The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1915-11-25

1ei5 is the eightieth birthday OF Cap
tain b. F. Rockafeilow. sturdy pioneer,
prominent citizen and scholarly gen
tieman.
This occasion marks the completion
. OF four spans Of q bridge. stretching
uaSesticaiiy across the turbulent wa
fers OF life. each span consuming
twenty years In the building and each
an epochal monument in an active
and useful life.
Anchored securely on the'deep and
arm bedrock OF a distinguished an
Ncestry. the first span stretched its
ambitious beams but a brief distance
into the unfathomed depths that lay
beyond and was finished as bright.
happy hoyhood evolved itself into an
sansnIlied and patriotic young man
hood; then, more determined than
ever. more beams reached forth eau
fiously into the unknown, seeking out
only solid and certain foundations mp
on which to rest the suhstructure.
building conscientiously and well as
young manhood developed into middle
age. Undaunted now and sure. with
experience as an efficient teacher. the
third span was buildcd the strongest
OF them all, because IL was supported
by the strong points Of the other
spans. and being thus strengthened.
could overcome their weaknesses and
yet have reserve force sufficient to
support a magniaceut succeeding link,
Just a. an exemplary middle age
. ssrinEs wonderful physical. mental and
roorai strength 70 declining days. The
anal span has been the process OF
boiling together the girders as rou-
tine system told where they should
be placed, for there were no oosta-
y caes 10 overcome. no problems TO
solve. I, was but the natural reward
of workmanship weil done. of duties
wen performed in the making Of the
ether spans. This span Is as the beau
tifai. tie grand old age OF life well
.sncnt in the fear of God and Kindness
- fellow man.
Born In New York State.
Captain Rockafellow vas born No
uemser 18th. 1895. in Nunda. Living
sSon county. New York II was there
ehat he spent his childhood, during
which period many OF the excellent
traits OF heart and mind which he pos
sesses were inculcated.
He received good common school
education at Nunda and later attended
tho Temple Hni and Geneseo aiEh
schools. He had a wonderful thirst
for knowledge and possessed the de-
termination and ''stick-toitiveness" TO
procure Il. RE matriculated into
wesleyan seminary at Lima. y. y.
and had one term at oberlin.
At the latter place he showed the
spirit and thrift OF his people by pay
sng his way through as book agent,
selling Goodrich's History OF All Ma
tinos in surrounding towns on Sat
urdays. II was naturally not especial
ly enjoyable work and as everyone
Knows required much perseverance
and tact. It was undoubtedly during
this experience that he developed
these traits to point where they
Aeiped him greatly during his army
and subsequent life.
He realized even then that the fouu-
-f.ntion OF any structure Is the import.
ant part and must be given careful
Attention. During his nineteen years
IN New York state he placed the best
possible material in his life's founda-
tfon.
Family Moves TO Michigan.
Fat nineteen the kockafellow family
moved to Lyons, Mich, and despitc
his young age Captain Rockafelio~
began the second span OF his life. He
entered actively into business on his
own account. From his father.
George Rockafellow. who was the irst
mhyor OF Canon City, and who while
In the east gained an enviAble reputa.
ton ~ miller. the young man learn
ed tho iiouriuG business. no It was but
nafurAl that whom he went to Michi-
ena he should embark in that linz OF
ondsavcr.