History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 21

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

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On the 5th of November, 1889, Mr. Bennett was united in marriage in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Miss Laura C. Chapman, a native of that place and a daughter of Horace D. and Amanda E. (Louden) Chapman. Her father, who is now deceased, was for years roadmaster with the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company. Her mother belonged to an old and prominent family of Janesville. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been horn two children: Erminie, who is the wife of Harold J. Sanborn, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio; and Audrey E., who married Blaine B. Wallace, a lieutenant in the United States Army.

Mr. Bennett gives his political endorsement to the republican party. Fraternally he is a Mason and he is identified with the Chamber of Commerce. His interests are thus broad and varied and he is a supporter of all those activities which work for the material development and the civic progress of his adopted city. Along the lines of an orderly progression he has advanced to a creditable place in business and financial circles of Denver and many of his fellow townsmen bear high testimony to his enterprise, his business ability and his sterling personal worth.

PAUL B. GAYLORD.

Paul B. Gaylord, of Denver, needs no introduction to the people of Colorado nor indeed to the people of the entire United States, for his name is known in insurance circles from coast to coast. Much has been written of him and more has been said and the story is always an inspiring one, for it is the story of achievement in the face of difficulties such as confront few men. for at times these difficulties have loomed large. An analyzation of his career shows that he has never allowed worry or dis- couragement to become a factor in his life, robbing him of that energy which should go into the accomplishment of a purpose and not into regret over existing circumstances. Where the path of opportunity has seemed closed he has marked out others and has

PAUL B. GAYLORD

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ultimately reached his desired goal. He was born in Independence, Iowa, June 14, 1858. Whether the name of the town had anything to do with his career is impossible to determine. but the spirit of independence has always been his. His parents were Edward H. and Sarah (Rich) Gaylord. The father was born in Ohio and in the early '40s went to Iowa, traveling across the country and settling near Independence. He was employed in various ways, being at times, farmer, contractor, stockman and circus proprietor. In 1859 he came to Denver but returned eastward and located at Junction City, Kansas, where he engaged in stock raising for a number of years. In 1875, however, he again made his way to Denver and took charge of the Wall-Purcell stage-coach lines, con- tinuing to act in that capacity until his death, which occurred in 1887. During the period of the Civil war, however, he put aside all personal interests and considerations, for his duty to his country he felt was the dominant thing at the time, and he enlisted in the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, becoming captain of one of its companies. Later he was detailed to buy horses for the army and he continued in that service with the com- mission of captain uutil the close of the war. His wife removed to Iowa in her girl- hood and they were married in that state. She, too, passed away in Denver about 1887. Their family numbered six sons and daughters: Fred, who is now a prominent merchant of Junction City, Kansas; Hal, who is proprietor of the Kansas City Journal; Anna, living in Denver; Mrs. Sedgewick Rice, whose husband is a colonel in the United States army; Mrs. Harry K. Brown, of Denver; and Paul B.

The last named was the second in order of birth. After attending the public schools of Junction City, Kansas, he became a postal clerk on the run between Kansas City and Denver. At the age of nineteen he took up his abode in Denver and became a collector on the Denver Tribune, but the paper soon passed out of existence and he sought employ- ment elsewhere, becoming connected with the firm of Porter, Raymond & Company, engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Here he found a congenial field and one that in the course of years has also proven profitable. He set to work to thor- oughly master every phase of the business, acquainted himself with insurance in prin- ciple and detail and eventually bought out his employers. T. C. Henry said of him: "I have known Paul Gaylord from his veriest boyhood. Twenty-five years ago he was on the Denver Tribune when I owned it. His steady advancement and splendid success are based, I know, upon his personal worth. He possesses that rare quality difficult to define-character." This character soon made for him a place in insurance circles and when the Continental Trust Company of Denver decided to establish an insurance depart- ment one of the officials inquired the way to do this. Another answered: "The best way is to see Paul Gaylord"; but another immediately added: "No. the best way is to get Paul Gaylord," and this suggestion was at once acted upon. He established the insurance business of the Continental Trust Company, was made vice president and a director and in the course of time developed an insurance business for the company of which not only the corporation but Denver was proud. He continued in charge of the insurance and real estate interests of the bank until it was merged into the Inter- state Bank, when Mr. Gaylord again took up the insurance business independently and now has the finest insurance offices and best business of this kind in the entire west. The secret of his success is not hard to find. The thoroughness with which he under- takes everything insures complete mastery of the situation and the overthrow of any difficulty or obstacle in his path. He has not only built up a business of mammoth proportions, but he has done much to advance the interests of insurance men through- out the entire country. He has been very active in a work that has recently reached its culmination in the adoption of a uniform blank in insurance circles. It was said that about ten years ago when he needed office held he faced the task of filling out many varieties of accounts current, and he felt that there should be some relief from such a condition. There were not only many forms of accounts current, but the daily reports and endorsement blanks were no better and Mr. Gaylord turned to the National Associa- tion of Insurance Agents for cooperation and brought the matter to the attention of the convention, which appointed a committee to consider the problem and work out a solution therefor, Mr. Gaylord being made a member of this committee. which made its first report at St. Paul in 1908. The first work of the committee had to do with the policy form. Samples of the form were submitted that would fit in the ordinary type- writer and could be manifolded with the daily report and the agent's record. The com- mittee also submitted a form of accounts current. both for graded and flat commission agencies, and a standard form of endorsement blank. The typewriter policy attracted immediate attention and companies began to adopt it in states where it was legal. The matter of blanks was referred to the joint conference committee. comprised of company managers and a committee of agents appointed by the National Association.

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In an article in the Insurance Report there was a tribute to Mr. Gaylord for his efforts in this way, in which it said: "The culmination of years of effort to secure a uniform accounts current is reached in the approval by the national board of the form advocated by the National Association of Agents, to go into effect next January. It is interesting to know that the effort to adopt uniform forms originated with a Denver local agent, Paul Gaylord. Mr. Gaylord devoted many years of patient and energetic work to educate both the agents and the companies on the value of the plan." In a further tribute to Mr. Gaylord for his efforts in this connection the American Agency Bulletin said: "The forms adopted by the national board are different from those originally approved, but the companies are required not only to meet their own needs and those of the agents, but of the insurance departments as well, and the new blank has been drafted with these various needs in view. The main object-uniformity in all agencies and for all companies-has been obtained hy concerted efforts through the agents' organization. Few agents perhaps realize how much time has been given and how much money has been expended in this effort, nor can they realize how necessary it has been to constantly agitate the matter in order to secure the results, which, now that they have accrued. are recognized as of great value, both to the companies and to the agents."

On the 30th of October. 1889, Mr. Gaylord was married to Miss Kate Seymour, of Denver, a daughter of Colonel J. F. Seymour and a niece of Senator Jerome B. Chaffee. both prominent in Denver. Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord have become parents of two children. Paul Lindley Gaylord, who was born in Denver in 1891. was graduated from the high school at Denver and from St. Matthew's Military Academy of Burlingame, California. and is now a lieutenant in the United States army. Ellen Seymour, born in Denver, July 4, 1893, is a graduate of the Corona school and the Dwight School for Girls, in New Jersey, and is the wife of George K. Thomas, of Denver, by whom she has one child. Katherine Edith, who was born in Denver.

In his political views Mr. Gaylord is a republican and fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Woodmen of the World, the Sons of Veterans and other organiza- tions. He is also identified with the Sons of the American Revolution and with the Pioneers' Society of Denver and the Denver Club. He has often been spoken of as the best loved man in Denver and the following lines were written to characterize him:

"When you think you're feelin' glum, Smile! When the world seems on the bum, Smile! Trouble ?- ain't no such a thing For the feller who kin sing, Let's make Happiness our king- Smile!"

It has been his spirit of good nature that has brought Mr. Gaylord the high regard. the friendship and love of many with whom he has come in contact. He has been termed a prominent, popular and philanthropic citizen of Colorado and Denver has perpetuated his name in a prominent thoroughfare, Gaylord boulevard. It was through his efforts that Denver was given Cheesman Park, which originally was called Congress Park, so named by Mr. Gaylord and later became Cheesman Park, and many tangible evidences of his public spirit and devotion to the welfare of his adopted city may be cited. Mr. Gaylord has recently turned his attention to the oil fields and is president of the Inter- state Exploration & Oil Company. Some there are who think of Paul Gaylord as a rich man. It is true that he has accumulated a substantial amount of this world's goods, but he is richer still in his friendships. richer still in his honor and his good name. It is much to be called "The man with the smile." for in this is told the story of a predominant characteristic that may well cause others to pause and consider whether the worry or the smile is most worth while.

JOHN A. WEAVER, M. D.

For over twenty-one years Dr. John A. Weaver has been among the successful physicians and surgeons of Greeley and has large city and country properties. He has kept pace with the modern discoveries and inventions in medical science and by the application of his knowledge has been successful in many difficult cases. His practice is of a general nature and as the years have passed has increased until today he enjoys one of the largest clienteles in his part of the state. He was born near

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South Bend, Indiana, August 10, 1870, a son of the Rev. David H. and Malinda (Rupel) Weaver, natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The father was a clergyman and also a Civil war veteran, having served for three months during that conflict. He had enlisted from Ohio. After completing his term of service he proceeded from Ohio to Indiana, engaging in farming in the latter state. Until forty years of age he con- tinued along that line, but he then took up the ministry and preached as a member of the Baptist denomination until death claimed him in March, 1915. His wife had preceded him eleven years, passing away in 1894.

John A. Weaver of this review was reared and educated in Longmont, Colorado, whither his parents had removed in 1882. After completing his primary education he studied pharmacy in Denver University and then was engaged in the drug trade for four years in different places. This led to his desire to make the medical pro- fession his life work and he therefore entered the State University, graduating from the medical department with the class of 1897. In that year he located in Silver Plume, where he practiced for two months, but not finding the locality to his liking, he came to Greeley and here he has been successfully engaged as a physician and surgeon ever since.

In June, 1900, Dr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Cecile Rochat and to this union were born four children: John, Jr., whose birth occurred in March, 1903; Marian, born in August, 1907; Frances, in July, 1909; and Helen, in November, 1911. The family are of the Baptist denomination and interested in the work of that church.

Politically Dr. Weaver is a prohibitionist and is thoroughly in accord with the aims and principles of that party. He served for two years as county physician and in this official connection earned the commendation of the public. He has farming interests in Weld county and also in Idaho and his land is largely devoted to the raising of wheat. Professionally he is a member of the Weld County Medical Society. Dr. Weaver maintains well equipped offices at 223 Opera House building, while the family residence is at No. 1405 Ninth avenue. He is popular not only among the general public but has many. friends in professional circles, who esteem him highly on account of his professional ethics. In his work he is always careful in arriving at a conclusion, hut after once forming an opinion and reaching a decision is quick to act and is seldom at fault in finding the correct course to follow. A great many successful cases stand to his credit and as surgeon and physician he is in great demand.

TOM BOTTERILL.

Tom Botterill, president of Tom Botterill Incorporated, is numbered among the most progressive, popular and public-spirited citizens of Denver and among his friends is termed a "prince of good fellows." Moreover, his friends are found from coast to coast among automobile men. His business career has been characterized by steady progres- sion and enterprise and his rise to his present position is the result of honest dealing, indefatigable energy and straightforwardness in every business transaction. He was . born in Beverly, England, February 26, 1873, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Clark- son ) Botterill, who crossed the Atlantic to Canada. The father engaged in the hardware business in Winnipeg for some time but eventually sold out there and removed to Denver in 1889. In the latter city he turned his attention to the grocery business, in which he built up a large and gratifying trade, which he conducted to the time of his death in 1910. His wife survived him for a number of years, passing away in Denver, September 17, 1917. They had a family of four children: Frank, who is now living in Salt Lake City, Utah; Tom, of this review; Mrs. L. K. Reynolds, of Denver; and Mrs. D. J. Wylie, residing in Winnipeg.

In his youthful days Tom Botterill was a pupil in the schools of Grimsby, England, and later he attended St. John's College in Winnipeg, Canada, from which he was grad- uated at the age of sixteen years. After leaving school he had ambitions to become a physician and therefore secured a position in a drug store at Medicine Hat, in Saskatche- wan, Canada, to better fit himself for his chosen profession by training in that connec- tion. He remained in that position for two years and by that time had lost all desire to enter upon the practice of medicine and surgery. He then came to Denver and secured a position with the Hendy-Meyer Machine Company, with which he was connected for a year. He afterward secured a position as a draftsman in an architect's office and at the same time he eked out his meager salary by delivering papers, establishing a news- paper route in connection with the Denver Times. He was thus engaged until the wide-

TOM BOTTERILL

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spread financial panic of 1893. He afterward became a bookkeeper for a bicycle house and from that position rose steadily until he became proprietor of the establishment and won a very substantial measure of success. In 1907 he bought out the George M. Pierce Automobile Company and from that beginning developed a notahly successful business, conducted under the name of Tom Botterill Incorporated, of which he is president. This company has one of the finest show rooms and offices in the west. The building was erected by Mr. Botterill and is a two-story structure, facing on Broadway and covering a quarter of an entire block. On Thirteenth street the building extends a half block. The rear part of the building is used as the repair department, which is the most thoroughly efficient in the state as regards modern machinery, floor space and expert mechanical skill. They do any and all classes of automobile repair work and the depart- ment is most liberally patronized. In 1917 Tom Botterill Incorporated was organized, with Mr. Botterill as president, Frank Botterill, of Salt Lake City, as vice president, and W. D. Wright, Jr., of Denver, as secretary and treasurer. The company has the exclusive agency for handling in this district the Pierce-Arrow, Hudson and Dodge cars and their business has grown year by year until it is one of extensive and gratifying proportions. Mr. Botterill is president of the Wind River Petroleum Company, also of the Wind River Refining Company, of the Lander oil district of Wyoming. These companies are close corporations, the stock being sold only among the officers. They own and control a large hody of oil lands in the Lander oil fields of Wyoming and have four wells now about ready for operation. The prospects indicate a very valuable oil property and the husi- ness promises substantial and gratifying results.

On the 12th of January, 1907, Mr. Botterill was united in marriage in Vancouver, British Columbia, to Miss Gertrude Clarkson, a daughter of William and Jane Clarkson. and they have become parents of two children: Thomas, Jr., who was born in Denver on September 17, 1908; and John, horn March 9, 1911. Both are now attending school.

In politics Mr. Botterill maintains an independent course, nor has he ever sought office. He renders, however, patriotic service as chairman of the Highways Transport Committee of the State Council of Defense.

He is prominently known in club and social circles, holding membership in the Denver Athletic Club, of which he is a director, in the Rotary Club, in the Civic and Commercial Association, in the Merchants' Association, in the Automobile Dealers' Asso- ciation, in the Lakewood Country Club and several others, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church. He is one of the public-spirited citizens of Denver, interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the city and cooperating heartily in every movement that tends to advance the general good. His social nature lias made him very popular and his unfeigned cordiality wins him friends wherever he goes. He may well be proud of what he has accomplished in a business way, but he may be prouder still of the fact that everyone is glad to call Tom Botterill a friend.

CLARENCE J. MORLEY.

Clarence J. Morley, an active and successful practitioner at the Denver bar, was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, on the 9th of February, 1869. His father, John Morley, a native of England, came to the United States with his father. John Morley, Sr., in 1853. John Morley, Jr., was a railway man, active in that line of business for many years, his death occurring in 1915. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary D. Plaister, was also horn in England and is still living. By her marriage she became the mother of three sons, Harold J., Clarence J. and William P. The first named is agent for the Western Pacific Railway Company at Marysville, California, and the youngest son is a farmer living at Las Animas, Colorado.

Reared in his native state, Clarence J. Morley pursued his education in the public schools of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, in which he completed his studies in 1884. He afterward spent three years as a stenographer and at the age of eighteen was appointed to the responsible position of court reporter for the tenth judicial district, in which capacity he served for four years. Removing westward, he made his way to Denver and thence to Trinidad, Colorado, occupying the position of court reporter in the latter place for four and a half years. On the expiration of that period he came to Denver, and having determined to engage in the practice of law as a life work, he here entered the law school of the University of Denver, in which he pursued a thorough course of study and was graduated therefrom in 1899. He attended night schools and provided for the expenses

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of his college course by his own labor. After his admission to the bar he was con- nected with the firm of Teller & Dorsey for ten years and since that time has practiced alone, concentrating his efforts and attention upon corporation and probate law, in both branches of which he is thoroughly qualified, having a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence bearing upon such cases. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care and his marked ability has brought him prominently to the front. His practice is now extensive and of an important character and his devotion to his clients' interests has become proverbial. He enjoys . the highest respect and confidence of his professional colleagues and contemporaries and is a valued member of the Denver Bar Association and the Colorado State Bar Asso- ciation.

In 1893 Mr. Morley was united in marriage to Miss Maude Thompson, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, a daughter of Josiah Thompson, who was one of the old-time merchants of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Morley have become the parents of four children: Katharine Maude, who is a graduate of the University of Colorado; Harold Thompson, twenty years of age, who is also a graduate of the University of Colorado; Clarence J., a youth of fifteen, who is a sophomore in high school; and Mary Clarissa, seven years of age, attending the public schools.

Mr. Morley filled the position of public administrator for eight years and for four years has served on the state board of pardons, in which capacity he still con- tinues. In politics he is an active republican, interested in all that has to do with the success of the party and the adoption of its principles. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Warren Memorial Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a member of the board of stewards. He stands for all that is most worth while in the community, taking an active interest in plans and measures for the material, intellectual, social, political and moral welfare, and the weight of his influence is ever cast on the side of right, progress, reform and truth.

JOSEPH D. GROSS.

Agricultural and stock raising interests find a progressive, live and successful representative in Joseph D. Gross, who is prominently engaged along that line of business in Greeley, Colorado. He was born in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, August 17, 1856, his parents being Dwight D. and Emily (Remington) Gross, natives of New York state. They were married in Waukesha, Wisconsin, to which city the father had removed when he was a young man, the mother having come to this place with her parents. Dwight D. Gross was a farmer by occupation, following that pur- suit in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and later in Nebraska, where both he and his wife passed away. The removal to the more western state was made in the spring of 1879.

Joseph D. Gross received his education in the public schools of Genesee, Wiscon- sin, and in 1879 removed with the family to Nebraska. In 1882 he was united in marriage to a Wisconsin girl, Miss Mary Elizabeth Jolliff, the ceremony being per- formed in that state. After the wedding the young couple came to Nebraska, taking up their residence in Friend, where they remained until 1890, when they decided to move westward, coming to eastern Colorado and taking up their home in Logan county. In that locality they made their home for two and a half years and subse- quently again removed to Friend, Nebraska, which they made their abode for five more years. After that period Mr. Gross came to Greeley and in this city he has since been engaged in the cattle and sheep industry, being very successful along this line. While in former years his principal activity consisted in farming, he has in more recent years largely turned his attention to the feeding of both cattle and sheep, being engaged in that enterprise in partnership with his son, John M. Gross.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 21

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