Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: SIMONSON, A. J. (published 1918) *********************************************************************** 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. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 November 6, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 348, 350-351 photo p. 349 A. J. SIMONSON. A. J. Simonson is carrying on a business of substantial and profitable proportions in connection with the realty interests of the city, but it is not only as a business man that he is widely known. He is prominent and popular In sporting circles, but he holds paramount to all these Interests his duty to his country, and in this hour when the call is made for the tangible expression of American patriotism Mr. Simonson has not been found wanting. Indeed, he has done most effective work for his country as a member of the committee on all the three Liberty Loan drives, in the War Savings Stamp drives, in the drives for the Young Men's Christian Association and for the Red Cross. In fact, his committee work for the public and welfare of the country has been most effective, far-reaching and resultant. Mr. Simonson's total capital when he left home was a thoroughbred colt given to him by his father. From that time to the present he has been the owner of fine horses, and as a sportsman is widely known. Another feature of his life deserves more than passing notice, and that concerns his charitable work, for he is extending a helping hand-wherever aid is needed. Michigan claims Mr. Simonson among her native sons. He was born in Birmingham, that state, December 14, 1863, his parents being Alvin D. and Margaret (Evans) Simonson, the former a native of New York, while the latter came to America at the age of nine years from her native land-the little rock-ribbed country of Wales, her parents settling with their family in Michigan. In early life Alvin D. Simonson left his native state and removed to Michigan, taking up his abode on a farm. He was a pioneer in that section of the state, in which the birth of his son occurred. He followed farming in the summer months and in the winter seasons engaged in teaching school, and he continued to reside upon the old homestead farm in Michigan for forty years, there passing away in 1897, when seventy-two years of age. His wife is also deceased. In their family were seven children, of whom one daughter has passed away. The others of the family are: Decalvis G., who is now living retired in Denver; John E., a prominent attorney of Denver, who was formerly city and county attorney of Bay county and of Bay City, Michigan; Mrs. Mary J. McManus, residing in Dallas, Texas; Dr. Albert G. Simonson, chief physician and surgeon for the Calumet & Hecla Copper Company of Michigan, with thirty-four physicians under his direction; and William G. Simonson, an attorney of Denver. The other member of the family is A. J. Simonson, who in his youthful days was a pupil in the public schools of Birmingham, Michigan, but after hís fourteenth year worked upon his father's farm until he reached the age of sixteen, at which time he was made manager of the farm. When a young man of twenty-one years he was elected county assessor and township treasurer in his home county, and occupied those positions in a most acceptable manner for six years, when he decided to remove to the west. His father then presented him with a racing-bred colt. This colt was bred on the home farm, and when foaled looked so unpromising that his father gave it to the son, to do with as he liked. Young Simonson trained and developed it, and probably more through his skill than its breeding, the animal showed speed, and at four years old was given a mark of 2:28. In disposing oí it for eleven hundred dollars and another horse, which he sold later for five hundred dollars, Mr. Simonson secured the capital that proved the foundation of his subsequent success. In 1888 Mr. Simonson went to Alliance, Nebraska, where he turned his attention to the lumber business. He prospered in the undertaking, and from time to time established new yards until he was the owner of three lumber-yards along the North Platte river in Nebraska, before the railroads were built. His business grew extensively, and in addition to conducting his chain of lumber-yards he also engaged in cattle raising and ranching. In Alliance he established a livery business and also became connected with general merchandising there, conducting a large store. His interests were thus broad and of a most important character, and constituted a valuable element in the upbuilding and development of that section of' the country. When there was anything to be done for the welfare of the community he was called upon to further the project, and never failed to respond, nor did he fail to do effective work in the line indicated. In addition to all of his other interests, public and private, he erected over one hundred houses and business blocks in Alliance. He was the head of the Business Men's Association, and also organized the County Fair Association, being its principal factor and its president for six years. During that time he built the race track and grandstand at the fair grounds, but in 1900 he disposed of all of his interests in Nebraska and came to Denver, seeking a new field of labor. Here he established himself in the real estate business, specializing in farm, ranch and acreage property and in irrigation enterprises. He organized the Antero Land & Irrigation Company, of which he is the president, and which controls one of the biggest irrigation projects of Colorado, irrigating six hundred thousand acres of land near the city of Denver. Mr. Simonson was also one of the prime movers in the organization of and became the president of the Tolgate Land & Reservoir Company of Colorado. This company was organized for the purpose of bringing the water down from the mountains and storing it in reservoirs for irrigation purposes. Mr. Simonson has likewise been identified with many organizations of a public and semi-public character. He was one of the founders of the Gentlemen's Riding and Driving Club, of which he is the president, and through his efforts and perseverance has made driving one of the most popular sports for ladies and gentlemen in the west. People from all over the world have been his guests at the meets, and Mr. Simonson is fast winning the records of the local harness horse track. He won the one mile pacing record with Tommy Gratton. with a record of 2:10 1/4. The half mile pacing record was won by his horse. Hal C., who covered the track in 1:02 ½. Mr. Simonson is also the owner of a trotting mare, Paceta Belle. He is a member of the Colorado State Racing Commission, appointed by Governor Julius Gunter, and he has charge of all the fairs and racing associations in the state of Colorado. In 1916 he was president of the Denver Real Estate Exchange, and he is vice president of the Agricultural Bureau of Denver. a member and director of the Civic and Commercial Association, and chairman of the increased farm production committee. He is likewise vice president and member of the board of directors of the farm lands committee of the Merchants' Association of America, which is the only one of the kind in the world and covers the United States and Canada, Mr. Slmonson having charge of its interests in Wyoming. Colorado and New Mexico. The political allegiance of Mr. Simonson is republican. He always stands for principles and plans which he believes to be for the best interests of the community, and casts an independent ballot. In January, 1888. Mr. Simonson was married to Miss Eva J. Crouch, of Birmingham, Micliigan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Crouch, the latter a descendant of Miles Standish. Mr. and Mrs. Simonson have become parents of two children, Lynn E., born in Alliance. Nebraska, in 1891, is now with the colors as a wireless operator in the radio service. He was graduated from the Manual Training school and Mrs. Roberts' school, and for three years was a well known business man of Denver, in connection with iron and wire work. Warren S. Simonson, born in Alliance, Nebraska, in 1895, attended the schools of Denver, and for a year was a student in the Denver University and Agricultural College. He was engaged in ranching on an extensive scale at Torrington, Wyoming, raising cattle and horses, but is now in the army and is acting sergeant, stationed at Fort McArthur, Texas. Mr. Simonson. m addition to his interests already mentioned, is operating four fine farms, one in Lincoln county, two in Arapahoe county. and a large irrigated farm of twenty four hundred acres in Prowers county. He is engaged in raising fine horses and cattle upon his different farms, and pays especial attention to the breeding of thoroughbred stock. His life has indeed been a busy, active and useful one. and important and extensive as are his business affairs, he has found time since the entrance of America in the war to take a most active and helpful part in all the movements that tend to support the welfare and purposes of the government in its world policy.