Tyler, Clinton M., 1834-1886

Clinton M. Tyler was born in Livingston County, New York, in 1834, and his family later moved to Michigan. He attended college at Michigan Central College (now Hillsdale College), and after graduating entered the stock business, selling cattle in Illinois and Wisconsin until approximately 1860. Having gone into the hardware business with N.K. Smith, Tyler married Smith’s daughter Sarah in 1857. The couple would eventually have seven children.

In 1860, Captain Tyler moved with the Smiths to Blackhawk, Colorado. In the spring of 1861, Tyler returned east for provisions and brought back supplies for a saw mill, which he would manage with his father-in-law, Mr. Smith. Three years later, Tyler and his new partner J.P. Maxwell erected a saw mill on South Boulder Creek, below Rollinsville, which operated 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 to that town. Tyler also constructed and managed the Boulder Valley & Blackhawk Wagon Road.

In 1864, Tyler recruited a company of men as part of the Third Colorado Regiment of Calvary, and was commissioned as their captain by Governor Evans. The regiment actively engaged in several encounters with Native Americans in the region.

Politically, 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. He was later elected Regent of the University of Colorado, and was very dedicated to the institution.

Captain Clinton M. Tyler died in 1886.

The papers contain Captain Tyler’s bills, receipts, cancelled checks, and various agreements and legal papers for the period of 1860-1882.

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Source:

*History of Clear Creek and Boulder Valley, Colorado. Chicago: O.L. Baskin and Co., 1880

*Stewart, J. Boulder County Pioneers. Boulder: Arapahoe Chapter D.A.R., 1948

From the guide to the Clinton Tyler Papers, 1860-1882, 1864-1867, (University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries. Archives Dept.)