La Plata County CO Archives Biographies.....Newcomb, Cyrus F. August 13, 1831 - January 3, 1905
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net February 22, 2006, 3:42 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     Through the thrilling and exciting scenes of American life in many places

and under a great variety of circumstances, and yielding his due tribute of

service and good citizenship to his country in all, Cyrus F. Newcomb, of

Durango, La Plata county, came to his estate of worldly comfort and public

esteem.  He was a pioneer of 1868 in this state and a native of Boston,

Massachusetts, born on August 13, 1831. His parents, Harley and Roxanna D.

(Hartwell) Newcomb, were natives of Massachusetts and descended from some of the

founders of the state.  Their son Cyrus grew to manhood in his native state and

was educated there.  In 1852 he came west to Iowa, and a few months later went

to Chicago where he clerked in a hotel for three years.  He then went to Rock

Island and engaged in business as a traveling salesman, following this

occupation three years.  In 1859 he crossed the plains to Pike’s Peak, and after

a short stop there went on to California.  In 1860 he moved to New Mexico, and

soon afterward to Virginia City, Nevada, where he built and operated the Mound

House and the Half-Way House hotels, for a period, then passed some time in the

Reese river and White Pine country.  From there he went to Salt Lake City, and

from there to Virginia City, Montana, then to Oregon and back to South Pass,

Wyoming, where he remained until 1868, when he came to Colorado and was employed

in treating ore at the first mill at Georgetown.  He helped to start the first

mill at Gilpin gulch, and worked there until 1872.  At that time he moved to Del

Norte.  He became the first mayor of this town and read the Declaration of

Independence in public for the first time it was so read in this part of the

country.  From 1881 to 1886 he was deputy revenue collector.  In 1887 he came to

Durango to live.  Here he served a number of years as justice of the peace, and

United States commissioner and as police judge.  He was also interested in

mining, and was also the author of a number of well-known books concerning the

ancient races of history.  Mr. Newcomb was a valued member of the San Juan

Pioneer association and made substantial contributions to the interest and

profits of its proceedings.  His first marriage occurred in Chicago in 1852 and

was with Miss Elizabeth Huddleston.  She died a few years later in Chicago,

leaving two children, Dr. W.K. Newcomb, of Champaign, Illinois, and Harley

Newcomb, of Durango, this state.  Mr. Newcomb’s second marriage took place in

1871, and was with Miss Jane Wells.  In 1881 he married a third wife, Mrs.

Hattie E. Allen, a widow with five children by a former marriage.  Mr. Newcomb

was a prominent and influential citizen and was universally respected throughout

his portion of the state, his death, which occurred on January 3, 1905, being

deeply regretted.         

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



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