History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 49

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

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JOHN GRANT CRABBE.

John Grant Crabbe, one of the foremost authorities in education in the United States, has served since September 1, 1916, as president of Colorado State Teachers' Col- lege at Greeley. His vast experience well qualifies him for the headship of this institution, where under his direction the teachers of the state are prepared and educational prog- ress is molded. Before entering upon his present position Dr. Crabhe was the seven- teenth superintendent of public instruction of Kentucky and the president of Eastern Kentucky State Normal School.

He was born in Mount Sterling, Madison county, Ohio, November 29, 1865, and is a son of Thomas W. and Julia Catherine (Baughman) Crabbe. Dr. Crabbe received his early education in the schools of Mount Sterling, graduating from the high school of that city. Later he graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later he received the degree of Master of Arts from the same institution. In 1897 he received the degree of Master of Peda- gogy from Ohio University; in 1909 Berea College, Kentucky, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws; again, in 1909, he received the degree of Doctor of Pedagogy from Miami University; and in 1911 the State University of Kentucky conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws.

President Crabbe has been all his life an exceedingly busy man. At the commence- ment of his career as an educator he taught for two years in rural schools and then served as head of the department of Greek and Latin in Flint (Mich.) Normal College. He was elected superintendent of the city schools of Ashland, Kentucky, in 1890, and ably and satisfactorily performed the duties of that office for eighteen years. In 1895 he

JOHN GRANT CRABBE

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was chairman of the Kentucky Committee of Ten and wrote the able report of that committee. In 1900 he took a well earned season of rest and recreation, which he passed in travel in Europe, and in January, 1908, he assumed the duties of state super- intendent of public instruction for Kentucky, to which position he was elected in the fall of 1907. He resigned the office of state superintendent April 9, 1910, and on the same date became president of Eastern Kentucky State Normal School at Richmond, Kentucky, which position he occupied until August 31, 1916. On September 1, 1916, he entered upon his duties as president of Colorado State Teachers' College, and has since given all of his energy, experience, ability and acquired knowledge toward furthering the purposes of this institution. Dr. Crabbe has held many other positions of honor and trust. He has been president of the Kentucky Educational Association, chairman of the Ken- tucky Educational Commission to revise the school laws of the state, president of the Department of Normal Schools of the Southern Educational Association, associate editor of the Inland Educator, state director of the National Education Association, a member of the National Council of Education of the National Education Association, president of the Department of Normal Schools of the National Education Association, chairman of the Department of State and County Superintendents, National Education Association, and president of the Kentucky Schoolmasters' Club. He is a Phi Beta Kappa. Since 1916 he has been a member of the Colorado Schoolmasters' Club, taking an active and leading part in its proceedings. In every position and walk in life Dr. Crabbe has made good.

He has been prominent for years in religious, fraternal and musical circles. In religion Dr. Crabbe is a Methodist. He is especially prominent as a Sunday school superintendent. While at Ashland he built up one of the greatest Sunday schools in this country. He is prominent in Masonry, being a Knight Templar, Shriner and A. & A. S. R. thirty-second degree Mason. Music is one of his great hobbies, if hobby it may he termed. He is a composer of music, and while state superintendent he com- posed and set to music the song "Kentucky Schools," which has thrilled thousands of Kentucky children.

Dr. Crabbe's work while superintendent is part of the history of Kentucky. Prob- ably the most noted events of his busy administration were the inauguration of the "whirlwind campaigns" and the enactment of the county school law. By the first, he aroused the state from center to circumference along the lines of educational needs; the second' abolished an outgrown three-trustee system and started a growth in the schools of Kentucky unparalleled in the history of education.

Dr. Crabbe is now devoting his undivided energies to the upbuilding of educational forces in Colorado, and as president of Colorado State Teachers' College has taken well in hand the training of instructors of the state. Although he has been here only two years, he has already laid the foundations of a success as great as that which he accomplished in Kentucky. In fact, it is surmised that he will play an even more important role in this young state, where he finds entirely new conditions and where he can apply the latest principles without having to contend with established prejudices. Colorado is indeed to be congratulated upon having secured an educator of his caliber, and the furtherance of the mental, moral and intellectual progress of this commonwealth rests with him in safe hands.

Dr. Crabbe married Miss Jennie Florence Graff, B. L., Ohio Wesleyan University. Mrs. Crabbe is given great credit for a generous share in labors that have written progress into Kentucky's and Colorado's systems of education.

GEORGE E. HORNE.

George E. Horne is manager of the George D. Horne book store at Greeley and is thus actively identified with commercial interests in his native city. He is a pro- gressive young business man, born October 14, 1884, and is a son of George D. and Lydia F. (Stackpole) Horne. He was reared and educated in Greeley. being graduated from the high school as a member of the class of 1905. He then entered his father's store, with which he has since been connected, and following the death of his father, which occurred on the 5th of January, 1918, he has had charge of the store, which is a most attractive establishment, devoted to the sale of books and kindred lines. In fact, he carries an enormous stock and enjoys a very large and gratifying patronage. He handles everything that can be found in city bookstores and has as fine an establishment as any of the kind in the city. A visit to the establishment is a delight to any book

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lover and the trade has been built upon the substantial foundation of enterprising methods, of close application, straightforward dealing and earnest desire to please his patrons.

Mr. Horne was married on the 22d of August, 1911, to Miss Queenie Mayer Yost and to them have been born three children, namely: George Dana, four years of age, who was named for his grandfather; Betty Jane, three years of age; and Frances Grace, a little maiden of two summers.

Mr. Horne is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and also the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party, which finds in him a stalwart champion. He and his wife hold membership in the Episcopal church and also occupy an enviable position in social circles, while the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Although yet a young man, Mr. Horne has already made for himself a very creditable position in the commercial circles of his native city and the course which he has followed commends him to the confidence and regard of all. That many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time is indicative of the fact that his entire life has been usefully spent and that he is worthy of high regard.

ALFRED SAENGER.

Alfred Saenger is the secretary and treasurer of the George Mason Company of Denver, manufacturers of and dealers in sporting goods. Theirs is the pioneer house and in fact the only house of its kind in Colorado. The business was established in 1890 by the late George Mason and Alfred Saenger and the trade of the house now extends to all parts of the United States and to foreign countries as well, the success of the undertaking being attributable in large measure to the business enterprise, sagacity and well formulated plans of Mr. Saenger.

A native of eastern Germany, he was born near the Russian frontier, in the vicinity of Bromberg, on the 16th of July, 1860. His father, Emil Saenger, was also a native of that country and was an architect and builder by profession. He was quite successful in his chosen line of work and spent his entire life in Germany, where he passed away in 1862 at the comparatively early age of twenty-nine years. In young manhood he had wedded Emily Quant, who was also born in Germany and who came to America in 1882, settling in Chicago. Later she removed westward to Denver, where her remaining days were passed. She had reached the age of eighty-one years when in 1906 she was called to the home beyond. By her marriage she had become the mother of four children, of whom three are living, two being now residents of Chicago.

The other surviving member of the family is Alfred Saenger of this review, who pursued his early education in the public and polytechnic schools of his native country. After his textbooks were put aside he was apprenticed to the machinist's trade, which he thoroughly learned, spending three years in mastering the business. In 1880 he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the new world, making his way to Chicago, where he resided for a decade. He was there employed in the factory of the George Mason Company and after six months' connection with the house he was ad- vanced to a foremanship and there continued in the employ of Mr. Mason for ten years. In 1890 they came to Denver and established the business in this city under the name of the George Mason Company and for twenty-four years the business and salesrooms have been conducted at their present location at Nos. 1908-10 Lawrence street. Mr. Saenger has always been active in the management and control of this enterprise and his thorough understanding of the trade, his unfaltering industry and his determination have been salient features in the continued growth of the business, which now covers a very extensive territory. Moreover, he is the president of the Farmers' City Invest- ment Company, a real estate corporation of Denver.

Mr. Saenger has been married twice. In Chicago, Illinos, in 1887, he wedded Miss Romonda Cochensky, who passed away, leaving a daughter, Amelia, who is now the wife of Charles Loloff, who is living in the Harding district of Weld county, Colorado, where he is engaged in ranching. In 1897 Mr. Saenger was again married, his second union being with Miss Tillie Lotz, of Denver. They have become parents of two children, Emily and Alfred, the latter now associated with his father in business.

Politically Mr. Saenger maintains an independent course. Fraternally he is con- nected with Schiller Lodge, No. 42, A. F. & A. M., and with Colorado Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M. He is a member of the Lutheran church and he belongs to the Manufacturers' Association. His chief diversion is found in motoring and hunting. In his business

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career he has made steady progress and he now owns the business property at Nos. 1908-10 Lawrence street which he occupies, a three story building. In addition to this he has other city realty and since the death of Mr. Mason he has been sole proprietor of the business, which is carried on under the original name. Manufacturing and handling sporting goods and club room supplies, the company has built up a trade of extensive proportions, making Mr. Saenger one of the prosperous manufacturers and dealers in this line in the west. His business activities also extend to ranching, in which connection he is the owner of an extensive property comprising four sections of land, upon which he raises cattle, while devoting also a part of the place to crop produc- tion. He has developed this into one of the fine stock farms of the state, it being splendidly equipped with large barns, sheds and all buildings necessary for the pro- tection of his stock. Well kept fences divide it into fields and pastures and the progressive manner in which his work has been carried forward makes this one of the valuable ranches of Colorado. His successful management of this indicates Mr. Saenger's business versatility and the conduct of his ranch and manufacturing interests is contributing to the agricultural and commercial development of the state.

CAPTAIN LOUIS DEWITT CLINTON GASKILL.

Captain L. D. C. Gaskill, one of the distinguished soldiers of the Civil war, was one of the leading pioneers of Fraser, Colorado, who died in Denver, June 24, 1915, having attained an age of nearly seventy-five years. He was one of those who planted civilization in the west and who not only built for himself but helped in building the state of Colorado. Many were the friends who mourned his loss and who appreciated him as a man of achievement, a genial, cordial man of high principles and a gentleman. He was born July 4, 1840, in Paris, New York, but during his residence in that state made his home most of the time in Albany.

A son of Samuel Gaskill, who had married a Miss Mosher, Captain Gaskill was educated in New York state, and having received liberal training, became principal of the Auburn Business College, in which capacity he served from 1863 until 1868, his labors being attended with gratifying results. In the latter year he was sent by several Auburn bankers to Colorado to operate a gold mine, being successful in his mission. He continued along that line, and in 1872 discovered the famous Saco silver mine, which he profitably worked. One of his accomplishments in 1874 was to build a road over Berthoud pass in the short space of sixty days, which cost fifty thousand dollars, and he also bridged the Grand river and opened Middle Park for settlement. Prior to this time he had lived in Georgetown, but he then removed to Berthoud pass. At the time of his death the Denver Post wrote as follows:

"Captain Gaskill came to Colorado with his wife in 1868, from Auburn, New York. He settled in Georgetown, where he engaged in the mining business. He was the repre- sentative of a wealthy New York mining syndicate there. He made a fortune out of the Saco silver mine in that place, being worth half a million dollars at one time. Much of this money was afterward sunk in other mining ventures. At the time of his death he was still the owner of several valuable pieces of mining property in Georgetown. He leaves a considerable estate to the two daughters who survive him: Mrs. A. E. Bosley, 3622 Wyandotte street, Denver, and Mrs. J. F. Gilbo, of Fraser.

"Captain Gaskill was the builder of the first road over the Rockies, connecting the eastern and western slopes. This road was built over Berthoud pass and supplemented the Indian trail, which had been the only road leading over the pass. At the top of the pass Captain Gaskill built a roadhouse, where he lived with his family for nine years. This house gained the name of 'The St. Bernard of the Rockies,' on account of the hos- pitality of its owners. Many a time Captain Gaskill left his warm fireside on a winter evening to go out and rescue some traveler lost in the snow. His windows lighted persons crossing the pass to a place of refuge. During the years the Gaskill family lived on Berthoud pass, the most famous personages of the day were entertained at their house. Berthoud pass was known all over the country as an ideal headquarters for hunting parties, on account of the comfort and hospitality of its tavern. In winter the house was banked with snow for weeks at a time so only the roof showed. Then the only travelers were those who crossed the pass on snowshoes. The mail was carried over by the runners every week.

"Captain Gaskill homesteaded one of the first quarter sections of government land ever taken up near Fraser, Colorado. He moved his family there from Berthoud pass in 1885. After moving to Fraser, Captain Gaskill took his place as one of the leaders

CAPT. LOUIS DEWITT CLINTON GASKILL AND TWO OF HIS GRANDCHILDREN, ALBERT DEWITT AND MYRTLE M. BOSLEY. TAKEN ABOUT 1899

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of Grand county. The people of the county showed their appreciation of his unusual qualities by giving him for twenty-five years the office of justice of the peace of Fraser. For six years he was county commissioner of Grand county, and for four years he was county surveyor. The farmers of the county made him the president of their telephone company and the vice president of their commercial club. While county commissioner Captain Gaskill built a bridge over the Grand river at Sulphur Springs, which is the only bridge ever to withstand the floods. Captain Gaskill's bridge has stuck through the high water of many seasons, a monument to the efficiency and thoroughness of its builder."

Captain Louis D. C. Gaskill enlisted for service in the Civil war on the 8th day of May, 1861, in the Twenty-eighth Regiment of New York Volunteers, and was mustered in May 22d as sergeant of Company G. On October 9, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in Company A, and on January 18, 1863, was detailed to command Company C until March 16, 1863. He was honorably discharged on June 2, 1863, having rendered valuable and efficient service in the preservation of the Union. Captain Gaskill's comrades worshiped him and showed him their esteem wherever possible. He helonged to Byron L. Carr Post of the Grand Army.

About 1865 Captain Gaskill was united in marriage to Miss Nellie C. Rogers, of Rochester, New York, who was born there May 16, 1845, and who with her husband came to Colorado, they making their home at Berthoud pass. In 1885 they removed to the ranch south of Fraser, and there Mrs. Gaskill lived until her death on the 22d of March, 1910. She was buried at Fraser, but after her husband's death the body was exhumed. and she now rests by his side in Crown Hill cemetery of Denver. The following children were born of this union: Lutie M., now Mrs. A. E. Bosley, of Denver; Bertha L., who married Joseph F. Gilbo, an infantry sergeant at Camp Kearney, California, and Hattie, deceased. Lutie M. Gaskill married A. E. Bosley, a native of London, England, July 2, 1894, at Cheyenne, Wyoming, and they have become the parents of two children: Albert DeWitt, who follows in the footsteps of his distinguished grandfather and is now doing overseas duty with Company C, Sixtieth Engineers, and Myrtle M., who makes her home with her mother. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bosley stand high in the social circles of their city and both take part in many movements for the general welfare and progress. Both have been active in war service work, and American patriotism distinguishes all of their actions.

As mentioned before, Captain Gaskill passed away June 24, 1915, his demise occasion- ing widespread regret and deep sorrow among his many friends, all of whom esteemed him as one of the empire builders of his state. The funeral took place under the auspices of Byron L. Carr Post, G. A. R., and interment was made at Crown Hill cemetery. The body of his wife, who had died five years before and who had been buried at Fraser, was brought to Denver and was laid heside him. Captain Gaskill was known among the old- timers as "the squarest man who ever stepped in shoe leather." For twenty-five years he served as justice of the peace in Fraser, and as the Denver Post says: "The Captain was the miniature Hague tribunal of Grand county." People came from miles around to have him settle their disputes, and many times, when a trial would have meant money in his own pocket. Captain Gaskill persuaded the belligerents to settle their quarrel out of court. In his official capacity he was a mediator for everyone who was in trouble. He was the oracle for the men of his county, and everybody deferred to him and his judg- ment. N. S. Hurd, another pioneer who had known Captain Gaskill for many years, said of him: "He was a brave man and a gentleman-one of those quiet, easy-tempered,

efficient persons who can be depended upon. The Grand Army boys worshiped him. Everybody liked him. He was one of the men who helped to build Colorado." The old mining town of Gaskill, near the north fork of Grand river, was named in his honor and well bestowed was this tribute upon one who had done much in building up and bringing unto civilization this section. His memory is not only sacred to his immediate family, but to many who had the honor of knowing him and who appreciated in him a man of the highest worth and character.

ORVILLE LEE DINES.

Orville Lee Dines, a representative of the Denver har, now prominently connected with the development of oil interests in the west, was born in Blandinsville, Illinois, September 4, 1871. His father, Charles W. Dines, was a native of Shelbyville, Missouri, and in early manhood engaged in merchandising. At one time he served as county clerk of McDonough county, Illinois, and afterward became assistant secretary of state. He was very prominent in political connections and exercised much influence in the

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affairs of the democratic party. He was descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry, and the family has been represented for several generations in the United States. He married Alta Hopper, who was born in Blandinsville, Illinois, and her death occurred in 1910, while the death of Mr. Dines was in 1914.

Orville Lee Dines was a pupil in the public schools of Macomb, Illinois, to the age of sixteen years, when he went to Fayette, Missouri, where he attended Central College for three years. In 1892 he started out in life independently. For a number of years he was engaged in teaching, spending one year as assistant principal of the schools of Brunswick, Missouri, and two years as principal of the schools of Keytesville, Missouri. At a later period he was elected to the office of county commissioner of schools in Chariton county, Missouri. Turning his attention to newspaper work, he became editor of the Brunswicker, a weekly newspaper, published at Brunswick, Missouri, but was attracted to the profession of law and began preparation for the bar, to which he was admitted in Fayette, Missouri, in 1896. He then opened an office in Mexico, that state, where he remained in practice for a year, after which he spent a year and a half on the editorial staff of the West Publishing Company, the largest law-book publishing company in the United States, working chiefly on the Century Digest at St. Paul, Minne- sota, and at Washington, D. C. In 1899 he came to Denver, where he has since devoted the greater part of his time and attention to law practice, becoming associated with the firm of Dines & Whitted. He was also at one time tax agent for the Colorado Southern Railway. Subsequently he was admitted as a partner in the firm of Dines, Whitted & Dines, and in 1908 a change in the partnership occurred, leading to the adoption of the firm style of Dines, Dines & Holme. Orville L. Dines remained active in that connection until 1916, when he withdrew from that firm in order to be able to give his time ex- clusively to certain large oil interests. He has specialized in corporation law. He is also a director, and was one of the organizers, of the Seventeenth Street Building Com- pany, which erected the First National Bank building, the largest and finest office building in Denver.

Mr. Dines belongs to the Denver City and County Bar Association, the Colorado State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Fraternally he is connected with Temple Lodge, No. 84, A. F. & A. M. Socially he is a member of the Denver Club, the Denver Athletic Club, the Denver Country Club and the Mile High Club. In politics he maintains an independent course but leans toward the democratic party. He finds his recreation largely in playing golf, but his efforts and attention are mostly directed to the interests of the Midwest Oil Company, of which he is a director and attorney, this being one of the leading oil companies operating in this section.

FRED KLINK.

Fred Klink is the president and treasurer of the K. & B. Packing & Provision Com- pany of Denver. He was born in South Germany on the 30th of November, 1859, and is a son of John and Katharine (Giraud) Klink, both of whom have passed away. The son came alone to the United States, landing in New York city in 1877, when a youth of but eighteen years. He remained in the metropolis for only a short time and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided for twelve years, during which time he was employed by large packing and provision houses and there thoroughly acquainted himself with every branch of the business, gaining knowledge and experience which has been of the utmost value and use to him in later years. He arrived in Colorado in 1889, with Denver as his destination, and on reaching this city established a wholesale meat market at his present location at Nos. 1525 to 1531 Blake street. Upon this site, in 1912, he erected the present handsome building that houses the K. & B. Packing & Pro- vision Company, a corporation that is now doing an immense business in the handling of fresh meats, lards and other goods of that kind. Mr. Klink is associated in the under- taking with William F. Falligan, who is vice president of the company, and A. M. Klink, who is the secretary. Something of the volume of their business is indicated in the fact that they employ fifty or more men and they have a splendid organization, so that maximum results are accomplished with minimum expenditure of time, labor and material, which is the secret of all success. Mr. Klink is also the president of the Denver Packing & Provision Company, located at No. 4800 Washington street, and employs fifty or more men in that connection. He is likewise extensively and success- fully engaged in the live stock business, owning large ranches in Wyoming. He is also vice president of the Emporia Elevator & Feeding Company of Emporia, Kansas, with immense elevators and sheep sheds, where thousands of sheep and cattle are fed and

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 49

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