History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 87

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

USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume II > Part 87

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1908 Mr. Main was united in marriage to Miss Antonia Bansbach, a native of

612

HISTORY OF COLORADO

Denver, and they have hecome parents of two daughters: Betty, nine years of age, now in school; and Gretchen, a little maiden of three summers. The parents are com- municants of St. Mark's Episcopal church and Mr. Main is identified with the Denver Club, Denver Athletic Club, the University Club and other social organizations. He is also a member of the Colorado Insurance Federation, belongs to the Denver Motor Club and is a member of the Denver Civic and Commercial Association, the last named indicating his deep interest in the welfare and progress of his city, its upbuilding, the extension of its trade relations and the advancement of its civic standards. He turns for recreation to athletics and is particularly fond of football but never allows outside interests to interfere with the faithful performance of his duties in connection with business and has been active in upbuilding one of the most important insurance agencies of Denver.

WILFRID M. HAGER.

Wilfrid M. Hager, engaged in the investment business in Colorado Springs, was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1873. His father, W. D. Hager, was also a native of the Keystone state and was married there to Miss Jane Matchin, who was likewise born in Pennsylvania. Both have now passed away, the former having died in 1903 and the latter in 1891.

Wilfrid M. Hager was reared in New Jersey and was accorded liberal educational privileges. He was graduated from Princeton University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and removed to southern New Mexico in 1897. In 1905 he came to Colorado Springs and in 1912 turned his attention to the investment business, in which he has since successfully engaged, covering a period of six years. He figures prominently in financial circles, being the vice president of the Colorado Title & Trust Company and a director of the Colorado Springs Electric Light & Power Company. His progress in the business world has resulted from his close study of all the complex problems which arise in connection with any business-study that has resulted in thorough mastery of his work.

On the 11th of November, 1903, in Ogontz, Pennsylvania, Mr. Hager was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa Butler and they have two children, Janet and W. M. The family attended the Episcopal church and Mr. Hager is well known in club circles of Colorado Springs, holding membership in the El Paso Club, the Cheyenne Mountain Club, the Winter Night Club and the Broadmoor Golf Club. His political endorsement is given to the republican party but with no desire for office as a reward for party fealty. He is not remiss in the duties of citizenship, however, and co- operates heartily in plans and measures for the general good. He is a favorite in social circles and has many sterling qualities which have won him popularity and prominence in business life and in other connections.

JOHN N. LAMB.

John N. Lamb, mayor of La Junta and a public-spirited citizen whose administration is a most progressive one, fully meeting the requirements and needs of city manage- ment and upbuilding at the present time, has been called to the office for the third term, a fact indicative of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. There is none more worthy of public regard, for his entire career has been faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation.

Mr. Lamb is a native son of Missouri. He was born in Macon county, that state, on the 30th of November, 1865, his parents being Thomas J. and Elizabeth E. (Esry) Lamb. The family removed to Colorado in the year 1888, joining Mr. Lamb of this review, who had come to the state the previous year. The family home was established at Brighton.

John N. Lamb acquired his education largely in the schools of Moberly, Mis- sourl, where he became a high school pupil. He has also learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience, and possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, is constantly adding to his knowledge. He turned his attention to merchandising in this state and in March, 1899, removed from Denver to La Junta, where he has continuously engaged in business, conducting one of the leading mercantile establishments of the city. His methods are most progressive and his close application and unfaltering energy have

WILFRID M. HAGER

614

HISTORY OF COLORADO

proven salient features in the attainment of a growing success. He has brought the same qualities to bear in the conduct of public offices. His fellow townsmen, appreci- ative of his worth and ability, have frequently called upon him for public service. He filled the position of alderman for four years and was then elected mayor, in which office he made so creditable a record that he has twice been reelected and is now serving for the sixth year. His administrations have been characterized by much constructive work and by most business-like methods. He has given special attention to improving streets and alleys and keeping the city clean and sanitary in every respect. While he avoids all useless expenditure he does not believe in that needless retrenchment which hampers progress; on the contrary he has pursued an even middle course and that his administration has received the warm endorsement of the best element of La Junta's citizenship is indicated in the fact that he has three times been chosen for the office.

Mr. Lamb was married on the 1st of June, 1904, to Miss Dott M. Beck and to them have been born two children, Elizabeth G. and Jolın Willard. Mr. Lamb is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, and he also has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is likewise connected with the Industrial Association. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party and he is most active in its work, yet he holds the general good before partisanship and the public welfare before self-aggrandizement. His wife is at the head of the Red Cross, having organized the county for work in that connection, and Mr. Lamb has been most active and earnest in promoting the bond drives. Actuated by high purposes and lofty principles in all his public service, he has done much for La Junta and the county at large and is among the most valued residents of his section of the state.

MAJOR D. C. OAKES.

The name of Major D. C. Oakes is closely interwoven with the history of Colorado. He was a pioneer who had the keen insight to recognize much of what the future had in store for this great state. He saw its possibilities and believed in its opportunities and he lived to reap the rewards of his judgment and sagacity. He was born in Car- thage, Maine, April 3, 1825, and in 1831 accompanied his parents on their removal to Galion, (then Richland county) Ohio, where his mother passed away in 1832. In 1835 the father took his family to Lagrange county, Indiana, and a year later removed to the Black Hawk Purchase, now Clinton county, Iowa, where he continued his residence until called to his final rest in 1847.

Two years later Major D. C. Oakes started for California, accompanied by Abram Walrod and A. R. Cotton, driving an ox team, their purpose being to find gold, recent discoveries having been made in that state. Major Oakes engaged in work in the placer mines on the middle fork of Feather river in partnership with A. R. Cotton, a member of congress from Iowa and a district court judge of that state. He did not meet with the success he had anticipated, however, in his mining ventures and returned to Clinton county, Iowa, by way of the water route and the Isthmus of Panama. The vessel on which he sailed was becalmed on the ocean for a long period, and while waiting for wind to fill their sails, those on board faced starvation and death through lack of water. When the situation reached a most desperate stage a Dutch sailing vessel ap- peared on the horizon but for several hours ignored the frantic signals of distress from the ship. Finally, however, the captain gave the Masonic signal of distress and the Dutch captain, who was also a Mason, came to the rescue. Owing to the lack of wind, however, it was several days before that vessel could reach the one on which Major Oakes was a passenger. This incident so impressed him regarding the strength which binds together the Masonic brotherhood that he made it his first -duty on reaching home to join the Masonic fraternity.

It was on the 3d of July, 1853, that Major Oakes was united in marriage to Olive Maria Martin, of Scott county, Iowa, who was born August 14, 1834, in Michigan, but not far from Toledo, Ohio. She is now living with her only surviving daughter, Mrs. W. A. Bennet, of Denver. Mrs. Oakes was the daughter of Joseph and Cleora (Graham) Martin and a granddaughter of Robert Martin, who was born in Ireland but eloped to this country with the daughter of a nobleman. After coming to the new world he served as a soldier with the American troops in the Revolutionary war and was at one time captured by the Indians, who turned him over to the British, by whom he was transported to Nova Scotia, and while he was in prison there his captors tried to poison his food. He pretended to eat but only held the porridge in his mouth until

615

HISTORY OF COLORADO

the enemy's back was turned, when he got rid of it. His companions for the greater part died from the effects of the poisoned food, but Mr. Martin was later exchanged. He died in Kentucky in 1840, while en route with his family to Texas. His son, Joseph Martin, was born near Niagara Falls, New York, in 1794 and was a soldier of the War of 1812 and also of the Black Hawk war. He piloted Perry's fleet to Put-in-Bay after that commander's victory over the British on Lake Erie, and subsequently Mr. Martin lived on the Put-in-Bay islands, where he engaged in tobacco raising. In 1839 he started westward and in 1840 became a resident of Scott county, Iowa, carrying on farming near Davenport, which was then Leclair. He married Cleora Graham, who was born near Hartford, Connecticut, in 1796, a daughter of Elisha Graham, who was a musician in the Revolutionary war and in 1800 removed to Cleveland, Ohio. The journey to Iowa was decided upon after Robert Martin's death in Kentucky, for Iowa seemed preferable to Texas, Joseph Martin having previously visited New Orleans, so that he knew something of the south. Accordingly the plans of the family were changed and Joseph Martin became a resident farmer of Scott county, Iowa, where he passed away in 1848, while his wife survived until 1859. They were the parents of five sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. D. C. Oakes is the only survivor.

It was in Scott county, Iowa, on the 3d of July, 1853, that Major Oakes and Miss Olive M. Martin were married, after which they renioved to Glenwood, Iowa, where Major Oakes engaged in contracting and building. On the 14th of September, 1858, he started westward from Omaha to Colorado with a party that included H. J. Graham, Charles Miles, George Pancoast and Abram Walrod. They arrived in Denver on the 10th of October and these men were perhaps the first permanent settlers on the site of the city. Dr. Levi J. Russell wrote in the early days: "I found that during my absence a considerable party, headed by D. C. Oakes, had come up the Platte from Omaha and joined our new camp." After their arrival one of the first things done by the Oakes party was to visit the Green-Russell party and inspect their placer camp. They pros- pected in that vicinity until the 12th of November with indications pointing to success. In the month of November Major Oakes returned to Iowa to spend the winter and was most enthusiastic concerning the future of Colorado and its opportunities. After reach- ing Mills county, Iowa, he wrote and published a book entitled "Pike's Peak Guide and Journal," which was distributed broadcast. It was printed in Pacific City and contained most enthusiastic reports concerning Colorado's riches and the fortunes that could be won in the state, together with a vivid description of the romantic life of mining camps and towns. About the same time W. N. Byers published a volume of similar character and these two accounts of Colorado led fully one hundred thousand men to leave the Missouri River district to try their fortune in the west. The conditions they found appeared to be just the opposite from the descriptions which they had read and fully fifty per cent quickly became discouraged and started eastward again, disgusted with their westward journey and 'vowing vengeance upon the authors of the two books. All along the trails were found foodstuffs, supplies, hardware and many other things that the disgusted travelers had thrown aside as they started toward the east. When Major Oakes returned to Colorado he found that he had been buried in effigy at various places along the trail. On one grave was a buffalo skull bearing the words:

"Here lies the bones of Major Oakes, The author of this God damned hoax."

Upon another grave was the inscription:

"Here lies the bones of D. C. Oakes, Killed for aiding the Pike's Peak hoax."

In the spring of 1859 Major Oakes brought overland to Colorado a sawmill which he had purchased in the east and which was the first in the state. He set it up on Plum creek, thirty miles south of the mouth of Cherry creek, and in connection with Dr. Street operated the mill for a time. It was at this mill that the lumber for the first frame house in Denver was sawed. Some time later Major Oakes sold the mill to Eph. Blake. He also built a fort which became known as Oakes' Folly. It contained nine rooms and was built of logs, with a court, a stockade and a well. It served its purpose during the Indian scares, for people sought refuge there, fully thirty families being at the fort at one time and spending three or four weeks within the enclosure. In May, 1865, Major Oakes sold his mill and was appointed by President Johnson Indian agent for the Grand River, Yumpak and Uinta Utes. This was the first Indian agency established for the Mountain Utes, and was founded by Major Oakes. He occupied the position until October 3, 1869, when he was made deputy United States land surveyor and continued to act as surveyor until his death, which occurred in 1887. He was suc-

616

HISTORY OF COLORADO

ceeded at the Indian agency by Meeker, whose tragic fate is a matter of history and who might have fared very differently had he followed the advice of Major Oakes, who understood the nature of the Indians.

It was in 1859 that Mrs. Oakes joined her husband in Denver, arriving on the 19th of November. For three weeks they lived in a tent while a log house was being built. Mrs. Oakes crossed Iowa with her sister, a trip of three hundred and fifty miles, with a horse and buggy and later made the same trip four times. During the Indian scare she crossed the plains and after traversing a part of the distance was met by her husband, who had become frightened by conditions and started to find her. The Platte River trail was the one usually taken. There was no phase of pioneer life with which Major Oakes and his family were not familiar. He and his wife had eight daughters, of whom Mrs. W. A. Bennet, the seventh child, was born while her father was in charge of the Indian agency, the Indians celebrating her birth and adopting her into the tribe. She became the wife of W. A. Bennet, the son of John P. Bennet, who aided in laying out the city of Lincoln, Nebraska. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennet has been born a daughter, Hazel Olive Bennet, and thus three generations of the Oakes family are now represented at the Bennet home in Denver. The value of the part which Major Oakes played in the development and upbuilding of the state can scarcely be overestimated. He laid broad and deep the foundation for its subsequent progress and his name should be inscribed high on the roll of honored pioneers.

WILLIAM YOUNG.

While William Young has continued in the general practice of law in Denver, he has largely specialized in mining, irrigation and probate law during the thirty years in which he has been a representative of the bar of this city. Mr. Young comes to the new world from the land of hills and heather. He was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, October 10, 1854, a son of Thomas Young, who was a native of Midlothian, Scotland, where he married Margaret Simongton. She, too, was born in Scotland and died in that country in 1860. They were the parents of five children, four sons and a daughter, of whom William was the third in order of birth. 'He was but six years of age at the time of his mother's death. In the '60s the father came with his family to the new world, settling in Delaware county, New York, where he remained until called to his final rest in September, 1887, when seventy-seven years of age. Throughout his life he followed the occupation of farming.

It was in the public schools of Delaware county, New York, that William Young began his education and in 1875 he was graduated from the Delaware Academy. In November of that year he entered the law office of Gleason & Murray at Delhi, New York, and under their direction pursued the study of law, remaining with them until January, 1877, when he removed to the west, taking up his abode in Denver in the month of January. He afterward went to Leadville, where he engaged in prospecting and mining quite successfully until 1884. He then located at Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits and also filled the office of justice of the peace for one term. Continuing his law reading, he was admitted to the bar there in 1887, after which he removed to Denver, where he has since continued in the practice of law. While he yet engages in general practice, he has largely concentrated his efforts and attention upon mining, irrigation and probate law and is thoroughly well informed concerning those departments of jurisprudence. He has conducted much important litigation in those connections and is regarded not only as a strong advocate but also as a safe coun- selor. He belongs to the Denver Bar Association and he enjoys the high respect and confidence of his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession. Aside from law prac- tice he has become known in business circles as the president of the Little Jean Mining Company and as the proprietor of the Columbia Mineral Water Company.

It was at Glenwood Springs, on the 24th of October, 1885, that Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Emma Perry, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of Judge Richard and Jane (Crompton) Perry, representatives of prominent families of Nashville, Ten- nessee. Her father is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Young have been born two chil- dren: Nellie, the wife of Oscar W. Fahlund, of Denver, by whom she has three daughters, Marie Louise, Nellie Jean and Marjorie Irene; and Irene E. The former was born in Glenwood Springs and the latter in Denver.

Mr. Young votes with the republican party and was a member of the first board of trustees of Glenwood Springs after the organization of the city. He belongs to the Denver Civic and Commercial Association and thus cooperates in the work put forth

WILLIAM YOUNG

618

HISTORY OF COLORADO

for the benefit of the city along the lines of municipal development and civic interests. He attends the Christian Science church and his friends-who are many-regard him as a man whom to know is to esteem and honor. He has worked his way steadily up- ward since his school days were over, ever recognizing the fact that industry is the basis of all success, and in a calling where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit he has made for himself a creditable name and place.

SAMUEL H. CHRISTY.

Samuel H. Christy, chief of the fire department of Pueblo, was born in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania. September 18, 1867, and is a son of David and Rachel (Hamilton) Christy, the former now deceased. He is indebted to the public school system for his educational training and in the school of experience he has also learned many valuable lessons. His youthful days were passed in Irwin, Pennsylvania, and in his boyhood he began working in the coal mines, while later he spent three years in different clerical positions. He left home at the age of eighteen, determined to try his fortune in the west, and proceeded across the country to Puget Sound. He spent eight years, from 1886 until 1894, in that section of the country and in the latter year came to Pueblo, where he spent eleven years as a smelter man and steel worker. He then joined the fire department as engineer and has since been identified therewith, being advanced to the position of chief in April, 1911. The department under his regime has been most thor- oughly organized and completely modernized. There are six stations with fifty- three men and the equipment is of the latest, while the efficiency of the men has reached a high standard under the direction and instruction of the chief.

Mr. Christy was united in marriage to Miss Marguerite Fisher and they are highly esteemed in the city. Mr. Christy is a democrat, a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Baptist church. He is also a member of the Fire Chiefs' Association and is devoted to his work. The splendid efficiency of the department is something of which Pueblo is proud. Great improvement has been made under the direction of Mr. Christy, who has succeeded in supplanting the old equipment by the most modern means and methods of fire fighting, thus lessening insurance rates and the great losses caused by the fire fiend.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN FELLOWS.

Abraham Lincoln Fellows is a most capable civil engineer, practicing his profession as the secretary and general manager of the Field, Fellows & Hinderlider Engineering Company, consulting and supervising engineers in irrigation, drainage, municipal and power engineering and construction, with offices in the Equitable building in Denver. He comes to the west from the far-off state of Maine, his birth having occurred in Kenne- bunk on the 1st of November, 1864, his parents being Rev. Franklin E. and Jane Eliza (Stiles) Fellows, both of whom have now passed away. The father was born in Weath- ersfield, Vermont, February 23, 1827, and was descended from an old Massachusetts family, the line being traced back to 1635. The founder of the family in America was William Felloe, for so the name was originally spelled, who settled at Ipswich, Massachu- setts. He was a shoemaker by trade. Among the later representatives of the family was Varney Fellows, the great-grandfather of Abraham L. Fellows, who with five others, numbered among the ancestors of Mr. Fellows of this review, participated in the Revo- lutionary war. Rev. Franklin E. Fellows was a Congregational minister. He was graduated from Dartmouth College and from Andover Seminary during the latter '40s. Attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he went to the Pacific coast by way of the Isthmus route in 1849 and continued to successfully engage in mining in the far west for several years. He then returned to the east, after which he completed his studies in preparation for the ministry, to which he devoted his remaining days. During the period of the Civil war he joined a Maine regiment as a chaplain but was never called to active service. Practically his entire life was devoted to his holy calling and through the greater part of his life he was a resident of New England, passing away in Norwich, Connecticut, May 16, 1900. The old homestead in which he was born is still in possession of the family and is now occupied by Mrs. Frances Bowen, an aunt of A. L. Fellows of this review. Rev. Franklin E. Fellows was married to Miss Jane Eliza Stiles, a native of Elmira, New York, and a representative of one of the old New

619

HISTORY OF COLORADO

England families of English lineage, which numbered among its members President Stiles of Yale University. The death of Mrs. Fellows occurred in Norwich, Connecticut, December 25, 1905, when she had reached the age of seventy-seven years, for she was born on the 3d of May, 1828.

Abraham Lincoln Fellows was the sixth in order of birth in a family of eight chil- dren, five sons and three daughters. He was baptized "for the dead." This is a cere- mony very rarely practiced in the Congregational church in order to baptize the dead, and as the rite of baptism was never administered to Abraham Lincoln, the Rev. Fellows took this method of baptizing the martyr president by naming his son Abraham Lincoln and bestowing upon him the baptismal rite. This practice receives its authority from a biblical quotation: "Why baptize ye for the dead if Christ be not risen?" This form of ceremonial is now also recognized and practiced by the Mormon church. Abraham L. Fellows pursued his education in district and public schools of New England and in Yale University, from which he won the Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of 1886. He worked his way through college, ambitious to secure an education. realizing how valuable such training is in preparation for a successful business career. After his graduation he taught in the Siglar Preparatory School in Newburgh, New York, for a year and then removed westward to Colorado, arriving in Denver on the 16th of August, 1887. On the 15th of September of the same year, however, he removed to Cortez, Colorado, to become assistant engineer with the Montezuma Valley Irrigation Company, engaged in the irrigation development of that part of the country. Later he was made chief engineer, having charge of engineering and construction work, including the erection of buildings, also masonry, concrete excavation and embankment work, railway plans, dams and canals and topography. He likewise became prominently connected with official service while a resident of Montezuma county, there serving as county surveyor and county superintendent of schools. In 1897 he was called to the office of deputy state engineer of Colorado and was also made resident hydrographer of the United States Geological Survey, continuing to serve in those capacities until 1902. In 1901 he made the exploration of the Grand Canyon of the Gunnison river, described in magazines of that period, in connection with making surveys and plans for the Gunnison tunnel, a feature of the United States Uncompahgre Valley reclamation project. From 1902 until 1905 he was district engineer of the United States reclamation service, having charge of the surveys and construction of the Uncompahgre Valley, Grand Junction and White River projects, and he was also called into consultation in connection with various other projects. He also had general supervision over the main western office of the reclama- tion service of Denver. In 1905 he was called to North Dakota to become state engineer and occupied that position until 1907, having in charge irrigation, drainage, highway, coal mining and other matters. During that period he was active in the establishment of the Mesa Verde National Park and the national forests of the Rocky Mountain region and he was also very active in advocating national and state systems of good roads. On the 7th of January, 1905, he was presented with a fine gold watch, beautifully inscribed, as a token of appreciation on the part of the people of the Uncompahgre valley on the completion of the Gunnison tunnel, and this watch, by reason of its association as well as its intrinsic worth, is most highly prized by him. For many years he has been identi- fied with the leading irrigation and engineering projects of this state. In 1907 he was active in organizing the Field, Fellows & Hinderlider Engineering Company, of which he became secretary and general manager and as such he has been connected with a large amount of engineering and construction, covering highway, irrigation, drainage, municipal, water supply, sewerage and valuation projects. The business of the firm is very extensive and their clientage has brought them into connection with many of the most important engineering projects of the west.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 87

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