History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 10

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 944

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Chief Justice Beck addressed the memorial meeting as follows: "My personal rela- tions with him were so intimate that I have experienced a feeling of sadness and sense of bereavement at this unexpected calamity which has befallen us that words do not fully express. It is hard to realize that he who so lately mingled with us in the very prime of life and apparently in the enjoyment of health, has been stricken down and now sleeps amid the great encampment of the dead, where all alike are 'wrapped in silence deep and still.' When, only a few weeks ago, I received the warm grasp of his hand, accompanied by his usual cheerful greeting, physical appearances gave no indications of his sudden dissolution, but on the contrary were more promising for length of days than to many of us who still survive. While his prospects for future success and future honors were never brighter, marvelous and sad to contemplate that in the brief interval the fell destroyer has done his work, and our professional brother and intimate friend has crossed the dark river, passing forever from the known to the great unknown. Incidents like this are well calculated to remind us that life is of uncertain tenure. They enable us to fully appreciate the simile, 'The trees and flowers fall down before their

HISTORY OF COLORADO

time and fade and wither in their bloom, and so do lives.' Although our brother's career was comparatively brief, his was a busy life, and he accomplished much in the period allotted to him here. Endowed by nature with a comprehensive mind, which had been well cultured and disciplined by his mental exercise, gifted with good judgment and strong practical sense, he has risen to a leading position at the bar, and the force of his character and attainments has left an impress upon the fundamental law and upon the jurisprudence of the state. He gave valuable assistance in framing the one and in shaping the other, as the records of the constitutional convention and of the opinions of the supreme court bear conclusive testimony. His public services have been alike valuable to the state and honorable to himself. By his death the state itself has sustained a most serious loss. As the first chief justice of the supreme court of the state his opinions command respect for the research and ability displayed in their preparation, as well as for the soundness of the conclusions arrived at. Equally creditable is the spirit of the impartial justice which pervades all his judicial deliberations. Honesty of purpose and a strong sense of right were the controlling characteristics of his life, and, so far as we are advised, no one has been heard to say that Henry C. Thatcher ever intended to deal unjustly by him. These heartfelt tributes of respect which we are today offering to his memory, do but simple justice to the character of a good and noble man. Our tribute may be short-lived, but his valuable public services will be perpetuated in the history of the state, and the beauties of his life will long live in the hearts of his many friends."

H. J. ALEXANDER.

Not by leaps and bounds but along the path of steady progress, a path carved out by determined effort and close application has H. J. Alexander reached his present promi- nent and creditable position in financial circles of Denver as president of the First National Bank. He is also identified with several other corporate interests which have led to the substantial development and progress of business activity in the city and at the same time have had marked effect upon the upbuilding of his individual fortune.

Mr. Alexander was born in Fairfield, Iowa, August 20, 1851, and is a son of the late William Knox Alexander, a native of Pennsylvania and a representative of an old Pennsylvania family of Scotch descent. He was a boot and shoe manufacturer, follow- ing that business in the Keystone state and afterward in Iowa, having become one of the early settlers of Fairfield, Iowa. He was also a Civil war veteran, responding to the country's call for troops and joining an Iowa regiment in which he served as captain. His political endorsement was given to the republican party and he took a very active interest in public affairs and civic matters and served as probate judge at Fairfield, Iowa, where his death ultimately occurred. He married Ann Elizabeth Fore, a native of Pennsylvania and a representative of one of the old families of that state, of Pennsylvania Dutch lineage. Mrs. Alexander has also passed away. Their family numbered six chil- dren, three sons and three daughters.

H. J. Alexander of this review was the fifth in order of birth and while spending his youthful days under the parental roof he pursued a public school education in Fair- field, Iowa, continuing his studies to the age of sixteen years, when he started out in the business world on his own account. During two years thereafter he followed agricultural pursuits and through the succeeding two years engaged in clerking in a store. He afterward spent a year as deputy county clerk of Jefferson county, Iowa, and on removing westward located in Colorado Springs, where he engaged in ranching for a year. He then made his initial step in connection with the banking business by entering the First National Bank of Colorado Springs in the capacity of teller. He remained there for a year and a half and then removed to Lake City, where he was assistant cashier of the Miners & Merchants Bank for three years and cashier for four years. He next held the position of cashier in the First National Bank at Trinidad, Colorado, where he remained for seventeen years, and on the expiration of that period he removed to Denver, where he arrived in June, 1902. Here he became cashier of the Continental National Bank and remained with that institution and with the Capital National for ten years, when the latter was consolidated with the First National Bank and Mr. Alexander became its vice president, filling the position until 1915, when he was elected to the presidency, and has remained since as the head and chief executive officer of this strong moneyed institution. He is likewise a director and vice president of the International Trust Com- pany of Denver, a director of the First National Bank of Pueblo, Colorado, a director of the Denver Union Water Company, treasurer and a director of the Denver Tramway Company and a director of the Seventeenth Street Building Company. His interests

H. J. ALEXANDER

HISTORY OF COLORADO

and activities are thus broad and varied and constitute a valuable contribution to busi- ness activity and development in the city. For forty years he was connected with Thatcher Brothers, covering residence in Lake City, in Trinidad and in Denver. He is indeed a self-made man in the highest and best sense of the term. Starting out in the business world without financial assistance, he has steadily worked his way upward, carefully utilizing every opportunity for honorable advancement and gaining that broadening experience which has qualified him for further duties and larger responsi- bilities. Each year has chronicled his progress and noted the development of his powers, which have ultimately brought him to a most conspicuous and honorable position in the financial circles of the state.

On the 27th of September, 1880, Mr. Alexander was married at Silver Creek, New York, to Miss Jennie Louise King, a native of the Empire state and a daughter of Delos G. and Adelaide (Woodbury) King. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have become the parents of two children: Sidney King, who was born in Lake City, December 11, 1884, and passed away in Trinidad, Colorado, April 11, 1902; and Philip Knox, who was born September 29, 1891, and is a lieutenant in the Three Hundred and Forty-first Regiment of Field Artillery.

In politics Mr. Alexander has always been a stalwart republican. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is connected with the Denver Club and the Denver Country Club. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. His military experience covers five years' service as a member of the state militia during his residence at Lake City. He is a forceful and resourceful man whose business balances up with the prin- ciples of truth and honor and who by the utilization of the opportunities that he has met has become a strong center of the community in which he lives. In his entire career he has displayed keen discernment and the faculty of separating the important features of any subject from its incidental or accidental circumstances and out of the struggle with small opportunities he has come finally into a field of broad and active influence and usefulness.

FREDERICK JOHN ALLNUTT.

Frederick John Allnutt is engaged in the undertaking business in Greeley, having for a long time given his attention and energies to that pursuit. He was born in England on the 2d of October, 1873, his birthplace being at Croydon, in Surrey county. His parents were Benjamin and Hannah Allnutt, the former a well known grocer who for thirty years engaged in that line of business. He was an energetic man and both he and his wife were consistent and faithful members of the Baptist church. He died very suddenly in 1886, when his son, Frederick J., was thirteen years of age, his death occurring in Sydenham, England. His widow survived until 1892 and passed away in Bromley, England. Their family numbered seven children, including Annie, Sarah, Arthur, Frank, Ernest, George and Frederick John.

The last named acquired his early education in the public schools of England and was employed in his father's grocery store there, thus receiving his initial business training. He left England, however, on the 17th of June, 1893, and sailed for New York. He did not tarry on the eastern coast, however, but made his way at once to Colorado because of lung trouble. He afterward worked for five years on ranches west of Eaton, being employed as a farm hand, hoping that the outdoor life would prove beneficial to his health. This result was accomplished under the bracing Col- orado climate and in the fall of 1898 Mr. Allnutt took up his abode in Greeley, where for one year he was employed by Dr. Hawes. He next spent two years in the employ of Thomas G. Macy, and during those three years was attending the Colorado State Teachers' College, graduating in the class of 1901. He then took up work with Mr. Macy as undertaker and embalmer and has been connected with him for seventeen years, and for the past thirteen years has been manager for Mr. Macy, the business having greatly prospered under his direction. He follows the latest scientific methods in all of his work and his uniform courtesy, tact and kindliness have made his service greatly appreciated by those to whom he is called to go in his professional capacity.

On the 17th of June, 1902, Mr. Allnutt was married to Miss Anna Wolfenden, a daughter of A. B. Wolfenden, who was a machinist of Greeley and was at one time connected with the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Mrs. Allnutt was a successful teacher prior to her marriage. They have become the parents of three children: John, who was born May 6, 1903; Lloyd, whose birth occurred August 10, 1904; and Elizabeth, born January 17, 1912. All are now attending school. The two sons are attending the Junior high school and Elizabeth is in the training school of the State College. Mr. and Mrs. Allnutt and the children are members of the Congregational church.

HISTORY OF COLORADO

Mr. Allnutt has membership in the Masonic fraternity, also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a past noble grand in the Odd Fellows lodge and has been treasurer for twelve years. He is a director of the Commercial Club and is interested in all that has to do with the progress and upbuilding of the community in which he makes his home. Since coming to Colorado he has continuously resided here save for a brief period in 1908, when he went to Canada, remaining there one month for vacation purposes and one month in New York. He has acted as deputy coroner under Mr. Macy for several years and his son John is making preparations to go into business with his father. On June 21, 1918, Frederick J. Allnutt was elected president of the State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association of Colorado, this honor indicating his high standing in the profession. Mrs. Allnutt is much interested in social work and in club work in Greeley and the activities of the family are all directed along lines that work for the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community at large. They are held in high esteem and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.

JOHN B. HUNTER.

John B. Hunter, filling the position of city engineer in Denver, was born February 18, 1857, in Versailles, Woodford county, Kentucky. His father, Stewart Hunter, was a native of that state and a representative of an old Kentucky family of Scotch lineage. He became a successful farmer and during the period of the Civil war he removed from Kentucky to Logan county, Illinois, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred March 25, 1873, when he was fifty-three years of age. After becoming a resident of Illinois he responded to the country's call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union and served in the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, winning the rank of captain. He was wounded while on a boat on the Mississippi river and as a result was disabled for further military service. He wedded Mary Brown, a native of Georgetown. Kentucky, and a member of one of the old families of that state of Irish lineage. She long survived her husband and passed away in Kentucky at the advanced age of eighty-two years. By her marriage she had become the mother of eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom three are yet living, namely: Mollie, who is the widow of M. H. Keil and resides at Versailles, Kentucky; A. C., who is a retired farmer also living at Versailles; and John B., of this review.

The last named, the youngest of the family, was educated in the public schools of Logan county, Illinois, having been but a little lad at the time of the removal of his parents to that state. His early life to the age of fourteen years was spent upon the home farm there and he soon became familiar with all the tasks that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he tills his fields and harvests his crops. In 1873, when a youth of but sixteen years, Mr. Hunter removed to the west, with Denver as his destination, and for several years followed various pursuits in this city. In 1878 he became an assistant to Leonard Cutshaw, who was then city engineer, and while thus engaged succeeded in thoroughly acquainting himself with the profession and with all departments of civil engineering. In 1891 he was elected to the office of city engineer and was reelected in 1893. He served as assistant engineer from 1895 until 1897 and was then reelected in 1899 and again in 1901. In 1904 he was appointed city engineer by Mayor Robert Speer and served until 1912. The following year he was elected commissioner of improvements of the city and county of Denver and occupied that position until 1916, when Mr. Speer was reelected mayor, and once more he appointed Mr. Hunter to the office of city engineer, so that in 1918 he has served for forty years in con- nection with the office. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, being connected with the Colorado branch.

On the 27th of May, 1882, in Denver, Mr. Hunter was united in marriage to Miss Clara L. Livingston, a native of Carroll county, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Laura (Jacobs) Livingston, the former now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter became the parents of two children but both have passed away. In politics Mr. Hunter is a stanch democrat and has always been active in political and civic matters. In 1912 he was a candidate for mayor against Henry Arnold but was defeated. Fraternally he is connected with all branches of Masonry, including Colorado Commandery No. 1 and the Colorado Consistory No. 1, so that he is a Knight Templar and a thirty- second degree Mason. He also is a member of El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and since its organiza-

HISTORY OF COLORADO

tion has been a member of the Democratic Club. His is a notable career of faithful and efficient public service and whether as subordinate or official he has been most loyal in the discharge of his duties, his work ever being performed in a most capable manner. He thoroughly understands the broad scientific principles which underlie the work as well as all the practical phases of the business and many important improve- ment projects have been carried out under his direction.

EDWARD BELL FIELD.

Handicapped by ill health and starting out in the business world of Denver in the humble capacity of telephone operator, Edward Bell Field is today recognized as one of the eminent financiers and business executives in the state, with a genius for organiza- tion and management that has brought him to the presidency of The Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company. A native of Massachusetts, he was born in Chelsea, September 4, 1850, a son of James Barker and Eliza Ann (Bell) Field, both of whom were representatives of old New England families. The ancestry in the paternal line is traced back to Robert Field, who came to America on the second vessel that followed the Mayflower and settled at Odiorne's Point, near Rye Beach, New Hampshire, about 1623. James Barker Field was born in Massachusetts, February 3, 1828, and in early life was a successful dealer in boots and shoes. Later he became a theatrical manager at Chelsea, where he resided to the time of his death. In early manhood he wedded Eliza Ann Bell, whose ancestry can be traced back in Boston to the year 1709. One of the family donated the ground on which the English high school of Boston is located and Edward Bell served his country in the War of 1812. In fact ancestors on both the paternal and maternal sides were very prominent among the early residents of Massa- chusetts. The death of Mrs. James B. Field occurred in 1861, when she was but thirty- four years of age. In the family were two sons, the younger being George F. Field, who passed away in Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 1876. The mother was the last person to be buried in the King's Chapel at Boston, where all of her ancestors were interred.

In his youthful days Edward Bell Field attended the public schools of Chelsea, being graduated from the grammar school in 1865. He then secured employment in a whole- sale woolen house of Boston and outside of his regular hours in that establishment he was employed in connection with the theatre business and his investigating turn of mind led him to the study of many practical things and especially to the mechanism of the telephone. In the evening he pursued the study of biology and problems of psychical and social evolution. The earnestness with which he delved into these problems fore- shadowed the coming events of his later years. He was in the employ of Eagren, Bartlett & Company in the wholesale woolen business in Boston from the 1st of July, 1865, until the 10th of November, 1879, when he suffered hemorrhages of the lungs and was ordered by his physicians to Colorado. He arrived in Denver on the 11th of November-an absolute stranger. He rapidly recuperated in this climate and on the 10th of January, 1880, was able to accept a position as a telephone operator. It was then that his early study of the mechanism of the telephone proved of practical worth. Again he delved deeply into the study of electrical science and made rapid advance in his chosen field of labor. His capability and efficiency are indicated in the fact that after a year he was promoted to the position of manager of the operating department of the telephone company for the state of Colorado and further promotion came to him in 1882, when he was made superintendent of the company. His next advance, in 1884, brought him to the position of general manager and from this point he reached the presidency of the Colorado Telephone Company, operating the Bell telephone system throughout Colorado and some adjacent territory. He also became the head of the American District Telegraph Company and likewise extended his efforts into other business fields but made everything secondary to the telephone business. He bent his energies and efforts largely to the upbuilding of the company's interests, mastered every detail as well as the major principles upon which the business is founded and developed, and since called to the presidency he has concentrated his attention upon constructive effort, administrative direction and executive control. Constantly broadening his interests, he has built up a great telephone system in the west, which soon expanded beyond the borders of Colorado, the lines being extended into contiguous states, and ultimately it became necessary to enlarge the corporate powers and work of the company, which was then reorganized under the name of The Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company, with Mr. Field as the president. In this connection a contemporary writer

EDWARD B. FIELD

HISTORY OF COLORADO

has said: "Mr. Field has a genius for organization and the promotion of large enter- prises, in which he has always been eminently successful, thus becoming one of the leading business men and financiers of the west." It may be merely an unforeseen co- incidence, but his name includes that of the promoter of the telephone system and the promoter of the first Atlantic cable, and along the line of transmission of messages by wire Edward Bell Field has directed his efforts with the result that he has attained a foremost position in this great field of labor in the west. The Mountain States Tele- phone & Telegraph Company is operating in eight states. Mr. Field is also president of the A. D. T. Company and the Tri-State Telephone Company and has become a director of the First National Bank of Denver.

On the 22d of January, 1872, Mr. Field was united in marriage to Miss Mary Alice Legge at Newton, Massachusetts, a daughter of William A. and Martha Ann (Tarr) Legge, representatives of old New England families that were represented in the Revolu- tionary war, and Mrs. Field held membership with the Daughters of the American Revolution. To Mr. and Mrs. Field were born four children: Edward Bell; May Agnes; Martha L. and Grace W. Edward Bell Field, Jr., is the vice president and treasurer of The Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company and is also connected with various other important business enterprises. He married Elizabeth Field, of Virginia, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Field, of Denver, and they became the parents of three children, James Barker, Pattie and John, all born in Denver. May Agnes and Martha L. Field were born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and Grace W. in Denver. May A. is the widow of Ernest Fairchild, by whom she had one son, Edward Bell Fairchild, and Grace W. Field is now Mrs. John R. Marvin. Mrs. Mary A. Field passed away on March 11, 1915, and on September 25, 1917, Mr. Field married Miss Anna J. Henry of Denver.

Mr. Field gives his political endorsement to the republican party and for two years he served as treasurer of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and for two years was a trustee of Denver University under Governor Buchtel, being called to that office in 1907. He is president of the Denver Philharmonic Association, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the Archaeological Institute of America and the American Economic Association. In Masonry he has taken the degrees of the Knight Templar commandery and the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Denver Club, the Denver Country Club, the Denver Athletic Club, the Cactus Club of Denver and is a member of the Alta Club of Salt Lake City. He likewise belongs to the Mile High Club of Denver, to the Rocky Mountain Club and the National Arts Club of New York city and to various other social and scientific organizations. He has indeed made valuable contribution to the up- building of the west. His success has had its basis in the habit of study which he formulated in his youth. With the development of his interests he has solved difficult and complicated financial and economic problems in the control of affairs of great magni- tude, yet the attainment of wealth has not been the end and aim of his life, for he has ever thoroughly understood his opportunities and his obligations. To make his native talents subserve the demands which conditions of society impose at the present time seems to be his life purpose, and by reason of his mature judgment and the clear insight which characterizes his efforts at all times, he stands as a splendid representative of the leading business man and capitalist to whom business is but one phase of life that does not exclude his active participation in and support of the other vital interests which go to make up human existence.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 10

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Number of Pages: 944

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 944