General William Jackson Palmer
Introduction
Have you ever been to Colorado Springs? Or maybe you’ve been on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Have you ever been interested in the history of these? You might be surprised to know these were both built or founded by an amazing man named William Jackson Palmer. He worked extra hard to achieve his goals, and he did. Sometimes, we call him General William Palmer because this man was a Civil War general. He was a Quaker a religion that does not believe in fighting. He only fought because he strongly believed in stopping slavery. This man had an interesting life, and he proved with determination, you can build or do whatever you want.
Childhood and Education
William Palmer was born September 17, 1836 in Delaware. He was the second of four kids. When he was little, he and his family moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania. His parents were Quakers, so he was sent to Zane Street Friends School. He also studied and attended classes in England and France when he was much older.
Career
When the Civil War happened, he became General William Palmer. In the Civil War, he thought ending slavery was so important that he was willing to leave his peaceful Quaker beliefs. He also worked as a treasurer for the Kansas Pacific Railroad. He must have been interested in that railroad work because he built the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. That railroad is the most scenic railroad route in Colorado with views of mountains and wildlife.
Family
He met his wife, Mary Lincoln Mellen, but everyone called her Queen, on a train with her father. William married Queen in 1870. They had three kids Elsie, Dorothy, and Majory. He built a mansion called Glen Eyrie for her which is still standing in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs grew around Glen Eyrie making him the founder. Eventually, Colorado Springs was nicknamed “Little London” because of how fast it grew.
Things we can learn and what we remember
Sadly, General Palmer died March 13, 1909 when he was 72. Colorado still honors him with a school named after him. It is General William J. Palmer High in downtown Colorado Springs. We also remember he once said, “A man must go to the mountains for health, but also to get a true insight into things.”
Kids like me can learn important lessons and traits from this man including how to get what you want by being brave and clever. He was brave because he stood up for his beliefs and fought a war for them. He was clever because during the Civil War he was caught by the enemies in their territory. But he made up a fake identity and a phony cover story and got away! Also, a lesson we can learn from him is that you should keep on going towards your goals and you will get there. When he built the railroad, he had to work hard to reach his goals.
Conclusion
General William Jackson Palmer was a great man who gave Colorado a few things that we can remember him by and some lessons too. He was a war general, a railroad pioneer, and an entrepreneur. He was brave, smart and a very determined man. General William Jackson Palmer is such an interesting person to learn about. Next time you are in Colorado Springs or on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, you should think about General William Jackson Palmer.
Have you ever been to Colorado Springs? Or maybe you’ve been on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Have you ever been interested in the history of these? You might be surprised to know these were both built or founded by an amazing man named William Jackson Palmer. He worked extra hard to achieve his goals, and he did. Sometimes, we call him General William Palmer because this man was a Civil War general. He was a Quaker a religion that does not believe in fighting. He only fought because he strongly believed in stopping slavery. This man had an interesting life, and he proved with determination, you can build or do whatever you want.
Childhood and Education
William Palmer was born September 17, 1836 in Delaware. He was the second of four kids. When he was little, he and his family moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania. His parents were Quakers, so he was sent to Zane Street Friends School. He also studied and attended classes in England and France when he was much older.
Career
When the Civil War happened, he became General William Palmer. In the Civil War, he thought ending slavery was so important that he was willing to leave his peaceful Quaker beliefs. He also worked as a treasurer for the Kansas Pacific Railroad. He must have been interested in that railroad work because he built the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. That railroad is the most scenic railroad route in Colorado with views of mountains and wildlife.
Family
He met his wife, Mary Lincoln Mellen, but everyone called her Queen, on a train with her father. William married Queen in 1870. They had three kids Elsie, Dorothy, and Majory. He built a mansion called Glen Eyrie for her which is still standing in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs grew around Glen Eyrie making him the founder. Eventually, Colorado Springs was nicknamed “Little London” because of how fast it grew.
Things we can learn and what we remember
Sadly, General Palmer died March 13, 1909 when he was 72. Colorado still honors him with a school named after him. It is General William J. Palmer High in downtown Colorado Springs. We also remember he once said, “A man must go to the mountains for health, but also to get a true insight into things.”
Kids like me can learn important lessons and traits from this man including how to get what you want by being brave and clever. He was brave because he stood up for his beliefs and fought a war for them. He was clever because during the Civil War he was caught by the enemies in their territory. But he made up a fake identity and a phony cover story and got away! Also, a lesson we can learn from him is that you should keep on going towards your goals and you will get there. When he built the railroad, he had to work hard to reach his goals.
Conclusion
General William Jackson Palmer was a great man who gave Colorado a few things that we can remember him by and some lessons too. He was a war general, a railroad pioneer, and an entrepreneur. He was brave, smart and a very determined man. General William Jackson Palmer is such an interesting person to learn about. Next time you are in Colorado Springs or on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, you should think about General William Jackson Palmer.