JOSEPH R. POWELL, vice-president and secretary of the Long's Peak Coal Company, and a prominent citizen of Erie, Weld County, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., December 14, 1845, a son of John J. and Eliza McG. (Risdon) Powell. He was one of six children, of whom, besides himself, two daughters survive, namely: Caroline, wife of H. L. Krigbaum, of Scranton, Pa.; and Mary A., Mrs. W. M. Darling, also of Scranton.
A native of Burlington, N. J., born March 17, 1813, John J. Powell served an apprenticeship to the brick-layer's trade in Philadelphia when he was a young man, and after his marriage, which took place in Mount Holly, N. J., he settled with his young wife in Brooklyn, N. Y. While there he erected the first gas works built in the city of New York. Afterward he erected gas works in every seaboard town from Maine to Georgia. At the breaking out of the war he embarked in business at White Sulphur Springs, Va., where he arched a number of tunnels. On his return to Scranton, Pa., to visit his relatives he was obliged to remain there, not being permitted to go south of the Mason and Dixon line; and his outfit, which he had left in Virginia, was confiscated. It was not long after this that he contracted rheumatism, which prevented him from re-engaging in active work. He lived retired until his death June 3, 1871. His father was a native of New Jersey and a successful contractor and builder.
When the subject of this sketch was about fifteen years of age his father lost all he had through confiscation. The son, obliged to begin in the world for himself, secured employment as a fireman on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. At twenty years of age he was running a passenger engine on the same road, being one of the youngest engineers on the system. February 14, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Van Valkenburg, a native of Bradford County, Pa., and the daughter of Rev. R. J. Van Valkenburg. In 1868, with his wife, he came west, traveling by rail to Cheyenne, and thence going by stage to Blackhawk, where he secured work as an engineer. Previous to coming to this state he had gone to Omaha, where he was promised an engine, but after waiting for two weeks without securing work he returned to New York, and after consulting his wife they decided to come to Colorado.
For a time Mr. Powell continued engineering and mining on his own responsibility, but when the Colorado Central Railroad was built into Blackhawk in 1872, he made application for and was given a freight engine, which he ran for two weeks, and was then given a passenger engine. In 1873 he retired from railroading and began prospecting, which he continued until 1882. During the latter year he came to Erie and entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad and during the five years that followed he worked for the company at Erie, Rock Springs, Carbon and Como, where he held the position of chief engineer of the company's mines. At Erie he embarked in the hotel business in 1887, continuing in that business until the summer of 1891, when he commenced to prospect for coal. In partnership with William Nicholson, in June, 1892, he leased his present property and immediately began to sink the shaft of the Long's Peak Coal Company, which he has since operated with Mr. Nicholson, the latter being president, while he is vice-president and secretary. In December of the same year, when the United Coal Company bought an interest in the company, Edward P. Phelps was made treasurer. The company is now sinking another shaft about one mile south of Erie, which promises to develop some of the best coal in this region (sic).
Fraternally Mr. Powell is connected with Garfield Lodge No. 50, A. F. & A. M., of Erie, of which he is the present master. He is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which denomination in America his maternal ancestors were among the founders. His mother was a cousin of Dr. Adam Clark, author of Clark's Commentaries. Mr. and Mrs. Powell became the parents of four children, namely: Harry A., deceased; Alice M., wife of W. J. Breckel, who is engaged in the jewelery (sic) business at Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Emma R., wife of C. M. Morning a railroad man, now holding a position in the office of the superintendent of the Burlington & Missouri Railroad at McCook, Neb; and Richard T., deceased.
Source: http://www.memoriallibrary.com/CO/1898DenverPB/pages/pbrd0349.htm
Friday, November 21, 2008
"Erie: Yesterday and Today" about Richard Jeptha Van Valkenburg
Rev. Richard J. Van Valkenburg.
The Sociology and History Classes of Erie High School, Advisor - Mrs. Karen Adelfang. (lst edition) April, 1967. (2nd edition) February, 1974.
The Rev. Richard Jeptha Van Valkenburg (#765,3l - Vol. I, page 312) was born Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1823 of a very patriotic family. His grandfather fought in the War of 18l2. At the age of eighteen, he entered the ministry. When President Lincoln put out his call for men to serve in the Civil War, he read the President's message from his pulpit which resulted in a Company of Volunteers. Later, he distinguished himself as a chaplain in the Union Army. Van Valkenburg married Cordelia Briggs, and they had four children. At the close of the Civil War, he left Pennsylvania seeking a renewal of his health, which had been lost as a result of wounds incurred in the war.
After wandering through Wyoming and Colorado as a Circuit Minister for a year (He is still known in Wyoming as the "Sweet Singer of Hymns"), he and Cordelia settled in Erie, Colorado. Within a few months he had organized a Sunday School which met every week in his home. Thus it was in 1867 that the Rev. R. J. Van Valkenburg did more than he realized for he had organized the beginning of the Methodist Church in Erie, CO, and had made his name immortal in the community.
This minister was also the moving force behind the establishment of the Town of Erie, CO., which was named for his place of birth, Erie, PA. Colorado, in the 1860s and '70s was no place for a "milquetoast" minister. Churches were outnumbered by saloons and parlor houses. In towns that didn't have church buildings, ministers held services in school rooms, private homes, and, if no other space was available, in saloons.
They traveled from one town to another (circuit riders) in all kinds of weather, sometimes preaching sermons in three or four mining camps or valley towns in one day. A great deal of courage, endurance, determination, and a deep commitment to one's faith was required to be a minister in Colorado in the early days. During the years that followed, Van Valkenburg ministered to the people in the communities of Erie and Longmont, Colorado, and other nearby towns. He preached sermons and conducted weddings and funerals.
He also served Erie, CO, in the capacities of mayor, postmaster, police judge, president of the school board, and justice of the peace. He helped organize the town of Erie, CO, officially dated November l4, 1874, but in a notation with some papers taken from the cornerstone of the Erie Methodist Church in 1972, he had written "the town was laid out in 187l". He organized the I.O.O.F. (Oddfellows) Lodge, and at one time served as representative to the State Legislative from Weld County. He also owned the Erie Hotel.
On March l, 19l2, shortly before his death, he and his wife celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. This was a good example to all of the "thousand and one" couples for whom he had performed marriage ceremonies during his long ministerial career. It is not known what became of his four children, but a grand-daughter later lived in Longmont.
Article from A. H. "Pete" (great grandson of Richard Jeptha VV) and Jeanne Van Valkenburg of Walden, Colorado
I found this article at http://www.navvf.org/news/sp98/sp98_erie.html
The Sociology and History Classes of Erie High School, Advisor - Mrs. Karen Adelfang. (lst edition) April, 1967. (2nd edition) February, 1974.
The Rev. Richard Jeptha Van Valkenburg (#765,3l - Vol. I, page 312) was born Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1823 of a very patriotic family. His grandfather fought in the War of 18l2. At the age of eighteen, he entered the ministry. When President Lincoln put out his call for men to serve in the Civil War, he read the President's message from his pulpit which resulted in a Company of Volunteers. Later, he distinguished himself as a chaplain in the Union Army. Van Valkenburg married Cordelia Briggs, and they had four children. At the close of the Civil War, he left Pennsylvania seeking a renewal of his health, which had been lost as a result of wounds incurred in the war.
After wandering through Wyoming and Colorado as a Circuit Minister for a year (He is still known in Wyoming as the "Sweet Singer of Hymns"), he and Cordelia settled in Erie, Colorado. Within a few months he had organized a Sunday School which met every week in his home. Thus it was in 1867 that the Rev. R. J. Van Valkenburg did more than he realized for he had organized the beginning of the Methodist Church in Erie, CO, and had made his name immortal in the community.
This minister was also the moving force behind the establishment of the Town of Erie, CO., which was named for his place of birth, Erie, PA. Colorado, in the 1860s and '70s was no place for a "milquetoast" minister. Churches were outnumbered by saloons and parlor houses. In towns that didn't have church buildings, ministers held services in school rooms, private homes, and, if no other space was available, in saloons.
They traveled from one town to another (circuit riders) in all kinds of weather, sometimes preaching sermons in three or four mining camps or valley towns in one day. A great deal of courage, endurance, determination, and a deep commitment to one's faith was required to be a minister in Colorado in the early days. During the years that followed, Van Valkenburg ministered to the people in the communities of Erie and Longmont, Colorado, and other nearby towns. He preached sermons and conducted weddings and funerals.
He also served Erie, CO, in the capacities of mayor, postmaster, police judge, president of the school board, and justice of the peace. He helped organize the town of Erie, CO, officially dated November l4, 1874, but in a notation with some papers taken from the cornerstone of the Erie Methodist Church in 1972, he had written "the town was laid out in 187l". He organized the I.O.O.F. (Oddfellows) Lodge, and at one time served as representative to the State Legislative from Weld County. He also owned the Erie Hotel.
On March l, 19l2, shortly before his death, he and his wife celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. This was a good example to all of the "thousand and one" couples for whom he had performed marriage ceremonies during his long ministerial career. It is not known what became of his four children, but a grand-daughter later lived in Longmont.
Article from A. H. "Pete" (great grandson of Richard Jeptha VV) and Jeanne Van Valkenburg of Walden, Colorado
I found this article at http://www.navvf.org/news/sp98/sp98_erie.html
Friday, November 14, 2008
Obituary - Galen Thomas Van Valkenburg
Galen T. Van Valkenburg
(Obituary published on 03/23/2005 in the RocketMiner, Rock Springs, Wyoming)
ROCK SPRINGS--Galen T. Van Valkenburg, 81, of 832 Connecticut Ave., Rock Springs, died on Monday, March 21, 2005, at the Sage View Care Center. A resident of Rock Springs since 1973 and former resident of Oregon, Van Valkenburg died following a lengthy illness.
He was born on Nov. 4, 1923, in Rock Springs, the son of Galen and Florence Reese Van Valkenburg. Van Valkenburg attended schools in Rock Springs. He married Winifred Pitchford in Rock Springs on Oct. 19, 1946. Van Valkenburg was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was employed by the Blacksmith Boilermakers Union and worked as a welder for 20 years, retiring in 1987. He was a member of the First Congregational Church, Young-at-Heart Senior Citizens Center, lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Young-at-Heart Senior Rhythm Band and Local 182 Blacksmith Boilermaker Union. His interests included wood carving, hunting, fishing, making ornamental iron, and rock hunting. He was an artist and spent time with his family at their cabin in Boulder.
Survivors include his wife, Wini Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs; two sons, Paul Van Valkenburg and wife Darlene and Terry Lynn Van Valkenburg and wife Sandy, all of Green River; three brothers, Albert Van Valkenburg of West Allis, Wis., Robert Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs and Howard Van Valkenburg and wife Jean of Rock Springs; two sisters, Jane Ann Van Valkenburg of Ogden, Utah, and Mary Koritnik and husband Joe of Cheyenne; three grandchildren, Kim Goins, Corey Van Valkenburg and Steve Van Valkenburg; three great-grandchildren, Dwayne Andrew, Amanda Andrew and Devon VanValkenburg; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister Eva Tolar and her husband Bill.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, March 28, 2005, at the First Congregational Church, 1275 Adams Ave., Rock Springs. The Rev. Harvey Joyner will conduct the services. Military graveside services and interment will be conducted by the American Legion Archie Hay Post No. 24 at the Mountain View Section of the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery. Friends may call at the Vase Funeral Chapel, 154 Elk St., Rock Springs, Sunday from 2-8 p.m. and again Monday morning at the church one hour prior to services.
Learn more about Galen T. Van Valkenburg on the Van Valkenburg Family History website:
Janet Margaret Firmage McPhie
(Obituary printed 11/22/2002 in the RocketMiner, Rock Springs, Wyoming)
CASPER — Janet Margaret Firmage McPhie, 82, died at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002, at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper following a six-month illness with cancer.
Mrs. McPhie was born Sept. 26, 1920, in Rock Springs, the daughter of John William Firmage and Florence Cook, longtime residents of Rock Springs. She attended schools in Rock Springs and graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1938. She married Edward George McPhie on April 9, 1939, in Manila, Utah.
They made their first home in Rock Springs and later moved to Reliance where Mr. McPhie worked in the coal mine. Because of an accident in the mine, it became necessary for him to find another source of work and they later moved to Pinedale.
They lived in Pinedale where their two sons grew up and attended school.
Mrs. McPhie’s interests included cooking and taking care of her family. After Mr. McPhie suffered a heart attack, they moved to Boise, Idaho, to be close to his doctor. He died in Boise on Sept. 25, 1979, and she continued to make her home there.
She was employed at the Boise State College and at Harmon’s Travel Agency. Because of declining health, she moved to Casper in 1997 to be near her son, Gary Lee and wife Noreen and made her home with her grandson, Gary Alan McPhie.
Mrs. McPhie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She is survived by her son, Gary Lee McPhie and wife Noreen of Casper; five grandchildren, Gary Alan of Casper, Kaylynn and Laurie Ann of Ogden, Utah, and Shawna K. and Timothy Edward of Albuquerque, N.M.; three great-grandchildren, Mikaela and Parker Todd Bingham and Matthew Child of Ogden; two sisters, Jean Van Valkenburg and husband Howard of Rock Springs and Ethel Bakka and husband August of Riverton; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Edward George McPhie Jr. who died Sept. 5, 2002, and his wife Paula; one sister, Esther Stevens Woodyat; and one nephew, Gerald Appelhans.
She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Pinedale. Graveside services will be conducted by her brother-in-law Howard Van Valkenburg at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002.
(Obituary printed 11/22/2002 in the RocketMiner, Rock Springs, Wyoming)
CASPER — Janet Margaret Firmage McPhie, 82, died at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002, at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper following a six-month illness with cancer.
Mrs. McPhie was born Sept. 26, 1920, in Rock Springs, the daughter of John William Firmage and Florence Cook, longtime residents of Rock Springs. She attended schools in Rock Springs and graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1938. She married Edward George McPhie on April 9, 1939, in Manila, Utah.
They made their first home in Rock Springs and later moved to Reliance where Mr. McPhie worked in the coal mine. Because of an accident in the mine, it became necessary for him to find another source of work and they later moved to Pinedale.
They lived in Pinedale where their two sons grew up and attended school.
Mrs. McPhie’s interests included cooking and taking care of her family. After Mr. McPhie suffered a heart attack, they moved to Boise, Idaho, to be close to his doctor. He died in Boise on Sept. 25, 1979, and she continued to make her home there.
She was employed at the Boise State College and at Harmon’s Travel Agency. Because of declining health, she moved to Casper in 1997 to be near her son, Gary Lee and wife Noreen and made her home with her grandson, Gary Alan McPhie.
Mrs. McPhie was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She is survived by her son, Gary Lee McPhie and wife Noreen of Casper; five grandchildren, Gary Alan of Casper, Kaylynn and Laurie Ann of Ogden, Utah, and Shawna K. and Timothy Edward of Albuquerque, N.M.; three great-grandchildren, Mikaela and Parker Todd Bingham and Matthew Child of Ogden; two sisters, Jean Van Valkenburg and husband Howard of Rock Springs and Ethel Bakka and husband August of Riverton; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Edward George McPhie Jr. who died Sept. 5, 2002, and his wife Paula; one sister, Esther Stevens Woodyat; and one nephew, Gerald Appelhans.
She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Pinedale. Graveside services will be conducted by her brother-in-law Howard Van Valkenburg at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002.
John Firmage Stevens
(Obituary printed 03/23/2008 in the RocketMiner, Rock Springs, Wyoming)
John Firmage Stevens, 57, died Friday, March 21, 2008, at his home in Portland, Ore.
He was born May 15, 1950, in Longview, Wash., the son of Louis G. Stevens and Esther Firmage Stevens. He attended schools in San Diego and Portland until the death of his father in 1964. He then moved with his mother to Rock Springs, where he completed high school, graduating with the class of 1968.
After high school, he returned to Portland to enroll in an auto mechanic school, which was interrupted by a stint in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After the army, he returned to finish the auto mechanic training, which became is lifelong profession.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints.
He married Marilyn Carole Heen on Dec. 9, 1972, in Portland. They later divorced.
He is survived by his uncles and aunts, Levi and Joyce Stevens of Gresham, Ore., Howard and Jean Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs and August Bakka of Riverton; and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Esther Lee; and paternal and maternal grandparents, Louis and Lillian Crofts Stevens and John and Florence Cook Firmage.
At his request, there will be no formal funeral services.
(Obituary printed 03/23/2008 in the RocketMiner, Rock Springs, Wyoming)
John Firmage Stevens, 57, died Friday, March 21, 2008, at his home in Portland, Ore.
He was born May 15, 1950, in Longview, Wash., the son of Louis G. Stevens and Esther Firmage Stevens. He attended schools in San Diego and Portland until the death of his father in 1964. He then moved with his mother to Rock Springs, where he completed high school, graduating with the class of 1968.
After high school, he returned to Portland to enroll in an auto mechanic school, which was interrupted by a stint in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After the army, he returned to finish the auto mechanic training, which became is lifelong profession.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints.
He married Marilyn Carole Heen on Dec. 9, 1972, in Portland. They later divorced.
He is survived by his uncles and aunts, Levi and Joyce Stevens of Gresham, Ore., Howard and Jean Van Valkenburg of Rock Springs and August Bakka of Riverton; and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Esther Lee; and paternal and maternal grandparents, Louis and Lillian Crofts Stevens and John and Florence Cook Firmage.
At his request, there will be no formal funeral services.