Harper M. Orahood

Ben Dugan
GCN Historical Writer

1/5/2006 - In the early days of the city of Black Hawk, as with most pioneer Colorado mining towns, efforts were made to organize a local government. Black Hawk was settled in 1859 and grew into a substantial milling town. Not yet nineteen, Harper M. Orahood was lured west by the reports of gold from Rock Island, Illinois--abandoning a promising medical career. By 1862 he had become postmaster for the new post office established at Black Hawk Point. He had arrived in 1860, the year following the rest of the Black Hawk founders.

  He joined the Colorado National Guard in 1861 and became a Mason in Central City Lodge #6, A.F. & A.M. in 1863. He served in the militia with Frank Hall (Colorado Historian) and became a lieutenant guarding stages, wagon trains, and mails from the plains Indians. He served at Camp Weld in Denver--located near present day 8th and Vallejo streets. Today there is a monument there marking the location of Camp Weld. John Chivington’s soldiers who fought at La Glorieta Pass were also out of Camp Weld in 1862. Orahood left military service with the rank of Colonel in 1864.

  Orahood was born in Columbus, Ohio and was educated at Mount Vernon, Ohio and in Illinois. He spent two years as a drug store clerk in Rock Island. He was involved in the mercantile business in Black Hawk and Central City until 1871. He then began to study Law under Alvin Marsh and entered the law office of Henry M. & Willard Teller. Orahood was admitted to the bar in 1873 and gained a sizable client list as his reputation as a solid attorney grew. He was in partnership with Willard Teller in Denver and served as deputy district attorney under Senator Edward Wolcott’s brother. Wolcott resigned in 1878 and Orahood succeeded him to the position of district attorney for the first judicial district which comprised Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, Boulder, and Grand Counties. He became charter member of Black Hawk Lodge #11, A.F. & A.M. [Masons] and served as grand master in 1876.

  Harper Orahood later became president of Fairmount Cemetery in Denver and died in 1914. He was an important part of early Colorado history and exists as one of Black Hawk’s most notable citizens. He served as Gilpin County clerk and recorder from 1866 to 1868. He married Mary Esther Hurlbut and had five children.