History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 60

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

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B. FRANKLIN RICHARDS, M. D.

Among the well known representatives of the medical profession in Denver is Dr. B. Franklin Richards, an able physician and surgeon, whose qualifications for pro- fessional activity have been greatly promoted through individual research work and pri- vate study. He was born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1851, and is a son of Humphrey Richards, who was a native of Wales and came to America with his parents in 1840, the family home being established in New York city, where he was educated. In young manhood he became a clerk in Newman's Book Store, one of the largest estab- lishments of that character in New York city. He afterward removed to Pennsylvania, settling at Carbondale, where he followed mining, but met with an accident through a powder explosion when thirty-eight years of age, causing his death. He was a sup-

porter of the old whig party and was a very devout Christian man who throughout his entire life held membership in the Baptist church, in which for many years he served as deacon, while in all branches of the church work he took a most active and helpful part. In early manhood he wedded Jane Davis, a native of Wales, who came to America with her parents from that little rock-ribbed country when a maiden of seven summers, the Davis family establishing their home in Brooklyn, New York, where her father engaged in the dairy business. He there owned one hundred acres of land near where the city hall of Brooklyn now stands, but upon the advice of relatives he sold that land and removed to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he and his wife spent their remain- ing days. Their daughter, Mrs. Richards, was therefore reared and educated in Luzerne county. She was married, however, in Brooklyn, New York, and after her husband's death she removed to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where she made her home until called to her final rest in January, 1912, when she had reached the advanced age of ninety- three years. By her marriage she had become the mother of seven children, four sons and three daughters, and three of the sons and one of the daughters are yet living. The family record is as follows. William Richards, the eldest, was born and died in Car- bondale, Pennsylvania. Mary Jane, the second of the family, is also deceased. Humphrey is a resident of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Joseph is the next of the family. Margaret has passed away. B. Franklin is the sixth in order of birth. Libby is a resident of Denver, the wife of Eugene Stanton, an automobile dealer at No. 322 Broadway.

Dr. Richards was educated at Scranton, Pennsylvania, and began his studies in one of the old-time log schoolhouses at Carbondale. He afterward attended college in Battle Creek, Michigan, from which he was graduated with the class of 1878. Following his graduation he became a lecturer for the Battle Creek Sanitarium on hygiene and dietetics. He had studied the latter science for many years and he remained in the lecture field until 1899. He then took a trip to Europe to study conditions in thirteen countries of the old world, conditions affecting the poor in comparison with the poor of America. He remained abroad in study and research work for eight months and after his return entered the Medical College of San Francisco, California, and was there graduated in 1903. Following his graduation he served as interne in the San Francisco City and County Hospital and gained that broad and valuable experience which can never be acquired as quickly in any other way as in hospital practice. He afterward opened an office in San Francisco, where he followed his profession until 1905, when he removed to Denver, arriving in this city in the month of February. He has since continued in the general practice of medicine and surgery and during the intervening

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period of thirteen years has built up an extensive practice. He is a member of the State Eclectic Medical Association, the National Eclectic Medical Association and in the former has been honored with office, serving as secretary and treasurer and also as president of the society for two years.

Dr. Richards was married at Cedar Springs, Michigan, to Miss Caras Stiles, a native of the state of New York and a daughter of Wright and Mary P. (Pierce) Stiles. The mother is a relative of President Franklin Pierce and is still living, making her home with Dr. and Mrs. Richards, who by their marriage became the parents of two sons: Vere Stiles, who was born at Cedar Springs, Michigan, in 1882 and is now a resi- dent of New York city; and Wayne, who died in infancy.

In his political views Dr. Richards is a republican, having always supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to the lodge at Topeka, Kansas. He also has membership in the Seventh Day Adventist church, of which he was an elder for several years and also acted as assistant pastor. He is the author of a volume entitled "Health; How to find it when lost; How to keep it when found." This was published by the Pacific Press Publishing Company of Oakland, California. While in San Francisco acting as pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist church, Dr. Richards had a congregation of over seven hundred members. During the time when he was engaged in pastoral duties he preached every night, doing missionary work among the poor, and at the same time, when fifty years of age, he took up the study of medicine and upon examination was one of seven who passed out of a class of sixty-eight. The dean of the college in his address highly complimented Dr. Richards on his work, which he accomplished under such conditions. Such a course is characteristic of the man. He has never allowed obstacles or difficulties to bar his path and has always been actuated by determined purpose and a strong desire to make his labors of the greatest benefit to his fellowmen. He has worked unceasingly and untiringly to advance both the physical and moral welfare of those with whom he has been associated and his labors have been far-reaching and resultant. He has certainly made valuable contribution to public welfare and the world is better for his having lived.

JOHN B. McGAURAN.

John B. McGauran, United States surveyor general for Colorado, was born on the 19th of January, 1872, in Dubuque county, Iowa, a son of Thomas J. McGauran, de- ceased, who was a native of Ireland. About 1869 his father settled in Iowa, coming to Denver in 1879, where he was employed by the Union Pacific and also by the old Kansas Pacific Railroad Companies. He continued in railroad service until his retirement from active business life in 1897 and he resided in Denver until his death, which occurred in 1903, when he was seventy-three years of age. In early manhood he had married Emily M. FitzGerald, who was born in Ireland, and who came to the new world with her parents in her infancy. Coming to Colorado in the year following her husband's arrival in this state she resided here until her demise, which occurred in 1888, when she was forty-two years of age.

John B. McGauran was the only child born to his parents. He was educated in public and private schools in Denver, completing his education in the College of the Sacred Heart. He worked in a drygoods store, studied law, took up journalistic work and was reporter on the News after which he assumed the editorship of the Denver Catholic Register, serving in that capacity for three years. In 1889 he became deputy city auditor under Hon. Edward Keating. He held a position in the county treasurer's office for two years. In 1910 Mr. McGauran was elected a member of the upper branch of the Denver city council. He was president of the board in 1912 and 1913. While a member of the board of supervisors he followed a very consistent course:

1. Opposing the grant of exclusive privileges in the streets to any railroad not enjoyed by all other railway companies. He made an unsuccessful effort to open two streets in the lower business district on terms of equality to every railway entering the city.

2. Fought the proposal of having the telephone company or any other utility pay any sum into the city. treasury on the ground that such payments were against the public interest inasmuch as they increased the utility's cost of efficiency and tempted public officials to squander money. He contended that as the public must ultimately pay all taxes on public utilities either in poorer service or higher cost that the way of advance- ment lay in the direction of reduced charges with public ownership as the ultimate goal.

MAST

JOHN B. McGAURAN

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3. He combated a widely prevalent notion that the licensing power of the city government should be used as a means to obtain revenue, claiming that licenses should be for regulation only-license as a means of raising revenue not discriminating between the wealth of one and the poverty of another. It is a fine upon production and enter- prise.

4. He objected to the crude methods of making assessments and collecting taxes to defray the expense of public work. Instead of the old worn-out method of making assessments in local improvement districts he favored assessing the ground values of the entire city. In this manner no land would be taxed that was not benefited. When improvement districts are created, supposed to derive the larger share of benefit from public improvements it is inevitable that a certain zone which secures some advantage is relieved of the burden. While it is unjust to tax personal property or houses that are not enhanced in value by public improvements it is equally unjust to tax the land values of the outlying districts of the city disproportionately in order to pay for them.

In the political affairs of the state Mr. McGauran is well known, having been prom- inently identified with the movement that resulted in the adoption of the constitutional amendments providing for the initiative and referendum and home rule for cities. With these and some other exceptions he is more proud of his defeats than of his victories. Having been a candidate for office five times, three times were occasions when what he conceived to be vital principles were at stake and he did not hesitate to help lead forlorn hopes. He is a member of the executive committee's of the District Legis- lation League, the Anti-Saloon League and president of the Consumers League of Colorado. He has been active in promoting what he considers secondary and ameliora- tive measures although he is firmly convinced that no legislative or political reforms will afford a remedy for evils that proceed from economic maladjustments.

In June, 1914, he was appointed United States surveyor general, which office he has since acceptably filled, his record in that connection being most satisfying and com- mendable. In politics he has always been what he chooses to style himself "a Jeffer- sonian republican or a Lincoln democrat." He has made addresses throughout Colorado in both state and national campaigns, being associated in this work with men of national reputation, laboring to advance the interests of the democratic party.

Mr. McGauran abhors glittering generalities and has a healthy distrust of theories that do not permit of practical application. He adopts as his own the motto, "be specific," never inquiring whether a policy or plan is radical or conservative, consider- ing it more important to know whether it is right. Believing that the same law of honesty should govern public business (or politics) that is supposed to apply to private business affairs he was a moving spirit in the Honest Election League, and was the author of the first legislative measure that abolished the use of emblems on the ballot.

He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Democratic Club, and is one of the best known members of the Knights of Columbus in the west, having served as chancellor and grand knight of the Denver Council. He took a prominent part in the institution of the Council in Mexico City, and has been assigned by the national board to speak at the Washington Day celebrations in various cities of the United States.

Mr. McGauran does not believe that government should interfere with production or trade nor in any manner whatsoever dabble in private business, consequently he antagonizes the theory that available land should be rendered non-available through a system of taxation that discourages the use of land. A prominent advocate of the un- taxing of land use Mr. McGauran has attended most of the national meetings of the single tax organization which is devoted to securing freedom of production and trade. He is famous throughout the country as a lecturer on economic subjects.

NIXON C. ELLIOTT.

Nixon C. Elliott, vice president of the Western Alfalfa Milling & Machinery Company and also an officer in the Standard Alfalfa Products Company and the Western Alfalfa Warehouse Company, is in these connections developing interests of large importance, contributing to the business activity and development of the sections in which he op- erates. He was born in Wichita, Kansas, January 15, 1887, and is a son of Nixon and Hortense (Gladden) Elliott. The father was born in Tallahassee, Florida, and during the Civil war commanded a regiment of Florida infantry. He is now a capitalist living

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in Pueblo, Colorado. His wife is a daughter of James Gladden, of La Fayette, Indiana. In their family were three children, all of whom are still living.

Nixon C. Elliott attended the public schools of Kansas and later was a student in the Pueblo high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905, and sub- sequently he attended the universities of Illinois and of Pennsylvania. He engaged in newspaper work in Denver as a reporter and special writer and afterward became state editor of the News, serving in that capacity from 1909 until 1912. In the latter year he turned his attention to other interests and organized the Western Alfalfa Milling & Machinery Company, engaged in the manufacture of alfalfa meal, milling twenty thou- sand tons per year. He is vice president of this company and is also interested in the Standard Alfalfa Products Company and the Western Alfalfa Warehouse Company. In a word, he is prominently connected with the production and utilization of alfalfa and the development of alfalfa products.

Mr. Elliott is a member of the Denver Club and also of Phi Kappa Sigma, a college fraternity. He is likewise a Mason, holding membership in Park Hill Lodge, No. 148, A. F. & A. M. He also has membership with the Civic and Commercial Association and is in hearty sympathy with the purposes for which the organization stands. Golf con- stitutes his chief source of recreation. He is a young man of fine personal qualities and appearance and although he is a son of a wealthy father, he is individually making an honored place for himself in the business world, carefully utilizing his time, talents and opportunities in dealing with affairs of magnitude and in solving difficult and compli- cated financial and economic problems. The subjective and objective forces of life are in him well balanced, making him cognizant of his own capabilities and powers, while at the same time he thoroughly understands his opportunities and his obligations.

At this writing news is received that Mr. Elliott has joined the American military forces ready to make sacrifice in the holy cause of American principles of liberty and democracy.

CONRAD J. STOCKFLETH.

Conrad J. Stockfleth is the cashier of the First National Bank of Eaton and in the faithful, prompt and capable discharge of his duties in this official connection is contributing much to the successful conduct of the institution. He was born May 3, 1862, at Hildesheim, Germany, a son of George and Helen (Soehlmann) Stockfleth, who were likewise natives of that country. The father was an expert bookkeeper and auditor and followed his profession throughout his entire life in Germany, where he passed away in 1893. His widow survived him for about fifteen years and died in 1908.

Conrad J. Stockfleth was reared and educated in Germany and came to America in June, 1881, when a youth of nineteen years. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast, but made his way at once into the interior of the country, settling at Denver, where he worked as a farm hand until 1885. He then came to Eaton, where he began farming, renting land of A. J. Eaton for twelve years. Later he purchased property near the city of Eaton and concentrated his efforts and atten- tion upon general agricultural pursuits until 1902, when he put aside the active work of the fields. He has practically lived in the town of Eaton, however, since 1885. In 1903 he entered the Bank of Eaton as assistant cashier and remained there until the bank consolidated with the First National Bank, when he became cashier of the latter institution and has held the office since that date, working earnestly and perseveringly to advance its interests.

On the 30th of January, 1896, Mr. Stockfleth was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Rempen, a daughter of Theodore and Charlotte (Gotthardt) Rempen, who were natives of Germany, where the father resided to the time of his death in 1893, while his widow still survives. Mr. and Mrs. Stockfleth have become the parents of four children: George, who was born January 3, 1897; Robert, born March 7, 1899; Theodore, born March 19, 1904; and Helen, born January 12, 1909.

Mr. Stockfleth is a member of the grand jury of Eaton, which has been in session for six months. He has served as school director and aside from serving as cashier of the First National Bank of Eaton he is serving as a director and is one of the stockholders of the Farmers Bank of Severance, Colorado. He is likewise treasurer of the Pioneers Society of Eaton and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is likewise connected with the Woodmen of the World and has been clerk of Camp No. 130 for the past

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nineteen years. He is likewise identified with the Circle of the Women of Wood- craft, of which Mrs. Stockfleth has been clerk for nine years. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He is widely known in Eaton and his success is attributable entirely to his own efforts, for he started out in the business world empty-handed, and by capability, persistency of purpose and well defined energy has reached a creditable position among the representatives of financial interests in his section of the state.

ISAAC C. DOWNING.

One of the most important offices in the newer divisions of the west is that of sheriff and in that position Isaac C. Downing is now ably and capably serving in Prowers county. Since he has taken office the lawless element has greatly sub- sided because there is not an hour of the day or night which is not devoted to his duties in maintaining order in his section. The protector of law-abiding citizens, he is a terror to those who infringe upon the laws of human society and is relentless and fearless in pursuing criminals. He was born in Winona, Minnesota, August 1, 1865, his parents being Benjamin F. and Malinda (Baldwin) Downing, of Ohio. The father has followed farming throughout his life and success has attended his labors. He is highly respected and esteemed in his community, of which he is considered one of the valued citizens. To him and his wife were born thirteen children, of whom Isaac C. is the youngest.

He was educated in the rural schools near his father's farm in Minnesota and there continued until he was nineteen years of age, ably assisting in farm labors. In 1884 he made his way to Colorado and engaged in riding the range. He subsequently gave his attention to the draying business and also served as marshal of Lamar, his home city, and as deputy sheriff, continuing in the latter position for about twenty years. His long experience was recognized in his election to the office of sheriff in 1914 and so well did he discharge his duties that in 1916 he was reelected and is today a candidate, standing on his record.

On December 25, 1889, Mr. Downing was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. Cochrane and to them have been born the following children: Roderick L., who is a civil engineer, having graduated from the State University, and is now in the service of the government; Wayne G., who is serving in the United States army; and Lois V., at home.

Mr. Downing is an active republican in his political affiliations, his word carry- ing great weight in the local councils of his party, which he has served as delegate to county and state conventions. He also gives much time and thought to war work, serving as a member of the Council of Defense, being on the committee of safety, and he is chairman of the local draft board. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, in which he belongs to the blue lodge, and also to the chapter, council and commandery. Moreover, he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and he ever takes part in movements to uplift humanity, to improve moral conditions and raise intellectual standards.

ROBERT G. MULLEN.

Robert G. Mullen is the vice president and general manager of the Tri-State Oil & Refining Company. Mr. Mullen is of Canadian birth. The place of his nativity is Caledonia, Canada, and the date November 5, 1863. His parents were Robert and Hannah (Cooper) Mullen, both of whom were natives of Canada, whence they removed to Michigan, where they took up their abode in 1882. The father was interested in the mercantile business with his sons, R. G., S. B. and J. H., at Newaygo, White Cloud and Charlevoix, Michigan. He died in Lansing, Michigan, in 1908. His widow survived him for a few years, passing away in Lansing, in 1912. In their family were seven children, three of whom have passed away, while those still living are J. K., Samuel B., Mrs. Emma Walton and Robert G. Samuel B. Mullen and Mrs. Walton are residing in Lansing.

Robert G. Mullen migrated to the state of Washington and organized the South

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Bend Real Estate & Investment Company of Mullen, Kelley & Bush, one of the largest advertising companies on the Pacific coast during the years '90 and '91. With the collapse of the boom of '91 in Washington he migrated to Creede, and from there to Cripple Creek. He was instrumental in organizing the city of Cripple Creek; was one of the organizers of a republican club and for many years was actively identified with the republican party of Colorado; he was always a strong law and order man and was deputy sheriff in '93, of El Paso county, Colorado, and was actively engaged in sup- pressing the Cripple Creek rebellion, during the Waite regime. From the inception of the camp he was substantially interested in the big producing mining companies. While residing in Cripple Creek he was elected police judge and was instrumental in not only the suppression of gambling but a thorough cleaning up of the town and extermination of the rough element. He formed a partnership with Senator A. R. Kennedy in 1894, known as the Mullen & Kennedy Mining and Developing Company. After the death of his partner in 1899 he formed a partnership with W. S. Boynton, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, known as Boynton & Mullen, Bankers and Brokers. During this association they undertook the financing of the Southwest Smelting & Refining Company. This project necessitated the construction of one of the largest water systems in the southwest, bringing water from the Sacramento river to the Jarilla mining district, a distance of thirty-five miles, which was completed in 1907, and which furnished water for the smelter and mining district, the ranchers and the El Paso Southwestern Railroad. He later returned to Cripple Creek and promoted the 'El Oro Gold Mining & Milling Company, opening up immense bodies of gold ore. At the present time he is vice president of the Tri-State Oil & Refining Company, who has four pumping plants and a vacuum plant with thirty wells pumping, and bids fair to become one of the big companies of the mid-continent oil field.

In December, 1907, Mr. Mullen was united in marriage to Miss Madeline D. Rodolf of Kansas City, Missouri, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank G. Rodolf, of Muscoda, Wis- consin. They have one child, Robert R., who was born in Alamogordo, New Mexico, on November 19, 1908, and is now attending the Collegiate Military School of Denver, Colorado.

CHARLES F. MORRIS.

The record of Charles F. Morris, an able attorney of Denver, indicates most clearly what can be accomplished through individual effort when enterprise and industry are wisely and intelligently directed. He is a native son of the city in which he yet resides. His father was the late Robert Morris, a native of Ireland, who came to America about 1859 and first settled in New York. After residing for more than a decade in the east he came to the west. For a time he lived at Lawrence, Kansas, and in 1872 arrived in Colorado. With the development and progress of Denver he became closely and prominently identified and did not a little to shape its upbuilding and ad- vancement in that early period. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him to the office of mayor in 1880 and he occupied the position for two years, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration. From 1882 until 1884 he served as postmaster of Denver under President Arthur and at one time he was a member of the city council, serving in that capacity prior to his election to the mayoralty. In fact, his public work was of a most important character. He came to Colorado as land commissioner for the Kansas-Pacific Railroad Company and continued his residence in Denver to the time of his demise, which occurred on the 24th of June, 1917, when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years. In early manhood he wedded Julia O'Connor, a native of Ireland, who crossed the ocean in 1865 and arrived in Colorado with her husband in 1872. They were married in New York city in 1868 and to them were born five children, two sons and three daughters, namely: Robert, who was born in Lawrence, Kansas; Gertrude, who was also born in Lawrence and is the widow of William Loutzenheiser, a resident of Denver; Beatrice Morris, who was born in Denver and is the wife of R. W. Morris, now of Long Island, New York; Elizabeth E., the wife of N. O. Pierce, of Denver; and Charles F.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 60

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