History Keepers latest project - just published. Now available in Limited Edition
History Keepers
Brian Carroll author of William O. Collins: From the Mayflower to the Rockies With Stops in Between has been introduced as a "historian", but prefers being referred to as a "Keeper Of History". Since retiring from the F.B.I. and moving to Fort Collins CO in 1996, he has taken a keen interest in western history, in particular that of his current hometown. He has conducted extensive research in regards to Civil War soldiers assigned to Fort Collins; The Original Homesteaders in the area; Smithsonian Institution archeology at the local "Lindenmeier" site; The Dickerson Sisters - renowned folk-artists from the area and more.
He is an active presenter on these topics and in 2020 was recognized by the Fort Collins Historical Society as "Historian of the Year", for his valuable research.
Brian continues research into the history of Fort Collins and its Native American legacy.
He can be contacted at historykeepers@aol.com.
William O. COllins:
From the Mayflower to the Rockies With Stops in Between
History Keepers is dedicated to keeping history alive. Specializing in stories almost lost. Our latest release: William O. Collins: From the Mayflower to the Rockies With Stops in Between, is a perfect example of one of those stories
IT IS THOUGHT THAT COLONEL COLLINS WILL LOSE HIS HANDS AND EYES.
1863 Diary entry describing Lt. Col. Collins rescue effort.
From: William O. Collins From the Mayflower to the Rockies With Stops in Between
On April 12, 1861, 52-year-old William O. Collins was living on High Street in quiet downtown Hillsboro, Ohio with his 41-year-old wife Catherine, 17-year-old son Caspar, and 13-year-old daughter Josephine. As a 26-year resident, Collins was one of the most respected citizens of the community, a successful lawyer, active statesman with the Ohio legislature, and a participant in the planning for the future of his community.
Railroads were becoming important in the development of the country and Collins served as an officer in two companies developing routes through Ohio. April 12, being a Friday, may have found avocational naturalist Collins tending the gardens of “Dogwood Knob,” the family home, and planning his weekend ventures searching the fields of surrounding Highland County, Ohio for spring flowers. Then Fort Sumter was attacked.
“I am sure that if the Indian character were better understood and justice done them by respecting their custom, protect the worthy and only punish the bad they would be less trouble.” Lt Col. William O Collins, namesake for city of Fort Collins, Colorado, provided these comments in an 1865 report to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Collins Family Crest
We will protect our family
Diary of Lincoln's Bodyguard
"The Civil War Diary of Frederick R. Baker, Private in Lincoln's Union Light Guard, Washington City, January 1 -September 14, 1865".
Frederick R. Baker (1844-1906) was born in Spratton, Northhamptonshire, England and immigrated with his parents and seven siblings to Elyria, Ohio in 1852. In 1863, nineteen -year old Baker was selected to be a member of the elite Ohio Union Light Guard, a Cavalryunit organized to serve as escort/bodyguards for President Abraham Lincoln. Fortunately, Baker kept a diary of his Civil War experiences. The Baker book is a transcription of that diary for the year 1865 and chronicles the everyday experiences of a war time soldier, who in the words of Dr. Kenneth Greenberg "Is immersed in a world of noteworthy events." His chronicling of the momentous events of the last months of the Civil War, and the first months of Reconstruction were described by National Book Award winner James Carroll, as "a rare glimpse into the human depth of that crucial period in American life."
The transcribed document is complete with footnotes and appendices that provide historical context to the entries. Starting with attendance at presidential balls, Lincoln's second inauguration, congressional debate over the 13th amendment and the tragic events of April, 1865, Baker provides today's reader with an opportunity to fully digest and understand the importance and connection of these isolated entries. The Baker story has allowed History Keepers a unique opportunity to preserve one that could have easily been lost. - especially since Baker later moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1873 where he became a prominent citizen and farmer who also served four terms as Mayor from 1895 to 1902. His story is one of character and character development that we are pleased to tell.
Brian Carroll / Michael Viney
Front cover to History Keeper's Edited edition of Frederick R. Baker's Civil War Era diary.
Co-editor, Mike Viney completed a thirty year career teaching science in Poudre School District in 2017 and works at the Education and Outreach Center in the College of Natural Sciences at Colorado State University. He is the creator and webmaster of the Virtual Petrified Wood Museum and the Virtual Apple Parer Museum
LENS ON THE PAST
A CIVIL WAR DIARY OF FREDERICK R. BAKER
THE ODYSSEY OF A CIVIL WAR SABRE
It’s amazing how something so seemingly simple like a camera and a batch of photos made with it can reveal so much about a time and a place. Read the article by clicking here. (Winter 2019/2020)
THE ODYSSEY OF A CIVIL WAR SABRE
A CIVIL WAR DIARY OF FREDERICK R. BAKER
THE ODYSSEY OF A CIVIL WAR SABRE
Historian, Brian Carroll presents to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. The Odyssey of a Civil War Sabre. Click here to watch.
A CIVIL WAR DIARY OF FREDERICK R. BAKER
A CIVIL WAR DIARY OF FREDERICK R. BAKER
Fort Collins and its Native American Legacy
Fredrick R. Baker was selected to be a member of the elite Ohio Union Light Guard, a Cavalry unit organized to serve as bodyguards / escorts for Abraham Lincoln. Read more...
Fort Collins and its Native American Legacy
Fort Collins and its Native American Legacy
Fort Collins and its Native American Legacy
Northern Colorado has been home to Native Americans for more than 12,000 years. From the time of the Paleo Indians, through to the historic story of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Sioux, and Utes, their imprint on the land remains.
The Civil War Martyrs of Fort Collins
Fort Collins and its Native American Legacy
The Civil War Martyrs of Fort Collins
A Holocaust survivor wrote that "to forget the dead is akin to killing them twice." For years the Fort Collins soldiers who died in service air the fort during the Civil War, were referred to as the "UnKnown" soldiers. Fortunately their "Unknown" status has been resolved and their story can now be told.
True Naturalists
Fort Collins and its Native American Legacy
The Civil War Martyrs of Fort Collins
The family of Alice and Helen Dickerson were early settlers in the Fort Collins area. Their life story began and ended in the mountains just west of the city, and their legacy as "True Naturalists" remains to be shared today.
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