History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 40

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

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In Searcy county, Arkansas, in November, 1882, Mr. Daniel was married to Miss

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Cynthia Frances Turney, who was born in Searcy county and belongs to one of the old Tennessee families. Her father, Dr. George Turney, removed at an early day to Arkansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel have been horn two daughters, Ethel and Uncas. The former is an artist of New York city, while the latter is an actress on the legitimate stage.

Mr. Daniel is a democrat and stanchly supports the principles of the party. He belongs to Temple Lodge, No. 84, A. F. & A. M., and is a worthy exemplar of the teach- ings of the craft. He was elected and served as master of his lodge in the year 1898. Through the steps of an orderly progression he has reached his present high and enviable position in the federal service and there is perhaps no one in the west more thoroughly informed concerning the postoffice department in all of its ramifying interests and con- nections. He has faithfully served his country in this way for about twenty-eight years and his record remains an untarnished one.

ALEXANDER G. FISK, D. V. S.

Dr. Alexander G. Fisk, of Greeley, was born in Lawrence, Kansas, August 23, 1881, his parents being Harris M. and Ellen W. (Alexander) Fisk, the father a native of Vermont and the mother of New York state. The father was an engineer by profession being yet survived by his widow.

Alexander G. Fisk removed with his parents from Lawrence, Kansas, to Grand Junc- tion when six years of age and in the latter place he received his education. He subse- quently entered Cutler Academy at Colorado Springs and then became a student in the Agricultural College at Fort Collins, Colorado, continuing his studies in a veterinary college at San Francisco, California, which he entered in 1904 and from which he was graduated in 1905. He first spent a short time in practice at Reno, Nevada, and then re- moved to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where he followed his profession for about two years. On the expiration of that period he accepted an appointment in the United States bureau of animal industry and his duties in that connection again took him to California. After serving for some time in bureau work Dr. Fisk again entered upon practice in California, remaining in that state until his return to Colorado about a year and a half later. Subsequently he practiced in Denver for five years and at the end of that time took charge of the live stock department of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, with headquarters at Trinidad, Colorado. He continued with the corporation for five years and on severing his relations therewith came to Greeley, where he has been actively and successfully engaged in practice to the present time.

On September 2, 1908, Dr. Fisk was married to Miss Evelyn Murray, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Murray, who were numbered among the old residents of Salem, Massachusetts. Dr. and Mrs. Fisk have three children: Morrell Lois, born February 25, 1910; Lucille Marjorie, born September 11, 1912; and Dorothy Ellen, born July 1, 1914.

Professionally Dr. Fisk is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Associa- tion and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Society, having served as president of the latter institution for one year. Politically he is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic order. He maintains offices at No. 818 Ninth avenue in Greeley and the family residence is situated at No. 1112 Twelfth street.

GUSTAV ANDERSON.

The life record of Gustav Anderson is the story of rapid rise from obscurity to prominence. Starting out in the business world in a small way, he is now president of one of the largest laundries of the west, conducted under the name of the Silver State Laundry, and the strength of his purpose and ability finds its measure in his deserved prosperity. Mr. Anderson is numbered among the citizens that Sweden has furnished to the new world. He was born in that country February 8, 1872, a son of Andrew and Kerstin (Holmstrum) Anderson, both of whom were also natives of Sweden, where they spent their entire lives, the father there engaging in the occupation of farming 'up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1880. His wife also died in Sweden. They became the parents of five children.

Gustav Anderson, who was the fourth in order of birth, attended the public schools of his native country and also pursued a business course in a local commercial college.

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At the age of nine years he left the parental roof as his father died when he was eight years old and the mother's death occurred only one year later. He was nineteen years old when crossing the Atlantic and made his way direct to Denver, where he arrived in 1891. For a year he worked on a farm near the city and then returned to his native land to look after some important business matters. After putting his affairs there in shape he again made his way to Denver and secured employment at the home of General Pierce at Thirteenth and California streets. He remained with the general for two years and then purchased an interest in the Silver State Laundry, located at Thirteenth and Platte streets, where a small frame building was occupied. In delivery a horse and buggy was used, with a small box in the back for the parcels. His duties at that time earned him the munificent salary of eight dollars per week. At that time the laundry employed about fifteen people in the busy season. Mr. Anderson paid strict attention to his work and rose steadily. All the time he was looking to the future and with the savings from his earnings he invested in the business and in 1897 was elected to the presidency of the Silver State Laundry Company. In 1901, owing to the growth of the business it was found necessary to secure larger quarters at Twenty-fourth and Walnut streets. A modern building was erected there and all the latest improved machinery installed. Since then the building has been enlarged several times by the erection of additions and always more modern machinery added. The building as it stands today has three floors with one hundred and twenty-five by one hundred and fifty feet on the ground floor, while the second and third floors have a space of one hun- dred by one hundred and twenty-five feet. The plant also includes a large garage housing ten electric delivery cars and ten gasoline cars. The office is thoroughly modern in its elegant equipment, and something of the volume of patronage enjoyed by the firm is indicated in the fact that today they have one hundred and sixty-five regular employes to take care of their vast business. Mr. Anderson is also connected as vice president with the Pioneer State Bank at Seventeenth and Welton streets, one of the leading financial institutions of Denver and of which he was one of the organizers. He is recog- nized as a man of sound business judgment and of keen discrimination.

In November, 1898, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Augusta Anderson, of Denver, whose parents came to the west from Kansas. They have a family of four children: Genevieve, who was born in Denver in 1901 and is a graduate of the Manual Training school; Norma, who was born in 1904 and is attending high school; Evelyn, who was born in Denver in 1907 and is attending school; and Gladys, who was born in 1909 and is also pursuing her education. The family occupy a fine home in Denver. Every year Mr. Anderson takes a much needed vacation, driving to the North Park and Middle Park country and enjoying fishing there. He is an enthusiastic fisherman who has brought in many fine strings of rainbow trout, evidence of his skill heing found in many photographs taken of his catch.

Mr. Anderson is much interested in civic and community affairs. He is serving as one of the direcfors of the state board of training schools, under appointment of Governor Carlson in 1915. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is a firm believer in its principles but not a politician in the sense of office seeking. In Masonry he has attained high rank, being a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he has mem- bership in the Denver Athletic Club, the Lakewood Country Club, the Civic and Commer- cial Association, the Manufacturers Association and several others looking to the welfare and benefit of the community at large as well as to the development of the social life of the city.

JUDGE JOHN C. NIXON.

Representative among the lawyers of Greeley and this section of the state is Hon. John C. Nixon, who has not only attained a conspicuous position in the private practice of the profession but has received wide recognition for his fair, strictly logical and learned decisions coming from the bench. He was born in Charlotte, Clinton county, Iowa, September 14, 1868, his parents being Azor M. and Sarah J. (Crouch) Nixon, both of whom were natives of Indiana. At an early day the father removed to Clinton county, hecoming one of the pioneers of that section of Iowa. This was shortly after the Civil war. During that conflict he served for two years with Company B, Eighth Indiana Infantry, rendering gallant service in order to preserve the Union.

JUDGE JOHN C. NIXON

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In Iowa he took up farming, which he followed for some time in Clinton county; afterwards he was established in the implement business at Gilman from which place he removed to Denison, where he likewise was engaged in the implement business. After closing out his interests there, the family removed to western Kansas, where he homesteaded and remained for three years. It was in the year 1881 that he came to Weld county, Colorado, here engaging in the implement business for one year, after which he sold out, entering upon a general merchandise business and continuing in that line for a period of several years. Once more he took up agricultural pursuits, actively tilling the soil for five years, and then retired in the enjoyment of a compe- tence which had come to him as the result of his former labor. He now makes his home in Greeley; his wife having passed away February 22, 1914.

John C. Nixon began his education in the public schools of Gilman and Denison, Iowa, continuing the same in Greeley, Colorado. After thorough preliminary prepara- tion he took a college course at the State University of Colorado, matriculating for the longer six year course, and upon graduating received the degree of Bachelor of Science. In 1902 he also graduated from the law department with the degree LL. B. Mr. Nixon was thirteen years of age when his parents came to this state and after completing his common school education he was employed as head clerk for three . years in the postoffice at Greeley. He also engaged in farming for five years in this county and is still interested to a considerable extent along agricultural lines in Weld county. After graduating from the law department in 1902 he accepted an important position with The Mills Publishing Company of Denver, publishers of Mills Annotated Statutes and other law books, acting for two years as the manager of this concern. He then returned to Weld county and opened an office in Greeley and has ever since practiced law. In 1907 Mr. Nixon was appointed county judge and with distinction served in that office until January, 1909. Judge Nixon has a mind well trained in the severe school of logic and close reasoning is to him habitual and natural. He is deliberate before court and jury, yet there is force to his eloquence and he has carried many important causes to a successful completion. He is thoroughly grounded in the law, and being a deep student of human nature, seems always to grasp the vital point in any case and upon that point centers his argument and he generally succeeds in convincing judge or jury. His opinions are always based strictly upon the law and he observes the closest adherence to professional ethics.

Mr. Nixon has important interests outside of his professional work, being president of the Prosperity Investment Company of Greeley, holding valuable farm properties. There is much credit due Judge Nixon for what he has achieved, for he earned the means which enabled him to obtain his education. While attending the State University he worked during the summer months in the mines in order to earn the money to pay his tuition. Politically he is a republican and he was one of the organizers of the progressive party and in 1912 was a candidate for lieutenant governor on that ticket succeeding in getting more votes than the republican candidate. He holds membership in the Episcopal church and gives laudable support to that organization. Fraternally Mr. Nixon is quite prominent, having served as exalted ruler of Greeley Lodge, No. 809, B. P. O. E. He also is a member of the Masonic order and the Eastern Star, being a past patron of the latter. Athletic sports have always been of great interest to Judge Nixon, he being actively interested in helping to establish and in playing with the University of Colorado's first ball team, and he still maintains an enthusiastic attitude toward any form of manly sport. In his community and county he is exceedingly popular, not only on account of what he has achieved, but because of the underlying qualities of his character, which have made possible his achievements.

PETER O. HANSEN.

Although a native of Denmark, Peter O. Hansen has become thoroughly imbued with the principles of this country and is today one of its most loyal citizens, appre- ciative of its institutions and its opportunities. He is engaged in the floral business in Greeley and success has attended his efforts, for he brings to his work not only experi- ence and knowledge, but that innate love for nature which is so necessary to attain success along his particular line. Moreover, he possesses good taste and these combined qualities and attributes secure for him a large and prosperous trade.

Mr. Hansen was born in Flakkebjerg, Denmark, in April, 1880, a son of Peter and Inger (Hansen) Hansen, natives of Denmark. Both have passed away, the mother in

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1911 and the father in 1913. Their son, Peter O. Hansen, received his early education in the schools of his native land. He first identified himself with the trade in that country and, having become well grounded as a florist, he bethought himself of the opportunities of America and decided upon emigration. After coming to the new world he located in the middle west, taking up his residence in Chicago in 1904. The big city, however, had no attractions for him and he remained only about ten weeks, going at the end of that time to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he continued for two years, remov- ing from there to Springfield, Illinois. After ten months, however, he returned to Fort Dodge, where he was in the employ of others for another year, but he was desirous of engaging in business independently and, having saved his earnings, he built a green- house in partnership with two others and successfully operated the same for three years. The firm was incorporated and Mr. Hansen became president of the company. At the end of three years, however, he sold his stock and in June, 1911, came to Greeley, Colorado, where he bought an old greenhouse and engaged in the florist's business. He completely overhauled and remodeled the place and from time to time added space until he now has the largest greenhouse in this part of the state. His business covers a wide territory and he ships to practically all parts of this section of Colorado. He is thor- oughly acquainted with horticulture and his plants enjoy a high and wide reputation for beauty and virility. His efforts are bringing him a considerable income and he is reckoned among the substantial citizens of his city.

After having become an American citizen Mr. Hansen gave his political allegiance to the republican party and he is still affiliated with this organization. He maintains a pleasant home at No. 712 Thirteenth street, Greeley, and there he often sees his many friends, having become very popular in social circles of the city. Fraternally he is prominent in the Masonic order. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, and also to the Rebekahs and the Eastern Star. The principles and obligations which these organizations lay upon its members guide his life and he is ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who struggle on life's pathway. Public advancement finds in him a warm champion and any measure undertaken to promote his community along moral or material lines is furthered by him, so that he stands in the front rank of the best and most progressive citizens of his part of the state.

JAMES S. McCLEERY.

James S. McCleery occupies a central place on the stage of insurance activity in Denver as the secretary of the Union Health & Accident Company, which was organized in 1906 and which company reinsured the business of the Union Mutual Benefit & Life Association that had been incorporated in 1895. His associate officers in the under- taking are: Frank S. Moore, president; and B. F. Moore, treasurer, while Mr. McCleery occupies the position of secretary and in that connection has contributed much to the success of the undertaking.

Mr. McCleery is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Barry, Pike county, on the 10th of February, 1874. His father, Thomas McCleery, was also a native of that state and for many years followed farming in Jersey county. He wedded Rebecca A. Dickerson and for many years conducted a farm in Jersey county and there passed away in 1914. His widow survives and is yet living in Jersey county, while their son Alonzo now occupies the old homestead there.

James S. McCleery pursued his education in the district and high schools of his native county and also in the Gem City Business College of Quincy, Illinois, which he attended in 1894. He was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, and for some time after his textbooks were put aside he devoted his attention to the work of the fields. Later he became interested in the grocery business and afterward was employed in the dry goods business, in which line he was successful until his health failed and he sought rest and recuperation in Colorado. He arrived in this state in 1896, making his way to Denver, where he accepted the position of city collector for the Union Mutual Benefit & Life Association. He has been continuously with the company and its successor since 1896, or for a period of twenty-two years, and was active in its reorganization and further development. There is no feature of the business with which he is not thoroughly familiar and his energy and determination have constituted salient factors in the upbuild- ing of the company and the extension of its clientage.

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In 1904 Mr. McCleery was united in marriage to Miss Orpha B. Grant, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have become the parents of two children: Merle G,. twelve years of age, and Ruth, ten years of age, hoth now in school. While a resident of Illinois, Mr. McCleery hecame identified with the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of fine per- sonal appearance whose life is governed hy high principles and whose activity finds its basis in a laudable ambition. He has always been an earnest worker, energetic and persistent in what he has undertaken, and the success which has crowned his labors is indeed well merited.

ORRIN N. HILTON.

Orrin N. Hilton comes from a long line of fighting ancestors and displays the same martial spirit, save that his contests are those of the forensic field, wherein he has won fame as the most noted criminal lawyer of Colorado, having heen connected with some of the most important criminal cases tried in the courts of the state. He is a direct descendant of the famous Hilton family which, according to the historian Hutchinson, "is the most ancient family in England that bears a coat of arms." A manuscript of the time of Charles II gives the information concerning the ancestral line. Sir William Hilton, knight, married the daughter of Sir John de Grisley and had a son, Adam, who lived in the reign of Athelstan, king of England, A. D. 925. He gave the great cross or crucifix to the monastery of Hartlepool and caused his arms to he engraved thereon. His son, William de Hilton, knight, had four children, including Sir William Hilton, who was haron of Hilton in the reign of William the Conqueror. He married the sole daughter and heir of General Tyronne, and their son and heir, Alexander Hilton, Baron Hilton of Hilton, married and had a son, Sir Robert Hilton, knight, who wedded the daughter of the haron of Marrick. Their son, Sir Robert Hilton, knight, baron of Hilton, married the daughter of Lord Nevill and the line of descent comes down through Sir William Hilton, knight, baron of Hilton, who married a daughter of the haron of Ra- vensforth; Sir Alexander Hilton, knight, haron of Hilton, who married a daughter of Vesey; Sir William Hilton, knight, who married a daughter of Restell; Sir William Hilton, knight, who married a daughter of Grey; Sir Robert Hilton, knight, haron of Hilton, who married the daughter of Sir James Folensby, of Folensby, knight; Sir William Hilton, knight, who married a daughter of Sir William Eure, knight; Sir Robert Hilton, knight, who married a daughter of Sir William Bulwer, Esq .; Sir Alexander Hilton, knight; Sir William Hilton, knight, who married a daughter of Stapleton; Sir Robert Hilton, knight, baron of Hilton, who married a daughter of John de Biddick; Sir William Hilton, who married Margaret, daughter of Sir Ralph Surtees; Sir William Hilton, knight, haron of Hilton, who married Margery, daughter of Sir William Boees; William Hilton, baron of Hilton, who married Elizabeth, daughter of John Clarfax and died without issue, so that he was succeeded by his younger brother, William Hilton, as Baron Hilton of Hilton, who married Margaret, daughter of Sir Thomas Medcalfe, knight; Sir William Hilton, who married Anne, daughter of Sir John Yorke, knight; Thomas Hilton, baron of Hilton, who married Anne, daughter of Sir John Bowes, the knight marshal, and second, Jane, daughter of Sir John Talbot, knight; and Sir Richard Hilton of Hilton Castle, who on January 20, 1770, married a daughter of John Hedworth, of Chester Deanery, England.

The title of haron is supposed to have been given to the family even before the creation of barons, either hy writ of summons or the general courtesy of the country from the respect and immemorial existence of the family, or as a sort of provincial peerage. Hilton Castle is described by Hutchinson: "With many hanging woods and ornamental plantations in long-extending avenues; and though possessing few heauties of situation, and much shut in from prospect, yet may be justly called a pleasing retire- ment." Less than a century and a half ago it was a splendid castle, of which Bourne, the historian of Newcastle, writes, in 1736 that: "The present gentleman, John Hilton, Esq., a regular descendant of this ancient family, lives in the place of his ancestors, which he adorned and beautified beyond what was done in past ages; in particular the chapel, famous in the country for its Irish wood, is so furnished with plate and books and other necessaries that it merits the character of a very beautiful chapel." Orrin N. Hilton has written a most interesting description of this, in which he says: "Now the whole imposing pile, deserted and desolate, stands the gradually wasting prey of wind and weather. Approaching from Sunderland, glimpses are obtained of its grey towers, rising amid lofty woods and avenues, in the vale on the left hand. As you near the lodge the gateway is seen, each of its stone pillars surmounted by the image of a large bird (black) of the falcon or buzzard trihe, with a coronet at its feet. Proceeding along

ORRIN N. HILTON

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a pathway lined with ruinous park fencing for about a mile, the visitor arrives before the western or chief front of the old castle. Its center, consisting of the front of an earlier edifice, has extensions of modern buildings on each side. The chief features of this center are four projecting square towers, surmounted by octagon battlements, which also extend along the recesses between the towers, as well as along the tops of the extensions or wings at the sides of the center, so that a telling fire from under cover could be deliv- ered against an assailing enemy along the whole front of the castle. The architectural style of the front stamps it as belonging to the reign of Richard II. The center and wings are adorned with shields, the arms being those of Neville, Skirlaw, Percy and Louvaine, Brabant, Hilton, Vipont, Lumley, Fitz-Randall, Washington, Ogle, Conyers and others. Near the castle on a rising ground or terrace, stands the chapel, so famous for its 'Irish wood,' its 'plate and books, and other necessaries,' now a rapidly decaying ruin. 'Its beauty has given way to destruction. The roof is still on but the windows are nearly all gone. Looking in, you see some few pews and the remains of a pulpit, hut not a monument of its long line of lords, stretching down from the Saxon ages to the last century, is left. The whole of its ruinous floor is cleared of its pews, and the sparrows clamour in its wooden ceiling and the crevices of its walls. On the outside are numbers of stone shields of the Hiltons and families of their alliance as the Viponts, Stapletons,' etc.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 40

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