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Campbell, Robert W. Robert W. Campbell passed away at Longbeach, California, on the 18th of January, 1919. He had many substantial traits of character which endeared him to friends and neighbors and, moreover, he was numbered among the pioneer settlers of Brighton and of that section of the state. In his later years he lived practically retired in Brighton but was still the owner of valuable farm property from which he derived a substantial annual income. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on the 25th of March, 1860, and was of Scotch descent. His parents, John B. and Maria (Allen) Campbell, were both natives of the land of hills and heather, in which they were reared and married. In the early '50s they determined to try their fortune in the new world and crossed the Atlantic to the United States. They established their home at Nashville, Tennessee, but after living there for several years removed to Indiana, where they took up their abode on a farm about 1866. Their remaining days were passed in that state and they were among the highly respected residents of the community in which they made their home. They had a family of seven children, four of whom are yet living. Robert W. Campbell was but three years of age when he went with his parents to Indiana, where he was reared and educated, mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools. In 1884 he came to Colorado, settling at Brighton, and for eleven years was employed in the Brighton creamery, first as a helper, later as engineer and then general manager in full charge of the business, his fidelity as well as his keen executive ability having been quickly recognized by those with whom he had business relations. He was then appointed postmaster and occupied that position for three terms under republican administrations. As time passed he made investments in property and became the owner of five hundred acres of fine farm land. In 1918 he raised six thousand bushels of wheat and six hundred bushels of beans. He gave general supervision to his farming and ranching interests, but the actual work of the place was done by those whom he employed. His sound judgment and keen discrimination, however, were important elements in the successful conduct of his place. In April, 1884, the year in which he came to Colorado, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Ella Whitehead, a native of Indiana, and they became parents of two daughters, but the first born, Carrie, is deceased. The other daughter. Bessie, has become the wife of Harry Bates and is now living in Denver. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell owned and occupied a fine residence in the village of Brighton and enjoyed all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. In his political aflSliations. Mr. Campbell was a stalwart republican, and he always endorsed and ardently supported the principles of the party. He served as road overseer for eight years, when John Twombly was county commissioner from the Brighton district and when Adams and Denver counties were a part of old Arapahoe county, and to his initiative and personal efforts may be attributed, in large measure, the excellent roads of the district. When Adams county was formed he took an especially active part in the contest for the location of the county seat, and the leading members of both political parties willingly gave him much credit for his work in winning the contest for Brighton. He also participated in the early politics of Denver and was recognized as one of those men who fought the battles fairly ind aboveboard. He would never countenance, nor desire, a questionable victory, nor would he deign to employ those petty tricks so often the subterfuge of the professional politician. He could accept an honorable defeat, if the voters of his district so willed, rather than be returned the victor in a contest won through dishonest methods. After discontinuing his work as road overseer, he purchased the farm where he resided four years, after which he was appointed postmaster for Brighton, and served in ihat capacity for twelve consecutive years. There were no spectacular phases in the life of Mr. Campbell. He pursued the even tenor of his way in the conduct of his business, and his diligence and determination were the salient points in winning him the success that numbered him with the substantial residents of Adajns county. Moreover, the methods which he employed won for him an honored name and he was among the valued and respected citizens of Brighton. Some time prior to his death Mr. Campbell suffered from an automobile accident, from which he never fully recovered. Thinlcing that he might be benefitted by a western trip, he went to Longbeach, California. The trip, however, was too much for him and there he passed away. When the news of his death was received in Brighton it caused deep sorrow throughout the town, tor his many substantial traits of character had endeared him to those with whom he was associated and everywhere he was spoken of in terms of high regard. He possessed the qualities of good citizenship, of fidelity in friendship, and one who knew him well said he was "always identified with all public movements, liberal to a fault, a typical big-hearted westerner." History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918, pp. 255-256 |
Chace, Robert A. Robert A. Chace, who owns and operates a ranch on section S, in Morgan county, adjoining the town of Fort Morgan, and makes a specialty of the raising of Percheron horses, Galloway cattle and Poland China hogs, has been very successful in the conduct of his business affairs. The reason is not far to seek. He has always regarded Industry as the basis of honorable success and industry has therefore constituted the foundation on which he has builded his prosperity. Mr. Chace comes to Colorado from Illinois. He was born in Ottawa, that state, on the 22d of August, 1857, a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Lewis) Chace, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father, a farmer by occupation, removed westward to Lasalle county, Illinois, at an early period in the development of that region, settling there about 1832. The work of improvement had scarcely been begun in that district, for it was in that year that the Black Hawk war occurred and decided the question of the supremacy of the Indians in Illinois, the white settlers demonstrating their right to rule over the land and utilize it for the purposes of civilization. The father purchased and improved land, which he continued to cultivate throughout his remaining days, his death there occurring on the 11th of April, 1875. His widow survived for many years, passing away at the home of her son, Robert A., on the 30th of July, 1900. Robert A. Chace was reared and educated in Lasalle and Livingston counties of Illinois, remaining with his parents after completing his education and cultivating the old homestead farm in Livingston county until the spring of 1888, when he removed to Arapahoe county. Colorado, where he took up a homestead eighty miles east of Denver. This he continued to develop for five years, proving up on the claim in 1893. He afterward sold that property and bought a farm in Morgan county, a mile south of Fort Morgan. This he also developed and improved, continuing the cultivation of that land until 1899, when he purchased his present place of one hundred and sixty acres. Later he bought an additional tract of one hundred and sixty acres across the road and has further invested in land as his financial resources increased until his holdings now aggregate five thousand acres in Morgan county, farming, however, only a section of this. In all of his undertakings he has been quite successful and has become widely known as a leading stock raiser, making a specialty of Percheron horses, Galloway cattle and Poland China hogs, and his business in that direction has brought to hira substantial profits. He is also a director of the First National Bank of Fort Morgan, in which connection he has remained for many years. He has ever stood for progress and improvement along all lines leading to" general benefit and upbuilding throughout the state. He was largely instrumental in securing the location of the sugar factory at Fort Morgan and he now has been a director of the National Western Stock Show of Denver for several years and also an exhibitor from its beginning. He has been prominently associated with Irrigation interests, being connected with various ditch boards and serving at one time on fourteen different boards. His close study of every problem connected with irrigation has made his judgment in that regard very valuable and his cooperation has done much to enhance land values in the state through the development of its irrigation Interests. On the 13th of September, 1882, Mr. Chace was married to Miss Alice Everett, a daughter of Alfred E. and Susan J. (Bowers) Everett, the former a native of Francestown, New Hampshire, while the latter was born in Chester, Ohio. Her father followed farming throughout his entire business career, residing most of that period in Livingston county, Illinois, where Mrs. Chace was born. He was one of the first settlers there and was closely associated with its agricultural interests to the time of his death, which occurred in November, 1875. For more than three years he had survived his wife, who passed away in March, 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. Chace have been born seven children: Alfred, who was born in August, 1SS6, and is now at Camp Grant, Illinois; Reno E., who is operating the Chace & Sons ranches in Wyoming, comprising thirty thousand acres of land, on which they run sheep and cattle — an important project for one of his years, for he was born in October, 1887; Myra, who was born in August, 1890, and is the wife of Professor R. J. Hale, of Fort Morgan, agricultural teacher in the public schools and also having charge of extension work for the State College; Willard, who was born November 12, 1S97, and is at home; Ida, who died In November, 1898, when but eighteen days old; one child, who died in infancy; and Cora, who died in November, 1899, at the age of four and a half years. Politically Mr. Chace is a republican and in 1896 was nominated on the party ticket for the office of state legislator but was defeated. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He has done splendid work on behalf of public progress and improvement, especially in connection with the development of the natural resources of Colorado. His labors have been an effective force in stimulating ambition and a desire for progress and improvement on the part of others, especially in connection with the National Western Stock Show of Denver. History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918, pp. 321-322 |
Cozad, M. L. M. L. Cozad is the owner of a productive ranch situated on West Plumb creek, ten miles south of Sedalla. He has been the owner of this property for only a brief period but already his efforts have done much for its further development and improvement. He dates his residence in Colorado from 1913 and previous to that time was a resident of Iowa. His birth occurred at Leon, in Decatur county of the latter state. January 9, 1880, his parents being Jacob and Jane (Hubbard) Cozad, both of whom were natives of Indiana. M. L. Cozad of this review acquired a common school education while spending his youthful days upon his father's farm in Iowa and after putting aside his text books he continued to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits there until 1913, when he removed to Colorado, settling first at Strasburg. Arapahoe county. There he conducted a ranch and was also manager of the Farmers Elevator Company for a period of three years. In 1917 he removed to Douglas county and purchased eleven hundred and twenty acres on West Plumb creek. This ranch is largely devoted to stock raising but he also has two hundred acres planted to timothy and seventy-five acres to alfalfa. He irrigates for these crops and the soil, naturally rich and productive when water is added thereto, brings forth splendid harvests. He has good buildings upon his ranch and everything about the place indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and everything about the ranch bespeaks system and order. In 1902 Mr. Cozad was united in marriage to Miss Birdie Gore, a daughter of Zed and Paulina Gore, of Decatur county, Iowa. They have three children: Audrey, fourteen years of age; Roscoe, aged eleven; and Ivan, a lad of nine. Mr. Cozad is a member of the Grange at Strasburg, Arapahoe county. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but is not an office seeker. He has never had occasion to regret his removal to the west, for he has found the business opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has made for himself a creditable place as a representative of the ranching interests of Douglas county. History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918, p. 772 |
Crammer, William Henry Harrison William Henry Harrison Cranmer. who for many years was actively, prominently and successfully identified with the cattle industry in Colorado and whose enterprise yet finds tangible evidence in the Ernest & Cranmer building of Denver, was born in Cooper county, Missouri, in 1841, his parents having removed from Tennessee to Missouri, at which time they took up their abode in Warrensburg. The mother died when her son William was but thirteen years of age. He attended school in his native county and with his twin brother, Thomas, served in the Confederate army, participating in the campaigns in Missouri and Kansas and making a gallant record. When the war was over he went to Texas, where he engaged in the cattle business and there became acquainted with John Hittson, for whom he worked as foreman for ten years. Mr. Cranmer's residence in Colorado dated from 1869, although he had previously visited the state in connection with his employer's cattle interests. In that year, however, he embarked in the cattle business on his own account, becoming a partner of William Hittson. brother of John Hittson, in the purchase of the Three Circle ranch in Elbert county. After the marriage of his partner Mr. Cranmer bought his Interest in the business and thus established an extensive cattle business which proved his lifelong occupation and brought him substantial wealth. He also engaged in the real estate business to some extent. Investing his profits from the cattle industry in property. He was also associated with Finis P. Ernest in the erection of the Ernest & Cranmer building of Denver, which still stands as a substantial monument to the enterprise and progressiveness of the builders. On the 22d of December, 1874, Mr. Cranmer was united in marriage at the White ranch, the home of the bride, then in Arapahoe county, to Miss Martha J. Hittson, born in Palo Pinto county, Texas, a daughter of his former employer, and they became the parents of seven children. Jessie May, the eldest, is the wife of William P. McPhee, of Denver, and they have three children: William Cranmer, John Raymond and Willamain Cranmer. Jennie Leontine became the wife of William C. Russell, a mining man, and has one son, William C, Jr. William Henry Harrison. Jr.. married Margaret Wood and is the father of two sons, William H. H. (Ill) and Robert Lorin. W. H. H. Cranmer, Jr., is now captain of Battery B, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment of the First Artillery, and is serving in France. George Ernest, now at camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky, married Jean Chappell. daughter of the late Delos Chappell, of Denver, and has four children: Allen, Forest, Silvia and Chappell. Norma died at the age of nine months. Catherine H. formerly resided in New York city, is now at a government school in Portland, Oregon, taking a course in physio-therapy preparing for government service. Willamain H. is the wife of Grover Coors, of Golden, Colorado. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 2d of December, 1890, the husband and father was called to his final rest. He was a man devoted to the welfare and happiness of his family and found his greatest pleasure in promoting their best interests. As a business man he ranked among the prominent representatives of the cattle industry in Colorado, his interests being most carefully and intelligently directed. He was one of those who helped to build up the great cattle Interests of the state and at all times he stood for progress and improvement in public affairs, the sterling worth of his character and the integrity of his activities bringing him the highest respect of all with whom he came in contact. MRS. MARTHA J. CRANMER. It is a matter of history that Colorado was one of the first states in the union to adopt woman sufi'rage; it is further a matter of history that suffrage has been successful here, a condition induced in great measure by the character of the women concerned. Governmental powers were accepted by them with moderation instead of radicalism, even as these powers had been sought by feminine wisdom and tact instead of militancy. It is with one of these women that this sketch has to do, to treat of her character and work which in so many ways is typical of the warm-hearted and strong woman of the west. Martha J. Cranmer was born in Palo Pinto county, Texas, on October 30, 1857, a daughter of John Hittson, mentioned elsewhere in this work. She was reared In a home noted for its hospitality, where the latch-string was always out to the traveler across the plains, and warm food and rest awaited him. In this atmosphere she acquired the traits which have guided her in after-years in the management of her own home and in her other associations. At an early age she was chosen by her father to accompany him to Colorado and from that time until his death she was his constant companion, business advisor and his inspiration. Here in the shadow of the Rockies she married William H. H. Cranmer, whose career is set forth at length on other pages, giving him her devotion and comradeship until his death, when she was left with a family of children, the oldest of whom was fifteen. These she reared to manhood and womanhood as she herself had been taught, and has been rewarded by seeing them joined by marriage to the best families of the middle west. Not only did Mrs. Cranmer accomplish the task of maintaining her home, but found the opportunity to indulge her desires and energy in other activities, social, political, philanthropic and charitable. Of democratic affiliation. Mrs. Cranmer's most notable position In political life is that of membership upon the state board of pardons, to which position she was first appointed by Governor Ammons. Her most recent appointment to this board was by Governor Gunter in December, 1918. Mrs. Cranmer has also been a member for four years of the state central committee and has taken leading part in the various state conventions, also participating as a member of numerous committees. In her charitable work Mrs. Cranmer found opportunity, when the United States entered the World war, to be of inestimable benefit to the boys who were enlisting and who came to Denver before departing for the training camps. She made almost daily trips to Fort Logan, carrying delicacies and clothing for the soldiers who were ill, even going into the wards and giving to them the kind attentions which only a loving mother's heart knows. Those in the ranks and upon the staffs, also those of civilian life who knew of her work, regarded her with profound respect and affection which was expressed in many ways. In the campaigns for the Liberty loans, in the Red Cross drives, and in all the other activities connected with the war. Mrs. Cranmer took a leading part in addition to contributing a large share of the material benefits. In other charitable enterprises Mrs. Cranmer has also been prominent, being vice president of the Sauds House Association, and chairman of the house committee of this organization. In these different phases of her work, social, political, civic, Mrs. Cranmer has borne herself with that quiet, domestic dignity which is the criterion of sterling womanhood, the quality of which cannot be mistaken. She has accomplished material results through her energy, courage and enjoyment of the work in hand, the simple pleasure of seeing the light of gratitude in another's eyes being sufficient pay in her estimation. Mrs. Cranmer, though unostentatious in her social life, holds membership in many of the clubs of the city, among them being the Territorial Daughters of Colorado, the Woman's Press Club, the Daughters of the Confederacy, the Jane Jeffersons, the National Suffrage Association, the East Side Woman's Club of Denver, the Old Ladies' Home, Radiant Chapter of the Eastern Star, the S. 0. 0. B. Lodge, and the Society of The Nearest Kin History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918, pp 235-239 |
Cummins, Allen J. Allen J. Cummins, of Arapahoe county, is one of the prominent lumbermen of the state, who for the past seven years has been manager of the Deertrail Lumber Company, one of the thirty yards of the Sterling Lumber & Investment Company. He also lias other business interests which make him a prominent figure in the development and upbuilding of his section of the state. He was born in Clarinda, Page county, Iowa, September 2, 1876, a son of Joseph W. and Lucina Cummins. He traces his ancestry back to one of the old established American families. Christeon Cummins and his brother Daniel came to the new world in September, 1741, as passengers on the ship Mollie, and landed in Philadelphia. Christeon Cummins took up his abode upon a farm at Asbury, Warren county, New Jersey, and from Christeon Cummins, who was born March 16, 1716, the line of descent is traced down through Philip Cummins, born August 15, 1750, Christeon, born January 2, 1774, Isaac, born April 29, 1814, and Joseph W., born March 30, 1846. The last named, the father of Allen J. Cummins, was born in New Jersey, and having arrived at years of maturity, was married in Page county, Iowa, to Lucina Muckey. They became parents of four children, Allen J. being the eldest and the only son. The daughters are Huldah. Emma and Catharine. In the year 1887 the father came to Colorado and was bridge foreman on the Rock Island Railroad. In 1888 the family home was established at Arriba, but in later years Joseph W. Cummins turned his attention to the live stock business and in 1903 removed to Missouri. In the public schools of Colorado, Allen J. Cummins pursued his education and during his youthful days became a cowboy, being thus employed for several years, while later he conducted business as a ranchman. For the past seven years, however, he has concentrated his efforts and attention upon the lumber trade as manager of the Deertrail Lumber Company, one of the thirty yards of the Sterling Lumber & Investment Company, and has an interest in all these yards. He is splendidly qualified to conduct the important and growing business under his care and has made of it a profitable undertaking. He is also president of the Alfalfa Farm Company, which is Incorporated for fifty thousand dollars. At Arriba, Colorado, on the 5th of April, 1903, Mr. Cummins was married to Miss OUie M. Lowell, a daughter of George Lyman Lowell, who was born in Wisconsin in 1856 and removed to Buffalo county, Nebraska, with a colony that settled in that district. He made the trip with his mother, his father having been previously killed in the Civil war. In 1886 Mr. Lowell came to Colorado and was here engaged in the raising of sheep and cattle. To Mr. and Mrs. Cummins has been born a daughter, Elenor C. Lowell. The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church, to the teachings of which they loyally adhere, taking an active interest in its work and contributing generously to its support. In politics Mr. Cummins is a republican and gives stalwart allegiance to the party but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, as his undivided time and thought are given to his business affairs, which have been carefully directed and which in the course of years have gained him a place with the substantial and representative men of the state. History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918, pp. 763-764 |
De Spain, Benjamin Benjamin De Spain is a retired farmer now living in Denver, enjoying a well earned rest, the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois, May 18, 1848, a son of Pleasant and Sarah (Mutter) De Spain. In the year 1863 the father crossed the plains with his family and was engaged in freighting until 1870. The members of the household early became familiar with the conditions of pioneer life and the hardships and privations which constitute features of settlement on the frontier. Benjamin De Spain preempted land and his brother and father homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres each in Arapahoe county, now Adams county, near Westminster. The family thus concentrated their efforts and energies upon general agricultural interests and the father was identified with farming to the time of his death. His wife has also passed away. For a long period Benjamin De Spain actively and successfully carried on farming in that locality but at the present time he leases his land, having made his home in Denver for the past two years. He has led a busy, active and useful life that has brought to him substantial success, enabling him now in the evening of his days to live retired. On September 17, 1874, in Denver, Mr. De Spain was united in marriage to Miss Rosa Sims, a daughter of Aaron and Mary (Ricker) Sims, the former born in Boston and the latter in Portland, Maine. Rosa Sims was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, January 19, 1859, and with her parents crossed the plains to Colorado in 1860 when but one year old, the family home being established in Arapahoe county. To Mr. and Mrs. De Spain have been born three children: Frank, who died in childhood; William, who died in Santiago, California, leaving a son, Benjamin B.; and Mary, the wife of Dallas Mulford. Mr. De Spain is a democrat in his political views, having long supported the party. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and he guides his life according to its teachings, endeavoring at all times to closely follow the golden rule. This was manifest in his business transactions just as much as in other relations of lite and his record proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously. History of Colorado, Vol. 3, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918-19, pp. 326-327 Arapahoe, Adams and Denver counties |