History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 34

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

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Joseph A. Osner was the third in order of birth. He was educated in the public schools of Clyde, Ohio, and at eighteen years of age started out to earn his own liveli- hood, being first employed at freighting between Kearney, Nebraska, and the Black Hills. After making one trip, however, he came to Denver, where he arrived in 1879. He then engaged in freighting from Denver to Leadville and continued in that work for two years, after which he turned his attention to the contracting business in a smail way. As the years passed on his patronage steadily increased and he became one of the leading railroad and irrigation contractors in the west. He built the South Park Railroad, also parts of the Denver & Rio Grande, parts of the Union Pacific and the Burlington and has taken many large and important contracts for irrigation work at Lake Loveland, Greeley and other points. His business has reached very extensive proportions and places him among the representative men in his line in Colorado. In addition he is the owner of a large breeding farm on which he raises fine mules principally, but he also owns and has raised some fine pedigreed horses. Two of these are world record horses-Tommy Horne, with a record of 2:0414, made in the sixth heat of a seven heat race; and Braden Direct, with a record of 2:0114, then a world's record. As a famous horseman Mr. Osner is known throughout the country. He is a member of the Gentlemen's Riding and Driving Club and has been interested in many track events. He was instrumental in promoting a matinee of races, the proceeds of which went to the Red Cross, and in this event his own horse, Little Joe, took part and Mr. Osner himself acted as starting judge, the matinee netting a very substantial sum for the Red Cross.

On the 22d of July, 1878, Mr. Osner was married in Denver to Miss Minnie Wernert, a native of Toledo, Ohio, and a daughter of the late Joseph W. and Mary Wernert, of a very old Toledo family that was established there when the town was known as Fort Lawrence. Mrs. Osner is active in all charity organizations, also in Red Cross work and is a leader in social circles of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Osner have no children of their own but are rearing an adopted daughter, Laura Wernert.

Mr. Osner and his wife belong to St. Elizabeth's Roman Catholic church and he is a member of the Denver Civic and Commercial Association. He is in hearty sympathy

JOSEPH A. OSNER

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with that organization in all of its efforts to promote the welfare of the community and does much active work in that connection. He finds his chief diversion in racing, fishing and hunting and is the owner of fine saddle horses. He has every reason to be proud of his splendidly improved farm and the thoroughbred horses thereon to be seen. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, while fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

MILTON SEAMAN.

Milton Seaman is a progressive factor. in the development of public utilities in Greeley, filling the position of superintendent of streets and the water and sewer depart- ment. He brings to the office thorough experience and bas been successful in instituting a number of improvements which have greatly helped to make Greeley a modern city. He was born in Pennsylvania, October 10, 1861, a son of E. S. and Amelia (Ludwig) Seaman, also natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a contractor and builder and followed that line of business during all his life in his native state, where he passed his remaining days. His wife is also deceased.

Milton Seaman was reared and educated in Pennsylvania, attending the public schools. His advantages along that line were cut short, for at the early age of eleven he had to take up work in order to provide for himself, laboring in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. He continued as a miner in that state until 1884, when he decided to seek the greater opportunities of the opening west and came to Greeley, Colorado, engaging in general teaming. That line of business he-followed very successfully until 1898, when he was elected to his present position, that of street superintendent. He has now filled this important office for twenty years and his services have been considered very satis- factory by the public. Much of the progress that has been made in his city must be ascribed to his methods and his constant watchfulness and the wholesome and pleasant home life of the community is largely due to the stringent measures which Street Super- intendent Seaman enforces in order to keep the city clean.

Mr. Seaman was united in marriage to Miss Laura King and to this union were born three children: Ray, deceased; and Lloyd and Roy. Lloyd makes his home on a large ranch in Wyoming, while Roy is at present with the United States forces in France. Mrs. Laura Seaman passed away and subsequently Mr. Seaman married Miss Lina Zook and to them were born two children: Mae, aged eighteen; and Ruth, fifteen years of age. The latter is attending school.

Mr. Seaman maintains an independent attitude as far as politics are concerned, giving his support to those measures and candidates whom he considers of greatest value to the greatest number. He was brought up in the Lutheran faith, but the family attends the Methodist church. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevo- lent · Protective Order of Elks. That Mr. Seaman discharges his duties with absolute faithfulness and fidelity is evident from the fact of his long continuance in office. He possesses all those qualities which are necessary for the position and his long experience results in visible evidences of improvements. He has made many friends in Greeley and is popular in public, business and social circles.

JOHN A. MOYER.

John A. Moyer is the editor and publisher of the Daily Mining and Financial Record of Denver, the only daily paper published in the world devoted to mining interests. Mr. Moyer is a native of Ohio. He was born at Upper Sandusky in March, 1878, and is a son of P. and Eva (Reading) Moyer, both of whom were born on the other side of the Atlantic. They came to America when about twenty years of age and settled in Ohio. The father there engaged in farming and afterward he removed with his family to Topeka, Kansas, where he continued in active connection with agricultural interests. Both he and his wife are still living there. They had a family of seven children.

John A. Moyer, who was the third in order of birth, spent his early life in Topeka, Kansas, where he pursued his education in the public schools, supplemented by study in a business college. He then started out in the newspaper field and in 1898 came to Colorado Springs, where he secured a position on the Colorado Springs Telegraph. He remained with that paper for about four years and then removed to St. Joseph, Missouri. where he was connected with the St. Joseph Gazette. His identification with that paper

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in various capacities covered six years, after which he moved westward to San Francisco, California, and became one of the owners of the Orchard and Farm, a weekly journal devoted to agriculture and orchardizing. He conducted that paper successfully for two years, after which he sold out and returned to Colorado, taking up his abode in Denver. For three years he was with the Denver Post and during two years of that time he was also business manager of the Kansas City Post. He afterwards secured an interest in the Daily Mining and Financial Record and on the 1st of March, 1916, was made general manager of the Union Printing Company, which corporation owns the Daily Mining and Financial Record. He is now giving his energies to the publication of the Mining Record, which is devoted to mining, oil and financial news. It is the only daily paper of the kind published in the world and has a very large circulation. It contains every- thing of interest to the mining man and there is nothing of importance to the mining interests of Colorado that does not appear in its columns. The news is thus widely disseminated and, moreover, the large circulation of the paper makes it a very valuable advertising medium.

On the 9th of October, 1902, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Mr. Moyer was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Fuller, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Fuller, of Des Moines, Iowa. They now have two children: John Frederick Moyer, born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1904, and now a junior in high school at Denver; and Geraldine Virginia, who was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1909, and is also attending the public schools of this city. Throughout practically his entire business career Mr. Moyer has devoted his activi- ties to newspaper interests and in this connection has become prominent and popular. He is a well known editor of Colorado and stands high in journalistic circles in the state.

ED P. EPPICH.

It is natural that in a large and growing city as that of Denver the insurance and investment business is of the utmost importance and along this line of activity Ed P. Eppich has achieved notable success, his office being located at No. 407 Bank block. He was born February 24, 1871, in Chicago, Illinois, a son of Christoph A. Eppich, a native of Germany, who in 1862 came to American shores, first settling in Canada. Three years later, or in 1865, he located in, Chicago, where he engaged in the shoemaking business. In later years he gave his attention to hotel keeping, but in 1879 he and his family moved westward and, selecting Denver as their future home, the father there engaged in the real estate business, being so occupied up to the time of his death, which occurred June 1, 1910, at the age of sixty-six years. Mr. Eppich always took a great interest in public policies and gave his entire support to the republican party. He made himself felt in party ranks and soon his ability was recognized when in 1886 he was elected a member of the Colorado house of representatives. He was active in committee rooms and also took his place on the floor of the house when occasion demanded in order to defend or introduce measures which he considered of vital importance. Always interested in the cause of education, he introduced a bill in the state legislature for free textbooks which at the time was defeated but later was passed by the house, the legisla- ture thereby recognizing the justness and necessity of the measure introduced by Mr. Eppich. In every sense of the word he was a successful man, for he not only gained material independence but took a deep interest in mental and intellectual development. It may be said that he became one of Colorado's best citizens, a man of high thought and high aims, who ever had at heart the welfare of his fellowmen. He considered no effort too great in order to give something to the world which he believed to be of lasting value and in his life he wrought for good and sowed many seeds which have come to fruition though he has passed away. He was married to Elizabeth Riegel, who was born in Germany and came to America between the years 1866 and 1867, making the trip unaccompanied by any relatives. She came directly to Chicago, where she became acquainted with her future husband, and there the marriage ceremony was solemnized. Mr. and Mrs. Eppich had eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom Ed P. Eppich was the second in order of birth. The mother survives and is a resident of Denver.

Ed P. Eppich was educated in the public schools of Denver, the family having removed to this city when he was eight years of age. He continued his education until he was seventeen years old and then discontinued his studies in order to strike out for himself. Being educationally well prepared and of a practical mind-in fact a wide- awake boy-he found no difficulty in obtaining employment and soon was installed in the office of Frith & Zollars, general agents for a number of fire insurance companies,

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his position being that of stenographer. He continued with this firm from 1887 until 1890 and there he obtained a sound general business training and a fair knowledge of the fire insurance business. In 1890 the firm was dissolved and Mr. Frith then took over its local business, Mr. Eppich continuing with him for two years. In 1896 he formed a partnership with T. T. Frith-a fitting consummation of his career as an insurance agency employe. The firm of Frith & Eppich was then established and continued under this nomenclature for ten months, or until November 1, 1896, when Mr. Eppich estab- lished himself independently, and he has since continued for himself actively engaged in the fire insurance business. On account of his long experience, his natural ability and his pleasant. genial disposition, combined with his close application, his agency has prospered and he has seen his business increase from year to year as time has passed. In addition to fire he now handles practically all classes of insurance and con- sidered from every point of view the financial results obtained from the business are entirely satisfactory. Moreover, Mr. Eppich has branched out into the real estate field and he also places investments. Upon engaging along this line he closely studied the local markets and opportunities and is considered an expert, his advice being often sought on matters of general investment or such of a real estate nature.

On the 1st of January, 1896, in Los Angeles, California, Mr. Eppich was united in marriage to Miss Louise E. Knecht, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a daughter of Gustav and Sophie (Schaun) Knecht, both deceased, the latter a member of a well known Chicago family of German origin. To Mr. and Mrs. Eppich were born three children: Margaret S., whose birth occurred in Denver in October, 1896; Elinor M., who was born in this city in January, 1898; and Karl E., who was born in this city in February, 1902.

Mr. Eppich is proud of the fact that when he started out on life's activities at the age of seventeen he was what is called a boy on his own resources, but by diligent applica- tion and close attention to matters in hand he has worked himself up to the position which he now occupies and he may well be proud of this fact, as he has by his attain- ments demonstrated his resourcefulness, his honesty, his straightforward business policy and, in general, qualities which are a credit to any successful man. Politically he is a republican but has either grudged the time or else has not had the inclination to actively participate in public affairs, although he is never remiss in supporting any measure which may be undertaken for the benefit of his city, state or nation. All movements undertaken in the interests of humanity, in the interests of commercial growth, in the interests of intellectual progress, find his ready support with words, deeds and financial backing. He belongs to the Denver Civic and Commercial Association and to the Denver Athletic Club, evidencing through the latter connection his sincere belief in training as a means of keeping a sound body as a habitat for a sound mind. He was reared in the Lutheran faith and fraternally belongs to the Masons, being received into the order in Denver. He has attained high rank. being a Shriner and also is a member of the Scottish Rite. The life record of Mr. Eppich demonstrates what may be achieved if industry, ambition and good judgment point the way and his record should stand as an example to others who have to start out upon life's journey empty-handed and desire to reach success.

JAMES DREHER MAITLAND.

James Dreher Maitland, president of the Colorado Builders Supply Company and one of the representative business men of Denver, was born in Springfield, Ohio, July 2, 1883, a son of William G. and Agnes S. (Dreher) Maitland, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Indiana. Removing westward, they first established their home at Lincoln, Nebraska, where the mother died in 1892. Afterward the father and his daughter and son came to Denver, where they arrived in the spring of 1895. Here Mr. Maitland has since resided and is engaged in the surety bond business. The family numbered but two children, the daughter being Mrs. John A. McCaw, of Denver.

James D. Maitland, whose name introduces this review, is the younger and in early life he was a pupil in the public schools of Lincoln, while later he attended the University of Nebraska and in due course of time was graduated from the mechanical engineering department of that institution. He concentrated his efforts upon practical lines of business and became an employe of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company, with which he continued for about two years. He then resigned and removed to Union county, New Mexico, where he engaged in the live stock business on his own account and became one of the leading live stock dealers and cattle raisers of that section. He continued in Union county for three years and then disposed of his interests there,

JAMES DREHER MAITLAND

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after which he returned to Denver. In the fall of 1906 he became interested in the Colorado Builders Supply Company, Incorporated, and now owns ninety-eight per cent of the stock of that company. The business is that of engineering and the manufac- turing and handling of all kinds of builders' materials and supplies, including fire- proofing, reenforcing steel, and in fact everything needed in the line of fireproof building materials. Mr. Maitland is the president and manager of the business, which has been developed through his efforts and has become one of the important and profitable commercial interests of the city. He is also an officer of the Maitland-Moritz Agency Company, conducting an insurance business, and this, too, is proving a growing and profitable concern.

On the 25th of December, 1906, Mr. Maitland was married in Los Angeles, Cali- fornia, to Miss Pauline C. Blythe, a daughter of James M. and Maude (Davis) Blythe, of Denver, Colorado, the former general manager of the Davis Iron Works of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Maitland have one child, Ann, who was born in Denver, on October 3, 1915.

Mr. Maitland is well known as a member of the Denver Athletic Club, the Denver Master Builders Association; Phi Delta Theta, and also holds membership in Park Hill Lodge, No. 148, A. F. & A. M. He is a prominent figure in business circles of Denver, his life illustrating what can be accomplished through determined and earnest effort, for through his persistency of purpose, close application and wide vision he has worked his way steadily upward. The course that he has ever pursued marks him as a man of high principles and Denver has profited by his cooperation, not merely along the line of its material development but also through his support of many plans and measures for the general good.

WILLIAM L. CLINE.

William L. Cline, pastor of the Christian church in Greeley and one who has done splendid work since entering the ministry, being recognized as one of the leading rep- resentatives of the Christian denomination in this section of the country, was born in Smith county, Kansas, March 30, 1881, a son of D. A. and Docia (Taylor) Cline. The father was born in Kentucky and removed to Kansas in 1879. He devoted his active life to farming and merchandising and was a resident of Kensington, Kansas, until 1908, when he removed to Holton, that state. In 1916 he came to Colorado to make his home with his son, William. He is a most earnest and active church worker and is an ardent supporter of the temperance cause, doing everything in his power to make Colorado a dry state. His time is now devoted to the advancement of work in this direction and his labors have been effective and resultant. William L. Cline of this review has a sister, Fanny, born in 1879, and a brother, Charles, born in 1886. He also has two half brothers: Harry, who works on a ranch; and Frank J., who is superintendent of the Towanda public schools.

William L. Cline, whose name introduces this review, was a pupil in the country schools and in the schools of Kensington, Smith county, Kansas, between the ages of eight and seventeen years. His mother died when he was a little lad of but six years. His youthful days were devoted to study in the district schools, after which he took up the profession of teaching for a year, but then he became a student in Drake University and devoted two and a half years to studying for the ministry. On account of impaired health he came to Colorado and took up church work in the Arkansas valley, preaching for a year and a half in the First Christian church of Manzanola. He also traveled up and down the Snake river doing missionary work and bronco busting. In 1906 he went to the East Side Christian church of Denver, where he held meetings. He afterwards became a student in the University of Colorado at Boulder and at every possible oppor- tunity, by university training, by broad reading and by intense study, he has advanced his knowledge and therefore promoted his power as a minister of the gospel. For four and a half years he engaged in preaching in the church at Berthoud, twenty miles north of Boulder, and before accepting his pastorate at Greeley he devoted seven years to dry farming and had the largest farm of the kind in the state, comprising six thousand acres. Upon this he raised forty thousand bushels of grain in two years-enough to keep five thousand soldiers for a year. At the present writing, in 1918, he preaches for the First Christian church in Greeley. At different times Mr. Cline has held evangelistic meetings and has been called the "boy evangelist." He has also proven a most capable agriculturist and now has twenty-five hundred acres in winter wheat. In a word his is a nature that thoroughly does anything that he attempts and his earnest-

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ness of purpose has been one of the strong elements in his success in a material way and in the upbuilding of his church. Sixteen years ago the Des Moines Daily News said in its issue of January 14, 1902: "Though a mere boy in years, Will Cline of Drake has twenty-five converts. He has returned from Ortonville, where he has been holding a series of meetings. He is a student of Drake University and on Sundays preaches in the surrounding towns near his home. At twenty years of age he closed one of the most successful meetings ever held by a student of the university. He is remarkably influential with young men and in the meeting his conversions included a large number of young men who united with the church. Mr. Cline has a very young appearance, is slightly smaller than the average man, frail and a decided blonde. He is a fluent speaker and very entertaining in conversation." The following year the Denver Post said: "Rev. W. Cline, a boy of twenty-one years, fresh from Drake University, has just closed one of the most successful revival meetings at the Christian church at Manzanola, Colorado, in the lower Arkansas valley. The series began January 18th and although many of the nights were stormy and there was a break of two weeks owing to the illness of the pastor, the interest was such that the house was crowded. The great power of this youthful minister is not of the kind that characterizes many of the profession. He does not appeal to the emotions nor burn brimstone to accomplish results. His manner in the pulpit is easy, his delivery is rapid and pleasing, and his logic is clear and con- vincing, while his manner is persuasive. That which most impresses his hearers is the beauty of the spirit of truth with which he seems so thoroughly imbued and which he reflects in his very countenance, in his everyday life and his personal work as well as in the pulpit."

In the East Side Christian church of Denver, on the 3d of June, 1909, Mr. Cline was married to Miss Evelyn Hope McKee, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James McKee, the former president of the Live Stock Commission Company and prominently connected with the Denver stock yards, where he is spoken of in the highest terms. He is a native of Canada. Mrs. Cline was graduated from the East Denver high school and engaged in teaching. She became acquainted with Mr. Cline at one of the meetings at the East Side Christian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Cline have been born two children: John, who was born in July, 1911; and James, who was born in 1916 and received a premium as the first baby born in leap year.

Mr. Cline is still a young man, having but passed the thirty-seventh milestone on life's journey. He has already, however, accomplished notable good in the world through his efforts in the ministry and he stands today among those whose labors are fraught with success in the effort to uplift the individual and advance the standards of the com- munity. A modern philosopher has said, "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us, is the measure of our success"; and judged by this standard William L. Cline has been a most successful man.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 34

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