Tenney, Rollin Quartus, 1838-1932.

Dates:
Birth 1838
Death 1932

Biographical notes:

Rollin Quartus Tenney's irrigation expertise was recognized with an appointment as one of Colorado's water commissioners in 1893. A Civil War veteran born in 1838 in New Hampshire, Tenney established a farm in Colorado's Cache la Poudre Valley in 1871. During the state's early development, Tenney proved to be a pioneer and innovator in farming, ranching and irrigating. As he became increasingly interested in irrigation, he developed a plan to bring Laramie River water to northern Larimer County. He was the first surveyor of the Laramie-Poudre Tunnel, which later became the focus of the Wyoming v. Colorado case in the U.S. Supreme Court.Tenney and his family moved to Fort Collins in 1890. He served as water commissioner for water district no. 3, division no. 1 during 1893 and 1894. Beyond this service, Tenney was instrumental in developing many of the area's reservoirs and irrigation systems. Tenney was also active in the State Grange, the Grand Army of the Republic, several ditch companies and other organizations. He married Isabelle Duff Robertson in 1871 and they had two daughters. Tenney died in 1932 and is buried in Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins.

From the description of Papers of Rollin Q. Tenney, 1882-1928. (Poudre River Public Library District). WorldCat record id: 65197386

Rollin Quartus Tenney's irrigation expertise was recognized with an appointment as one of Colorado's water commissioners in 1893. A Civil War veteran born in 1838 in New Hampshire, Tenney established a farm in Colorado's Cache la Poudre Valley in 1871. During the state's early development, Tenney proved to be a pioneer and innovator in farming, ranching and irrigating. As he became increasingly interested in irrigation, he developed a plan to bring Laramie River water to northern Larimer County. He was the first surveyor of the Laramie-Poudre Tunnel, which later became the focus of the Wyoming v. Colorado case in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Tenney and his family moved to Fort Collins in 1890. He served as water commissioner for water district no. 3, division no. 1 during 1893 and 1894. Beyond this service, Tenney was instrumental in developing many of the area's reservoirs and irrigation systems.

Tenney was also active in the State Grange, the Grand Army of the Republic, several ditch companies and other organizations. He married Isabelle Duff Robertson in 1871 and they had two daughters. Tenney died in 1932 and is buried in Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins. Further details on Tenney's life can be found in Biographical Sketch of Rollin Q. Tenney (1918) and Rollin Q. Tenney: A Larimer County Pioneer (1921; the two are nearly identical).

From the guide to the Papers of Rollin Q. Tenney, 1882-1928, 1893-1912, (Colorado State University Water Resources Archive)

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Subjects:

  • Water resources development
  • Water rights
  • Water transfer

Occupations:

not available for this record

Places:

  • Laramie River (Colo. and Wyo.) (as recorded)
  • Larimer County (Colo.) (as recorded)
  • Laramie River (Colo. and Wyo.) (as recorded)
  • Larimer County (Colo.) (as recorded)
  • Medicine Bow National Forest (Wyo.) (as recorded)
  • Medicine Bow National Forest (Wyo.) (as recorded)