Pearce served in the Spanish-American war as a member of Company E, First Regiment, Colorado Volunteer Infantry, participating as such, in the battle and the fall of Manila. Following his honorable discharge from the service, he returned to Colorado and is now a resident of Adams county. The wife and mother passed away in 1885 and on the 18th of November, 1889, Mr. Pearce was married in Denver to Mrs. Mary Irene Lord, who was born in Canton, Illinois, June 16. 1853, a daughter of Joseph C. and Charlotte Williams. She wedded Isaac Lord and by this marriage became the mother of three daughters, Etta, Minnie and Nellie. To Mr. and Mrs. Pearce have been born two daughters. Hazel B. and Lola E.

Mr. Pearce is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being connected with Brighton Lodge, No. 78, F. & A. M., and Lorine Chapter, No. 52, of the Eastern Star. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party, of which he is a stalwart champion, and he has cast three votes of which he says he is proud: that to make Colorado a state; the one in support of woman's suffrage; and the location of the county seat of Weld county. He is a man of firm convictions, standing strongly in support of anything which he believes to be right, and his position is never an equivocal one. He is earnest and purposeful and the thoroughness and enterprise which he has displayed in business have brought him to the front in that connection.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 587-588

Pedersen, John

John Pedersen, identified with the farming interests of Adams county where he has large and substantial landed possessions ranking him with the representative agriculturists of the community, has made his home in Colorado since 1882 and has occupied his present farm since 1886. He was born in Drammen, Norway, on the 21st of January, 1846, a son of Peter and Johanna Gulbransen. The mother died when their, son John was but four years of age and he was left an orphan by the death of his father when a little lad of but seven years.

In his boyhood days John Pedersen attended the national schools of Norway until he reached the age of thirteen, when he became a sailor, and until he reached the age of twenty-nine he followed a seafaring life, during which period he visited many foreign ports and saw much of the world. He has traveled over the West Indies and the East Indies, has visited Calcutta, India, Alexandria, Egypt, and Brazil and has made trips around Cape Horn to Peru, to Valparaiso, Chile, and around the Cape of Good Hope to various African ports. His experiences were indeed varied and interesting and one delights to listen to his reminiscences of those days. He afterward sailed on the Great Lakes for three seasons.

The year 1872 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Pedersen in America. He settled in Detroit, Michigan, where he spent ten years, largely in the employ of the Canada Southern Railroad. In 1882 he reached Colorado and for five years was one of the employes at the Grant smelter in Denver. In 1886 he purchased the farm whereon he has since resided and through the intervening period of almost a third of a century he has given his attention to the further cultivation and development of the property and has today a splendidly improved farm.

On the 5th of December, 1874, Mr. Pedersen was united in marriage to Miss Berta Johansen, who was born in Norway, November 28, 1854. They became the parents of five children but lost three sons while in Michigan. The others are Burton Gilbert Nicolai and Jennie Louise. The son is now serving in the United States army and the daughter is the wife of Fred Purse. Mrs. Pedersen died on March 25, 1916, and her demise caused deep sorrow not only to her immediate family but also to the many friends whom she had won to her by her delightful, endearing personality. She was ever helpful to her neighbors and took a great and actual interest in the welfare of others, her unselfish sunshiny nature manifesting itself in practical ways of assistance, bringing solace to many in hours of distress and sorrow.

Mr. Pedersen gives his political support to the republican party, of which he is a stanch advocate. He has been an active worker in behalf of the public schools and Mrs. Pedersen served for years as president of the school board in their district. Mr. Pedersen commands the unqualified respect and confidence of those who know him and he has a wide acquaintance in Adams county. He has led a most busy, useful and active life, giving his entire attention to his agricultural pursuits since 1886, and the result of his labors is seen in the well developed farm with its excellent improvements and modern equipment.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 375-376

Peterson, Hjalmer M.

Hjalmer M. Peterson, who is engaged in stock raising and dairying and is numbered among the foremost representatives of agricultural interests in Adams county, was born in Colorado. September 2, 1855, a son of George and Carolina (Anderson) Peterson, the former a native of Denmark, while the latter was born in Sweden. The father came to the new world in 1872 and made his way first to Indiana, where he remained for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he removed to Colorado, establishing his home in Denver, and later he engaged in the live stock business in this state. In 1890 he purchased the farm near Henderson upon which he still resides and his wife is also living. They are numbered among the worthy pioneer settlers of the state, having for many years been interested witnesses of its growth and development and Mr. Peterson has contributed in no small measure to the agricultural progress of the district in which he lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were born three children: Rose, who is the wife of E. C. Mencimer; Hjalmer M, of this review; and Angve, who is prominently known in connection with the fish industry of the state. He is growing trout, of which he makes a specialty, handling about one hundred thousand fish a year.

H. M. Peterson has spent his entire life in Colorado, being reared under the parental roof and educated in the public schools. During vacation periods he assisted his father in the farm work and has always continued on the old homestead, giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits and stock raising. He owns forty-seven acres of land, all under ditch, and the irrigation renders his place very productive. He makes a specialty of stock raising and of dairying, both branches of his business proving profitable.

In 1910 Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Effie Phenell Foster and to them was born a daughter, Effie B.. whose birth occurred June 9, 1911. The wife and mother passed away September 17, 1913, her death being deeply regretted by the many friends whom she had made during the years of her residence in Adams county.

Mr. Peterson and his daughter are faithful members of the Congregational church at Henderson and he belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of America. His political support is given to the democratic party, which finds in him an earnest and stalwart advocate but not an ofllce seeker. A lifelong resident of Colorado, he is widely and favorably known in the eastern part of the state and he is an enthusiastic champion
of Colorado and her opportunities.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, p. 484

Purse Frank

Frank Purse, engaged in the dairy business on Rose Hill at Aurora, selling only to the wholesale trade, was born at Grey Abbey, in County Down, Ireland, a son of John and Jane (Lemon) Purse. His education was acquired in his native country and he came to the United States when about seventeen years of age. thinking to have better business opportunities in the new world. He arrived in Denver about 1885 and not long afterward entered the dairy business in what was then Arapahoe but is now Adams county. He remained there for a few years and subsequently purchased fifteen
acres on Rose Hill, where he continued in the dairy business, in which he has since been engaged. He is one of the well known dairymen of this section of the state and has conducted his interests along progressive, modern and scientific lines. He retailed milk about fifteen years but now sells only to the wholesale trade. He has a well equipped dairy, thoroughly neat and sanitary in every department, and he keeps cows of high grade.

On the 21st of March, 1900, Mr. Purse was married to Miss Mabel McDonald, a daughter of Asa B. and Nancy J. (Dillon) McDonald. The father was a contractor of prominence in his chosen line of business and was the builder of the Adams county courthouse, the Arapahoe county courthouse and the residences of John F. Campion, J. S. Brown, C. S. Morey and a number of the palatial homes of the more prominent people of this section of the state. Mrs. Purse was born and reared in Cleveland, Ohio, and by her marriage has become the mother of a daughter, Elizabeth Frances Jane.

Fraternally Mr. Purse is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a republican and regards it as the duty as well as the privilege of every true American citizen to exercise his right of franchise in support of the which he believes. He served for four years as county commissioner of Adams county and made an excellent record by his fidelity to the trust reposed in him. He is always loyal to the best interests and to everything that has to do with the welfare and progress of his district. His business career has been a most active one and his close application and Indefatigable energy have been strong points in the attainment of that measure of prosperity which he is now enjoying.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 139-140

Purse, James

James Purse, who follows ranching near Aurora, dates his residence in Colorado from 1881 and after earnest efforts to gain a start in the business world he is now numbered among the substantial farmers of the county. He is a native son of the Emerald isle, his birth having occurred in Belfast, Ireland, on the 28th of October, 1852, his parents being John and Jane (Lemon) Purse. At the usual age he began his education in the public schools of his native country and in 1875, when a young man of twenty-three years, he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world. He made his way at once to Chicago, Illinois, where he spent six months, after which he removed to Henry county, Illinois, where he resided for six
years. He was there engaged in farming and during that period took out his citizenship papers, giving his full allegiance to the land of his adoption. He continued his residence in the Mississippi valley until 1881, when he made his way westward to Denver. For more than a decade he remained in that city, working in various ways, but in 1892 rented one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he continued to cultivate for fifteen years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm in Adams county and has since carried on general agricultural pursuits. His land is carefully and systematically cultivated and his energy has enabled him to overcome hardships and difficulties and worli his way steadily upward to success.

In Atkinson, Illinois, Mr. Purse was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Irvine, a daughter of John and Sarah Irvine and a native of Ireland. They have become the parents of two children: Fred, who married Jennie L. Pedersen and has four children, Irvine, Bertrand, Bertha and Melvina; and Clara, who became the wife of Walter Duggan and has two children, Raymond and Timothy.

In 'tis political views Mr. Purse is a republican and fraternally is connected with the Woodmen of the World. His long residence in this section has made him widely known and his enterprise and the many substantial traits of his character have gained him classification with the representative residents of Adams county.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 336-337

Purse Jr., John

John Purse, Jr.. is known as one of the enterprising farmers of Adams county and, moreover, is widely known as one of the most stalwart champions of the public school system, having for twenty seven years served as a director in his home district. Ireland claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Gray Abbey, near Belfast, on the 17th of April, 186.3. His father, John Purse, was also a native of that locality and remained a resident of the Emerald isle until he reached an advanced age, when he came to the new world and identified himself with the farming interests of Colorado. His death occurred while he was on a visit in Ireland in 1904. His widow reached the age of eighty-six years and passed away in Denver in January,
1917. The latter, who bore the maiden name of Jane Lemon, was likewise a native of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. John Purse, Sr., became the parents of seven children, as follows: James, an agriculturist by occupation; William, a farmer and dairyman; John, Jr., of this review; Frank, who also follows farming; Hugh, who is employed in railroad shops; Annie, the wife of James McFerran; and Jennie, now Mrs. Willis Colby.

John Purse of this review was but a young lad when brought to America by his parents. He began his education in the schools of Ireland but completed his studies on this side of the water, and during the periods of vacation he assisted his father, thus being early trained to the work of the farm. He was a youth of seventeen years when he secured a position in a brickyard in Denver and later he engaged in teaming for some time in that city. He was anxious, however, to engage in other lines of business, so that when his economy and industry had brought him sufficient capital he established a dairy business in connection with Mr. Epler, with whom he formed a partnership in 1S85. Later, however, he purchased the interest of Mr. Epler, becoming
sole proprietor of the business. He has ever worked earnestly to provide a good home and comfortable living for his family and a number of years ago purchased his present home property, on which he has since placed modern improvements that include a good brick residence, substantial barns and a large dairy. He is one of the prominent and successful dairymen of his section of the state and in addition to carrying on that business he raises large crops of corn, wheat, potatoes and alfalfa. He has for several years given close attention to his potato crop with the result that he has not only secured fine yields but a superior quality for which he finds a ready market. His farm work is conducted along the most progressive lines and his labors are
bringing gratifying results.

In Denver, on the 10th of June, 1886, Mr. Purse was married to Miss Mary R McFerran, a daughter of John McFerran, a farmer of Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Purse were born seven children; Adalaide, the wife of Emery M. Towle, by whom she has a son, John Emery: Ruth, a teacher in the Denver schools; Lillian, Marie and Emily, all deceased; John Russell and William Joseph, at home.

The religious faith of the family is indicated in their membership in the Presbyterian church of Denver and Mr. Purse was a liberal contributor to the building of the house of worship on Twenty-third avenue. He has served as one of the officers of the church and is much interested in all that pertains to its growth and the extension of its influence. His political allegiance is given to the republican party where national issues are involved but at local elections he casts an independent ballot. He is perhaps more directly interested in the cause of education than any other thing outside of his business and he has for twenty-seven years served as a director of the school board and for a long period as its secretary. From early boyhood he has lived
in Colorado and has therefore for many years been an interested witness of its growth and development, while his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.

History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed., (c) 1918, pp. 773-774