Hinsdale County CO Archives Biographies.....Avery, Henry A. December 8, 1847 - 
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Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net November 5, 2005, 5:34 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

Henry A. Avery 
   One of the most prominent and influential citizens of Lake City, Colorado,
and distinguished among its citizens as a pioneer, leading business man,
standing high in professional circles, and having rendered the community
excellent service in several official stations, Henry A. Avery is universally
recognized in his county as a man of great usefulness and one whose career in
this state has been of signal benefit to it and whose character and capacities
are good types of those for which its people are respected.  He was born near
Monroeville, Huron county, Ohio, on December 8, 1847, the son of Luther and
Susanna (Ford) Avery, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of
Lincolnshire, England.  After settling in Ohio they remained there until death,
the mother passing away in August, 1870, and the father in February, 1895.  He
was a prominent farmer and stock-raiser in his county, and an influential man in
politics as an active working Republican.  Along with his farming and stock
interests he engaged in speculation to some extent, and was successful in that
as he was in everything else.  Six of their children survive them, Mrs. Mary
Rushton, George L., James O., Edward W., Mrs. Addie Bemis and Henry A.  The last
named was educated in the public schools and at Dennison University, located at
Granville in his native state.  He remained at home until after the death of his
mother, then, in 1871, came to Colorado and located in the vicinity of Denver,
where he passed a year engaged in different pursuits.  In the spring of 1872 he
moved to Pueblo, and for a few months worked on ranches near that city.  He was
then appointed assistant postmaster at Pueblo, and this office he held until
April, 1877.  At that time he changed his residence to Lake City, and soon after
his arrival at that point entered into a partnership with John S. Hough in
merchandising, handling stationery and notions.  The partnership lasted until
the spring of 1886, and the business was successful.  Retiring from the firm
then, Mr. Avery became a merchant wholly on his own account, dealing in real
estate and mining interests in connection with his other business, and serving
as clerk of the district court from 1886 to 1900.  In 1896, however, he formed
another partnership with Mr. Hough, which lasted until 1901, when he sold his
interest in the firm to his partner.  Since 1893 he has practiced law, and since
1886 has been in the insurance and real-estate business, representing at times
fifteen different fire insurance companies, and handling mining properties as
well as ranch land and town houses and lots.  During a portion of the year 1889
he served as county clerk.  With the municipal government of Lake City he has
been connected in a leading way from the time of his arrival within its limits.
 He served as mayor for a number of years, and has long been on the school board
and connected with other branches of the local government.  He has been a firm
and zealous Democrat since 1892, and has always from that date taken an active
part in the campaigns of his party.  In a service covering several years in the
Colorado National Pitkin Guards he rose from the ranks to the position of
captain, making the advance on merit and well-deserved popularity.  While all
the time engaged in several different lines of business, he has shown the
capacity to keep their interests all well in hand and prosecute them with vigor
and success, and his activity has put and kept in motion many forces for the
good of the town and county, and the benefit of numbers of their citizens.  On
April 3, 1884, he united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Watson, a native of Will
county, Illinois, born in the city of Wilmington.  They have had nine children.
 Of those three are dead and Charles L., William W., Harriett A., Charlotte A.,
Helen F. and Marion F. are living.  Mr. Avery is of the fiber of which the best
citizenship is made, filled with energy for his own pursuits, and running over
and inundating others with his surplus. He is ardently devoted to the interests
of his adopted state, and sees clearly and performs well his duty in leading its
public opinion and its industrial, commercial, political and educational force
to the finest and best results.  The esteem in which he is held throughout the
county is based on his real worth and manhood, and it grows steadily with the
flight of time, as he rises to higher duties and more comprehensive usefulness.  

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

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