Kit Carson County, Colorado Photographs

Kit Carson County Pioneers:

Christopher Erb, son Theodore Addison Erb, daughter Laura (Erb) Fuller, 6 South 43 West

History Of Colorado Among the valued citizens of Akron, Colorado, who contributed much to the growth and development of this community was Theodore Addison Erb, who for a number of years successfully conducted business interests here. His efforts were devoted to the management of a hotel but he was also engaged in the plumbing business, and it was through an accident while performing labors in this line that his life was terminated in 1914. Although it is now several years since Mr. Erb has passed away, his memory is still enshrined in the hearts of his friends, who respected him as an hon- orable and straightforward man of high qualities of heart and character. Theodore A. Erb was a native of Maryland, where he was born March 24, 1852, a son of Christopher and Mary (Shade) Erb, natives of Pennsylvania. For many years Christopher Erb followed agricultural pursuits in Virginia, to which state he had removed from Pennsylvania in his youth, and the Old Dominion remained his home until death called him in 1903. His wife had preceded him to the home beyond in 1896. Although born in Maryland, Theodore A. Erb was reared in Virginia, where the parental home was established, and he received his education in the home neighborhood. His schooling, however, was very limited, for he put aside his textbooks at the age of eleven and began to learn the blacksmith and wagon maker's trade. Becoming proficient in these lines, he continued to work at his trade in Virginia until 1885, when at the age of thirty-three he decided to seek the less thickly populated sections of the west in order to grow up with the country and improve his opportunities. He first removed to Trenton, Nebraska, where for five years he was engaged in the implement business but at the end of that time went to McCook in the same state, there giving his attention to the conduct and operation of a hotel which he successfully managed for three years. In 1893 he came to Akron, Colorado, and this city remained his home until his untimely demise in 1914, so that for over twenty-one years he was a resident of Akron, Washington county. Upon his arrival in this city he bought a hotel, to the operation of which he devoted his energies throughout the remainder of his life, although he conducted a plumbing business at the same time. He managed his hotel along modern ideas and put forth every effort to make his guests comfortable. His place therefore was well patronized and became favorably known to the traveling public. In the plumbing business Mr. Erb was also quite successful, deriving from this line of his activities a gratifying addition to his income. His death occurred from the effect of burns which he had received while doing plumbing work. His sudden death was not only a great shock to his immediate family but was deeply regretted by his many friends and the traveling public, who had come to know him as a reliable, trustworthy, honorable and pleasant man. Moreover, Mr. and Mrs. Erb operated a railroad eating house for about eight years but after the discontinuance of the same served meals in the hotel, this proving more satisfactory to the public. Subsequent to his death Mrs. Erb opened a cafe in connection with the hotel which she successfully operates, maintaining a rooming house in addition. On July 21, 1884, occurred the marriage of Theodore A. Erb and Susan S. Payne, a native of Frederick county, Virginia, where she was born in November, 1866, (In 1870 Berkeley County, West Virginia, John S. Payne is 35, Anna E.C. 25, with Mary O. 4, Susan S. 3. In 1880 Berkeley County, John is 45, Annie 40, Mary 14, Susan 13, Allen 10, and John 5. J. Summerfield Payne dying 1886 age 51, is buried in Berkeley County # 21731146. So is Ann Eliza Cunningham Payne dying 1912.) and a daughter of Summerfield and Susan (Timberlake) Payne, (one tree said Sue and Olivia Timberlake were sisters, daughters of David Timberlake 1771-1851 and Mary Davis 1777-1839) natives of Virginia, where the father followed farming all his life. During the war between the states he served as a lieutenant in the Confederate army, being active throughout the entire period of the war, and for four months he was held prisoner at Fort McHenry. His death occurred in August, 1885, while his wife died in 1866. (Susan F. Payne 1839-1866 is buried in Berkeley County, West Virginia # 42038153) To Mr. and Mrs. Erb were born two children: Anna M., who married Worth M. Miller, a newspaper editor of Ogallala, Nebraska; and Ruth G., who makes her home with her mother. Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Miller have two children, Supne, who is now eleven, and Marcellus Harwood, who is seven years of age. From that time when he took up his residence in Akron, Colorado, until his death Mr. Erb always cooperated with his fellow citizens in order to promote or support plans for the growth of his community either in a material or moral and intellectual way. He was interested in all matters concerning Akron and was ever ready by word, deed and means to render assistance to worthy causes. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while Mrs. Erb belongs to the Eastern Star. The principles of brotherhood underlying these organizations always guided Mr. Erb in his conduct toward his fellowmen, to whom he ever was kind and helpful. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which he took active part, and politically he was a democrat. Although more than four years have passed since death claimed one of Akron's most useful and most respected citizens, the memory of Theodore Addison Erb lives in the hearts of his fellow citizens, for all recognized in him a loyal American, a successful business man of honorable principles and a true, faithful friend who would never fail in an emergency.

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