Henry Neikirk facts for kids

Henry William Neikirk (1839–1911) was an important person in Colorado's early history. He was a successful gold miner and banker. He also served as a politician in the Colorado General Assembly from 1879 to 1881. Neikirk played a big part in helping to create the University of Colorado.

Early Life and Education

Henry William Neikirk was born on November 27, 1839, in Elkhorn Grove, Illinois. He went to a local school for his basic education. Later, from 1858 to 1860, he attended the Mount Carroll Seminary, which is now known as Shimer College. After finishing his studies, he learned about law by working with a local lawyer named William T. Miller. However, he decided that a career in law wasn't for him. In 1861, he headed west to the mountains, looking for new opportunities.

Adventures in Mining

When Henry Neikirk first arrived in the West, he set up the very first trading post at a place called Alkali. This spot was on the Platte River, about 230 miles east of Denver. The next year, he moved deeper into the mountains to become a prospector. A prospector is someone who searches for valuable minerals like gold.

Discovering Gold Mines

For several years, Neikirk spent his time both searching for gold and working in mines for wages. In 1867, he made an exciting discovery: the Hoosier Lode. A "lode" is a rich vein of ore, often containing gold. He had to wait until the 1870s to gather enough money to start digging and get the gold from this discovery.

Operating the Melvina Mine

In 1875, Neikirk moved to Boulder, Colorado, where he lived for the rest of his life. From 1875 to 1880, he managed the Melvina Mine, located near Salina, Colorado. This mine was known as one of the best for finding gold ore during that time. Neikirk's knowledge and skills were very important to the mine's success.

Other Mining Interests

The Colorado State Mining Directory from 1898 listed Neikirk as the owner of the Freiburg Mine in Gilpin County, Colorado. This mine had been dug down 2,500 feet. He also had interests in several other mines, including the Sunshine, Black Swan, Golden Sheen, Maveric, and Gold Farms mines.

A Career in Banking and Politics

Besides his work in mining, Henry Neikirk was also involved in banking. He served for fourteen years as the vice-president of the Boulder State Bank.

Serving in the State Senate

In 1878, Neikirk decided to run for election as a Republican to the Colorado State Senate. He won the election, even though the other party had been working hard for two years. He served in the state's government from 1879 to 1881.

During his time in the state senate, he was the powerful chairman of the Finance, Ways and Means committee. This committee was in charge of how the state spent its money. In this role, he helped get money for the state's militia to help keep order during a workers' strike in Leadville.

Family Life and Later Years

In 1868, Henry Neikirk married Emily Virden. They had six children together. Their oldest daughter, Fannie, later attended her father's old school, the Mount Carroll Seminary.

Henry William Neikirk passed away from heart disease at his home in Boulder, Colorado, on February 15, 1911. His wife and all of their children survived him.