VEZINA, Nelson, b 1841; 1905 Bio, Delta County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/delta/bios/vezinan.txt --------------------------------------- Donated September 29, 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Nelson Vezina A highly respected and serviceable citizen of Delta county, living on Ash mesa, where he was a pioneer and the second settler, Nelson Vezina has seen the redemption of the region from a barren wilderness and its progress to its present condition of fertility and fruitfulness, and has borne his full share in working out the change. He is living now in comfort and prosperity surrounded by the fruits of his labor and the advantages of the civilization he has aided so materially in establishing and promoting. Mr. Vezina was born in the dominion of Canada on June 26, 1841. His parents were John and Margaret (Butternea) Vezina, both like himself born and reared in Canada. The father was a farmer, but having learned the trade of a carpenter in his early life, he worked at that in connection with his farming to the end of his days. The son Nelson, after receiving a common-school education and learning his trade under the instruction of his father, left home in 1863, at the age of twenty-two, and crossed the line to Michigan, where he remained four years, working at his trade. In 1867 he moved to Lee county, Iowa, where he lived until 1875, all the while industriously pushing his plane. He then returned to his native country and during the next six years was variously employed there. In 1881 he again came to "the States" and located at Leadville, this state. A year later he moved to Delta county and took up a homestead claim on Ash mesa, building the second house on this elevation, the only other resident of it at the time being Thomas Ash, for whom the mesa was named. After a few more settlers came in they all joined in building a ditch for irrigation, which has been of great advantage to the whole section. Mr. Vezina lived on his homestead until 1894, then sold it and bought one hundred acres, to which he has added another one hundred by a subsequent purchase. Here he raises hay and grain in large quantities and is extensively engaged in the cattle industry. He has been successful in his farming and cattle business and has also made considerable money working at his trade in the mining industry where he got good wages. He carries on both lines of activity with enterprise and vigor, and is altogether a very prosperous man. On September 16, 1861, he was married to Miss Emily Roapell, a native of Canada. They had eleven children, of whom but four are living, Emily, Lialumena, deceased, Emma, Mary and Nelson. The others died in infancy. The mother died on January 7, 1875, and on January 3, 1876, Mr. Vezina married a second wife, Miss Mary Brien, who also was born in Canada. They have had twelve children, of whom eight are living, Tami, deceased, Mose, James, Henry, deceased, Anna, Ellen, Edward, Julia, deceased, Mattie, Julia, deceased, Cyril, and Jewel. The living children are all in Colorado but one, and have homes either with or near their father. The youngest is a boy, now eight years old (May, 1905). The father is a Democrat in political faith and all the members of the family are Catholics. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.