History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 81

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

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On the 15th of April, 1903, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Ward and to them have been born three children, namely: Meriel, Louise and Ward.

Mr. Clark is identified with Elks Lodge No. 610. He is a member of the Cañon City Card Club and is a past president of the Colorado Electric Light, Power and Railway Association. He belongs to the Canon City Auto Club, is a director of the Chamber of Commerce of Canon City and a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engi- neers. His political support is given the men and measures of the democratic party. He is one of Colorado's most patriotic and progressive citizens and has been very active in war work, serving as captain in the liberty loan campaign and as lieutenant of the Red Cross. He takes an active interest in all enterprises which he deems calculated to advance the moral and material welfare of his community. In business affairs he has steadily prospered and is today president of the Clark Land & Stock Company and also president of the Skagway Cattle Company. He is a man of fine personality and has a host of friends wherever known.

W. OCTAVE CHANUTE.

W. Octave Chanute is a well known investment broker of Denver, operating as a member and vice president of the firm of Bosworth, Chanute & Company. He was born in Tarrytown, New York, September 24, 1885, a son of Arthur Chanute and a grandson of Octave Chanute, who was born in Paris, France, in 1832 and came to the United States before he was seven years old with his parents and settled in New York city. He re- ceived a thorough education, was fitted for a brilliant professional career and achieved the greatest distinction. In the early '50s he came into the country of the Mississippi, where as an engineer he helped build the Chicago & Alton Railroad and was soon in the position of engineering chief. Then, from 1863 to 1873 he was closely identified with railroad enterprises in Kansas and other sections of the middle west. In 1873 he was made chief engineer of the Erie Railroad, which position he held for some ten years and built the first bridge across the Mississippi river, which made Kansas City.

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Besides his activities in the field of civil engineering, he was interested in aeronautics, which he took up first as a hobby and later wrote a book called "The Progress in Flying Machines," which attracted considerable attention all the world over. That work has been an inspiration for many aeronauts. He reproduced the gliding machine of Lilien- thal and induced several young Americans, among them being the Wright Brothers, to experiment with it. In fact, not long before the death of Wilbur Wright, the Wright Brothers publicly acknowledged that they owed their success to Octave Chanute. He has often been called in this country and abroad the Father of Aviation. Mr. Chanute died at his home in Chicago, Illinois, several years ago and in memory of him his daugh- ters and grandchildren sent an ambulance to France, which is now being used in con- nection with the war. His son, Arthur Chanute, was born in Peoria, Illinois, and was graduated from Yale University with the class of 1880. In 1886 he removed westward to Leadville, Colorado, and there engaged in mining operations for several years. He afterward came to Denver, where he built the Globe Smelter, in which under- taking he was associated with Charles B. Kountze and Dennis Sheedy. He thus con- tinued active in business to the time of his death, in 1894.

W. Octave Chanute, whose name introduces this review, was but four months of age when his parents established their home in Leadville and later he became a pupil in the public schools of Denver. Later he attended St. Paul's school in Concord, New Hampshire, where he was a student for three years, and then returning westward as far as Chicago, he spent a year and a half in the University School at Chicago. He afterward went to New England for a course at Yale in metallurgy and chemistry, obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree as a member of the class of 1909 in the Shef- field Scientific School. After his course was completed he became identified with the Western Chemical Works as chemist and assayer, continuing in that position for several months. On the expiration of that period he became junior partner in the firm of William E. Smith & Company of Denver, of which he was the secretary and treasurer for three years. Later he became connected with the firm of Sweet, Causey, Foster & Company as a junior partner and was treasurer of said company until September, 1916, when he became identified with Mr. Bosworth in organizing the firm of Bosworth, Chanute & Company, the other partners in the corporation being Paul Loughridge, George W. Ballantine, Jr., and J. H. K. Martin. These gentlemen conduct a brokerage business, largely handling municipal and corporation bonds and other high grade se- curities.

Mr. Chanute is a director of The Capitol Life Insurance Company of Colorado and is also on the board of directors of the Fitts-Smith Wholesale Dry Goods Company of Kansas City, Missouri. He is a member of the board of directors and secretary of the Denver Club and also belongs to the University Club and the Denver Country Club. He is likewise identified with the Civic and Commercial Association and is interested in all those projects which make for the upbuilding of the state and city, and the develop- ment of their interests.

In 1911 Mr. Chanute was married to Miss Hazel O'Brien, of Denver, a daughter of A. J. O'Brien, the well known patent attorney of this city. They have one child, Elaine, six years of age. Mr. Chanute belongs to St. John's Episcopal church and is a man of the highest worth of character, honored and esteemed by all who know him.

CLARENCE JOSEPH DALY.

The record of the growth and development of Colorado reveals the salient fact that her enrichment has been due, in no small measure, to the efforts of a class of younger men whose infectious energy, supplemented by a full measure of boundless enthusiasm and broad vision, have transformed the dreams of the yesterday into the realities of today, and among the names of such younger builders that of Clarence J. Daly finds easy and graceful place.

Mr. Daly is a native son of the Silver state, having been born in Leadville, Colorado, March 16, 1888, a son of Thomas F. and Elthea Belle (Cooper) Daly. He was but a lad of seven years of age when his parents located in Denver and here he spent his boy- hood, advancing through the public schools of this city, and profiting from the superior educational opportunities afforded by the western metropolis. He supplemented this by a three years course at the Holbrooks' Military Academy, at Ossining, New York, where he won distinction by proficiency in drill and military tactics. He then spent two years at Hamilton College, Utica, New York, and subsequently began his active busi- ness career by entering upon insurance work with the London Guarantee & Accident Com-

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pany, being connected with their Chicago office. He later returned to Denver and joined forces with his father, who had organized The Capitol Life Insurance Company, of which mention is made elsewhere in this work in the personal sketch of Thomas F. Daly.

Clarence J. Daly is now vice president of The Capitol Life Insurance Company and is also vice president and treasurer of the Thomas F. Daly Agency Company, which position he has creditably filled during the past eight years. He has made a thorough and careful study of the life insurance business, in all of its various branches, and like his father, is regarded as an authority upon the subject.

In January, 1908, Mr. Daly was united in marriage with Miss Marie A. Genter, of Colorado Springs, and to them have been born two children, a son, Thomas F., 2d, and a daughter, Elizabeth Marie, Mr. and Mrs. Daly maintain their home in Denver and both are favorably known in the social circles of the city.

In civic affairs Mr. Daly takes a live interest and is a member of the Denver Civic and Commercial Association, and also maintains membership in the Denver Club, the Denver Country Club and Alpha Delta Phi.

CLINTON A. BOWMAN.

When one realizes the fact that Clinton A. Bowman of Denver started out in the business world in the humble capacity of messenger boy when twelve years of age it seems that by leaps and bounds he must have reached his present position as a con- trolling factor in a number of the great enterprises of this community and state, yet analysis of his career shows that his progress has resulted not from any unusual cir- cumstances or especially fortunate conditions but as the result of close application and wise use of every opportunity that has come to him. He has always been diligent and has never been afraid to pay the price of success and that price is earnest, unremitting effort. He secured his initial position as telegraph messenger boy at Silverton and he had the distinction of being the second to serve in that capacity there. His salary was only fifteen dollars per month, but he sought to increase his income from other sources and did so until his earnings amounted to between eighty and ninety dollars per month, a matter of successful achievement for a young and inexperienced boy. Among other tasks which he secured was that of cleaning up the First National Bank, which brought to him an amount equal to his salary as messenger. This work he did before reporting for duty at the telegraph office. He was always obliging, courteous, efficient and gen- tlemanly and these qualities won for him many friends among the prominent business men of Silverton. With his savings, which he carefully hoarded, he branched out into other lines and at the age of eighteen established a teaming business, which became a successful undertaking under his management. It was not long before he had acquired sufficient capital to enable him to embark in the livery business, in which he continued for twelve years. From that he took other forward steps and at length disposed of all of his business investments in 1891 to turn his attention to the commissary business and con- duct of a boarding house in connection with his father for the Gold King and Mogul Gold Mining companies. They conducted their interests near the property of the company and their activity proved extremely profitable. Mr. Bowman was engaged in that busi- ness until 1905 and in the meantime his latent powers were being developed and strength- ened, his record proving that power grows through the exercise of effort. From point to point he has progressed until large, extensive and important interests are now under his control and he stands as one of the foremost business men of the state.

Mr. Bowman was born in Alpena, Michigan, July 27, 1870, a son of James C. and Susan A. (Rapelje) Bowman, the former a native of the state of New York, while the latter was born in Canada. They became residents of Michigan in early life and were there married. The father was one of the hardy pioneers of the state and became connected with the lumber industry and he spent many years of his life in association with that business. In 1883 he removed with his family to Animas Forks, Colorado, where he turned his attention to mercantile interests, and eventually after living in various parts of Colorado and spending some time at Silverton, he came to Denver with his son, Clinton A., and is now living retired at his beautiful home in this city. His wife died at Silverton in 1896. Their family numbered but two children, the daughter being Katherine, the wife of Gordon Yates, now living in Telluride, Colorado.

Clinton A. Bowman was a pupil in the public schools of Silverton until he reached the age of twelve years, when, as previously stated, he started out in the business world by accepting a position as messenger boy at a salary of fifteen dollars per month. He early displayed a most laudable and creditable ambition and utilized every chance

CLINTON A. BOWMAN

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to advance his interests as the years passed. The record of his progress has in part been previously told. Each forward step brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities and after connection with teaming, the livery business and mercantile interests he in February, 1906, became the organizer of the Merchants Biscuit Company. This enterprise was started in a small way but was carefully directed, his native intel- ligence enabling him to discriminate readily between the essential and the non-essential in business affairs. In the early days there were but twenty-six workmen and other em- ployes on the pay roll, but with the passing of time the business developed and increased, more money was invested, the plant was enlarged and modernized and the latest im- proved machinery for the conduct of such an enterprise was installed. More ground space was secured until today the Merchants Biscuit Company ranks as one of the fore- most productive industries of Colorado, employing more than three hundred people in its various departments. It is an undertaking of which the state has every reason to be proud, for it has been locally developed and is a home industry, upbuilt through the energies and determination of Mr. Bowman and the able corps of assistants whom he has gathered about him. The plant is always open for the inspection of visitors, who at all times receive the most courteous treatment and attention, in fact, it is the policy of the house to court an investigation of its plant, knowing that its trade will be thereby increased. Large and important as is this undertaking, it is but one of the business interests which claim the attention of Mr. Bowman. He is identified with many other large business concerns of Colorado and neighboring states. He is a director and chairman of the board of the Guardian Trust Company of Denver, one of the leading financial institutions of the city. He is also a director and an official of the Wind River Petroleum Company and the Wind River Refining Company of the Wind River district at Lander, Wyoming. He is also connected with The Denver Morris Plan Com- pany, The S. M. Willner Stores Corporation and many other enterprises which have featured most largely in the material upbuilding and progress of the state.

On the 13th of August, 1892, Mr. Bowman was married to Miss Mabel T. Gifford, of Silverton, Colorado, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Gifford, pioneer people of this state. They have two children: Velma Brendlinger, who was born in Silverton in 1894 and was graduated with honors from the Denver schools; and James Clinton, born in Silverton in 1903 and now a junior in the East Denver high school. The daughter became the wife of L. E. Brendlinger and has two children, Elmer and Mabel Jane.

Mr. Bowman is a member of the board of directors of the Denver Athletic Club and is also identified with the Manufacturers' Association and the Civic and Commercial Association. He takes an active part in any enterprise for the benefit of Colorado, assists liberally in support of charitable organizations and is doing most active, earnest and effec- tive work at the present time for the Red Cross and the Liberty Bond drives. In fact, he stands as one of the foremost figures in the civil and commercial life of Denver and his marked ability well fits him for a position of leadership. Such in brief is the life history of Clinton A. Bowman, whose marked enterprise and adaptability have constituted the key that has unlocked for him the portals of success. His life record indicates the possibilities for notable achievement on the part of the individual who must start out in life empty-handed and his life record has inspirational value to those who recognize the fact that opportunity is open to all and that progress depends upon individual merit and ability.

GEORGE E. TURNER.

George E. . Turner, president of the Turner Company, conducting a moving and storage business in Denver, with extensive fireproof warehouses at 1411 Arapahoe street, was born in Lewis, Cass county, Iowa, August 26, 1859, a son of George F. and Hannah (Mahin) Turner. The father was born in Maryland and became a pioneer resident of Cass county, Iowa and afterwards of Colorado. He was largely reared and educated in the Hawkeye state and in 1861 removed to Colorado, first settling at Central, where he conducted an express business. During the later years of his life he was associated in business with his son, George, and passed away in Denver, October 16, 1915, at the advanced age of eighty years. His wife, who was born in 1843, is still living in Denver. They had but two children, the daughter being Eva May, now the wife of Judson Rohrbough, a resident of California.

George E. Turner was but two years of age when his parents removed to Central, Colorado, and there in the public schools he pursued his education to the age of nine years, when the family home was established in Denver and he continued his studies in the schools of this city to the age of seventeen. He has since been an active factor

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in business circles. He first engaged in the express business, beginning with a little wagon drawn by one horse. He was active in the express business for a year. In 1885 he turned his attention to the storage business with a flat wagon and a team of mules as bis moving equipment, and with that primitive start he has built up the largest business of the kind in the west. He has today an extensive warehouse, a great brick structure one hundred and twenty-five feet square and six stories in height. The business represents an investment of four hundred thousand dollars. His first building was purchased in March, 1904, and in 1909 he erected a complete fireproof building adjoining, especially designed for the purpose used. The equipment includes motor cars and trucks of various descriptions and a very extensive moving and storage busi- ness has been built up, so that Mr. Turner ranks today among the prosperous men of the city. He is actuated by a laudable ambition to develop the largest and best equipped business of the kind in the world and present indications are that he will soon realize this ambition.

Mr. Turner was married in Pueblo, Colorado, to Miss Nellie McCarthy, a native of Leavenworth, Kansas, and to them were born two children: Blanche F., who has passed away; and Merle E. Mr. Turner is the president of the Turner-Diegel Motor Company, a Ford agency at No. 455 Broadway, at the corner of Fifth street and Broadway, which business he established for his son. Politically Mr. Turner maintains an independent course. He is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World, the Rotary Club, the Ad Club, the Real Estate Exchange and with the Denver Civic and Commercial Association. These connections indicate the breadth and nature of his interests. He stands for all that is progressive in citizenship and cooperates heartily in all well, defined plans and movements for the upbuilding and development of the city. His business career is a most creditable one and indicates the force of his character, his initiative spirit and his adaptability. Starting out for himself at an early age, he has constantly worked his way upward and in his vocabulary there is no such word as fail. When one avenue of opportunity seems closed he seeks out other paths whereby he may reach the desired goal, and at all times his business activities have measured up to the highest standards of enterprise and of honor.

FRED L. GREEN.

Fred L. Green is one of Denver's most successful and representative automobile men, now the vice president and general manager of the O'Meara & Green Motor Company, distributors for the Ford cars. He has built up a business of magnitude in this connection. Moreover, his activities have been an effective force in advancing Colorado's progress and upbuilding along many lines. He is an enthusiastic champion of the state and its possibilities and has done everything in his power to exploit its interests and promote its substantial growth. The life record of Fred L. Green began at Mason, Michigan, on the 31st of October, 1886, his parents being Frank H. and Minnie M. (Pratt) Green, the former a native of Bergen, New York, while the latter was born in Michigan. In early life Frank H. Green removed westward to Michigan, where he later engaged in the lumber business and in farming. His has been an active and useful life along those lines of labor and he still retains bis resi- dence in Michigan at the age of fifty-four years, be and his wife being well known and respected citizens of Lansing. It was in her native state that Mrs. Green was reared, educated and married. By her marriage she became the mother of two children, the younger being George Green, who is still living in Michigan.

The elder son, Fred L. Green of this review, began his education in the public schools at the usual age, pursuing his studies at Mason, at Gladwin and at Lansing, Michigan, as his parents removed from one place to another. He at length became a pupil in the high school at Lansing, but before the time of graduation he put aside his textbooks in order to make his initial step in the business world. In 1906 he went to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and there started out in mercantile lines on his own account as a dealer in sporting goods. He met with a very substantial measure of success in that connectiou and continued to conduct business in Kalamazoo until 1912, when he sold out and returned to Lansing, Michigan, where he entered into the automobile wheel manufacturing business, in which he remained until Feb- ruary, 1914. He then came to Denver and entered into business relations with the Ford Motor Company, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the trade. On the 16th of August, 1916, he secured the Ford agency for Colorado in handling Ford motor cars and accessories. He organized the O'Meara & Green Motor Company

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and leased a building at the corner of Fourteenth Street and Broadway, one of the most advantageous locations in the city. Here a substantial building has been. erected and a successful business is now being conducted under the able manage- ment of the two capable young men who constitute the firm. . The business was incorporated on the 19th of August, 1916, with Walter K. Hurd, of Pueblo, Colo- rado, as president; F. L. Green as vice president and manager, and Alfred M. O'Meara, as the secretary. They have closely studied every question bearing upon the development of the business and the extension of their patronage and their trade has assumed large proportions. This is now one of the most progressively and successfully conducted agencies in the west. In addition to his interest in the automobile business, Mr. Green is also director in many other growing enterprises of the state. He has unbounded faith in the future of Colorado and is therefore glad to ally his interests with those of the commonwealth. He is a director of the Com- mercial Investment Company, with offices in the Gas & Electric building, and his standing in business circles is indicated in the fact that he has been elected to the presidency of the Automobile Trade Bureau. He is also identified with the Civic and Commercial Association and heartily cooperates in every plan and effort put forth by that organization for the development of the city, the extension of its business and trade relations and the advancement of its civic standards.

On the 2d of October, 1911, Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Middleton, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Middle- ton, now of Schoolcraft, Michigan.

Fraternally Mr. Green is connected with the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife have many friends in Denver and the hospitality of its best homes is freely extended them. Mr. Green is alert, enterprising and energetic and is thoroughly and sincerely optimistic regarding Colorado and its future. His has been a notable career of steady progress for he started out in life empty-handed and has steadily worked his way upward through persistent effort and the utilization of the chances which have come to him-chances which others have passed heedlessly by.

REGINALD VINCENT TOWNER.

A native son of Denver, Reginald V. Towner has found his city a fruitful field of business, having become prominent in insurance circles as secretary and treasurer of the Western Life & Casualty Company, in which he is financially interested. This com- pany enjoys a high reputation not only in the state but throughout the country and its growth must be largely attributed to the activities of Its secretary, whose business ability and integrity stand without a doubt. Mr. Towner was born November 22, 1883, and is a son of Louis H. and Julia (Mullins) Towner, who were of English birth. They were married in the mother country and in 1878 came to America, making their way directly to Colorado. Here the father lived for thirty-two years, passing away about 1910, his widow still surviving and making her home in Denver. They had a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 81

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