Archibald "Archie" Wither
Marriages
Pearl Carleton - December 22, 1899
Burial Details
Obituaries
Steamboat Pilot - July 31, 1947
Archie Wither, Another Pioneer, Dies In Steamboat
Took Leading Part In Growth Of Routt County
The diminishing ranks of the early pioneers were further depleted Friday by the death of Archie Wither, 85, active in the business, industrial and social life of the county for more than 56 years. He passed away peacefully at his home in Steamboat Springs from ailments incident to old age.
Archie Wither was born June 22, 1862, in Stranraer, Scotland. He mastered the branches of learning in the public schools of his native country and became a student at Young's College of Chemistry in Glasgow and was subsequently employed as a chemist in London, England, wuntil 1887, when he migrated to Canada. In 1889 he joined his brothers, Peter and George, in Steamboat Springs. They had come here the previous year. Archie came to Wolcott and rode in with John Packer, who was freighting for Dunfield's store. They met the first stage coach that left Steamboat for Wolcot. He arrived just in time for the big Fourth of July celebration held that year in McAdoo grove, now known as Pine grove on Fish creek.
The Wither brothers engaged in various kinds of work. They bought teams and did much of the clearing and grading of the streets of Steamboat Springs, they did stonemasonry and construction work and built many of the early residences. At the time of the Hahns Peak and Columbine mining boom Archie and George Wither established a mercantile store at Hahns Peak. Archie did the freighting and George attended the store until he was elected county clerk and then Archie tended the store.
In 1901, the mining boom having subsided, the Wither brothers moved back to Steamboat Springs and purchased the general merchandise store of WIlliam Adair, then located on what is now the court house square. Business prospered and in 1906 they erected the large two story stone building across the street, which was then the largest and finest mercantile building between Denver and Salt Lake City. In 1930 the business was discontinued and Mr. Wither retired from active business.
Archie Wither homesteaded on Emerald mountain, near the stone quarry, he was one of the original organizers of the company that constructed the Steamboat Springs water works and was always active in every progressive movement for the town and county. He had extensive ranch interests; he served three terms as mayor of Steamboat Springs.
On December 22, 1899, Mr. Wither was married to Miss Pearl Carleton of Snake river, who survives him. The children are George Wither, of Taft, Texas, Donald, Robert and Dorothy Wither of Steamboat Springs.
As business man, official and citizen Archie Wither was noted for his integrity and good citizenship. No man stood higher in the esteem of the public. There is widespread sorrow at his passing. All realize that the county has lost one of its sturdy and valued citizens.
Christian Science services were held at the residence Monday afternoon at 2:30 and the body was sent to Denver for cremation.
