History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 19

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

USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume II > Part 19

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HORACE N. HAWKINS.

For a quarter of a century Horace N. Hawkins has engaged in the active practice of law at the Denver bar and is accounted one of the foremost representatives of the profession in this city. Thorough preliminary training and wide experience have made him most capable in handling intricate legal problems and from the outset of his career he has ever recognized the necessity for thorough preparation as well as the strong presentation of his cause before the court. A native of Tennessee, Mr. Hawkins was born in Dickson county, February 19, 1867, his parents being Ashton W. and Sarah (May) Hawkins. The father was a native of Kentucky and of English descent. He became a member of the medical profession and engaged in practice for many years. His wife was born in Tennessee and both passed away in that state.

Horace N. Hawkins acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Huntington, Tennessee, and afterward entered Vanderbilt University, where he won the LL. B. degree, being graduated from that Nashville institution with the class of 1893. He was one of a family of six children, having three sisters and two brothers, namely: W. A., who is now a practicing attorney of El Paso, Texas; J. M., who is engaged in newspaper publication in San Diego, California; Mrs. G. G. Buford, living in Memphis, Tennessee; Mrs. C. A. Waterfield, a resident of Brownsville, Tennessee; and Mrs. J. D. Luten, whose home is in Waverly, Tennessee.

As a member of this household Horace N. Hawkins spent the days of his boyhood and youth and entered upon the study of law at Huntington, Tennessee. being admitted to the bar in 1888. He was not content, however, with the training that he had already received and it was subsequent to this time that he entered Vanderbilt University, where he pursued a further course in law, which he completed, as previously stated, hy gradua- tion with the class of 1893. The same year he sought the opportunities of the west. making his way to Denver, where he entered the law office of Thomas N. Patterson, who was afterward United States senator from Colorado. In 1895 Senator Patterson

131

HISTORY OF COLORADO

admitted him to a partnership and the third member of the firm was Edmund F. Richard- son. This association was maintained for a decade, at the end of which time Senator Patterson retired from the active practice of law and the firm of Richardson & Hawkins was then formed, maintaining a continuous existence until the death of the senior partner in 1911, since which time Mr. Hawkins has practiced alone. He is a strong and able lawyer, forceful and resourceful in the presentation of his cause and seldom at fault in the application of a legal principle. He is impressive in his utterances before the jury, always shows to the court that studied deference which is its due and while he gives to his clients the benefit of marked ability and unwearied service, he never for- gets that there are certain things due to the court, to his own self-respect and above all to justice and a righteous administration of the law which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success permit bim to disregard.

In 1896 Mr. Hawkins was united in marriage to Miss Frances Rubin, of Nashville. Tennessee, who passed away in 1912, leaving five children: Mary O'Neil, now twenty years of age, and Margaret, eighteen years of age, both students in Bryn Mawr College; Frances, fifteen years of age; Horace N., who is attending military school, and Agnes, aged respectively fourteen and eleven years.

Mr. Hawkins is a member of the Denver Athletic Club, also of the Democratic Club. and of Phi Delta Theta, Alpha Chapter of Tennessee. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Along the strict path of his profession he is identified with the Denver City and County Bar Association, the Colorado State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He was a member of the Colorado civil service board in 1909 and 1910, was a member of the Colorado state bar examining board in 1911 and 1912, and in 1909 he served as president of the Denver Bar Association. He has an impressive manner and marked ability and his professional attainments have placed his name high on the list of the prominent representatives of the Denver bar.

ROBERT WILLIAM COMER.

Robert William Comer is a valued and representative resident of Weld county, where for many years he has devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits. It was reading American history that awakened in him the desire to become a resident of the United States. He was born in Gloucester, England, July 9, 1857. and is a son of William and Sarah Comer, who were likewise natives of Gloucestershire. The father was a prominent farmer who had five hundred acres of land. He engaged extensively in the dairy business and in the handling of shorthorn cattle and won many prizes with his herds. He specialized in the training of young men in progressive and scientific farm- ing and many came to him for instruction in that work. He died when in the prime of life, leaving a large family of twelve children. His wife was also deeply interested in progressive farming and was of much assistance to her husband. She attained a very advanced age, passing away in her eighty-sixth year, her remains being interred in Gloucestershire. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. William Comer were six sons and six daughters: Benjamin, Robert W., Frederick, George, Edward, Ernest, Mary, Fanny, Kate, Elizabeth, Annie and Agnes. Of these Edward died in 1908 while Fanny passed away in 1906.

Robert William Comer of this review was a pupil in public and boarding schools of his native country and after his textbooks were put aside he turned his attention to the bakery business, which he followed for a few years. But the desire to come to the United States was aroused in him by his reading of American history and he made arrangements to leave his native land. After severing home ties he sailed for New York city, where he remained for a year and then went to Detroit, Michigan, where he occupied the responsible position of yardmaster with the Wagner Sleeping Car Company for six years. On the expiration of that period he came to Colorado, arriving in Greeley in April, 1886. Here lie turned his attention to farming, at first owning a tract of sixty- five acres on what is now Ninth street in Greeley, being in the very heart of the city. In the intervening years he has carried on general farming and has prospered as time has passed by. He is today the owner of eighty acres of valuable land which he has rented and he also owns land in Canada.

Before leaving England, Mr. Comer was married in the Episcopal church in Gloucester. England, on the 9th of November, 1880. to Miss Hannah Stevens, a daughter of William Stevens, who was a shoe manufacturer of Gloucester. Mr. and Mrs. Comer have become

132

HISTORY OF COLORADO

the parents of six children, but their son, Charles Gillette, was killed in a snowslide when twenty years of age. He had been married only six weeks at that time. He was an electrician and was regarded as exceptionally brilliant in his profession, displaying expert knowledge and skill along that line of business. His professional ability and his personal worth made his death the occasion of deep and widespread regret. Edith Mary, the eldest of the family, thirty-three years of age, became the wife of Ervin Funk, a farmer of Greeley, who died in Burlington in 1914, and in April, 1917, she became the wife of J. W. Burrows, who for many years was in the employ of the Burlington Rail- road Company, but is now farming in Canada. Robert, thirty-two years of age, married Bertha Hanson. He is engaged in farming in Canada, having extensive wheat fields and shipping his crop to Europe. He also raises cattle and horses. Torris, the third of the family, is twenty-nine years of age and wedded Miss Mary Gifford, her father being engaged in the hardware business at Fort Collins, and they have one son, Herbert Gifford, three years of age. Myra, the next of the family, is a graduate of the Birmingham Infirmary of Alabama and is an active member of the Red Cross. Gladys is engaged in the millinery business in Greeley. Of the family Robert and Charles and Edith were born in Detroit, while Torris, Myra and Gladys were born in Greeley. There are several grandchildren besides the one already mentioned. Annabel J. Funk is a daughter of Edith Mary and is now nine years of age, attending the South Ward school. Charles Irving, aged fourteen, is in the eighth grade in school in Canada. Robert has two chil- dren, Marshall Hanson and Elizabeth Hannah, aged respectively four and two years.

Mr. Comer has mostly concentrated his efforts and attention upon farming and has thus provided liberally for his family. He has upon bis farm something not usually found in connection with agriculture, for he raised two black bears of two hundred pounds each, which he caught on the Buckhorn in the year 1898. He is a member of the Episcopal church, having been confirmed in the Gloucester cathedral in England. His fraternal relations are with the Woodmen of the World and his political allegiance is given to the republican party, of which he has been a stanch advocate since becom- ing a naturalized American citizen. He has never been an office seeker, and his atten- tion has always been given to his business affairs, his close application and energy con- stituting strong features in his growing success. The only division in Mr. Comer's business interests was when for a period of twelve years be devoted his time equally between farming and the bakery and butchering business in the town. Whatever he has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion and his persistency of purpose is one of the strong elements in his career.

EDWIN M. BURGESS.

Since 1881 Edwin M. Burgess has been a resident of Colorado. He arrived in the state when a youth of eighteen years and through the intervening period he has made steady advancement in a business way, the steps in his orderly progression 'being easily discernible. Promotion after promotion has come to him in recognition of his faithfulness and capability until he is today vice president and general manager of the Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company, with offices in Denver. A native of New York, he was born in Hensonville on the 28th of October, 1863, and is a son of Sayres F. and Leva (Eggleston) Burgess. The father was a native of Middle- town, New York, while the mother was born in Unadilla, that state. Mr. Burgess devoted his life to furniture manufacturing and in 1859 he removed westward to Colorado, making the journey with an ox team. In 1860, however, he returned to New York becoming a resident of Hensonville. Both Sayres F. Burgess and his wife, have passed away, their deaths occurring at Marlborough, New York. In their family were two daughters and Edwin M. Burgess, the only son.

The last named acquired his education in the public schools of Hunter and remained a resident of the east until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he heard and heeded the call of the west, making his way to Pueblo, Colorado. There he entered the employ of the Colorado Telephone Company, his duty being the installation of phones. From that point in his career he has steadily worked his way upward, continually gaining broader knowledge of the business through study and experience, each promotion bringing him added responsibilities, at the same time giving him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. At length he reached the position of general manager and in 1913 he was elected vice president of the company and continues in the dual office.

EDWIN M. BURGESS

134

HISTORY OF COLORADO

On September 7, 1885, Mr. Burgess was united in marriage at Central City, Colorado, to Miss Bessie Lake, of that city, a daughter of David Lake, one of the pioneers of this state. They have become the parents of two children: Ralph L., born at Central City, Colorado, April 26, 1889, who is first lieutenant with the American Expeditionary Forces, doing special duty in France; and Elsa Leva, the wife of Dr. R. F. Lamberton, who is a physician of Denver.

Fraternally Mr. Burgess is a Mason, belonging to Oriental Lodge, No. 87, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Denver Club, the Denver Athletic Club, the Denver Country Club and the Lakewood Country Club and he is a devotee of golf, this healthful and interesting sport being his greatest recreation. A capable executive, he has come up through all the departments of telephone business to his present place of responsi- bility. At the same time he has maintained ever a courteous, affable manner and kindly disposition that has been the means of bringing to him a constantly increasing circle of friends as the circle of his acquaintance has broadened. There are no spectacular phases in his career and no esoteric chapters in his life history. His course has been marked by a persistency of purpose that has had its root in a laudable ambition and today he occupies an enviable place in the regard of his fellow citizens and his colleagues in the business world.

CHARLES BAYLY.

Prominent among the representatives of manufacturing interests in Denver is Charles Bayly, president of the Bayly-Underhill Manufacturing Company. Theirs is the largest concern in the west devoted to the manufacture of overalls. They own and occupy a four story and hasement building, all of which is devoted to the business and in which they employ a force of two hundred and fifty operatives who are kept busy throughout the entire year in order to keep pace with their fast growing trade.

Mr. Bayly comes to Colorado from Missouri, his birth having occurred in St. Louis county on the 27th of November, 1870. His parents were Charles and Matilda (Russell) Bayly, both of whom were natives of Virginia and in early life removed westward to Missouri, settling in St. Louis county. There the father engaged in farming and con- tinued to devote his life to agricultural pursuits in that locality until he was called to his final rest. His wife was educated in Virginia and they were married there. After the death of her husband she came to Denver, where she passed away.

Charles Bayly was the youngest in their family of twelve children. He began his education in the schools of St. Charles, Missouri, and in early life came to Colorado, after which he continued his education at Durango. When his textbooks were put aside he became connected with the hardware trade in that city and there remained in business for some time. At a later period he managed a hardware store at Telluride and also at Ouray, Colorado. He conducted business in those places until 1900, when he came to Denver and bought the business of the estate of Mr. Underhill and carried on his manu- facturing under the old firm style. As the years have passed he has constantly increased his trade relations and today the house is represented upon the road by five salesmen. The business was incorporated in 1901 with Charles Bayly as president, William Bayly, of Los Angeles, as vice president and W. P. Yetter as secretary and treasurer. The plant is splendidly equipped with the latest improved machinery and time-saving devices and the operatives work under excellent conditions, and it is a recognized fact that capability and fidelity on the part of the workmen will win promotion as opportunity affords. Moreover, the business methods of the house have gained for it an unassailable reputation and this great enterprise stands today as a monument to the executive force and progressiveness of Charles Bayly.

In Chicago, Illinois, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bayly and Miss Hester Mooney, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Mooney, of that city. They have become parents of two sous: Charles E., born in Ouray, Colorado, in 1896; and Russell Henry, born in Colorado Springs in 1898 and now a student in the University of Colorado. The elder son enlisted in an ambulance corps of the French army in 1915 and has since been active in service in the great European war. Moreover, he has been decorated for bravery in action, receiving the "Croix de Guerre." In 1916 he enlisted in the ar- tillery branch of the French army and has done wonderful service in the cause of democ- racy. Mr. Bayly has his service diploma, received from the French commandant, a badge of honor of which he may well be proud.

Mr. Bayly helongs to the Denver Club, the Denver Athletic Club and also the Denver

135

HISTORY OF COLORADO

Country Club. In politics he maintains an independent course but is not remiss in the duties of citizenship, standing loyally at all times in support of those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. His business career has been marked by steady progress and his record indicates what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do.

CLAUDE H. SMITH.

Claude H. Smith is well known in journalistic circles of Larimer county as the junior member of the firm of Smith & Ellison, publishers of the Loveland Herald. His birth occurred in Havensville. Kansas, on the 15th of December, 1885, his parents being Burton and Louisa (Handley) Smith, both of whom are natives of that state. The father followed merchandising for many years in Havensville and in Lincoln, Kansas, but since 1907 has been engaged in ranching at Chivington, Colorado. The mother is also yet living and both are widely and favorably known throughout the community in which they reside.

Claude H. Smith pursued a high school course at Lincoln, Kansas, and subsequently attended the Art Institute of Chicago, while later he entered the Kansas State Agricul- tural College at Manhattan, taking up the study of architecture. He next was employed in Denver and in that line of work he remained with the firm of Ellis & Marshall for one year. Prior to entering college he was with the Capper Publishing Company of Topeka, Kansas, for three years and with the Arcanum Publishing Company of Chicago for about six months. In 1912 he came to Loveland. Colorado, and for three years was employed by the Loveland Publishing Company, purchasing the plant of the Loveland Herald at the end of that time in association with Mark A. Ellison, who has remained his' partner continuously since. Under their management the Herald has been improved and has enjoyed an extensive subscription and advertising patronage and they also con- duct a job printing business. Messrs. Ellison and Smith likewise established the Larimer County Democrat at Fort Collins in the spring of 1916, of which Mr. Smith was manager, hut disposed of it to L. R. Rhodes in the fall of 1917.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Smith has supported the men and measures of the democratic party and for a time he served as deputy county clerk. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Presbyterian church, while fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. High principles actuate him in every relation of life and he is a popular young man in both business and social circles of Loveland.

OTTO BOCK.

Holding to high professional standards and with thorough preliminary training, Otto Bock has made an excellent record as assistant United States attorney, which office he is now filling, Denver numbering him among her progressive and enterprising young men. He was horn in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. February 21, 1881, a son of J. C. F. W. Bock, who was a native of Germany and came to America in 1868. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made his way at once into the interior of the country, settling at Bloomington. Illinois. where he engaged in educational work. becoming a teacher in Lutheran parochial schools. Throughout his entire life he gave his attention to educa- tional activities and he was a graduate of the Lake Forest Normal School of the class of 1874. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he was a warm personal friend of Governor John P. Altgeld. He resided at different periods in Caledonia, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee and in Chicago and spent the latter part of his life in Chicago, where he lived for twenty-two years, passing away in 1904 at the age of fifty-eight. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Minnie Koehler, was born in Wisconsin and was a daughter of August and Augusta (Wendt) Koehler, representatives of an old Wisconsin family of German lineage. Mrs. Bock passed away in 1909 at the age of fifty-two years. By her marriage she had become the mother of seven children. five sons and two daughters.

Otto Bock of this review was the fourth in order of birth and was educated in the Lutheran schools of the middle west, acquiring his education under the direction of his father. He determined upon the practice of law as a life work and in preparation

136

HISTORY OF COLORADO

therefor entered the John Marshall Law School of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1908 with the LL. B. degree. After leaving the public schools he was employed in a produce commission house of that city and it was from his earnings that he saved a sufficient sum to enable him to pursue a law course and continue his private studies. Because of ill health he came to Colorado in 1908, and in January, 1909, he passed the required examination for the bar and entered upon the practice of law, in which he continued until 1912, when he was elected justice of the peace on the reform movement ticket. He continued to serve in the justice court for a year and then reentered upon the private practice of law, in which he is still active. In the early part of 1914 he formed a partnership with Clifford W. Mills under the firm style of Mills & Bock and this association has since been maintained, their offices being in the Kittredge build- ing. In November, 1914, Mr. Bock became assistant United States attorney for Colo- rado, being selected for the position by Harry C. Tedrow, United States attorney. He has since served in the office and his record is most creditable. He is a strong and able lawyer who ever prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care and in argument he is logical, while his deductions are sound and his reasoning clear. He is a member of the Colorado State Bar Association, also of the Denver Bar Association and of the Law Club.

On the 24th of August, 1911, Mr. Bock was united in marriage to Miss Hilda Scha- barum, a native of Milwaukee and a daughter of William and Anna (Wolff) Schabarum. They have become parents of three children but one has passed away. The others are: William, born July 10, 1912; and Richard, born November 24, 1913. The youngest son, born June 18, 1915, died in 1916. All were born in Denver.

Mr. Bock is a member of the Emmaus Lutheran church, in which he is serving as an elder, and is president of the Lutheran Sanitarium at Wheat Ridge. He is a member of the Jefferson Club. He came to Colorado to regain his health, being threatened with tubercular trouble, and not only has he gained health, but also position and happiness in this state, of which he is a most loyal adherent, assisting at all times in everything that has to do with its progress, upbuilding and advancement.

HON. JAMES E. GARRIGUES.

Among the famous lawyers and eminent jurists of Colorado is numbered Hon. James E. Garrigues, justice of the supreme court of the state, who was elected to that office in 1910. His career began on a farm, while he subsequently took up school- teaching as a means of enabling him to study law. After coming to Colorado he occupied various important official positions until in 1910 he was elected to practically the highest office in the state-that of justice of the supreme court.

Judge Garrigues has a most interesting genealogical record, its history dating back to the middle ages. For this record there is largely used a genealogy compiled by Carl Henri Nicolai Garrigues, of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Edmund Garrigues, of Massillon, Ohio, which was compiled in November, 1916. The progenitor of that branch of the Garrigues family to which Judge James E. Garrigues belongs was Jean Garrigues, from Périgord, France, a Huguenot, who married Marie de Franchimont, and both emigrated from France to The Netherlands, probably settling in The Hague in 1685 as a result of the St. Bartholomew massacre and attendant troubles due to the revoca- tion of the Edict of Nantes. Another Jean Garrigues was in 1562 condemned by the parliament of Toulouse because of heresy. Pierre G. Garrigues, from Mazamet, brother of Jean G. Garrigues, the progenitor of the Philadelphia branch, was the pro- genitor of the old Brandenburg branch and the present Danish-American and Danish branches. The names of old French families such as "Garric," "Garrigues," "Lagar- rigue," originated from the Roman words "garric," meaning oak tree, and "garriga," meaning oak forest. There were six coats of arms, all bearing oak trees, and the family to which Judge James E. Garrigues belongs bears a coat of arms with five oaks. Garrigues, as spelled in old Latin documents, means oak woods. The historian, Tolliu, who lived in Magdeburg about one hundred years ago, wrote in his history of the French colony there of the "famous family Garrigues."

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 19

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