DANIEL B. RATHBUN

Although a native of the state of New York Daniel B. Rathbun has been engaged in stockraising in Wyoming since 1873, and it may well be supposed that he is acquainted with the details of the business, which, however has been in charge of his sons since 1891, as in that year the father retired to Evanston which is still his home. Daniel B. Rathbun was born in Cincinnatus, Cortland county, N. Y. on October 17, 1839, a son of Green and Sarah (Lyon) Rathbun, the former of whom was of English descent and a gallant soldier in the American army of 1812, having enlisted in his native state of Connecticut. Mrs. Sarah (Lyon) Rathbun, a daughter of Ira Lyon, was born in Massachusetts and had a maternal uncle who held a commission in the American army and was killed in the War of 1812 at Little York. Can. Green Rathbun passed his life as a farmer in the state of New York, where his death occurred when he was sixty-three years of age, his remains being interred at Cincinnatus and the death of his widow occurred when she was about seventy years old, her remains being laid to rest beside those of her husband. Both these parents were lifelong members of the Methodist Episcopal church and passed their earthly life in full accordance with its teachings. They had nine children of whom Daniel B. was next to the youngest and of whom four survive. Daniel B. Rathbun was primarily educated in the district schools of Cincinnatus, N. Y. This was supplemented by further instruction at the Cincinnatus Academy, in which he was fully prepared for the active duties of life as far as could be done from the study of books. In 1859 Daniel B. Rathbun came west and engaged in mining in Eldorado county, Calif., until 1863. when he went to Virginia City, Nev., where he resided about one year and then removed to Lander county, Nev., and there continued at mining and also conducted a rancii for four years, then returning to California, where he was employed in various occupations for another period of four years, after he passed a year and a half engaged in no particular occupation. In 1873 he came to Uinta county, Wyo, and took up a ranch of about 400 acres of government land on Fontenelle Creek, where he was engaged in the prevailing occupation of stockraising until 1891. when he retired to Evanston, leaving the ranch to the charge of his sons, who have proved to be worthy successors of their capable father and devote their time chiefly to the raising of sheep, cattle being a secondary consideration. Mr. Rathbun has a modem dwelling on Lombard street, Evanston, where is displayed a genial hospitality. He takes an active interest in promoting the growth of the town and is serving his second term as chairman of the board of county commissioners, having been elected as a member of the board in the fall of 1902 for a term of four years. Mr. Rathbun was joined in marriage at Salt Lake City, Utah, in October. 1874, with Miss Hattie C. Fuller, a daughter of Jeduthan Fuller, a native of Ohio, and to this union have been born six children: Daniel E., now engaged in mining in Alaska; Hattie C., wife of Fred Wertel. deputy county treasurer of Uinta county, Wyo.; Mark E.; Henry F.; George L; Donald B. Mrs. Rathbun was born in Stephenson county. Ill., and died in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 16, 1892, but her remains were interred at Evanston. Wyo. She was graduated from the Mount Carroll, Ill. Ladies Seminary, and before her marriage was a popular and successful teacher at Green River, Wyo., being an estimable lady, a loving wife and mother and a devout member of the Presbyterian church.  Biographie Index

E. N. RIDEOUT.

This enterprising and successful citizen of the rapidly progressing city of Evanston, Wyoming, is a native of away down East, for he was born in Hancock County, Maine, in 1846, one of the ten children constituting the family of his parents, Noah and Harriet (Saunders) Rideout.   The Rideout family is one of New Englands earliest, several of the name holding civil and military office during the Colonial and Revolutionary eras, as well as in  later days.  Noah Rideout was born in Vermont in 1809, where his father, Benjamin, was also born, the son of an early settler in the undeveloped forests of that state.   Learning the stonecutters trade, Noah became a contractor and builder, acquiring a local reputation by the character of his honest work, and representing his town in the Legislature of Vermont for a long term of years. Harriet (Saunders) Rideout, the mother of our subject, was an exceptional woman.   She not only discharged faithfully all of the numerous duties of a housewife of her place and period, but reared her large family in the fear of the Lord, giving also largely of her time and means to the cause of the gospel, being a devoted Christian.  She was born at Bucksport, Me., of Scottish parentage, and died in 1882, aged sixty-five years.  Our New England people of the last generation believed most thoroughly in teaching every boy a good trade in his youth, and this good custom was followed in the case of our subject, who served his time, and became an expert at blacksmithing, in his native state, thus acquiring a practical knowledge, which everywhere he could easily transmute into gold.   Like many other courageous New Englandcrs, Mr. Rideout was early impressed with the advantages that a practical man like himself would enjoy in the development of the great West, and, at the age of twenty-four years, turned his steps thitherward, making his first objective point one of the early mining camps of Montana. He did not remain long in the present Treasure state, but went to Salt Lake City, Utah, and there did profitable blacksmithing for fifteen years, being prospered in his undertakings, which he conducted with wise prudence and persistent industry, the beautiful ranch of 900 acres in Rich county, Utah, he still owns, having been purchased and developed during these years of prosperous activity. Later transferring his energies and home to Evanston, Wyo., he has here built up a reputation of a skilled blacksmith, a bright practical man of affairs in all directions and of a public spirited citizen, who is prominently interested in all local matters of public interest. In 1902 he engaged in the livery business, which he is successfully conducting in his admirable business manner. In 1879 was celebrated the marriage union of Mr.  Rideout and Miss Mary Taylor, a native of Utah and a daughter of Harry and Mary Taylor, all of Utah. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Rideout consists of three children, Eva, Everett and Augustine. In the manifold and brainy sources of the development of this new land of the West, none have labored to a more consistent or a more valuable return to the community than has this quiet, industrious village blacksmith.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

JOHN SALMELA.

From the rugged country of Finland in the north of Europe to the valleys and mountain ranges of Wyoming is a far distance indeed, but from that country has come to America many of her enterprising sons and daughters, who have loyally aided in the building up of the civilization of the Great West. Among this number is one of the successful ranchers and stock growers of Uinta county. Wyoming, where his productive ranch and home is located near Almv, John Salmela by name, who was bom in Finland in 1856, the son of Henry and Sarah (Orby) Salmela. The father followed agricultural pursuits in Finland all of his life, dying in 1875 at the age of eighty-nine years. His father, Andrew, was also a farmer, as had been his ancestors for hundreds of years. The mother of Mr. Salmela still lives in her native land, at seventy years of life enjoying good health and spirits.  Giving his labors to his father until he was twenty-one years of age, John Salmela then began life for himself, and, hearing much of the wonderful country across the sea, where the touch of industry transmuted everything to gold, he prepared to test the truth of the stories by an actual personal experience, coming hither in 1880, and making his first location in Sandusky, Ohio. One year later he came to Minnesota, tarrying there a year, thence migrating to Carbon, Wvo.j becoming there a workman in the mines, and winning praise and substantial reward for his diligent and effective labor. For eight years he followed mining in Carbon, then came to the mines at Almy, where he displayed the same industry and attention to his duties that he had manifested in Carbon. He later secured a ranch of eighty acres, and his earnings were well invested in stocking and improving it. and it is now in a prosperous condition, returning him a good annual income. In 1887 he married with Miss Helen Peasby. a daughter of Henry and Mary (Kinney) Peasby. also a native of Finland.  The cherished children are Lempy. deceased; Lena; Elmer, deceased; John: Klmer; Sophia; Ida and Anna. Mr. Salmela supports the Republican Party and is much interested in the public and local affairs of the county.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

We take little heed of the passage of time when our memory reverts to those whom Providence in inscrutable wisdom has connected with our lives and destinies for a series of years, and then suddenly calls them away from places of financial trust and management, where their services seemed invaluable, from social positions of the noblest character, where their lives and actions were daily inspiring new hopes, new ambitions and new endeavors for the upraising of humanity, from cherished homes, where their loyal tenderness, helpfulness and affection were exercising their noblest powers !n the comfort of their families and in their potent influence in raising their children in the fear of the Lord.  The long, far reaching distances of many years is covered in an instant and we are with the dear departed once more and in their presence.  The late Eli Saxton of Almy, Wyoming, was one of that class and in the preparation of this volume it seems most fitting to include a brief record of the man, his attainments and his personal relations, that something may be preserved in durable form to hand his name down to coming generations as an example of the good qualities we have heretofore mentioned.  He was born in Derbyshire, England, on February 2, 1846, the son of Thomas and Rebecca (Slater) Saxton. the father being born in 1822 and the mother in 1827, both coming of families that for many generations have occupied English soil. Brought up to habits of industry and thrift and educated as well as the exigencies of the period afforded, Mr. Saxton early became interested in the doctrines of the Church of the Latter Day Saints and accompanied a party to the promised land of Utah in 1864. He here became identified with coal mining, with which he was prosperously connected in Utah until 1883, when he made his home at Almy, Wyo., continuing the same vocation until 1888, when, purchasing a ranch, he passed his closing years in the development of his rural home. He was not spared long to enjoy communion with Mother Nature in this agreeable occupation, as his death occurred on October 8, 1890. During his residence in Utah he was often called to be a soldier in the fierce Indian wars of that time, and bore himself most valiantly in this hazardous service. He possessed a deeply religious nature and was a highly valued worker in the ranks of the Mormon Church, aiding and fostering its religious and beneficent work. His marriage with Miss Martha H. Moore, a daughter of Wright A. and Helen (Palmer) Moore, a most estimable lady, whose exertions in the care of her family and in the practical duties of life have caused her to receive the universal praise of the community.   She was born in Cache county, Utah, in 1864, of parents who were among the earliest English emigrants to Utah. She maintains her residence on the homestead ranch and manifests a truly western hospitality. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Saxton are ten in number: Thomas W., Uilate M., deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Eli B. deceased; Elijah B., Philip R., Angelo M., Eli M., Wright T. and Helen, deceased  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

JOHN SIMS.

It has been frequently noted that the Great West, with its beautiful climate, its picturesque scenery and its lone, free, untrammeled life, main-tains a strong hold on those who have ever tarried for any length of time in the shadows of its mountains, along the banks of its streams or on the wide reaching benches and plains of this most wonderful and mysterious country. This is well exemplified in the case of Mr. Sims, who formed his association with the country when, pioneers held their lives in their hands, and all was new.  strange and novel. After the rough experience contingent upon active participancy in the new mining camps for a series of years, he claimed an identification with the great ranching industry of Uinta county. Wyoming, and has ever since been held in the highest esteem as one of the representative stockmen and honored pioneers of the county. John Sims was born in 1830. in Wales, that small division of Great Britain whicn has given so many of its worthy sons as actors in the development of the industrial resources of the United States.   He was the son of Morgan and Theresa (Bifton) Sims, but his early life and education were passed under the guiding hand of his estimable grandfather, William Sims, in whose home he was reared from infancy un-til he assumed an individual battle for existence, which occurred at an early period of his life.  His initial employment in his own behalf was in connection with coal mining in South Wales, where he remained until his emigration from Wales to Utah, in 1865. In Utah he at once entered the mining field, locating first on the American Fork, where fortune gave him more than the usual good luck of miners. He later came to Almy, Wyo., and for a period of five years was here identified with mining, being successful in his operations, at once taking an advanced position in the public and social elements of the vicinity and county. In due time thereaft-er the great possibilities and financial actualities of the live stock business attracted his attention, and he placed a due proportion of his earnings and acquired capital into this business of cumulative prosperity, acquiring title to a tract of land, which has now become a valuable ranch and estate, which he has given over to this profitable and fascinating branch of the American husbandry. Here Mr. Sims has since devoted his energies to the raising of thoroughbred cattle, being also one of the honored and Progressive citizens of the county, taking great interest in the welfare of his section and state, and command-ing the respect of all. In politics his Democracy has no uncertain sound, and the voters of Uinta county have three times honored both themselves and him by electing him a county commissioner, in which responsible office he manifested unusual executive and legislative ability. His interest in education has caused him to be long retained in the minor, but exceedingly useful office of school trustee. In 1845 Mr. Sims was united in wedlock with Miss Mary Ann Phillips, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Jones) Phillips, all of them being natives of Wales, where Mrs. Sims was born in 1830. Four children have come to their home, William, John, Thirza and George, deceased.   It is not too much to say, in conclusion, that the development of the state of Wyoming could only be accomplished through the untiring and continued labors of such men as the class of which Mr. Sims is a splendid representative, and that its character and future prosperity will only be assured by the supremacy of this class in its industrial and political circles.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

SAMUEL C. SMALL.

Back to the land of the heather and the hill must we pass in considering the ancestors of Mr.  Small, for even his father was a son of auld Scotias hills and dales, descended from families long residents of that country, where he attained manhood and engaged in agricultural pursuits after his marriage until his emigration to America, where he established his home in Indiana, residing in that fertile state until his removal to Kansas, where he secured a homestead and has long conducted prosperous farming operations, being now practically retired at the age ot seventy-five, his devoted wife also now lightly carrying the weight of her seventy-four years.  They have been citizens of the best character, in their lives showing daily evidences of their strong religions convictions, being valued members of the Baptist church, while the husband has always taken intelligent interest in public affairs as a Republican. Samuel C. Small, son of the above worthy couple, L. and Elizabeth (Getty) Small, was born in Indiana, in May, 1865, and, after passing the usual life of a farmers son, working in the fields during the summer months and attending the short terms of the winter schools, until he was eighteen, quickly left the parental homestead for the very alluring plains of Kansas, where he engaged for some time in agriculture, thence migrating to Nebraska and continuing the same vocation, ever making his way further and further into the wonderful land of the West, until he came to Green River, Wyo., as a fireman on the Union Pacific Railroad, continuing to be thus employed for seven years, then locating on 640 acres of government land, in Uinta county, joining the ever increasing number of prosperous stockmen of his section, and the stock raising industry he still continues with cumulative success, ranging fine herds of superior horses and cattle. Another employment, largely of a scientific nature, has come to Mr. Small. The wonderful fossil remains of animals of strange form and contour, which have been quietly reposing for unnumbered eras of times in the geological horizon of the Dionceras beds of the Middle Eocene period, have attracted the surprised wonder of the worlds greatest scientists, being revelations of the life existing on this continent thousands upon thousands of ages ago, and many have been exhumed and transported from their Wyoming resting place to be exhibited in the collections of colleges and universities and in the public museums of the eastern states and European cities. In this important work Mr. Small has been an important factor. He has given largely of his time to the searching out and the unearthing of these striking remains, by his careful management and skill preserving intact many of the finest specimens yet preserved of fossil fishes, reptiles, clams, tropical leaves and plants, birds and insects. In connection with Mr. George Halderman, he discovered and exhumed an iron bolt, lying thirty six feet below the surface of the solid rock in which it was embedded, which eminent geologists, and the wise men of the East, declare to have been a portion of a vessel that must have been constructed at least 30.000 years ago. In this connection Mr.  Small has been of great service to the advancement of science. In matrimonial relations Mr.  Small has been highly favored, his interesting wife having her birthplace at Newstead Abbey.  England, now world-renowned from its associations with the gifted poet, Lord Byron. It was on September 12, 1892, that Miss Mary A. Boston became his bride. She was a daughter of Andrew and Sarah A. (Saunderson) Boston, the father being a skilled ironworker, and for twenty two consecutive years the trusted foreman of a large manufacturing house in England, thence emigrating, and becoming the foreman of a mine at Almy, Wyo.. where he was killed by an explosion. He was the son of Joseph and Ann (Smith) Boston, his father, a farmer, dying in 1856, aged forty-two years, while his wife attained the venerable age of ninety-seven, dying in 1892. This Joseph was the son of another Joseph, also a former, who died in 1855, at the age of ninety-six years, his wife, Jane, having been 100 years old at her death in 1850.   The mother of Mrs.  Small was born in England in 1830. and now resides at Diamondville. Wyo. She was a daughter of William and Mary (Newbery) Sanderson, of whom the father died in 1862. aged seventy-four years, and the mother in 1876, also at the age of seventy-four years.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

WILLIAM SPENCE.

William Spence, one of the worthy citizens of Evanston, Wyoming, in whose suburbs he resides on his ranch of fifty-four acres, is a native of Bedfordshire, England, having first seen the light there in the year 1847. He was reared in the great city of London, whence in 1864 he emigrated to America and coming to Salt Lake City, he engaged in farming and continued in it for six years, afterwards taking employment on' the Union Pacific Railroad, with which company he has continued ever since, leaving out some twelve or fourteen years devoted at intervals to other affairs. By his steady devotion to the right and careful industry, Mr. Spence has prospered in his own affairs and endeared himself to all that knew him. He is the son of Benjamin and Hannah (Day) Spence and was married in 1874 with Mrs. Elizabeth (Dudley) Sommers, widow of Steven Sommers, by whom she had four children: George F., Fannie E., Emma and Steven D. Sommers. She has borne three children to Mr. Spence: Hannah E., died on December 6, 1901 ; John T. , died in 1882; Charles W., died in 1880. Mrs. Spence is a native of Leicestershire, England, born in 1839, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Bowley) Dudley, of Sheepshead, England, where the father was born on May 5, 1806, and died on April 14, 1875. He was the son of John Dudley, born in 1770, died in 1854, and Sarah (Fullylove) Dudley. His wife, Mrs. Spence"s mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Bowley) Dudley, was born on September 3, 1809, and died January 19, 1856. She is buried at Sheepshead, England.  Biographie Index

JACOB STAHLE.

Now a retired citizen of Evanston, Wyoming, Jacob Stahle is a native of Switzerland, who was born near Berne on December to, 1828. His father, a good man and born in 1811, came to America in 1862, and met his death in the same year while on his way across the plains from St. Louis to Utah. His mother, who was Miss Krise before her marriage, survived her husband only a few months, dying in Utah in the fall of 1862, being originally a member of the English Lutheran church, but she joined the church of the Latter Day Saints in Utah before her death. Jacob Stahle was with his parents on the overland journey to Utah, where he finally arrived with his mother. He took up farming in that state and continued it for about two years, when he went to Idaho and farmed a small place for himself. It is now twenty-seven years since he moved thence and came to Evanston, Wyo., and engaged in sheep raising. a business in which he has been very successful. He now owns two sections of land and the comfortable home in Evanston in which he is now living in retirement with his wife and family; his sons having the ability and the willingness to manage the ranch.  Mr. Stahle was married in 1863 in Davis County, Utah, to Bertha Munc. a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Munc) Munc. Her parents were both born in 1805 in Switzerland and her mother died at the age of fifty, but her father lived to be seventy-five years old. He had been a successful commission merchant, a keen and practical man of business, but also a man of scholastic tendencies and great intelligence.   Mr. and Mrs.  Stahle are both members of the Church of Latter Day Saints and their union has borne fruit in a family of eight children, one of which died in infancy. The others are as follows: Emma; Jacob, Jr., born in 1866, died in 1887 and buried in Evanston; John ; Lula; Eliza; Henry; Charles.  Though now living a very quiet life in his retirement, Mr. Stahle remembers many stirring incidents of the days of his pioneering and takes pride, as well he may. in recalling them.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

ARTHUR A. STEED

This popular and enterprising resident of Uinta county, Wyoming, one of the most prominent self-made men of the county, was born in 1858 in Farmington, Utah, a son of Thomas and Laura L. ( Reed) Steed, the former of whom was a native of England, born in 1826, where he was reared to gardening, in 1838 coming to the United States, settling in Illinois, where he followed farming for five years and engaged in other vocations until 1850, when he located at Salt Lake City, Utah. He was next located in Davis county, Utah, where he became a very prosperous agriculturist and was classed among the representative citizens, being a missionary of the Mormon church, standing high in politics as a Republican and by vocation a farmer. He took an active part in public affairs and was ever foremost among the promoters of local improvements and public enterprises, among the latter may be mentioned the Davis Stake academy, of which he is a trustee, to the establishment of which he freely contributed financially. In 1876 he toured the world in the interest of the Mormon church in the work of proselytism and returned in 1880. Laura L. (Reed) Steed, mother of Arthur A. Steed, was born in Ohio in 1829 and still survives, a representative on the paternal side of the Reed family who found a footing in America on Plymouth Rock. The boyhood of A. A. Steed was passed in school in Utah until he was nineteen years of age, when he was employed in trailing sheep from California to Wyoming, Colorado and Omaha for five years, during which period he experienced many startling adventures, a relation of which would fill a large volume of print. At the end of the five years thus passed, Mr. Steed entered into the sheep business for himself, in this he continued until about 1900, when he sold out and embarked in the cattle trade. He had become interested in the Wyoming country in 1887, bought his present place of 1,290 acres in Uinta county and also engaged in a mercantile business at Farmington. He has likewise extensive interests in merchandising in Ogden, Utah, is a director in the Boyle Furniture Co.'s store at Ogden and owns a ranch of 20,000 acres in the Province of Alberta. Canada, just over the international line. His modern and imposing town residence is in Ogden. Utah. The marriage of A. A. Steed took place in 1877 at Farmington. Utah, when he was united with Miss Mary Florence Bigler. a native of Florence county. Neb., and a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Compton) Bigler. which union has been blessed with seven children born in the following order: Arthur A., Grace Florence, Burton Franklin, Stanley Stanford (deceased), Mattie Frances (deceased), Harry Hanna and Nellie Virginia. In his political views Mr. Steed is a Republican but, while loyal to his party, never seeks public office nor any other reward for his loyalty, although he has frequently been solicited to become a candidate for remunerative official positions. He has been content to devote his attention to the transaction of his personal affairs, of which he has made so grand a success, and the pleasure afforded by the family circle constitute all that contribute to make up the sum of his earthly happiness.  Biographie Index

HYRUM STRONG.

How much of endeavor, of endurance, of tireless activity, yes, and also of hardship, deprivation and suffering the term old timers represents.  The states of the Rocky Mountain region can never adequately reward those who came to them far in the van of organized civilization, and. by lxith their activities and their vicissitudes, blazed the wav for others to follow.  Their names will ever be held in highest honor. It is most fitting that in this volume we record something concerning these brave sons of the early period, and so we here place, in enduring form, a review of the personality and family history of one of these brave frontiersmen, whom every old timer will recognize as worthy of the place.  Hyrum Strong, now of Cumberland, Uinta county. Wyoming, was born in Lee county, Iowa, on March 30, 1845, a son of Ezra and Maria (Beard) Strong, the mother being a native of Pennsylvania and the father of Ohio. His paternal great-grandfather was Sampson Strong, who rendered faithful service to the colonies in the Revolution. The grandfather was Ezra Strong, of whom tradition says that he was a robust pioneer who carried a musket that gave good execution in the War of 1812. The father of Hyrum Strong was a well to do farmer and stockman in Iowa, also an expert millwright and carriagemaker, which trades he successfully conducted in connection with his farming operations. Ezra Strong later came to Utah, where his wife died in 1860, and he afterwards married Mary Niswonger, of Pennsylvania, and removed to Oregon, where she also died and was buried at Woodland. After many changes of residence and circumstances, the father died in the Bighorn basin of Wyoming, at the age of seventy-five years. He was a restless, energetic man of more than ordinary ability, possessing great endurance and activity, and, as a prominent member of the Mormon church, built up several settlements of members of that faith, acting as their president. Hyrum Strong was the eldest of eight children of his fathers first marriage, and came to Utah from Indiana with his parents in 1854, when he was but nine years old. His school advantages were those of the village of Springville, Utah, but, at an early age, he assumed a business relation for himself in stockraising and ranching, continuing this successfully in Utah until 1890, when he came to the Fort Bridger section of Wyoming, and, when the reservation was thrown open to settlement, took up a quarter section of land, on which he engaged in stockraising and general farming. His persistent and well planned efforts have brought him prosperity. He has a fine farm near Mountain View where he raised about the first crops ever harvested in the neighborhood and planted the first garden of the vicinity, thus demonstrating the actual value of the land by showing its productiveness under skillful management and proper culture. lie has real estate interests also in Lyman, Wyo.   On July 23, 1863, in Rockville, Utah, Mr. Strong was united in marriage with Miss Mary Huber, a native of France, and daughter of Edward and Mary A. Sledt Huber, who came to Utah in 1858. The children are, Mary M., wife of Arthur Barney of Montana; Olive E., wife of Wallace Stevens of Fort Bridger; Hyrum Orson, who married Caroline Simmons of Price county, Utah, and owns a valuable ranch of 160 acres adjoining his fathers property. In April, 1902, he established a livery and feed stable at Cumberland, in connection there with running the companys stables. He also is proprietor of the stage line to Carter and is engaged in draying; Samuel F., married Miranda Tidwell, of Price county, Utah, and lives near Lyman, Wyo.; Lydia M., wife of Henry Witt of Lyman; Joseph E married Josephine Herford and resides at Lyman, Wyo.; Wallace, married Savala Hobson and lives on Darks Fork, Mont.; Rosette, died in infancy at Monroe, Utah; Ida, died at sixteen years and was buried at Lacenter, Washington, and Geneva, now at the parental home. Mr. Strong is a loyal adherent of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, and in and by his life exemplifies its teachings most faithfully, himself and family standing high in public esteem.   He has become familiar by actual visits with most parts of the great West, and is one of the best types of the early pioneer.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

WILLIAM M. SUMMERS.

No one is more worthy of determinate representation in this record of Progressive men of Wyoming as an example of sturdy character than is this sterling citizen of Lone Tree, Uinta County, Wyoming. His connection with life on the plains dates back to a period of forty years ago and his childhood days were connected with the pioneer existence of his fathers family in various new countries of the Mississippi Valley. Mr. Summers was born in Washington county, Mo., on December to, 1843, and his parents, Samuel R. and Ginsey J. (Isgrig) Summers, were natives of Pennsylvania, of Dutch lineage on the maternal side, while the lather descended from Irish and French ancestors. His paternal forebears were among the early pioneers of Kentucky, accompanied Daniel Boone in his emigration thither, and Mr.  Summers well remembers the intense interest he took as a child in listening to the thrilling adventures they early experienced in the Dark and Bloody Ground and of their being forced to quietly travel at night and keep concealed during the day to avoid the tomahawks of the merciless savages. His father was a son of Samuel Summers and he visited St. Louis when it was but a small aggregation of unpretentious houses. He was a man of character, serving as sheriff of Washington County for many years, in that connection selling two white men at public auction, because they would not support their families, one of them bringing $250 for a years service and the other $150 for the same length of time. He was later marshal of Brownsville, Neb., to which state he removed with his family in 1854, locating in Nemaha County, where their useful lives ultimately ceased their activities. W. M. Summers was one of a family of fourteen children, and gathered the elements of an education from the primitive schools of Missouri and Nebraska until he was eighteen, when he became a personal factor in the business life of the west by engaging in 1856 in freighting operations from Brownsville, Neb., to Denver, Colo. In 1863 he went to Montana and followed mining in its new camps for three years, acquiring enough wealth to finely establish himself in the freighting business with an excellent outfit. This hard and exhausting but profitable industry he pursued until 1868, being prospered in his undertakings, but passing through some thrilling experiences. In 1868 he was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad, and thereafter, until 1872, he was in the employ of the U. S. government, conducting freighting outfits and in perilous scouting, in which connection his life was often in great peril.   On one occasion, in 1870 in the Sweetwater country, he had a fight with seven hostile Sioux who had stolen twelve mules. This was the day on which Lieutenant Stanbaugh was killed. In the engagement, despite the great odds against him, Mr. Summers was successful, killing three of the Indians and driving the others away. He has frequently passed days without eating, from lack of food, and he has participated in several notable battles with Indian adversaries, once, in 1868, having a running fight that lasted the whole day.  He had as many as 164 mules engaged at one time in his freighting outfits and one night he came very near losing all by marauding Indians. In 1872 Mr. Summers came to Fort Bridger and from this place as headquarters did much work for the U. S. government, and was the trusted guide of the U. S. geological surveying party in its researches in the Yellowstone Park region in 1872 and 1873. He was the pioneer settler of Lone Tree, taking up his residence and claim here in 1873. There was a single cottonwood tree standing close to the present site of his house and Mr. Summers gave the place the name of Lone Tree, and, when in President Clevelands first administration he secured the establishment of a post office, he suggested this name and it was adopted by the post office department. Mrs. Summers was commissioned as the first postmaster and was the incumbent of the office for nearly five years.  Mr. Summers has been much in public life. He was a member of the territorial legislature from Uinta County in the Eighth and Ninth Territorial Assemblies, took a conspicuous part in connection with the maverick bill and was also very energetic in securing proper legislation in the interests of schools and of irrigation.  In many ways his legislative action tended largely to the benefit of the people and he also gave able assistance toward securing the location of the State Insane Asylum at Evanston.  He is a Democrat in politics, has been a justice of the peace and a school trustee of the Lone Tree district for a number of years, and he joined the Odd Fellows years ago. His home is one of the model places of western Wyoming and he now owns two ranches on Henrys Fork, aggregating 1,280 acres, all under fence, together with valuable realty in Evanston, consisting of a large brick residence, a large frame dwelling and a commodious barn, 30x90 feet in size. In addition to his home ranches he controls an area of leased land, which he uses as range in his extensive stock operations, that have attained magnificent proportions, he owning large herds of finely graded Hereford cattle and excellent horses. Mr. Summers was married at Evanston, Wyo., in December, 1873, with Miss Annie Hoopes, a daughter of John and Mary A. (Baldwin) Hoopes, natives of Illinois and Missouri, her own birth occurring in Provo, Utah. They have three children, Lola May, wife of Gus Custer of Park City, Utah; Sterling, married with Kittie Legert, and living at Lone Tree; Grover, a student of the Evanston high school in the class of 1903.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

CHRISTOPHER B. TAYLOR.

It is a far cry indeed from being a machinist in a New Jersey machine shop to a hotel proprietorship at Fort Bridger, Wyo., but after many changes and migrations, this is the very fortune that has come to Christopher B. Taylor, who was born at Springtown, N. J., on April 9, 1856, a son of William and Sarah (Bowers) Taylor, natives of New Jersey and descendants of families living on the soil of that state from an early date in Colonial days and taking part in all of the wars in which this country has contested, from the French and Indian wars of the early period of life in this continent down through the Revolution, the War of 1812, in which an ancestor of Mr.  Taylor on the paternal side was an American officer, unto the Civil War. His paternal grandfather was John Taylor and his maternal grandfather was Henry Bowers, of Hardport. N. J., all being of Dutch descent. His father, originally a farmer, was much in public life and position, and at the birth of his son Christopher, was the popular landlord of a comfortable inn or tavern in .Springtown. Christopher B. Taylor, after attending the public schools until he was old enough to learn a trade, was apprenticed as a machinist in the large manufacturing plant of the New Jersey Mowing Machine Co., at Philipsburg. and here acquired an excellent technical and practical knowledge of machinery and its making and repairing, and then engaged at the trade in the Lehigh Valley railroad shops at South Easton, Pa., continuing there employed for two years, when he started on the long route across the continent, making several well defined stops however on the way. He was in Chicago for a time, again was at work in the Northern Pacific shops at Brainard, Minn., removing then to Minneapolis, thence in 1875 t0 Sydney, Neb., where he became a driver with an ox team outfit going to the Black Hills. In 1876 he was working for the famous Homestake Mining Co., and in this connection he set up one of the first stamp mills that company put in operation, in Bobtail Gulch, thereafter continuing engineering and the putting up of machinery until 1877, when he visited New York City and his New Jersey home, soon however returning to Kansas City and on to El Paso, Texas. For a time Mr. Taylor was here in the service of a railroad, following this by becoming foreman of the roundhouse at Chihuahua, Mexico, from there two years later proceeding to California, where he held a situation with the Central Pacific Railroad in its Sacramento shops until 1882 when he came to Utah and engaged in prospecting and also the sale of machinery for about a year, thence making his way to Idaho Falls, where at the old Eagle Rock he was employed in the shops of the Utah & Northern Railroad, now the Oregon Short Line Railroad, for several years. Relinquishing his trade Mr.  Taylor took up the first ranch developed on Sand Creek in the Snake River Valley. Still later he was a justice of the peace and a real estate operator at Idaho Falls for several years. He has been a resident of Fort Bridger since 1894, and his enterprise and business ability have here been manifest in the successful prosecution of the sale of farm implements and as a genial landlord of the only hotel of the place, the Taylor House.  These occupations have not monopolized his time for he has done much prospecting to a good purpose. His town property consists of two blocks of three lots each on opposite sides of the street, on one stands the Taylor House and on the other a small warehouse. He is also interested in several hundred acres of oil and gas land. Always active and alert in the cause of his political party, he has taken great interest in public affairs and was the candidate of the Democratic Party in the last election for representative in the State Legislature. Mr. Taylor was united in marriage, in Idaho, on December 25, 1886, to Miss Anna Nord, a native of Sweden and a daughter of Ole and Ella (Nelson) Nord, her father now being a farmer near Kristianstad, but he was for twelve years a soldier in the Swedish army. His name was originally Jensen, but, as he served in the army as a substitute for a man named Nord, the latter name naturally attached to him. One of her uncles, Jens Manson, was an influential member of the Rixstag, the Swedish Legislature. Of the six children of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor the two youngest were born at Fort Bridger. Their names are Eleanor B., Raymond N., Martha P., Beulah E., William C and Edith A.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

H. J. B. TAYLOR.

Conspicuously connected with the wild, free life of the West for more than a quarter of a century, and having made good his right to be called a pioneer by his strenuous industry in varying fields of its activity, Herbert J. B. Taylor is well entitled to representation in this volume. He was born in Monongahela, Washington county, Pennsylvania, on August 29, 1858, being the son of Josiah and Lucinda (Frye) Taylor, descendants of very early families of the commonwealth and natives of the same state.  The father was a farmer and a miller, taking an active part in all that concerned the public welfare. The Taylor family has given its loyal defenders of the country in every war in which the republic has been engaged from Colonial times, and it was not strange that Josiah Taylor should hearken to the sound of the bugle, and join the Union forces in the greatest internecine war described upon the pages of history. Here he did most gallant service, and was spared long after the wardrums ceased to roll to see the conqxiests of peace in the land. He died in Colorado in 1894, and the mother is now a resident of Boulder, Colo.   In 1876 Mr. Taylor started for the western plains, tarrying for a time at Dodge City, Kan., and then for three years he engaged in fanning, thence proceeding to Colorado, when his occupations for a year were some what varied, driving stage, working on the railroad and other kindred labors. Tiring of this, he went to Salt Lake City and engaged in freighting for the U. S. government between Salt Lake City and Fort Thornburg. continuing this for six months and then pursuing the same employment between Cheyenne, Wyo., and Fort Laramie until the spring of 1881, when, going to Fort Bridger, he was there identified with the government service as a teamster and as a wagonmaster until the spring of 1884, for his faithful performance of his duties receiving the marked commendations of his superiors. He concluded his connection with the government to work in the Carter post store, being there employed until the abandonment of the post by the Federal troops, when his services in that capacity were not needed.  There upon he engaged in ranching and cattle raising, and, as a preliminary to this, he had previously made claim to the 160 acres where he now resides. Here he runs a fine herd of superior cattle and a superior strain of horses, conducting his business operations with wise forethought and with careful discrimination. He takes a vital interest in all public matters of a local character, having been an efficient school trustee for several terms. On April 24, 1884, he married with Miss Anna Hanson, a daughter of J. B. and Mary A. (Webster) Hanson, natives of England, who is an able helpmeet to her industrious husband. They have had seven children, of whom four survive, Herbert A., deceased ; Katie, deceased; Eugene, deceased; Edgar L.; Beulah; Mary A. B.; Charles. The family enjoys the confidence and friendship of the entire community, and at their hospitable fireside the latchstring ever hangs out. (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

GEORGE W. TIBBETS.

Although comparatively a young man, it is no exaggeration to say that George W. Tibbets, whose productive estate is situated on Mill Creek, about eighteen miles south of Evanston, Wyoming, ranks as one of the leading business men of his section. Possessed of a clear and a sober judgment, he belongs to that class of men which always leaves its impression forcibly and strongly upon the communities where they reside. His energy, enterprise, shrewdness and integrity have ever been marked and pronounced factors in his gratifying success in business and in social life. Mr. Tibbets was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., on May 26, 1863, the youngest son of Lester G. and Emily Tibbets, who were likewise of the Empire state, and his paternal grandfather, also George W.  Tibbets, was a native of that, state. He early married Miss Ellen Greene, who was born in Massachusetts and was like her husband descended from prominent and illustrious families of that state, connected with the various departments of the development, progress and prosperity of the commonwealth from early Colonial days, members of both families having been represented in professional, industrial and military circles. General Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame is perhaps the most notable one of the Greene family.   Lester Tibbets was a farmer in Rensselaer and Scoharie counties, N. Y., and his marriage to Emily Cook occurred in Huntcrsland, Scoharie County. They had four children, Cora F., who married Dr.  H. II. Weyburn of Geneva, N. Y., and died leaving five children ; Louis D., who resides in Argcnta, Mont.; Annie, who died at the age of five years; George W., left an orphan at the age of six years by the death of his mother, who passed away when thirty-six years old, and was buried in the beautiful little rural cemetery at Huntersland. George W. Tibbets received the educational advantages of the excellent public schools of the county of his nativity until he attained the age of nineteen years. He then commenced his independent course of business for himself by becoming a farmer in New York, where he continued agricultural operations for about eight years. The West, with its possibilities for better remuneration for earnest and energetic labor, attracted him and he went first to Kansas, later becoming a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah, where for about eighteen months he conducted a profitable meat business.  He came to Wyoming in 1889 and located upon a quarter section of government land, a portion of his present valuable property on Mill Creek.  Wyo., where he now maintains his home, having erected thereupon a commodious residence of modern architecture and design, one of the pleasantest homes in a wide range of country; and here he has been and is extensively engaged in stock raising. He now owns 1,120 acres of valuable land, and in addition to this rural estate he leases for grazing purposes one section of state land. His business operations have steadily increased and have been conducted with wise judgment and discriminating care, his herds of cattle being numerous and of the best quality. Mr. Tibbets has always taken an active part in local and public affairs and is the present efficient road superintendent of his district and for a number of years he has been the treasurer of his school district. He is an earnest supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican political party, with which he has been identified since he became a voter.  He was married on March 21, 1882, in Huntersland, N. Y., with Miss Missoura Swart, a daughter of Daniel A. and Caroline (Wagner) Swart, and also a native of New York. Her father was a son of David Swart. David Swart was a native of Germany, he marrying, however, a lady named Green, who was born in New York, which state was also the birthplace of the parents of Mrs. Tibbets. Mr. and Mrs.  Tibbets have five children, Viola C., who married Jonathan Jones, Jr., and resides on Mill Creek; Flora E.; Cora F.; Esther G., and George IV. Mr. Tibbetts is always willing to give his time, money and influence to promote the interests of his community and the public in general, while his home is a home of marked hospitality and had he paid the same attention to public matters that he has to his successful business operations, he has the qualities that might easily have carried him well into the front of official life. He is truly a self-made man and is always ready to help along and advance every worthy public enterprise and private benefaction.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

ENOCH TURNER.

Belonging to the class that constitutes the productive and developing element of the community, Enoch Turner, of Almy, Wyoming, and his excellent wife have done very well their parts toward the advancement of their section, and have displayed in a conspicuous manner the best traits of American citizenship, although receiving their birth and educational training in the rural districts of England. Mr. Turner was born in Staffordshire, England, on September 9, 1844, being a son of John and Ann (Owen) Turner, his father also being a native of the same shire, where his life was passed in mining operations, dying at the age of sixty-six years, to be interred in the Derbyshire churchyard. The mother, born in the same locality as was her husband, after her death at sixty-seven years, was also conveyed to the Derbyshire cemetery. Their children were Hezekiah, Enoch and Lucy, the subject of this sketch being now the sole survivor.  His educational and technical instructions were given in his native land, and Mr. Turner continued to be there employed with a due measure of success until 1878, when he consummated a long cherished purpose and emigrated to America in November of that year. Coming directly to Almy, Wyo., he found that his valuable experience as a miner in the Old World at once secured him employment here at very satisfactory wages and he continued his connection with the operation of the mines until 1895, being prospered in his employment, and rapidly gaining friends among both the miners and the citizens.  Feeling the need of a change of existence, and having the necessary means to profitably engage in the branch of industrial activity of stock raising, so largely conducted in this state, in 1895 Mr. Turner secured by homestead his present place of ioo acres, and here he is conducting cattle raising successfully in a modest way, running a* choice herd. He has ever taken great interest in public and political matters from the standpoint of an intelligent reason, and has been three times elected to fill the responsible office of justice of the peace on the Populist ticket. He is in many ways a factor in the development and well being of the community, and has a large and ever expanding circle of friends. In England, in 1872, Mr. Turner formed connubial relations with Miss Fannie Boom, who was born in 1848, a daughter of George and Alice (Gibbons) Boom, of England. They were early members of the Mormon Church, under its auspices coming to Utah in 1874, thence removing to Almy, Wyo., where the father engaged in mining until his death in 1891, at the age of sixty-six years, after which event the widow returned to Utah, where her death occurred in 1901 at the age of seventy-two years. Industrious, unpretentious and useful people, they faithfully fulfilled their earthlv destinies and were honored and beloved by many friends. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Turner consists of these children: Alice; Annie; Enoch; Millie, deceased; Amy; Thomas; Emma; James; David; Minnie; George; William, deceased, all having graced the home.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

JOSEPH WALL.

The fair land of Sweden has given to the development and settlement of the Great West some of its most valuable citizens, who by their probity, their industry and their great intelligence have been a credit and an honor to the land from which they came, and are also among the representative citizens of the land of their adoption. Notably is this the case with Joseph . Wall, whose well improved and valuable estate is located two and one half miles north of the brisk and prosperous town of Lyman, Wyo..  where he is engaged in stock raising on a scale of scope and importance. He was born in Ostertollen, Sweden, on August 15, 1848. His parents, Joseph and Johanna Wall, came to Utah in 1873, as part of a Mormon colony, and there they passed their remaining years, the mother dying in January, 1885, and the father in January, 1899, and both lie buried in Cottonwood ward cemetery. Joseph Wall was the second of their six children. Receiving his education in the excellent Swedish schools, he came to Nebraska in 1871, and lived there until 1882, when he came to Utah and here applied himself to carpenter work until 1892. Then he removed to his present location in Wyoming and homesteaded eighty acres of land, his right to more having been forfeited by his previously taking eighty in Nebraska. In Wyoming he has been prospered in his specialty of stock raising, his operations so expanding that he has been forced to lease large tracts and he now farms about 600 acres of land and is developing a fine estate, on which, at the present writing (1902), he is constructing an elegant residence of twelve rooms, modern in style and architecture, and is also adding other necessary improvements to his property. In Nebraska, on January 14, 1873, occurred the marriage of Mr.  Wall and Miss Christina Larson, a daughter of Lars Larson, of Sweden, and to them were born four children, Albion, who died in Nebraska in infancy; Joseph; Anna M., now wife of Henry Voss, residing near Lyman, and Hattie V., now the wife of Oscar Erickson, of Mountain View. Mrs. Christina Wall died in Utah on April 26, 1881, at the age of thirty-three years and was buried in Big Cottonwood cemetery. On July 2, 1881, at Salt Lake City, Mr. Wall wedded Miss Jensine Hendrickson, a daughter of Henry Peterson and his wife, Anna Jenson, natives of Denmark. Her father departed this life in his native country and in 1871 his widow and family came to Utah. There are four children of this marriage, Joseph W., Edwin M., Leonard and Charlotte O. Both parents arc faithful and consistent members of the Church of Latter Day Saints at Lyman and Mr. Wall has had the distinction of being one of the priests of the Seventy. During the practice of polygamy he had two other wives, by one of whom, Tomina Peterson, he had seven children, Elizabeth M., Lawrence C.,  Sina M., Hannah T., Clara A., Henry W. and Francis L. By the other, Ellen Anderson, he had six children, Cora S., who died in infancy, Raymond A., Nana V., George A., Marietta N.  and Eunice M.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

JOHN D. WATSON.

One of the keen, enterprising, Progressive men of Uinta County, Wyoming, John D. Watson, now located on the old government meadow at Black Fork, three miles south of Fort Bridger, well merits review in this volume. He was born at Culpeper, Va., on April 6, 1856, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Brennan) Watson, both natives of Virginia and descending from families that have made their home in the land through the earlier and later Colonial epochs, have been distinctive factors in various departments of the states public movements for many generations and participants in all the wars of the state from the Revolution onward.  His paternal grandfather, Walter Watson, who married with a Miss Margaret Ficlau, was not only the proprietor of a large flouring mill run by water power, but had an extensive acquaintanceship by means of his ownership of a popular stage line, running from Fredericksburg to Washington. The Watsons were originally from England, but the mother of our subject was of Irish extraction, her ancestors coming to America long before the Revolution. She was the daughter of Daniel and Mary J. (Abbott) Brennan, and became the mother of three sons, John D., Daniel S., and William V.   She has long survived her husband, and now maintains her home with the subject of this review. John D. Watson received his educational discipline in the Virginia schools until he was nineteen, when he entered the employ of a government contractor, with whom he remained from 1876 to 1880, thence proceeding to St. Louis and becoming identified with railroading until November. 1883, when, passing the succeeding winter at his old Virginia home, in the spring he went to Colorado, where for a year he was engaged in the nursery business. Coming to Fort Bridger in May. 1885, his first employment here was the superintendence of the fine herd of thoroughbred Hereford cattle owned by Doctor Brewster, which continued with mutual satisfaction for sixteen months, when, finding an opportunity to engage in the government transportation service as an assistant to the veteran contractor, Lot Winston, he accepted the chance. After giving acceptable labor.in this direction, in 1887, he succeeded Mr. Winston as contractor in the transportation of government supplies from and to various points, but more especially to Forts Bridger and Duchesne. That the government deemed the contract an important one is evidenced by the fact that Mr. Watson furnished a bond of $10,000 for the faithful performance of his duty.  Under his administration, however, there was no delay nor trouble. His record was the cleanest one on the books of the various posts, and, contrary to the former practice, not one of the posts was ever delayed one day in the receipt of the expected supplies. In 1888 Mr. Watson, in association with David Kay, the well-known commission man of Ogden, Utah, contracted to furnish fuel, feed and forage to Forts Bridger and Duchesne in Utah. Fort Russell, in Wyoming, and Forts Sydney, Niobrara and Robinson, in Nebraska. It may be mentioned as of interest, that in one item alone, that of wood, they furnished 10,000 cords at prices varying from $4.60 to $9:00 per cord. In 1800 Mr. Watson individually contracted to construct four miles of the Utah Northern Railroad and applied all of his energies and capital to the task. . Unforeseen difficulties were encountered, however, and the contract proved disastrous, sweeping away all of his financial accumulations. Disappointed, but not disheartened, Mr. Watson returned to Fort Bridger. and, when the reservation was opened for settlement, he filed claim to the land where he had previously located, and there engaged in raising a high grade of horses, cattle and sheep. His mother also acquired a tract of 160 acres of land on the reservation which is added to the acreage he controls. Here his admitted skill and judgment is of most excellent service, and in this profitable industry he is again forging rapidly to the front, being one of the truly representative stockmen of the county. He owns a registered prizewinning ram, which carried off the first premium at one of the Dominion exhibitions of Toronto, Canada. It sheared to within a small fraction of twenty five pounds of wool in the spring of 1902. His herds are of the finest strain, the horses being graded Clydesdales and his cattle, graded Durhams, and in these lines of finely bred animals, he is truly a public benefactor, entitled to the high credit he is receiving. On February 9, 1888, Mr. Watson wedded with Miss Mary Sheehan, a daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Connell) Sheehan, emigrants from Ireland, her mother being a daughter of Daniel Connell and a granddaughter of Daniel Hafey, the popular Celtic poet, the families being intermingled with those of historic luster and patriotism. Of their children we note: Francis J., died an infant: Daniel X.; John A.; William B.; Marguerite Mae; Michael C; Peter A.; Elizabeth L.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

JOHN WESTON.

We now make a record of the life and activities of one of the unostentatious citizens of Uinta County, Wyoming, who has ever been an industrious, hardworking and valuable citizen of the communities of his residence, who is held in high esteem by his many friends and acquaintances as a man of correct life, sterling integrity and undeviating industry. John Weston was born in County Middlesex, England, in 1831, the son of Richard and Anna (Willis) Weston. His father pursued the quiet, uneventful life of a prosperous English farmer, until his death, and the mother is still residing on the old homestead. Receiving slight advantages in an educational direction, at the age of sixteen years Mr.  Weston individually began business by learning brick making, engaging in this strenuous method of obtaining a livelihood until he came to this country in 1885. He had established a home of his own in 1869, when he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Rouse, daughter of Samuel Rouse, of Kirkbyfolly. England, and a woman of unusual mental and religious attributes, taking great delight in her domestic duties, and also being active and prominent in the various departments of the activities of her church, the Methodist, and a highly valued member of that religious denomination. She died on April 4, 1883, aged thirty-seven years, and awaits the resurrection in the quiet rural cemetery of her English home. Her four children are Edward, Henrietta. Minnie and Anna. Mr. Weston on leaving England came directly to Almy and for the long period of thirteen years he was connected with mining at that place, four years ago, however, retiring and making his residence on his little ranch in the vicinity of the brisk and Progressive town of Almy. Mr. Weston is a Republican in his political affiliations, but has never sought office.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

WILLIAM. L. WHEELER.

After long years of strenuous life in buffeting with the world on the vast plains of the West, William L. Wheeler, an honored pioneer and successful stockman on Beaver Creek, Wyoming, his valuable ranch being eligibly located a short distance south of the little village of Lone Tree, is passing the evening twilight of his life in the beautiful home his energy has evolved from the primeval wilderness, surrounded by choice herds of excellent stock and he has the satisfaction of knowing that his own ability, industry and mental action are responsible for this pleasant condition of affairs and that he is beholden to none other than himself in the acquisition of his property. He was born on July n, 1837, in Columbia county, N.Y.. a son of William and Phoebe (Bennett) Wheeler, and is the sole survivor of his fathers family. Attending the New York schools until he was twenty years of age, in 1857 he entered upon his long and eventful western life by crossing the continent from St.  Louis to Casper, Wyo. with an ox train, which was carrying supplies for the Deer Creek Indian agency.  He continued in this freighting until 1861, then at Pikes Peak, Colo., he engaged in mining to some extent, soon reverting however to freighting, pursuing these employments until 1870. when he came to Fort Bridger, and for twenty years thereafter was a faithful and respected employee of Hon. W. A. Carter and the Carter estate, only closing his connection there with to find a home and conduct stock operations for himself. In 1890 he located on the quarter section of government land that is now his home and here he has devoted himself to the raising of a superior class of cattle, having at the present time a choice herd of finely graded Hereford stock; being prospered in his undertakings as the result of his care, his discrimination and his superior knowledge of the business. His ranch is most eligibly located and in an advanced state of improvement, his land consisting of excellent meadow ground which returns him bounteous crops of hay. He is held in high esteem as a citizen and a neighbor and in a quiet way he takes great interest in public matters of local interest and supports the Democratic political party.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

WILLIAM O. YOUNG.

This highly educated gentleman and now successful stockman. having his ranch home on Bear River, twenty miles south of Evanston. Uinta county, Wyoming, was born in Summit county.  Utah. on August 14, 1861, a son of Hans O.  and Henrietta G. (Homer) Young, natives of Norway, who came to the United States about 1855 or 1856, and settled in Summit county, Utah, in i860, where Hans O. Young has since been engaged in mercantile trade, with the exception of one year spent in Europe. Hans O.  Young, beside being a successful merchant, has been a very prominent public man and officeholder ever since he came to America. He represented Summit County in the State Legislature of Utah in 1894, and has also filled the offices of county assessor and collector.   He stands very high in the Church of the Latter Day Saints, being the bishop of Parlors Park ward. His wife whom he married in Summit County, was also very active in the work of the church and died at Parlors Park. Utah, on November 27, 1900, at the age of fifty-six years, her remains being interred at Salt Lake City. Among the children of the marriage of Hans O. Young and Henrietta G. Homer are the following: William O., whose name opens this biography; John, who is deceased and was buried in Alder Gulch. Mont.; Henrietta Marie, widow of D. C. McGlothin, of Park City, Utah; Minnie F.. wife of William C.  Wallace, also of Park City: Andrew H., married.  and now foreman of the Quincy mine; Frederick L., married, and living in Butte, Mont.; Pearl L., wife of F. H. Bird, assessor, of Park City, Utah.  William O. Young received his elementary education in the public schools of Utah, and, later, took the normal course at Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan. He then taught for five years in the public schools of Salt Lake City and he was likewise the city superintendent of schools, but failing health caused his retirement from these honorable, as well as onerous, positions, and for the following sixteen years, he devoted himself to merchandising in Park City.  He then disposed of his mercantile interests, and came to Uinta County, Wyo., in 1892, entered a tract of 160 acres of land from the government and also purchased 320 other acres and converted the entire 480 acres into a cattle ranch or range, on which he breeds and runs cattle and horses.  Mr. Young is likewise largely interested in lead mining, owning stock in five mines on Duck Creek, in Nevada, and in oil lands his interest covers 8.,000 acres in Uinta county. Wyo. William O. Young was united in marriage in Park City. Utah, on October 14, 1883. with Miss Mary J. McAllister, daughter of Richard W. and Elizabeth (Bell) McAllister, both natives of Pennsylvania, Richard W. being a son of Richard and Eliza McAllister. Of this felicitous union have been born seven children. Maimetta, William W., Wesley O., Enna E., Henrietta P.. Minnie B.  and Delia to grace the home circle.  (Source Progressive Men of Wyoming)  Biographie Index

 

 

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