History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 88

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

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In the line of his profession Mr. Fellows has been called upon for much important public service. From 1910 until 1916 he was a member of the public utilities commis- sion of the city and county of Denver and in 1914 became its president, so serving for two years. In 1912 and again in 1913 he was also city engineer and engineer member of the board of public works of the city and county of Denver. In these positions he has been identified with many kinds of concrete construction, waterworks, sewerage, street surveys of many kinds, valuations and work in general for an adequate water supply for a greater Denver. He is now a member of the executive committees of the National Drainage Congress, the National Highways Association and the Denver Citizens' Military Training Association.

On the 20th of December, 1905. Mr. Fellows was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Irene McCoy, who was born July 10, 1881, in Kansas City, Missouri, a daughter of George and Ella Anna May (Brink) McCoy. The children of this marriage are three in number:

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Ella Jane, who was born October 25, 1906. in Bismarck, North Dakota; John Lincoln, who was born in Denver, November 3, 1908; and Dorothy, born in Denver, June 28, 1915.

In politics Mr. Fellows maintains an independent course. Fraternally he is a Mason, holding membership in Inspiration Lodge, No. 143, A. F. & A. M., and also in the Delta Lodge of Perfection. He has membership in the Montview Presbyterian church of Denver, in the work of which he is actively and helpfully interested. Previous to becoming identified with this church he was for some years a member of the Episcopal church and of the National Council of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He is a member of the Colorado Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. His activities naturally have been along the line of his profession and kindred interests and he is a member at the present time of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Association of Engineers, the Colorado Society of Civil Engineers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Water-Works Association. the New England Water- Works Association, the American Society of Municipal Improvements, the Colorado Good Roads Association and others. He has written largely upon subjects relative to his pro- fession and is the author of "Water Resources of the State of Colorado," "Measurement of Water" and various other scientific reports and essays. He is also one of the editorial correspondents of the Engineering News-Record of New York city.

LORENZO D. LAW.

Lorenzo D. Law, numbered among the representative agriculturists of Weld county, owning and conducting an excellent farm on section 26, township 7, range 67, was born in Auburn, Ritchie county, West Virginia, June 3, 1855, a son of Andrew and Margaret (Waldeck) Law, who were also natives of West Virginia, born in Lewis county. The father was a farmer by occupation and also engaged in stock raising in West Virginia until 1873, when he removed westward to Weld county, Colorado, and purchased a home in Greeley. His investment also included a farm a mile and a half due east of Windsor. This he improved and developed, residing thereon for a few years. He afterward returned to Greeley, where he spent his remaining days, as did his wife, who survived him for two or three years. During the period of the Civil war he served as a member of the Home Guard. His family numbered six sons and of these three served through the Civil war, one dying in Andersonville prison just before the close of hostilities.

Lorenzo D. Law was reared and educated in West Virginia and in Greeley, Colorado. He and his brother John cultivated their father's farm and in the spring of 1873 they broke forty acres of land in Pleasant Valley and devoted two years to its cultivation. After carrying on the home farm for two years Lorenzo D. Law took up a homestead, which is his present place. He established a sheep ranch and was the first settler under the Eaton ditch in Weld county, in fact, he took up his abode upon his place before the ditch was surveyed. There was not a stick of timber upon his land nor an improve- ment made and his energies and efforts have wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of his place, which is today one of the model farm properties of the county. He has three large silos upon it, together with all necessary buildings for the shelter of grain and stock. Through the intervening period he has continued to cultivate his land, which he has brought under a high state of development, and at all times he has followed the most progressive methods. About 1907 he removed to Fort Collins in order to give his children the advantages of the schools there. He maintains a home there, where his wife and daughter are living, and his son, who is married, occupies the old home farm. Mr. Law spends much of his time upon the farm, superintending its further development and cultivation.

In November, 1877, Mr. Law was united in marriage to Miss Kate Storms and to them were born three children: Daisy, the wife of James Ogilvie, residing near Kersey, Weld county; Nona J., the wife of Alonzo Harris, a farmer of Weld county; and Agnes, the wife of James Cazer, residing at Long Beach, California. The wife and mother passed away on the 1st of June, 1886, and in April, 1888, Mr. Law was again married, his second union being with Edna Lambert. To them were born four children: . Olive, the wife of Max Hollwell, living at Baird, Nebraska; Fred B., who is farming his father's land; George G., who is with the United States army in training at Fort Meyer, Virginia; and Mabel, at home.

Mr. Law has served as justice of the peace but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Woodmen of the World and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His has been a busy, useful and active life. He has never cared to figure prominently in public

LORENZO D. LAW

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affairs but has concentrated his efforts and attention upon his business interests and throughout the entire period of his residence upon his present farm has engaged in feeding stock. In an early day he pastured his stock upon the range. For the past two years he has engaged in feeding cattle. His business affairs have been wisely, carefully. and successfully managed and directed. He first took up a tree claim and homesteaded eighty acres. Today he owns three hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land, thoroughly irrigated and splendidly improved. His property is a mon- ument to the enterprise and business ability which he has displayed. That he is a man of sound judgment is evidenced in his success. His persistency of purpose is marked . and his energy has brought him into a prominent position as one of the leading agri- culturists of Weld county.

CHARLES KING McHARG.

Identified with the irrigation development of the state is Charles King McHarg, of Pueblo, who is now secretary and treasurer of the Bessemer Ditch Company and who is also further known in business connections as the vice president of the Suburban Land Company of Pueblo. A native of Ithaca, New York, Mr. McHarg was born on the 19th of June, 1856, and is a son of William McNeill and Selima (Storrs) McHarg. The father was a clergyman of the Presbyterian faith and came of Scotch ancestry, while his wife was of English lineage.

In young manhood Charles K. McHarg turned his attention to the occupation of farming and since 1873 has resided in the west. It was in 1891 that he made his way to Colorado and through the intervening period he has been connected with the Besse- mer Ditch Company and with the Suburban Land Company. The former owns and operates the Bessemer ditch, which irrigates twenty thousand acres of land. The Suburban Land Company was formed in 1894 and has sold much of the land under the ditch. Mr. McHarg has therefore been an active factor in developing an important section of the state from which substantial returns are annually received.

Mr. McHarg was united in marriage to Miss Stella E. Brown and to them have been born two children, Alice B. and Charles K., now in the United States forest service. The most important work of our subject has been done in connection with irrigation work in the state and he is regarded as an authority upon this subject in southeastern Colorado.

LEROY JAMES WILLIAMS.

Leroy James Williams, a member of the Public Utilities Commission of Colorado, through appointment of Governor Gunter on the 22d of January, 1918, was born at Liberty Pole, Wisconsin, on the 1st of February, 1881. His father, Clark D. Williams, is a native of Walworth county, Wisconsin, and is now eighty years of age. He is a representative of one of the old families of New York. He devoted his life to merchandising until old age came upon him and he is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He married Sarah Virginia Jewell, of Wisconsin, and she also survives.

Leroy James Williams is one of the four living children of Mr. and Mrs. Clark D. Williams and he pursued his early education in the public and high schools of Viroqua, Wisconsin, completing his course there as a high school graduate of the class of 1898. He later spent a year in study in the University of Wisconsin at Madison and subse- quently entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor as a law student and won his. Bachelor of Laws degree upon graduation with the class of 1903. He has membership with Phi Delta Theta. In the year of his graduation he was admitted to the bar at. Lansing, Michigan, and in the same year was admitted to the bar at Central City, Colorado. He then entered into practice with H. A. Hicks, with whom he was associated until 1910, since which time he has followed his profession independently. He has made a specialty of mining law and his marked ability in that department of jurisprudence is widely recognized, for he has thoroughly informed himself concerning every feature of mining law litigation. He belongs to the Colorado Bar Association and American Bar Association and enjoys the high respect and goodwill of his professional brethren.

Mr. Williams has also been prominent for a number of years in republican circles and in 1911 was chosen to represent the district of Gilpin county in the house of repre- sentatives, while in 1913 he was elected to the state senate and was made president of

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the senate in 1915. He has served on various committees and during the last session was chairman of the rules committee. He served as county chairman of the republican county organization in Gilpin county for three terms and he has done much to shape the policy of the party and promote its interests. The thoroughness with which he studies every question that bears upon the public welfare, his keen sagacity and dis- crimination and his public-spirited devotion to the general welfare have made him a most valued official and political leader.

On the 16th of August, 1905, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Ada Batchelder, of Central City, a daughter of Mrs. Jane L. Batchelder, and they have become the parents of four children: Ralph R., ten years of age; Clark B., aged six; Jane B., four years of age; and Virginia R., a little maiden of two summers.

Mr. Williams belongs to the University Club, also to Central Lodge, No. 6, A. F. & A. M., of Central City, Colorado; Central City Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; and Central City Lodge, No. 557, B. P. O. E. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church of Central City. Endowed by nature with high intellectual qualities, to which are added the discipline and embellishment of culture, his is an attractive personality. Well versed in the learning of his profession, with a deep knowledge of human nature and the springs of human conduct, with great shrewdness and sagacity and extraordinary tact, he is in the courts an advocate of great power and influence and the same qualities have called him to leadership in political circles and he has left the impress of his ability for good upon the legislative records of the state.

EDWARD C. MATTES.

Edward C. Mattes is vice president and treasurer of the Pueblo Automobile Company and one of the enterprising, alert and energetic business men of that city. An eminent American statesman has said that the strongest forces in American life are the men who have been reared in the east and who have sought the opportunities of the west for the exercise of their dominant qualities. Here they are largely untrammeled by con- vention or circumstance and the natural resources of the country furnish an excellent chance for adaptability and initiative. The place which Edward C. Mattes has made in commercial circles of Pueblo is indeed a creditable one and his native state has reason to be proud of his record. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of June, 1856, his parents being Charles F. and Lydia (Platt) Mattes. The father was for many years actively engaged in business in Scranton, where he continued to make his home until called to his final rest. There he reared his family, numbering four sons and three daughters, and both he and his wife have now passed away.

Their fourth child was Edward C. Mattes of this review, who supplemented his public school education by a course in a private school. He was then living in a county where the steel industry was a predominant factor in business life and engaged in steel and iron work. Thus he was engaged until his removal to the west in 1882, at which time he made his way to Pueblo. He entered business circles in this section of the country as an employe of the Santa Fe Railroad Company, with which he was for seven years identified as a representative of the train service department. Then from 1889 until 1894 he was engaged in the real estate and insurance business and later he was for several years in charge of extensive mining properties. The next change in his business career brought him to the Pueblo Automobile Company, of which he is now the vice president and treasurer, but he was not at once chosen for the official position. He at first had charge of the office and later became financially interested in the business and was elected the second executive officer. This is probably the largest business of the kind in the west. The company handles the Cadillac and Dodge Brothers passenger and commercial cars and also the Reo and Federal trucks. They have an extensive plant with large floor space and something of the volume of their business is indicated in the fact that they employ thirty men. They handle all lines of automobile goods and accessories and their trade has steadily and continuously increased until it has now assumed very extensive proportions.

On the 13th of October, 1890, at Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada, Mr. Mattes was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette Sinclair. In his political views Mr. Mattes has always been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and while he has never been an aspirant for office, he has always stood loyally in support of the principles in which he believes. He belongs to the Minnequa Club and to the Commerce Club of Pueblo and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the

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Presbyterian church. He is a man of genuine personal worth, as is attested by the warm friendship extended to him by Pueblo's leading citizens. In his business life Edward C. Mattes has been a persistent, resolute and energetic worker, possessing strong executive powers, keeping his hand steadily upon the helm of his business, and strictly conscientious in his dealings with debtor and creditor alike. Keenly alive to the possibilities of every new avenue opened in the natural ramifications of trade, he passed over the pitfalls into which unrestricted progressiveness is so frequently led and was enabled to focus his energies in directions where fruition was certain. If a pen picture could accurately delineate his business characteristics, such might be given in these words: a progress- ive spirit, ruled by more than ordinary intelligence and good judgment; a deep earnest- ness impelled and fostered by indomitable perseverance; a native justice expressing itself in correct principle and practice.

JOHN MILES ESSINGTON.

John Miles Essington, patent and pension attorney of Denver, is an honored veteran of the Civil war and one whose military record is most creditable. Bravery on the field of battle has been the theme of song and story since the earliest ages and he indeed de- serves great credit who stands up and risks his life for a principle, as did Mr. Essington when aiding in the defense of the Union. He has now passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Bellefonte, Center county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1835. His father, John Essington, was also born in the Keystone state and was of English and Scotch descent. The founder of the American branch of the family was George Essington, an iron master, who came to the new world during the Revolu- tionary war. He was an old-line whig in England, served as member of parliament and fled to the new world as a political exile, taking issue with King George III concerning his treatment of the American colonies. He was therefore banished and he took active part in the Revolutionary war after reaching the new world. Prior to this, however, he took a colony, on three vessels, to northern Australia, to a place which was named Port Essington in his honor. On reaching the United States he settled first in New York, while later his descendants removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John Essing- ton, the father of John M. Essington, was an iron master and a very successful business man. He became active as a supporter of the republican party in both Pennsylvania and Colorado. He married Ruth Kepheart, who was born in Pennsylvania and belonged to one of its old families of English lineage. Among the maternal ancestors was Philip Benner, of Revolutionary war fame. The grandmother of John M. Essington on the maternal side lived to the notable old age of one hundred and three years. His mother died in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, at the age of eighty years, while his father passed away in Denver, Colorado, in 1889, at the age of eighty-four years, having removed to the west in 1878. In the family were seven children four sons and three daughters, of whom three are yet living, namely: Joseph, who resides in Atchison, Kansas, at the age of eighty-six years; John M., of this review; and Heber, living in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of seventy.

John M. Essington was educated in the public schools of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and in Dickinson Seminary of that place. While still a college student he entered the law office of Samuel Wingard at Williamsport, who was afterward judge of the United States court at Seattle, Washington. In 1856 Mr. Essington was admitted to practice at the bar of Pennsylvania and entered upon the work of the profession, which he fol- lowed until the outbreak of the Civil war. On the first call of President Lincoln for troops Mr. Essington responded and joined the Woodward Guards. The company was ordered to report at Harrisburg and from this contingent Mr. Essington was enlisted in the Fifth Pennsylvania Reserve, which command was then ordeerd to Romney to relieve General Lew Wallace. When they arrived at Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania, they were ordered back to Harrisburg to recruit to the maximum strength. Mr. Essing- ton, who was orderly, was sent back by his colonel to recruit for the regiment and returned home, recruiting one hundred men in twenty-four hours. He then reported to the governor at Harrisburg with the men before his regiment had returned to that city. The governor, in reviewing the men, asked them whether they would like to go as a company or be distributed among ten other companies. They chose to remain together as a company and the governor then ordered them to elect their officers, which they did, choosing Mr. Essington as their captain. They then entered Camp Cameron and were mustered into the United States service by Captain Seymoure of the regular army.

JOHN M. ESSINGTON

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The governor received an order from Simeon Cameron, then secretary of war, to have Mr. Essington raise an independent company. Subsequently George C. Wyncoop received orders to organize a regiment and persuaded Captain Essington and his company to become a part of that regiment. They were then ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, where they arrived after General Zollicoffer, the rebel general, had left that place. Captain Essington was first engaged on scouting duty and he participated in the battle against Morgan and his troops at Lebanon, Tennessee, under command of General Fremont. He was also in the battle of Murfreesboro on the 13th of July, 1862. The troops were attacked by General Forrest and the company was afterward divided, part of them going north of Murfreesboro with Colonel Lester (Third Minnesota), while the other half went with the Ninth Minnesota under Colonel Parkhurst. General Forrest captured Colonel Lester without firing a gun, and the commander of the Third Minnesota was wounded in the early part of the fight. Captain Essington then had command of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry and two companies of Kentucky cavalry, and when the commander was wounded Captain Essington became lieutenant colonel by brevet. Colonel Essington and his troops were compelled to surrender at 11:30, for their ammunition had become exhausted. They were paroled by General Forrest, but Colonel Essington was not exchanged until October, 1863, when he returned to Nashville. After being exchanged he reported to Colonel Charles Irwin, quartermaster, and subsequently he went with Sherman's forces as far as Atlanta. When the troops of General Thomas were ordered back to Nashville, Colonel Essington returned with that commander and the last battle in which he participated was with Hood at Nashville. He was there mustered out, for the war had been brought to a close. For six months during the period of his service he was in the quartermaster's department. He participated in a number of hotly contested engagements, saw all phases of military life in the Civil war and was ever most loyal to his duty and his country.

After the war was over Colonel Essington joined the first organization of the Grand Army of the Republic at Louisville, Kentucky. This turned out to be a political organiza- tion, however, and was soon abandoned. Later he joined the post at Lake City, Colorado, and has since served as post commander and has filled a position on the staff of the national commander as inspector general for Colorado. He has also been chief mustering officer under the department commander and has filled various other positions in the order, through which he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades, de- lighting in those gatherings where the "boys in blue" meet and discuss the events of the past when they followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south. Colonel Essington is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Since his removal to Denver he has followed his profession in this city as a patent and pension attorney and he is a member of the Denver Bar Association. He is likewise the presi- dent of the Mutual Mining & Milling Company.

Colonel Essington has been married twice. In 1856 he wedded Miss Sarah J. Smythe, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Smythe of one of the old families of that state. They became the parents of seven children, of whom four are living: Minnie, now the widow of Henry Brailey, of Chicago; Eva, the wife of Arthur Mitchell, living at Riverside, a suburb of Chicago; Harry, who is a railroad superintendent and resides at Wells, Michigan; and Ruth, who is the wife of Al Reiley. In 1908 Colonel Essington was again marriel, his second union being with Mrs. Emma McKenna Weaver, a widow.

Colonel Essington dates his residence in Colorado from September, 1869, covering a period of almost a half century. He has therefore witnessed the greater part of its growth and development and has participated in many of the changes which have brought ahout present-day conditions. He has ever stood for progress, reform and im- provement, for high professional standards and for advanced ideals of manhood and citizenship. He still remains an active factor in the world's work and is honored and respected wherever known and most of all where he is best known.

PETER MENZIES.

One of the most eminent representatives of musical circles of Colorado is Peter Menzies, of Denver, who is the musical director of St. Leo's church and who has been heard in church and concert singing throughout the country. Mr. Menzies is a native of Scotland. He was born in Hamilton on the 29th of February, 1868, his parents being Walter and Jane (Pritchard) Menzies, who were also natives of the land of hills and heather. The mother died in Scotland in 1871 and a decade later Walter Menzies came

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 88

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