History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 109

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

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While attending the University of Denver, Mr. Foley gained a very wide reputation as an athlete and became captain of the university football team, '04 and '05, making with that team a record which still stands as the highest ever made by a team in the school. He became a member of Kappa Sigma, a college fraternity, and also of Phi Delta Phi, a legal fraternity at the University of Denver. He is likewise a member of the Denver Bar Association and also of the American Bar Association. He has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Democratic Club, the Denver Ath- letic Club, the Rocky Mountain Screen Club, the Denver Motor Club, and the Park Hill Club, while bis religious faith is evidenced in the fact that he is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. In the club circles of the city he is well known, prominent and popular and his ability in the practice of law has placed him in an enviable position in professional circles. He has worked his way upward entirely through effort and power and has enjoyed a large practice aside from his duties as district attorney.

HERMAN WEBER.

Herman Weber, dealer in automobile supplies in Colorado Springs and inventor and manufacturer of Weber's portable turn-table trucks, was born in Oxford, Mississippi, November 19, 1862, a son of Gustav C. and Johanna Christina Weber. The father was born in Hamburg, Germany, and came to the United States when sixteen years of age. After several years he was married and removed with his wife to Oxford, Mississippi. While living in that state Mr. Weber enlisted for service in the Confederate army at the time of the Civil war and served throughout the period of hostilities. He afterward returned to his home at Oxford, Mississippi, and there his wife passed away in the year 1886. About that time their son, Herman Weber, removed to Colorado Springs and three years later, or in 1889, Gustav C. Weber followed his son to this state, estab- lishing his home at Greeley. His last days, however, were passed in Colorado Springs, where he died in the year 1912.

Herman Weber acquired his education in private schools of Oxford, Mississippi, and in June, 1887, when a young man of twenty-five years, came to Colorado Springs, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade for four years. He then turned his attention to the bicycle business, in which he continued successfully until 1906, con- ducting his interests under the name of the Weber Cycle & Supply Company. In 1912 the firm discontinued the sale of bicycles and concentrated their efforts and atten- tion on the auto supply business, which was reorganized under the name of the Weber Automobile Supply Company, Mr. Weber being sole proprietor. He is also the vice president of the Princess Gold Mining Company of Cripple Creek. In carrying on the automobile business he became cognizant of a need to simplify the handling of cars in garages and his study of the question led to his invention and manufacture of what is known as the Weber portable turn-table, a device which is of the greatest value in loading and unloading automobiles, from trains, or boat, or box cars, greatly lessening the cost of the work as well as insuring a more uniform and safe method. These trucks are simple in construction, easily handled by two men who do all the work ordinarily requiring a large force of men. No device has ever been placed on the market that so surely meets every requirement for the handling of automobiles and heavy parts, and to Mr. Weber have come unsolicited many letters attesting their worth from the dealers and manufacturers who have tried them. The trucks are manufac- tured in wrought steel and in malleable iron. They are of the greatest aid and cou- venience in shifting cars in a crowded garage or moving them with wheels removed. The trucks are strong and substantially made, and the heaviest cars can be easily moved about on them in a garage by one man. They are made only by the Weber Automo-

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hile Supply Company, for the United States courts have sustained Mr. Weber's patents and awarded him damages from infringers.

In Colorado Springs, on the 26th of November, 1891, Mr. Weber was married to Miss Addie E. Love, a native of Illinois. They have a son, Glenn Love Weber, who was born in 1892 and was graduated as an electrical engineer from the Colorado College of Colo- rado Springs in 1917. He is now a member of the national army, being acting corporal in Company C, Three Hundred and Sixteenth, First Signal Branch, with the American Expeditionary Forces in France.

Mr. and Mrs. Weber attend the First Methodist Episcopal church of Colorado Springs and fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Independent Order of Foresters. He is not allicd with any political party but votes according to the dictates of his judgment. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and thus manifests his interest in all those well devised plans and projects which have been put forth for the benefit of the city, the extension of its trade relations and the upbuilding of its civic interests.

EDWIN A. STEPHENS.

Edwin A. Stephens is the sole owner of the firm of E. A. Stephens & Company, the largest direct handlers of raw furs in the west. In this connection he has built up a business of very extensive proportions and no man is able to speak with greater authority upon questions relative to the hide, fur and wool trade. Mr. Stephens is a native of Kansas. He was born in Junction City, May 8, 1889, a son of Albert B. and Mary Stephens, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Michigan. In early life they became residents of Kansas and in 1880 settled in Junction City, where the father en- gaged in the hide, fur and wool business. He is now a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, where he still continues in the same line of trade. His wife also survives. They reared a family of three children, but one son has passed away. The surviving daughter is Mrs. Harry H. Hill, who makes her home at Enid. Oklahoma.

The youngest child of the family is Edwin A. Stephens, whose name introduces this review. He attended school in San Diego, California, where his parents resided for eight years during his early youth. The family then removed from California to Colorado, establishing their home in Pueblo, where they continued for a year and a half and then took up their ahode in Kansas City, where Edwin A. Stephens completed his high school education. After leaving school he went to Winnipeg, Canada, and became actively and financially interested in business projects of that city, being identified with several important corporations, including the Yukon Basin Gold Dredging Company, of which he was treasurer. He was also identified with the International Securities Company, a land corporation, and with the Stewart River Gold Dredging Company, in all of which com- panies he was a large stockholder and a director. He remained in Canada for two years, at the end of which time he disposed of his interests there and returned to his home in Kansas City. He next entered into partnership with his father in the hide, fur and wool business and continued with him for a year. In May, 1912, he removed to Denver and entered business as a dealer in hides, furs and wool in connection with his brother, A. E. Stephens, who had previously become established in business in this city. The partnership existed from May until December, 1912, the brother dying on the 28th of that month. The business was then conducted as an estate until May, 1913, when Edwin A. Stephens took over the entire business by the purchase of the interests of his deceased brother and has since carried on the business on his own account. His trade has heen one of increasing volume every year and he now has the most extensive business of the kind west of Kansas City. He has made for himself a most creditahle position in com- mercial circles in Colorado and surrounding states hy his strictly reliable business methods and by reason of his familiarity with hide, fur and wool conditions. He buys coyote, lynx cat. muskrat and all other kinds of furs that can be obtained in the west. The company pays the highest market price for furs and receives more furs direct from western trappers, ranchers, collectors and fur dealers than any other fur house in the west. They also buy cattle hides, sheep pelts, etc., and are the largest consignment handlers of wool and mohair in the west. They issue market reports, so that those with whom they have business relations may recognize the fact that they are being paid the highest market prices. They also handle wool sacks and twine and all kinds of traps and supplies. Mr. Stephens has made a most creditable position for himself in business circles, for the integrity of his methods is beyond question.

On the 26th of April, 1916, in Denver, Mr. Stephens was married to Miss Vivienne

EDWIN A. STEPHENS

Vol. II-49

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Perrin, of Denver, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. George W. Perrin, pioneer people of Denver. They have one child, Edwin A. Stephens, who was born in Kansas City, February 8, 1918.

In politics Mr. Stephens maintains an independent course. He belongs to the Lake- wood Country Club and while in the high school he became a member of the Pi Delta Koppa fraternity at Kansas City, Missouri. He is well known as a progressive man whose enterprise has carried him into important relations. He is constantly watchful of the trade and of the market and so intelligently and wisely directs his interests that his affairs have brought him a very substantial measure of prosperity. All of the mer- chandise which he handles is most carefully graded, as are the cattle hides and sheep pelts, and his business makes a splendid market for trappers and hunters of the west.

HENRY SACHS.

Henry Sachs, a stock broker of Colorado Springs, was born in New York city in 1862. His father, Fabian Sachs, was born in Kalisch, Poland, in 1833 and at the age of nineteen years came to the United States, settling in New York city, where he was married to Miss Minna Rochotsh, who was born in Grätz, Germany, of Russian parentage. The father, Fabian Sachs, died in 1901, in New York city, while his wife had passed away there in 1865, when but twenty-eight years of age, her birth having occurred in 1837. Mr. Sachs was a large leather merchant of New York and Boston for many years.

In the public schools of New York, Henry Sachs pursued his education to the age of fifteen and a half years and then made his initial step in the business world by securing a position as an errand boy. He remained in the eastern metropolis until 1885, rising from the humble position of errand boy to that of manager of a branch leather house in Boston, Massachusetts, which was owned by his father and in which he became a partner. He remained in that connection from 1885 until 1903, when he came to Colorado Springs for his health, which he has fully recovered in the excel- lent climate of this state. He was the organizer in Boston, in 1900, of the Boston Curb Stock Exchange, a clearing house for the members of the Boston Stock Exchange on unlisted securities. He was also one of the promoters of a number of valuable inven- tions, among which were the Gillette safety razor, the American automatic weighing machine, the Nickerson metallic vacuum pump and many others. Coming to Colorado Springs, he established a brokerage business, in which he has since been active and in this connection he has won very substantial and well merited success.

On the 6th of November, 1888, in Boston, Mr. Sachs was married to Miss Ray Stern, a daughter of Louis Stern, who was living in New Orleans at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Sachs are identified with the Jewish faith. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which have been wisely, carefully and successfully conducted.

H. GILBERT NELSON.

The cause of education in Brush, Colorado, is well carried forward by H. Gilbert Nelson, who is superintendent of schools. He was born in Buffalo, Colorado, which town is now called Merino, in April, 1876, a son of Rasmus and Karenstina (Möller) Nelson, natives of Denmark, who came to America when nineteen and fourteen years of age respectively. The father at first located in Wisconsin, where he followed various occupations, but later removed to Wyoming and about 1872 made his home in Weld county, Colorado, where he took up a homestead near Buffalo which he improved and cultivated to good advantage. Another removal brought him to Snyder, this state, where he remained for a time, but later he came to Brush and here he was the first section foreman of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. At the time of his arrival the countryside around Brush was still sparsely settled and he must be num- bered among the pioneers of this section. Mr. Nelson served as county treasurer of Morgan county for two terms, his reelection proving the confidence which the public placed in him. By profession he was a surveyor and for several years he occupied himself in this way, while he also served as county surveyor several times. In 1914 he retired and removed to Berkeley, California, where he now makes his home. For nine years he was engaged in the implement business in Brush, being in partnership with the subject of this sketch. His wife is also living.

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H. Gilbert Nelson was reared in Brush, where he received his primary education. He subsequently attended for a time the University of Nebraska and the State Teachers College at Greeley. As mentioned above, he then was engaged in the implement busi- ness with his father for nine years, after which he entered the State Teachers College at Greeley. He taught school for some time before attending the University of Ne- braska and after selling out the implement business was principal of the Knearl school at Brush for one year. He was then for one year at the head of the commercial depart- ment of the high school and since that time has been principal and superintendent of the Brush schools, having now served in this capacity for five years. Mr. Nelson has all the desirable qualities for a good teacher and, moreover, possesses that executive ability which makes him a successful principal and superintendent. He thoroughly understands the needs of pupils and has also been able to establish a gratifying degree of cooperation among the teachers, promoting a mutual understanding in regard to the common aims and a helpful spirit of fellowship. He has done everything in his power to improve school facilities as regards buildings and equipment, and his administration thus far has proven of great benefit to the town which has called him to the important position of superintendent.

In June, 1902, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Cora Wagner, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and they have a daughter, Corinne, born in July, 1911.

Mr. Nelson has ever taken a laudable part in public affairs and has served on the town council. During this period he ably supported all measures which promised any good to his community. He is a democrat politically and was a candidate for state representative on that ticket but was not elected. He owns a very handsome residence in Brush and is also interested in business property and farm lands in the neighborhood. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

PERCY HAGERMAN.

Percy Hagerman, of Colorado Springs, who is largely interested in lands and land development projects, comes of a family which has long been connected with the upbuilding of the state of Colorado and which has played a most important part in its growth along various lines. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 24, 1869, a son of the late James J. and Anna O. (Osborne) Hagerman. The father, one of the empire builders of the west and one of the most remarkable figures in the history of the state of Colorado, was born in Port Hope, Canada, in 1837, and passed away in Milan, Italy, in 1909. Mrs. Hagerman, who was a daughter of the Hon. William H. Osborne, a native of New York and a pioneer Michigan farmer, was born in Tecumseh, Michigan, in 1842 and in that city she was married to James J. Hagerman. The latter was a descendant in the third generation of the founder of the American branch of the family, the first American ancestor becoming a farmer of Dutchess county, New York, having emigrated to the United States from Hanover, Germany. He subsequently moved to Ontario, Canada, and there James Parrott Hagerman, grandfather of our subject, was born. Leaving the Dominion, he located in St. Clair, Michigan, where he passed the remainder of his active life, being connected with farming and milling.

His son, James J. Hagerman, father of our subject, after receiving an excellent college education became connected with Captain E. B. Ward, of Detroit, Michigan, one of the prominent and wealthy men of the state and the owner of vessels, iron mines and factories. At first Mr. Hagerman was a purser on the Ward Line of steamers but on the organization of the Milwaukee Iron Company was made manager of this enterprise, later becoming president of the company. His greatest work in Michigan, however, was the development of the iron mines in the Menominee district, he becoming president of the Menominee Mining Company and principal owner of the Chapin mine, which he discovered. This he developed into the largest producing iron mine in the United States. In 1883 Mr. Hagerman went to Europe to regain his health, which had broken down under the continuous business strain, and in 1884 he came to Colorado Springs, from which place he conducted his great campaign in the development of Colorado and the Pecos valley of New Mexico. Mr. Hagerman was interested in mining in Leadville and Aspen and was chief owner of the Mollie Gibson mine. He was one of the important factors in the organization of the Colorado Midland Railroad, of which he was president for a time, or until he negotiated the sale of the road to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. He was the first to recognize the agricultural and horticultural

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possibilities of the Pecos valley in New Mexico if adequate systems of irrigation were established and he therefore developed the largest irrigation companies in that section. He also was the builder and principal owner of the Pecos Valley & Northeastern Railroad, which is now the property of the Santa Fe system. In this way Mr. Hager- man turned into fertile fields a desert region as by a magic wand. He was president of the First National Bank of Colorado Springs and for many years a trustee of Colorado College, to which he liberally contributed, being always a sincere friend of education. Hagerman Hall, one of the finest structures on the college campus, is named in his honor. This short outline of a most illustrious career only indicates the far-reaching effects of the efforts and labors of Mr. Hagerman in the development of his state. Mr. and Mrs. Hagerman had two sons, Percy and H. J. Hagerman.

The former attended public and private schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while the family was residing there and subsequently was for a year a student in Colorado College. In 1884 Mr. and Mrs. Hagerman and their two sons came to Colorado Springs, which remained their home, but Percy Hagerman and his brother both returned to the east in order to gain a college education. Mr. Hagerman of this review graduated from Cornell University in 1890 and then attended the Yale Law School during 1890 and 1891, returning to Colorado Springs at the end of that period. He has since made his home in this city, directing from here his important business interests. He has followed in the footsteps of his distinguished father and has continued in land develop- ment, doing a great deal of good for the sections in which he is interested. His work therefore is not only of benefit to himself but of great value in the further upbuilding of the state.

On the 22d of January, 1896, Mr. Hagerman was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Lowry, a daughter of Thomas Lowry, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and they have three children: Lowry Hagerman, aged twenty-one, who is serving his country in France as a lieutenant with the Field Artillery of the national army; Elinor Hagerman, who is fifteen years of age; and Anne Hagerman, aged thirteen.

Mr. Hagerman is a republican, sincere in his support of the party, and takes a great interest in matters of public import but is not an active politician. His club connec- tions are with the El Paso Club, the Cooking Club and the Cheyenne Mountain Country Club, of Colorado Springs; the Denver Club; and the University and Cornell Clubs, of New York. Mr. Hagerman is deeply interested in the material and intellectual growth of the city in which he makes his residence and is ever ready to give his support to worthy movements.

EDWARD R. CHEW.

There are few phases of pioneer existence in the west and southwest with which Edward R. Chew is not familiar and he has made valuable contribution to the develop- ment and upbuilding of the sections in which he has operated. He stands very high in his profession, being connected with the irrigation division as engineer of Water Division, No. 2, of the Arkansas Valley. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on the 3d of January, 1852, and is a son of Dr. Samuel H. and Emily (Higbee) Chew, the former a well known physician, who at the time of the Civil war joined the Confederate army in defense of his loved southland. His father had settled in Maryland in 1787 and the great-grandfather of Edward R. Chew of this review was a major in the Third Maryland Regiment in the Revolutionary war. In the family of Dr. Chew were three sons and two daughters.

Edward R. Chew, the third in order of birth among the children, was educated in private schools and in Bethany College of West Virginia, which conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Science. His first professional work was done as a surveyor on the Lexington & Big Sandy Railroad, after which he engaged in farming and raising fine stock. He left home in 1876 and in 1879 became a resident of Denver, Colorado. He engaged in freighting between Denver and Leadville in that year and afterward took up the work of prospecting. He subsequently settled in Gunnison county, where he staked the first claim in the Tomichi district. In 1881 he went to New Mexico and in connec- tion with a party discovered the Chloride and Palomas districts in the Black range. He was afterward captain of scouts during the chase after the Indian Chieftains Nana and Geronimo, the famous Apache warrior. He has prospected in all the western and southwestern states and in British Columbia and has met many hardships. He has passed through severe winters, has been denied many of the comforts of civilization while on prospecting trips, knows every phase of Indian warfare and has made valuable

EDWARD R. CHEW

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contribution to the development of the various sections of the country in which he has operated. He may well be regarded as a pioneer trail builder and the history of the entire southwest is largely a familiar one to him. In 1888 he began making Pueblo his headquarters. He has been prominently associated with many movements which have resulted most beneficially to this section of the country. He was largely instru- mental in having the streams stocked with game fish.

In politics Mr. Chew has always been active as a supporter of democratic principles and was chairman of the city democratic central committee for four different terms. He was also a member of the state committee from 1879 until 1897, when he was ap- pointed to his present position by Governor Adams. With the exception of two years he has continuously occupied the office since 1897 and has made a most capable incum- bent in that position. He found matters in a chaotic condition, but brought order out of disorder and has ever endeavored to do his duty most faithfully and efficiently, with justice to all. In his present position there are twelve water commissioners serving under him, for his is a very large district. He has to deal with all classes of people and has gained the confidence of all by the fairness and impartiality of his rulings concerning water rights.

On the 17th of March, 1890, Mr. Chew was united in marriage to Miss Ella Shep- herd, of St. Louis, and to them have been born two daughters and a son, Mary B., Dorothy and Edward R.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Chew is a prominent Mason. He has attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite and since 1889 has been a member of the Mystic Shrine. He exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft and is ever most loyal to its teachings concerning the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. He also has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He enjoys a game of golf as a means of recreation and he holds membership in the Commerce Club. He is appreciative of the social amenities of life and he is known as a skillful fisherman and hunter, greatly enjoying a trip into the open with rod and gun. His personal qualities are such as make for popularity among all with whom he has come in contact. His mind is stored with many incidents of pioneer life and experiences in the west, rendering him a most entertaining companion, but he also keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress as it relates to the public welfare and interests.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 109

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