History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 84

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

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Robert Bridge Bonney was the sixth in order of birth. He was educated in the public schools of Dedham and at Duxbury, Massachusetts, attending the high school of the latter city, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. After completing his studies he removed to the west, arriving in Denver on the 28th of July, 1895. He believed that broader opportunities were offered in this great and growing section of the country and he has become a factor in its further progress. He secured a position with the Colorado Telephone Company, starting in as shop man, his time being given first to manual labor, while later he became storekeeper. At a subsequent period he was advanced to the position of switchboard helper in March, 1896, and was made switch -- board man in July of that year, a position demanding expert ability. From January, 1897, he served as switchboard installation helper and later became installer in Denver and other towns of Colorado, continuing in that department and similar lines for some time, or until he was advanced to the engineering and drafting department. On the 1st of July, 1903 he was wire chief of Denver and served until February 1, 1905, when he was advanced to the position of superintendent of maintenance at Denver. On the 1st of July, 1906, he entered the traffic department and in January, 1907, was transferred to the engineering department. On the 1st of October, 1907, he resigned his position and engaged in various lines of electrical work on his own account. He was with the Central Colorado Power Company as electrical and telephone expert during the period of the construction of its plant and on the 25th of April, 1910, he returned to the Colo -. rado Telephone Company as assistant equipment engineer and so continued until No- vember 1, 1915, when he was assigned to his present position as educational director, in which capacity he has since most acceptably served. He is thoroughly familiar with the business. from its fundamental basic principles through every department of expert service and executive control. The educational department of the Mountain States Tele- phone & Telegraph Company was originally established by Mr. Bonney during the early part of 1915 and was permanently established in November of that year. The function of this department is to offer the employes an opportunity and aid in personal development in the details of their regular work and in their preparation for broader activities, leading to the acquirement of comprehensive knowledge of the company's business in all of its branches and correlated interests. The work is conducted on a correspondence and personal contact plan through lectures and is affiliated with the National Association of Corporation Schools. Mr. Bonney has been the directing head of this development plan, which has been the outgrowth of a recognition of the needs for special work in the telephone business, with an understanding of kindred interests, resulting in broader training that comes through reading, study and observation. The regular courses are presented in the form of correspondence instruction which requires the student to prepare complete written answers and comments in connection with each section of the course. Printed text in loose leaf form is furnished by sections to each student with blank paper on which to write the answers to questions and other accesso- ries-all furnished without cost. In larger cities class meetings are held for the purpose of giving the students an opportunity to discuss the points of the correspondence course texts which are not clear to them and gain each others' ideas on such points through the aid of discussion under the direction of a class leader. The company has built up

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a comprehensive record system containing all information about the individual student that can be collected, so that when there are vacancies they can tell who is most thor- oughly trained for the work needed. The lecture course is on personal development and the Bell system and includes seven lectures: the first. on information and sugges- tions relative to educational work; the second, on loyalty as the basis of success; the third, on telephone service; the fourth, on discipline; the fifth, on compensation; the sixth, on the Bell system; and the seventh, on policy. The plant course has been splen- didly developed and thus far has been divided into four courses. The first course covers electricity and magnetism. Plant Course No. 2 is substation practice, with substation sets and apparatus, substation installations and telegraphlı substations. Plant Course No. 3 covers private branch exchanges, with assembly and equipment, circuits and in- stallations, while Plant Course No. 4 covers outside work of a general nature, also the exchange aerial plant and the exchange underground plant, together with the toll plant. Such courses, therefore, cover every phase of the work. There is. moreover, maintained a commercial course, which is divided into four parts, the first covering business prin- ciples-economics, organization and management; the second. plant and traffic, covering plant, traffic, general requirements; accounting codes, substation equipment, accounting and exchange accounts; and part 4, covering commercial routines, publicity and public relations. This educational plan has been largely developed through the efforts of Mr. Bonney and is having immediate and direct effect upon the business of the company in the efficiency of service rendered and also upon the welfare of employes in the develop- ment of their powers, leading to the possibility for promotion.

On the 16th of September. 1903, Mr. Bonney was married at Denver, Colorado, to Miss Sally Young, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Lewis and Emma (Hayes) Young. the former now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bonney have become parents of a daughter, Louise. born in Denver, March 14, 1913.

Politically Mr. Bonney is a republican where national interests are involved but casts an independent ballot at local elections. He is well known as a representative of the Masonic fraternity, having membership in Union Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M .; Colo- rado Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M .; and Denver Commandery, No. 25, K. T. He was made a Mason in Denver in 1905 and is a past master of his lodge. He also belongs to the Civic and Commercial Association of Denver, to the Y. M. C. A. and to the Unitarian church, while along professional lines he is widely known through his membership in the Jovian Order, a national order of electric men, and the American Institute of Electrical Engi- neers. He is a full member, and secretary, of the Denver Section of the American Insti- tute of Electrical Engineers. is president of the Denver Chapter of the Telephone Society and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. There is perhaps no one better known throughout all the west in connection with telephone service or able to speak with greater authority upon any branch thereof. Moreover, as educational director bis efforts have been a stimulus to the efforts and the ambition of many students and thus his work goes forth in constantly widening circles of influence and usefulness.

OLIVER WILBUR LOVAN.

Oliver W. Lovan is a substantial business man who is now the president and gen- eral sales agent for the Colorado Owl Oil Company, with offices in the Colorado building in Denver. This is one of the new corporations operating in the oil fields of the west, but there is every indication that its efforts will be crowned with success. Mr. Lovan is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in McLeansboro on the 18th of September, 1869, his parents being A. D. and Emilla (Carr) Lovan. The father was born at Willow. Springs, Missouri, and was reared in the southern part of Illinois. He took up the occupation of farming, which he followed as a life work, devoting many years to the task of tilling the soil, but is now living retired at the age of seventy-two. His wife is a native of Tennessee but in early life became a resident of Ewing, Illinois, where they were married and have since resided. She is now seventy-three years of age.

In the schools near his father's home Oliver W. Lovan of this review began his education and afterward had the benefit of instruction in Enfield College of Illinois. He took up the profession of teaching in Hopkins county, Kentucky, and devoted his attention to the work of the schoolroom there from 1886 until 1897. Attracted by the opportunities of the west, he then came to Colorado and for eighteen years was engaged in the real estate business at Colorado Springs and Colorado City, dividing his time between those two places until 1912. He then entered real estate circles in Denver and

OLIVER W. LOVAN

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continued to handle property in this city for five years. In 1917 he established his present business, organizing the Colorado Owl Oil Company, which has every indication of proving a successful one. The company derived its name from the initial letters of Mr. Lovan's name. It has secured leases on three hundred and sixty acres of land in Rogers county, Oklahoma, all of which is in a proven oil district, and a portion of its leases are proven by offset wells, with one test well on one of the leases. Among the stockholders of the company are one hundred and fifty representative Denver citizens and over fifty well known citizens of Colorado Springs, while a considerable portion of the stock has been sold in various states of the Union. The officers of the company are: O. W. Lovan, president; Earl C. Heinly, secretary and treasurer; and George W. Musser, attorney and director. In addition to his connection with this business Mr. Lovan is general sales agent of the Gibraltar Oil Company, operating in Oklahoma, and he is also a member of the American Mining Congress.

On the 13th of August, 1889, Mr. Lovan was married to Miss India Jones, a daughter of J. W. Jones, of McLeansboro, Illinois, and to them have been born two sons and a daughter. The elder son, Joseph T., was born in Mitchell, Indiana, June 2, 1891, and is a graduate of Ewing College of Ewing, Illinois. He married Helen Reed, of Colorado Springs, and to them have been born two children, Mahel and Oscar Joseph. The daughter of the family is Mrs. Laura Madeline Clarke, who was born in Dawson, Kentucky, in May, 1895. She is a graduate of the Sacred Heart Seminary of Colorado Springs and of Professor Read's Art School of Denver. She is the wife of Sergeant W. C. Clarke, an officer in the United States service. The youngest of the family is Oliver Wilbur Lovan, Jr., who was born in Denver in May, 1914. Mrs. Lovan is a daughter of Professor J. W. Jones, who was a noted educator of southern Illinois. Both he and his wife are now deceased.

Mr. Lovan belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and in religious faith is a Baptist. He has many substantial qualities and the sterling worth of his character is recognized by all with whom he comes in contact.

MERRITT W. BABCOCK.

Merritt W. Babcock, who is at present serving as justice of the peace and who makes his home in Trinidad, was for many years connected with important business interests of his section of the state. He is a man of eastern birth. Tolland. Connecticut, being his native city. He was born September 8, 1853, a son of Merritt I. and Amelia (Orcutt) Babcock, both of old Puritan stock. His early education was received in the public schools of his native city and he subsequently attended a business college in Hartford, Connecticut. His first position was that of cashier in a retail merchandise store. He thus continued for a year and a half, after which he was given charge of a branch store, acting as cashier and credit man and so continuing for four years. He then held a similar position with Charles E. Price, a coal dealer, with whom he remained for three years, after which he contracted pneumonia, the ravages of the disease causing him to take a year's rest. Upon recovering his health he returned to the old store in Thonip- sonville, where he again found employment. For seven years he filled the important position of manager of the establishment, at the end of which period, in partnership with R. D. Spencer, he bought out the business and the firm name of Spencer & Babcock was assumed. Their business was a growing one and soon eleven clerks were needed in order to carry on the establishment, devoted to general merchandising, and carrying. well filled lines in their various departments. The best methods prevailed and it was therefore but natural that the business grew rapidly. The long hours and constant attention which the business, however, demanded were too much for the strength of Mr. Bahcock, whose health was seriously impaired on account of the arduous duties imposed upon him. Because of this fact he sold his interest and came to Trinidad, Colorado, in 1883. He engaged in the flour, feed and grain business, so continuing for one year, when he sold out in order to go into the mountains. There he took up a claim and purchased some cattle, ranching for a while. Most of his time was spent in the saddle and he succeeded in largely regaining his health. He then took charge of Elmore Dunlavy's store, thus continuing for seven years, and subsequently, in con- nection with George Winters, conducted a large livery. After some time he sold his interest in the livery and ranch and with E. Lufton engaged in the commission busi- ness. He soon bought out his partner and very successfully conducted this enterprise as the M. W. Babcock Commission Company for about six years. The highest principles were always maintained in his business transactions and his reputation for honesty

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and fair dealing was recognized by all. Moreover, he displayed shrewdness and great ability and he therefore attained well deserved success. However, during the Trinidad strike of 1913 Mr. Babcock's finances were largely impaired by people who took ad- vantage of the situation and who were indebted to him but would or could not discharge their obligations.

Twenty-eight years ago Mr. Babcock served as justice of the peace and at present he is again serving a four year term. In this connection it may be mentoned that he received the highest number of votes on his ticket, a well deserved compliment of the public as regards his standing in the community. He is fair and impartial in the dis- charge of his duties and is ever ready to help those who come before his court. His long business career, bringing him in contact with so many people of various stations in different parts of the United States, well qualifies him for the position, for he is a man of studious nature who readily learns the lessons of life. While he deals out summary punishment to the old offender, he is lenient with those whose offenses are trivial and who for the first time stray from the path of righteousness, trying to guide them back into the fold of society through kindness rather than the strict application of the law.

On September 27, 1877, Judge Babcock was united in marriage to Miss Mary Alex- ander Bennett and to them were born one son and five daughters, one of whom is at present preparing at Vassar College for Red Cross work in France.

Politically Mr. Babcock is a republican and fraternally a Woodman of the World. He is deeply interested in the marvelous progress which his section and state have made of late years and in his modest way has contributed to this development. Wherever movements for the general welfare are undertaken he is ready to extend a helping hand and his name has been connected with many measures which have proven of benefit to Trinidad and vicinity. He finds recreation in outdoor life, of which he is very fond, as for him nature holds many secrets and beauties which a man of less studious mind would pass by unseeing and unappreciative.

CHARLES L. HENDERSHOT.

Charles L. Hendershot, of Denver, has always devoted his attention to a calling in which advancement must depend entirely upon individual effort and merit. The influence of family or friends avails one little in the practice of law. The individual must possess a knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, with ability to accurately . apply these principles, and his clients must find him at all times devoted to their interests. Meeting all the requirements of the successful attorney, Charles L. Hender- shot is now practicing in Denver and the court records attest the ability which he has displayed in handling various important cases. He comes to the west from Marion county, Iowa, where his birth occurred on the 18th of June, 1869. He is a son of Isaac B. and Margaret E. (Hart) Hendershot, the former a native of Greene county, Pennsyl- vania, while the latter was born in Marion county, Iowa. The father's birth occurred in the year 1833 and in 1865, when a young man of about thirty-two, he removed to Iowa, where he engaged in the raising of live stock, making a specialty of handling cattle. His business affairs were wisely, carefully and successfully conducted and he remained a valued and substantial resident of Marion county to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1907. His wife was reared and educated in that county and there remained to the time of her death, which occurred in the year 1917, she having survived her husband for a decade.

Mr. and Mrs. Isaac B. Hendershot reared a family of seven children, of whom Charles L. Hendershot was the second in order of birth. His youthful experiences were those of the farm-bred boy who divides his time between the acquirement of an educa- tion, the work of the fields and the pleasures of the playground. After he had mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools of his native county he continued his studies in the University of Iowa at Iowa City and, having determined upon the practice of law as a life work, he there concentrated his efforts and attention upon preparation for the bar. He was graduated from the law department with the class of 1896 and at once entered upon the practice in Marion county, where he remained until 1898. Thinking that the new and growing west would offer better opportunities, he then made his way to Pueblo, Colorado. There he did not immediately take up law practice but entered the service of the United States government as special land agent, continu- ing in the department from 1898 until 1906, when he resigned to again enter upon the practice of his profession. In the latter year he located in Walsenburg, Colorado, where

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he continued his residence from 1906 until 1913 and was very successful in his pro- fessional work there. In the latter year he came to Denver, where he has since remained, and in his practice he has specialized in land law and particularly law relating to oil lands. He has built up a very extensive practice in this connection and the extent and importance of his business shows him to be acknowledged an authority upon this branch of practice. He has closely studied every phase bearing upon land titles and the titles of oil properties and he can readily cite precedent and principle and is able to most wisely counsel his clients as to the course which they should pursue.

In July, 1890, Mr. Hendershot was united in marriage to Miss Emma A. McCulley, a daughter of Henry M. and Eleanor (Potter) McCulley, of Marion county, Iowa. They have become parents of two children: Margaret, who was born in Marion county, Iowa, and was educated at the University of Colorado and graduated from the University of Denver with the class of '18; and Charles, who was born in Pueblo, Colorado, August 5, 1905, and is attending the Denver schools. The parents are consistent and faithful members of the Episcopal church and Mr. Hendershot stands very high in Masonic circles, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He has attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite and he belongs also to Denver Lodge, No. 17, B. P. O. E., while his membership relations further extend to the Denver Club and to the Denver University Club. Along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Denver County & City Bar Association and the Colorado State Bar Association. He is well known socially and he and his family occupy a fine home on Columbine street, in one of the best residential sections of Denver. The hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mrs. Hendershot is prominent in Red Cross work, taking an active and helpful part in supporting and promoting that organization. Mr. Hendershot has never had occasion to regret his determination to remove to the west, for here he found business opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has made steady progress. His professional prominence is uniformly attested by those who know him and his acquaintance in the city is constantly broadening.

BRAINARD D. HARPER.

Brainard D. Harper, deceased, was during the latter part of his life a successful banker of Greeley and at all times commanded the respect, confidence and goodwill of those who knew him. He was born in Greenfield, Ohio, December 10, 1841, a son of William and Mary Harper. He acquired his education in the Burlington Academy of Iowa and when nineteen years of age, his patriotic spirit aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, he joined the army, enlisting as a member of Company F, Forty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, of which he became captain. He participated in the battle of Vicksburg and while at the front became ill, his health being so seriously impaired that he was honorably discharged from the service.

After leaving the army Mr. Harper returned to his home at Burlington, Iowa, and there engaged in the shoe business with his father for about six years. It was in 1872 that he arrived in Colorado, establishing his home at Evans, where he opened a general merchandise store. He also engaged to some extent in raising cattle on the Platte river. In 1882 he removed to Greeley and from that time until his death was prominently identified with the interests of Weld county. He was elected county treasurer and dis- charged his duties so capably during his first term that he was reelected to the position. He retired from the office as he had entered it-with the confidence and goodwill of all concerned-and then turned his attention to the banking business, becoming one of the organizers and the cashier of the First National Bank. He was identified with that institution for a few years and later he became the president of the Union National Bank, with which he was connected to the time of his death. During the latter part of his life he was very successful in the conduct of all of his business affairs and accumu- lated a verv substantial and well merited competence. He was also interested at an early day in a sheep ranch and in a cattle ranch.

Mr. Harner was married on October 10. 1865. to Miss Jane G. Bruen. a daughter of William and Jane (Williamson) Bruen. Her father, who was an invalid during most of his life. passed away during the early girlhood of Mrs. Harper.

Mr. Harper was very fond of hunting and fishing, to which he turned for pastime and diversion. He came to Colorado on account of his health. His deathi occurred in May, 1905, his remains being interred in Lynn Grove cemetery of Greeley. He had taken an active nart in public affairs and was a stalwart supporter of the republican party and an intimate friend of Judge Garrigues of Greeley. He belonged to the Grand Army

Brainard Q. Hacher

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of the Republic, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old military comrades. He possessed many sterling traits of character, one of which was the universality of his friendships, which indicated the breadth of his nature. He judged men not by wealth but by worth, and genuine worth could always win his regard. Mrs. Harper, surviving her husband, occupies a beautiful home at No. 1223 Eleventh street in Greeley and her love of literature is indicated in her fine library, which contains many most attractive volumes.

JOHN M. BESHOAR, D. D. S.

Dentistry is unique among the professions in that it demands capability of a threefold nature. The dentist must not only possess broad scientific knowledge but mechanical genius and ingenuity in marked degree, and added to this he must have the business discernment that will enable him to manage the financial interests which constitute a feature of every business enterprise. Dr. Beshoar is well equipped in all of these particulars and he is constantly promoting his efficiency through wide reading and study. He practices extensively and success- fully in Trinidad, his native city, where he was born on the 21st of June, 1885, a son of Dr. Michael Beshoar, a most distinguished man, citizen and physician, whose death in 1907 was a matter of the deepest and most wide-spread regret.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 84

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