Pueblo County Biographies

Pueblo County, Colorado
WILLIAM J. KEARNEY

Contributed by Karen Mitchell.

William J. Kearney, superintendent of the state fair grounds at Pueblo, was born in Wyandotte, Kansas, on the 11th of December, 1860, a son of Nathaniel and Kate (McGee) Kearney. The father was a contractor and gained prominence in that line of business in Kansas. In the fall of 1870 the family came to Colorado, establishing their home in Pueblo, and entered into active connection with the development and public interests of the city. Nathaniel Kearney had served as a soldier in the Civil war, being engaged in active duty under Generals Grant and Sherman. He took an active part in civic affairs in later life and represented his district in the general assembly of Colorado as a member of the house of representatives. He was also county commissioner for a term of six years and made a most excellent record by his marked devotion to duty. He died in the year 1903 and his wife has also passed away. They were honored pioneer people of the state and when called to their final rest—the father at the age of seventy years and the mother when eighty-one years of age—their deaths were deeply deplored by all who knew them. William J. Kearney began his education in Kansas, where he attended the public and parochial schools, and he also studied to some extent in Pueblo. He started upon his business career in charge of a commissary wagon for the Santa Fe Railroad, with which he was connected for a year during the excitement having to do with the Grand Canyon. He afterward learned the plasterer's trade, which he followed for a few years and then turned his attention to ranching, taking up the business of raising live stock, in which he engaged for twenty-five years. He sold out in August, 1917. He had been appointed to the position of superintendent of the state fair grounds in 1904 and has served continuously since, his appointment coming to him from the state fair commission. That he has made a most excellent record in the position is indicated by his fourteen years' service in the office. He most carefully and faithfully looks after the interests of the commissioners in his superintendency of the fair grounds and his work has given uniform satisfaction. On the 28th of March, 1880, Mr. Kearney was married to Miss Aunie E. Hadley and to the have been born the following named: Arthur W., who is superinteudent for the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company at Carpenter, Coal Creek and Florence; Nina, the wife of Thomas Tolliver, who is now in the United States service with the headquarters detachment at Paris Island, South Carolina; George, who is an engineer; Ruth; and Grace, the wife of Leo Mitchell. There are six grandchildren. In politics Mr. Kearney maintains an independent attitude, supporting men and measures rather than party. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and he also belongs to the Society of Pioneers. He has ever been deeply interested in the state and its development and is a most public-spirited and highly respected citizen. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and he has guided his life according to its teachings. He is faithful to every trust reposed in him, loyal to every cause which he espouses and the sterling traits of his character have won for him the confidence and regard of all who know him. History Of Colorado Illustrated Volume II Chicago The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1918

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