Cañon City record., 1902-07-17

Among the several persons metioned
for the Republication nomination for
governor of Colorado this fall, there
Is none more prominent, popular.
worthy, able and even more liable TO
receive the high honor than our own
fellow citizen-Mayor James H. Pea
body
1t is indeed fitting and proper that
this series of political articles, telling
something of the leading men talked
of for office, should begin with a
sketch of one of our own citizens, who
is being strongly urged by many
friends for this highest honor in the
gift of the people of Colorado.
Mr.. Peabody has not been a candidate
for political honor. But during the
past two months his name has been
mentioned many times in many quar-
tiers in connection with the governor
ship For some time there has been
a growing sentiment in favor of pick
ing a man from out of the big cities
TO lead the ticket this fall. In look
ing around for suitable candidates
prominent people in many parts of
the state have as with one accord
turned to Mr.. Peabody.
Probably no man in sny small city
Is 80 widely known the state over as
our mayor. His long residence here
md his active work and high stand
ing in the Masonic orders. have help
ed to give him broad acquaintance
among the prominent men of the state.
Many of the>, frieuds over the state
have been urging him TO become an
active candidate for the place. He
has so far declined to make fight
for the nomination, but he has this
week decided, and so informed Rec
ord man that If the Republicans of
Colorado desire him for their csndi-
date for governor, he is willing to
accept.
The object of this series of articles,
as has been stated is to let our peo-
pie know more about the men who
are liable to be our candidates for
nigh office. Mr.. Peabody is pretty
we'll known here, but something about
him of biographical nature will
undoubtedly prove of interest to many.
James II. Peabody was born in Yer
mont in the year 1852. After grow
ing TO manhood. he spent year in
Boston. and in 1872 came to Colorado,
locating first in Pueblo. In 1915
twenty seven years age he came TO
Canon City, and has been leading
>pirit in this community ever since.
He is as much a part of this COM
muuity rs one can we'll be. In 1878
he married Canon girl, Frances
Clelland. and he now has a grown son
and two nearly grown daughters. 4
model family and one that would GER
tainly grace the governors mansion
in Denver.
Mr.. Peabody has been prominent in
business here for many yeats. Years
ago he was member of the firm of
Clellaud Is Peabody, doing general
merchandise business of large volume.
In lSSS he was one of the organizers
of the First National bank and was its
first vice president. Since 1892 he
has been president and the principal
stockholder of this institution. He
has been active in all public enter
prises and has assisted materially in
bringing the big things to Canon that
have given the city its large growth.
While Mr.. Peabody has never been
an office seeking politician, political
honors are not unknown to him. In
1854 he was elected county clerk of
this county, defeating Uncle John
Wilson. whom old timers had begun
to think had a life time lease ON the
place. He held this office for two
terms, In city affairs he has served
two years rs city treasurer, four years
as city clerk and two years as alder
man and in 1901 was elected mayor of
the city. This place he still holds.
There are good many other honors
Canon and Canon people have be-
slowed upon the subject of this sketch
but space forhids.
II is in Masonry that Mr., Peabody's 5
chief distinctions have come, 1t is
commonly said among his friends that
there is nothing more for him to look
forward to in Masonry. He has had
it all-there being no worlds to con-
quer. He has been very active in
the local orders. and has held almost
all the offices in the various lodges.