History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 116

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

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In his political views Mr. Carroll is a republican and has been a very active and earnest supporter of the party since casting his first presidential ballot. In 1898 he be- came a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Grand Junction and he belongs also to the Denver Civic and Commercial Association and to the American In- stitute of Mining Engineers. His connection with these different organizations indicates the nature and breadth of his interests. He is also a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Since starting out in life his interests have constantly broadened in scope and importance and step by step he has advanced to a position of leadership in those fields in which he has labored. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him as a man of genuine personal worth and recognize in him one to whom opportunity is ever the call to action-a call to which he makes ready response.

MICHAEL SKIFF.

Michael Skiff is a general contractor conducting a successful and extensive business in Pueblo. He was born in Austria on the 28th of September, 1869, and is a son of George and Mary Skiff, both of whom have passed away. He acquired his education in the schools of his native country and his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited, for in his youthful days he had to go to work and provide for his own support. He left home when but thirteen years of age, bound for the United States. Crossing the Atlantic, he did not tarry on the eastern coast but proceeded at once into the interior of the country and arrived in Pueblo in 1882. He was influenced as to his destination by the fact that he had an older brother living in Pueblo. His financial condition ren- dered it imperative that he obtain immediate employment and he began working in the steel mills. His life has been one of unremitting industry and whatever success he has achieved is the direct reward of his persistent and earnest effort. He was ambi- tious, however, to engage in business on his own account, and twelve years ago he engaged in the contracting business and has since been active along this line. He is now doing work on the Santa Fe trail, a most important project, and he has also consider- able county work. In fact, the contracts awarded him have been of a most important character and his activities have brought him prominently to the front in connection with the contracting business.

In 1895 Mr. Skiff was united in marriage to Miss Regina Jekovc and to them have been born three children, Regina, Karl and Ellis M. In politics Mr. Skiff maintains an independent course, supporting men and measures rather than party, and he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his efforts entirely upon his business affairs. He is the owner of the Valley Barn and does all

MICHAEL SKIFF

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kinds of trucking, hauling and work of that character. He does much public contract work as well, including grading, and his investments and activities have brought him a substantial measure of prosperity. He is truly a self made man. He started out in the business world when a lad of but thirteen years and has since been dependent upon his own resources. Believing that he would have better opportunities in the new world than he could secure in the old, he came to the United States and has never had reason to regret this step. He here found the chances which he sought-chances which were superior to those which he could have secured in Austria, and as the years have passed he has so utilized his opportunities that he is today one of the prominent representatives of industrial activity in Pueblo with business interests that reach out over a broad territory. His long experience and study of conditions have made him familiar with the great principles that underlie construction work and there is no possible phase of the business which he has not thoroughly mastered.

CHARLES W. WATERMAN.

Charles W. Waterman, prominent among the corporation lawyers of Denver, early displayed the elemental strength of his character which has brought him to his present creditable and enviable position. With limited financial resources in his youth, he worked his own way through college and step by step has advanced, winning recognition through individual merit until today his practice as a corporation lawyer is second to none in volume and importance in Denver. He was born in Waitsfield, Vermont, No- vemher 2, 1861, and is of English descent. His ancestors in early colonial days were residents of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont, the founder of the American branch of the family being Richard Waterman, who came to the new world in the early part of the seventeenth century and afterward joined Roger Williams, settling in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, in 1644. He was a surveyor by profession and historic records show that he possessed considerable land in Providence and was a man of note in the colony. Abraham Waterman, the grandfather of Charles W. Waterman, was a petty officer in the Revolutionary war from Rhode Island and in 1779 settled in Vermont subsequent to the burning of Royalton. His son, John Waterman, was born in the Green Mountain state and became a successful farmer, residing at Waitsfield from the age of twelve years until the time of his death, which occurred in 1892. During his active life he was prominent in civic matters and filled various local offices, while in the community in which he lived he exercised considerable influence over public thought aud action. He wedded Mary A. Leach, who was born in Waitsfield, Vermont, and was descended from an old New Hampshire family that sent its representatives to Waitsfield, Vermont, at an early day. Her father was Captain Robert Leach, who removed from New Boston, New Hampshire, to the Green Mountain state and who at the time of the War of 1812 responded to the country's call for troops and aided in the protection of American interests. The Leach family was of Irish lineage and was established in America in colonial times. Mrs. Waterman survived her husband for about nine years, passing away on the old homestead in Waitsfield in 1901, when eighty-one years of age. She was the mother of six children, three sons and three daughters.

The youngest of the family. Charles W. Waterman, pursued his education in the district schools of his native town, which he attended when his lahors were not needed in the work of the fields. He afterward attended the common schools of Morrisville and later became a student in St. Johnsbury Academy of Vermont. He also devoted every possible moment to private study and thus ultimately qualified for admission to the State University of Vermont, which he entered in 1880. He there pursued a classical course and was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree. The succeeding three years were devoted to the profession of teaching, which he followed first at Mooers Forks, New York, in 1882 and 1883. then at New London, Connecticut, and at Fort Dodge, Iowa, having served as principal at New London in 1885 6. The year following he accepted the position of principal of the schools of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and in 1888 he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1889 with the LL. B. degree. The same year he was admitted to practice in Michigan hut did not take up the work of the profession in that state. On the contrary he came direct to Colorado, arriving in Denver on the 1st of August, 1889. He was admitted to the bar of this state in September of that year and took up general practice on his own account. In April, 1891, he entered the office of the firm of Wolcott & Vaile, then the leading attorneys of the city, and after remaining in their employ until January, 1902, he was admitted to a partnership under the firm style of Wolcott, Vaile & Water-

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man. He continued a member of the firm until the death of Senator Wolcott in 1905, when the firm was reorganized as Vaile & Waterman. That association was maintained until January, 1908, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, and through the inter- vening years Mr. Waterman has practiced alone. He has specialized largely in corpora- tion work and stands deservedly high as a corporation lawyer in the state. He is one of the attorneys for the Rock Island Railroad system and is the general counsel for the Great Western Sugar Company and for numerous other important corporations of the city and state. He enjoys the highest regard of professional colleagues and contem- poraries and is a valued member of the Denver Bar Association, the Colorado State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

On the 18th of June .. 1890, Mr. Waterman was married at Burlington, Vermont, to Miss Anna R. Cook, a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of Marcus D. and Julia G. (Rankin) Cook. The father is now deceased but the mother is still living and is a descendant of one of the old families of Massachusetts.

Mr. Waterman is an active member of the Denver Country and University Clubs and in politics he is a staneb republican. He is a man of liberal culture, broad-miuded and of high ideals, has always been a great reader and student and many of his happiest hours are spent in his library in the companionship of men of master minds of all ages. Because of the innate refinement of his nature he avoids everything common and finds his greatest pleasure in those things which are an intellectual stimulus and of cultural value. He is at the same time a genial, affable gentleman, popular with all who know him because of his pleasing personality and his recognition of true worth in his fellow- men. He has been suggested as the republican candidate for United States senator at this period in the world's crisis when the country is looking for the most capable men to manage the important affairs of the nation. In this connection a contemporary writer has said: "Probably never in the history of this country have the people at large given so much attention to seeking out men of ability, the men who have done things, the men who have records of achievements, to aid in national advancement, as today. The nation needs big men. It needs them in public places and it needs them in private places. It needs them to do the planning and It needs them to carry out plans to make this country, when this great world war is over, larger, better. bigger, richer, greater and, above all, the government more popular than it has been in the past. The barriers of class distinction that have grown up have already been wiped out." Among those who are prominent hy reason of accomplishment in business and professional affairs, in service rendered state and country, is Charles W. Waterman. Reared upon one of the rocky hillside farms of New England, he had no educational advantages between the ages of five and twelve years on account of illness and handicapped in other ways, he has nevertheless advanced step by step, utilizing every opportunity and developing his innate powers and talents to the utmost. He has reached a position as one of the eminent lawyers of his adopted state and is well qualified for important service in national life. Throughout Denver he is spoken of in terms of high regard and admira- tion by reason of what he has accomplished and those who come within the circle of his close personal friends count themselves indeed fortunate.

HON. ALVA ADAMS.

The active connection of Hon. Alva Adams with the history of Colorado, its develop- ment and its upbuilding, covers nearly forty years and the record of no man in public life has been more faultless in honor, fearless in conduct or stainless in reputation. From youth to old age Alva Adams has been a factor in Colorado life, business and govern- ment. Starting without capital, friends, profession or trade, he has made a creditable success in the various activities in which he has engaged.

Though but an alumnus of the rural log school house, Mr. Adams has read widely and has gathered perhaps the largest private library in Colorado. His collection of books relating to this section of the Rocky mountains is especially valuable.

Mr. Adams was born in a log house in Iowa county, Wisconsin, on May 14, 1850. His father was from Kentucky and his mother from New York. The former was a merchant and farmer. The illness of a son caused the family to seek a change of climate. In prairie schooners they crossed the plains to Colorado, where they arrived in the spring of 1871. Young Alva's first work was hauling from the mountains the ties that were placed upon the first miles of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. In July, 1871, he went to the proposed site of Colorado Springs. There he entered the employ of C. W.

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Sanborn, a lumber merchant. While working for Mr. Sanborn he built a small house on South Cascade avenue for an office and sleeping room. It was finished on the seventh day of August, 1871, being the first house built on the site of Colorado Springs. In October, 1871, Mr. Adams purchased the business of his employer for four thousand one hundred dollars. Not having the capital, he gave his notes in payment, bearing two per cent per month interest. The husiness was soon converted into a hardware store. In 1873 a branch was established in the new town of South Pueblo. Leaving his associ- ates in Colorado Springs, Mr. Adams moved to Pueblo and from there branch stores were started in all of the prominent mining camps of the San Juan.

In 1873 Mr. Adams was chosen as a member of the first board of trustees for South Pueblo. In 1876 he was elected to the first state legislature from Rio Grande county and in 1884 he was nominated on the democratic ticket for governor, but was defeated. Two years later he was the successful candidate and was sworn in as governor in Janu- ary, 1887. In 1896 he was again elected governor and a third time elected in 1904. A well known writer describes him in these words: "The keynote of Alva Adams' char- acter throughout has been purpose. He is not a great man but he is a good man-a clever man, an ambitious and cultured man. He has made the most of the excellent talents with which nature endowed him and that is why he seems to be the most ad- mirable man in the state. What he is he has made himself and my heart goes out in unreserved sympathy toward the high and honorable and forceful character he has established." To the solution of every public problem Mr. Adams has given the most thoughtful consideration and has been actuated by a spirit of the utmost devotion to the general good, ever placing the public welfare before partisanship and the interests of his constituents before self-aggrandizement. Though in touch with politics for a generation, he was never a candidate save when the logic of political events seemed to point to him as the available nominee. A sense of party and civic duty often won his assent when he would have preferred his home and books and private affairs. He held the theory that the community had the right to command the service of any efficient, competent citizen when the public welfare needed that service.

Mr. Adams is still connected with the mercantile concern he founded in 1871. He is also president of the Pueblo Savings & Trust Company, director of the Denver branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, and director in the International Trust Company of Denver. He is also a thirty-third degree Mason and sovereign grand inspector general in the state of Colorado.

Mr. Adams has circled the globe twice, once as head of a semi-ambassadorial com. mission. His travels, studies and work have given him a wide view of life and made him a liberal-minded gentleman whose ways are those of refinement and whose worth no man can question. .

AUGUST FINDLING.

August Findling, president of the Denver Towel Supply Company, one of the largest institutions of the kind in the west, made so through the energy and push of the heads of the concern, was born in Davenport, Iowa, August 19, 1864, a son of Adolph and Katherine (Findling) Findling. Both were natives of Baden, Germany, and following their marriage came to America in 1860. The father was a barber by trade and followed that business in Davenport, Iowa, and in Rock Island, and Moline, Illinois, conducting exten- sive tonsorial parlors. In fact, he had the largest business of the kind in his section of Iowa and Illinois. His last residence was at Moline Illinois, where he passed away in 1874. His widow afterward came to Denver, where she resided until her death In August, 1914. Their family numbered six children: Mrs. Lena Meyers, now residing in Denver; Adolph, who passed away in Rock Island, Illinois; Oscar, who died in Dillon, Montana; Raymond, who passed away at Moline, Illinois; and Amanda, also deceased.

In early life August Findling, the other member of the family, attended the schools of Moline, Illinois, and was a student in the schools of Denver from 1879 until 1880. He then secured a position in the Windsor Hotel of Denver, with which he was con- nected for nine years, occupying the office of clerk. On the expiration of that period he engaged in the towel supply business in connection with Q. L. Martin, founding the business under the name of the Martin Findling Towel Supply Company in 1889. Two years later the firm was consolidated with similar interests owned by W. W. Cole and the firm style of the Silver State Towel Supply Company was assumed. As the years

AUGUST FINDLING

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passed the business was steadily growing in volume and importance. The next consol- idation was with the Denver Towel Supply Company, resulting in the establishment of the largest enterprise in the west. Mr. Cole was the first president but in 1895 he withdrew from the business, selling his interest to Mr. Findling, who was then elected to the presidency and became the active head of the concern. Later Q. L. Martin dis- posed of his interest to-J. H. Groot, who was identified with the business until 1913, when death severed his connection and his interests were purchased by Mrs. Sullivan, of New York city. On May 1, 1918, the company purchased the business of the Colorado Towel Supply Company, which was the second largest business of its kind in the state. The company is in a highly prosperous condition owing to the excellent management of the members of the firm and their close attention to every phase of the business in principle and detail. Their wise control carefully safeguards the interests of the stockholders and at the same time they never lose sight of any point that bears upon the rights of their patrons. There is no better regulated business in the west and none which measures up more fully to the highest commercial standards. Their treatment of employes is always fair, uniform courtesy is extended to all and if there is any difference in opinion the members of the company are always ready to listen to an employe's side of the case and secure satisfactory adjustment of the matter. Such a policy would be of the greatest benefit in all business, preventing the too prevalent dis content that often results in strikes.

On the 27th of June, 1894, Mr. Findling was married in Denver to Miss Amanda Ullrich, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ullrich, of Jersey City, New Jersey. They have one child, Richard E., who was born in Denver in 1895 and is a graduate of the high school and of the Barnes Commercial School. He was with the Bradstreet Company until drafted for service in the present war and is now at Camp Cody training for active service with the national army.

Mr. Findling maintains an independent course in politics. He belongs to Denver Lodge, No. 17, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World, and he also has membership relations with the Optimists Club, the Denver Motor Club, the Manufacturers Association and the Civic and Commercial Association. He cooperates heartily in all plans and projects of the last two organizations for the upbuilding of the business interests of the city, for the extension of its trade relations and for the upholding of those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. In his business he has made steady progress and is today at the head of an extensive enterprise which yields to him a most gratifying financial return.

DEDRICH NEWTON COOPER.

Dedrich Newton Cooper is prominently identified with the public and business in- terests of Cañon City as its mayor and as cashier of the Fremont County National Bank. The story of his life is one of continuous progress, bringing him into his present promi- nence in financial and public relations. He was born near Sedalia, Missouri, on the 31st of December, 1871, and is a son of James W. and Martha H. (Neal) Cooper. The father came to Colorado to engage in mining in the year 1880 and was joined by his family in 1881. During the Civil war he served with the Fourth Missouri Cavalry. He continued his residence in Colorado to the time of his demise and is still survived by his widow. They were pioneer people of the state and took helpful part in the early development of the district in which they lived.

Dedrich Newton Cooper pursued his education in rural schools and in the Cañon City high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1892. He was reared to farm life and his youthful experiences were those of the farm-bred boy. He remained at home until fifteen years of age, supporting himself while attending school in the five years following. He graduated from high school at the age of twenty years. In the spring of 1903 he was elected city clerk, which position he filled for two terms or four years and in 1909 he was elected alderman and served in this position for six years. He was then chosen mayor of Cañon City and has been occupying the position of chief executive of the municipality for the past four years, his term expiring in the spring of 1919. He has made an excellent official, giving to the city an administration chiarac- terized by businesslike methods, by reform and by progress. He stands for all that is most worth while in the community life and his lahors have been of great benefit to the city in which he has spent the greater part of his years. In politics he is an active republican, doing everything in his power to secure the success of the party because of his firm belief in the value of its principles as factors in good government. He was an

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alternate to the Chicago convention which nominated Charles E. Hughes for the presi- dency. He has taken most active part in promoting those interests which have to do with national welfare and had charge of the liberty loan campaign, in which the county subscribed two hundred and thirty-nine and a half per cent of the allotted amount-a most splendid record of which he has every reason to be proud.

Mr. Cooper is as well known in business circles and has displayed as great efficiency in the conduct of commercial and financial interests as he has in the management of public affairs. He entered the grocery firm of Humphrey & Topping and later was associated with G. R. Tanner in the grocery trade, thus remaining active for nine years. On the expiration of that period he was elected to the office of city clerk, which claimed all of his attention for a period of four years. He then entered the Fremont County National Bank as bookkeeper but after one year was promoted to assistant cashier and a few months later was made cashier. His thoroughness, his close application and his progressive methods have contributed in large measure to the success of the in- stitution.

On the 3d of July, 1909, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage to Miss Ida L. Shaw, by whom he has two children, Kenneth K. and Mildred K. Mr. Cooper is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Mount Moriah Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and he also has membership with the Elks lodge of Canon City and with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. His social qualities have won him many friends and made him very popular in these organizations. Active as he has been in public life and in business circles, Mr. Cooper's interest centers in his family. He is a self-made man, well liked, a model executive, and the city shows the result of his business ad- ministration.

JOHN F. HEALY.

John F. Healy, chief of the Denver fire department and a most efficient officer in this connection, was born in Tralee, Ireland, on the 11th of February, 1873. He is a son of Daniel and Margaret (Broderick) Healy, both of whom were natives of Ireland, where the father is still living on the old homestead at the age of sixty-eight years, while the mother died at the birth of their son, John F., who was an only child. He was reared by relatives and was sent to private schools and after coming to the new world, arriving at New York, April 10, 1884, attended the public schools of New York city between the ages of eleven and thirteen years. He afterward went to Kansas, where he attended high school at Plainville, Rooks county, and in the spring of 1890 he came to Denver, Colo- rado, where he entered upon an apprenticeship under his uncle, Thomas Donovan, in the plasterer's trade. After completing his apprenticeship he followed the trade until he became a member of the Denver fire department on the 26th of September, 1894. He donned the uniform of a pipeman but rose rapidly in the ranks, being promoted through various departments. He was first a member of the fire company stationed at Twentieth and Hartford streets, in what was then known as the Bottoms. There he remained for eight months, after which he was transferred to the City Hall department and later to Eighteenth and Blake streets. He continued with that company until he was appointed a lieutenant on the 1st of September, 1899, in which capacity he served until advanced to the rank of captain on the 1st of February, 1900. He served faithfully in that position until May 1, 1903, when he was appointed assistant chief and continued his excellent record in that connection until July 10, 1912, when he was made deputy chief of the Denver fire department. His next promotion on the 1st of August, 1912, brought him his commission as chief of the Denver fire department and he has since acted in that im- portant position covering a period of about six years. The duties of his office he has most faithfully and conscientiously discharged. The Denver fire department is most thor- oughly organized, a work which he has largely perfected, and under his supervision much new fire-fighting apparatus has been introduced and put to good use. He is cool and collected in the face of danger and his marked capability and efficiency have brought him high encomiums from those who have investigated his record of service.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 116

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