USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume II > Part 108
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George F. Oberge was reared in his native city and there acquired his primary school education, continuing in the famous De Lancey Preparatory School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. He then secured employment at the Baldwin
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Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, entering the shops, where he remained for three and a half years. On the expiration of that period he went to New York city, where he and his father engaged in the brokerage business, continuing in the eastern metropolis for seven years. They then returned to Philadelphia and Mr. Oberge of this review en- gaged in the bond business in connection with Francis Ralston Welsh, there continuing until 1916, when he removed to the southwest, making his way to Silver City, New Mexico. In the fall of the same year, however, he came to Colorado Springs and soon entered the investment and bond business in connection with F. M. P. Taylor under the firm style of Taylor, Oberge & Company. This relation has since been maintained and they have built up a business of substantial and gratifying proportions.
In 1907, in Philadelphia, Mr. Oberge was married to Miss Ethel Boudinot Atterbury, daughter of John Cole Atterbury, of New York, and a niece of General W. W. Atterbury, who is now in France. To them have been born two children: Charles H., whose birth occurred in 1908; and Ethel Atterbury.
The religious faith of the parents is that of the Episcopal church and in club circles Mr. Oberge is well known, having membership in the El Paso Club, the Winter Night. Club and the Broadmoor Golf Club. His political allegiance and endorsement are given to the republican party and he is a stalwart advocate of any cause or project in which he believes. He and his partner, Mr. Taylor, have given up their time and that of their employes to the Liberty loan and Red Cross drives, Mr. Taylor being the head of the second Liberty loan drive in El Paso county, and both have earned the respect and gratitude of all for their unselfishness and absolute devotion to the success of the causes for which they have so earnestly striven, taking El Paso county over the top in both connections. Their loyalty is of a character that will sacrifice personal interests to the country's good and their labors have indeed been most productive.
JOHN H. GABRIEL.
John H. Gabriel, now devoting his attention to the practice of law, with a large and representative clientele in Denver, was born in Postville, Green county, Wisconsin, February 4, 1862, his parents being Joseph Stewart and Eliza Jane (Cunningham) Gabriel, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was born at Milford Center and removed to Wisconsin in 1846, establishing his home in Green county among its pioneer settlers. He became one of the early farmers and landowners there, but in 1849 he again heard and heeded the call of the west and went overland to California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast. He engaged in mining on Ameri- can Forks and became one of the successful prospectors. He afterward returned to his farm in Wisconsin and profitably conducted agricultural pursuits in Green county until 1889, when he disposed of his property there and subsequently made his home in Lake City, Iowa, to the time of his death, which occurred September 10, 1910, when he had reached the age of seventy-three years. His wife passed away March 29, 1904. at the age of seventy years. In their family were ten children, of whom five sons and three daughters reached adult age.
In his youthful days John H. Gabriel attended the Postville district schools of Wis- consin and later became a pupil in a select school for teachers. His youth was largely devoted to work on the home farm, for he took his place in the fields at the early spring planting and was actively engaged in the cultivation of the crops until the harvests were gathered in the late autumn. In 1879 he attended high school at Monroe, Wisconsin, where he pursued his studies for two and a half years. In 1883 he became a student in the University of Wisconsin and was graduated in 1887 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He then took up the profession of teaching in Portland, North Dakota, becoming principal of the Portland schools. In the meantime he began the reading of law and afterward entered the law school of the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. In July of that year he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he entered the office of A. G. Briggs, with whom he remained until the 19th of December, thus gaining valuable preliminary experience. At the latter date he removed to Denver, where he entered upon law practice in connection with J. Warner Mills, the author of Mills' Annotated Statutes, assisting Mr. Mills throughout the prep- aration and publication of this work. In the winter of 1893 Mr. Gabriel was appointed clerk of the senate judiciary committee and thereafter compiled the session laws of Colorado. He was also appointed secretary of the state board of charities and correc- tions and was also secretary of the state board of pardons, serving in the latter position from June, 1893, until December, 1895. Again entering upon the practice of law, he
JOHN H. GABRIEL
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assisted in the preparation of Mills' Annotated Code and Mills' Digest of Colorado Reports. In 1898 he was appointed a member of the board of control of the State In- dustrial School for Girls and remained in that office until 1903. Since then he has devoted his time to a large and lucrative law practice. In 1911 and 1912 he prepared and edited a revised edition of Mills' Annotated Statutes and he also published a legal diary covering the years from 1897 until 1918, which has had a very large sale. Dur- ing Governor Ammons' term in office Mr. Gabriel was a member of the board of par- dons, serving from 1913 until 1915.
Throughout the entire period of his residence in the west Mr. Gabriel has figured most prominently in connection with public interests and has done much to shape public thought and opinion, while in large measure he has left the impress of his in- dividuality upon municipal affairs and state legislation. In 1903 he was secretary of the first charter convention of Denver and from 1906 until 1916 was president of the Direct Legislation League of Colorado, through which instrumentality the initiative and referendum was made a part of the organic law of the state. He has closely studied the vital and significant problems which have to do with municipal welfare, progress and upbuilding and with the development of the interests and opportunities of the state. He belongs to the Denver County & City Bar Association, of which for six years he was chairman of the library committee, and he also has membership in the Colorado State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. In addition to his professional interests he is one of the directors and officers of the George Sell Baking Company and is identified with various other important business corporations. He is now serving on the board of directors and is one of the officers of the Mills Publishing Company and he is a member of the advisory board of the State University.
On the 11th of September, 1894, Mr. Gabriel was married to Miss Mina L. Stone, of Reedshurg, Wisconsin, a daughter of James Riley and Pamelia C. Stone. Her father, while serving with the Union army during the Civil war, was captured and sent to and died in Libby prison. Mr. Gabriel is a York Rite and Thirty-second degree Mason. He has filled all of the chairs in the blue lodge, chapter and council and is now senior deacon in the Grand Lodge of Masons of Colorado. He is likewise a member of the Ben Franklin Literary Club, an exclusive literary organization of Denver, and he is a member of the Unitarian church and has served several terms upon and is now a member of the board of trustees of the Unitarian church. Mrs. Gabriel is likewise very active in the club life of Denver. She is a member of the Woman's Club of Denver, belongs to the Collegiate Alumni Association and is president of the Denver Ceramic Club. She is also identified with several other prominent women's clubs and exclusive societies of Denver and she takes a very active and helpful part in philanthropic and charitable work. The name of Gabriel also figures in another connection in Colorado. Woman's Suffrage in the state owes its passage to three men. David Nichols, Frank Moody and John H. Gabriel. When the bill was called in 1893 before the senate for the . third and last reading the bill was nowhere to be found. Someone had carelessly thrown it in the discard box and while Mr. Moody and Mr. Gabriel were searching for another bill it was discovered by Mr. Gabriel, who immediately brought it to the attention of Judge David Nichols, who was presiding over the senate, and he ordered its third read- ing. It was passed without a dissenting vote and thus became a law. Mr. Gabriel has always stood for progress, reform and improvement in regard to the commonwealth and the city in which he resides. He has cast his interests permanently with those of the people of Colorado and has been a most loyal supporter of all of its measures for its up- building. His lahors and efforts have been far-reaching and beneficial, and the integrity of his motives ever above question.
HON. JAMES BOOTH ARTHUR.
Fort Collins lost one of its most valued and esteemed citizens in the passing of James Booth Arthur, who died very suddenly on the 11th of August, 1905. He was a native of Ireland and a son of James and Mary Arthur, who spent their entire lives in that country, where the father followed the occupation of farming and stock raising.
Early in life James B. Arthur crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating first in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania, where he had relatives and where he remained for a number of years. Subsequently he spent two years with a brother in Nebraska and at the time of the Pike's Peak excitement he crossed the plains. taking up his abode on a homestead claim fourteen miles south of Fort Collins. He improved the place and
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busied himself in its operation, and for a number of years he hauled hay far up in the mountains with oxen. Later he turned his attention to the stock business, in which he was very successful. For a long period he ran his cattle on the plains here and also in Wyoming, for a portion of his land lay in the latter state. After many years devoted to the successful operation of his ranch he rented the property and resided in Greeley for two years. He then erected a handsome residence at No. 334 East Mulberry street in Fort Collins, where the remainder of his life was passed. For many years he was a prominent factor in financial circles as the vice president of the Poudre Valley National Bank and he was also interested with others in what is now the Poudre Valley Gas Com- pany. He likewise conducted a plant for the manufacture of pressed brick and in the management of his varied interests displayed the sound judgment and enterprise which are the essential factors of success.
On the 17th of May, 1870, Mr. Arthur was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Kelley, a daughter of William and Ann (McClain) Kelley, both of whom were natives of Ireland, where the mother passed away. The father, emigrating to the United States in an early day, took up his ahode in Buffalo, New York, where he conducted a grocery store for many years. His demise occurred in October, 1870, in Bay City, Michigan, where his two sons resided and where he had gone for the benefit of his health.
Mr. Arthur gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was chosen by his fellow townsmen for public service. As mayor of Fort Collins he gave the city a most progressive and beneficial administration and in the position of county commis- sioner, which he held for a number of years, he made an excellent record. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias and in Masonry attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. His religious faith was that of the Episcopal church. His many splendid qualities won him a host of friends and his demise was widely and sincerely mourned. Mrs. Arthur, who survives her husband, lives at No. 334 East Mulberry street in Fort Collins, where she is well known and highly esteemed.
FRANK F. RUDY.
Frank F. Rudy, who in November, 1916, was elected justice of the peace of Colorado Springs and who bears the reputation of being a good citizen, loyal and active in support of the best interests of the municipality, was born in Dalton, Ohio, in 1857. His father, Isaac Rudy, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1818, and in 1847 he was married in that state, after which he removed to Dalton, Ohio, where he remained for two years, then removing to Mendota, Illinois, where he engaged in the grocery business for seven years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Kansas, where he made his home from 1865 until his retirement from active business life. During that period he was a resident of Olathe. His last days were passed in Jacksonville, Illinois, where his death occurred in 1905, and his widow, surviving him for a decade, died in Jackson- ville in 1914.
Frank F. Rudy pursued his education in the schools of Olathe and Johnson county, Kansas, passing through consecutive grades to the high school and afterward taking a course in a preparatory college. He later taught school in Kansas, and gave his atten- tion to the profession altogether for about eight years. In 1880 he first came to Colorado, settling in Pueblo, where he remained for two years, and then removed to Colorado Springs in 1882. In the latter city he taught school for a year, after which he was engaged in various lines of business. He was for four years county health officer and in November, 1916, was elected justice of the peace, in which position he is making a creditable record. He has always taken an active part in politics as a supporter of the republican party and has labored untiringly for its interests and welfare. He served for one term as a member of the city council of Colorado Springs in 1891 and he stands at all times for those interests and activities which are most valuable in the public life of the community.
On the 29th of October, 1885, in Johnson county, Kansas, Mr. Rudy was married to Miss Alice L. Williamson and their children are: Zella, the wife of Val Shumate; Leila and Leola, twins, the former the wife of Ralph Gossard and the latter the wife of Leo L. Corporan.
The family attend the Congregational church, and Mr. Rudy is connected with the Woodmen of the World and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He served for five years in the Kansas State Militia, rising to the rank of second lieutenant. and he was for three years a member of Company A, a cavalry company, of the Colorado
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National Guard. He is a man of genuine personal worth, esteemed for his many excellent traits of character, and his friends and neighbors speak of him in terms of deepest respect.
A. C. GILLETT.
A. C. Gillett, an automobile dealer of Fort Morgan, being proprietor of the Gillett Garage, is known to his friends-and they are many-by the name of Ace Gillett. He was born in Holyoke, Colorado, November 26, 1893, and is a son of E. M. and Annie (Rowe) Gillett, who were natives of Iowa and of Illinois respectively. The father became a hardware merchant of Holyoke, Colorado, where he located about 1888, but for the past twenty years or more he has resided at Sterling, Colorado, where he occu- pies the position of president of the Logan County National Bank. He has long figured prominently in business and financial circles of this community and has had not a little to do with shaping material progress and upbuilding in that locality. His wife is also living.
A. C. Gillett was reared and educated in Sterling, Colorado, being graduated from the high school of that place in 1911. He afterward entered Culver Military Academy at Culver, Indiana, and still later pursued a two years' course in the State University of Wis- consin. In 1914 he was graduated from a business college at Burlington, Iowa, and having thus qualified for life's practical and responsible duties, worked in a bank and also at railroading in Burlington for six months. In December, 1914, he arrived in Fort Morgan, Colorado, where he engaged in the automobile business, handling the Over- land and Willys-Knight cars and the Republic truck. He now has a very extensive patronage and his business is steadily growing. In 1916 he erected a fine modern two- story garage seventy-five by one hundred feet, with basement under it. This he expects to enlarge as soon as the war is over. He also owns a forty acre tract of land, which he rents, deriving therefrom a good income, and he is likewise owner of an attractive home at No. 505 East Bijou street, in Fort Morgan, and a residence lot one hundred and fifty feet square.
Mr. Gillett was married in March, 1914, to Miss Nellie E. Neibert of Fairfield, Iowa, and they are well known socially in Fort Morgan, where they have many friends. Mr. Gillett is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and has been initiated into the Masonic order. Politically he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Epis- copal church and his life is actuated by high and honorable principles. In business connections he has made a most creditable record and is now one of the prosperous anto- mobile men of his section of the state. He utilizes his entire building in the conduct of his business, handles all kinds of automobile accessories, and something of the volume of his patronage is indicated in the fact that he now employs twenty-two men. He is a young man of but twenty-five years and his record is one that many a merchant or dealer of twice that age might well envy.
CHARLES WILLIAM EMERSON.
Charles William Emerson, president of the First National Bank of Brush and well known in financial circles in his section of the state by reason of progressive methods. and thorough reliability in all that he undertakes, was born in Van Wert, Ohio, March 19, 1874, a son of Charles and Kate (Hill) Emerson, who were natives of Ohio and of England respectively. The father was a banker, following that business much of his life at Van Wert, Ohio, where ·he also dealt in real estate. In 1870, however, he sought the opportunities of the growing west and came with the Colony to Greeley, Colorado, but went back and forth for six years, at the end of which period he sold out his Ohio interests and located permanently in Colorado. He founded the First National Bank of Van Wert, Ohio, and in connection with C. G. Buckingham of Boulder, this state, the Emerson & Buckingham Bank of Longmont, still doing business under that name, although the ownership has long since changed. He was also the first president and heaviest stockholder in the Platte & Beaver Improvement Company which built the two largest ditches in the eastern part of Morgan county about thirty years ago, irrigating about thirty thousand acres of land. After ten years passed in Greeley he removed to
CHARLES W. EMERSON
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Denver, where his remaining days were spent, his death occurring in August, 1896. His widow survived him for more than a decade and passed away in June, 1908.
Charles W. Emerson was largely reared in Denver and is indebted to its public school system for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He started out in the business world as an employe in a bank, in which he continued for two years, and he afterward spent a similar period in the employ of an immigration and real estate company. He next went to Oregon, where he took up the study of law, and in 1898 was admitted to the bar. Later he removed to California and was admitted to practice in the courts of that state, where he followed his profession for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he returned to Colorado, settling in Morgan county, where he engaged in the live stock business for three years. In 1902 he became a factor in organizing the First National Bank of Brush and in 1904 Mr. Emerson accepted the management of the institution and served as cashier, while now he is president. It is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars and has a surplus of equal amount, while its deposits have reached four hundred thousand dollars. C. H. Mayborn is the present cashier. Mr. Emerson's previous experience in the field of banking has proven of great value to him and in directing the affairs of the institution he has displayed sound judg- ment, keen sagacity and unfaltering enterprise. He is also a partner in and was one of the organizers of the Brush Hardware Company, of which he is treasurer, and in addition he owns farm lands and city property, from both of which he derives a sub- stantial annual income.
On the 1st of July, 1916, Mr. Emerson was married to Miss Lois I. Immel and they are well known socially in Morgan county, where they have a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
Mr. Emerson belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is past master of his lodge. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and his wife is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Emerson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for three terms he served as mayor of Brush and has also been treasurer of the town a number of terms. He has been most loyal to public interests, cooperating heartily in all well defined plans and measures for the upbuilding and benefit of his city and county. In so doing he looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possi- bilities and opportunities of the future and his labors have been attended with excellent results.
WILLIAM EDWARD FOLEY.
William Edward Foley, a lawyer ruled by fairness and actuated by broad hu- manitarian principles in the practice of his profession, is now district attorney of the second judicial district, comprising the city of Denver. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, July 10, 1879, a son of James P. and Alice C. (Kelley) Foley, who were also natives of Indiana, the father having been born in Johnson county, while the mother's birth occurred in Ripley county. In young manhood the father took up the operation of coal mines near Brazil, Indiana, and subsequently, during the Cripple Creek boom, he came to Colorado in 1895 and was one of those who successfully operated in the mining regions of Cripple Creek. He became very wealthy through his gold mine opera- tions, but later through unfortunate investments in the same field he lost the greater part of his fortune. In 1901 he removed to Denver, where he continued' to make his home to the time of his death, which occurred on the 26th of December, 1916, when he was seventy years of age. His wife passed away in Denver in 1913, at the age of sixty years. They had a family of four children, two of whom died in infancy, while those who are still living are: William E., of this review; and Thomas F., whose home is also in Denver.
William E. Foley spent his youthful days in acquiring a public school education at Terre Haute, Indiana, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, while later he entered La Salle Institute of Chicago, Illinois, and was there graduated in 1897 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He afterward came to Denver and entered the Sacred Heart College. At a later period he entered the University of Denver for the study of law and was graduated in 1905 with the LL. B. degree. He immediately took up the practice of law and through the succeeding years secured an extensive clientage that connected him with much important litigation. On account of his popularity and rec- ognized ability he was nominated by his friends for office and was elected to the general assembly in 1908 by the largest majority given to any candidate on the ticket. While serving as a member of the state legislature he had the honor of nominating Hon.
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Charles J. Hughes, jr., for the United States senatorship. Following the expiration of his term as one of the lawmakers of Colorado, Mr. Foley took up the practice of law and in November, 1916, was elected to the office of district attorney of the second judicial district, comprising Denver, which position he has since filled. He has gained the reputation of being one of the best district attorneys that has ever served in Denver, owing to his fairness to all who come into the courts. He believes that before a man or woman should be condemned, he or she should have a fair and impartial hearing and that every opportunity should be given to prove innocence. In his views he is upheld by many members of the bar and by the general public. He is thoroughly in- formed concerning legal principles and his knowledge of the law is accurate as well as comprehensive. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care and dis- plays marked ability in presenting the strong points in his argument to court and jury.
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