History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 94

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

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Mr. De Busk is deeply interested in the history of his state, and as a student thereof has gathered valuable data pertaining to its growth from a mountain wilderness. By members of the twenty-first assemhly he was therefore jocularly duhhed "Historical De Busk." His work in this line, however, is of the greatest value and is duly recognized by all serious minded people. and undoubtedly will be much appreciated by coming generations.

ARTHUR L. ALLEN.

Arthur L. Allen, proprietor of the Metropole Stable & Garage of Pueblo and promi- nently known in Elk circles in the state, was horn in Sedalia, Missouri, on the 16th of August, 1882, a son of Edgar F. and Musie (Morgan) Allen. The father was car inspector for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company for a number of years but has now passed away. The family numbered six sons and a daughter. of whom Arthur L. Allen is the second in order of birth.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof in his native town, Arthur L. Allen there pursued his education in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school. He afterward entered business and for fourteen years was identified with the wholesale flour and feed trade in Missouri and in Colorado. He spent four years of that period in Missouri and then removed to Pueblo in 1903. He continued active in the flour and feed business for a decade but in 1913 established the Metropole Stable & Garage, which he has since conducted, building up an excellent business in this connection.

In politics Mr. Allen is a democrat and takes an active part in the work of the party, doing all in his power to further its growth and secure its success. He has frequently been a delegate to county and state conventions. He is identified with many movements which have to do with the social life and the public interests of the state. He is a most patriotic and public-spirited citizen and does everything in his power to uphold national welfare or to advance those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. He belongs to the Commerce Club of Pueblo, also has membership with the Lions, and is the president of the Tenderfoot Bachelors' Clubs. He is connected with the Woodmen of

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the World, with the Knights of The Maccabees and is the state treasurer of the United Commercial Travelers. His greatest activity along such lines, however, is put forth in connection with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of which he is a most valued and prominent representative, now filling the position of esteemed leading knight. He is loyal to the teachings and purposes of the order and other members of the fraternity gladly follow his leadership.

SAMUEL B. MORGAN.

Bright as were the dreams of some of the earliest settlers of Colorado concerning the future development, upbuilding and greatness of the state, the most farsighted could scarcely have visualized the changes that time and man have wrought. Coming to the state during the period of early pioneer development, Samuel B. Morgan took a most important part in advancing the growth and upbuilding of Denver and of the state at large. He was a man of broad vision, of keen insight-practical, progressive, deter- mined. For many years he figured as a leading real estate dealer of Denver and he was at all times a courageous investor. What he did for Denver and her improvement can scarcely be overestimated and his work places him among the most distinguished residents that the city has ever claimed.

Mr. Morgan was born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, February 9, 1835, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 11th of December, 1897, when he passed away in Denver. He was the second son of Stephen and Rowena (Broadbent) Morgan and was descended from one of the old families of New England, being a representative in the eighth generation of the descendants of Richard Rose Morgan, who is mentioned in records of New London, Connecticut, as early as 1679 and who was of Welsh extraction. The Morgan family was prominent in early colonial and later New England history. fur- nishing many soldiers and officers for the American army. The ancestral history of Samuel B. Morgan, as did that of his wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Ellen T. Blinn, included the name of Elder William Brewster, who was the pastor of the May- flower band and the Pilgrim fathers who landed at Plymouth Rock. Stephen Morgan, father of Samuel B. Morgan, was a major in the Connecticut militia, was prominent in that state and there reared his family of seven children, five sons and two daughters.

Samuel B. Morgan received his early education in the common schools of his native town and graduated from the high school of Hartford, Connecticut. Then, at the age of sixteen, against the will of his family and relatives, but with parental consent, he went to sea as cabin boy on a whaling vessel, sailing from Bedford on the New Bedford whaler. "South Boston." On his third voyage he rose to the position of first mate, and his ship was wonderfully successful. He left the service at San Francisco, in December, 1861, returning thence to his home in Connecticut, via the Isthmus. In his several voyages, Mr. Morgan visited nearly all the principal ports of the world. In 1862, having accepted command of a new whaling vessel, Mr. Morgan prepared to again go to sea. But there was a providential intervention and the event in question fortunately made him a citizen of Colorado and a wealthy and useful resident of Denver. The vessel was stand- ing by, with all and everything on board, and it was almost at the hour of sailing, when Mr. Morgan received a telegram from an uncle in Philadelphia, offering him the posi- tion of superintendent of valuable mining properties at Blackhawk, Colorado. This was in the period when rich gold discoveries continued to be made in that district, and when vein mining began to be profitable. With this golden prospect in view, Mr. Morgan changed all his seagoing plans. Early in the autumn of 1862, he came to Colorado, where for the remainder of his life he was among the men who were most conspicuously identified with the development of Denver and the material wealth of the state. Mr. Morgan's wife and infant son joined the husband and father at Blackhawk in 1864. In 1870. Mr. Morgan resigned his mining position and entered into the grain and feed business at Blackhawk. There and at Central City the family resided during nine years, from 1864 to 1873. In autumn of the latter year, Mr. Morgan removed to Denver. Herg he embarked in the real estate business in connection with the old-time firm of Day, Morgan & Company. He was a farseeing and courageous investor, backing his ventures by his unbounded faith in the growth and ultimate greatness of Denver. He was a true prophet of the present-day development of the western country. Hence, he was abundantly successful and became widely known for his prowess in that branch of business. By his investments he acquired large property interests, which he retained until his death. By the same methods, while enriching himself, Mr. Morgan made fortunes for many others.

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He went to Leadville in the early days of that famous silver camp and there acquired properties which added greatly to his wealth. Disposing of these interests in 1883, he returned to Denver to give attention to his large holdings here. From that period he operated under the style of Morgan, French & Company, widely known as the prin- cipal real estate firm of Denver. In common with all people of the United States, he suffered reverses and loss through shrinkage of values following the panic of 1893. Not- withstanding this, his equities yielded him a large fortune. Mr. Morgan was interested in other enterprises in the city and state, and in all business affairs he was progressive, public-spirited and successful. He was one of the most active leaders among the men who made Denver famous and a magnetic attraction for homeseekers and investors from all over the world. He was one of the most influential apostles of the belief in Denver's destiny as a great city and he did his full share in its upbuilding and advancement. He was one of the pioneers in acquiring and improving Capitol Hill property, making at the same time improvements in the business center, and was a noted exemplar in promoting the growth of both sections. He was literally one of the men who changed the aspect of Denver from that of a straggling frontier town to a metropolis of handsome proportions and a city of splendor in the details of its construction.

Mr. Morgan married Ellen Theresa Blinn, of Wethersfield, Connecticut, in 1862, his widow still surviving. They were the parents of three children: Alice (Morgan) Harri- son; Jessie (Morgan) de Gogorza, of New York city; and Edward B. Morgan (q. v.), the well known Denver attorney and manager of his father's estate.

Such in brief is the history of one who left a deep impress upon the records of Denver and whose worth as a citizen can scarcely be overestimated. He worked not merely for the benefit of his own fortunes but for the advancement, welfare and great- ness of the city which he loved and his labors were far-reaching and beneficial. His memory is enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him because of the worth of his work, because of his attractive personality and his many admirable traits of character.

THOMAS C. EGAN.

Thomas C. Egan, conducting business in Denver under the name of the Egan Print- ing Company, was born in La Fayette, Indiana, December 28, 1863, his parents being John and Mary (Deegan) Egan. The father, a native of Ireland, came to America about 1835, when a young lad, and settled in La Fayette, Indiana, where he spent his remain- ing days. He took up the business of merchant tailoring and became quite successful, conducting a profitable establishment as the years passed on. He died in La Fayette in 1902, at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife was also a native of the Emerald isle and came alone to the new world about 1836. She, too, took up her abode in La Fayette and there was married to Mr. Egan. They had lived in the same county in Ireland and were sweethearts there. She passed away September 16, 1917, at the age of eight-seven years. Their family numbered six children: Robert, George, Thomas C., and three daughters-Mary, Margaret and Minnie.

Thomas C. Egan was the third in order of birth in this family. He pursued his education in the public schools of his native city to the age of seventeen years, when his textbooks were put aside and he started out to provide for his own support. He was first employed as superintendent of the news carriers for the La Fayette Courier of La Fayette, Indiana, and later he entered upon a regular apprenticeship at the printer's trade, starting in as "devil" and continuing to work his way upward until he became a journeyman. He worked in that way in Indiana in various newspaper offices until 1885, when he removed to the west, arriving in Denver on the 20th of June of that year. He was then employed at his trade by the Republican Publishing Company and after- ward was connected with the Rocky Mountain News. In 1893 he entered business on his own account, beginning in a small way. He has since been closely associated with the printing business and his interests have grown and developed as the years have passed on. Today in point of time he is the dean in the printing business in Denver and he is now serving for the second term as president of the Colorado Pioneer Printers' Association. His individual interests have greatly increased and he now employs on an average of fourteen skilled workmen and conducts a modern plant equipped with the latest improved machinery and supplied with every facility to promote the work and render the output of the highest class in point of mechanical perfection.

On the 18th of January, 1898, Mr. Egan was united in marriage in Denver to Miss Florence Boggs, a native of Missouri, and they have become parents of three children,

THOMAS C. EGAN

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Blanche, Edgar and Lillian. all born in Denver. Mr. Egan has his own home-a beautiful residence at No. 715 South High street. He is devoted to the welfare of his wife and children and finds his greatest happiness at his own fireside. For rest from business cares he turns to motoring and mountain climbing. In politics he is a democrat where national questions and issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Knights of Columbus, which indicates his religious faith to be that of the Catholic church, his membership being in St. Francis De Sales church. He also belongs to the Denver Typo- graphical Union and to the Denver Typothetæ and he is a member of the Denver Civic and Commercial Association. As the oldest representative of the printing business in Denver he is widely known, having been long associated with the trade in this city. His entire career has been characterized by enterprise and progress. The interests of his life have been of a varied nature, making his a well developed and well rounded character, and his success is the result of a careful recognition and utilization of opportunities.

FREDERIC J. WALTER.

Frederic J. Walter is one of the younger representatives of the legal fraternity of Denver but is already making for himself a creditable position in connection with law practice. He was born December 5, 1892, in the city in which he still makes his home, his parents being Rudolph J. and Augustine (Schinner) Walter, who are residents of Denver, and of whom more extended mention is made on other pages of this work.

Frederic J. Walter, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, began his education in the public schools and pursued a course in the Manual Training high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1911. He afterward entered the Uni- versity of Virginia and supplemented his training there received by further study in the University of Colorado, where he prepared for the bar. He became a member of Alpha Tau Omega and of Phi Delta Phi and was also admitted to membership in Sigma Delta Psi, a national college athletic fraternity. He is a member of Lambda Pi and all through his college days figured most prominently in athletic circles, being a member of the football teams of the Universities of Virginia and Colorado. Since his graduation from the University of Colorado he has been admitted to the bar and entered upon prac- tice in Denver in 1916. He is well versed in the principles of law and is actuated by a laudable ambition that will obtain results.

On the 11th of July, 1917, Mr. Walter was united in marriage to Miss Evelyn Drink- water, of Denver. Fraternally he is a Mason, holding membership in Columbia Lodge, No. 14, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is an independent republican. He finds his recrea- tion in athletics and is an advocate of manly outdoor sports. In Denver, where prac- tically his entire life has been passed, he has an extensive circle of friends and the number is constantly increasing as the circle of his acquaintance widens.

ROY E. ORTNER.

Roy E. Ortner, engaged in business as proprietor of an auto repair and paint garage in Pueblo, was born in Denver on the 24th of August, 1886, and is a son of George J. and Emma B. (Pryor) Ortner. The father is proprietor of a brass foundry in Pueblo and is thus actively identified with industrial and manufacturing interests. He estab- lished one of the first foundries in Denver and continued in business there for some time but about thirty-one years ago removed to Pueblo, where he also opened a foundry. His wife is also living.

Roy E. Ortner was educated in the public and high schools of Pueblo and afterward attended the University of Michigan, while 'subsequently he became a student in the School of Mines at Golden, Colorado. He later spent one year in the foundry with his father and afterward engaged in the automobile business. His education had qualified him for work of that character because he specialized in the study of gas engines and similar subjects. He now handles the White truck and is distributor of that machine for southern Colorado. He maintains a service station, employing five men, and does a great amount of repair work. He also repaints automobiles and maintains a garage of the most modern character, while his business methods have secured to him a liberal and well deserved patronage.

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Mr. Ortner is a member of the Commerce Club and also of the Rocky Mountain Automobile Association. He gives much of his time. to patriotic movements, such as Liberty Loan and Red Cross work and is doing everything in his power to uphold the interests of the country in this hour of its crisis. In a business way he is making good, for he is a young man of marked enterprise and determination and he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He is persistent and energetic, thor- oughly reliable and has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. His energy enables him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and as the years go by his business is increasing and has placed him in a creditable position among the representatives of industrial activity in Pueblo.

FRANK E. SIMONTON.

Frank E. Simonton, president of the S. B. I. Motor Sales Company of Colorado and Wyoming and distributors of the Wilcox Trux and also of the motor cars manufactured by the Hup Motor Company, was born in Denver, December 30, 1865, a son of Thomas H. and Frances M. (Reed) Simonton. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, came to the west in 1849, crossing the plains to California, in which state he remained for ten years and there engaged in mining. He again made the trip across the plains and stopped in Colorado in 1859. He then embarked in business in Denver, where he remained until 1878, when the mining excitement in other sections of the state induced him to go to Leadville, where he engaged in the freighting and forwarding business during the latter part of his life. Eventually he lived retired and was a resident of California for sixteen years, returning finally to Denver, where he passed away in October, 1912, at the age of eighty-five years. His widow spent her remaining days also in this city, her death occurring in 1915, when she had reached the age of seventy-nine years. They had a family of five children: Clara E .; Frances A., deceased; George, who died in Den- ver in 1914; Frank E., of this review; and Mrs. Jennie Riley, living in Victor, Colorado.

Frank E. Simonton was a pupil in the public and high schools of Denver and was one of the first students to attend the Broadway school on Broadway and Fourteenth street, entering on the day it opened. After leaving school he devoted his attention to mercantile pursuits at Redcliff, Colorado, where he successfully conducted business for eleven years. He then sold out and established a similar business at Victor, Colorado, where he remained one of the leading merchants until 1916. He also engaged in the insurance business at Victor and held public office there. In 1916 he sold out his interests and came to Denver to engage in the automobile and truck business, joining Mr. Barnard and Mr. Irving under the firm style of the S. B. I. Motor Sales Company, agents for the Wilcox Trux and the Hupmobile. Mr. Simonton lias since been the president of the company and its directing head. This is one of the largest firms carrying on business in Denver, their sales having reached a large figure. The Wilcox Trux have many points of advantage over other motor trucks and the firm is finding a ready sale for those cars and has also built up a good business in the sale of the Hupmobile.

On the 13th of January, 1890, Mr. Simonton was married to Miss Kate Summerladd, of Lincoln, Nebraska, who passed away on the 19th of August, 1897. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Summerladd, who were pioneer people of that state. One child was born of the marriage, Mrs. J. E. Wood, now residing at Denver, Colorado. She attended the public and high schools of Denver and also Miss Wolcott's School for Girls in Denver. She has two children. Eileen and Juliet Wood.

Mr. Simonton served as postmaster at Victor for one term. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons and the Elks and he belongs also to the Denver City and Com- mercial Association. There have been no spectacular phases in his life but his record has been marked by a steady progression that has brought him to the front as an automo- bile dealer of Denver, the trade of the S. B. I. Motor Sales Company constantly increasing.

CHARLES H. SANCHEZ.

On the roster of county officials in Huerfano county appears the name of Charles H. Sanchez of Walsenburg, who is filling the position of county assessor. He was born in San Luis, Costilla county, Colorado, on the 16th of March, 1884, a son of M. A. and Manu- elita (Medina) Sanchez. The father removed to Colorado in 1877 from Santa Fe, New Mexico, and through the Intervening period has devoted his attention to merchandising

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and to stock raising. He is now a resident of Denver and at the present time is living retired. His wife also survives.

Charles H. Sanchez was the second in order of birth in a family of seven children. The public school system of the state afforded him his educational opportunities. He passed through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school of Walsen- burg with the class of 1901, the family having settled in Walsenburg during the early boyhood of Charles H. Sanchez. He afterward engaged in business with his father and was thus connected until the fall of 1916, when he was elected to the office of county assessor, and although the election was contested he was seated on the 17th of July, 1916. In the fall of that year he was reelected for a two years' term and is now again a candidate for reelection. He has made an excellent record by the prompt, faithful and systematic manner in which he has discharged his duties and the public on the whole has given warm endorsement to his official service.

On the 20th of August, 1902, Mr. Sanchez was married to Miss Julia Barron, a na- tive of New Mexico, and to them have been born four children, Charles, Bonnie, Santos and Aloysius.

Mr. Sanchez is a Knight of Columbus of the third degree and belongs to the F. S. & J. organization. In politics he is a democrat, active in the work of the party, and has fre- quently been a delegate to county and state conventions and was also made a delegate to the national convention held in Baltimore. He enjoys fishing, hunting and other phases of outdoor life, to which he turns when leisure permits. He is also deeply interested in war work and cooperates most heartily and earnestly in every movement put forth to benefit the interests of the nation and its allies.

JOSEPH J. MAHONEY, M. D.

Colorado Springs, famous as a health resort because of its splendid climatic conditions, its pure water and other natural advantages, has drawn to it many able members of the medical profession, who, cooperating with natural forces that make for health, have done much to bring about most wonderful results for the sick. Dr. Mahoney comes to the west from Boston, Massachusetts, where his birth occurred in 1884. His father, John Mahoney, a coast pilot by occupation, was born in Maynard, Massachusetts, in 1854 and was there married to Miss Katherine Fitzpatrick. The former died in Boston in 1899 and the latter now resides in that city.

Dr. Mahoney was reared in Boston, acquired his education there and was graduated from Harvard with the class of 1905 on completing the medical course, which won him his professional degree. He afterward served as interne in a Boston hospital for a time, gaining valuable knowledge and experience in hospital practice. Later in the year, however, he removed westward to Colorado Springs and soon entered upon the active work of the profession, since which time he has made a specialty of the treatment of tuberculosis. He is a close and discriminating student and his labors have brought splendid results in many instances.

On the 6th of July, 1910, Dr. Mahoney was married in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, to Miss Beryl Louisa Bailes, of Canada, whose father was a manufacturer. Dr. and Mrs. Mahoney are members of the Catholic church and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus and also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He likewise belongs to Beta Theta Pi, a Greek letter fraternity. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. Along strictly professional lines he has ex- tensive membership relations, being identified with the American Medical Association, the Colorado State Medical Society, the El Paso County Medical Society, the Solly Tu- berculosis Society and the Southwest Medical Society, and through the proceedings of these bodies he keeps in touch with scientific investigations and research which have to do with his professional activity.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 94

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