David B. and Hattie W. (Isom) Delzell , Sterling



His parents were likely " Robert and Dorcas (Davis) Delzell, and of Irish descent. The parents of Mr. Delzell were Southerners, and about 1850 emigrated to Richland County, Ill., settled, lived and died in this township. Robert was a soldier in the war of 1812, was a prominent man in the country, and was universally known and respected for his honesty. "

James H. Delzell and Margaret E. Wilson married in Richland County, Illinois on July 27, 1854.

In 1860 Richland County, Illinois, J.H. Dalzel is 28, Mary 24, David B. is 4, Dorcas A. 2, who married Francis Jackson, and Mary M. three months old. Andrew Dalzel is 62 born in North Carolina. Next family is Sarah Delzell 28 wtih Martha 4, Dorcas A. 2, a.

James H. Dalzell died there on August 26, 1861.

In 1870 Richland County, Illinois, Margaret Delzell is 35, born in Tennessee, with David 14, Dorcas A. 18, and Mary 10 born in Illinois. Dorcas Delzell 73 was born in North Carolina. They're next to Andrew Delzell 47 and Melissa 41 and son John.
They're next to R.A. Delzell 22 born in Tennessee and his wife Sarah E. 19 born in Indiana.


David B. Delzell and Vianna C. Adkinson married in Richland County on Dec 30, 1875.
She might be the Lavina C. Atkinson in 1860 Switzerland County, Indiana, age 6, with Abram 48 a teacher, and Jane 47. Clarissa A. is 24, Amanda J. 22, James C. 21 a farm lborer, Rebecca E. 17, William P. 16, Mary D. 12, Lavina 6, and Irene 2
Abraham Adkinson 1811-1876 # 107687335 and Jane (Campbell) Adkinson 1813-1886 # 118907985 are buried in Ripley County, Indiana.
"Adkinson, Abraham, a Universalist minister, was born Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania, December 24, 1811, but removed to Indiana in 1815. He early developed energy and decision of character; organized the temperance movement of Switzerland County in 1833; was the first to boldly advocate negro-emancipation in that section; joined the Free Will Baptists in 1838, and soon after was ordained a preacher in that denomination, which office he filled until 1870, when he became a Methodist. He finally embraced Universalism about 1872; was ordained a preacher of that faith in 1873 and labored as pastor in Stringtown (Ripley Co.?) Indiana, until 1876, when consumption (tuberculosis) obliged him to retire from regular work. He died August 22, 1876. Mr. Adkinson was abundant in labors, and highly esteemed in life. See "Universalist Register", 1878 p. 81.
"The Universalist Register, containing the statistics of the church, with an almanac for ??"...p. 81-82; by the Universalist Church of America
Publisher: Boston, Universalist Publingin House - 1874-; Periodical; OCLC#17869457; Description: v; 19cm.
Rev. Abraham Adkinson, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Larue) Adkinson, was born in Westmoreland Co., PA, Dec. 24, 1811 and died in Ripley Co., Indiana, August 22nd, 1876, in his 65th year. In 1812 his parents removed to Ohio and in 1815 to Indiana, then a Territory and little more than an unbroken wilderness, where their children were inured to hardship and privation. The subject of this notice early developed great energy and decision of character, and withal was frequently reckless and wilful, but always generous. About 1833 he inaugurated the temperance movement in Switzerland county, where he resided; was the first to sign a temperance pledge in that county and with his accustomed boldness and energy procured a speaker and advertised that a temperance lecture would be delivered at a certain hour at a grocery in the neighborhood or at the nearest house thereto that could be procured. He not only maintained a bold and persistent warfare against intemperance, but he was the first in the county to speak and vote in favor of negro emancipation. In 1838 he united with the Free Will Baptist Church and soon after was ordained as a preacher in that connection in which he continued till 1870, when he joined the Methodists, but all the while growing in the faith of Universalism. In 1871 or 1872 he connected himself with us, and in 1873 was duly admitted to our ministry. He was pastor of the church in Stringtown, Indiana, for some years and held that position at the time of his death.
His disease was consumption. In Feb 1876, he preached his last sermon. He was in many respects a remarkable man. In person he was over 6 feet in heighth, his eyes and hair jet black, his eyes very small, and his countenance when he was under excitement was very expressive and striking. He taught school almost continuously in the winter season, from the age of 28 up to the last year of his life. His ministerial labors were abundant in 3 or 4 counties in the State, and he will long be remembered by all who knew him. he was married in 1836 to Miss Jane Campbell, who, with six of their nine children still live"


In 1880 Richland County, Illinois, D.B. Delzell is a carpenter, 24, with Vina C. 24 born in Indiana. Daisy is 2, born in Illinois. His mother Margaret E. 37 is with them.

Riverside Cemetery, Denver, has :
07 Dec 1883 Dalzell, L.C. Mrs., age 28, buried in block 10 lot 99 moved to Blk 10, lot 97
FindaGrave # 191052847.

Margaret D. Delzell, daughter of D.D and H.W. Delzell, age one month. died February 2, 1900, buried in Sterling # 57361995.

David B. Delzell and Hattie M. Isom married in Weld County (then encompassing Sterling) on January 4, 1887.

D.B. was a trustee of the Town of Sterling in 1887.

June 1890

September 1897

September 1899 "Miss Werdna Delzell arrived home last week from an extended visit with her sister at Marshall, Missouri."

1899 History of Colorado




January 5, 1900 "A brand new girl arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Delzell last night. The young lady's name will be plain Jane. Mother and daughter are doing nicely."

In 1900 Sterling, David B. Delzell is a hardware merchant, 45, Hattie W. 43, with Werdna E. 11.

August 4, 1900 "Miss Nita Kendall, who has been the guest of her aunt, Mrs. D. B. Delzell, herr for some time, left for Merino this morning. After a visit with relatives there she will return to Greeley."

In 1910 Sterling, David B. Delzell is a carpenter, 54, born in Illinois, married 22 years (his second, her first) to Hattie W. 53 born in Tennessee. Werdna E. is 21, born in Colorado.


September 1911 "Mrs. D.B. Dalzell of Iliff was in Sterling today visiting with relatives."

August 1913

April 1923 " Any man who has claimed Sterling as a place of residence since 1885 is an old resident. D. B. Delzell, vice-president of the Sterling Lumber company, has been here since the spring of that year with the exception of fifteen years which were spent as a resident of Iliff. He came to Sterling when the present city was, as he expressed it, 'a typical western cowboy town.'
Mr. Delzell was born near Olney, in Richland county, I11., on a farm, his birthday being December 20, 1855. He resided there until 1882, when he was advised to come west on account of his health. While in Illinois he learned the trade of a carpenter. His first place of residence in Colorado was Denver, where he worked at his trade until the spring of '85, being sent to Sterling at that time as manager of the W. F. Thompson lumber yard, which was located at the corner of Front and Ash streets. It was the only lumber yard in Sterling. For nine years he acted as manager of this business, then returned to his work as a carpenter and was then elected treasurer of Logan county, an office he held for four years. Upon completing this work he went to Iliff, where he opened a lumber yard for Hayward Brothers. He remained in Iliff for fifteen years, returning to Sterling six years ago, since which time he has been actively connected with the management of the Sterling Lumber company. Mr. Delzell, in addition to having held the office of county treasurer, served several terms on the city council and from 1904 to 1906 was mayor of Sterling. When he first came to this city, then a little western town on the plains, there was but one place to eat. Ihe Pacific Hotel, which was situated where the pasmenger station now is. The cowboys were riding the wooden sidewalks with their horses and shooting at the street lights. It was difficult at that time ito keep the street lights in repair.
Smith and Perkins conducted a grocery store in those days and Sherman's general merchandise store had been established. Mr. Delzell has the distinction of selling the first bill of lumber to George A. Henderson, who has since erected many buildings in this city. This lumber was sold for a store building which was being built by Mr. Henderson and which was occupied with his stock of hardware on one side and a stock of dry goods, owned by George Rogers, on the other side.
At one time, in the early days, Mr. Delsell says that there was a heavy rain, more rain than he ever saw before or since in this country. Wooden sidewalks whicn decorated the streets at that time were washed away and there was a general confusion. On December 30, 1875, Mr. Delsell was united in marriage to Miss Lavina Atkinson of Olney, I11. To this union one daughter was horn, who is now Mrs. J. B. Garst of Sterling. Mrs. Delzell died after Mr. and Mrs. Delzell moved to Denver. On January 4, 1887, Mr. Delzell was married a second time to Miss Hattie W. Isom of Greeley, the ceremony being performed in the latter city. They are the parents of one daughter, now Mrs. A. G. Ginn of Scottshluff, Neb. Mr. Ginn is manager of the Great Western sugar factory at Scottsbluff. Mr. Delxell has been a member of the Presbyterian church since boyhood and is now an active member of the Presbyterian church of Sterling, also , holding the office of elder and teacher of the Bible class in the Sunday school. He la also a member of Sterling lodge No. 54. A. F. and A. M , Sterling Chapter, R. A. M.. Sterling Commandery, and the Consistory and Shrine in Denver. He is also a member of the Eastern Star in Sterling. Mr. Deizell has been associated with the business interests of Sterling. perhaps longer than any other man. Despite his long experience he is on the job every day and is watching the advancement of Sterling with keen satisfaction.
He remembers when it was but a hamlet, a stopping place for cattle men. "


Harriett "Hattie" (Isom) Delzell is buried in Sterling 1856-1938 # 55185966.

Thanks to Jim Davenport !

D.B. Delzell is in Sterling in 1940, widowed, 84, born in Illinois.
He's buried in Sterling 1855-1940 # 55185957.

Werdna E. Delzell and A. M. Ginn married in Logan County on May 3, 1910.

April 1911 "Mrs. A. M. Ginn of Fort Morgan arrived laat evening to visit Sterling friends. She went today to Iliff, where she will spend the week end with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Delzell."

Werdna (Delzell) Ginn 1888-1953 is buried in Scottsbluff, Nebraska # 117031463, with Adolphus Melvin Ginn 1885-1966.

Daisy D. Delzell and John B. Garst married in Logan County on October 12, 1898.
" John Barton Garst was born Feb 24, 1871 in Atchison County, Missiouri, and died Aug 29, 1951 in Martinsville, Henry County, Virginia. He married Daisy Dean Delzell, daughter of David Blackburn Delzell and Lavina C Atkinson. She was born Aug 8, 1879 in Illinois, and died Oct 8, 1949 in Martinsville, Henry County, Virginia. Both were buried in Roselawn Burial Park, Martinsville, Martinsville City, Virginia."

Daisy (Delzell) Garst 1879-1949 is buried in Martinsville, Virginia # 118179785.


Back to Logan County Biographies.