History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 107

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

USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume II > Part 107

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

One of the requirements (besides the educational) of the B. C. S. degree conferred by the New York University is that the recipient must have had at least three years practical accounting and business training, so that Mr. Falk entered into an active business career at an earlier age than is customary with university trained men. His early business experience covers a number of different enterprises in almost every position from that of an office hoy up, and he has been employed by some of New York city's hest certified public accountants.

Since the first of January, 1909, he has been in active practice for himself as a public accountant in New York city and in 1911 he opened his Denver office in his present location. Before coming to Denver he entered into a partnership with William B. Johnson, who is in charge of the New York city office and in 1914 they opened an office in Waco, Texas, which is in charge of A. C. Upleger. The three partners graduated from the New York University School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance with the degree of B. C. S. (Bachelor of Commercial Science) and are certified public account- ants, the three offices heing conducted under the firm name of Falk, Johnson & Company.

On the 8th of June, 1912. Mr. Falk was united in marriage to Miss Marguerite Jane Rose, a native of Pike county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Cole) Rose. That she is a representative of an old colonial family, whose ancestors fought for national independence, is indicated by the fact that she is a member of the

HENRY JEROME FALK

Vol. II-48

754

HISTORY OF COLORADO

Daughters of the American Revolution and is eligible to membership in the Colonial Dames.

Mr. Falk has a pleasing personality and is a man of honor and integrity with a keen analytical mind that knows how to probe down deep below the surface to the bedrock of solid facts and point the way to a scientific solution of the many complex problems of modern business. He possesses the power of intense concentration with the ability to think clearly and quickly, and is a tireless and enthusiastic worker. These are some of the qualities that have won for him an extensive clientele which includes some of the largest and best firms and corporations in various lines of business in the Rocky Mountain territory; being retained as an accountant, auditor, sytematizer, and a counselor and advisor on all income and war excess profits tax matters for he is recog- nized as an authority on these various subjects.

Mr. Falk is a member of the Lakewood Country Club; the Optimists Club; the Denver Civic and Commercial Association, in which association he is a member of sev -. eral committees and chairman of the accountants group; the American Academy of Political and Social Science; the National Efficiency Society; the National Federation of Certified Public Accountants; the American Institute of Accountants; and the Colo- rado Society of Certified Public Accountants, of which he was secretary for several years and has just been reelected president for a second term. He is a life member of the Alpha Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity; a member of Park Hill Lodge, No. 148, A. F. & A. M .; Montview Chapter, No. 50, Royal Arch Masons; and of the Central Presbyterian church, and other organizations. All this indicates the nature of his interests in and out of his profession, and for recreation he turns to golf. His career thus far has been an active and useful one, fraught with good results and what he has already accomplished indicates that one may watch with interest his future career.

CHARLES B. SIMPSON.

Among the successful business men of Brush, Colorado, is numbered Charles B. Simpson, who there conducts a real estate and insurance office which enjoys a large patronage. Mr. Simpson's business principles are such as to have gained him the con- fidence of the public and it is therefore but natural that he has succeeded in building up an enterprise which returns to him a gratifying income. He is not only well versed in insurance matters and the various forms of insurance but is thoroughly informed in regard to the real estate market and is considered an expert in regard to real estate values.

Born on July 10, 1852, in Adams county, Illinois, Charles B. Simpson was reared under the parental roof and received his education in that state. Upon completing his school course he took up farm work, being employed by others for several years. At the end of that time he decided upon a change in his career and directed his energies upon buying butter and eggs. He also operated a threshing outfit to good advantage and again engaged in agricultural pursuits, this time, however, farming on his own account. In 1878 he went to Decatur county, Kansas, where he took up a homestead claim, but he failed to prove up. December, 1881, witnessed his arrival in Weld county, Colorado, and there he turned his attention to railroad contracting and also to freighting on the Burlington & Missouri Railroad. In fact he assisted in the building of this road. In June, 1882, he came to Brush, Colorado, and this has been his home ever since, so that he is numbered among the pioneers of this section. Here he took a contract on the Platte and Beaver ditch and when that project was completed he embarked in the grocery business in Brush, conducting a store for four months. At the end of that time he built a billiard hall and remained at the head of this enterprise for fifteen years, being success- ful in its conduct and endeavoring to permit in his establishment only clean, good sport. Giving up this business, he again established a grocery store, conducting the same in conjunction with an implement and feed business, which he operated until 1902. In 1905 he became manager of an implement firm, whose affairs he conducted successfully for three years but at the end of that time engaged in his present occupation. His real estate and insurance business enjoys the best reputation and he has now a clientage which is extensive, assuring him of profitable results. He has been entrusted with a number of important real estate deals, which he has successfully concluded, and his insurance department has equally grown year by year until it is now a valuable asset of his business.

In September, 1886, Mr. Simpson was united in marriage to Ada G. Litch, whose tragic death occurred in December, 1903, when she was one of the victims of the historic

755

HISTORY OF COLORADO

Iroquois Theatre fire in Chicago. Later Mr. Simpson married Violet V. Plowhead, the ceremony taking place July 10, 1911. They have a daughter, Elizabeth A., whose birth occurred June 12, 1912. The first Mrs. Simpson had two children by a former marriage, who were reared in the Simpson household: George A. Litch, a prosperous farmer of Morgan county; and Ella S. Litch, who married W. E. Mckinney and lives on a home- stead in Logan county.

Outside of his real estate and insurance business Mr. Simpson has farming interests in Morgan county which materially add to his income. He is also vice president of the Stockmen's National Bank, of which he is one of the directors. Politically he is a demo- crat and he has taken an active part in the public life of his town, having served on the town council and also as trustee and as mayor. During his administration of this office he always stood for progress and improvement and he wrought a number of changes which have been of great benefit to his town. Mr. Simpson is still very active in the administration of his various interests, for idleness is foreign to him. What he has achieved is entirely due to his own efforts and none can grudge him the success which has come to him as it is the result of untiring labor and close application.

WALTER WHIPPLE OLMSTED.

Walter Whipple Olmsted, whose quick intelligence and undaunted enterprise con- stitute the basic elements in his success as a dealer in Colorado farm lands, was born in Los Angeles, California, on the Ist of October, 1881, and comes of a long line of New England ancestry with a most creditable family record. He is a son of the late LaFayette Olmsted, a native of the state of New York, and the ancestral line is traced back through various generations to Scotland. Representatives of the name participated in the Revolu- tionary war and in the War of 1812. LaFayette Olmsted was reared and educated in the Empire state and in 1867 removed direct from New York to Colorado. He was engaged in educational work, teaching in Jarvis Hall of Golden, Colorado, which was the first and only Episcopal seminary then established in the state. He continued in that work until 1872, when he entered the milling business in connection with the late Governor Grant and Edward Eddy at Georgetown, Colorado. He continued successfully in that field until 1880, when he sold his interests, at which time the Grant smelter was built in Denver. Mr. Olmsted removed to Los Angeles, California, and there engaged in mining and land development projects. He was one of the founders of the town of San Jacinto and was the first driller of an artesian well in southern California. In fact he took a very active, helpful and important part in the development of that section of the state. He was a Civil war veteran, having served as a private in a New York regiment during the period of hostilities between the north and the south until gallantry and bravery won him promotion to the rank of captain. He was wounded in au engage- ment and at all times he was regarded as a most valorous and loyal soldier. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party and was prominent in local politics and civic affairs, at all times standing for progress and improvement in the community in which he lived. He died in 1892, at the age of fifty-five years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jennie M. Whipple, was a native of Connecticut and a representative of one of the old families of that state, her ancestral line being traced back to England, while the founder of the family in America was one of the Mayflower passengers. Mrs. Olmsted possessed superior musical talent and her son has inherited the mother's love of good music. Mrs. Olmsted passed away in Golden, Colorado, in 1894, at the age of fifty-six years. She had a family of four children, three sons and one daughter. Only two of the number are yet living, the brother of W. W. Olmsted being Victor R. Olmsted, an oil operator of Denver. The oldest brother, Fay De Veaux Olmsted, passed away in Den- ver in 1903.

Walter Whipple Olmsted was educated in the public and high schools of Golden and of Denver, Colorado, and at the age of eighteen years started out to provide for his own support. He was first employed at ranch work and in 1904 he came to Denver, where he engaged in the general real estate and insurance business. In this he con- tinued until 1914, when he began concentrating his efforts exclusively upon farm lands. He has since specialized in this line, conducting his business as a member of the firm of Lott & Olmsted. They have sold Colorado farm lands to the value of over five million dollars. Close application, intelligent effort, a pleasing personality and unfailing good nature have been strong points in his success, which has been most creditable and desirable.

756

HISTORY OF COLORADO

At Golden. Colorado, on the 18th of June, 1902, Mr. Olmsted was married to Miss Dora Arnold, a native of this state and a daughter of George R. and Lucy (Wilder) Arnold, who were pioneer people of Jefferson county and have now passed away. Her father was a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Olmsted have two sons: Edward M., who was born in Golden, June 6, 1903; and Fay Randall, born in Golden, Decem- ber 23, 1904.

Mr. Olmsted finds his recreation in motoring, hunting, fishing and various phases of outdoor life. Aside from his land business, however, he is engaged in farming and stock raising in Routt and in Weld counties. He makes his home, however, at No. 1256 Steele street in Denver, where he owns an attractive residence. He belongs to the Real Estate Exchange, to the Denver Civic and Commercial Association and to the Denver Motor Club and his religious faith is indicated by his connection with the Christian Science church. He has never been a club man in the commonly accepted sense of the term, having always preferred to devote his leisure hours to his own home, where he finds his greatest enjoyment in the companionship of his wife and of his two fine sons. He is a man of broad intelligence, well informed on the questions and issues of the day and subjects of general interest.

ALFRED W. DULWEBER.

Alfred W. Dulweber is an attorney at law practicing at the bar of Fort Morgan and although one of its younger representatives has already displayed qualities which indi- cate that his future career will be well worth the watching. He was born in Covington. Kentucky, on the 10th of April, 1892, and is a son of John and Anna (Lindemann) Dul- weber, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father engaged in business as a lumber dealer and subsequently removed to Kentucky, where he spent the residue of his life in Covington, remaining an active and progressive business man of that place to the time of his demise, which occurred in December, 1898. His widow is now living in Fort Morgan. Colorado.

Alfred W. Dulweber was reared and educated in Ohio. He also attended private schools in Kentucky and became a student in the State University of Ohio, in which he completed the classical course, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree. He afterward studied in the University of Colorado at Boulder and won his LL. B. degree upon gradua- tion with the class of 1917. He had determined to make the practice of law his life work and after a thorough preliminary course in the State University he located at Brush. Colorado, where he entered upon the practice of law, in which he continued until the 15th of September, 1917, when he came to Fort Morgan, where he has since practiced. Here he entered into partnership with F. E. Pendell under the firm style of Pendell & Dulweber. and they are making for themselves a creditable position at the bar.

Mr. Dulweber is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and his re- ligious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church. His political views are in accord with the principles of the democratic party. He is a young man, wide-awake, alert and enterprising, interested in public welfare as well as in personal advancement, and gives active aid and cooperation to many movements for the general good.

HON. KARL WILLIAM FARR.

The Hon. Karl William Farr is not only one of the most popular young men of Teller county but is also one of the ablest judges that ever sat upon the bench of the county court. He is one of the few republicans holding official position in the court- house of Teller county and his popularity, moreover, is proved by the fact that he was a resident of Cripple Creek for only a year when he was elected to judicial office in 1916. at the age of twenty-six years. A native son of Colorado, Judge Farr was born in Greeley in 1890, a son of William H. and Deborah Jane (Willson) Farr, both natives of Canada. They were married in the Dominion but later removed to Greeley, Colo- rado, locating in that city in 1875, and there they now reside. There the father was successfully engaged in merchandising and in banking for many years but is now liv- ing retired.

Karl W. Farr was reared under the parental roof in Greeley and in 1908 graduated from the high school there. He then attended Colorado University at Boulder for one year and subsequently entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated

HON. KARL W. FARR

758

HISTORY OF COLORADO

with the degree of A. B. in 1912. Having completed a thorough literary education, he entered the law department of the same university and in 1914 received his degree of Bachelor of Laws. Well prepared for active practice, he returned to his native state, locating in Denver, where he opened an office, which he maintained for six months, but . in August, 1915, came to Cripple Creek, establishing a law office in this city. Soon his ability and foresight were recognized and in November, 1916, he was elected county judge upon the republican ticket for a four year term. He has since filled the position with circumspection and dignity and his decisions are always recognized as fair and impartial. They are based strictly upon the law and even those who may receive adverse decisions from his court recognize his justice. Judge Farr is not only well versed in the law but is an able speaker and is very highly regarded by the profession.

On August 12, 1915, in Denver, Colorado, Judge Farr was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Scott Bernethy and to this union has been born a son, Karl William, Jr. In his political views Judge Farr is a republican, faithful to the tenets of his party and ever ready to uphold its principles. He is interested in all matters of public import and active in war service work. A number of movements undertaken for the general welfare have found their inception in him and he is always ready to support worthy public projects if convinced of their value. Fraternally he is a Mason, having attained the chapter degree, and also belongs to the Elks and the Moose. He is a member of Alpha Tau Omega and Phi Delta Phi, college fraternities. His buoyant, cordial nature has made many friends for him since coming to Cripple Creek and all who know him predict for him a brilliant career.

ALBERT W. MARKSHEFFEL.

Albert W. Marksheffel, of Colorado Springs, is owner of one of the largest garages of the west and is doing an extensive business as agent for various motor cars. The spirit of western enterprise and progress actuates him in all that he does and through the successive stages of business development he has reached the creditable position which he now occupies. He has always lived west of the Mississippi, his birthplace being Man- hattan, Kansas, and his natal year 1881. His father, Edward Marksheffel, was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1843 and came to the United States with an older brother, August Marksheffel, and their father in 1866. In 1867 Edward Marksheffel located in Illinois, taking up his abode upon a farm near Galena, which his father had purchased in 1851, the latter having come to this country previously. The grandfather, our subject, later returned to Saxony and brought his sons, August and Edward, to America in the year 1866. In February, 1869, Edward Marksheffel removed to Manhattan, Kansas, where he resided until 1914, when he established his home in Colorado Springs, where he still continues.

In the schools of Manhattan, Kansas, Albert W. Marksheffel pursued his education, continuing his studies to the age of fifteen years, when he went to Pueblo, Colorado, where he had a maternal uncle living who was proprietor of a shoe store. This was in the year 1896 and Mr. Marksheffel was employed in his uncle's store for some time. In 1907 he removed to Colorado Springs and became manager for the Western Automobile & Supply Company. In the fall of 1908 he engaged in the automobile business on his own account and has since been active along that line. He had previously been engaged in the bicycle business and later added motor cars. He continued in that line in Pueblo until 1907, when, as stated, he removed to Colorado Springs. He now handles the Chalmers, Dodge, Cadillac and Chevrolet cars and also has the agency for the Kelly- Springfield truck. He has built up a business of extensive proportions and today has one of the largest garages in the west, including an extensive repair department. together with storage rooms and sales rooms. The plant was erected and is owned by Mr. Mark- sheffel. His achievement in a business way is remarkable and shows that he is possessed of much ability. His interests are conducted under the name of the Marksheffel Motor Company, of which he is the president.

On the 7th of May, 1917, in Pueblo, Colorado, Mr. Marksheffel was married to Zeo Z. Cunningham nee Wilkins. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is also well known in fraternal circles, being a Knight Templar Mason, having membership in Pike's Peak Commandery, No. 6. K. T., of Colorado Springs, and also in the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise con- nected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a member of the Rotary Club. Alert, wide-awake, determined and enterprising. he never stops short of the suc- cessful accomplishment of his purpose. He readily recognizes the end that may be

759

HISTORY OF COLORADO

gained and his laudable ambition carries him steadily forward to the goal. His life record is indicative of what may be accomplished through persistency of purpose intelli- gently directed, for by individual effort he has won a place among the foremost busi- ness men of Colorado Springs and his activities have made him one of its most sub- stantial citizens.

WILLIAM STROMSOE.

William Stromsoe is one of those valuable American citizens whom Sweden has furnished to the United States. He is conducting a prosperous merchant tailoring establishment in Brush, Colorado, enjoying a profitable trade, and moreover is serving as a justice of the peace. He was born on June 16, 1865, in Boden, Sweden, his parents being Bernt and Johanna (Brunstrom) Stromsoe, the father a native of Norway, while the mother was born in Sweden. The former was a tailor by trade and continued in that occupation throughout his life, which was largely passed in Sweden, where he died in 1903. The mother is now living with her daughter in Denver.

William Stromsoe was reared under the parental roof and received his educa- tion in the excellent schools of his native country. In his father's establishment and also in others he early learned the tailor's trade until, in 1881, he came to America, locating in Roscoe, Nebraska. There he took up railroad work and he con- tinued in that line for about twelve years, part of the time in Wyoming. In 1890 he arrived in Denver, where for a few months he followed his old trade of merchant tailor- ing but subsequently returned to railroading, being so occupied at Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he was foreman of a construction gang of the Cheyenne & Northern Railroad for two years, from 1886 to 1888. In 1897 he and his brother bought a tailor shop in Denver, which they conducted until 1900, in which year Mr. Stromsoe again turned his attention to railroading. After a year, however. he returned to Denver and worked at his trade until 1902, in which year he established a shop of his own, which he suc- cessfully carried on until 1906. In November of that year he came to Brush, Colorado, and here he has successfully conducted a tailoring establishment ever since. He carries an entirely up-to date and carefully selected line of goods, taking into consideration quality as well as fashion, and his work has proven of great satisfaction to his customers. His business principles are honorable and he never makes a promise he cannot keep. Today he enjoys a large patronage not only from his town but the surrounding country. In February, 1895, Mr. Stromsoe was united in marriage to Miss Hulda C. Wall- gren and to them have been born nine children, of whom seven are living, as follows: Marjorie, the wife of Edward W. Mitchell, of Brush; Carl W .; Helen; Clyde; Thelma; Rozita; and Ruth. Those deceased are Olga and one child who died in infancy. Carl W. Stromsoe, the elder son, is connected with the United States Navy, being at present in training in San Diego, California.

Politically Mr. Stromsoe is a democrat and his religious faith is that of the Presby- terian church. He has been called to public office and has served for the past six years as justice of the peace, discharging his duties with fairness and impartiality. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which lodge he holds the office of master of finance. Having returned to the trade of his youth as his permanent occupation, Mr. Stromsoe has succeeded in building up a business which assures him of a gratifying income. He has become a valuable citizen of Brush, taking considerable interest in its community affairs. He is thoroughly patriotic and appreciative of American institutions, which have given him the opportunity to establish a successful business.

GEORGE FARR OBERGE.

George Farr Oberge, actively identified with investment interests in Colorado Springs as a partner in the firm of Taylor, Oberge & Company, was born in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, in 1878, a son of Charles H. Oberge, who was born in Europe in 1842, while his father, who was also named Charles H. Oberge, was in military service there. He died abroad during the infancy of his son and namesake, who was brought by his mother to the new world and who is still a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 107

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