Pueblo County, Colorado
Wilbur F. Stone

Contributed by Jean Griesan.

Stone, Wilbur F. (arrived in Colorado in 1860)

Wilbur F. Stone was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, in 1833. (Colorado Pioneer Association record gives date of birth as December 28, 1836.)

In 1859 he went to Omaha, Nebraska, became assistant postmaster and also editor of the Omaha Nebraskan. Early in the spring of 1860 he crossed the plains and from the Cherry Creek settlement he made his way by foot through the mountains to the Tarryall mines of South Park. He wintered at Canon City, where, with the late [Territorial Lieutenant] Governor George A. Hinsdale,* helped to build that town [Hinsdale].

In the winter of 1866 he returned to the States and married Miss Minnie Sadler of Bloomington, Indiana, and, returning, settled at Pueblo, Colorado. In 1887 he was appointed judge of the Denver Criminal Court. After the court was abolished and until 1891 he engaged in the practice of law in Denver. He spent many years in compiling a history of Colorado, which was published in four volumes. It was dedicated to the pioneers of the State. He was an active member of the State Pioneer Society.

Judge Stone died at his residence in Denver December 27, 1919, only one day before the 87th** anniversary of his birth. He is survived by two sons, Wilbur F. Stone of Chicago and Sidney E. Stone of Denver.

* Benson, Maxine, 1994, 1001 Colorado Place Names, p. 101.
**Making his birth year 1832, rather than either 1833 or 1836.

Extracted from "The Real Pioneers of Colorado," by Maria Davies McGrath, published in 1934 by The Denver Museum, retyped with added notes by Jane P. Ohl, in October 2001.



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