Lincoln and Amy Vestal

The Vestal’s 25th Wedding Anniversary

This program of the Vestal's 25th wedding anniversary was found in the museum files. The biography that follows was part of the program. We have no idea who wrote it.

PROGRAM

Grand March with Mr. and Mrs. Vestal in the lead. Music by Miss Sage.

Violin Solo - Leonard Zatterstrom - Miss Sage Accompanist.

Quadrille - Vestals in the head set.

Lincoln Vestal was born in Dallas County, Iowa, on the 10 June 1861, and grew to manhood in that county. Amy Kling was born in Schoharie County, New York, and lived there until the age of 12 when she was taken by her parents to Dallas County, Iowa.

Now it happened in the course of events that Lincoln left home to work for his brother-in-law, who was a neighbor of Miss Amy's parents. Lincoln's sister became ill and so Mrs. Kling, in a spirit of neighborly kindness, sent her daughter to help her sick friend.

Lincoln and Amy's first acquaintance did not produce any direct results. Neither saw the hand of fate. Miss Amy was a shy and bashful maiden of fifteen summers and Lincoln was the usual backward lad of seventeen. Through a crack in the pantry door, Miss Amy watched Lincoln devour biscuits. With wonder and amazement she watched those biscuits disappear, little knowing how many more she was to bake for him ere her life was o'er. But while they resided under that roof together, Cupid never happened around with his little bow and arrow. Whatever Lincoln thought he never said, for Miss Amy never got close enough to hear. Time passed in a way that time has, Mr. Vestal running a large farm for his sister and Miss Amy growing until she reached the age of 18.

Then it entered into the head of Mrs. Kling to give a birthday party in honor of her daughter and a special invitation was sent to Mr. Lincoln Vestal. This time Cupid was there and their courtship began. With his customary optimism, Lincoln began to lay siege to the citadel of Miss Amy's heart. In a way known only to himself he managed to keep out all competition and they spent many pleasant evenings together during the winter of 1882.

In the spring of '82, Miss Amy was taken by her parents to a place some thirty miles distant, near Woodward, Iowa. That summer of '82, Lincoln rented land and some 80 acres of orchard on shares, but found time to make several trips across country to Woodward, Iowa. In the fall he sold his interests and decided that he would stay with his father and mother.

But when he asked Miss Amy the fateful question and Miss Amy answered the usual, "Oh how sudden!" He concluded there was no place like a home of your own.

So on the 31 January 1883 he was united in matrimony to Miss Amy Kling. Mr. and Mrs. Vestal started their life together with a small amount of worldly goods, but with huge ambitions. They rented a farm in Boone County, Iowa, living there for three years. They then decided to go to Nebraska in the spring of 1886. That summer they lived on a rented farm near Grand Island. The next spring they moved to the city of Grand Island where Mr. Vestal was an employee of the Union Pacific Railroad.

On the 19 February 1889 the stork appeared bringing a black-eyed baby which they named Viva. The stork apologized for being so dilatory and promised to make up for past neglect and he kept his word. On the 15 July 1891 he brought a blue-eyed girl which was named Leah.

Mr. and Mrs. Vestal built a new house in Grand Island. They sold this house and afterward bought and sold another property, which if sold today would bring a small fortune. In 1899 they moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and ran a meat market very successfully. Mr. Vestal's health began to fail, so when Mr. and Mrs. Fredericks decided to go to Colorado, the Vestals decided it was best to get away from the rumble of city life.

Consequently they sold their growing business and came to Colorado. They landed at the Colorado Cooperative Company's sawmill at Ute, 23 November 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Vestal's life in the colony is well known. Mr. Vestal has always been identified with the management of the C.C. Company in one way or the other. He has been a member of the board of directors; president of said board, foreman of the mill, ditch superintendent and general manager. He retired from general manager in July 1907.

Mrs. Vestal has taken active interest in colony affairs both in a social and business way. They have built a nice home in Nucla and are preparing to spend the rest of their days on Tabeguache Park. (The house the Vestals built in Nucla is at 420 Main Street in Nucla.) This 31 January 1908 is the 25th anniversary of their married life. We all wish them health, happiness and prosperity for the remainder of their journey through this world.

Carrol Weimer is the grandchild of Lincoln and Amy Vestal.

Picture Captions: Vestals House Early 1900s Clyde Sly one of the cowboys, Don't know who the other one is.Picture Credit: Ruth Johnson

Leah Vestal Viva Vestal Amy Vestal and Lincoln Vestal Picture Credits: Carrol Weimer, Ken Bonner and the Rimrocker Historical Society

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