History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 123

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

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Dr. Garo H. Armen, whose name introduces this record, was graduated on the completion of a course in the national school when twelve years of age and afterward studied for two years in Anatolia College, an American institution in Marsivan, Armenia, while later he continued his education in Cushing Academy at Ashburnham, Massa- chusetts. He next entered the medical department of George Washington University in Washington, D. C., and completed his course there by graduation with the class of 1905. The following year he entered the Isthmian Canal Commission service and was on duty in Panama in that connection for five years, spending eighteen months in the Colon Hospital as house physician and two and a half years in Santo Tomas as house surgeon. He was also for nine months in Corinto. Nicaragua, as acting quarantine physician but resigned his position in May, 1911. He then traveled abroad for six months, devoting his time through that period largely to research work. Upon his return he located at Naperville, Illinois, where he resided for a year. being connected with Edwards Sanitarium of that place. Since that date he has been practicing in Denver. where he arrived on the 6th of October, 1914. He is now physician for the Loyal Order of Moose in Denver and is giving his attention to hospital work as well as to general practice. In the four years of his connection with Denver he has built up a large and profitable practice and has become recognized as one of the able representatives of the profession in the city.

Dr. Armen was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Power, a native of England and a daughter of Walter James Power. Dr. and Mrs. Armen were married in Golden, Colorado, and they have become the parents of one child, Garo Hovsepian Armen, Jr., who was born in Chicago, June 20, 1916. Dr. and Mrs. Armen have gained many friends during the period of their residence in Denver and occupy an enviable social position.

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Professionally he is connected with the Denver County and City Medical Society and the Colorado State Medical Society. He keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession and the modern research work which is being carried on, bringing to light many truths in regard to the laws of health and the successful combating of disease.

CHARLES O. GIESE, M. D.

Dr. Charles O. Giese, a well known medical practitioner of Colorado Springs, was born in Fresno, California, in 1875, a son of John H. and Minnie (Howison) Giese. The paternal grandfather, coming to the United States with his family, died in this country. He was for a considerable period a resident of Iowa and it was in that state that John H. Giese was born in 1849. In early life, however, he removed westward to California, where on the 1st of January, 1875, he wedded Minnie Howison. During the early childhood of their son Charles they returned to Iowa, where they are now living, and Mr. Giese has devoted his attention to farming as a life occupation.

Upon the old homestead farm in Des Moines county, Iowa, Dr. Giese of this review was reared, attending the country schools in the acquirement of his early education, which was supplemented by study in Howe's Academy, a preparatory school of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He afterward entered the Iowa State University at Iowa City and was there graduated with the Bachelor of Philosophy degree as a member of the class of 1902. He then entered St. Louis University as a medical student and completed his course in 1905, winning his professional degree at that time. Subsequently he went to Europe and took post-graduate courses in internal medicine in Vienna, with special reference to diseases of the chest. Upon his return to his native land he settled at Colorado Springs, where he has since practiced internal medicine, with chest diseases as his specialty.

On the 8th of June, 1909, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Dr. Giese was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Perrine, a daughter of Jacob Perrine, who was a veteran of the Civil war, enlisting for active service at the front with an Iowa regiment. He is now deceased. Fraternally Dr. Giese is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and holds membership in the El Paso Club and in the Winter Night Club.

ROY C. HECOX.

Possessing all the requisite qualities for success at the bar, Roy C. Hecox has made for himself an enviable reputation in the practice of his profession as a member of the firm of Bardwell, Hecox, McComb & Means. These gentlemen rank with the leading attorneys of Denver and Mr. Hecox has contributed in no small measure to the high reputation of the firm. His life record began at Midland, Michigan. He was born on the 14th of September, 1874, to Charles and Amanda (Taylor) Hecox, the former a native of the state of New York, while the latter was born in Michigan. After the close of the Civil war Charles Hecox removed westward to the Wolverine state. When but sixteen years of age he had enlisted for active service at the front as a drummer boy and was with his command throughout the entire period of the war. After reaching adult age he entered into the hardware business and became a prosperous and successful merchant of Midland, Michigan. That city numbered him among its prominent and representative business men and he now makes his home near there, at Saginaw, Michigan, having retired from active connection with trade interests. His wife passed away in 1878, leaving two children, the daughter, Amanda, who is married, also residing at Saginaw, Michigan.

Roy C. Hecox was a pupil in the public schools of his native state and also pursued his education in Beloit Academy and Beloit College, from which he was graduated in 1898 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He was a young man of twenty-four years when in that year he severed home ties and made his way to the west, having faith in the greater opportunities to be met with in this growing section of the country. He entered the law office of Judge B. M. Malone, who was then district attorney and who directed his reading until he was admitted to the bar in 1901. After a few months he entered actively upon his professional career and soon became recognized as one of Denver's progressive young attorneys. No dreary novitiate awaited him. He soon demonstrated his ability to handle intricate and involved cases and his clientage grew

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rapidly. In 1907 he became a member of the firm of Bardwell, Hecox, McComb & Means and has since practiced in this connection. The firm ranks among the leaders at the bar in the state, enjoying a very wide and well merited reputation for successful prac- tice in all branches of the law

On the 17th of June, 1901, in Beloit, Wisconsin, Roy C. Hecox was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna H. Brown, a daughter of Rev. and Mrs. William F. Brown, of Beloit, and to them have been born four children: Roy C., Hilan B., Helen H. and Morris B.

Mr. Hecox has never been an aspirant for public office but ere his admission to the bar served for one year as deputy clerk of the district court. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons, having taken the degrees of the York Rite and also of the Mystic Shrine, and he is now taking the Scottish Rite degrees. He belongs also to the Knights of Pythias and to the Sons of Jove. He is also a member of the Denver Athletic Club, of the Sigma Chi college fraternity, and of the Denver Civic and. Com- mercial Association-connections that indicate much of the nature and breadth of his interests. Along strictly professional lines he is identified with the Denver County and City Bar Association. He is widely known as a man- of genuine worth by reason of his endorsement and support of all measures and movements which are of benefit to the community as well as through the prominence that he has attained in professional ranks. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, speak of him in terms of high regard and his professional colleagues and contemporaries attest his high standing as an attorney.

MARTIN DOMINIC CURRIGAN, M. D.

Dr. Martin Dominic Currigan, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Denver, was born July 30, 1887, in the city which is still his home, and was the eldest of the three children of Martin D. and Nancy A. Currigan. The father was born in Ireland and came to America in 1863, settling first in New York city, where he remained until 1869, when he became a resident of Denver, Colorado. He was a successful con- tractor and builder here, following that line of business during the greater part of his residence in this state. He was very active and influential in politics as a stanch supporter of the democratic party and the course which he followed in politics and in business won for him the well merited title of "Honest Martin D." Such was his standing in the community in which he lived that he was presented a loving cup by citizens of Denver, the funds for which were secured by popular subscription, the date of the presentation being March 1, 1900. Mr. Currigan served at one time as one of the city fathers, being made councilman from the old fourth ward, in which office he con- tinued for many years. He was a delegate to the national conventions of the democratic party held in St. Louis and Chicago, being a member of the famous White Cap delega- tion. He belonged to the Roman Catholic church and is mentioned in the Catholic Encyclopedia as one of the pioneer builders of the west. He died December 26, 1900, at the age of fifty-five years. His wife was born in Peoria, Illinois, and belonged to one of the pioneer families of that state, of Irish lineage. Her parents were Patrick and Martha (Swift) Carrigan and were descendants of Dean Swift of the Church of England. Mr. and Mrs. Currigan were married in the Sacred Heart church of Denver in 1886 by Father Guida. He came to Denver in 1885 and is still a resident of the city. Two of the three children of Mr. and Mrs. Martin D. Currigan are yet living, the younger being Thomas Guida Currigan, who is a member of the United States marines. The daughter, Edith Marian, has passed away.

Dr. Currigan of this review acquired his education in public and private schools of Denver and in the Sacred Heart College, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1907. He determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work and began preparation for the profession in the Gross Medical College and afterward attended the University of Colorado, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in the class of 1912. He then served for a year as interne in St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver and later entered upon general practice in the Kansas City building. He has since given his time and energy to the profession and is now chief resident physician of the City and County Hospital, to which position he was called on the 1st of August, 1917. At one time he was city physician of Denver. He belongs to the Denver City and County Medical Society, also to the Colorado State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Currigan was married at the Sacred Heart church by the Rev. Edward Barry

DR. MARTIN D. CURRIGAN

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on the 15th of September, 1913, to Miss Rose Cecelia Wolf, a native of Trinidad, Colorado, and a daughter of Christian and Rose (O'Neill) Wolf. They have become parents of two children: Martin Dominic IV, who was born in Denver, August 9, 1914; and Rose Elizabeth, born December 27, 1916.

The parents hold membership in the Sacred Heart Catholic church and Dr. Currigan is identified with the Knights of Columbus, also with the Denver Athletic Club and with Alpha Kappa Kappa. His political support is given to the democratic party and lie keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought or desired public office, preferring to concentrate his energies and attention upon his professional interests, which are of growing extent and importance.

CLARK COOPER.

Clark Cooper, filling the position of postmaster at Cañon City, comes to Colorado from the far off state of New Jersey, his birth having occurred in Hanover. Morris county, about five miles from where President Cleveland was born. His natal day was May 21, 1860, his parents being Joseph and Cornelia Jane (Van Houten) Cooper. The father was a wagon maker and wheelwright by trade and devoted his life to those pursuits in order to provide for his family, which numbered five children. Both he and his wife have now passed away.

Clark Cooper was educated in the public and high schools of Boonton, New Jersey, and early in his business career became connected with telegraph and railroad service, acting as ticket agent and operator on the Lackawanna system from 1878 until 1888. He then turned his attention to commercial pursuits, in which he was engaged until his removal to Colorado in the year 1891. He first made his way to Denver, where he resided for two and a half years and then removed to Aspen, where he spent a similar period. At the end of that time he came to Canon City, where he has since made his home. During the period of his residence here he has been called upon to fill various offices. He first served as deputy county clerk and his records were systematic, accurate and correct. He was also connected with the assessor's office previous to being called to the position of postmaster, to which he was appointed in July, 1913. Reappointment came to him in 1918, so that he is the present incumbent in the position and will serve for two terms or eight years. Again he is found thoroughly reliable and is an obliging official, while in his care of the mails he is thoroughly prompt, systematic and trust- worthy. In fact he is making an excellent record in this position, as he did in the other offices which he has filled.

On the 21st. of January, 1886, Mr. Cooper was married to Miss Clara Van Ness and to them have been born four children: Joseph F., of Boise, Idaho; Irving M .; Howard E., who was in the military intelligence division of the war department at Washington until October, 1918, when he enlisted in the army; and Edna A.

Mr. Cooper is a Mason and has been active in the fraternity, while the Eastern Star he served as grand patron in 1911 and 1912. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. He has membership in the Uni- versity Club and the Chamber of Commerce and is interested in all of the projects and plans put forth by the latter organization for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. His public duties have naturally brought him a wide acquaintance and he is held in high esteem by all who know him.

JOSEPH ALBERT OSSEN.

Joseph Albert Ossen, well known in commercial circles of Denver, is secretary and treasurer of the Ossen Photo Supply Company, in which connection he has built up a business of large and substantial proportions. A native son of Iowa, he was born at Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo county, on the 8th of May, 1881, and is a son of the late George Ossen, who was a native of Norway and came to America when a youth of eighteen years, arriving in 1868. He made his way across the continent to Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, where he engaged principally in agricultural pursuits. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party after becoming a naturalized American citizen and was much interested in political matters and in civic affairs. He was called upon to fill various local offices, including the position of chairman of the board of county commissioners, in which capacity he acceptably served for many years. In 1900 he removed with his

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family to Russell, Minnesota, where he resided to the time of his death, which occurred September 4, 1915, when he had reached the age of sixty-four years. He never had occa- sion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the oppor- tunities which he sought and in their utilization worked his way steadily upward to success. He married Betsey Fosse, a native of Norway, who came to the new world with her parents during her early childhood, being only about a year and a half old when her father and mother crossed the Atlantic and established their home near Decorah, Towa, where she was reared, educated and married. She became the mother of nine children, of whom Joseph Albert is the fourth in order of birth. Mrs. Ossen is still living and yet makes her home in Russell, Minnesota.

Joseph A. Ossen acquired a country school education in Winnebago county, Iowa, and pursued a business course in Dixon, Illinois, where he was graduated in 1901. His early life to that time was spent upon the home farm and he soon became acquainted with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. After his education was completed he secured employment in the general office of the Soo Line or the Min- neapolis. St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad Company. He acted as stenographer to the general superintendent at Minneapolis and followed railroad work for two years. He was then made chief clerk and stenographer to the advertising manager of the Min- neapolis Tribune and continued in the latter position for two years. He then resigned and came to Colorado, arriving in Denver on the 1st of May, 1905. For a time he was employed in various ways but in January, 1906, established his present business on a small scale, entering into partnership with his brother, C. L. Ossen. The business prospered from the beginning, the trade steadily growing, and from a minor commercial enterprise has developed into one of the leading photo supply houses of Denver. The business was incorporated on the 15th of April, 1909, and the present officers are: Mrs. M. E. Ossen, president; John McKay Ossen, vice president; and Joseph A. Ossen. secretary, treasurer and general manager. Their annual sales have reached a large figure although they started out with a cash capital of but two hundred and fifty dollars. Their success has been due to close application, unremitting industry and unfaltering purpose.

On the 25th of June, 1913, Joseph A. Ossen was married in Denver to Miss Myrtle E. Oliver, a native of this city and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Oliver, early residents of Denver and of English birth. Mr. and Mrs. Ossen have become parents of a daughter, Adelaide Gertrude, who was born in Denver, May 15, 1916.

In politics Mr. Ossen maintains an independent course, voting according to the dic- tates of his judgment, with little regard for party ties. He belongs to the Rotary and the Lions Clubs and to the Denver Civic and Commercial Association. He and his wife are members of Grace Methodist church. They are highly esteemed by all who know them and the record of Mr. Ossen commands the respect, confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has come in contact.

NORMAN R. MORISON.

Norman R. Morison is an attorney at law of Sterling, a member of the firm of Coen. Morison & Sauter. He is also identified with banking interests of Logan county but largely gives his time and attention to the supervision of his invested interests, which include land in various sections of the country. Mr. Morison was born in Traer, Iowa, in 1876, a son of James and Martha Morison, who were natives of Scotland and England respectively. They became residents of Iowa in early life and James Morison became a prominent factor in the business development of his community, contributing much to its upbuilding as well as to the improvement of his personal fortunes. He was engaged in newspaper publication for a time, also carried on general merchandising and made extensive and judicious investments in property. In the early days his home was fifty miles or more from a railroad and the family shared in the hardships and privations of pioneer life but lived to witness remarkable changes as the country became a populous and prosperous section.

In the acquirement of his education Norman R. Morison passed through consecutive grades in the public schools of Traer, Iowa, until graduated from the high school. He was afterward employed in his father's store for a time and later pursued a business course in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Later in life he entered the State University of Iowa. from which he was graduated with the Ph. B. degree in the class of 1907. Before this he entered the store with his brother, who had succeeded the father as proprietor and manager of the general merchandise establishment. Wlien twenty-two years of age

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Norman R. Morison purchased the interest of his brother in the business, which he then conducted under his own name, employing five salesmen, all of whom were older than himself. He devoted his time, thought and energies to the conduct of this business for about ten years and made it a very profitable concern. He then interested himself in lands in his home state and made extensive investments from which he realized a handsome profit. Prospering as the years went on, he gained a place among the men of affluence in Iowa and his financial success enabled him to travel around the country. He spent the summer months largely amid the northern lakes of Minnesota and the winter seasons at Palm Beach, Florida.

Having acquired a good literary education by attending Iowa State University, from which he was graduated as Ph. B., in 1907, Mr. Morison later decided to study law and entered the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he won his law degree in 1915, completing his course there with the second highest rating ever made by a law pupil in the State University. He does not give very much time to professional activity, how- ever, although his name stands as a member of the firm of Coen, Morison & Sauter. He concentrates much of his attention upon his real estate investments and their control, purchasing and selling property from time to time, and in all of his operations in the field of real estate he has won substantial success. He has also become well known in banking circles as a director of the Logan County National Bank of Sterling and he was the organizer of the Farmers Bank of Fleming, of which he also remains a director.

Mr. Morison was married in 1901 to Miss Carrie Allard, of French Canadian ancestry, and they have one son, Richard, who is now a high school student. Mr. Morison is well known in fraternal circles. He is a Royal Arch Chapter and Consistory Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine and while living in Iowa served for several years as master of the blue lodge in which he held membership. He also is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Order of the Eastern Star and he has membership in Phi Gamma Delta and in the legal fraternity Phi Delta Phi. In politics he is a republican and for four years was mayor of his home town in Iowa and four years a member of its city council. He is serving for the second year as mayor of Sterling and has made a most enviable record in public office through his devotion to the general welfare and his practical methods for the advancement of public progress and improvement. He greatly enjoys fishing and motoring trips and travel has been to him a school of liberal education.

WILLIAM R. MCCLELLAN.

William R. Mcclellan is the founder, promoter and manager of the Mcclellan Pure Seed Company of Greeley, doing an extensive business. He has long been identi- fied with the agricultural and commercial development of his state and is numbered among its honored pioneer settlers, his residence in Colorado dating from an early period in the development of the west. Mr. Mcclellan was born in Skowhegan, Maine, March 11, 1844, a son of William McClellan, Sr., who came of Scotch ancestry, the fam- ily having been founded in America in 1746 by two brothers who had participated in the rebellion in Scotland, holding the rank of general. At the defeat of the rebels a reward was offered for their heads, but they escaped to America in the hold of a vessel and thus became the founders of the family in the new world. Their estates were confiscated by the crown but afterward restored to other members of the family. The military spirit has at different times been a dominant one in the family history. Andrew Jackson Mcclellan, a great-uncle of William R. Mcclellan of this review, was the father of General George B. McClellan of Civil war fame. The grandfather was Judge Judah Mcclellan, who was born in Pomfret, Connecticut. He married Elizabeth White, who was of the fifth generation of the descendants of Peregrine White, the first white child born after the landing of the Pilgrims from the Mayflower. Judah McClel- lan was a prominent lawyer and judge in central Maine and passed away in the year 1864.

His son, William McClellan, the father of W. R. Mcclellan, of Greeley, was engaged in general mercantile pursuits in Skowhegan, Maine, until 1849, when he removed to Geneseo, Illinois, where he owned and occupied a large farm and was extensively engaged in farming and stock raising there until his arrival in Colorado. During the years from 1854 until 1859 he was also engaged largely in the lumber business in Wis- consin and was among the first to run logs down the Mississippi river. During that period he conducted his farm through the aid of a manager. At length he determined to try his fortune in the west and in 1871 left Illinois for Colorado. He brought with

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 123

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