Pueblo County, Colorado
Col. H. M. Fosdick

Contributed by Jean Griesan.

Col. H. M. Fosdick. The records of the lives of our forefathers are of interest to the modern citizen, not alone for their historical value, but also for the inspiration and example they afford; yet we need not look to the past. Although surroundings may differ, the essential conditions of human life are ever the same, and a man can learn from the success of those around him if he will heed the obvious lessons contained in their history. Turn to the life record of Colonel Fosdick, study carefully the plans and methods he has followed, and you will learn of managerial ability seldom equaled. A man of keen perception, of great sagacity, of unbounded enterprise, his power nevertheless lies to a great extent in that quality which has enabled him to successfully control men and affairs.

This honored citizen of Boone, Pueblo County, was born in Boston, Mass., in 1822. His father was a prominent merchant of that city, and for over thirty years an influential member of the Massachusetts legislature. Our subject was educated in the best academies of that city and also in Andover College, and at the age of twenty-two commenced learning civil engineering in the office of Samuel Felton, ex-president of Harvard college. Before the end of a year he was head engineer in the office, with a salary of $1,8oo. He located a part of the Grand Trunk Railroad from Quebec, Canada, to Richmond. He next went to Kentucky, where he was chief engineer of a railroad, but the officials of the Grand Trunk recalled him to take charge of special work on their line. He returned to Quebec, and for eight years was again connected with that road as chief engineer, with headquarters at Montreal. Appreciating his efficient work in their behalf, the company presented him with $3,000 when he resigned from their service.

Returning to Boston, Colonel Fosdick opened an engineering office there and also purchased a sugar refinery eight miles from the city, paying for the same $80,000, but it was soon afterward burned to the ground. In 1859 he crossed the plains by team to Denver, Colo., meeting Horace Greeley on the way. Afterward he laid out Colorado City, and became the owner of most of the town. He returned to Boston in the year 1860 for his wife and children, bringing them to Colorado City, and in 1863 he located at his present place, near Boone, where he owns a fine ranch, well stocked with horses and cattle. He has also done considerable engineering since coming to the state, in the way of laying out ditches, etc. He has also been prominently identified with public affairs in his community, and is recognized as one of its most useful and valuable citizens.

In 1847 he married Miss Lucy Hollis, of Boston, daughter of a wealthy merchant of that place. They became the parents of the following-named children: Henry M., a prominent stockman of Fowler, Colo.; Lucy, a resident of Boston; Susie, wife of Albert G. Boone; Samuel, Mary Ellen (familiarly known as Pink) and Frank, all at home; and Willie, who died when a young man.

Politically Colonel Fosdick was originally a Whig. He was in Faneuil Hall, Boston, when Daniel Webster delivered his famous address. Since the formation of the Republican party he has been one of its ardent supporters, and for twenty-five years he most acceptably served as postmaster of Boone. He is the youngest looking man for his age in Pueblo County, is pleasant, genial and sociable, and is very popular, having a most extensive circle of friends and acquaintances, who esteem him highly for his genuine worth.

Extracted from "Portrait and Biographical Record of the State of Colorado," published by Chapman Publishing Company in Chicago in 1899.


Contributed by Jean Griesan.

Fosdick, H. M. (arrived in Colorado in 1859)

Col. H. M. Fosdick was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1822. His father was a prominent merchant of that city and for over 30 years an influential member of the Massachusetts legislature.

Col. H. M. was educated in the best academies of that city and also in Andover College. At the age of 22 he commenced learning civil engineering in the college of Samuel Felton (ex-president of Harvard College). Before the end of the year he was head engineer in the office, with a salary of $1,800.

He next went to Kentucky where he was chief engineer of a railroad, but the officials of the Grand Trunk, by whom he had been previously employed, recalled him to take charge of special work on their line. He returned to Quebec and for 8 years was again connected with that road as chief engineer, with headquarters at Montreal. Appreciating his efficient work in their behalf, the company presented him with $3,000 when he resigned from their service.

Returning to Boston College, Fosdick opened an office there and also purchased a sugar refinery 8 miles from the city, paying for the same $80,000, but it was soon afterward burned to the ground.

In 1859 he crossed the plains by team to Denver, meeting Horace Greeley on the way. Afterward he laid out Colorado City and became the owner of most of the town. In 1860 he returned to Boston for his wife and children, bringing them to Colorado City. In 1863 he located near Boone, where he owned a fine ranch well stocked with horses and cattle.

In 1847 he [had] married Miss Lucy Hollis of Boston, daughter of a wealthy merchant of that place. They became the parents of seven children: Henry M., a prominent stock man of Fowler, Colorado; Lucy, a resident of Boston; Susie, wife of Albert G. Boone; Samuel; Mary Ellen (familiarly known as Pink); and Frank, all at home. Willie died when a young man.

Colonel Boone served as postmaster of Boone for 25 years.

[The military titles for Fosdick and Boone are not explained.]

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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