Rock, Henley C, 1905 Bio, Rio Blanco County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/rioblanco/bios/rockhc.txt --------------------------------------- Donated March 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Henley C. Rock Henley C. Rock of near Meeker, Rio Blanco county, was born in Lee county, Virginia, on April 20, 1849, and is the son of Henry and Nancy (Webb) Rock, who were born and reared in Craig county, Virginia, and moved to Greenwood county, Kansas, in 1873. The father has been a farmer through life and prospered at the business. He is an ardent Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife belong to the Christian church. They are the parents of seven children, four living and three dead. Oscar died in 1865, Sarah in 1879 and Gustavus in 1900. The four living are Martha A., wife of James A. Robinson, a farmer of Greenwood county, Kansas, Henley C., Clifton P., a banker of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Van Buren, a stockman of Indian Territory. Their son Henley remained at home and assisted in the work of the farm until 1873. He received a good business education, and when he left home went to work on a farm in Kansas, remaining there so occupied until 1876, during a portion of the time carrying on the farm in partnership with his father. In 1876 he became a resident of Colorado, locating in the San Juan country near Lake City, where he followed mining with moderate success. In 1879 he moved to Leadville, where he continued mining until 1882. He then bought a portion of the ranch which is now his home, and which he has since increased to four hundred and eighty acres. He can cultivate three hundred acres of the tract, and on this part he raises good crops of hay, grain and vegetables. He is also extensively engaged in the cattle industry, raising large numbers of thoroughbred Hereford cattle and horses of superior grades. The water supply for irrigation is sufficient for present purposes and can be increased when necessary, as he has an interest in the Highland & Miller creek ditch. The ranch is located seven miles east of Meeker, the soil is fertile, the tillage is skillful and the results are gratifying. Mr. Rock found the land wild and unimproved, and what the ranch is today it has become wholly through his own efforts and wise management, he having made all the improvements, and raised his property to the first rank among the ranch homes in this valley. In the fraternal life of the community he is connected with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen, and in political faith he is an unwavering Democrat, interested in the success of his party and at all times willing to aid in its contests. On January 23, 1893 he was united in marriage with Miss Laura S. Hayes, a native of Indiana, born in Montgomery county. They have had five children, of whom three died in infancy and two are living, Lois V. and Frederick H. =================================================== 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.