History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 90

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

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ROBERT YOUNG.

Robert Young, who is filling the office of county commissioner of Huerfano county and is also successfully conducting a garage and automobile agency in Walsenburg, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, on the 12th of February, 1862, a son of William and Margaret (Kerns) Young. The father was a mine manager, long connected with mining interests in his native country, but both he and his wife have now passed away. Their family numbered five sons and eight daughters, of whom Robert Young was the ninth in order of birth.

In the public schools of his native country Robert Young pursued his educa- tion, but his opportunities in that direction were quite limited as he began work in the mines before reaching the age of ten years, or in September, 1871. He continued to work in the mines of Scotland until coming to the new world in 1879. Attracted by the broader business opportunities which he believed he might secure on this side of the Atlantic, he crossed the ocean and took up his abode in Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years, and during that period was also engaged in mining. He next located in Iowa and subsequently in Illinois, while from that state he removed to Ohio. -

Mr. Young afterward returned to Scotland and in the land of hills and heather was married on the 30th of December, 1885, to Miss Jennie Scott. With his bride he immediately returned to the United States and made his way to McDon- ald, Pennsylvania, where he resided for three months. He then went to Carroll county, Ohio, where he remained from 1886 until 1897, when he removed to Colorado, making his way to Maitland, Huerfano county. There he assisted in opening a mine, of which he became superintendent, and continued in active con- nection with the operation of the mine in an official capacity until 1912. He has been engaged in the automobile business since 1916, when he opened his garage in Walsenburg, and his sons are now associated with him in the business. They are agents for the Dodge Brothers car in Huerfano county. They maintain a complete service station and are meeting with success in their undertaking. They purchased the garage which they occupy and through the intervening period their business has steadily increased.

To Mr. and Mrs. Young were born the following named: Annie S., who passed away at the age of sixteen years; Margaret K .; William, who is in business with his father; Thomas S., who is with the Signal Corps in France, having responded to the country's call to make the world safe for democracy; Jennie S., who passed away at the age of ten years; Mary B .; Isabel S., who is attending school in Boulder; Robert, Jr., who is also with his father in business; David S .; Elizabeth; Gertrude; and Eleanor. Eight of the children were born in Leesville, Carroll county, Ohio, and four were born in Huerfano county. There are also four grandchildren.

In politics Mr. Young maintains an independent course and regards the capability of the candidate rather than his party affiliation. He was elected on the progressive ticket in 1914 to the office of county commissioner, which position

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he is still filling. He is much interested in political questions and conditions and gives his aid and influence on the side of advancement and improvement, looking to the welfare of the majority rather than to the aggrandizement of self. Mr. Young is a Presbyterian in religious faith and traternally is a third degree Mason. He also belongs to the Commercial Club and he is deeply interested in everything that has to do with the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of his community. He is now a member of the coal conservation committee and is active in the cause of defense work, heartily cooperating in every plan of the country to advance the interests of the nation and the cause of the allies in their struggle to prevent the world from being subjected to the tyrannical rule of militarism.

HARRY W. HUMPHREYS.

Harry W. Humphreys is numbered among those business men to whom opportunity is ever a call to action and with whom action spells success. He is conducting an extensive business in real estate and investments and is widely known in that field. A native son of Illinois, his birth occurred at Keithsburg, in Mercer county, September 24, 1861, and he comes of Welsh ancestry, the family having been founded, however in Virginia at an early period in the colonization of the new world. Later representa- tives of the name went to Ohio and in New Garden, that state, John C. Humphreys, father of Harry W. Humphreys, was born and reared. He early took up the trade of harness making and during the gold excitement on the Pacific coast he went to Cali- fornia by way of the New York route and Cape Horn. He made the return trip by way of the Isthmus route after spending several years in gold mining in California, where, however, he met with only moderate success. After leaving the Pacific coast he took up his abode in Keithsburg, Illinois, where he resided to the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1908, when he had reached the age of eighty-two years. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Amanda Wolfe, was a native of Chambersburg, Penn- sylvania, and a descendant of one of the old families of that state of Dutch lineage. She died in August, 1890, at the age of forty-nine years. In the family were eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom are yet living with the exception of the youngest daughter.

Harry W. Humphreys was the second in order of birth in his father's family and while spending his youthful days under the parental roof he acquired his education in the schools of Keithsburg, supplemented by a commercial course at Keokuk, Iowa. He then started out to earn his own livelihood and was first employed at farm labor. He followed agricultural pursuits for about three years and then turned his attention to mercantile lines, working in the store of Dennis Murto, who was then a leading grocer of Keithsburg. That he proved capable, efficient and faithful is indicated in the fact that he remained in the employ of Mr. Murto for five years, after which he was allowed to purchase an interest in the business and entered upon a partnership relation that was continued for several years. At length, however, he sold his business interests in the middle west and removed to California, with San Francisco as his destination. After a short period spent at the Golden Gate he returned eastward and took up his abode in Denver, where he arrived on the 12th of March, 1886. He spent several weeks in looking around and deciding as to his future course, at the end of which time he accepted a position in the grocery store of Birks Comforth, by whom he was employed for about a year. He next entered the wholesale fruit and commission business in connection with J. L. Wolfe under the firm name of Humphreys & Wolfe. This business was successfully and profitably conducted for fourteen years, at the end of which time Mr. Humphreys purchased the interest of his partner and incorporated the business under the name of the Humphreys Commission Company. He continued at the head of the business for three years and then sold to John M. Walker, hut the business has since been conducted under the old firm style of the Humphreys Commission Company and is still one of the important commercial concerns of the city. It is now carried on by the Brule & Bourk Commission Company and is one of the largest establishments of the kind in Denver. In June, 1904, Mr. Humphreys entered the real estate and invest- ment business in connection with Mr. Murto, his first employer, who came to Colorado with his family in June, 1890. Their association as real estate dealers continued until the death of the senior partner in April, 1907, since which time Mr. Humphreys has conducted the business alone. Again he has won a substantial measure of prosperity, through his careful management, his close application and his indefatigable energy. He has thoroughly informed himself concerning realty values and has negotiated a

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number of most important property transfers. He has also utilized his chance for judicious investment and he erected and owned the Guardian Trust building, which he afterward sold to the Guardian Trust Company, of which he is an honorary director.

Politically Mr. Humphreys maintains an independent course nor has he ever sought or desired public office. He has membership in the Immaculate Conception cathedral and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus. He belongs also to the Real Estate Exchange, of which he has served as a director, and he has likewise been a director of the Denver Civic and Commercial Association. He takes an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of his city, to the advancement of its municipal standards or the promotion of those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.

In Keithsburg, Illinois, Mr. Humphreys was united in marriage to Miss Mary R. Murto, a daughter of the late Dennis and Bridget (Gilrain) Murto, both of whom were of Irish birth but became early settlers of Keithsburg, Illinois. Mr. Murto was a stanch democrat in politics and was recognized as one of the leaders of his party, which he represented in the fourteenth general assembly of Colorado. He was a man of very genial disposition who spread around him much of life's sunshine and all who knew him were glad to call him friend. To Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys have been born three sons and three daughters. Raymond Murto, Regina Marie, Wilfred Gerald, Lillian Margaret, Florence Madeline and John Harold.

Mr. Humphreys and his family are well known in Denver, where they have a large circle of warm friends. He started out in the business world a poor boy and his success is due to his own efforts and the assistance and encouragement of his wife, who has indeed been a faithful helpmate to him. He has worked steadily and persistently as the years have gone by, making wise use of his time, his talents and his opportunities, doing in a most thorough manner everything that he has undertaken and attacking everything with a contagious enthusiasm.

ANDREW J. CARLSON.

Andrew J. Carlson, of Eaton, who is extensively engaged in feeding sheep, is one of the self-made men of Weld county, who has worked his way upward from the humble position of a farm hand and is today the owner of a valuable property. He was born in Sweden in November, 1853, a son of Carl and Mary Carlson, who were natives of Sweden, where the father followed farming throughout his entire life, passing away in 1874 at the comparatively early age of forty-five years. His wife died two years later, her death occurring in 1876.

Andrew J. Carlson spent his youthful days in his native country and acquired his education in the public schools of Sweden, after which he concentrated his efforts and attention upon farm work until 1880. He was a young man of twenty-seven years when he determined to try his fortune in America, attracted by the favorable opportunities that he had heard were to be enjoyed on this side of the Atlantic. On reaching American shores he made his way to Illinois, where he lived for a year and then went to Kansas, where he also spent a year. On the expiration of that period he arrived in Weld county, Colorado, where he was employed as a farm hand for three and a half years. He was desirous, however, of engaging in business on his own account and after that period felt that he was justified in taking up farm work for himself. He rented land, which he cultivated for seventeen years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings, and at the end of the time was able to purchase one hundred and twenty acres, for which he paid eighty-five dollars per acre. People told him that he was crazy to pay such a price, that the land was not worth it and never would be, but today the same property is worth three hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre. This place is situated a mile east and a mile and a half south of Eaton and Mr. Carlson continued to carefully develop and further improve the property until the 1st of March, 1918, when he retired from the active work of the farm and removed to Eaton, where he has recently erected a fine modern residence. There was but one building in Eaton when Mr. Carlson came to this section of the state. He has been very successful in all his ventures, practicing thrift, economy, industry, and his perseverance and labors have brought most substantial results. He made a business of feeding sheep each year and thus added materially to his income.

On the 4th of July, 1875, Mr. Carlson was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Anderson and to them have been born three children: Augusta, at home; Emily, the wife of P. B. Landin, a farmer living east of Eaton; and Charles, who is operating his father's land.

ANDREW J. CARLSON AND FAMILY

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Politically Mr. Carlson is a republican, and his religious faith is that of the Evan- gelical Free church. This denomination has the finest church edifice in Eaton, it having been erected at a cost of twelve thousand dollars, including the pastor's residence. Mr. Carlson gives his aid and influence at all times on the side of progress and improve- ment and his efforts have been a valuable asset in promoting the material, social, political and moral advancement of the community.

C. B. FLOYD.

Las Animas county has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied her public offices, for on the whole they have been loyal to duty and have possessed the capability which has made them excellent officers. Of this class C. B. Floyd is a worthy representative and is now most acceptably filling the position of clerk of the district court. He is widely known in Las Animas county, where practically his entire life has been passed. He was born eight miles from Trinidad, a son of C. B. and L. E. (Elmore) Floyd. His father was a well known farmer and stockman of this section of the state. He came to Colorado in 1867 and was afterward married. He homesteaded in Las Animas county and as his financial resources increased he purchased other land. He died on the 4th of December, 1912, and thus was brought to a close a life of marked activity and usefulness. His widow is still living. They had a family of three sons and two daughters, of whom C. B. Floyd was the fourth in order of birth.

C. B. Floyd was educated in the public and high schools of Trinidad. He then pursued a commercial course and afterward took up the study of stenography. Upon becoming proficient in that course Mr. Floyd entered upon court work on the 1st of January, 1913, being appointed on that date to the office of clerk of the district court. He has made an excellent record in the position through the intervening period of five years. He is active, systematic, prompt and rapid in performing the duties of the office and above all is loyal to the trust reposed in him.

Mr. Floyd was married in 1909 to Miss Aimee E. Mourning and their children are Allen and Clay, Jr. In his political belief Mr. Floyd is a stalwart republican. Fra- ternally he is well known in Masonic circles, being a past master of Trinidad Lodge, No. 89, A. F. & A. M. The teachings of the fraternity he exemplifies in his life and is ever loyal to its high purposes. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is interested in every movement put forth by that organization for the benefit of the community. He greatly enjoys fishing and turns to that sport for recreation, but he allows no outside interests to interfere with the faithful performance of his duties, which are ever his foremost concern.

THOMAS J. DIXON.

Thomas J. Dixon, devoting his attention to general law practice in Denver, was born at Crisfield, Maryland, April 20, 1889, a son of N. Walter and Mary Josephine Dixon, who are mentioned to greater extent on other pages of this work. He began his education in the graded schools of Pueblo, Colorado, following the removal of the family to the west. He afterward attended the Central high school and Gulliford Academy and spent three years as a student in St. John's Military Academy. He did not attend law school, preferring to study law while bailiff of the Denver county court, for the actual experience gained while there was of extreme value-more worth while than the training of the schools. He successfully passed his bar examination in Decem- ber, 1913, and entered upon active practice. In the meantime he had become counected with business interests, acting as assistant chemist for the Portland Cement Company, while later he became identified with the Denver county court. He also conducted busi. ness under the name of the Dixon Brokerage Company for more than a year, handling various manufacturers' lines. He is now concentrating his efforts and attention upon his law practice, which has steadily increased in volume and importance, and he is today recognized as an able lawyer whose increasing powers and ability are bringing him more and more prominently to the front. He served as bailiff of the Denver county court during the four years' term of Judge John R. Dixon upon the county court bench. The only other public office he has held is that of director of the State Bureau of Child and Animal Protection, in which capacity he has served for four years, and is now serving.

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In Pueblo, Colorado, on the 27th of December, 1913, Mr. Dixon was united in mar- riage to Miss L. Ruth Collins, a daughter of Dr. D. W. and Lalla A. Collins, of Pueblo, the former now deceased. He was one of the most prominent physicians and surgeons in Pueblo, while Mrs. Collins has been very prominent in club and social circles for a number of years. To Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have been born three children: Eleanor Ruth, who is four years of age; David, two years old; and Deborah, who is a year old. Mr. Dixon is a member of the Park Hill Club and is identified with the Colorado Bar Association, the Denver Bar Association and the Law Club of Denver. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. He stands for those things which have value as effective forces in advancing individual uplift and promoting the betterment of the world. His work on the State Bureau of Child and Animal Protection shows his broad humanitarian spirit and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further any interest for the public good.

ALVIN P. MERCER.

Alvin P. Mercer, who holds one of the important positions within the gift of the state, being superintendent of the Colorado State Farm, was born in Hancock county, West Virginia, July 31, 1877, his parents being William and Phoehe J. (Wells) Mercer. The father has followed farming pursuits throughout his life and makes his home in Kansas, to which state the family removed about thirty-four years ago. To him and his wife were born five children, of whom Alvin P. Mercer was the second in order of birth.

Alvin P. Mercer attended the rural schools near his father's farm in Kansas, but his opportunities along this line were limited, much of his time being taken up by assisting his father in the work of the fields. Many of his most valuable lessons were learned in the school of experience. He continued with his father until the age of nineteen, when in 1897 he came to Cofurado, having heard numerous favorable reports of the many oppor- tunities which were offered to young men in this state. He located at Las Animas and there continued in agricultural pursuits until he was appointed to the position of super- intendent of the Colorado State Farm hy Warden Thomas J. Tynan in 1910. This farm comprises thirteen hundred and fifty acres and under his able direction has been brought to a high state of cultivation. Thirty-five men are needed to run the place and all are honor men from Cañon City. The crops are largely used for the subsistence of the pris- oners at the penitentiary and those which are not consumed in that way are sold and the money turned into a fund for the benefit of the institution.

On the 28th of February, 1903, Mr. Mercer was united in marriage to Miss Christina Bethune and to them have been born two children, Catherine and Alvin R.

In his political affiliation Mr. Mercer is a democrat and has always faithfully sup- ported the party, in whose principles he thoroughly believes. He is public-spirited and a valued citizen of his section of state, although he has never cared for public office. In the discharge of his duties he has shown fidelity and ability and stands high in the estimation of his superior officers. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church, in the work of which he takes a laudable interest.

JEFFERSON WATSON DAVIS, M. D.

While still a young man, Dr. Jefferson W. Davis is numbered among the foremost physicians of Denver, a fact that is fast becoming recognized in professional ranks throughout the state. He was horn in Carroll county, Virginia, June 5, 1881, a son of William H. and Emily (Lindsay) Davis, who were also born in the Old Dominion. where for many generations the ancestors had lived. The ancestral line, however, is traced back to England and Wales. William H. Davis and his wife have remained residents of their native state, where the father is a well known planter and farmer, still occupying the old homestead in Carroll county.

Dr. Davis of this review was the sixth in order of birth in their family. He began his education in the public schools of his native county and pursued a preparatory course in Soule College at Dodge City, Kansas. He also further studied in the University of Denver and won his Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the class of 1909. He next entered the University of Colorado as a medical student and received his professional

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degree in 1912. He then went to New Mexico, where he was engaged in active practice, but remained there for only eight months, after which he returned to Denver and opened an office. In the intervening years he has steadily advanced until he ranks-with Denver's leading physicians, devoting his attention to general practice and also to hospital work, being connected with St. Joseph's and other hospitals of the city. He has a very exten- sive private practice of a most important character and he has gained the confidence and esteem of the general public and also shares in the high regard of his professional col- leagues and contemporaries. He has membership in the Denver City & County Medical Society, the Colorado State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Grace Vale Busby, of Denver, on the 2d of January, 1913. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Busby. of Hamilton, Ontario, the former now deceased, while the latter is still living. In politics Dr. Davis maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. Fra- ternally he is a Mason and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. The major part of his time and effort, however, is concentrated upon his professional duties. which have constantly grown in volume and importance. and he brings scientific knowledge and highly developed efficiency to the solution of all intricate and involved professional problems.

REV. WILLIAM E. COLLETT.

Rev. William E. Collett, general secretary of the Colorado Prison Association, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Conference of Colorado and still engages in preach- ing, but is devoting his efforts as a speaker and church worker to the reform of those who have not held themselves amenable to the law and to the uplift of those to whom an untoward fate has brought hardship. He is doing splendid work as general secre- tary of the Colorado Prison Association and is closely studying all questions which affect that class among whom he is laboring.

Rev. Collett was born near Monroe, Butler county, Ohio, September 23, 1866, a son of the late James T. Collett, a native of Maryland and a representative of one of the old families of that state of French descent. The family was founded on American soil by three brothers who came to the United States immediately following the Revolu- tionary war. One of the ancestors in the maternal line was Daniel Le Sourd, who served in the War of 1812. James T. Collett was a successful farmer and in 1865 removed from Maryland to Ohio, in which state he was married in the same year. There he spent his remaining days, giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits until he was called to the home beyond in 1883, when he had attained the age of forty-one years. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church. He was united in marriage to Martha A. Collett, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, although the family came originally from Maryland, and she was a cousin of her husband. Her people on remov- ing to Ohio crossed the Cumberland mountains in a wagon and they were among the pioneers of the Buckeye state. Mrs. Collett is still living and in June, 1918, attained the age of seventy-five years. She makes her home with her son, Rev. William E. Collett, of this review. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom four have passed away. while those still living are William E. and Mrs. Mamie Peoples, the widow of John V. Peoples and a resident of Denver for the past fourteen years. She is now a teacher in the Smedley school of this city.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 90

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