History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 41

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

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"That the Hiltons were one of the most opulent and eminent families in this part of the kingdom is known and evident. The following details respecting this ancient house are from a manuscript in the possession of the Musgraves of Hayton :- 'Three hundred years before the conquest, in the reign of King Athelstan, one of the Saxon monarchs, the family of Hyltons were settled in England in great reputation, as appears by a certain inscription at Hartlepool. Upon the coming over of the Conqueror, Lancelot de Hylton, with his two sons, Henry and Robert, espoused his cause and joined them. Lancelot was slain at Faversham, in Kent. To his eldest son, Henry, the Conqueror gave a large tract of land on the banks of the river Wear, not far from Wearmouth, as a reward for his own and his father's valour. This Henry built Hylton Castle in the year 1072. He was one of the commissioners that treated with the Conqueror concerning the northern counties, and he died in Normandy in the service of the same prince.

"In the reign of Edward II, who sent four of his sons into wars of France under command of the Black Prince, was first created baron of Hylton Castle for his gallant defense of it against the incursions of the Scots. This peerage continued in the family for several successions, till at last it was forfeited upon account of some unguarded words which William, the seventh and last baron, spoke against the queen and her favorite, De la Pole, and which were carried to court by the bishop of Durham of that date. On the death of this William, which was thought to have been violent, the crown, seizing upon the estate, conferred it upon the informing bishop, who held it for some time, to the utter exclusion of the rightful heir. In process of time, however, Lancelot, grandson of the offending William, was restored to his castle and to part of the Hylton inheritance; but to no more of it than the bishop thought fit to allow him, and upon this hard condition, that he and his heirs forever should hold the moiety that was given under certain rents and services to the see of Durham, and have the title of barons, but not barons of the bishopric, annexed to their inheritance. Under this proviso the prop- erty continued to remain in the possession of the family.

"'In the pedigree of the Hiltons,' continues the Musgrave manuscript, 'there are several names remarkable for their learning and piety, but almost innumerable of those highly renowned for their martial deeds. War seems to have been the pleasure, genius and recreation of the Hiltons; nor has any family been more lavish of their blood in de- fense of their country's cause. Since the time of the conquest it has been remarked of the Hiltons that one was slain at Faversham, in Kent; one in Normandy; one at Mentz, in France; three in the Holy Wars under Richard I; one in the same under Edward I; three at the battle of Bordeaux under the Black Prince; one at Agincourt; two at Berwick-upon-Tweed against the Scots; two at the battle of St. Albans; five at Market Bosworth and four at Flodden Field.' The statement of the number of Hiltons slain at Bosworth and Flodden seems improbable; but it must be remembered that the family was numerous and extensive. At all events, all parties admit that the vast quantity of tradition connected with this family points to its great antiquity; and Surtees, the writer of 'The History and Antiquities of Durham,' stated that even when the fortunes of the house were fallen. the gentry of the north continued to testify their respect for them and to acknowledge them as 'The highest nobles of the north without the peerage.' In all appearances of the Hiltons they took precedence as of natural right after the peers, and when Dean Carleton and his daughters took seats above Baron Hilton at the quarter

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sessions and in front of him and his family in a pew in the cathedral, 1669, the innovation was regarded as the impertinence of an upstart and created a scandal accordingly.

"The enormous wealth of this family may be conjectured when it is stated that at one time it possessed the manors of Hilton, Barmston, Grindon, Ford, Clowcroft, North Bed- dick, Great Usworth, and Follensby in the county of Durham; Carnaby and Wharram- Percy in the county of York; Elington and Woodhall in Northumberland; Alston Moor in Northumberland and Cumberland; with the Advowsons of Thyckhalgh and Monk- Wearmouth.

"But this ancient race, which flourished through the lapse of five centuries and was carried on through twenty unbroken descendants that continued fruitful in lineal repre- sentatives though so many of its sons were slain on the field of battle, was destined to receive its deadliest blow from one of its chiefs. About the middle of the seventeenth century Henry Hilton, having conceived some grievous offense against his family, deserted the seat of his ancestors and lived in obscure retirement, first at the house of a remote kinsman at Billinghurst, in Sussex, and afterward at Mitchel Grove, where he died. He bequeathed, in 1641, the whole of his estate for ninety-nine years to the city of London, setting aside the natural lives for that time. This led to active litigation. The lawyers were busy tearing out the vitals of the estate, when out burst the Civil war and completed what they could, no doubt, have done as effectually if left to themselves and their natural genius for reducing overgrown estates. From that time the barons of Hilton have sunk lower and lower, till the last of the family, a widow and her daughter lived in the Windmill Hill, Gateshead, the husband and father, the last of the direct Hiltons,, having been, it is supposed, a woolen draper."

From such a lineage comes the Hilton family, of which Orrin N. Hilton is a repre- sentative. He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, September 12, 1849, a son of Hoyt W. and Mary Jackson (Woodman) Hilton, the latter a daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Wood- man, a prominent minister, who preached in Vermont. The family home of the parents adjoins that of Benjamin Butler at Lowell, Massachusetts, and has been occupied by the Hiltons for many generations, for the establishment of the family on American soil dates from the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. The same martial spirit which permeated the English ancestors was manifested in the American branch. The great- grandfather, David Hilton, was an officer of the Revolutionary war and in all the other wars of the country the family has been represented. Hoyt W. Hilton was born at the old Hilton home in Lowell and was reared, educated and married there. With the excep- tion of an occasional trip he remained in Lowell throughout his entire life and there conducted the largest dry goods and department store of the city, being considered one of the leading merchants and business men of Massachusetts. Both he and his wife passed away at the old family home, which is still being kept up by their children. Their family numbered seven sons and daughters.

Orrin N. Hilton pursued his education in the public and high schools of Lowell, Massachusetts, and after his graduation was sent to Bates College at Lewiston, Maine, where he won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1871. Years afterward his alma mater conferred upon him the LL. D. degree in 1914. Following the completion of his classical course he left home and went to Van Buren county, Michigan, studying law at Kalamazoo, after which he was admitted to practice in 1874. He then followed his profession in Van Buren county until 1880, when he was chosen as a candidate for county judge and at the general election was elected and for two successive terms occupied the bench of Van Buren county, continuing to serve as judge until 1888. It was subsequent to his retirement that he removed to Colorado, settling first at Aspen, where he engaged in practice for a year, and then came to Denver, where he has made his home since 1889. He has made notable progress in his profession, specializing in criminal law, and is regarded as perhaps the most capable, resourceful and eminent criminal lawyer of the state. He has tried many notable cases which have won him wide fame. He is also known as the attorney for the United Mine Workers' Association and the Western Federation of Miners, being the legal representative of the latter organization for twenty years. Mr. Hilton, in 1912, re-edited for the Lawyers' Co-operative Publishing Company "Wharton's Criminal Evidence," tenth edition. His selection for this work was a high tribute to his knowledge of criminal law and it has been said of Mr. Hilton, "There is no one in America more competent to carry on the work of the great Wharton."

Mr. Hilton, in 1914, wrote "Due Process of Law," issued by the L. D. Powell Com- pany, of Los Angeles and Chicago.

On the 23d of May, 1883, Mr. Hilton was married to Miss Carrie Smolk, of Van Buren county, Michigan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Smolk, who were prominent citizens there. Mr. and Mrs. Hilton have no children of their own, but have reared and educated

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a son of his sister, who died when the boy was an infant. He is Lucius C. Woodman, now a prominent mine owner, residing in Alaska, to whom Mr. and Mrs. Hilton gave every possible advantage which they would have extended to children of their own.

Politically Mr. Hilton has always been a republican and is a member of the state cen- tral committee of his party. He is likewise a Mason and is a member of the Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and he is serving as vestryman of the church at Upland, California. He has recently erected a fine residence in Ontario, California, where he hopes soon to take up his permanent abode. The wise use of his time, talents and opportunities has not only brought Mr. Hilton to the front as one of the eminent criminal lawyers of the west, but has also brought to him a notable measure of prosperity as the reward of his labors, and it is his hope soon to retire from active connection with the profession.

FRANK E. WHEELER.

Frank E. Wheeler, assayer at the United States mint, was appointed to that position first by President Grover Cleveland in 1885 and served for four years. He then left the position, being supplanted by a republican appointee, was again called to the office by Woodrow Wilson during his first term and is again serving for a four year period. He is splendidly qualified for the duties and obligations which devolve upon him in this con- nection and is most conscientious in the performance of all of the tasks which are his.

Mr. Wheeler is a native son of Colorado, his birth having occurred in Jefferson county on the 1st of February, 1862. His father, John S. Wheeler, was born near Boston, Massa- chusetts, and when fourteen years of age removed to Ohio, where he continued until coming to Colorado on the 27th of May, 1859. He was one of the first pioneers of the state. The seeds of civilization had scarcely been planted within Colorado's borders at the time of his arrival. There were great districts into which the white man had never penetrated and only here and there were scattered settlements. Denver was at that time a tiny hamlet. Mr. Wheeler took up the occupation of farming and not only did he contribute to the agricultural development of the region, but also became a factor in shaping the policy and molding the destiny of the territory. He served as a member of the first territorial legislature of Colorado and afterward was made a member of the constitutional convention, so that he aided in framing the organic law of the commonwealth. He also acted as probate judge of Weld county and in the early days of the state engaged in the practice of law, although not a graduate attorney. He was very prominent and influential during the pioneer period of Colorado and his high purpose, his known integrity and the worth of his service, placed him in a very enviable position as one of Colorado's promoters and builders. He married Amelia D. Jones, a native of Ohio, and both have passed away. They were the parents of five children, but only two are now living: Frank E., of this review; and Theodore A., who is a banker of Creede, Colorado, and is very prominent as a political leader there.

Frank E. Wheeler attended the district schools of Weld county to the age of fourteen years. His textbooks were then put aside, but throughout his life he has been a close observer and a discriminating student of men and things. He is today a well informed man of broad general knowledge, reading having kept him in touch with the trend of modern progress, while in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons. For some time he continued to engage in farming in Weld county and he is still the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land, which was originally a part of his father's estate, it having come into his father's possession in 1859. Mr. Wheeler has also been identified with all branches of mining, from prospecting and the actual manual work of the mines to their development and superintendency. In 1879 he removed to Summit county and there spent six years as mine manager and was also assayer for four years. He spent two and a half years with the Idaho Springs Concentrating and Stamping Mills and in 1885 he was called to the position of assayer of the United States mint. He has traveled ex- tensively in the United States, in Mexico and in Canada, engaged in mining work, and has been associated with many large interests, notably with the extensive mining opera- tions of A. E. Humphrey. He has made mining a life study. It has been his hobby as well as his occupation and he stands among the foremost in his expert knowledge of all that pertains to mining interests. Though not a professional attorney, he has tried many large and important cases in law involving mining litigation. After some years' absence from the mint he was recalled to the position of assayer and is now acting in that capacity, his broad experience being of great value to him in his present duties.

In 1888 Mr. Wheeler was united In marriage to Miss Wallie Sutter. He is very promi-

FRANK E. WHEELER

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nent in fraternal circles, holding membership in Amethyst Lodge, No. 94, A. F. & A. M., and Colorado Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R. In the Elks lodge, of which he is a life member, he has served in all of the offices; in Columbian Lodge, No. 87, K. P., he has also served in all of the offices, and is an active member of the grand lodge. He is also con- nected with the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan, to which only Pythian Knights may belong. He has twice been a delegate to the Grand Lodge of Elks at Balti- more. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and is the president of the Sons of Colorado. He also has membership with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and is a member of the Colorado Pioneers' Society. He is active in politics and belongs to the Democratic Club. He is, moreover, loyal in his citizenship and is a member of the Red Cross. He stands at all times for those interests and activities which are most potent forces in upholding American standards and gives his aid and influence to many movements for the general good. Throughout his entire life he has been a resident of Colorado. The family name has been associated with the history of the state from early territorial days and the work instituted by his father as a pioneer has been carried for- ward under different conditions by Frank E. Wheeler, today recognized as one of the valued and substantial citizens of Denver.

OLIVER W. HALL.

Oliver W. Hall is one of the well known young business men of Fort Collins, where in association with his brother, Sigourney D. Hall, he is engaged in dealing in Ford cars. He is one of Colorado's native sons, his birth having occurred in Sterling on the 27th of September, 1892. His parents are Dr. J. N. and Carrie G. (Ayers) Hall, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Mississippi. The father is a graduate of Amherst College of Massachusetts and was also graduated from the medical depart- ment of Harvard University. He then entered upon the active work of his profession as an interne in the Boston City Hospital and from that experience gained the broad and comprehensive knowledge that only hospital service brings. About 1884 he came to Colorado, settling in Sterling, where he practiced until January, 1893, when he went to Denver, where he has since engaged in professional work, being today recognized as one of the eminent physicians and surgeons of that city. His wife also survives and they are highly esteemed in social circles of Denver. Having for a third of a century made their home in this state, they have witnessed much of its growth and progress and Dr. Hall is numbered among the earlier physicians of Denver.

Oliver W. Hall was reared in Denver and there pursued his early education in the graded and high schools. He afterward attended the Colorado College at Colorado Springs for a year and next went east to Michigan and became a student in the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1915, thus being well trained for life's practical and responsible duties. In 1912 he and his brother engaged in the automobile business, handling the Ford cars only. They have since engaged in the sale of that car and in the conduct of a garage, occupying a building seventy-five by one hundred and thirty feet. They do an enormous business, their annual sales reaching a very extensive figure, while their repair department is liberally patronized and they also have a large sale for Ford parts, tires and all automo- bile accessories and supplies.

On the 25th of May, 1916, Mr. Hall was married to Miss Ethel M. Moore and they have one child, William Oliver, born July 30, 1918. Mr. Hall is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and his political belief that of the republican party.

FRANK E. BROOKMAN.

Frank E. Brookman, vice president and general manager of the Equitable Realty Building Company of Denver, started upon his business career in connection with fac- tory work and in the winter of 1901 arrived in this city a comparative stranger. Watchful of opportunities pointing to success, he at length became prominently identified with industrial and commercial interests of the city and is today occupying a substantial position in business circles by reason of the keen foresight which he has displayed in investment and the indefatigable energy which has characterized him in the conduct

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of all of his business affairs. Mr. Brookman is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He was born on the 29th of August, 1878, and is the only child of the marriage of Frank E. and Emma (Shingledecker) Brookman. The father was born in New Jersey and was of Austrian descent, his father Anton Brookman, having become the founder of the family in the new world. Frank E. Brookman, Sr., was reared and educated in New Jersey and removed westward to Chicago prior to the great fire of 1871. He engaged in the manu- facture of heavy chemicals and conducted a profitable business, his success being attributable entirely to his own efforts, for he started out empty-handed. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he did everything in his power to advance the interests of his party and promote civic standards. He represented the Lakeview district in the state legislature on a number of occasions notwithstanding this was a strong republican district. The vote which he received indicated his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He died in Chicago, February 14, 1891, when forty-seven years of age. His wife is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is of Dutch descent. She is still a resident of Chicago.

Frank E. Brookman of this review began his education in the public schools of his native city, passed through consecutive grades to the high school and afterward became a student in the Athenaeum Business College of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1898. During the following two years he was employed in his father's factory, but he believed the west offered better business opportunities and in 1899 he removed to Denver, where he arrived in the winter-a comparative stranger. For several years he did not engage in active business pursuits. He then entered business circles by purchasing the carriage works of the firm of Robertson & Doll. He conducted the busi- ness for several years, after which he sold out to the Denver Omnibus & Carriage Com- pany. Later he became connected with his present business and on the 16th of February, 1912, became vice president and general manager of the Equitable Building, in which capacity he has since continued. He is thus directing important business interests and is meeting with success as the result of his keen sagacity and unfaltering enterprise.

Mr. Brookman was married in Lincoln, Nebraska, on the 30th of August, 1913, to Mrs. Leona (Spencer) Barth, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Mrs. Susan Spencer. Mr. Brookman belongs to the Lakewood Country Club and also to the Denver Civic and Commercial Association. In politics he maintains an independent course. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Galilee Baptist church, of which he formerly served as trustee. He has made for himself a creditable place in business circles and in public regard since becoming a resident of Denver and is today accounted one of its progressive and representative citizens.

WILLIAM B. MIDDLETON.

William B. Middleton, conducting business in Windsor as a furniture dealer and undertaker, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, November 8, 1869, and is a son of John T. and Rebecca R. (Eaton) Middleton, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation and devoted his life to that pursuit. However, he served as postmaster of Windsor during President Cleveland's two terms. The family came to Greeley, Colorado, in 1870. Although he was in poor health, John T. Middleton was a man of very strong character, of high ideals and honorable purposes and was most straightforward in all of his business connections. During the Civil war he had served for three years and nine months with the cavalry forces under General McClellan but had to retire from the army on account of his health. He was wounded during one of the smaller engagements and three bullets were left in his body, being never extracted. He died of heart failure and was laid to rest in Windsor. His widow is a sister of ex-Governor Eaton, one of Colorado's most distinguished and honored citizens. The family is connected with the Methodist church and Mrs. Middleton is most loyal to its teachings. She now makes her home in Eaton, where she has an extensive circle of warm friends. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, namely: Felicia H., Laura L., William B., Altha B., Ben T., Clifford and Clyde M. All are mar- ried with the exception of Ben T.

William B. Middleton acquired his early education in the public schools of Windsor and afterward went to Salt Lake City, where he remained for a few years, being there engaged in the hardware and implement business. He returned to Windsor about 1904 and in 1909 he embarked in his present business, opening an undertaking and furniture establishment. In both lines he has been very successful. He carries an attractive stock of furniture and his business methods commend him to a liberal patronage. He is thor-

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oughly progressive and reliable in his dealings and he now ranks with the leading merchants of his town.

In 1904 Mr. Middleton was married in Windsor to Mrs. Minnie Moore, a daughter of G. W. and Emma Briggs, the former a retired farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Middleton has been born a son, George J., whose birth occurred August 7, 1905. Mr. Middleton is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has always been a great lover of music, is much interested in the art and is a member of the town band. He leans toward the political belief of the democratic party but generally votes for men and measures rather than for party. In all of his dealings he is just and straightforward and his many admirable traits of character have won for him high regard.

THOMAS H. WILSON.

Thomas H. Wilson, one of the leading, influential and prosperous citizens of Weld county, where he has now resided for thirty-seven years, is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valuable land on sections 4, 3 and 27, township 6, range 65. Since 1913, however, he has rented the property out and has merely given his supervision to its management. He is a native of Scotland and was born on a farm in that country which had been the home of his ancestors for three hundred years. His birth occurred on the 15th of September, 1855, his parents being John and Margaret (Hood) Wilson, natives of the land of hills and heather. The father, who devoted his attention to farming and stock raising in Scotland throughout his entire business career, passed away in August, 1872, while the mother, surviving him for more than a third of a century, was called to her final rest in March, 1908.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 41

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