Askins, Michael; b. 1833,1905 Bio, Unknown, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/costate/bios/askinsm.txt --------------------------------------- Donated August 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Michael Askins For a period of twenty years Michael Askins has been a resident of Colorado, and during the whole of that time, up to the full measure of his capacities and opportunities, he has contributed to the growth and development of the state and the expansion of its industries. He was born in Ireland in 1833, the son of Edward and Katharine Askins, also natives of Ireland, where their forefathers had lived for many generations, and where the father was actively and profitably engaged in the shipping trade. He and his wife were members of the Catholic church, and both died some years ago, leaving five of their eight children to survive them, the father's death occurring in 1881 and the mother's in 1897. Their son Michael attended the common schools of his native land at intervals until he reached the age of fourteen, then began to help his father in his shipping business, in which he was employed eight years. At the age of twenty-two he went to Scotland, and during the next five months worked at railroading at a compensation of fourteen shillings a week. In 1863 he came to the United States and located at Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in coal mining. Six months later he moved to Schuylkill county, and two years afterward to Northumberland, where he was still employed in coal mining, and he continued this line of useful activity at Welchberry until 1872. In that year he moved to Illinois, locating at Fairbury, in Livingston county. Six months afterward he moved to La Salle county, where he remained ten years. In 1884 he came to Colorado and took up his present ranch, a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty-four acres, one hundred acres of which he has under cultivation, producing hay, grain and other farm products, and raising cattle and horses. The business is prosperous and the profits are increasing, and Mr. Askins is regarded as one of the successful and up-to-date farmers of the county. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Order of Wolf Tones, and belongs to the Republican party. In July, 1866, he united in marriage with Miss Katharine O'Garra, a native of Ireland, daughter of Patrick and Mary O'Garra, also native there. Her father was a merchant and farmer and both parents were members of the Catholic church. They died sometime in the 'sixties. Mr. and this Mrs. Askins had eight children, but five of whom are living, Katharine, Margaret, Patrick, Sarah and Anna. Their mother died in November, 1885, and on November 10, 1897, the father married a second wife, Mrs. Rebecca (Davidson) Brown, a native of Ontario, Canada, and daughter of John D. and Mary (Quick) Davidson, who were born and reared in Scotland. The father was a shoemaker and farmer, and he and his wife were Wesleyan Methodists. She died in 1863 and he in 1884. Six of their eleven children are living, Rose, John, Isaac, James, Rebecca (Mrs. Askins) and Alice, all respected and honored citizens. =================================================== 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.