Richard Van Valkenburg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Van Valkenburg
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Richard Jeptha Van Valkenburg
August 16, 1823 Schoharie, New York |
| Died | September 8, 1912 (aged 89) Denver, Colorado |
Richard Jeptha Van Valkenburg (born August 16, 1823 – died September 8, 1912) was an important person in early Colorado history. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a minister. He is famous for being one of the first people to help start the town of Erie, Colorado in northern Colorado.
Early Life and Learning
Richard Jeptha Van Valkenburg was born in Schoharie, New York. When he was two years old, his family moved to Owego, New York, where he grew up. Even though he could only go to school in the winter, Richard loved to learn. By the time he was fourteen, he had read the entire Bible! He also really enjoyed reading newspapers and would save his money to buy them.
In 1841, Richard became a licensed preacher with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Two years later, in March 1843, he married Cordelia Briggs. They had four children together: three girls and one boy. Richard was known for his beautiful singing voice. People even called him the "sweet singer of Wyoming."
Serving in the Civil War
In 1862, while he was preaching in Montrose, Pennsylvania, Richard was called to join the army. People thought the Confederate army might attack Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Richard quickly gathered 108 men, and they chose him to be their captain.
His company served on the front lines for a while. After the Battle of Antietam, they were sent home to be a reserve force. Later, they were called out again and were stationed near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the night before the famous Battle of Gettysburg. After this, Richard volunteered to become a chaplain, which is like a minister for soldiers. He went with General Sherman on his long march through Georgia. During this time, Richard became very sick and had to stay in a hospital in Atlanta for two months.
Founding the Town of Erie
In 1865, Richard received an honorable discharge from the army in Nashville, Tennessee. He went home to Owego for a short time. Then, in April, he moved to Colorado because his health was not good. He settled in the area that is now known as Erie. The house he built there was the very first house in the town! In his dining room, Richard would hold Sunday school for a small group of children.
Richard held many important jobs and positions in Erie. He was a judge, a police magistrate, the town postmaster, and even the mayor. He also served as the president of the school board and represented Weld County in the state legislature. Richard also helped start the Masonic Erie Lodge and Longmont Lodge. He even became the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Colorado.
