Clinton M. Tyler papers

Clinton M. Tyler was born in Livingston County, New York, in 1834. His family later moved to Michigan. After graduating from college, he relocated to Wisconsin, where he engaged in a hard ware business with N.K. Smith, whose daughter he later married. In 1860, the Tyler’s and Smiths moved to Colorado. The following spring, Tyler returned east for provisions and brought back a saw-mill, which he managed with Mr. Smith. Three years later, he and J.P. Maxwell erected a saw-mill on South Boulder Creek, below Rollinsville, and operated this until 1867. Meanwhile, he and N.K. and E.B. Smith built the Ralston Wagon Road to Central City, which was in use until the railroad was put through. Tyler also constructed and managed the Boulder Valley & Blackhawk Wagon Road.

In 1864 he recruited a company of men as part of the Third Colorado Regiment of Calvary. Tyler was commissioned as their captain by Governor Evans and he actively engaged in several encounters with the Natives who had taken advantage of the absence of the regulars at the front in the Civil War. Captain Tyler was a strong Republican. He was a member of the first city government of Blackhawk, and was elected to the territorial legislature from Gilpin County. Tyler was later elected regent of the University of Colorado, for which he was one of the hardest workers. He eventually owned land in six counties, buying Judge Deckers’ ranch near Boulder in1874, on which he raised Hereford cattle, Percheron horses, and Merino sheep, in addition to mules. He died in 1886.

The papers contain Captain Tyler’s bills, receipts, cancelled checks, and various agreements and legal papers for the period of 1862-1864.