History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 95

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

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JOHN P. THOMAS.

John P. Thomas is one whose life record has been marked by steady progression and he is now division superintendent of the first division of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. He was born in South Wales on the 23d of December, 1856, a son of William and Frances (Nash) Thomas, who spent their entire lives in Wales, where the father was for fifty years a miner. Their family numbered nine children.

DR. JOSEPH J. MAHONEY

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Jolın P. Thomas, the fourth in order of birth, acquired his education in the schools of Wales, pursuing his studies to the age of nine and a half years, when he began work in the mines and was thus employed until he came to the United States when a young man of twenty-three years. He made his way to Pennsylvania and secured work in the mines of Northumberland county, where he continued for three months and then removed to Morris Run, where he spent nine months. He next located in Dauphin county, Pennsyl- vania, and in December, 1881, arrived in Colorado, making his way to Rockvale, where he followed mining for four years. He was afterward mine foreman at No. 5 mine, accepting that position in June, 1886, and later became general foreman over five mines owned by the Cañon City Coal Company. He occupied the position of fire boss for a few months and was advanced to the position of mine foreman, in which capacity he served until 1898. He was then again made superintendent and so continued until 1902, when he was appointed superintendent of the third division. The property was taken over by the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company in 1896. Mr. Thomas was located at Glenwood Springs, from 1902 until 1911, but division headquarters was then removed to Cañon City, where he remained for two years and in 1913 he came to Trinidad to accept the position of division superintendent of the first division for the corporation. The fore- going indicates that his record has been marked by steady advancement and his promo- tions have always been won by persistent effort and capability. He is familiar with every phase of coal mining in the west and his efforts are of great value to the corpora- tion which he represents.

On the 29th of November, 1883, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Elizabeth Davies and to them have been born six children: William Edward, John Philemon, Elizabeth R .. Caroline S., Frances M. and Mary A. The religious faith of the family is that of the Methodist church and in political belief Mr. Thomas is a republican, stanchly supporting the men and measures of the party. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and has attained the Knight Templar degree. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, of which he has been a member for thirty-six years, and he has membership connection with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a public-spirited citizen, deeply interested in the welfare and progress of his state, and his genuine personal worth has gained for him the high respect of all with whom he has come in contact, while the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company regards him as one of its most trusted and capable representatives.

H. WAYNE RUSSELL.

H. Wayne Russell, general agent at Denver for the North American Accident In- surance Company and displaying marked enterprise in the conduct of the important in- terests under his control, was born in Alta, Iowa, March 4, 1882, a son of H. W. and Mary E. (Worden) Russell, both of whom were natives of Michigan. The father was for many years a traveling salesman.

He was educated at Albion College at Albion, Michigan, and was a man of con- siderable ability, widely known as a political speaker of force. Moreover, his life was actuated by his belief as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and when death called him his passing was a matter of deep and widespread regret to many who knew him.

H. Wayne Russell pursued his education in the public schools of Albion, Michigan, attended the high school and after putting aside his textbooks made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in a drug and grocery store. He afterward went to Buffalo, New York, and while there residing was a member of the Sixty-fifth Regiment of the National Guard. Following his removal to the west he spent several years as circulation manager with the Denver Post and then entered into active connection with the North American Accident Insurance Company and for ten years has been its general agent for Colorado. He closely studies every question that comes up and every phase of the business, and his careful management and wise discernment are important elements in the growing success of the interests under his control.

In 1906 Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude M. Strater, of Du- rango, Colorado, a daughter of Fred S. Strater, the builder of a large hotel at Durango. They have become parents of a son, Frederick W., born September 13, 1907, in Denver, and now in school.

Mr. Russell belongs to Park Hill Lodge, No. 148, A. F. & A. M .; also to Denver Chapter. No. 21, R. A. M., and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit which under- lies Masonry. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks as a

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member of Lodge No. 17 and is a member of Denver Lodge, No. 41, K. P. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his political belief is that of the repub- lican party. He is a young, energetic man, progressive and successful in business, ac- complishing what he undertakes in every relation by reason of a determined spirit and unfaltering perseverance.

LAURENCE EDWIN LANGDON.

Laurence Edwin Langdon, a prominent representative of the legal profession in Pueblo, is making an excellent record in the position of deputy district attorney. His birth occurred in Sarpy county, Nebraska, on the 11th of August, 1883, but he has spent practically his entire life in Colorado, his parents, John J. and Frances G. (Heron) Langdon, removing to this state in the spring of 1884. His father was engaged in the abstract business in Pueblo for many years but disposed of his interests in that connec- tion in 1917 and has since given his attention to real estate dealing. The period of his residence in the city covers more than a third of a century and he has long been num- bered among its successful business men and esteemed citizens. Mr. Langdon of this review has three brothers, one of whom is at present serving his country as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Infantry.

Laurence E. Langdon began his education in a parochial school and later con- tinued his studies in the Centennial high school, from which he was graduated in 1902. Subsequently he spent a year in the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and for two years was a student in the University of Michigan, being graduated from the latter in- stitution as a member of the class of 1910. For five years before taking up the study, of law, however, he had heen associated with his father in the abstract business. In 1911 he was elected city attorney of Pueblo, acting in that capacity for seven months or until November, 1911, when he was appointed deputy district attorney by John W. Davidson, who was serving as district attorney at that time. Throughout the intervening period of seven years he has discharged his duties as deputy in a most commendable and effi- cient manner, winning an enviable reputation in professional circles.

Mr. Langdon gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, while fraternally he is an Elk and a fourth degree Knight of Columbus. He belongs to the Minnequa Club and the Golf Club and has those qualities which make for personal popularity. Having spent almost his entire life in Colorado, he has witnessed the growth and progress of the state with enthusiastic interest and he is well known as a public-spirited, respected and representative citizen of Pueblo.

NATHAN A. BAKER.

Nathan A. Baker, whose name is inseparably interwoven with the history of Denver, has contributed in marked measure to its development and improvement in many ways. He was one of the early teachers of the city, was long identified with newspaper pub- lication and since 1906 has been connected with the mint. But there are many activi- ties outside of the field of business that have contributed to the upbuilding and im- provement of the city with which the name of Nathan A. Baker is associated. Since 1860 he has resided in Colorado and he is today the honored president of the Pioneers Society of Denver. His birth occurred in Lockport, New York, August 3, 1843. His father, Addison Baker, was a farmer who was born near Rochester, New York, and the ancestral line of the family is traced hack more than a century and a half to the great- grandfather of Nathan A. Baker, who was a resident of Connecticut and whose son removed to the state of New York, settling in Saratoga. Later he took up his abode in western New York when that district was an undeveloped wilderness. Addison Baker wedded Charlotte Baker and both have now passed away. They removed with their family to Racine, Wisconsin, during the boyhood days of Nathan A. Baker, who pursued his education in the schools of Racine and was graduated when sixteen years of age. The family afterward removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he lived for a year and then came to Colorado, arriving in March, 1860.

Through all the intervening years Nathan A. Baker has been closely and prominently associated with interests and activities which have left their impress upon the develop- ment, growth and substantial progress of the city. It was he who got up the first copy of the Daily Times, doing all of the work connected with getting out the first issue of

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the paper with his own hands. He taught a select school in Denver for a time, before the public school system was established but closed his school in December, 1862. He then turned his attention to newspaper work, becoming business manager of the Denver News, in which capacity he continued for a number of years. Prior to this time, how- ever, he was with the Denver Commonwealth. He continued with the News for some time, and was well known among journalists of the west. In 1906 he entered the United States mint and has since been connected with calculation work.

In 1865 Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa Moyn, of Venango county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born a son and a daughter: Addison E., now living in Denver; and Lily M., who is the wife of E. W. Sebben, and is also a resident of Denver.

Mr. Baker is a direct descendant of Revolutionary war heroes and is therefore eligible to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. He served in the Gov- ernor's Guard in 1863, and later enlisted in the Third Regiment, Colorado Cavalry. His political allegiance has long been given to the republican party, which has ever found in him a stalwart champion. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine, being identified with Denver Lodge, No. 5, A. F. & A. M .; Denver Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M .; Colorado Commandery, No. 1, K. T .; and El Jebel Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. For twenty-five years he has been a member of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and one of its most active, earnest and progressive workers. He was one of the first members of the Young Men's Christian Association of Denver, and he has cooperated in every movement and measure for the benefit and upbuilding of the city along political, intellectual, material, social and moral lines. He has also added to its improvement in still other ways. He set out the first row of shade trees east of Cherry creek and he has ever advocated the upholding of the highest civic standards. His life has been one of usefulness and of intense activity and the worth of his labors is widely acknowledged by those who know aught of the history of Denver and its advancement.

EDMUND JOHN CHURCHILL.

Edmund John Churchill comes of a family that is distinctively American in both its lineal and collateral branches through many generations. The progenitor of the family in the new world was of English birth and came to America in 1666. The direct ancestor of Edmund J. Churchill at the time of the Revolutionary war was Nathaniel Churchill, a "powder monkey" on shipboard during that conflict. John Sage Churchill, grandfather of Mr. Churchill, and a son of Nathaniel, married into the White family and his wife had six brothers who served in the War of 1812 and were poisoned through the treachery of the enemy while on the march to a given point in the state of New York. While the com- pany was en route for that point they purchased some pies and sixty per cent of the num- ber met death as a result of eating the poisoned food. John Nathaniel Churchill, father of Edmund J. Churchill, was born in Vermont, although earlier generations of the family had lived for some time in Connecticut. He became a traveling representative for the Marsh Harvesting Company, with which he was thus connected for many years. The greater part of his life was spent in Nebraska, where he took up his abode in 1869. Previous to this time, however, he had rendered military aid to his country, having enlisted for serv- ice in the Civil war as a member of the Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry. While at the front he was captured and spent six months in Libby prison, but on account of the condi- tion of his health he was permitted to depart from the prison in October, 1863. He was captured at the battle of Murfreesboro and he took part in a number of other hotly con- tested engagements of the war. He afterward became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Nebraska City and thus maintained pleasant relations with his old military comrades, who in the nation's blue uniform had marched to the defense of the stars and stripes and for the cause which the old flag represented. He died in Lincoln in February, 1913, at the age of seventy-seven years. In early manhood he had married Sophia D. Thayer, a native of Chelsea, Vermont, and a representative of one of the old Vermont families of English lineage that was established on American soil in colonial days. Mrs. Churchill passed away in Nebraska City in 1903 at the age of sixty-nine years.

The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. John N. Churchill was Edmund J. Churchill of this review, whose birth occurred at Rockford, Illinois, December 10, 1864. Following the removal of the family to the west, he pursued his education in the public schools of Ne- braska City. He afterward entered the University of Nebraska and there won his Bach- elor of Arts degree on June 10, 1885. Determining upon a professional career, he decided to make the practice of law his life work and in preparation therefor entered the law

EDMUND J. CHURCHILL

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office of W. W. Corlett, John W. Lacey and John A. Riner, well known attorneys, at Chey- enne, Wyoming, who directed his reading and assisted him in qualifying for law practice. He came from Wyoming to Denver in September, 1896, and has since been in continuous and active practice in this city, specializing largely in corporation law and representing various coal companies. He is thoroughly informed concerning this branch of jurispru- dence and his ability in the field of corporation law is pronounced. He had become a resident of Wyoming in November, 1885, taking up his abode at Rawlins, and in 1886 he removed to Cheyenne, where he commenced the practice of his profession, and from No- vember, 1890, until September, 1896, was in partnership with John C. Baird, who later became United States attorney for Hawaii. In Denver he has practiced alone and his marked ability has brought him prominently to the front in the ranks of the legal fra- ternity. He belongs to the Denver Bar Association and also to the American Bar Associa- tion.

On the 18th of January, 1888, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Mr. Churchill was married to Miss Liska Stillman, a native of Iowa, where her parents settled in pioneer times, while lier family was among the oldest of New England and prominently connected with events that shaped the history of Connecticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Churchill have been born two chil- dren. The elder, Flavia, is the wife of Clement F. Crowley, an attorney at law of Denver, mentioned elsewhere in this work. The younger daughter, Huldal, is the wite of Charles H. Wingender, an attorney at law of Denver and general manager of athletics at Denver University.

Mr. Churchill became a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Delta Theta, being one of the charter members of the latter organization in Nebraska, and in both he is still active. He is a recognized leader in the ranks of the republican party and while a resident of Wyoming took a very prominent part in advancing political and civic interests. He served as city attorney at Cheyenne for five years, was assistant prosecuting county attorney there for two years and United States commissioner for six years. He was also secretary of the city and county republican committees for five years and he has put forth most earnest and effective work to advance the interests of his party and promote its successes, believing that its platform contains the best elements of good government. He holds to high stand- ards of manhood and citizenship, never swerving from a course which he believes to be right between himself and his fellowmen, and the sterling strength and worth of his chiar- acter are recognized by all with whom he has been brought in contact.

BURNEY B. SIPE.

Burney B. Sipe, president of the Trinidad Undertaking Company, was born in Limestone, Tennessee, on the 13th of November, 1868, a son of Robert Gratton and Icephine (Gwin) Sipe. The father was born in Virginia and was a Confederate soldier at the time of the Civil war. He engaged in business as a contractor and builder. His death occurred August 12, 1900, while his widow survived until September 10, 1917.

Burney B. Sipe, the eldest in a family of seven children, was educated in the public schools of Colorado, having removed to this state on the 7th of April, 1873, in company with his parents, who were among the pioneer settlers. The journey westward was made with ox team and wagon, after the primitive manner of travel of that time. The family home was established east of Trinidad and Burney B. Sipe began his education in the schools of the city. He was afterward a student in the University of Denver from 1885 until 1888 inclusive and later attended Roller's Military Academy at Fort Defiance, Virginia, while subsequently he returned to Denver, where he became a student in the business college of Denver University. He first took up the undertaking business in 1887 and since 1893 has followed it continuously. He is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the work concerning the scientific care of the dead and his efforts as a funeral director are most satisfying to those in need of such services. He carries an extensive line of undertaking supplies and caskets and his business has reached gratifying pro- portions. In October, 1917, he was appointed on the state board of embalming examin- ers and in August, 1918, was elected its president.

Mr. Sipe was married on the 22d of April, 1913, to Miss Ella Mae Hutchinson, of Louisville, Colorado, and they are well known socially in Trinidad, where they have many friends. Mr. Sipe is a democrat in his political views and an active worker in support of party principles. He has served as a delegate to state conventions but has never been a politician in the usual sense of office seeking. Fraternally he is a Mason, having taken the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter, council and commandery, while

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he is also a member of the Mystic Shrine at Denver. He likewise belongs to the Fraternal Aid, to the Royal Arcanum, the Woodmen of the World, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of Pythias, and is a charter member of Elks Lodge, No. 181, Trinidad. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. He is fond of out- door life, particularly of fishing and hunting, to which he turns for recreation. His support of public measures for the general good can always be counted upon, for he cooperates heartily in any movement that is for the benefit of Trinidad or the state.

THEODORE SHOEMAKER, JR.

The United States forest service, which has done so much to preserve the natural beauties of the state, finds a prominent representative in Theodore Shoemaker, Jr., supervisor of Pike national forest. A native of Indiana, Mr. Shoemaker was born in Perry county, November 12, 1876, his parents being George and Emeline (Taylor) Shoemaker, both natives of Indiana, who in 1880 removed westward to Kansas, locating in Smith county, where the father engaged in farming and stock raising, his labors being attended with considerable success. Later, however, he continued his progress toward the west and took up his residence in Garland, Wyoming, where he died in 1905 at the age of fifty-eight. He was respected by all who knew him. His wife pre- ceded him in death many years, passing away at the age of forty-one in the state of Kansas. To this union eleven children were born, of whom eight are living. Two died in infancy and a brother of our subject, George Shoemaker, in 1917. Those living are Edgar, Mrs. Amy Stahl. Dorsey T., Elmer, Oscar, Earl, John and Theodore, Jr., who was the fourth in order of birth.

During his boyhood Theodore Shoemaker, Jr., attended the common schools of Kansas, acquiring such education as these institutions furnished. In the summer months he assisted his father on the farm, acquiring not only a fair knowledge of agricultural methods but becoming imbued with that spirit which later led him to take up work with the forest service. By nature he was a studious boy and with the aid of home study he advanced so far that he was able to take up school-teaching in his home county in Kansas. He so continued for two years, at the end of which time he removed to Colorado, continuing in school work in the counties of Fremont and Custer. He was very successful as an educator and his work along this line has been of great value to the communities in which he was thus engaged. For nine years he followed that profession and for four years of this period he was employed in the schools of Canon City. He was later principal of the schools in Westcliffe, Custer county, where he became interested in the work of the forest service. He therefore took the necessary examination and in 1907 was appointed as a ranger on the San Isabel national forest, where he faithfully discharged his duties for two years. His careful work found recognition in his promotion to the position of supervisor of the Leadville (Colo.) district and he held this office for three years, being at the end of that period commissioned to the forest homestead work of District No. 2 and had charge of parties in South Dakota. Nebraska and Colorado. On January 1, 1914, another promotion came to him in his appointment as supervisor of the Pike national forest, with headquarters in Denver. Since that time he has most efficiently filled that position with credit to himself and to the interest of the forest service and his adopted state. His responsibili- ties are large, but his long and varied experience and his high qualities fit him well for the duties which are imposed upon him. He bas under him a regular force of twelve forest rangers, who are in service the year round, and in the summer and fall months, on account of the danger of forest fires and in the reforestation work, this force is often increased to one hundred men. The prominent position which Mr. Shoemaker has attained in the service is entirely due to his high conception of his duties, his character, his ability, his painstaking work and his thorough justness in treating men and his capa- bility of recognizing conditions.

In Denver, Colorado, in October, 1913, Mr. Shoemaker wedded Miss Lillian Easton, daughter of Mrs. Jay Easton. Prior to his death her father was a prominent attorney of Leadville. To this union two children were born: Theodore Harvey, whose birth occurred in Denver, August 11, 1915; and Nannette Lee, born May 31, 1918.

The family enjoy the highest standing in social circles and the hospitality of the Shoemaker home is often partaken of by their many friends. Mr. Shoemaker is popular with people in all stations of life in Denver, is interested in the city's progress and does everything to promote its growth, but naturally gives his best services to the government, in which connection he has attained renown and has made many

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friends. As an expert in his line he.is not only known in this vicinity and the state but throughout the whole west, and no doubt his success is due not only to native qualities but also to his thorough educational training to which he has devoted so many years of his life.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 95

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