USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume II > Part 124
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WILLIAM R. MCCLELLAN
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him some sheep and fine cattle and horses, driving them across the country. He later returned to Kentucky and bought stock which included the first pure bred horses and shorthorn cattle brought to Greeley, where he came with this fine stock in 1880, paying two thousand dollars for the bull and three thousand dollars for the stallion, which he imported. Mr. McClellan had great faith in the future of the Poudre valley and in Greeley and as early as 1875 predicted that land here would sell for one hundred dol- lars an acre before his death. People of the community laughed at him for this faith hut he lived to see land two and a half miles from Greeley sell at two hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre. Like many of the Greeley pioneers, he huilt much more wisely than he knew and his investments brought him good returns. Moreover, his labors constituted a most important element in the growth and progress of the com- munity in which he cast his lot.
William R. Mcclellan whose name introduces this review began his education in the public schools of Maine and also attended an academy in that state, while subse- quently he became a high school pupil in Geneseo, Illinois. In 1867 he went to New York, where he was employed in a wholesale house, spending three years in one house as invoice clerk, as delivery clerk and as a bookkeeper. In 1871 he came to Colorado, settling at Greeley, after spending the winter of 1871 and 1872 in Denver. For fourteen months he was employed as bookkeeper by the Wilson Sewing Machine Company and during six months of that period acted as manager, having offices in Utah, in Colorado and in Mexico. For two and one half years he was engaged in the lumher business at Cañon City, Colorado, and in the fall of 1875 he came to Greeley, where he was connected with ranch interests for a number of years. Giving his atten- tion to the produce business, he was the first man to ship potatoes from this point to all parts of the country. He successfully engaged in farming and stock raising and began the production of pure seed for planting. For five years he and his father were interested in the raising of thoroughbred bulls and cattle thirty miles west of Fort Collins and had many high bred and valuable animals. As the years have passed on he has developed his seed business, which he is now conducting under the name of the McClellan Pure Seed Company, having his office in Greeley. He is the manager of this huslness, while L. C. Niner is farm superintendent. His farm is most conveniently situated near the city and he there makes a specialty of the production of the Hill selected seed potatoes, also varieties of the Dean Baking Rurals, White Pearl, Bliss Triumph and others. He also handles the New Victor Swedish oats and he has his loading station at the farmers' spur on the Colorado & Southern Railroad. Upon his farm are large reservoirs, furnishing an adequate water supply. He goes each day to and from his farm hut employs Mr. Niner to look after the interests of the business while he is away. Mr. McClellan also rents part of the farm and at the present time he has discontinued his stock raising interests. He handles certified seed ninety per cent pure and he is a recognized authority upon the production of seed crops. He has written various articles for the papers, mostly on stock feeding, particularly the feeding of sheep, and on the production of alfalfa and potatoes. He has ever been a very observant man and a close student and his hroad reading keeps him in touch with the various improvements made along agricultural lines. His initiative spirit has brought ahout results that have heen most beneficial in the agricultural development of this section of the state. He has the reputation of having raised the best wheat, potatoes and oats ever produced in Greeley and the surrounding country.
On the 15th of September, 1875, Mr. McClellan was united in marriage to Miss Eliza F. Folsom, a daughter of Levi Folsom, who was a lumberman of Maine and a prominent citizen of the Pine Tree state but for fifteen years was an invalid. He was descended from Puritan ancestry and his life was actuated by high and honorable principles. He served as a trustee of his town and was a stalwart advocate of the republican party, which elected him to represent his district in the state legislature. He also served as a member of the governor's staff and was a member of the governor's council for two years. He died in the year 1883. His wife was a representative of the well known Wells family of New England. To Mr. and Mrs. McClellan was born a daughter, Helen, who lived but three weeks. The mother was an invalid for twenty- five years and passed away in Greeley, April 16, 1915. On the 5th of August of that year, in Denver, Mr. McClellan was married to Mrs. Anna (Hall) Gillespie, of Greeley, a daughter of Walter Scott and Sarah (Rohbins) Hall. She was horn in Crow Creek, South Dakota, heing the first white child born on that Indian agency. Up to that time the Indians had never seen a white child and the little white baby was a matter of great marvel to the representatives of the red race there. The family afterward re- moved to Kansas, settling on a farm, where Mrs. McClellan remained until seven years of age. Later she was with her parents in the state of New York to the age of
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sixteen years and was a student in the Kingston Academy. At a subsequent period she returned to Kansas and completed her education in that state, being graduated from the high school of Manhattan, Kansas, after which she took up the profession of teaching in Manhattan and devoted six years to the work of the school room there. Later she received library training in the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn, New York, and following her graduation received an appointment at the library of congress in Wash- ington, D. C. Ultimately she became a resident of Denver and in October, 1902, mar- ried William Gillespie. They removed to Greeley and to them were born three chil- dren: Helen, who was born in 1904; Alice, in 1906; and William, in 1908, all being now students in the public schools. The death of Mr. Gillespie occurred in 1910, after which Mrs. Gillespie engaged in teaching in the schools of Greeley for three years, and on the 15th of August, 1915, she became the wife of Mr. McClellan. They are well known and prominent socially and have an extensive circle of warm friends in this part of the state.
Many years ago Mr. McClellan became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. For half a century he has been a member of the Congregational church, served as one of the trustees for twenty-five years, was superintendent of the Sunday school for four years, and has been very active and helpful in all lines of church work, doing everything in his power to promote the moral progress and advance the wel- fare of the community in which he has so long made his home. As one of the pioneer settlers of Colorado he has witnessed its marvelous development, especially in the Poudre valley, where almost magic changes have occurred, transforming tracts of arid land-sand dunes covered with sage brush-into highly productive farms producing very extensive crops. He has borne his full share in the work of general improvement, progress and upbuilding and has left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of the state, in which his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
EDWIN A. KISTLER.
Edwin A. Kistler, secretary of the W. H. Kistler Stationery Company of Denver. was born in Springfield, Illinois, May 31, 1869, and is a son of the late Jacob Kistler, who was a native of Alsace-Lorraine and who came to America in 1849, when a youth of sixteen years. He first took up his abode in Rochester, New York, and afterward removed westward to Illinois, settling in Springfield. There he engaged in boot and shoemaking and continued in business in that state until 1871, when he removed to Longmont, Colorado. After a short time, however, he became a resident of Denver, where he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-five years of age.
Edwin A. Kistler was educated in the public schools of Denver, where he remained to the age of fourteen years, and then started out to earn his own livelihood. At a time when most boys are in school he was earning his living and he early developed a force of character and a strength of purpose that have been salient features in his steady progress and advancement as the years have gone on. His first employment was in connection with the established business of his brother, William H. Kistler, who was the founder of the present business, having started operations along that line in 1881. His original location was on Fifteenth street, between Lawrence and Larimer streets. The business was begun as a small bindery business but later devel- oped into the present stationery business, which is today the largest of the kind in the west. The firm employs about two hundred people in the Denver establishment and is represented upon the road by a score or more of commercial travelers. Its ramifying business interests cover the entire west. It draws its trade from all the western states and the firm name has become a synonym for all that is most progressive and enterprising in that field. Entering into active connection with his brother, Edwin A. Kistler bent his energies to the mastery of every phase of the business and thoroughly acquainted himself with every detail as well as the principal features of the trade. His increasing powers enabled him more and more largely to shape the policy and direct the activities of the business and as secretary of the W. H. Kistler Stationery Company he is doing work of great value to the enterprise.
In 1894 Mr. Kistler was united in marriage to Miss Crisly Jenkins, of Denver. who was born in Ohio, a daughter of J. G. Jenkins, who came from Wales and after living for some time in Ohio cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Denver. Mrs. Kistler was born in the Buckeye state while her mother was on a visit there. To Mr. and Mrs.
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Kistler have been born two children, but Edwin A., Jr., has passed away. The surviving child is Georgie, now a student in the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Mr. Kistler gives his political endorsement to the republican party, and fraternally he is connected with Denver Lodge, No. 17, B. P. O. E., and also with the Knights of Pythias. He served for ten consecutive years as a member of the Colorado National Guard, starting with the old Eaton Cadets, named in honor of Governor Eaton. Later he was with Company K and at the age of eighteen, when the company was called in hy the state and ahandoned, was transferred to Company B and at the close of his service was with Troop B of the Cavalry. He served with the rank of sergeant major in the infantry. Mr. Kistler is a man of genuine worth. His perseverance and enterprise have brought him to the front and those who have come in contact with him-and his acquaintance is a wide one-recognize the strength of his character, his ability, his progressiveness, his public-spirited citizenship and his support of all those interests which are most worth while as factors in the life of the individual and of the com- munity.
PETER ANDERSON.
Peter Anderson is now living retired at Fort Collins, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He was for many years identified with farming and stock raising interests and with banking and mercantile pursuits at Fort Collins, disposing of his interests in that line in 1915. His story has much in it that is stimulating to the ambitious young man, showing what may he accomplished through individual effort when there is a will to dare and to do. Mr. Anderson was born near Honefos, Norway, on the 17th of October, 1845, and was but five years of age when his father died, after which his widowed mother, with her family of five children, came to the United States, making her way to Walworth county, Wisconsin. They were in very straitened financial circum- stances, so that Peter Anderson had to begin work to earn his living when but nine years of age, working as chore boy for a farmer of the neighborhood. From that time on until he reached the age of sixteen he was employed at farm labor in the summer months, while the winter seasons were devoted to the acquirement of his education in the rural schools. Thinking that he would find better business opportunities in the west, he started for Colorado in the fall of 1864 and in due time arrived in Denver, where for a few months he was employed at the saddler's trade by William Lindenmeier. He after- ward purchased four yoke of oxen and a wagon and began freighting across the plains, making three trips from Denver to the Missouri river during the years 1864 and 1865. In the fall of the latter year he purchased the George R. McIntosh squatter's claim of one hundred and sixty acres, which was situated east of what is now the sugar factory farm. As he prospered in his undertakings he added to his landed possessions, acquiring adjoin- ing acreage until he had three hundred and thirty acres of fine land, which he improved wonderfully, adding all modern equipments and accessories such as are found upon the model farm of the twentieth century. For many years Mr. Anderson carried on farming on his own account and also in partnership with William Lindenmeier, Sr., and for a time with his brothers. He and his brothers engaged in cattle raising on the Wyoming plains and also in western Nehraska until 1890, when they disposed of their holdings and retired from that line of business. In the fall of 1887 they turned five thousand head of cattle onto the range and were only able to gather two thousand head the following spring, the hard winter of 1887-8 having killed off three thousand head, involving a loss to the firm of ninety thousand dollars. Mr. Anderson has ever met his losses, however, with characteristic bravery and courage, knowing such to be a part of the game of business. In other things, however, he has prospered greatly and is today one of the most substantial residents of his county. In 1888 he established a mercantile business in Fort Collins, in which he won a substantial measure of prosperity. He conducted the store until 1915, when he sold out and gave his attention merely to the supervision of his farming interests and other investments. At a very recent date he disposed of his main farm, which he had owned for more than fifty-one years and which brought two hundred dollars per acre, he receiving sixty thousand dollars in cash at this transaction. He has been very successful in all that he has undertaken in a business way. In 1915 he was made president of the First National Bank of Wellington, Colorado, of which he is still a stockholder, although not an official at the present time. He has figured very prom- inently in financial circles and has contributed much to the county's stability in the banking field. He was the first president of the Fort Collins National Bank, and was one of the organizers and was vice president for several years of the First National Bank of
Anderson.
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Fort Collins, and he is still one of its stockholders. In his stock raising interests he be- came widely and prominently known and for forty-six years shipped his stock to Chicago. He is now practically living retired from active connection with all these interests and is enjoying a well earned rest.
In September, 1878, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Severson, of Black Earth, Wisconsin, who passed away in September, 1891, leaving her husband with the care of a young daughter, who is now Mrs. Cora Riddell. In October, 1892, Mr. Anderson was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Anna J. Kriplin, of White- water, Wisconsin, who was his boyhood sweetheart but who had married while Mr. Anderson was out west. Her husband died a few years before the death of Mr. Anderson's first wife and their acquaintance was afterward renewed and marriage resulted. To them has been born one son who is now living, Howard, who is about twenty years of age.
Mr. Anderson has indeed been a prominent and influential citizen of this section of the state, having for more than a half century resided in Colorado. He knows every phase of the state's development from pioneer times to the present and has been an active con- tributor to many business enterprises and public projects which have had to do with the welfare and progress of the state. In retrospect one may see him driving his four yoke of oxen across the plains after the primitive manner of the times or later engaged in the development of a farm, then still later riding over his large ranch to see the roundup of his cattle and subsequently as merchant and banker taking an active part in promoting the commercial and financial development of Fort Collins, where he now remains a most. honored and honorable citizen.
GEORGE L. SOPRIS.
There is no doubt as to the professional ability of George L. Sopris, attorney at law,. for the general public and the profession both attest his high standing and the notable ability which he displays in the handling of intricate and involved legal problems. More- over, he is entitled to representation in this volume as one of the pioneer citizens of Denver, where the family home was established in 1860. He was at that time a little lad of but seven summers, his birth having occurred in Michigan City, Indiana, February 2, 1853. His parents were Richard and Elizabeth (Allen) Sopris, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in New Jersey. The father removed westward to Ohio in early life and afterward became a resident of Indiana but in 1859 left that state and made his way to Colorado, taking up his abode in Gilpin county. Later he returned to his home in Indiana, and in 1860 brought his family to the west, becoming a resident of Denver in that year. Here he established himself in mercantile lines and also in the hotel business, becoming one of the early hotel proprietors of the city. When civil war was declared he organized a company of volunteers for active service and became its captain. With his command he was sent to New Mexico, where he aided for- a time in the effort to preserve the Union .. Later, however, he resigned and returned to his home. for he had a large family dependent upon him and felt that he should pro- vide properly for their support. He disposed of his hotel property and in 1863 turned his attention to farming, devoting his efforts to general agricultural pursuits for a number of years. He then sold his farm property and returned to Denver, of which city he was later elected mayor. It was Mr. Sopris who laid out the present system of beautiful parks in Denver, ever a source of justifiable pride to the city. He had also been called upon for other public service, having previously served as sheriff of Arapahoe county, which position he had creditably and faithfully filled. In 1879 he was elected mayor of Denver and at two succeeding elections was reelected, remaining in the office for three terms. His administration was indeed a businesslike one and resulted in bringing about many needed reforms and improvements and in greatly accelerating the development of municipal interests. He remained an active factor in the public life of Denver to the time of his death, which occurred in 1893, when he was eighty years of age. He had long exerted a widely felt and beneficial influence over the interests of the city and his name is most closely and honorably interwoven with its history. His widow continued her residence in Denver to the time of her death, which occurred when she was ninety-seven years of age, and up to her ninety-fifth year she was very active in the charitable and philanthropic work of Denver, constantly extending a helping hand to those in need and shedding around her much of life's sunshine. She passed away in 1914 and her remains were interred by the side of the husband in Riverside cemetery. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four still survive, namely: Mrs.
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Indiana Cushman, living in Denver; Elbridge B., who was formerly a resident of Trini- dad, Colorado, but is now a resident of Denver; Simpson T., also of Denver; and George L., who is the youngest of the family.
George L. Sopris was a pupil in the public schools of Denver and after completing his course there took up the study of law in the office of Belden & Powers. He was admitted to practice in 1875 and has since been an active representative of the legal profession in Denver. For seven years he held the office of justice of the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. He was also police magistrate for two years and for three years he filled the office of county commissioner. He has also been public trustee and in every office that he has filled he has proven capable, prompt and loyal. He belongs to the Denver County and City Bar Association, the State Bar Associa- tion and the American Bar Association and he has been accorded a liberal clientage that has connected him with much important litigation. There are few whose residence in Denver covers a more extended period than that of George L. Sopris, who has prac- tically made his home in this city since 1860. In the intervening years he has witnessed many changes, for at the time of the arrival of the family here Denver was a little west- ern hamlet, bearing all the evidences of frontier life. He has watched with interest as the work of progress and transformation has been carried forward and he may feel just pride in what has been accomplished, for the beauty and attractiveness of Denver are attested by all tourists and her growth has been most rapid and substantial.
DAVID LEECH MECHLING.
David Leech Mechling, a well-to-do pharmacist, conducting an attractive store at the corner of Larimer street and Twentieth boulevard in Denver, was born in Leechburg, Pennsylvania, February 13, 1860. His father, the late Major Franklin Mechling, was also a native of the Keystone state, where his ancestors had lived through many genera- tions. In fact, they held original deeds to lands granted them by William Penn. The family comes of pioneer ancestry that for more than two centuries has been represented on this side of the Atlantic and representatives of the name took part in the Revolu- tionary war, including General Broadhead, of whom David Leech Mechling is a direct descendant. Major Franklin Mechling became a prominent lawyer of Kittanning, Penn- sylvania, and also represented his district in the state senate, thus aiding in framing the laws of the commonwealth. He was likewise at one time acting governor of Penn- sylvania during the administration of Governor Curtin and was a very prominent and influential resident of the Keystone state, doing much to shape its policy and advance its interests. At the time of the Civil war his patriotism was the paramount factor in his life and he enlisted as a member of the Seventy-eighth Volunteers under Colonel Sirwell. He joined the army as a private but was advanced through various ranks until at the close of the war he was serving as major. He died in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1900, at the age of seventy-five years. He was a son of John Mechling, who served as sheriff of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, for many years and was a prominent and highly respected citizen. Major Mechling married Rebecca Jane McElheny, a native of Pennsylvania and a representative of one of the old pioneer families of that state of Scotch descent. She died five years prior to the death of her husband. They were the parents of four children, two of whom have passed away, while the living are: David Leech, of this review; and Ellie M., the wife of James B. Smail, president of the Leechburg (Pa.) Bank.
David L. Mechling was educated in the public schools of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, and in the West Point Military Academy. When seventeen years of age he began learn- ing the drug trade at Kittanning and after completing his studies in pharmacy he was invited by an uncle, the late Hugh McElheny, then proprietor of the old Denver Manu- facturing Company, to come to this city and enter his employ. This Mr. Mechling did. He arrived in August, 1880, and was employed by his uncle for six months, after which he removed to Silverton, Colorado, where he occupied a position in the drug store of John Fleming. He also did a great deal of exploration work in New Mexico among the Aztec Indians and sent a number of relics to the Smithsonian Institution. After a time he acquired an interest in the drug business at Silverton in which he had been em- ployed, becoming a partner of Mr. Fleming. He there remained until 1887, when he sold his business and in June of that year returned to Denver in company with John W. Fleming. They then purchased the present drug store, which was originally established and owned by the late E. Breunert, a pioneer drug merchant of Denver. The building
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