His full name was John Montgomery Brindle Petrikin.
Montgomery and Brindle were both family names. He was born in Muncy, Pennsylvania on October 27, 1866.

He married Governor Eaton's daughter.
He married Jennie Eaton on February 5, 1896. After Jennie died, he married Katherine Norcross on April 27, 1908.

J.M.B. Petrikin was an important man in Greeley.
He was a banker, pharmacist, and postmaster. He was the President of the First National Bank of Greeley founded in 1884. He also was on the Board of Trustees for the college. He was also a Mason and was very active in that group. Besides the Masons, he was also an Elk and a member of the Rotary Club. He is also credited for saving the rodeo by simply making a public statement that he liked it.

His home was near what is now UNC.
He gave his home and land to the college. Today the UNC Student Center is on that land. The hill is the highest point in Greeley. His home was located where the new campus is today.

The hill was home to a tall tower.
The tower was known as The Tower on Inspiration Point. It was first lit up in 1929. During World War 2, the tower had a giant V for victory on the top.

Mr. Petrikin walked everywhere.
He would walk all over town, and sometimes join families during their meal times. And often he wasn't invited! But he was so well known and well-mannered, no one would ask him to leave. And besides, just maybe, someone in the family did invite him.

J.M.B. Petrikin died on December 29, 1957.
He is buried with his second wife, Kate, in Linn Grove cemetery.