Living on a fine ranch of one hundred and sixty-one acres which he originally took up as a pre-emption claim, one hundred and forty-five acres of which are under ditch with a plentiful supply of water, and which is located four miles north of Rifle, Garfield county, and there quietly pursuing the peaceful and productive life of a prosperous and progressive rancher “Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife.” William V. Heaton would seem to be safe from all the shafts of adversity and have a portion in the struggle for supremacy among men in full accord with the quiet tastes of a modest and unassuming man, such as he is known to be. He was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 28, 1852. His parents were David R. and Jane (Vincent) Heaton, who also were born in Indiana, the father on January 14, 1828. The mother died in 1862 in Ree county, Iowa, and the father died on January 5, 1902, at the home of the subject. In the family of William Heaton’s parents six children were born. Two of these are dead and the other four living: William V., of this state; Frederick, of Reno county, Kansas; Frank, of Antlers, Colorado; and Jane M., of Livingston county, Missouri. William V. Heaton secured the little education it was his privilege to get in the district schools. He remained at home assisting his parents on the farm until he was twenty-one, moving with them from Indiana to Iowa and later from there to Missouri. He farmed in the latter state until 1883, then sold out and came to Colorado, living at Buena Vista and Leadville until 1884, when he moved to the ranch he now occupies. Here for a number of years he was actively engaged in raising cattle, but for some time past he has devoted his attention wholly to general ranching and the management of his real estate interests at Rifle. The hay, grain, vegetables and fruit which he raises for the markets are excellent in quality and abundant in quantity, and the work on his ranch affords scope for all his efforts and satisfaction for all his aspirations. He was married on December 8, 1882, to Miss Emma L. Reynolds, a native of Kentucky, born on December 16, 1861, and the daughter of James and Lucinda (Precise) Reynolds, also born and reared in that state and afterward moved to Missouri where they ended their days as prosperous farmers. The father died on December 31, 1883, and the mother on January 15, 1898. They had ten children. Elizabeth is deceased and the other nine are living, George, John, Daniel, Margaret and Emma, at Chillicothe, Missouri, Frances and Susan, at Trenton, that state, and James and Milton in Utah. Mr. and Mrs. Heaton have six children, Ernest E., Janie C., Frances M., Helen L., William R. and Hazel R.
Source: Bowen, A. W. Progressive Men of Western Colorado. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1905.