Rocky Ford enterprise., 1907-12-27
DEMISE or HENRY z. noLBRoox
Largo Mlsded Asaa WHO Di1 Se0s
LARGO ThlnEs b tho Valley.


Larts Thinss b tie val1sy.
The serious illness of Col. Henry
r. Holbrook was duly chronicled in
last weeks Enterprise. and the prob
ably fatal termination OF the serious
attack was anticipated. He passed
away on Saturday afternoon at st.
Mary's Hospital. Pueblo. The large
interests and wide acquaintance that
Mr.. Holbrook had in this part of the
Arkansas Valley. makes his passing
a matter of more local interest than
a non-rcsident's demise would ordi-
narily be. AS the builder Of the Hol-
brook canal. an irrigation enterprise
that made tributary to Rocky Ford
one OF the most fertile and produe-
tive areas OF land in the Valley, he
came in touch with many OF our
farming community. and as long resi-
dent OF the Valley. with many bust
ness affiliations. he was well known
to all the leaders in our commercial
development. As 4 liberal minded
and large souled man, given to
generous treatment and kindly help
fulness to his fcllowmcn. he would
be deserving OF more than 4 passing
word OF tribute in any quarter where
generous qualities receive rccoRni-
ton.
From the Pueblo dailies OF last
Sunday the Enterprise selects these
references to the deceased pioneer:
Col. Henry Randolph Hoibrook.
ono Of Pucblo's most worthy and
esteemed citizens died at 2:3o o'clock
yesterday afternoon at ST. Mary's
hospital. finaii~ Succumbing to \
stroke Of apopiexy which overlook
him last Monday while In his apart
men,s in the building he owned at
Sixth and Main streets. From the
time he was stricken until the mo-
mcnt he passed away. Mr.. Holbrook
was never entirely conscious. A.
times he was able TO move part Of his
body. but generally he was In com.
atose condition.
Al the time OF his death. there
were present In the sick room his
niece. Miss Edith Holbrook Latham.
his nephew. George Randall, OF
Rocky Ford and Geo. II. Williams,
president Of the Mercantile National
bank. Of which Mr.. Holbsook was =
director.
Mr.. Holbrook vas 6o years old
last month, and for the past thirty
years had been . resident Of this city.
He was bora Ia Columbus. Con.
where there Il located . great family
homestead on which he was reared.
His family Il Of English extraction.
aud his grandfather. who vas . ship.
builder In New England. had nc.
eumuiased considerable wealth. This
ne had invested In New Engiand
farms, and Mr.. Hoibsook's father
was engaged in agricultural pursuits.
as also was Mr.. Ho:bsook In his
youth.
He served throush the Civil war
with great credit TO himself. being
promoted rapidly and as = resuis OF
his rapid rise came In close touch
with Generals Reno and Palmer.
lie early toop up the study of civil
engineering. and after the war. he
came West. and in Missouri found
employment with the Santa fc rail-
way. which was then projecting its
road westward.
The youn. engineer was given the
important work Of experimenting
the locating Of tho new railroad. and
in this important capacity. he came
to this state in advance Of the con-
s'rueiion parties.
In the west history was beginning
to shape itself and every move OF
forces mean, a change. in tho map Of
civilization. II was while he was
struggling with difficulties In the
western wiids that he pcnncd tho fol.
lowing quotation to his family IN the
cas-, which since has became famous {:
Fortune as yc; has no; smiled upon
mc. but ! am expecting her TO laugh
outright. shortly"
While prosecuting his engineering
work. he forcsaw the possibilities Of
the rich Arkansas Valley from an
agricultural standpoint. his carly
farm training standing him in good
stead.
He soon determined that tho only
thing the valley needed was an
abundant supply of water. and thus
the germ Of tho great Lavuna. Hol-
brook canal project had its being.
Eniis,ing tho aid Of his ncnhcw.
William Randall. who was then in
Connecticut and was also an engineer
Mr.. Holbrook. in tho late seventies.
began tho construction Of tho great
ditch. II begins at Manzanola and
ends at La Jun,a. and IL furnished
water for an immense area. running
well into tho thousands Of acres.
After the canal project was well
under way Mr.. Holbfook practically
abandoned engineering as a profcs-
sion and devoted his entire energies
to his canal. He did some little
engineering work in this city. in
which he located permanently. and is
credited with being the engineer who
planned the entry Of the Missouri
Pacific railway into Pueblo.
In Pueblo he purchased a eonsid-
cradle quantity Of realty and at the
time of his death owned several par
cells Of land in the heart Of the busi-
ness district. .
He was ono Of the founders Of
Holbrook. Arizona. which in late
years has prospcrcd aud which will