USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume II > Part 126
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Mr. Hersey belongs to the Denver Bar Association, the Colorado State and the American Bar Associations and the nature and extent of his interests are further indi- cated in the fact that he is identified with the American Society of Judicial Settlement of International Disputes and also the National Association for Constitutional Govern- ment. He is connected with the Sons of the American Revolution and is a past state president of the Colorado Society and belongs to Beta Theta Pi, to Phi Delta Phi and also to the Masonic and Elks lodges. In club circles, too, he is a prominent figure and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Lakewood Country Club of Denver. From early manhood he has been a resident of Denver, always closely identified with its interests, and his career is illustrative of the statement of an eminent American statesman, who says that the stanchest American manhood comes from those who have had their busi- ness and preliminary training in the east and who have sought the broad field of the west in the exercise of their dominant qualities. A third of a century has brought marked changes to Denver and with the work of general development throughout this entire period Henry Johnson Hersey has been closely and prominently associated.
BENJAMIN NELSON WOODSON, JR.
Benjamin Nelson Woodson, Jr., manager of the Emerson-Brantingham Implement Company of Denver, was born in Bonham, Texas, May 1, 1886. His father, Benjamin N. Woodson, Sr., is a native of Kentucky and a descendant of one of the old families of that state, but the ancestral line can be traced still farther back to England and among the American ancestors were those who participated in the Revolutionary war and the War of 1812. Benjamin N. Woodson, Sr., was reared and educated in Kentucky and afterward completed his studies in Columbia University, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree. In the early '80s he removed to Texas, settling originally at Ladonia, where he entered upon the practice of law. In 1889, however, he became one of the founders of Oklahoma City and is now living at Walter, Oklahoma. His record has been characterized by substantial progress as the years have gone by. In politics he has ever taken an active and leading part as a stanch supporter of democratic prin- ciples and through appointment of President Cleveland during his first term Mr. Woodson served as probate judge of Kay county, Oklahoma. He also filled the office of district attorney in Fannin county, Texas, prior to his removal to Oklahoma. For many years he was a prominent figure at the bar of the southwest but is now enjoying well earned and well merited rest. He married Nellie Cockerill, a native of Missouri and a descend- ant of one of its old pioneer families of Scotch lineage. Mrs. Woodson is also living and has reared a family of four sons and two daughters, the family circle being still unbroken by the hand of death.
Benjamin Nelson Woodson, Jr., who was the third of the family in order of birth, was educated in the public schools of Newkirk and Hobart, Oklahoma, and in the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Illinois. At the age of eighteen years he started out to provide for his own livelihood, his first position being that of a bookkeeper with the Rich Hill Zinc Works at Rich Hill, Missouri. He continued in that connection for three years and then entered business on his own account. In 1910 he sold his interests and entered the employ of the Emerson-Brantingham Implement Company in its estab- lishment at Oklahoma City. He was first employed in the office and afterward went upon the road as a traveling salesman, while later he was made assistant manager at Oklahoma City. His next promotion made him assistant manager of the tractor and thresher department at Kansas City, Missouri, and in the fall of 1916 he was transferred to Denver as manager. Thus throughout the greater part of his business career he has
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been associated with the Emerson-Brantingham Implement Company and through the steps of an orderly progression he has reached a position of marked prominence and responsibility. The business has doubled since he took charge at Denver and the firm at this branch now employs twenty-eight people, eight of whom are traveling salesmen, while six are traveling demonstrators. The firm handles everything in farm implements and grain binders and their business extends to all parts of the world.
Mr. Woodson was married in Hobart, Oklahoma, on the 20th of August, 1907, to Miss Ola Burke, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Dr. Benjamin F. and Josephine (Tally) Burke, both representatives of old Kentucky families, Dr. Burke being of Irish lineage and a descendant of Edmund Burke. Mrs. Burke was a relative of Robert E. Lee on the maternal side. To Mr. and Mrs. Woodson have been born three children, a son and two daughters: Benjamin Nelson, Mildred Lee and Nellie Josephine.
Mr. Woodson votes with the democratic party but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the H. I. P. Club, which is the official club for hardware, implement and paint men of Colorado. He is likewise a member of the Manufacturers Association of Denver and his religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the City Park Baptist church. He enjoys fishing, tennis, golf and various forms of outdoor life, to which he turns when leisure permits. His has been an active business career and he is thoroughly satisfied with Denver as a place of residence. His success is attributable entirely to his own efforts, purpose and perseverance and his record proves that power grows through the exercise of effort.
HON. THOMAS F. MISHOU.
Hon. Thomas F. Mishou is the senior partner in the firm of Mishou & Millard, gen- eral contractors of Pueblo. He was born in Maine on the 8th of May, 1867, and is a son of Joshua and Annie (Corrigan) Mishou. The public school system afforded him his educational opportunities. He was graduated from a high school of Maine and afterward spent one year in the University of Maine, thus being qualified by liberal educational opportunities for life's practical and responsible duties. He came to Colorado in 1890, settling at Denver, where he lived for a short time. Since coming to Pueblo the firm of which he is the senior partner has specialized in railroad construction work. They received the contract for the rebuilding of the Santa Fe from Hutchinson, Kansas, to Winslow, Arizona, a job requiring eighteen years. They have built state highways, reser- voirs and many other public projects and now have a contract for the building of forty miles of state highways. They built the ditch for the Welton Land & Water Company and Mr. Mishou has become president of that company. His activities have ever been of a character which have contributed to public progress and improvement and the worth of his work is widely acknowledged. He has attained a commanding position as a general contractor, having thorough understanding of the great scientific principles which underlie his work, combined with every practical phase of the business.
On the 30th of May, 1891, Mr. Mishou was united in marriage to Miss Florence Hyatt and to tliem have been born five children: Thomas F., who is now connected with the cavalry branch of the United States army; Florence; Allie; Josiah; and Edward.
Mr. Mishou gives his political endorsement to the democratic party and has been elected to represent his district in the general assembly, serving during the twenty-first session as a member of the house of representatives. He stood for many progressive legislative measures and was largely active in putting through the bill creating the firemen's pension fund, for which he was given a honorary life membership in the State Firemen's Association. He was also instrumental in promoting the public utilities bill and other constructive legislation which has proven of value to the state. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church. He is a man of admirable characteristics and qualities, highly esteemed by all who know him, and the worth of his work is recognized wherever he is known.
WILLIAM WOODS WILLIAMSON.
The qualities of substantial and honorable manhood are the chief characteristics of William Woods Williamson, who throughout Colorado Springs, where he makes his home, is spoken of in terms of high regard. His business activities concentrate upon real estate and insurance and in this connection he has won a liberal and well deserved
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patronage. Mr. Williamson comes to the west from Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred at Shade Gap in that state on the 31st of December. 1864. His father, W. McKnight Williamson, was born in Ohio, took up the study of law and engaged in practice as a life work. He removed to Pennsylvania and for many years figured promi- nently in republican circles of that state and also as an eminent member of the bar. His ability in the latter direction led to his election to the office of district judge. He married Rachael Catherine Sipes, a native of Pennsylvania, and both passed away in that state.
William Woods Williamson pursued his education in the schools of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and at the early age of fifteen years was graduated from the high school of that city. The condition of his health forced him to come to Colorado Springs in 1886 and throughout the intervening period he has remained a resident of this city and for long years has been prominently, closely and successfully identified with its business interests and development. In 1890 he turned his attention to the real estate and insur- ance business, in which he has since been engaged, and later he established also a loan department. His activity in the field of real estate has included the negotiation of many Important realty transfers and he is now the president of the Colorado Springs Real Estate Exchange and also a member of the State Insurance Federation.
On the 5th of September, 1892, in Colorado Springs, Mr. Williamson was married to Miss Jeannette McLean and they occupy a prominent position in social circles and are active and helpful members of the Ivywild Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Wil- liamson is serving as elder and also as superintendent of the Sunday school. In a word he does everything possible for the development and upbuilding of the church and the extension of its influence, giving to it the major part of his attention outside of business hours.
Mr. Williamson is a republican in his political views but during the life of the progressive party he was affiliated with that organization. Fraternally he is a Master Mason and was the first worshipful master of Tejon Lodge, No. 104, A. F. & A. M., of Colorado Springs. He likewise belongs to the Colorado Springs Golf Club and to the Winter Night Club, associations which indicate his appreciation of the social amenities of life. He is secretary of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Colorado Springs, a life member of the Colorado State Forestry Association and a member of the Welfare League of the Pike's Peak Region, of which he was the first president. All these indicate something of the nature and breadth of his interests. He stands for the conservation of the natural resources of the state. for development, progress and improvement in all things and his activities have been an important element in the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of Colorado Springs.
WILLIAM BEDFORD CRAIG, M. D.
Without invidious distinction Dr. W. B. Craig may well be termed one of the eminent surgeons of Colorado. He practices in Denver and his notable skill has made him widely known. not only in this state, but in other sections of the country as well. He was born in De Kalb, Missouri, near St. Joseph, on the 17th of September, 1855, and is a son of Alexander C. and Ellen I. (Christopher) Craig, the former a native of Indiana, while the latter was born in Kentucky. They were married, however, in St. Joseph, Missouri. where the father afterward engaged in the wholesale dry goods business. His interests and affairs were carefully, systematically and wisely conducted and he became une of the successful wholesale merchants of northern Missouri. In 1882 he left that state to become a resident of Denver and here turned his attention to the real estate business, which he conducted in a quiet way, handling his own property. The town of Craig. Colorado, was laid out and named in his honor, and it is now one of the thriving small towns in the vicinity of Denver. He contributed to the development and progress of Colorado in many ways. With faith in its future, he invested his money largely in real estate and erected several of the fine residences of Denver and also in the town of Craig. He died in the former city on the 6th of June, 1904, having reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of completed and successful effort. ending in the restful quiet of the night, so was the life of this man. His widow is still a resident of Denver and has now passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey, her birth having occurred on the 30th of March, 1835. They were the parents of but two children, and the elder son, Thomas C. Craig, is deceased.
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Dr. Craig began his education in the public schools of his native city, and after reviewing the broad field of occupations in order to determine what course to pursue as a life work, he entered the St. Louis Medical College and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1875. He then entered Bellevue College of New York city and completed a course there in 1876. He afterward returned to St. Joseph, where lie entered upon the practice of his profession, remaining one of its active representatives there for six years. His skill and ability have constantly increased through experience and continued reading. He has ever remained a close and discriminating student of the profession and has kept thoroughly abreast with the latest scientific researches and discoveries. In 1882 he removed westward to Denver and has since ranked among Colo- rado's most noted surgeons, having concentrated his efforts and attention upon surgical practice. He is thoroughly conversant with anatomy and the component parts of the human body, recognizes the onslaughts made upon it by disease, and in surgical work displays a coolness and steadiness of nerve. combined with scientific understanding, that renders his efforts most effective and beneficial in operation. He has pursued a number of post-graduate courses in the leading colleges of the country, studying at various periods in Chicago and New York. He has given his attention largely to major operations, for many years confining his practice entirely to surgical work, and his reputation in this connection has gone abroad, making his name well known to the profession throughout the west. For many years he has been professor of surgery in the University of Colorado and has done considerable clinical work in connection with the Denver County and City Hospital. He is now a surgeon on its staff. also on the staff of St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital and the Children's Hospital, all of Denver. In addition he enjoys an extensive private practice of a most important character, and he is a valued member of the Denver County and City Medical Society, the Colorado State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In September, 1881, Dr. Craig was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Boyd, of St. Joseph, Missouri. a daughter of Colonel John R. Boyd, of that city. Her father was a noted Confederate officer and was killed in action. Her mother in her maidenhood was Miss Betty Payton, a representative of a distinguished Virginia family. To Dr. and Mrs. Craig has been born a son, Dr. Alexander C. Craig, whose birth occurred in Denver. June 23, 1882. He was graduated from the Medical College of Northwestern University at Chicago and is now a well known physician and surgeon of Denver. He married Miss Helen Davidson and has one child, Alexander C. Craig, Jr., also born in Denver.
In his fraternal relations Dr. W. B. Craig is a Mason, but has little time for interests outside of his profession, which makes heavy demands upon his energies and attention. He has ever been most conscientious in the performance of his professional duties and the course which he has pursued has commanded for him the highest respect and con- fidence of colleagues and contemporaries in medical and surgical practice.
CHARLES C. ADERHOLDT.
Charles C. Aderholdt, of Denver, is the inventor, patentee and manufacturer of the Aderholdt moisture carburetor and is conducting a growing business in this connec- tion under the name of the Aderholdt Manufacturing Company. His invention is the result of close study of conditions in carburetor service and the value of the invention is being widely recognized by motor car owners.
Mr. Aderholdt is a native of Catawba county, North Carolina. He was born July 13, 1878, being the second in order of birth in a family of eleven children, ten of whom are yet living, whose parents were Jacob and Cordelia (Bridges) Aderholdt. They, too, are natives of North Carolina. where they still reside, and the father is a prominent and influential planter and business man of that state. He has now reached the age of sixty-three years, while his wife is fifty-nine years of age.
In early boyhood Charles C. Aderholdt became a pupil in the public schools near his father's home and when a youth of eightecn he severed home ties in order to try his fortune in other sections of the country. He went first to the Mississippi delta and became manager of a large plantation in that section of the country, acting as over- seer of a great number of employes. He successfully continued to serve in that capacity for ten years and then resigned to engage in levee construction, securing government contracts for the building of levees along the rivers in the south, including the Mississippi and other waterways. In this connection he also had a large force of workmen under his direction and he likewise had much to do with the handling of machinery. More- over, nature endowed him with considerable mechanical genius and ingenuity and he
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was constantly seeking to make improvements upon his engines and other machinery. His experimental work was carried constantly forward and he became particularly interested in the carburetor system. His study, experiment and mechanical skill finally led to the perfection of a moisture carburetor which is the last word in carburetor manufacture at the present time. When adjusted to the automobile it does away with all carburetor and much other machine trouble because of its perfect workings. It has stood the most severe tests and Mr. Aderholdt applied for his patents in November, 1917, having previously come to Denver in 1916. In January, 1918, he incorporated under the laws of Colorado, as the Aderholdt Manufacturing Company, of which he is president. Automobile men expect big things of his invention. It is his claim-a claim that has been substantiated-that with the Aderholdt moisture carburetor a motor car will produce from twenty to forty per cent more service to the gallon of gasoline, that it will positively eliminate carbon and spark plug trouble, thereby giving the individual maximum service for his money. The carburetor came into existence as the result of practical and scientific experimenting in how to obtain a perfect and economical ex- plosive vapor for internal combustion motors with a view to prevent the excessive for- mation of carbon and obtain the highest efficiency of the motor on the smallest amount of fuel. Carbon is the greatest enemy of the gasoline motor and is caused by the excessive mineral deposits in the lubricating oils and low grade gasoline and cannot be avoided with the present systems of carburetion and lubrication for the simple rea- son that there is not sufficient hydrogen in straight gasoline and air vapor to form a combination of oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen powerful enough to destroy this mineral carbon deposit. Aderholdt's moisture carburetor is designed and constructed to furnish this third element by mixing water and air and converting it into hot steam vapor which is mixed with the gas vapor in the intake manifold of the motor, producing a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen that is so powerful when exploded that it overcomes the carbon element. Sufficient steam can be fed by this carburetor to scavenge a foul motor of all crystallized carbon and stop pre-ignition and spark plug trouble.
In December. 1904, in Iredell, North Carolina, Mr. Aderholdt was married to Miss Matie Holder. Fraternally he is connected with both the lodge and chapter of the Masonic order and politically he is identified with the democratic party. He belongs to the Denver Motor Club and is fast winning a place among the substantial and repre- sentative business men of Denver. His manufacturing interests are steadily growing and developing and what he has already accomplished promises much for the future.
CHARLES J. PEARSON.
Charles J. Pearson, broker and manufacturers' agent, with offices in the Gas & Electric building in Denver, was born on a farm in Bourbon county, Kansas, and was the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight children whose parents were Jeremiah and Cyrena Gardner (Hoag) Pearson. The father was a native of Illinois and of English descent, his parents coming to America with their family and settling in Illinois prior to the Civil war. They were pioneer residents of Rock Island county and there Jeremiah Pearson was reared and educated. In young manhood he removed westward to Kansas and at the outbreak of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for military aid, joining the "boys in blue" of Company C, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, with which he served with the rank of sergeant, remaining at the front from the opening of hostilities until victory crowned the Union arms. He then received an honorable discharge and took up his abode in Bour- bon county, Kansas, where he followed farming and stock raising very successfully until his death, which occurred January 16, 1884. His wife was born in Missouri and died in Denver, February 10, 1901, when fifty-four years of age. Their family numbered six sons and two daughters, of whom one daughter died at the age of nineteen years.
Charles J. Pearson began his education in the public schools of his native state, pursuing his studies at Fort Scott, and his early life to the age of sixteen years was passed upon the home farm. He then started out to provide for his own support and to the age of twenty years followed various pursuits. He later secured employment with the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company at Fort Scott, Kansas, in the freight department, beginning as a warehouse man, and after three months' service he was advanced to clerical work and later promotion brought him to the position of relief cashier. He con- tinued with the Missouri Pacific until August, 1900, and in September of that year he came to Denver on a visit which resulted in his becoming a permanent resident of this city. He secured a position in the freight office of the Burlington Railroad Company at Denver and afterward was advanced to the place of assistant cashier, filling that
Chaff Ranson
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position until July, 1902, when he was transferred to the traffic department in Denver, with which he was associated until October, 1903. He was then appointed commercial agent at Pueblo, where he continued until March, 1910, when he returned to Denver in charge of soliciting. He left the railroad service on the 1st of April, 1911, to enter his present business as manufacturers' agent and broker. He has since continued actively in that field, representing several eastern and southern manufacturers in a business which he has developed to extensive and gratifying proportions.
On the 5th of February, 1906, Mr. Pearson was united in marriage in Denver to Miss Jean Dickson, a native of Maine and of Scotch descent. Mr. Pearson is a republican in his political faith and fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Pueblo and belongs to the Kiwanis Club of Denver, and also the Lions Club. He is an active and prominent member of the Central Christian church, is serving on its official board and takes a most helpful interest in philanthropic and benevolent work of the church and also in Red Cross work. He stands unfalteringly for the best interests of his country, for the uplift of the individual and for the promotion of commendable material interests as manifest in the business activity of the city. In a word, his aid and influence are always on the side of progress, or reform, of truth, right and advance- ment and he holds to high standards of manhood and of citizenship at all times.
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