History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 89

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

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to the United States, to Bunker Hill, Kansas, where he passed away on the day of his arrival.

Peter Menzies pursued his education in the public schools of Scotland and passed the examination that qualified him for entrance to the Glasgow University, studying under Professor John Adams. He did not enter that institution, however, but came with his father to the United States and was a student in the schools of Bunker Hill, Kansas. He later took charge of a general merchandise store conducted by his uncle and remained in that business until 1887. On the 13th of September of that year he removed to Denver and secured a clerkship with a contracting company, his duties being to see to the outside work. He continued in that connection until 1893 and in the meantime he became recognized as a vocalist. Nature had endowed him with exceptional musical talent which most thorough and comprehensive training splendidly developed. After having fine musical instruction which developed his native powers he gave up his cler- ical position and removed to Florence, Colorado, where he took up the teaching of vocal music. He afterward removed to Canon City, where he continued as a vocal teacher. and in 1896 he located in Denver and became one of the competitors in the musical festival held in this city in which singers from all over the country were assembled. Mr. Menzies won the gold medal as a barytone and he received favorable newspaper comments from the press throughout the entire country, musical critics everywhere proclaiming the wonderful richness and beauty of his voice. He then took up work as musical director at St. Leo's church and has since filled that important position. He also has charge of the choir work in St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church, in the Highland Park Presbyterian church and was formerly a solo singer at Temple Emanuel. In 1907 he organized a company and toured the state, giving concerts. In addition to profes- sional interests in Denver already mentioned he was a director of community singing for the city and county and was the first to attempt to organize community music in the state.

On the 11th of November, 1896. Mr. Menzies was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lillie Mallory, of Denver, the wedding ceremony being performed by the Rev. W. W. Read. Mrs. Menzies is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Mallory, of Denver, the former a veteran of the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Menzies have been born a daughter and a son. Marie G., born in Denver in 1897, is a graduate of the high school, the manual training school and also of Barnes Business College. Walter James, born in 1901, is now at the United States naval training station at San Francisco.

Mr. Menzies belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Woodmen of the World. In the former he has taken the Scottish Rite degrees as a member of Colorado Con- sistory, No. 1. He also belongs to the Caledonian Society, of which he was chief from 1905 until 1907 and again in 1913 and 1914. He was also secretary of the Burns monument committee.

JOHN J. MARTY.

John J. Marty, filling the position of sheriff of Las Animas county and making his home in Trinidad, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 31st of January, 1863, a son of John and Magdalena (Zehr) Marty. The father was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit in order to provide for his family, which numbered six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom Jolin J. was the second son. The father died in the year 1890 and the mother has also passed away.

John J. Marty pursued his education in rural schools and when fifteen years of age started out in the business world on his own account, becoming an active assistant of his father. Then after leaving the farm he worked in the coal mines at Barnhill, Ohio, for three years and in 1885 came to Colorado, making his way to Trinidad, where he engaged in the grocery business for a year. He next spent four years in the mines but returning to Trinidad. he became connected with the firm of Dunlavy Brothers, for whom he drove a delivery wagon for eleven years. In 1900 he became senior partner of the firm of Marty & Roe, dealers in feed and grain. They conducted the business for three years, after which Mr. Roe sold his interest, and the business was then continued under the name of the Bancroft-Marty Feed & Produce Company. In the fall of 1916 Mr. Marty was elected to the office of sheriff of Las Animas county for a two years' term and is now acceptably filling that position, discharging his duties without fear or favor. He has been known as a thoroughly reliable. enterprising and ambitious business man and he is making an equally creditable record as an official. He was a candidate

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for the office of treasurer in 1914 and was defeated by only fourteen votes. He has served as alderman of the fourth ward of Trinidad for eight years and over his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

On the 4th of December, 1884, Mr. Marty was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Dunlavy, a daughter of Amos P. Dunlavy, and their children are: Mrs. Mary Bennett, the wife of Harlow Bennett, proprietor of a garage; Clara, the wife of Dr. Joseph Brill, of Iowa; John Ray, who is now a member of the United States Navy; Esther, the wife of Harry E. Dickerson; Sylvia; and Preston, who died at the age of seventeen years. There are also six grandchildren.

Mr. Marty is devoted to his home and spends his leisure in the companionship of his family. He is greatly interested in the state and its development and is a most public-spirited citizen. He is now chairman of the local board of Las Animas county. Fraternally he is a Mason and is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and also with the Chamber of Commerce. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he is an active worker in its ranks. Las Animas is a strong republican county and although the candidate for sheriff on the democratic ticket, Mr. Marty was elected by a large majority and is proving a most capable and reliable official in this connection. He is widely known and is well liked by all. His friends, and they are many, bear testimony to his excellent traits of character and his genuine worth.

HON. WILKINS O. PETERSON.

Hon. Wilkins O. Peterson, a prominent attorney of Pueblo and representative of his district in the state senate. stands at all times for the most progressive measures in re- lation to public affairs and is well known as the author of the hill which made Colorado dry, a work of which he has every reason to be proud and which will win him higher honors as the years go on and the country comes to a full recognition of what prohibition means in economic, sociological and moral benefit. Mr. Peterson is a native son of Col- orado, his birth having occurred at Rye, on the 23d of October, 1876, his parents being Joseph and Carolina (Peterson) Peterson, who, though of the same name, were not re- lated. It was in the year 1873 that the family home was established in Colorado, Joseph Peterson taking up his abode in the state in April of that year. He was a rancher and stockman and for many years was actively identified with the agricultural development of the state. He is now making his home with his son, Wilkins O., his wife having passed away. In the family were but two children, the brother being Scott R. Peterson, now a resident of California.

In his boyhood days Wilkins O. Peterson was a pupil in the public schools of his native county and was afterward graduated from the Pueblo Centennial high school with the class of 1897. For the further development of his education he entered the University of Colorado, where he won the Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the class of 1901. In May, 1901, he represented Colorado in the interstate oratorical contest held at Des Moines, Iowa, and was awarded first place in thought and composition on his oration, "The American Farmer." He began preparation for the bar as a student in the law de- partment of the State University and was graduated in 1902. In that year he entered upon the practice of his profession in Pueblo and has since won a place as a successful attorney. His practice is now extensive and of an important character. He is remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. At no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitations of the questions at issue. It has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the ex- pected but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. He is recognized as a man of hroad legal learning and of analytical mind and the court records bear testimony to the many favorable verdicts which he has won for his clients. Whatever else may be said of the legal fraternity, it cannot be denied that mem- bers of the bar have been more prominent factors in public affairs than any other class of the community. This is but the natural result of causes which are manifest and require no explanation. The ability and training which qualify one to practice law, also qualify him in many respects for duties which lie outside the strict path of his profession and which touch the general interests of society. Recognizing his capability, Mr. Peterson's fellow townsmen have at various times called upon him for public service. In 1909 he became city attorney of Pueblo and filled the position for two years. He was a member of the charter convention in July and August. 1911. and 1914 he was elected to represent

HON. WILKINS O. PETERSON

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his district in the state senate for a four years' term. While in the upper house he han- dled the prohibition bill and in conjunction with leaders in the temperance movement wrote the bill that made Colorado dry.

On the 29th of November, 1906, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lowrey, of Fort Collins, a daughter of Wesley W. Lowrey, and to them have been born two children, Joseph L. and Sarah. In social circles of the city the family occupy a prominent position and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Peterson is deeply interested in all that has to do with the welfare and progress of his community and is now serving as one of the directors of the Chamber of Commerce. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Masons and with Sigma Nu, a college fraternity, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. He stands for all that is most worth while in life. He is never content to choose the second best but holds to high ideals of manhood and citizenship and does everything in his power to pro- mote public progress. Many tangible evidences of his spirit of loyalty and devotion may be cited and in all of his public work he has looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities, the needs and the possibilities of the future.

ERNEST P. PERRINE.

Ernest P. Perrine is agency manager at Denver for the Equitable Life Assur- ance Society, with offices in the Equitable building, and is vice chairman of the Equitable personnel committee for the United States. His experience and study have made him an authority upon matters of salesmanship and the psychology of business. He is prominently known as a lecturer in that connection, being an earnest, fluent speaker who drives home a truth with an apt illustration, a bit of humor or a logical argument as the case demands. In May, 1918, he was called to New York and made vice chairman of the Equitable personnel committee for the study and development of agency problems, particularly for research work, in connection with the Carnegie Institute at Pittsburgh, for scientific laws under- lying business conduct.

He is one of Missouri's native sons, his birth having occurred at Wallace, Buchanan county, on the 28th of February, 1875. His father, Henry C. Perrine, was born in Illinois and is descended from an old New Jersey family of French lineage. For many years the father was a leading contractor and builder and was among the first to make use of cement in building lines. He won substantial success in that connection and is now living retired in Springfield, Illinois. He married Ruth Ellen McGinnis, whose father served with the rank of lieutenant in the Union army during the Civil war and who had a brother who was a lieutenant in the Confederate army. The McGinnis family comes of Scotch and English ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Perrine were born six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom one died in infancy.

The eldest of the family is Ernest P. Perrine, who was educated in the public schools of Tarkio, Missouri, and in the Tarkio College, class of 1893. Following his graduation from college he entered the retail grocery and drygoods business as a clerk and continued to act in that capacity for seven years. His next step was made as a traveling salesman. He later became identified with the Interna- tional Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and was promoted to various departments in connection with that institution, being eventually made superintendent of the Chicago district, with which he was connected for eight and a half years. He then resigned his position because of the ill health of his wife and removed to Denver, where he arrived in 1908-a comparative stranger. Soon after his arrival he became assistant to the educational director of the Young Men's Christian Association, a position which he filled for approximately eighteen months. During the succeeding five years he was with the Capitol Life Insurance Company as agency director and on the 1st of June, 1915, he became agency manager at Denver for the Equitable Life Assurance Society, which office he has since continuously and most acceptably filled, greatly increasing the business of the agency by his thorough systematization and constructive plans. In addition to conducting the agency Mr. Perrine has been instructor in the Barnes Commercial School, instructor in salesmanship for the Denver Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, director of salesmanship in the University of Denver, the first president of the Salesmanship Club of Denver, the secretary of the Colorado Association of Life Under-

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writers, a member of the board of directors of the Denver Civic and Commercial Associa- tion and lecturer on salesmanship and advertising of the Extension Division of the Uni- versity of Colorado. He is widely known as a lecturer, his addresses covering such subjects as "Practical Personal Power," "Suggestion the Master Key that Unlocks the Mind," "The Magic of a Pleasing Voice and How to Develop It," "Creative Imagination in Community Building" and "Building Brain for Business." The press all over the country has spoken of his addresses in terms of the highest praise. He never fails to hold the attention of his auditors and is always looking on the bright side of life, while his entire career has been characterized by constructive effort.

On the 30th of October, 1895, Mr. Perrine was married in Tarkio, Missouri, to Miss Elizabeth Pike, a daughter of James and Sarah (Livingston) Pike, of Mount Clemens, Michigan. She passed away February 7, 1913, at the age of forty years, her birth having occurred in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Perrine had one child, Hazel Ruth, who was born in Tarkio, Missouri, February 9, 1897. Mr. Perrine gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has been one of its active workers. He belongs to Oriental Lodge, No. 87, A. F. & A. M., of Denver, Colorado; also to Elks Lodge, No. 40, at St. Joseph, Missouri; to the Civic and Commercial Club of Denver and to the Methodist church-associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. On the day President Wilson declared war against Germany he made his first speech for the Red Cross and every day since he has been a tireless worker in behalf of the Red Cross, the Young Men's Christian Association, the sale of Liberty bonds and war savings stamps. He attacks everything with a contagious enthusiasm that draws to him followers and produces results. He has had remarkable success as a salesman and as a manager of men, is an organizer of broad experience and an instructor of unusual ability.

BENJAMIN GRIFFITH.

Benjamin Griffith, member of the Denver bar, who has served as attorney general of Colorado, was born in Newcastle, Washington, September 22, 1879, a son of David Price and Ann (Watkins) Griffith, both of whom were natives of Wales. In childhood they became residents of Pennsylvania and were there reared. In 1880 the family removed to Rockvale, Colorado, where Benjamin Griffith spent his boyhood days.

He pursued his education in the Colorado College of Colorado Springs, where he won the Ph. B. degree upon graduation with the class of 1901, and in the law school of the University of Denver, from which he was graduated cum laude with the class of 1904, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. While at Colorado College Mr. Griffith was prominent in athletics, being a member of three intercollegiate championship baseball teams of that institution and captain of two of its intercollegiate championship football teams. In 1902 and 1903 he coached the football teams of the University of Denver.

He has always given his attention to law practice. He opened an office in Montrose, Colorado, in October, 1904, and while there residing held the office of deputy district attorney of Montrose county and city attorney of Montrose. In 1908 he removed to Grand Junction, where he served as county attorney of Mesa county. In 1911 and 1912 he was a resident of Denver, occupying the position of attorney general of Colorado during that period, and in 1913 he returned to Grand Junction, where he practiced law until 1917, when he again took up his abode in Denver, where he is now practicing his profession with offices in the First National Bank building. His clientage is large and of a distinctively representative character, showing that his fellow citizens have the utmost confidence in his professional skill and ability.

On the 2d of April, 1906, Mr. Griffith was married to Miss Fannie Finch, a daughter of William and Alice Finch, who were pioneers of Montrose and Ouray counties of Colorado. The children of this marriage are Benjamin, David, Theodore and Robin Griffith.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Congregational church and fra- ternally Mr. Griffith is a well known Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery at Grand Junction, Colorado. His interest in educational affairs is indicated by his service on the board of trustees of Colorado College. His political allegiance was given to the republican party until 1912, when he became

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a progressive, in which party he remained until 1916, and during that period he served as national committeeman from Colorado in 1915 and 1916. Since tl latter year he has been affiliated with the republican party. The offices which he has held have all been along the strict path of his profession. In 1906 and 1907 he served as deputy district attorney of Montrose county and through 1907 and 1908 was city attorney of Montrose. In the succeeding year he became county attorney of Mesa county, filling the office for two years, and was then elected one of the state officials, being chosen attorney general of Colorado, in which connection he served for two years. He made a most enviable record in that office. His opinions given to state officials, and often contested in the courts, were in nearly every instance borne out by the highest legal tribunal. In Colorado's irriga- tion and water-power litigation with other states, Mr. Griffith showed rare powers of mind and a legal knowledge that has placed him among the leading members of the Colorado bar. In the years of the national progressive fight it was only his stand on the side of the progressives that prevented his nomination for gov- ernor by the republicans. When elected attorney general it was by one of the highest votes given to any candidate on the republican ticket-a fact indicative of his personal popularity and the marked degree of confidence maintained in his pro- fessional ability. He possesses all those qualities which make for eminence and success at the bar and his devotion to the highest professional standards, com- bined with his thoroughness and ability in preparing and presenting a case, con- stitutes him a most able minister in the temple of justice.

CARL HINTON.

Carl Hinton, executive secretary of the Denver & Colorado Manufacturers' Asso- ciation, is studying closely all the questions which bear upon trade problems at the present time and his initiative spirit has enabled him to advance many valuable ideas which have proven of great worth. He is a man of broad vision and of keen sagacity and his plans are always well formulated, while their effectiveness is constantly being proven. Mr. Hinton was born in Hempstead county, Arkansas, May 25, 1888. His father, the late William J. Hinton, was a native of Georgia and was a descendant of an old Virginia family of Scotch-Irish origin. The founder of the American branch of the family was Jacob Hinton, who came to America prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in North Carolina. Later representatives of the name participated in the Revo- lutionary war, actively aiding in the struggle for independence. Others of the family were prominent in connection with state and national politics and the family has long been widely and prominently known in Virginia and South Carolina. William J. Hinton, was the owner of a plantation in Arkansas, where he continued his residence to the time of his death. He enlisted for active service in the Confederate army during the Civil war, becoming a member of the First Arkansas Infantry, but after three months spent at the front he was disabled and honorably discharged. He died in Hempstead county, Arkansas, in 1903 at the age of sixty-three years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Marion Drake, is a native of Virginia and belongs to one of the old families of that state, of English lineage, founded in the new world at an early period in its colonization. She is a direct descendant of Sir Francis Drake and A. P. Hill and D. H. Hill, great uncles of Mrs. Hinton, were lieutenant generals in the Revolutionary war, the family being one of great prominence in Virginia. Mrs. Hinton is still living and yet occupies the old homestead in Arkansas, where she has resided for the past sixty years. By her marriage she became the mother of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters.

Carl Hinton of this review is the youngest of the family. He pursued his early education in private schools and afterward attended Ouachita College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1912. He then came to Denver and entered the field of journalism. He was connected with the Denver Republican but later left the city and removed to New Mexico, where he became secretary of the Silver City Chamber of Com- merce, there remaining for eighteen months. At the end of that time he was called upon for active military duty in Mexico. He organized and was elected captain of Company H, First New Mexico Infantry Regiment in Silver City, New Mexico, and continued in border service for a year. On the expiration of that period he returned to Denver and was appointed to his present position, which he has since continuously and successfully filled. He has also been selected to act as industrial commissioner at Washington, D. C.,

Carl Sentore

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for the state of Colorado. He has taken the initiative in promoting many measures of great value to the city and state at large. He stands for progress and improvement along all lines which he believes will prove of public benefit and he most thoroughly studies public conditions with an idea to improving the business life of the community and advancing its material progress.

Mr. Hinton votes with the democratic party and has ever been a stanch champion of its principles. He belongs to the University Club of Washington, D. C., also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and he is a member of the Denver Civic and Commer- cial Association. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He is likewise known through other connections, being commander in chief of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and he is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Mr. Hinton came to Colorado unheralded and unknown and his advancement is due to his own initiative and ability. His qualities are such as win for him recognition and respect wherever he is known and he has the strength of character that enables him to carry out his purposes and win success in his undertakings. The Denver & Colorado Manu- facturers' Association made wise choice when they called Mr. Hinton to the position of executive secretary, for he looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportu- nities and possibilities of the future and while holding to high ideals he utilizes the most practical ideas in their achievement.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 89

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