Pueblo-Gunnison-Denver County CO Archives Biographies.....Chew, Edward R. 1852 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/co/cofiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 January 13, 2009, 7:48 am

Author: Wilbur Fiske Stone (1918)

EDWARD R. CHEW.

    There are few phases of pioneer existence in the west and southwest with
which Edward R. Chew is not familiar and he has made valuable contribution to
the development and upbuilding of the sections in which he has operated. He
stands very high in his profession, being connected with the irrigation division
as engineer of Water Division, No. 2, of the Arkansas Valley. He was born in
Lexington, Kentucky, on the 3d of January, 1852, and is a son of Dr. Samuel H.
and Emily (Higbee) Chew, the former a well known physician, who at the time of
the Civil war joined the Confederate army in defense of his loved southland. His
father had settled in Maryland in 1787 and the great-grandfather of Edward R.
Chew of this review was a major in the Third Maryland Regiment in the
Revolutionary war. In the family of Dr. Chew were three sons and two daughters.

    Edward R. Chew, the third in order of birth among the children, was educated
in private schools and in Bethany College of West Virginia, which conferred upon
him the degree of Bachelor of Science. His first professional work was done as a
surveyor on the Lexington & Big Sandy Railroad, after which he engaged in
farming and raising fine stock. He left home in 1876 and in 1879 became a
resident of Denver, Colorado. He engaged in freighting between Denver and
Leadville in that year and afterward took up the work of prospecting. He
subsequently settled in Gunnison county, where he staked the first claim in the
Tomichi district. In 1881 he went to New Mexico and in connection with a party
discovered the Chloride and Palomas districts in the Black range. He was
afterward captain of scouts during the chase after the Indian Chieftains Nana
and Geronimo, the famous Apache warrior. He has prospected in all the western
and southwestern states and in British Columbia and has met many hardships. He
has passed through severe winters, has been denied many of the comforts of
civilization while on prospecting trips, knows every phase of Indian warfare and
has made valuable contribution to the development of the various sections of the
country in which he has operated. He may well be regarded as a pioneer trail
builder and the history of the entire southwest is largely a familiar one to
him. In 1888 he began making Pueblo his headquarters. He has been prominently
associated with many movements which have resulted most beneficially to this
section of the country. He was largely instrumental in having the streams
stocked with game fish.

    In politics Mr. Chew has always been active as a supporter of democratic
principles and was chairman of the city democratic central committee for four
different terms. He was also a member of the state committee from 1879 until
1897, when he was appointed to his present position by Governor Adams. With the
exception of two years he has continuously occupied the office since 1897 and
has made a most capable incumbent in that position. He found matters in a
chaotic condition, but brought order out of disorder and has ever endeavored to
do his duty most faithfully and efficiently, with justice to all. In his present
position there are twelve water commissioners serving under him, for his is a
very large district. He has to deal with all classes of people and has gained
the confidence of all by the fairness and impartiality of his rulings concerning
water rights.

    On the 17th of March, 1890, Mr. Chew was united in marriage to Miss Ella
Shepherd, of St. Louis, and to them have been born two daughters and a son, Mary
B., Dorothy and Edward R.

    In his fraternal relations Mr. Chew is a prominent Mason. He has attained
the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite and since 1889 has been a member of
the Mystic Shrine. He exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft
and is ever most loyal to its teachings concerning the brotherhood of mankind
and the obligations thereby imposed. He also has membership with the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks. He enjoys a game of golf as a means of recreation and
he holds membership in the Commerce Club. He is appreciative of the social
amenities of life and he is known as a skillful fisherman and hunter, greatly
enjoying a trip into the open with rod and gun. His personal qualities are such
as make for popularity among all with whom he has come in contact. His mind is
stored with many incidents of pioneer life and experiences in the west,
rendering him a most entertaining companion, but he also keeps in touch with the
trend of modern thought and progress as it relates to the public welfare and
interests.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

HISTORY OF COLORADO

ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1918


Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/co/pueblo/photos/bios/chew262nbs.jpg

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/pueblo/bios/chew262nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cofiles/

File size: 5.4 Kb