CHILCOTT, George M., ex-U. S. Senator and one of the more noted figures in the history of Colorado during the first twenty-eight years of its existence, was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., Jan. 28. 1828; raised on a farm and educated in the public schools. In 1844 the family removed to Iowa, where he was given for a time the advantages of a select school. As a matter of fact, however, be was mainly self-educated by close reading and study during his early manhood: subsequently he took up the study of medicine with his brother-in-law, with the view of adopting that profession, but soon abandoned it for school teaching. Preferring the legal practice, he studied law with the famous lawyer and statesman, Hon. James F. Wilson. In the meantime, however, he was elected sheriff of Jefferson county, Iowa, served one term, and assisted in organizing the republican party in that section. In 1856 he removed to Burt county, Neb., and the same year was elected to the House of the territorial legislature. In 1859 he emigrated to the Pike's Peak gold region, settled in Denver, and was elected a member of the first convention to frame a state constitution, an unauthorized and wholly abortive movement, though well intended. In 1860 he became definitely located in Pueblo, and entered upon farming and stock raising. Having continued his law studies, he was admitted to the bar at Pueblo in 1863, and to the supreme court of the U. S. in 1866. He was elected to the first territorial legislature in 1861, and served though two sessions, 1861-62. Until his death he was the recognized leader of the republican party in southern Colorado. In 1863 he was appointed register of the U. S. land office for Colorado by President Lincoln, and established his office at Golden, then the territorial capital, but subsequently located in Denver. Before him came for determination a vast number of land claims, which were satisfactorily adjusted. He held this office four years, and popularized himself with all the people by his efficiency and genial manners, to an extent which endured throughout his life, and led to rapid preferment in high stations. In 1865, when the second movement for state organization under the enabling act of 1864 resulted in the formation of a new constitution, and the selection of candidates, he was nominated for Representative in Congress, and elected, but the project failed through the determined opposition of President Johnson, as related in Volume I. In 1866 he was nominated for delegate to Congress under the territory, elected and finally seated. (See Volume I., pages 384 to 389, and for services rendered his constituents, page 454.)  In 1872 he was again elected to the council or Senate of the territorial Assembly, and was chosen president of that body. In 1874 he was re-elected to the same branch. In 1878 he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Second General Assembly of the state, and stood as second choice in the vote for U. S. Senator. April 11, 1882, he was appointed U. S. Senator by Governor F. W. Pitkin to serve out the unexpired term of H. M. Teller, who had been made secretary of the Interior by President Arthur. He served in that capacity until about the 1st of Feb., 1883, which closed his political career.

George M. Chilcott began life in Colorado poor and well nigh destitute. By the treachery of a trusted friend, who robbed him of his team, wagon and equipment, all he possessed, and fled the country, he was compelled to seek menial service on a ranch for support. But, in 1863, he located a ranch of his own twelve miles east of Pueblo, and held it throughout his life. By degrees he became possessed of much property in and outside the city, which in the advancing years grew to be very valuable, therefore at the close of his life, in 1890, he left a large estate to his family. He was married in Jefferson county, Iowa, in March, 1850, to Miss Jennie Cox. Four children, three sons and one daughter, were born to them; the mother, two sons and the daughter, Kate, survived him.