History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 113

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

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Twenty-two instructors are on the school's pay roll and the attendance of students is marked by a three hundred and forty enrollment. The present building, though ample enough when constructed, will soon be inadequate to accommodate the ever increasing number of students, so that additional accommodations must be provided in the near future.

EDWIN L. BENNETT.

Edwin L. Bennett, a capitalist of Colorado Springs who since 1889 has been handling real estate and loans, illustrates in his career the possibility for successful achievement through individual effort. There is much that is inspiring in his life record, for it proves the force of close application, keen discernment and sagacity in business affairs. He was born upon a farm in Medina county, Ohio, January 16, 1853, and is a son of John Bennett, whose birth occurred in Somersetshire, England, January 25, 1820, and who was a son of John and Mary (Miller) Bennett. When twenty-one years of age John Bennett and an older brother bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the new world. After a few years spent in the state of New York they removed to Sharon township, Medina county, Ohio, where John Bennett purchased a farm and thereafter gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits, retaining his residence in Medina county until his death, which occurred in February, 1892. In 1847 he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Woodward.

Edwin L. Bennett was reared upon the old homestead farm in Ohio, having the usual experiences of the farm-bred boy, while his educational opportunities were only those afforded by the district schools. He early took up the work of the fields and

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remained on the farm until May, 1876, when, at the age of twenty-three years, he came to Colorado for the benefit of his health, making Colorado Springs his destination. He was accompanied by his elder brother, Lorenzo Bennett, and has since lived in Colorado Springs, his residence here covering a period of forty-two years. In November, 1879, the brothers established a retail grocery store which they conducted successfully for a decade, winning a large and substantial trade during that period. Since 1889 they have been handling real estate and loans but do no commission business. They have bought and sold property and their investments have been most judiciously made, bringing to them substantial financial returns. In 1912 they erected the Bennett building on South Tejon street, from which they derive a gratifying annual rental. Their property hold- ings are extensive and valuable, placing them among the prosperous business men of the city.

On the 24th of May, 1899, in Denver, Colorado, Mr. Bennett was married to Jeannette Fullerton. By a former marriage he has a son, Harley Watters Bennett, who was born August 17, 1881, and is now in Dubuque, Iowa.

In politics Edwin L. Bennett maintains an independent course, for he does not care to hamper his voting by party ties, nor has he ever sought office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which have been most wisely and intelligently directed, so that, step by step, he has advanced toward the goal of prosperity and is now numbered among the most substantial citizens of Colorado Springs.

JAMES E. McGEE.

James E. McGee, the efficient treasurer of Teller county, has been a resident of Cripple Creek for twenty-five years and is one of the pioneers of the state, to which he came in 1870. He has been connected with the development of Colorado for many years and had important business interests in the city until elected to his present position in 1915, having since been reelected and continuing active in the discharge of his duties. Moreover. there is honor due Mr. McGee as a veteran of the Civil war.

He was born on a farm in Jefferson county, New York, in 1842, a son of Edward and Rebecca (Graves) McGee, also natives of that county, the father having been born there in 1818. He was a son of Edward McGee, a native of Ireland, who in early manhood came to the United States and located in Jefferson county, New York, where he followed agricultural pursuits. The father also engaged in farming throughout his life and through his labors won a fair competence. He was an honored veteran of the Civil war, having in August, 1862, enlisted in Company G, Twenty-seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. His duties called him to the border in Texas, where he served most of the three years of his enlistment. Edward McGee and Rebecca Graves were married in Jefferson county, New York, but in 1852 they took up their residence in Wisconsin, where the father followed farming and there passed away a number of years ago, his widow surviving until 1912.

James E. McGee was only ten years of age when the family removal was made to Wisconsin and in Sheboygan county, that state, he largely acquired his education in the country schools. On September 15, 1861, when only eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Company E, Tenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served for a term of three years and three months, being mustered out in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, November 3, 1864, with the rank of corporal. He participated in the engagements of Green River and Perryville, Kentucky; Stone River; Hoover's Gap. Tennessee; Stevenson, Alabama; and Chicka- maugua, in which he was captured. He was sent to the prison camp at Richmond, Virginia, for two months and was then transferred to Danville. Virginia, where he re- mained for six months. At the end of that period he was started on his way to Anderson- ville prison, but about thirty miles from Columbia, South Carolina, with two comrades, he escaped May 17, 1864, reaching the Union lines on June 18th of the same year at Strawberry Plains and rejoined his command at Marietta, Georgia. The last big battle in which he participated was at Peach Tree Creek. He proved himself a brave, fearless, obedient and useful soldier and by his services he contributed toward the preservation of the Union.

Upon receiving his honorable discharge in Milwaukee Mr. McGee returned to his Wisconsin home. where he remained until 1870, when he removed to Central City, Colo- rado. desiring to take advantage of the greater opportunities of the newer west. In that place he remained for two years and then went to Park county, Colorado, where he freighted for two years, at the end of which time he engaged in freighting to Leadville

JAMES E. McGEE

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and so continued until 1881, hauling into Leadville the first two smelters put in operation there. During this period, in 1887, Mr. McGee built a road over the Park range for the Harrison Reduction Company. Having heard favorable reports about New Mexico, he proceeded to that state and again engaged in freighting for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad and was so employed for two years. Returning to Colorado, he made his way to Sargents. He freighted out from Ouray and Gunnison, following the line of the railroad as it progressed, and then went to Crested Butte and there continued in freighting. He hauled the first anthracite breaker for the anthracite mine four miles north of Crested Butte. He then freighted from Granite, Colorado, to Aspen, but in 1881, when the rail- road made its appearance, he left there and returned to Leadville, hauling ore to the smelters until 1893, when he came to Cripple Creek, where he has now resided for a period of twenty-five years. For ten years he engaged in the meat packing business and at the end of that time opened a retail grocery business, which he successfully conducted for six years, considerable prosperity attending his efforts.

In 1915 his fellow citizens elected Mr. McGee to the position of treasurer of Teller county and so ahly, efficiently and promptly did he discharge his duties that in 1917 he was reelected and is again up for reelection at this writing, no opposition standing in his way-a fact indicative of the confidence and trust which his fellow citizens have in him. Since his election to the office of county treasurer he has instituted a number of time- saving systems which greatly facilitate the work of the office and he has in other ways made a number of improvements in the records. In his treatment of the public he is al- ways kind and today has many friends all over Teller county.

In 1872, in Blackhawk, Colorado, Mr. McGee was united in marriage to Miss Annie B. Shields, a daughter of Richard Shields, a native of Ireland, who was one of the honored pioneers of Denver, having made his way across the plains to that city in 1859. To Mr. and Mrs. McGee have been born three sons: Edward, born in 1874; William H., in 1875; and James E., Jr., in 1878; and a daughter, Ella Pearl, who passed away in 1908.

Mr. McGee holds membership in Lodge No. 316, B. P. O. E., at Cripple Creek; the Loyal Order of Moose also at Cripple Creek; and to J. W. Anderson Post, No. 96, G. A. R., of Cripple Creek, of which he is the commander. He takes a deep interest in the last named organization and proudly wears the little bronze button which proclaims his membership. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. McGee has largely contributed toward the development of his state by his pioneer labors as a freighter and also through his activities as a merchant and now renders valuable service to his county as a public-spirited, efficient official.

CLARENCE ORVILLE FORD.

Clarence Orville Ford, serving for the third term as county surveyor of El Paso county and making his home in Colorado Springs, is a native son of this state, his birth having occurred in the town of Evans in 1881. His father, Lemuel Ford, was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and became one of the veterans of the Civil war. He was made a corporal of the Thirteenth Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he · served for more than three years. He was wounded in the battle of Shiloh and in two other engagements and with a most creditable military record he returned to his home, having been a loyal defender.of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. After the close of hostilities he concentrated his efforts and attention upon contracting and building. He was a very industrious man, clean in his life, straight in his actions and he had the goodwill and respect of all who knew him. He passed away in Colorado Springs, to which place he had removed with his family from Evans in March, 1887, and his widow still survives, yet making her home in Colorado Springs.

Clarence O. Ford was but six years of age at the time of the removal, so that his education was acquired in the public schools of Colorado Springs, and when he had com- pleted his work here he entered the Colorado College, in which he pursued the engineer- ing course. After his college days were over in 1901 he began the practice of his pro- fession, which he has since followed. He was employed in the office of the city engineer from the fall of 1901 until the fall of 1906 and acted as assistant engineer during a part of that time. He afterward did engineering independently and in 1908 was made deputy county surveyor for El Paso county, which position he occupied for three years. In 1911 he was elected county surveyor of EI Paso county and occupied the position for one term, or in 1911 and 1912. He then retired and was out of office until 1914, when

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he was reelected and in the fall of 1916 he was chosen for a third time to the position and in July, 1918, was again nominated.

On the 9th of November, 1903, in Colorado Springs, Mr. Ford was united in marriage to Miss Edith Limon Whinnery and to them has been born a daughter, Ethel May. The parents are members of the First Christian church and Mr. Ford belongs to the Royal Arcanum and to the Junior Order of American Mechanics. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a stalwart advocate of its principles. It is upon that ticket that he has been elected to office and over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, as indicated by his three terms' election, by popular suffrage to the position.

JOHN C. ANDERSEN.

John C. Andersen is a partner in the firm of Andersen Brothers, well known and successful druggists conducting business at Brush. He was born at Jewell Junction, Hamilton county, Iowa, on the 3d of December, 1891, a son of Chris and Christina (Thompson) Andersen, who are mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Alfred C. Andersen, brother of our subject.

John C. Andersen was reared and educated in the town of his nativity, continuing his studies until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1908. While attending school he spent two years in a drug store and thus gained his initial experience in the line of business which has since claimed his attention. In 1908 he came west to Colorado, first taking up his abode at Brush, where he worked in a drug store for a time, while subsequently he was similarly employed in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Fort Morgan. On the 1st of March, 1916, he purchased a half interest in his present establishment at Brush and a year later admitted his brother, Alfred C. Andersen, to a partnership under the firm name of Andersen Brothers. The young men have since built up an extensive and gratifying patronage, for they carry a most attract- ive stock of goods in their line and enjoy an unassailable reputation for integrity as well as enterprise.

On the 7th of April, 1915, Mr. Andersen was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Aggson, of Fort Morgan, by whom he has a daughter, Elizabeth. He maintains an inde- pendent course in politics, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Like his brother, he possesses musical talent manifest in his mastery of the alto horn, and he has been a member of bands at Jewell Junction, Iowa, and Brush, Colorado. He is popular in both business and social circles of Brush, all who know him entertaining for him warm regard and esteem.

JOSEPH FRANCIS SCHLOTTER.

Among the wide-awake and successful young business men of Colorado Springs is numbered Joseph Francis Schlotter, manager of the Pike's Peak Consolidated Fuel Company, one of the foremost commercial enterprises of this city. He was born in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1882, a son of Joseph and Nancy (Snee) Schlotter, the former a native of Louisville, Kentucky, born in 1846, and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were married in Iowa, where for many years they made their home. Joseph Schlotter died in 1897 but his widow survives and now resides in Colorado Springs. The father was successfully engaged in business in Keokuk for many years.

Joseph F. Schlotter attended the public and normal schools of his native city but in 1900, at the age of eighteen, came to Colorado Springs. entering the employ of the Colo- rado Midland Railroad Company. He remained in the Colorado Springs office of that corporation for about four years, at the end of which time he entered the employ of W. A. Otis & Company, brokers, with whom he remained for a year. Subsequently he was with the Colorado Springs Fuel Company for three years and in 1908 became treas- urer and secretary of the Diamond Coal Company, holding that position for nine years, or until this company sold their interest to the Pike's Peak Consolidated Fuel Company, of which Mr. Schlotter is now the manager, ably directing the affairs of the company to the great satisfaction of its directors and stockholders. His long experience in the business, his foresight, sagacity and his youthful energy, combined with keen appre- ciation of business situations and conditions, enable him to make good use of business

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opportunities and the business of the company has therefore prospered and expanded under his able management.

On September 2, 1907. in Colorado Springs, Mr. Schlotter was united in marriage to Miss Clara S. Cotterill, a daughter of the late James F. Cotterill, who was born in Eng- land. Mr. and Mrs. Schlotter occupy an enviable position among the younger society people of Colorado Springs where they are very popular. In his political affiliations he is a republican, interested in the welfare of his party and matters of public interest but not an office seeker, preferring to give his entire attention to the business interests under his care. He is a member of the First Baptist church, in the work of which he takes a helpful interest, serving at present as treasurer of the organization. His fra- ternal relations are with the Masonic order, in which he has reached the chapter degree, and with the Knights of Pythias, while he also belongs to the Winter Night Club. Since coming to Colorado Springs Mr. Schlotter has made many friends, who acknowl- edge his outstanding qualities as a business man and a citizen, and he has proven him- self most worthy of their appreciation, confidence and trust. In the mountain west he has found the chances for advancement which have permitted him to attain a prominent position in the commercial life of his community and he has become a loyal and enthu- siastic son of his adopted state.

ALONZO M. RUSSELL.

Alonzo M. Russell, living on section 14, township 6, range 64, near Gill, Colorado, is actively identified with the development of agricultural interests in that section of the state and follows most progressive methods. He was born near Kingston, New Jersey, September 15, 1857, a son of Chandler M. and Clara (Howard) Russell, the former a native of Vermont, while the latter was born in Connecticut. The father was engaged in the whaling business up to the time of his marriage. He went to Cali- fornia in 1849, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast, and remained in the far west for about four years. He then retraced his steps to New England and was married in Vermont, after which he removed to New Jersey, where he purchased a small farm, which he continued to cultivate and improve for seven years. He then went to Delaware and carried on farming. He also established the first commercial or- chard in that state and conducted it for three years, after which he returned to New Jer- sey, where he again lived for two years. On the 27th of April, 1870, he started for Gree- ley, Colorado, as a member of the Union Colony and reached his destination on the 2d of May. The colony secured land, which the members divided, Mr. Russell obtaining forty acres near Seeley Lake. This he developed and improved, continuing its cultivation until his death, but he was permitted to enjoy his new home only for about three years, passing away on the 27th of September, 1873, when he had reached the age of fifty-six years. His wife died in November, 1885, having survived him for more than a decade.

Alonzo M. Russel was reared and educated in Greeley, being a lad of but twelve years of age when brought by his parents to Colorado. In 1872 he began working as a cow puncher for others and was thus employed for about eighteen years. He next rented the place which he now occupies and after cultivating it as a renter for three years he purchased the property. He now has three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land but recently has sold seventy-one acres to his son. With character- istic energy he began the development of his farm and is today the owner of one of the attractive and valuable places in Weld county. This he has continuously developed and improved for eighteen years and it constitutes one of the pleasing features of the landscape. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance and indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods.

On the 17th of September, 1885, Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Amelia S. Plowhead, a daughter of John and Amelia (Simon) Plowhead, who were natives of Switzerland. They came to America in 1856-the year in which they were married. After remaining for a time in New York they removed westward to St. Louis, Missouri, where they resided for a brief period, and then became residents of Nebraska, which was then under territorial rule. Mr. Plowhead took up land from the government in Rich- ardson county near Falls City. It was then largely a wild and undeveloped region and the tract which he secured was entirely destitute of improvements. His daughter, Mrs. Russell, was born October 31, 1860, upon that farm, which her father continued to culti- vate until 1862. In 1859, however, he visited Colorado and looked over the country, after which he returned to Nebraska, there remaining for three years, when he brought

ALONZO M. RUSSELL

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his family to this state and settled in Weld county about three miles east of Greeley. There he purchased land, which he continued to cultivate and improve until 1865 or 1866. He then traded the original tract for a farm near Evans and continued to further develop and operate that land until 1878, when he removed to Platteville and acquired some school land. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his health failed and he removed to Greeley, where his remaining days were passed, his death there occurring October 10, 1893. His widow survived him for almost two decades, passing away on the 3d of July, 1910. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Russell are six children: Clarence H., who follows farming on a tract of land adjoining his father's place; Clara L., the wife of E. W. Brownell, who is now in training for military service in Cali- fornia, while his wife is making her home with her parents; Homer C., at home; Florence, the wife of Mike Kohler, who is cultivating a part of her father's farm; Maude M., the wife of J. E. Wickham, a resident of Gill, Weld county; and Juanita, ten years of age, now attending school.

The family is pleasantly located upon the farm and Mr. Russell has long given his attention to general agricultural pursuits and to the feeding of stock. For several years he made a specialty of handling pure bred shorthorn cattle but closed these out in February, 1918. From time to time he has been called upon to serve in positions of public honor and trust. He has filled various positions in the county and for ten years he has heen a member of the republican precinct committee, having always given stanch support to the republican party. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. All who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him as a man of sterling worth whose life is characterized by many admirable qualities and who in his business career is ever straightforward, progressive and thoroughly reliable.

CORBIN E. ROBISON.

Among the young men who are successfully engaged in the practice of law in Morgan county is Corbin E. Robison of the firm of Johnson & Robison, attorneys at law of Fort Morgan, Colorado. Born in Hill City, Kansas, September 28, 1885, Mr. Robison is a son of William L. and Jennie (Blackburn) Robison, natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father was for twenty years a successful teacher and educator and in 1898 came to Colorado, acquiring title to land near Cañon City. To the improvement of this property he has since devoted his entire time and has brought it to a high state of cultivation, deriving a gratifying income therefrom. He follows the most pro- gressive methods and has instituted modern facilities, greatly enhancing the value of his farm. His wife is also living.

Corbin E. Robison passed his boyhood and youth under the guidance of his parents, who instilled in him honorable principles of manhood. He began his education in Kansas, completing his preliminary school work in the high school at Cañon City, from which he was graduated. He then hecame a student in the University of Colo- rado at Boulder, matriculating in the law department, and in 1909 was graduated there- from. In the same year he came to Fort Morgan and here he has followed his profession ever since, his ahility being quickly recognized. For two years he practiced in partner- ship with M. N. Shay, forming at the end of that period the firm of Johnson & Robison, the other member being L. G. Johnson. Their offices are maintained in the First National Bank building. Thoroughly trained in his profession, Mr. Robison applies his logical mind to the cases which are entrusted to his care to good purpose and his legal advice has become recognized as sound and to the point. He is well versed in the law and as he has gained experience he has become a successful practitioner before the courts. He is well read in books of legal lore and his arguments are carefully based upon precedent and he is therefore seldom in error in a point of law. In his addresses before the court he sets forth his point clearly and seldom fails to convince. As a cross examiner he is quick to see the weak points of the other side and by using them to good advantage has been successful in numerous cases. He maintains the highest standards of the profession and never deviates from the ethics of the law in order to gain a point. Moreover, he does not take undue advantage and it is far from him to employ trickery in trying to attain his ends; in fact, if he is not convinced of the justice of a cause he prefers not to take the case. As his reputation has spread he has become connected more and more with important litigation of his district and has figured conspicuously in a number of celebrated cases in his section of the state.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 113

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