History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 122

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

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WILLIAM V. MULLIN, M. D.

Dr. William V. Mullin, one of the rising young physicians of Colorado Springs, who has already attained a position that many an older representative of the pro- fession might well envy, was born in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1884, a son of William and Catherine (Whealen) Mullin. The father was a native of Queens county, Ireland, and they were married in that country. Coming to the new world, they lived for many years in Iowa City, where William Mullin, who made farming his life work, passed away in 1914. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1890.

After mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools of Iowa City, Dr. Mullin continued his education in the university there and later became a medical student in the Denver University, from which he was graduated in 1908. Thus qualified for active professional work, he located in Holly, Colorado, but in 1909 removed to Colo- rado Springs and through the intervening period, covering nine years, he has spe- cialized in the treatment of diseases of the ear, nose and throat. He has carried for- ward his studies along that line, constantly promoting his efficiency and broadening his knowledge, and today ranks high as an able aurist and laryngologist.

On the 7th of June, 1913, in Colorado Springs, Dr. Mullin was united in marriage to Miss Louie M. Nichols, a daughter of the late W. S. Nichols, who was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in a Kansas regiment. Dr. and Mrs. Mullin have one child, Harriett Catherine. His religious faith is indicated in the fact that he is a communicant of St. Mary's Catholic church.

Politically Dr. Mullin is a republican. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks and he is well known and prominent in club circles, be- longing to the El Paso Club, the Cheyenne Mountain Club, the Winter Night Club and the Broadmoor Golf Club. All of these things, however, are made subservient to his professional interests and duties and he keeps in touch with the advanced scientific thought and research of the profession as a member of the El Paso County Medical Soci- ety, the Colorado State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Colorado Springs Clinical Club, the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology.

HERMAN WOLFE.

Herman Wolfe, filling the responsible position of manager of the store at Rockvale owned by the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company and conducted under the name of the Colorado Supply Company, was born in Indiana, September 2, 1879, a son of Henry and Anna (Dickhoff) Wolfe. The family came to the United States in 1878 from Canada. The father was a miner by occupation and first took up his abode near Covington, Indiana. He afterward removed to Kirksville, Iowa, and later to Ladd, Illinois, there passing away in the year 1914. His widow survives and is still living at Ladd. .

The public schools of the various towns in which the family resided furnished Herman Wolfe with his educational opportunities, yet he had to start out in the business world when quite young and has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources. After working in a mine for a short time he secured a position in the postoffice at Ladd, Illinois, where he continued for four years. Later he was in a supply company's store at Ladd for three years and during that period gained a

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thorough knowledge of commercial interests and methods and steadily worked his way upward. He was afterward made manager of the store at St. David, Illinois, where he continued for a year, and later he returned to Ladd as manager. In 1903 he arrived in Colorado but in 1904 returned to Illinois, where he continued to reside until June, 1915, when he again came to Colorado, making his way to Crested Butte, where he represented the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company in mercantile connections for two years. He was then made manager of the store at Cardiff, Colorado, where he continued from June, 1917, until March, 1918, when he was transferred to Rockvale as manager for the Colorado Supply Company. He has proven his worth in this connection and his advancement has come to him as the direct recognition of his ability and fidelity.

Mr. Wolfe was married on the Ist of October, 1902, to Miss Minnie Jenkins, a native of Illinois, and they have become the parents of four children, Helen, E. Blee, Marie and Mary.

Mr. Wolfe is a Protestant in religious faith and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Canton, Illinois. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but he does not seek nor desire office. However, he is interested in the state and its progress and manifests a public-spirited devotion to the general good. He has made many friends during the period of his residence in Colorado and Rockvale now numbers him among its substantial citizens.

HALSEY M. RHOADS.

Halsey M. Rhoads, editor and publisher of the Rocky Mountain Mirror, published at Denver, is one of the old-time newspaper men of Colorado and has been termed the Mark Twain of the west. 'He was born at Pierpont, Ashtabula county, Ohio, March 27, 1847, and is a son of the late Frederick Wolcott Rhoads, a native of New Hampshire and a descendant of an old family of the Granite state. His grandfather was the Rev. Rhoads, who served as a chaplain in the War of 1812. He in turn was a son of another Rev. Rhoads, a noted Baptist divine, who was a chaplain in the Revolutionary war and who came of English ancestry. The founder of the American branch of the family was the great-great-grandfather of Halsey M. Rhoads, who came to America from England about 1700 and established his home in New England. Frederick Wolcott Rhoads was reared and educated in New Hampshire, where he remained to the age of eighteen years, when he removed to St. Lawrence county, New York, where he continued his residence until 1832. He was born February 12, 1809. and was therefore twenty-three years of age when he removed from the Empire state to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he resided until 1856 and during that period he conducted an extensive business in the manufacture of carriages, wagons and other vehicles. While a resident of Ohio he was married in 1833. Twenty-three years later, or in 1856, he removed to Iowa City, Iowa, and became asso- ciated with Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood in the operation of a lumber mill, their busi- ness connection covering a year. Mr. Rhoads afterward removed to Story county, Iowa, and became one of the four founders of Story City, which was originally called Fair- view. There he engaged in the contracting and building business and also in general merchandising and he served for a time as postmaster under the administration of Presi- dent Franklin Pierce. He also filled the office of county coroner for eight years. In politics he was a stanch republican and was a deacon in the Baptist church for thirty years, leading the life of a very devout and earnest Christian. He died in Nevada. Iowa, in 1867, at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Gould, was a native of Phelps, New York, and a representative of one of the old families of New Jersey. She died in 1897, in Denver, Colorado, at the age of eighty-two years and four days. She had come to this state in 1881 and her last years were spent in the home of her son, Halsey M. Rhoads, of this review. The family numbered nine children, four sons and five daughters, three of whom are living in Colorado, Halsey M. being the eldest son. The others are: Theresa, who makes her home in Monte Vista, Colorado; and Ralph W., who is a candy manufacturer living in Denver.

Halsey M. Rhoads pursued his education in the public schools of Ohio and of Iowa and at the outbreak of the Civil war, when a youth of but fourteen years, Mr. Rhoads enlisted as a drummer boy in the Union army, becoming a member of the First Iowa Infantry. Between that time and the age of seventeen years he had enlisted three times and finally succeeded in becoming a member of Company A, Twenty-third Iowa Infantry, and later joined the Twenty-ninth Iowa. He remained with that command in active service and his connection with the army covered altogether four years, four months and two days and included two years of active military duty as a soldier. On the

HALSEY M. RHOADS

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eighteenth anniversary of his birth he fought in the battles of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley and he also participated in many other engagements, including the battles of Millikens Bend, Vicksburg, Port Gibson, Champion Hill and many of minor importance. He was likewise at Victoria and Port Lavaca, Texas, from which point he proceeded up the Red river in 1864 and on the 26th of August, 1865, was honorably discharged. There were few men of his years who saw such active and varied service as did Mr. Rhoads and he may well be proud to wear the little bronze button that proclaims him a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

After the close of the war Mr. Rhoads came to Colorado and entered upon an appren- ticeship on the Central City Register, which was then conducted by D. C. Collier and General Frank Hall. He remained on that paper for six years, was business manager, and has since been identified with newspaper interests. He was the owner, editor and publisher of the Idaho Springs Reporter, a paper published at Idaho Springs, Colorado, in 1872. He afterward published the Town Talk at Central City and from there removed to Longmont in 1873, publishing the Inter Ocean in the last named place. He afterward consolidated that paper with The Bee at Boulder, Colorado, but eventually sold out there and in 1875 removed to Colorado Springs, where he conducted a paper known as the Mountaineer. At a later period he returned to Central City and conducted the Central City Register until 1878. In that year he came to Denver and was employed on the Rocky Mountain News, the Republican and Tribune. In 1882 he purchased the Rocky Mountain Herald and continued its publication for thirty-two years, after which he disposed of the paper to its present owners. Since then he has established and con- ducted the Rocky Mountain Elk, which in January, 1917, changed its name to the Rocky Mountain Mirror. This is a monthly publication. There are few men so widely known in newspaper circles in Colorado as Mr. Rhoads and none who occupies a higher position in the regard of the newspaper fraternity. Aside from his publishing business Mr. Rhoads has extensive mining interests in Colorado and for six years he was field agent for the United States government on agricultural statistics, which service included matter of that character from Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Nevada. At length he resigned his position owing to the fact that the government wished him to leave the state, but this he did not care to do, preferring to maintain his residence in Colorado.

Mr. Rhoads has been married twice. In 1875, at Rockford, Illinois, he wedded Miss Katie G. Oyler, a native of Freeport, Illinois, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Oyler, who were early settlers of Illinois and afterward pioneer residents of Colorado. Mrs. Rhoads passed away November 22, 1882, at the age of twenty-nine years, and Mr. Rhoads afterward married Nellie (Linton) Mccutcheon, the widow of Joseph Mccutcheon and a daughter of Thomas Linton, deceased. She was born in Iowa City, Iowa. By her first marriage Mrs. Rhoads had a son, Robert Mccutcheon.

In politics Mr. Rhoads is a stanch republican, having cast his first vote for President Lincoln at the age of seventeen years, when a soldier in the Union army. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, with which he has been identified since 1895, and is a member of Denver Commandery, No. 1. K. T., also the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Cowboy Rangers and was president of the Lincoln Club during its existence in 1898.

JAMES H. WILKINS.

Throughout the greater part of his business career James H. Wilkins has figured prominently in connection with banking and real estate interests in Denver and is now president of The J. H. Wilkins Realty Company. In his career well formulated plans have been carried forward to successful completion without delay. He advances the general good and promotes the general prosperity by his ably managed individual interests. He has excellent ability as an organizer and marked executive force which enables him to conquer obstacles that deter many men. In fact difficulties in his path have seemed but an impetus for renewed effort on his part and effort with James Her- bert Wilkins always results in the accomplishment of his purpose. He comes to the west from Lowell, Massachusetts, in which city he was born on the 10th of October, 1864, his parents being Charles and Marianne (Buncher) Wilkins. The ancestry is traced back through several generations to Timothy and Mary Wilkins, the former of whom passed away February 5, 1820, while the latter died January 28, 1820, at the ages of eighty-eight and eighty-three years respectively. They were the parents of Captain Zaddock and Rhoda Wilkins, the former commander of a company of American troops stationed at Fort Warren in Boston harbor in the War of 1812. He passed away

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May 10, 1864, in his eightieth year, while his wife died June 2, 1874, at the age of eighty-seven years. Their son, Charles Wilkins, was born in 1824, became one of the leading merchants of Omaha, Nebraska, and died in 1896. His wife, Marianne Buncher, was one of thirteen children born to James Buncher, who spent the latter part of his life in Durhamville, New York, where he enjoyed well deserved celebrity as a portrait and landscape artist and also occupied a position as superintendent of engravers. In this connection a contemporary writer has said: "Through the Bunchers, Mr. Wilkins is related to some of the most aristocratic families in England. His great-grandfather, General Leche, ranked high and was distinguished in the military service of Great Britain. He married Marie Latone, whose family was connected with the proud aristocracy of the English gentry, but consented to give their beautiful daughter in marriage to so distinguished a soldier as General Leche. She was hardly seventeen years of age when she became the bride of the English general, and accompanied her husband to Ireland, whither he was dispatched in command of troops. Maria, born in Ireland and afterward married to James Buncher, was the daughter of General and Marie (Latone) Leche. She grew up a very beautiful girl and traveled extensively with her parents, who at one time took her to Portugal, where they resided several months in the 'palace.' She was the daughter of the regiment and for many years preserved the crimson silk velvet riding hahit with its silver canteen and chain, which she wore while filling that honorable position. When sixteen years of age she met James Buncher, of a fine old English family, and after a brief courtship be- came his wife. After the death of his wife General Leche was ordered to Canada with troops, where he died. Marianne, daughter of James and Maria Buncher, and mother of Mr. Wilkins, was born at Minchin Surrey and afterward removed to Merton, a suburb eight miles from London. The Bunchers were an ancient family formerly known as Bounchier, the motto for the coat of arms being 'Semper Christo.'" Among the representatives of this family was Marianne Buncher, who was brought to America in early life, the family home being established in Massachusetts, where she afterward became the wife of Charles Wilkins, who later entered into the wholesale and retail grocery business. In 1865 he removed westward with his family to Omaha, Nebraska, where he established a wholesale and retail grocery house, which he conducted to the time of his death at the age of seventy-three years. His wife was seventy-three years of age when she passed away in that city. Their family numbered eight children, of whom two died in infancy, while six are yet living, as follows: C. F., who makes his home in Omaha; W. B., who is assistant auditor with the Union Pacific Railway Com- pany at Omaha; A. T., a farmer and cattle man of Iowa; W. E., who is connected with the motor power department of the Long Island Railroad Company of Long Island, New York; James H., of this review; and A. S., who is a clerk with the Southern Pacific Railway Company at Los Angeles, California.

James H. Wilkins was but a year old at the time of the removal of the family to Omaha and after attaining the regular school age he began his studies. He afterward secured a position with the Union Pacific Railway Company, and in 1883, at the age of nineteen years, came to Denver, Colorado, as the representative of that corporation. He was identified with the motive power department of the Union Pacific and remained in their service until 1889, at which time he turned his attention to real estate and banking and in these fields of activity has made for himself a notable name and place. He was for a time cashier with the firm of Charles Hallowell & Company and afterward with Joralmon & Company. In those connections he thoroughly acquainted himself with the investment and real estate business and later he started out on his own account, forming a partnership in 1900 with Edgar C. Cornish under the firm style of the Wilkins & Cornish Realty Company. He acted as vice president and treasurer of this company from 1900 until 1909. Mr. Wilkins is vice president and one of the directors of the Denver Realty-Associates Company, of which he is also treasurer, and in all of his business career he has displayed notable sagacity and foresight, placing his real estate investments in such a way as to realize a handsome income from the natural increase in property valuation. Since first coming to Denver in August, 1883, his business career has been marked by steady advancement. Each step has been a forward one, bringing him increased responsibilities but also increased opportunities which he has wisely utilized.

On the 3d of October, 1888, Mr. Wilkins was married in Denver to Miss Lily Agnes White, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. White, the former a well known merchant of Denver. To them have been born two children: Helen, born in January, 1890, who died at the age of twenty-three years; and Herbert, who was born in Denver in December, 1891, and graduated from East Denver high school. He is also a graduate of the University of Michigan and of Denver University Law School and was admitted to the

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Colorado state bar. He served as first lieutenant and member of the staff of Brigadier General Hanson at Camp Funston but has recently been sent abroad with the Eighty- ninth Division in the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Infantry Brigade. Mrs. Wilkins is connected with some of the famous families of England and Scotland, whence comes her ancestry, which is associated with some of the most historic names of that land, including the ancient clans from which sprang the royal houses of Scotland. Her father was at one time a resident of Kentucky but became a very prosperous merchant of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mr. Wilkins is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he and his wife are very prominent in the social circles of the city. They have the warm regard of many friends, including the leading people of Denver, and they enjoy the high respect of all with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr. Wilkins' career in business has been a notably successful one, indicative of the possibilities for achievement along well defined lines of labor. His record proves that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously. His plans have been well defined, his purposes promptly executed and his steady advancement has resulted.

H. S. VAUGHN.

A soldier of the Civil war out of which conflict he emerged with the loss of his right arm, H. S. Vaughan has been a factor in the life of Denver for the last thirty years. He was educated at the Wisconsin State University after having received his honorable discharge from the Army. He practiced law in Iowa for nineteen years following his graduation, when he removed to Denver, where he has since resided.

In 1893 and 1894 he was city supervisor and then at the almost unanimous wish of the people became a candidate for mayor. He had pleased the people but not the powers that controlled conventions and was defeated for nomination.

Mr. Vaughn has practiced his profession steadily and with success. He has been prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic and in 1903 and 1904 he was department commander of Colorado and Wyoming. He has given his four children college educa- tions and feels his life has not been altogether in vain. He has been twice a commis- sioner of the Colorado Soldiers and Sailors Home and is now serving his third term in that honored position. Still active in the practice of his profession he also gives much of his time, thoughts and means to war service work, loyally upholding the prin- ciples laid down by the government and defending the ideals represented in the American nation.

THOMAS J. NIX.

Eastview Farm, one of the valuable properties of Weld county, is owned and man- aged by Thomas J. Nix. Its attractive buildings, its broad fields, carefully cultivated, and its many excellent improvements all indicate his practical and progressive spirit. He comes to Colorado from Georgia, his birth having occurred in Choestoe, of the latter state, on the 13th of October, 1872, his parents being Benjamin and Harriett (Swain) Nix, who were natives of Georgia. The father was a blacksmith by trade and also fol- lowed farming in Georgia, remaining a resident of that state throughout his entire life, his death occurring in May, 1902. His widow is still living, making her home now three miles east of Eaton.

Thomas J. Nix was reared and educated in Georgia and remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty years, when he left home and started out to provide for his own support. In 1892 he went to Oklahoma, where he was employed as a farm hand for four years, and in 1896 he came to Weld county, Colorado, where he again worked as a farm hand for a year and a half. He afterward rented land, which he cul- tivated and improved for nine years, and he later bought his present place of one hundred and sixty acres. An additional purchase made him owner of another tract of sixty-three acres just across the road. He has greatly improved his farm, which is now in excellent shape, and he has continuously operated it, transforming the land into rich and productive fields, from which he annually gathers good harvests. He also raises high grade stock and makes a specialty of feeding sheep. His crops comprise potatoes, grain, hay and beets, and he is a stockholder in the Potato Growers Cooperative Company of Eaton. He is also a stockholder in a flour mill at Milliken, Colorado.

MR. AND MRS. THOMAS J. NIX

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On the 15th of January, 1902, Mr. Nix was united in marriage to Miss Nancy C. Davis, a daughter of John and Alcieline (Land) Davis, who were natives of Georgia. The father devoted his entire life to the occupation of farming in Georgia save for the period of the Civil war, when he joined the Confederate troops and was active with the Georgia infantry until wounded. He died November 27, 1902, having for a long period survived his wife, who passed away in April, 1879. Their daughter, Mrs. Nix, was born near Blairsville, Georgia, February 14, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Nix have become the parents of ten children: Benjamin J., who was born October 17, 1905; Mary, who was born October 27, 1906, and died July 14, 1908; Bertha, who was born October 11, 1907; Hattie, born December 26, 1908; Ruby, born April 6, 1910; Oliver, born May 31, 1911; Clara, February 5, 1913; Ila, February 12, 1914; Thomas J., November 28, 1915; and one who died in infancy.

Fraternally Mr. Nix is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and also a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the Farmers Union. Politically he is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He is loyal to the best interests of the community and holds to high standards of manhood and citizenship. He displays many sterling traits of character in his support of progressive public movements, in his allegiance to the general welfare, in his fidelity to his church and in the integrity of his business methods.

GARO HOVSEPIAN ARMEN, M. D.

Dr. Garo Hovsepian Armen, actively engaged in general practice and in hospital work in Denver, is among the more recent additions to the medical profession of the city but has already made for himself an enviable name and place in professional circles. He was born in Trebizond, Armenia, on the 24th of July, 1878, a son of Garo Hovsepian and Armaveni (Koubesserian) Armen. The father was engaged in the banking business and was a prominent and influential citizen of his native land, where he served as a member of the national legislature and as a director of the board of edu- cation. He died in 1882, at the age of forty years, and some time later the mother crossed the Atlantic, becoming a resident of America in 1896. She now resides in Chicago with her son, Arthur Edmund Carew, who was at one time a well known member of the theatrical profession and played under the stage name of Arthur Carew so that when he decided to permanently take up his abode in Chicago he continued the use of that name. He is now engaged in the furniture and household supply business in Chicago, specializing in oriental rugs. The eldest son, Ardaches Hovsepian, engaged in military service, becoming an officer in the Caucasian-Armenian army. He is en- gaged in military operations in the present world war as an officer of high rank.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 122

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