 |
 LBERT M. COLSON, President of the Citizen's Bank of Caldwell, is also extensively engaged as a dealer in live stock and is one of the leading men of Southern Kansas. By a course of industry and prudence, he has become independent, financially, while his genial and companionable temperament draws around him friends wherever he goes. He is a gentleman of fine business abilities, and enjoys the distinction of being one of the first settlers of Sumner County. A native of Eaton, Madison County, N. Y., he was born March 13, 1843, and is the son of Brackley and Susan (Salter) Colson.Brackley Colson was a native of Connecticut and a hatter by trade, at which he workedgreater part of his life. He accumulated considerable means and lived to a ripe old age, dying in 1885, after having passed his ninety-second year. The wife and mother was born in Massachusetts and outlived her husband one month only, dying in 1885 at the age of eighty-seven years. Their married life had embraced the long period of sixty-seven years. There were born unto them nine children of whom Albert M. was the youngest. Mr. Colson was reared in his native town, receiving such advantages as were afforded by the common school. He was variously employed until the outbreak of the Civil War. then enlisted as a private in Company C, Ninety-first New York Infantry, which was first assigned to the Department of the Gulf and later went with the Fifth Army Corps under the command of Gen. Warren. After a faithful service of four years, during which he shared with his comrades the various dangers and hardships in the army. Mr. Colson received his honorable discharge in July, 1865. Soon afterward he emigrated to the Pacific Coast, following various pursuits for a number of years. We find him first in Kansas in 1871, locating in this county, of which he has since been a continuous resident, he arrived here prior to its organization and upon this important occasion was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction. He soon took up his residence in Caldwell and in due time became a member of the City Council and finally the Mayor. He has watched the growth and development of the town with unabated interest, and has contributed his full quota toward bringing it to its present condition. In 1887 in company with other leading residents of Caldwell, Mr. Colson assisted in organizing the Citizens Bank, of which he was elected president, a position which he has since held with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He came to the Sunflower State poor in purse, and has had no assistance from any one financially. By industry and good management, he has accumulated a comfortable property, including considerable real estate in this county. Besides that ************* Hotel at Caldwell. He has for some years dealt considerably in live stock, realizing ample returns therefrom. He cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln and remains a loyal adherent of the Republican party. He is a Mason in good standing and Commander of Upton Post. No. 27, G. A. R. at Caldwell. He is also a K. of P., Uniform Rank. Mr. Colson was first wedded in 1874, to Miss Mary Goldey of Milan, this State. This lady was born in Iowa and after becoming the mother of one child, a daughter. Fawnie, died at their home in Caldwell in 1879. The following year Mr. Colson contracted a second marriage with Mrs. Mary J. Garetson. Mrs. Mary Colson was born in Litchfield, Ill., April 11, 1853. Of her first marriage there was born two children, a daughter, Katie and son Charlie who died July 14, 1877. The Colson residence is pleasantly located in the north part of the city and is the frequent resort of its most intelligent and cultured people. |
 |
Return To History Index