History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 54

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

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JAMES EDWIN WILLIAMS, M. D.

Dr. James Edwin Williams, actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Denver, was born in Columbus, Ohio, June 1, 1883, and in professional ranks has attained a position that many a man of twice his years might well envy. His father, George W. Williams, was born in Newark, Ohio, prepared for the bar and devoted many years of his life to the active practice of law. He also served for a time as county judge but is now living retired in Columbus, Ohio. He married Eva Shoemaker, a native of Columbus, and she too, survives. They were the parents of four children but only two are living. James Edwin and a sister.

At the usual age J. Edwin Williams became a pupil in the public schools of his native city and passed through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school with the class of 1903. He afterward entered the Starling Medical College of Columbus and won his professional degree upon graduation with the class of 1907. He then did special work in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat in Columbus

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for a year and devoted a year and a half to general surgery. He later gave his attention to the general practice of medicine and in 1908 he left Ohio to become a resident of Denver, Colorado, where he has since remained. During the intervening period of ten years he has built up a large and successful practice and is regarded as one of the most capable physicians of the city. He has studied broadly, thinks deeply and is con- versant with the most advanced ideas and scientific research work of the profession, and he is quick to adapt any new thought or discovery to the particular needs of his practice.

In 1908 Dr. Williams was married to Miss Alnette Austin, a native of Ohio and a daughter of W. P. Austin, of Denver. She has, however, been a resident of Colorado for twenty years. Their children are: Edwin Austin, born in the old Shoemaker resi- dence on Cleveland avenue, Columbus, Ohio, October 8, 1908; and Alnette Evelyn, born April 19, 1911, in Denver. Both are now in school. Dr. Williams is a Mason, belonging to Henry M. Teller Lodge, No. 144, A. F. & A. M .; also to South Denver Chapter, No. 42, R. A. M .; and to Ascalon Commandery, No. 31, K. T. He is likewise a member of Phi Beta Phi, Phi Sigma Psi, Alpha Kappa Kappa and Theta Nu Epsilon, Greek letter fra- ternities. He is a man of fine physique, of excellent presence and genial manner and his social qualities as well as his professional ability have made for popularity during the period of his residence in Denver.

HON. GEORGE F. DUNKLEE.

Judge George F. Dunklee, a lawyer of the Denver bar, was born in Landaff, New Hampshire, May 7, 1858, a son of George J. and Alzina M. (Keyes) Dunklee. The father and the mother were born in New Hampshire. George J. Dunklee died in Denver in March, 1917, at the notable old age of ninety-four years, while his wife passed away in 1905. In the family were five children, of whom Dr. H. K. Dunklee is a resident of Denver, as is Miss Iva M. Dunklee, who is active in newspaper circles and is also a teacher of elocution. One sister, Mrs. Florence Greenleaf, still lives in New Hampshire.

George F. Dunklee pursued his education in the public schools of Vermont and in the Lyndon Literary Institution, from which he was graduated on the 3d of June, 1881. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the Green Mountain state until 1882, when he removed to Colorado, first making his way to Trinidad. He afterward went to New Mexico, where he remained until 1885, teaching school for a year in that state. He then took up his abode in Denver, where he entered upon the study of law with John Q. Charles, while later his reading was directed by the firm of Patterson & Thomas, the senior partner being the distinguished Senator Thomas M. Patterson, who ranked for many years as one of the most eminent representatives of the Colorado bar. Mr. Dunklee was admitted to practice on the 12th of March, 1887, and has since followed his profession. He has not specialized in a single line but has given his attention to general practice and is regarded as a very able lawyer. He is a man of fine physique and strong mind, possessing a very retentive memory, is gifted as an orator and possesses all the requisite qualities for success in law practice. Mr. Dunklee now ably dispenses the law serving as district judge of the Second Judicial District, his long and varied experience standing him in good stead in the discharge of his duties. He is fair and impartial in his decisions which are always strictly based upon the letter of the law and his opinions are respected by the legal fraternity as they are seldom, if ever, at fault. His son, Senator Edward V. Dunklee, shares his office, which is located in the Ernest and Cranmer building.

In 1883 Mr. Dunklee was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Vaughan, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, a daughter of Captain and later Major Roswell C. Vaughan, of Civil war fame. They are parents of one son, Edward V., who has followed in his father's professional footsteps and who is recognized also as a prominent factor in political circles in Colorado, being now a member of the state senate.

Mr. Dunklee is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Denver Lodge, No. 5, A. F. & A. M., also to the chapter and commandery and to El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a past master of his lodge and has always been a most exemplary representative of the craft. He is also connected with the Elks Lodge No. 17 and he belongs to the Democratic Club. He is very active in politics and was attorney for the city and county of Denver in 1901 and 1902. He belongs to the Denver Bar Asso- ciation and to the Colorado State Bar Association, which honored him with the presidency, his term of office in that position expiring in 1903. The great law library of the Denver Bar Association was established during his presidency and he was very

La. F. Dinkle, 0.7.

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active in promoting its interests. It is today very large and complete and is in con- siderable measure a monument to the efforts of Mr. Dunklee. He is a man of remark- ably retentive mind and there are few who have more comprehensive, intimate and accurate knowledge concerning the early history of Denver and Colorado. His ora- torical powers have brought him in frequent demand as a public speaker and his addresses, whether before court or jury, from the bench, or before private gatherings upon some theme of general interest, are always listened to with the utmost attention.

JOHN NELSON CULLISON.

An excellent farm property situated on section 4, township 6, range 67, in Weld county, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner. John Nelson Cullison, whose progressive methods are manifest in the splendid results achieved, Mr. Cullison was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, February 2, 1852, and is a son of Thomas and Louisa (Lee) Cullison, who were natives of Maryland and of Ohio respectively. The father was a carpenter by trade and also devoted a part of his attention to the occupation of farming. In early life he removed to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming from the age of fourteen years until his death, which occurred in November, 1893. Just before the close of the Civil war he enlisted in response to the call of the Union and was for seven weeks with the army. His wife survived him for a considerable period, passing away in April, 1910.

John N. Cullison of this review spent his youthful days under the parental roof in Ohio and his early experiences were those of the farm-bred boy. His time was divided between the acquirement of an education in the district schools and in work in the fields through the summer months. After his textbooks were put aside he continued to aid his father in the farm work until he reached the age of thirty years, when in February, 1882, he came to Colorado, settling in Weld county. He made his way first to Greeley and soon afterward secured a position as a farm hand, working in that capacity for a year. The following year he began farming on his own account but ill luck attended him and he had to go to work again for others. He was thus employed for two years and during that period he carefully saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to purchase his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres about two and a half miles from Windsor. With characteristic energy he began improving the place, which was a timber claim at the time of his purchase. He has since developed his fields and culti- vated his land save for a period of three years which he spent in California and in Greeley. For the past ten years he has made a business of feeding sheep and has found it a successful undertaking. He also produces good crops and everything about his place is indicative of the careful supervision of a progressive owner.

On the 31st of January. 1892. Mr. Cullison was united in marriage to Miss Addie Wells and to them have been born two sons: Thomas Burch, who is farming the home place; and Claude, who has joined the army and is now at Camp Wadsworth, South Caro- lina. He volunteered for the Signal Corps and is in active training in the southeast.

Mr. Cullison is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Eastern Star and he is also identified with the Woodmen of the World. In addition to his other business interests he is a stockholder in the alfalfa mill at Severance, Colorado, but although his business affairs make heavy demand upon his time and energies. he finds oppor- tunity to cooperate in plans and movements for the general good. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, which finds in him a devoted and loyal member, attempting at all times to follow its teachings.

JAMES J. SULLIVAN.

James J. Sullivan, active in the practice of law in Denver, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, March 1, 1875. His father, the late John Sullivan, was also a native of that county and was descended from a long line of Kerry ancestry. He followed agricul- tural pursuits, in which he met with a moderate measure of success, and during the '70s and early '80s he was very active in the Land League movement of Ireland, in which country he passed away in 1883, at the age of forty-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Lynch. was also descended from one of the old families of County Kerry, Ireland. By her marriage she became the mother of twelve children, six sons and

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six daughters. Coming to the new world, she spent her last days in Holyoke, Massachu- setts, where she passed away July 26, 1912, at the age of seventy-three years. She brought her family to the new world in 1884.

James J. Sullivan was at that time a little lad of nine years and he was the ninthi in order of birth in his mother's family. He became a resident of Holyoke, Massachusetts, where he pursued his education in the public and high schools to the age of fourteen years and then started out in the business world to provide for his own livelihood, since which time he has depended upon his own resources and is indeed a self-made man. His first employment was in a paper mill at Holyoke, Massachusetts, where he began work at a wage of a few dollars per week. That he was faithful and efficient is shown in the fact that he was there employed for three years, and while he was a high school pupil he began preparation for a professional career by entering the law office of Hon. Chris- topher T. Callahan, who is now judge of the superior court of Massachusetts, under whose direction he continued his reading until admitted to the bar in October, 1896. He was graduated from high school in June of that year and a few months later was admitted to practice, holding the record in the United States in that connection, for there is per- haps no other high school graduate who has passed a bar examination in the same year. After his admission to practice he entered into partnership with his former preceptor, Judge Callahan, and their connection was continued with mutual pleasure and profit until January. 1901, when Mr. Sullivan determined to try his fortune in the west and started for Colorado, with Denver as his destination. He arrived in this city on the 27th of January, 1901, and immediately entered upon active practice, in which he was associated for a short period with the firm of Patterson, Richardson & Hawkins, a very prominent law firm of that period. He afterward entered upon the private practice of law, in which he has since continued, and notable success has come to him as the years have passed by. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. He bases his arguments upon a thorough knowledge of and familiarity with precedent and presents a cause upon its merits, never failing to recognize the main point at issue and never neglecting to give a thorough preparation. His reading has never been confined to the limitations of the questions at issue but has gone beyond and com- passed every contingency, providing not alone for the expected but for the unexpected as well, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. In addition to his logical grasp of facts and principles of the law applicable to them he displays remarkable clearness of expression and an adequate and precise diction which enables him to make others understand not only the salient points of his argument but his every fine gradation of meaning. He has pleasant association with professional colleagues and contemporaries through his membership in the American Bar Association. the Colorado State Bar Association and the Denver Bar Association and he is also a member of the state bars of both Massachusetts and of California. Outside the strict path of his pro- fession he has some important business interests, being a director of a number of Colo- rado corporations, and his knowledge of corporation law is comprehensive and exact.

On the 15th of December, 1914, Mr. Sullivan was married in Raton, New Mexico, to Miss Lillian . E. Burns, a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of David and Emma Burns, both of whom have passed away. Mr. Sullivan gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is an active supporter of its principles but has never sought or desired public office. He stands loyally for all those interests which are of civic worth and he has membership in the Democratic Club. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. For the past ten years he has been state vice president of the American Irish Historical Society, with headquarters in New York. He is much interested in historic and scientific investiga- tion and research and is a broad-minded man who reads widely and thinks deeply, while at the same time he most carefully manages his professional affairs, his devotion to his clients' interests being proverbial.

OTTO A. ERDMAN.

Otto A. Erdman, an attorney engaged in the general practice of law in Denver, yet specializing to some extent in corporation practice, was born in Jackson county, Iowa. November 28, 1859. His father, Frederick C. Erdman, was a native of Germany and came to the new world in 1852, while four years later he took up his abode in Jackson county, Iowa, and subsequently he removed to Jones county. that state. While there residing he served as postmaster of Oxford Junction under President Grant and also

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conducted a general store. He was a member of the Home Guard during the Civil war. He died in Denver in June, 1901, and his remains were laid to rest in Fairmount cemetery. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Wilhelmine Sonneman, was also born in Ger- many and is now living in Denver. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom survive.

Otto A. Erdman acquired his education in the schools of Jackson county, Iowa, and in young manhood took up the profession of teaching in his native state. In 1876 the family removed to Greene county, Iowa, and he taught there for several years. On the 3d of September, 1881. however, he arrived in Colorado and was joined by the other members of the family in 1888. Before leaving his native state, however, he had entered upon the study of law and was admitted to the bar at Adel, Dallas county, Iowa, in 1879. He then practiced for about two years in Iowa but on account of ill health removed to Colorado and lived a life in the open for five years. He engaged in outdoor work and thus greatly benefited his health. For seven years he conducted a real estate business, examined titles and did other work of that character. In 1894 he resumed the active prac- tice of law, in which he has since engaged. He had followed his profession in Iowa as a partner of A. A. Kearney, but since coming to Denver he has practiced alone, giving his attention to general law practice and also to corporation law. His professional standing is enviable. He has ever been careful to conform his practice to high ethical standards and his marked ability is manifest in the clear and forceful presentation of his cause before the court.

On the 20th of May, 1885, Mr. Erdman was united in marriage to Miss May Cummings, a native of Illinois and a daughter of the Rev. George Cummings, a Baptist minister. He belongs to Union Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M., of Denver, and he has membership in the Denver Motor Club. He also belongs to the First Avenue Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder for twenty years, and he has been very active in Sunday school work, serving as president of the Denver Sunday School Association for two years. He was also president of the Nevada State Sunday School Association for an equal length of time and he was a member of the executive committee of the National Sunday School Association from 1908 until 1911. He has been chairman of the Christian Citizenship Committee and active in city and county campaigns for moral progress. He was also a member of the first charter convention and he stands at all times for those interests which promote general progress.

HON. RUDOLPH H. JOHNS.

A spirit of enterprise actuated Rudolph H. Johns at every point in his career and he contributed most largely to the development, upbuilding and welfare of Weld county, where for many years he made his home, being an honored and valued resident of Greeley. He was born in Mansfield, Ohio, May 20, 1831, and was a son of William and Anna (Harley) Johns, who were natives of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, while their ancestors came from Germany. The father was a foundryman and operated a foundry in Mansfield, Ohio, at an early day, continuing in that line of business until he was called to his final rest. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johns have long since passed away.

Hon. Rudolph H. Johns attended college in his native state, was married there and afterward removed to Mankato, Minnesota, where he resided for a time or until the 28th of November, 1873, when he came to Colorado, making Evans his destination. Later he took up his abode at Greeley, Weld county, and opened a livery stable, which he conducted for a short time. He then sold that property and went to Leadville, Colorado, where he resided for seven years, acting as classifier of ores at the smelting works in that place. On the expiration of the period he returned to Greeley with the intention of settling down and retiring from active business, but he was appointed postmaster on the 22d of. March, 1888, and served in the capacity for five years, proving one of the best incumbents in the office that Greeley has ever had. He was largely instrumental in establishing the free delivery system and he proved a very popular and prominent official, securing a new postoffice building for Greeley and doing every- thing in his power to advance the mail service of the community. He had been very successful in his business affairs while in Leadville and made considerable money, being paid the highest salary at the smelting works, while his wife received an equal salary. They made wise investment of their earnings and their property holdings steadily increased. Mrs. Callie Johns still owns some of this property. Mr. Johns also conducted a grocery business for five years but retired from mercantile pursuits on

HON. RUDOLPH H. JOHNS

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account of his health. He was ill for about four years prior to his death, which occurred on the 28th of November, 1904, when he had reached the age of seventy-three years and six months.

In early manhood Mr. Johns was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Moore and to them were born two daughters. Minnie became the wife of M. R. Espie and had three children, two daughters and a son, and the two daughters are married and have children. Jennie H. Johns is a resident of San Francisco. The wife and mother passed away June 17, 1857, and on the 16th of July, 1874, Mr. Johns was married again, his second union being with Callie Moore, a daughter of John and Harriett M. (Briggs) Moore, who were natives of Nichols. New York. Her father was a farmer and merchant and always resided in the Empire state where his death occurred. His wife passed away March 23, 1877. To the second marriage of Mr. Johns was born a daughter, Georgia Anna, who died in infancy.

Mr. Johns served in several public offices in Greeley, the duties of which he dis- charged with marked promptness and fidelity. He was a very prominent Mason and served as master of his lodge for two years. In an early day he engaged in freighting from Greeley to the Black Hills for a year, at which time Indians were not only very numerous but maintained a most hostile attitude toward the white people. Mrs. Johns accompanied her husband on these trips and for eight months of that year she did not sleep in a house. Many a morning she awoke in a snow storm. That conditions have greatly changed is indicated in her present fine home at No. 1803 Tenth avenue in Greeley, where she is surrounded by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. In his political views Mr. Johns was a stalwart democrat but never an office seeker. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and he guided his iife according to its teachings, his entire career ever being that of an honorable and upright man, who well merited the confidence, respect and regard uniformly tendered him.

FREDERICK W. BUCK, M. D., M. E.

Dr. Frederick W. Buck is well known as a physician and is coming prominently to the front as an inventor, being now at the head of the Buck Aircraft & Munitions Company, in which connection he has brought forth an aircraft that it is believed will largely revolutionize flying and torpedo use in aviation. Dr. Buck was born in Allegan county, Michigan, on the 13th of March, 1873, a son of David S. and H. A. (Richmond) Buck. The mother died when he was but three years of age. He was educated in the public schools but when a youth of fourteen years left home and when but sixteen years of age taught in the rural schools of his native state. He afterward went upon the road as a commercial traveler and for three years he was engaged in government work on the Mississippi river. While employed in these different capacities he saved the money which enabled him to take up the study of medicine, the profesison which he felt that he wished to enter. He first graduated from the Physio-medical College of Chi- cago in 1898 and then secured his degree of M. E. from the National College of Electro- therapeutics and afterward became a student in the Central Medical College at St. Joseph, Missouri, in which he completed his studies in 1902. He first located for practice at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and afterward became connected with a private sanitarium at Aberdeen, South Dakota. In 1905 he removed to Flagler, Colorado. where he purchased a ranch and in addition to practicing his profession he has pursued his investigations and experiments, resulting in notable inventions. He has organized the Buck Aircraft & Munitions Company, which was incorporated for three million dollars on the 27th of January, 1917, for the purpose of manufacturing and selling aircraft, aeroplanes, torpedoes and explosive carriers and for the further purpose of maintaining an aerial passenger, mail and express service and an aviation school. The company are manufacturing at Pueblo, Colorado. The officers are: Dr. F. W. Buck. president; D. D. Buck, vice president; and John G. Powell, of Denver, secretary and treasurer. These constitute the board of directors together with A. C. Troutman, of Palisade, Nebraska, and F. E. Gibson, of Kokomo, Colorado. For five years Dr. Buck has been working upon the invention and evolution of the Buck aerial torpedo, which he has succeeded in bringing to its present state of perfection and efficiency. This (the aerial torpedo) is one American invention that Germany was not able to purchase. After turning down their first two offers of one and five million dollars, in June, 1916,- ten months before we entered the war, her agents raised the bid to ten million dollars and received the truly American reply: "The Kaiser hasn't money enough in his kingdom to buy it." One of the devices which he has introduced is the stabilizer, so

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 54

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