History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 17

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

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Dr. Averill is serving as health officer, a position which he has occupied for several years, and as county physician for this district. He belongs to the Colorado Medical Society and also to the Weld County Medical Society and the American Medical Associa- tion. The religious faith of Dr. and Mrs. Averill is that of the Methodist church and fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows, while both he and his wife are identified with the Eastern Star. They are most highly esteemed in the com- munity where they reside and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them, their many sterling traits of character winning for them warm friendship.

HON. GREELEY W. WHITFORD.

Hon. Greeley W. Whitford, whose judicial service and active practice as a member of the bar places him in the front rank among eminent lawyers and jurists of Denver, was born in Rockville, Parke county, Indiana, June 5, 1856. His father, John W. Whitford, was a native of the state of New York and was descended from an old Rhode Island fam- ily of English lineage that was founded in America by Pasco Whitford, who came to the United States in 1680 and settled in Rhode Island. The great-grandfather, George Whit- ford, was born in that state during its colonial days and served in the American army as a soldier of the Revolutionary war, valiantly fighting for the cause of independence. John W. Whitford was accorded liberal educational advantages, completing a course by gradu- ation from the Indiana Asbury University, now the De Pauw University, under the Rev. Bishop Simpson, D. D. He took up the profession of teaching in early life and afterward prepared for the bar and was admitted under the laws of that state. He held the degree of Bachelor and Master of Arts. He met with an accidental death at Rockville, Indiana, in 1858, when but thirty-eight years of age. He was the first republican candidate for congress in his district and was a recognized leader in political as well as professional circles. A man of brilliant mental attainments, he was broad minded and progressive and became a natural leader of public thought and opinion in the community in which he lived. In early manhood he wedded Jane Harlan, a sister of Senator James Harlan of Iowa and distantly related to Justice Harlan of the United States supreme court. Her brother, James Harlan, was the first republican senator of Iowa and was a very prominent and in-, fluential resident of that state prior to the Civil war. His prominence is indicated in the fact that Iowa chose him as one of her most distinguished sons, placing his statue in the hall of fame in the capitol at Washington. He was a warm personal friend of Abraliam Lincoln and was made secretary of the interior during President Lincoln's second admin- istration. In fact his appointment was the last made by the martyr president. He con- tinued to serve for one year under President Johnson, at the end of which time he resigned and returned to Iowa. Later he was reelected to the senate, in which he served for three terms. The family name of Harlan figures most conspicuously and honorably upon the pages of American history. The family was founded in the new world by George Harlan, who came from Ireland and took up his abode on American soil during the early part of the seventeenth century. establishing his home in Pennsylvania. Thus in both paternal and maternal lines Mr. Whitford comes of ancestry of which he has every reason to be proud. His mother, surviving her husband for many years, passed away in Loveland, Colorado. in 1889, at the age of sixty-six. By her marriage she had become the mother of five chil- dren, four sons and a daughter.

Greeley W. Whitford, who was the fourth in order of birth, pursued his education in the common schools of Indiana to the age of fourteen years, when the family removed to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he completed his studies in the Iowa Wesleyan University. of which his uncle. Senator Harlan, had served as president until his election to the United States senate. He worked his way entirely through the university. As a boy of

HON. GREELEY W. WHITFORD

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twelve years he started out to provide for his own support and was apprenticed to the printing trade, which he followed in young manhood for a period of five years. He also took up the profession of teaching. After completing his studies in the university he entered the law office of the firm of Ambler & Ambler at Mount Pleasant and afterward continued his reading with the firm of Kinkaid & Whitford of Mount Pleasant, the junior partner being his elder brother. He completed his studies in 1882 and then successfully passed the required examination for admission to the bar. He practiced in Iowa for sev- eral months and then removed to Whatcom, now Bellingham, Washington, where he de- voted his attention to the general practice of law until 1887. In that year he removed to Denver, where he arrived on the 4th of July. He was practically a stranger in the city, although a brother, Clay B. Whitford, and his sister, Mrs. Mary Harlan Leedham, were living at Loveland. He entered into partnership with his brother for the practice of law under the firm style of Whitford & Whitford, an association that was maintained for two years. He then became the third partner in the firm of Rogers, Shafroth & Whitford and was thus connected for two years, at the end of which time he withdrew and entered into partnership relations with Frederick A. Williams under the firm style of Williams & Whitford. In 1894 he was elected district attorney and served almost the entire term when he resigned to become United States attorney. It was in 1897, when Mr. Whitford was appointed to the office of United States attorney by President Mckinley and he filled that position most acceptably for a term of four years. He then resumed the private practice of law in connection with his brother and Henry E. May, under the firm style of Whitford, Whitford & May. Two years later, however, he withdrew from the firm and resumed practice independently. In 1895 and 1896 because of his experience as district attorney and United States attorney he was called upon to assist in the investigation of ballot box stuffing and other corrupt political practices and filled the position of assistant district attorney and ten years later, or in 1906, he was elected to the office of district judge and served upon the bench for a term of six years. His course was marked by a masterly grasp of every problem presented for solution and by notable devotion to duty. He is systematic and methodical in habit, sober and discreet in judgment, calm in temper, dili- gent in research, and these qualities enabled him to take high rank among those who have served on the district bench of the state. His decisions show a thorough mastery of the questions involved, a rare simplicity of style and an admirable terseness and clearness in the statement of the principles upon which the opinions rest. During his connection with the bench he figured most prominently in connection with a number of Colorado's historic labor troubles, and as a result of his rulings, which were sustained by the higher courts, he prevented much bloodshed and disorder which would have followed had he not carried out the law as provided in the statutes. Some of his decisions which at the time were thought to be unfavorable to the workingmen have since proven the wisdom of his course and have received strong endorsement from the public as well as from the members of the bar. He stood firmly for what he believed to be right and his course often caused him to be the victim of indignities. He was even threatened with impeach- ment by labor leaders and their followers, who held indignation meetings and marched en masse around the capitol, seeking public support and comfort from the citizens. Un- daunted by this course and by the threats which were aimed at him, Judge Whitford stood true to his honest convictions, never faltering in his allegiance to his oath of office nor to the high standards of the profession which has ever been regarded as the conserva- tor of public rights and liberty. He is a valued member of both the Denver Bar Associa- tion and the Colorado State Bar Association.

On the 4th of June, 1890, Judge Whitford was married to Miss Ida Spaulding, a native of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and a daughter of the Rev. W. J. Spaulding, a graduate of De Pauw University, Indiana, and a noted clergyman of Iowa. Her mother bore the maiden name of Martha Berry. The Spaulding family was founded in Massachusetts in pioneer times and the Berry family was influential in Indiana at an early day, Dr. Lucian W. Berry being at one time president of Asbury, now De Pauw, University of Indiana. He was a noted preacher and was the grandfather of Mrs. Whitford. To Judge and Mrs. Whitford have been born three children: Lieutenant Kent S. Whitford. who was born at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and is now in the artillery at Camp Jackson, South Carolina; Ruth Edna, who is a graduate of the Denver University and a teacher in the high school at Raton, New Mexico; and Helen Jane, who was born in Denver, was graduated in May, 1918, from the University of Denver and is at home.

In politics Judge Whitford has always been a stalwart republican and has been an active worker in support of the political principles in which he believes and also of pro- gressive civic interests, yet he has never allowed political opinions to in any way bias his professional activity. He belongs to Union Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M., and has also

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taken the degrees of chapter and commandery. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Warren Memorial Methodist church. Of those who have sat upon the bench or have filled the office of district attorney, the record of none has been more fault- less in honor, fearless in conduct or stainless in reputation.

CLINTON G. HICKEY, M. D.

Dr. Clinton G. Hickey, a man of marked efficiency in the medical profession, who is vice president and acting president of the state board of health of Colorado and an active and successful practitioner in Denver, was born in Nicholville, St. Lawrence county, New York, October 16, 1858, and is of Irish, English and Dutch descent on the paternal side. His paternal grandfather, William Hickey, was the founder of the family in the new world, crossing the Atlantic to Canada in the early part of the nineteenth century. George Hickey, father of Dr. Hickey, was horn at Renfrew, Ontario, Canada, January 9, 1833, and spent his last days in Nicholville, New York, where he passed away in 1882, at the age of forty-nine years. He was a harness maker and saddler by trade and successfully conducted business along that line at Nicholville during the greater part of his life. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a devout Christian man who, strongly opposed to the liquor traffic, was largely instru- mental in curhing the evils which grow out of the sale and use of intoxicants. He also stood for those things which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride and was a

most valued and respected citizen of Nicholville as well as one of its enterprising and successful business men. He married Esther Lowry, a native of Waddington, St. Law- rence county, New York, and a representative of one of the old families of the Empire state, of lowland Scotch descent on the paternal side, while on the maternal side, through the Walbridge family, she was of English lineage. The Lowry family has been repre- sented on American soil since colonial days. Mrs. Hickey died in the year 1863, at the age of thirty-three, and is survived by three of her four children, one son, Clarence, having died in childhood. The others are Emma J., Clinton G. and Mina A. Hickey.

At the usual age Dr. Hickey became a pupil in the public schools of Nicholville, New York, and afterward attended the State Normal School at Potsdam, New York, while subsequently he entered the Alhany (N. Y.) Medical College, from which he was gradu- ated with the M. D. degree in 1884. He then entered upon the practice of his profession at Gaylordsville, in the Housatonic valley of Connecticut, where he remained for three and a half years, after which he returned to the Empire state, opening an office at Burden and becoming resident physician and surgeon for the Burden Ore & Iron Company. He continued to act in that capacity for four years and then resigned his position, after which he pursued a post-graduate course at the New York Polyclinic. Thus splendidly equipped by broad study and wide experience for professional activity, he came to the west, arriving in Denver in November, 1891. Here he entered upon the general practice of medicine, in which he has since continued, and his marked ability has won for him a liberal patronage. He belongs to the medical society of the city and county of Denver, to the Colorado State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the Denver Clinical and Pathological Society and to the hospital staff of the Hospital of the City and County of Denver. He is also vice president and acting president of the Colorado state board of health, now serving his fourth year in that connection, in which he has done very important work, particularly in the dissemination of that knowledge which prevents the outbreak and spread of disease through an understanding of the laws of health. For fourteen years he was connected with the Denver Medical College on the dispensary staff and was also one of the lecturers of the school.

On the 21st of January, 1885, Dr. Hickey was united in marriage in Nicholville, New York, to Miss Jennie Simonds, a native of that place and a daughter of Titus S. and Mary (Chandler) Simonds, both now deceased. The Chandlers were early settlers of Massachusetts, arriving in the new world from England soon after the arrival of the Mayflower at Plymouth. Dr. and Mrs. Hickey have become the parents of three daughters and a son, but two of the daughters died between the ages of four and six years. The elder. Ethelwyn, was in her sixth year at the time of her death. Muriel died at the age of four years and four months and there were only four days between their deaths. The son, Dr. Harold Lowry Hickey, born in Denver, November 15, 1892, was graduated in June, 1913. from the University of Denver and in June, 1917, from the North western University Medical School of Chicago. He has both the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts from the University of Denver. As assistant surgeon with the rank

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of lieutenant he is now serving in the Reserve Naval Force of the United States. Dorothy, born February 17, 1895, is the wife of Robert E. Sherer, representative of an old Chicago family. They were married June 27, 1917. She was graduated from the University of Denver with the Bachelor of Arts degree. Mr. Sherer is a nephew of Dean Howell of the University of Denver, where he completed his education, winning the A. B. degree, and it was while they were students in that institution that Mr. and Mrs. Sherer became acquainted. They now reside at Alabaster, Michigan.

The career of Dr. Hickey is an interesting one, as it shows the result of strong purpose and creditable endeavor. At the age of eighteen he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for two years in the district schools and for a year was a teacher in one of the upper grades in the schools of Nicholville. As a result of his teaching he was able to repay his father for money advanced to him for his medical education. He has remained throughout the entire period of his professional career an earnest and discriminating student of everything that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life. His reading has been comprehensive and he keeps in touch with the latest scientific researches and discoveries, but important as is his life work, he has never concentrated his efforts and attention upon medical practice to the exclusion of all other interests. He is an active and valued member of the Grant Avenue Methodist Episcopal church and for years has been chairman of its official board and chairman of the finance committee for the past twenty-three years. He is perhaps most largely known in connection with his social welfare work. He served for two years on the City Federation of Social Welfare and as president of the Adult Blind Home Association. He is ever cooperating heartily with organized movements for the uplift of the individual and the advancement of community interests and is continually studying the grave political, economic and sociological problems which affect the welfare, happiness and progress of the race. His studies result in practical efforts for the amelioration of the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate and he is numbered among those men who are throwing around them much of life's sunshine.

SAMUEL N. WOOD.

The honorable career of Samuel N. Wood is indeed an enviable one. While he has figured prominently in business and in connection with public affairs in Denver for many years, his course has at all times been actuated by the highest standards of right and justice, and while he has won a considerable fortune, he has also made for himself a most creditable name and his career proves that success and an honorable name may be won simultaneously. Mr. Wood was born in Jordan, New York, May 2, 1844, a son of Smith and Rhoda (Hungerford) Wood. The father was also a native of the Empire state and belonged to one of its old families of English lineage. The mother was born in New York and her people were also early settlers there. Mr. and Mrs. Wood became the parents of two children.

Samuel N. Wood was educated in the academy at Jordan, New York, and when sixteen years of age started out to earn his own livelihood. He was first employed as a bank clerk in Syracuse, New York, where he remained for several years and then entered upon a correspondence with Kountze Brothers of Denver, which led in 1870 to his removal to this city. He became assistant cashier of the Colorado National Bank, owned by the Kountze brothers, and there continued for seven years. Upon resigning that position he removed to Deadwood, North Dakota, being among the first settlers of that place, and there he organized the First National Bank of Deadwood, of which he was cashier and the principal stockholder. He continued to reside in that city for three years, on the expiration of which period he sold the bank and returned to Denver, pur- chasing a controlling interest in the First National Bank, which was then located at the corner of Sixteenth and Larimer streets. He continued with the First National as its cashier for twenty years and largely formulated its policy and promoted its success. Since that time he has lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest.

Mr. Wood was married in Denver on the 1st of September, 1903, to Miss Louella Frisell, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Dr. Frisell, of Butler, that state.

In his political views Mr. Wood has always been a republican and has served as president of the board of public works. During his term of office he was instrumental in securing the building of the Fourteenth Street viaduct and also a large amount of street building and paving. He is a member of a number of the most important clubs of Denver, including the Denver Club and the Denver Athletic Club, and he belongs

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also to the Chicago Club and to the Union League Club of New York, with which he has been identified for the past thirty-one years. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and its teachings have guided him in all of the relations of life, making him a man whom to know is to esteem and honor. He has now passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey and his entire career has commended him to the confidence and goodwill of those with whom he has been associated.

ROBERT H. NELSON, JE.

Robert H. Nelson, Jr., who was formerly the owner of the Jordan Garage in Pueblo, is now associated with the Crouch Brothers Grocery Company. He was born in New York city on the 12th of April, 1871, and is a son of Robert H. and Florence (Brombrush) Nelson. The family remained in the east until 1881. The previous year the father had come to the west and, after making preparations for his wife and chil- dren in Denver, was joined by them the following year. He there engaged in clerical work and both he and his wife are still residents of that city.

Mr. Nelson of this review pursued his education in the public schools and in the West Denver high school but at an early age started out in the business world on his own account, so that many of his most valuable life's lessons were learned in the school of experience. With his entrance into the business world he was identified with various mercantile interests and in January, 1916, he located in Pueblo. He had been engaged in the grocery trade at Penrose but sold his interests there after remov- ing his stock to Pueblo. He was also a partner in the Santa Fe Trail Garage but disposed of his interest in that business and purchased the Jordan Garage on the 1vth of December, 1917. This he conducted successfully for six months, handling the Mitchell car, doing all kinds of repair work and also dealing in automobile tires and accessories. On the 1st of June, 1918, he disposed of his interests in this con- nection and has since been associated with the Crouch Brothers Grocery Company, of which he is a valued and able representative.

Mr. Nelson was married on the 9th of April, 1901, to Miss Maud Keys and they have made many friends during the period of their residence in Pueblo. His politi- cal allegiance is given to the democratic party but he does not seek or desire office as a reward for party fealty. Fraternally he is well known as a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. He belongs to the Commerce Club and to the Auto Trades Association and he is interested in all those forces that serve to advance the business welfare and promote the trade relations of his adopted city. In his own career he has made steady progress and his record is a most commendable one.

JOHN McGREGOR.

John McGregor, general agent for Colorado of the Massachusetts Mutual Life ' Insurance Company with offices in Denver, exemplifies in his life many of the sterling characteristics of the Scotch race. He is a native son of the land of hills and heather, his birth having occurred in Beauly, Scotland, on the 20th of February, 1868, his parents being James and Isabella (McDonald) McGregor, who remained residents of their native land. The father in early life engaged in farming and for many years devoted his energies to the work of tilling the soil. He died in Scotland in March, 1869, and is still survived by his widow, who is now eighty years of age. They had a family of four children, two of whom are deceased, while Duncan McGregor resides in England.

John McGregor was a pupil in the public schools of Scotland and also attended the Dumfries Commercial College and Aberdeen College, from which he was in due time graduated. He then was employed in the postal service of the British govern- ment, in which connection he continued for several years prior to his emigration to the new world. At length he resigned in order to become a resident of America and made his way to Denver, where he arrived on the 23d of November, 1889. Later he was employed along various lines until he could secure a financial foothold. He en- tered the services of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad and in that connection worked in the offices of the auditor and treasurer, continuing with the road for three years. He then decided to embark in other lines of business and after looking over the field

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determined to give his attention to the insurance business. In 1892 he became cash- ier of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company in the office at Denver and filled that position most efficiently for a number of years. He resigned, however, in 1902 to accept the general agency of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company for the state of Colorado. He is considered by those who are capable of judging to be one of the most progressive and best qualified insurance men in the west today and his business is one of growing importance. It has already reached very substantial proportions and his well organized force is daily contributing to its continued growth.

On the 23d of November, 1892, Mr. McGregor was married in Denver to Miss Mary A. Stall, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Stall of Newport, Kentucky. They are now parents of three children. Flora Bella, born in 1893 in Denver, is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy and attended Sinsinawa Academy in Wisconsin. Mary Eliza- beth, born in Denver in July, 1900, is attending the Loretta Heights School. Robert Bruce, born in Denver in June, 1909, is a pupil in the graded schools of the city.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 17

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