USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume II > Part 55
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essential to the automatic control of the plane, as well as the device for the automatic detachment of the torpedo carrying the explosive. In regard to the former, Santos Dumont, who only saw patent drawings of the torpedo and an explanation of the stabilizer, said: "It's funny as long as I have been flying that I never thought of your principle of stabilization. I guess it's because it was too simple for me to see it." The editor of the Aerial Age said: "We certainly believe you are bound to succeed," while Lee Wallace, aeronautical engineer and designer, said: "On account of your reduction in weight, head resistance and skin friction, you should get from ten to twenty-five miles per hour greater speed with same motor than other machines of the same design." The inventor of the gyroscope, Elmer A. Sperry, expressed himself in these words: "There is no question about being able to direct an aerial torpedo or airplane without a pilot. The only thing you have done is to beat us to it with your patents." All aviators and aeronautical engineers agree that the aircraft set forth by Dr. Buck will reduce weight, head resistance and skin friction, and eliminate sideslip and skidding.
In 1894, Dr. Buck was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Parmalee, of Parmalee, Michigan, and to them have been born a son and a daughter, Lawrence and Nellie. In 1912 Dr. Buck was a candidate for the legislature and in 1914 was a candidate before the primaries for congress and was beaten by only ninety-six votes. He has always given his political allegiance to the republican party, of which he is a stanch champion. Fraternally he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and an Elk, but more than that he is a scientist and inventor who is prompted by the most patriotic purposes in endeavoring to perfect and build his aircraft, realizing how important this is at the present hour of crisis in the nation's history.
RICHARD A. SWANSON.
At every point in his business career Richard A. Swanson has been actuated by a laudable ambition that has found expression in close application, indefatigable energy and persistency of purpose. Thus in his business career he has continuously and steadily advanced until he is now at the head of important interests conducted under the name of the R. A. Swanson Monumental Company, with offices in the Gas & Electric building of Denver. Mr. Swanson was born west of the Mississippi and has exemplified in his life the western spirit of progress which has led to the rapid and substantial development of this section of the country. His birth occurred at Burlington, Iowa, November 10, 1875. His father, A. J. Swanson, was a native of Sweden and came to America in 1868. He first settled at Altoona, Illinois, and about 1870 removed to Bur- lington, Iowa, where he resided throughout his remaining days. He was a stair builder by trade and an expert mechanic in his line, so that he won a substantial meas- ure of success. He married Anna Catherine Malmberg, also a native of Sweden, who came to America about 1869 and took up her abode in Altoona, Illinois, where she became the wife of Mr. Swanson. Both were consistent and active members of the Swedish Lutheran church and Mr. Swanson served as one of the organizers of the church and for many years acted as treasurer and church trustee. At all times he guided his life according to the teachings of the church, so that his was an honorable and upright career. He was deeply interested in civic as well as religious matters and cooperated in all movements which he believed would prove beneficial to the com- munity. He became one of the organizers of the Swedish Lutheran Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company and served as its secretary from the time of its formation until his death, which occurred January 6, 1908, when he had reached the age of sixty-six years. His widow still survives and is now a resident of Denver. They became the parents of six children, four of whom are yet living. Dr. A. E. Swanson was a dentist of Chicago and for a number of years was demonstrator at the Northwestern University but is now deceased. Regina is the deceased wife of the Rev. J. A. Holmen and at the time of her death was a resident of Mariadahl, Kansas. Richard A. is the third of the family. Hattie E. became the wife of the Rev. J. A. Sandell, of Des Moines, Iowa, who died in 1907. Robert S. is a resident of Denver, and Mamie, the youngest of the family, is living with her mother and brother, Richard, in Denver.
Richard A. Swanson supplemented his early education, acquired in the public and high schools of Burlington, Iowa, by a course in the Elliott Business College of that city. Before completing his education he spent the summer months in various lines of work and at the age of thirteen, when he had completed the grammar school course had saved the sum of two hundred dollars. His first professional training was in art lines,
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he being a student under the late John O'Hara, a portrait artist of Burlington. It was this training and the training that he had received in art while in grammar school that led him to take up his present profession. In 1895 he entered the Chicago Art Institute, where he remained as a student for four years, also attended a French Art School of Chicago and several sketching clubs of that city. In this way he thoroughly mastered pen and ink art, wash black and white and commercial work. His next step was in the line of designing in memorial work, which profession he followed in Chicago for seven years, and for four and a half years he had charge of such work in the Chicago offices of Charles More & Company, then leading monument manufacturers of Barre, Vermont. In 1905 he removed to Denver after disposing of his Chicago inter- ests, coming to the west for the benefit of his health, which was soon restored in Colo- rado's excellent climate. He opened his own offices in the Gas & Electric building of Denver in November, 1910, specializing as an architect and builder of memorials. From that time he has steadily progressed and has developed one of the highest class monument enterprises in the west. His patronage comes to him from various sections of the state and vicinity. Many of his original conceptions are to be seen in the largest and most expensive memorials in the cemeteries of Denver, Colorado Springs and various sections of the United States. The originality of his designs, substantial con- struction and fine execution of his work has won for him important commissions and a national reputation in this line. Among his recent large productions, the most striking examples of originality and execution are the Frederick Wight and John McDonough monuments of Denver and the Ex-Governor Stanley monument of Wichita, Kansas. The Smails and Standley memorials of Denver are his original design and represent the largest mausoleums in Colorado. Among other well known memorials in the vicinity entrusted to him are the Judge Helm, Colonel Swallow, Wilbur Raymond, J. F. Brown, Otto Sauers memorials of Denver, and the James F. Burns, Louis Giddings, A. G. Sharp and Frank Costello memorials of Colorado Springs. He possesses natural talent and the rare gift of particularly meeting the needs and wishes of patrons.
Mr. Swanson was married in Denver in 1906 to Miss Eula Cooper, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Cecil and Catherine Cooper, the former a representative of an old family of Kansas City, Missouri, and a direct descendant of Lord Cecil Baltimore. Mrs. Swanson died November 10, 1907, at the age of thirty two years.
Politically Mr. Swanson follows an independent course in local elections but where national issues are involved usually votes with the republican party. He belongs to the Denver Motor Club and also to the Denver Manufacturers' Association. He is an enthusiastic supporter of Colorado, the state which gave to him his health and in which he sees such wonderful possibilities owing to the splendid resources which nature has implanted within her borders. He heartily cooperates in all plans and measures for the general good and stands for all that is progressive in citizenship. His business career is indicative of what can be accomplished by the individual and his record indi- cates that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously. Early developing the powers with which nature endowed him, he finds joy and pleasure in the work and his artistic skill has been heightened through training and experience until the name of Swanson stands for that which is most progressive, pleasing and effective in design and construction in the monumental industry.
LUI MILLER.
Among the pioneers who came to Colorado in 1860 Lui Miller is entitled to especial distinction, for it was he who brought to Denver the first carriage ever seen on the streets of the city and established the first bus line in the capital of Colorado. He was very successful in the conduct of a livery business but during the last twenty-five years of his life enjoyed a well earned rest, his demise occurring April 29, 1913, and many were the friends who mourned at his bier.
Mr. Miller was born in Prussia in 1829 and received his education in his native country. Entering upon practical life, he heard such glowing reports of the opportunities offered in America to a strong man willing to work that he decided to seek his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and left his home. coming to this country in 1852, when twenty-three years of age. After leaving the eastern states Mr. Miller found employment for a time in the middle west, but as conditions there did not come up to his expectations he decided to look for opportunities in the undeveloped mountain region which is now the state of Colorado. In May, 1860, he therefore crossed the plains with an ox team and came to Denver, which remained his home until death called him. For many years he
MR. AND MRS. LUI MILLER
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successfully conducted a livery stable at the corner of Fourteenth and Blake streets and in the early days of Denver he was one of the most familiar figures on its streets. In this connection it is interesting to note that Mr. Miller brought the first carriage to Denver that ever appeared in this city, and he also established the first bus line, the fore- runner of the street railway. When the state records had to be transferred from Golden, the old capital, to Denver, Mr. Miller was assigned to make the removal. In 1884 Mr. Miller removed with his family to the Eagles Nest ranch, eighteen miles southwest of Denver and resided there for four years. During that time he was in the cattle business and had as many as one thousand head of horses and cattle on his ranch. This property is now the Ken-Caryl ranch and is owned by John C. Shaffer. His business ability and his reliable habit of keeping promises combined to make his business enterprises suc- cessful and about 1888 he was enabled to retire from further active work, having ac- quired a competence which permitted him to pass his last years in leisure and comfort.
In St. Louis, Missouri, April 10, 1859, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Christina Schok, who was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, October 13, 1838, a daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Schaefer) Schok, and in 1856 came to the United States and lived in Keokuk, Iowa, until her marriage. She was his companion when removal to Colorado was made in 1860. They established their home in Denver, which city largely remained their abode during the remainder of their lives. In their family were the following children: Louis, Frederick and Amelia, all of whom are deceased; Bertha, who married Albert C. Lighthall, now deceased, by whom she had the following children, Blanche M. Moore, of El Paso, Texas, Albert C., of Ogden, Utah, and Earl Howard, of Boulder; Fredericka, who married Joseph Retallack, of Denver, and has a daughter, Gladys V., now Mrs. Wells, of Denver; Augusta, the wife of Benjamin T. Griffith, of Oelwein, Iowa; Emma, the widow of John W. Lambert, of Denver; Louise, who married A. B. Calhoun, of Topeka, Kansas, by whom she has a daughter, Christine; William J., of Globe, Arizona, who married Bertha Coplen, of Denver; Lui, who married Hilda Wallen and resides in Denver; and George A., deceased.
It was given to Mr. and Mrs. Miller to celebrate that rare event in human life, their golden wedding anniversary, which took place April 10, 1909, at their residence at No. 1946 Emerson street. All members of the family were present and the tokens of love, respect and esteem presented to Mr. and Mrs. Miller were innumerable. Many of their friends who were unable to he personally present expressed their good wishes over the wire or in other suitable ways. About four years later, on April 29, 1913, at the age of eighty-four, Lui Miller, pioneer of the west, passed away, his death occurring at the same residence, and from there he was buried on May 1st of that year. Among the older generation his many friends sincerely mourned his departure and the condolences ex- tended to the family were many and heartfelt. His wife, who has survived him, is a well preserved old lady and lives at 1946 Emerson street, which home was built by Mr. Miller in 1901, and has been the family home ever since. At the time there were also living five daughters and two sons, while four of his children had preceded him to the un- known land. Through the labors of such men as Mr. Miller civilization was planted in the mountainous wilderness of what is now the prosperous state of Colorado and therefore great honor is due to him as one of those who made possible the present prosperity and who helped to create conditions which assure the present generation of the comforts and conveniences of a civilization which is equal if not superior to that of the older east.
GLEN T. LEWIS.
Glen T. Lewis is numbered among Colorado's native sons who have contributed in substantial measure to its development and upbuilding. He makes his home two miles east and a half mile south of La Salle, on section 4, township 4, range 65, Weld county. It was in La Salle, on the 24th of January, 1891, that he first opened his eyes to the light of day, his parents being David M. and Helen V. (Varney) Lewis, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation. He was employed at farm labor in Iowa and when about twenty years of age came to Colorado, settling in Weld county, where he continued to work as a farm hand and in other ways for several years. At length he took up a homestead claim near Fort Morgan, which he held for two years and then gave it up. He afterward returned to Weld county and hought land a mile and a half north and a mile and a half west of where his son, Glen T., now resides. He improved this property and continued its cultivation for five years. He then sold and bought the home place a mile east of La Salle and continued its further cultivation and development throughout his remaining days. He was very
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successful in all of his undertakings, becoming one of the well-to-do farmers of the community. He died September 7, 1913, at the age of fifty-two years, and is still sur- vived by his widow, who yet occupies the old home farm.
Glen T. Lewis was reared and educated in Weld county and remained with his parents until after the other children had reached adult age. He then purchased his present farm two miles east and a half mile south of La Salle, securing a tract of eighty acres, to which in the spring of 1917 he added another tract of eighty acres. He has greatly improved his place in the intervening period and has brought his land under a high state of cultivation, so that he annually gathers rich crops. He makes a business of feeding cattle and sheep and he is a stockholder in the Silver Plume Consolidated Mining Company of Denver.
On the 22d of December, 1914, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Xola O. Lewis and they have one child, Glenxola F., who was born November 17, 1915. Fraternally Mr. Lewis is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and politically he is a democrat. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, to the teachings of which he gives unfaltering loyalty. His has been an active and well spent life and the many sterling traits of his character have established him in the high regard of his fellow townsmen.
JOHN P. BROOKS.
Jolın P. Brooks, secretary of the Smith-Brooks Printing Company of Denver, is one of the progressive young business men of the city. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but he has proven that he possesses force of character to take up the work laid down by his father and ability to continue it to a successful con- clusion. He was born in Naturita, Colorado, on the 9th of October, 1886, son of George W. and Sannie (Warner) Brooks, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work. Their family numbered four children, of whom John P. was the second. In his boyhood days he attended the public schools of Denver and when he had passed beyond school age he joined his father in business. Parental authority, however, was not exercised to secure for him an advanced position. He entered the business as any other employe would have done, working from the bottom upward, winning his promo- tions by a thorough mastery of the tasks assigned him. He thus acquainted himself with every department of the printing business and ultimately came to ownership as a mem- ber of the Smith-Brooks Printing Company, of which he is now the secretary. The patronage of this company has continuously increased with the passing years until their business is today the largest of the kind not only in Denver but in all Colorado.
On the 11th of November, 1911, in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Brooks was married to Miss Josephine Chapman, who was born in Kansas City, Missouri, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Chapman, of that place. They now have two children: John P., born in Denver in 1914; and Marjorie, whose birth occurred in 1916.
Mr. Brooks votes witin the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to the Denver Civic and Commercial Association, to the Denver Athletic Club and in Masonry he has taken the degree of Knight Templar in the York Rite and the thirty- second degree in the Scottish Rite. He belongs also to the Warren Memorial church on Capitol Hill. His life is actuated by high and honorable principles and with the lasting example of his honored father before him, he bids fair to make as creditable a name and place for himself in the business and social circles of Denver.
GAY W. ECTON. .
One of the efficient officers of Otero county is Gay W. Ecton, who holds the position of sheriff. In the discharge of his duties he has always shown fidelity and faithfulness and while holding office has rid the county of most of its undesirable characters. He was born in Winchester, Clark county, Kentucky, May 1, 1870, his parents being James and Susan (Poindexter) Ecton. The family removed from that state to Mis- souri, where the father successfully followed general agricultural pursuits. Both he and his wife have passed away. In their family were ten children, of whom our subject is the ninth in order of birth.
Gay W. Ecton was educated in rural schools, attending the same during the winter
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months, while in the summer he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. The larger part of his education, however, was received in the school of experience. He remained on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, at which time the property was sold because of the death of the mother, and he then worked out by the month, so continuing for above five years. At the age of twenty-one he began farming inde- pendently in Kansas but subsequently came to Colorado, where he continued along the same line and also gave his attention to stock raising. He has been so engaged in Otero county ever since and has been successful in his farming enterprises. Following progressive methods and instituting the latest improvements and facilities, he has made his property one of the most valuable of the district, now deriving therefrom a most gratifying income.
On the 17th of March, 1897, Mr. Ecton was united in marriage to Miss Keziah Frost and to them have been born the following children: Vernon G., Claude, Katherine, Phillip, Paul and Robert. The family takes a prominent part in the social life of the community and the hospitality of the best homes is accorded them.
Mr. Ecton is a democrat and steadfastly upholds the principles of that party. He was elected a delegate to the county convention and his influence in local councils of his party is well established. Interested in the progress of his community, he is ever ready to support measures and movements for the moral, material and intellectual devel- opment of his county and state and is numbered among the public-spirited citizens of La Junta. He is chairman of the local draft board and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is that of the Protestant church. There is great credit due him for what he has achieved, as the prosperity which has come to him is the result of his own labors.
THOMAS ROBERTS.
Thomas Roberts, at the head of the Marmon Automobile Agency of Colorado, is numbered among the "Big Six" dealers of the city. His business has rapidly developed owing to the fact that he possesses executive ability, mechanical skill and ingenuity and power to readily understand human nature. Mechanical training enables him to speak with authority concerning the good points of the Marmon car, a machine in which he has implicit faith. His business interests are conducted in attractive salesrooms under the name of the Roberts Automobile Company.
The life story of Mr. Roberts is an interesting one. He was born at Morton, Illinois, December 18, 1886, and has therefore passed only the thirty-first milestone on life's journey. His parents are John A. and Ellen (Saul) Roberts, also natives of Illinois. They came to Denver to reside in 1893 and the father was well known in railroad circles as a careful and efficient locomotive engineer on passenger trains. He still makes his home in Denver but is now living retired from active business. At the outbreak of the Civil war he ran away from home to take up arms in defense of the Union but was too young to be allowed to enlist as a regular soldier, so that he joined the army as a drummer boy of an Illinois regiment. His wife also survives and is with him in Denver. They have reared a family of six children: Carl, Louis, Thomas, Joseph, Ora and Leonora.
Thomas Roberts, whose name introduces this review and who is well known to his many friends as "Tommy" Roberts, attended the public schools of Denver and immediately after putting aside his textbooks entered business circles along mechanical lines. He possibly inherited this tendency from his father and at all events he made rapid progress in the field which he chose to enter. In 1902 he first became identified with automobile mechanics, working at the trade for others. He started in at a salary . of ten dollars per week and in a short time was commanding a salary of fifty dollars per week, his services being constantly in demand. In 1913 he decided to engage in the automobile business on his own account and secured the agency of the Stevens Duryea car, but when the war broke out the manufacture of this car was discontinued and he secured the agency for Colorado and Wyoming of the Marmon car, manufactured at Indianapolis. This is one of the best made cars upon the market. Hundreds of cars have been sold to satisfied patrons by Mr. Roberts, who in looking about him to select a car which he wished to handle recognized the fine mechanical points of the Marmon car, for he had always been working with well made machinery. He occupies a spacious two-story building, having ample room for service and storage and with comfortable selling facilities. He thoroughly knows every feature of the car which he handles and
THOMAS ROBERTS
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maintains a large garage and repair shop in connection with his salesrooms. He is likewise a director and the vice president of the Climax Oil Company of Oklahoma.
On the 14th of October, 1905, Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Martha Rockstroh, of Denver, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Rockstroh. They have two children: Charles Roberts, who was born in Denver in 1906 and is in school; and John, who was born in 1910.
Mr. Roberts belongs to the Denver Athletic Club, also to the Automobile Association and the Automobile Dealers Association. In lodge circles he is well known as an Elk, a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. In Masonry he has passed up both routes and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while in the York Rite he is a Knight Templar. His alertness enables him to readily recognize the opportunities of every business situation. His social qualities and his adaptability are combined with enterprise and sound judgment in business affairs and constitute a strong force in the attainment of success.
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