History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 96

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

USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume II > Part 96

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JOHN C. STAMM.

John C. Stamm has continuously served as county road superintendent of Pueblo county since appointed to that position on the 1st of January, 1907, and through the intervening years has made a most excellent record in this connection. His birth occurred in Marion county, Indiana, on the 17th of June, 1875, his parents being Philip and Eliza (Salter) Stamm. In 1880 the family home was established in Pueblo, Colo- rado, where the father successfully followed carpentering throughout the remainder of his life.

John C. Stamm acquired his education in the public schools of Pueblo and in the school of experience has continually broadened his knowledge. After starting out in the business world he was employed for fifteen years as a boiler maker and sheet metal worker by the Stearns-Rogers Manufacturing Company of Denver and Pueblo, his long connection with the concern standing as incontrovertible proof of his faithfulness and capability. On the 1st of January, 1907, he was appointed county road superintendent of Pueblo county and in that capacity has served continuously to the present time, being widely recognized as a most able and trustworthy official. During the period of his incumbency rough prairie roads have been converted into splendidly improved high- ways, many bridges have been built and the work of development and progress carried steadily forward.

On the 24th of April, 1909, Mr. Stamm was united in marriage to Miss Rose Winters, by whom he has a daughter, Ruth. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he is active in support of its men and measures. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World. His life from early childhood has been spent in Pueblo, where he has long enjoyed a most enviable reputation as a respected, representative and progressive citizen and popular public official.

HON. WILLIS V. SIMS.

Hon. Willis V. Sims, of Colorado Springs, president of the Assurance Savings and Loan Association and cashier of The State Savings Bank, was born on a farm in Macou- pin county, Illinois, October 7, 1882, and is descended from an old southern family represented first in Virginia and afterward in Kentucky. His grandfather was Willis Sims and his father John Sims. The latter was born in Kentucky in 1851 and became a resident of Illinois, where he married Victoria Duckels, who was born in Macoupin county, that state, while her parents were of Englishi birth. John Sims followed farm- ing in Illinois and afterward became a rancher of Kansas, removing to the latter state in 1883. He took up his abode in the western part of Kansas, and there engaged in cattle raising, continuing his home upon the ranch until 1897. In June of that year he came with his family to Colorado Springs, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in July, 1905. His widow survives and yet makes her home in Colorado Springs.

Willis V. Sims was but a year old when the family removed to western Kansas and in the country schools he pursued bis early education, while later he became a high school student in Colorado Springs, graduating with the class of 1903. He was also graduated from a business college in Colorado Springs in the same year and for several years was connected with the advertising department of the Colorado Springs Gazette, a daily newspaper. In January, 1905, he was appointed to the position of clerk of the Colorado legislature and served for one term. In 1908 he turned his attention to the mercantile reporting business in Colorado Springs and in 1911 he became associated with his brother, Robert D. Sims, and they together organized the Credit Reporting Company, of which R. D. Sims is president and Willis V. Sims secretary. He further extended his business connections when in September, 1917, he purchased the controlling interest in the Assurance Savings and Loan Association of Colorado Springs and became its secretary and treasurer. In February, 1918, he

HON. WILLIS V. SIMS

678

HISTORY OF COLORADO

was elected its president. This company has on deposit about two hundred thousand dollars, on which four per cent interest is paid. A successful business has been con- tinuously conducted. On July 16, 1918, he became a director and cashier of The State Savings Bank of Colorado Springs.

On the 24th of June, 1908, Mr. Sims was married in Colorado Springs to Miss Anna Belle Williams, a daughter of Arthur B. Williams, of Colorado Springs, and they have two sons: John Arthur, born September 29, 1912; and Robert Willis, born August 17. 1914. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Sims is that of the Episcopal church. Fra- ternally he is a Master Mason, a Knight of Pythias and an Elk and he is secretary of the Rotary Club, of Colorado Springs. In politics he is a republican and in Novem- ber, 1916, was elected from El Paso county to the state legislature for a two years' term. He is much interested in advancing the patriotic work of the county and is now county chairman of the four-minute men. making speeches for the enlightenment of the public upon all those questions which the government wishes to bring to public attention. He is chief for El Paso county for the American Protective League. Widely and favorably known in Colorado Springs and El Paso county he has an extensive circle of friends.

JOHN G. PERRENOUD.

John G. Perrenoud was a pioneer settler of Colorado and a substantial business man whose name is still perpetuated in the Perrenoud apartments, one of the hand- somest and most exclusive apartment buildings of the city of Denver. Mr. Perrenoud was born in Switzerland in 1808 and in his native country pursued his education and learned the watchmaker's trade, developing that high skill which is characteristic of the Swiss people in watchmaking. He came alone to the new world, locating in the city of New York, but after a time returned to Europe, where he remained until 1852. He then again crossed the Atlantic to America and in 1860 arrived in Colorado, where he afterward made his home.

In New York city Mr. Perrenoud was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Bayaud, of New York, and they became the parents of four children, of whom two are yet living, Mrs. R. Louise Fisher and Miss C. Adele Perrenoud, who are residents of Denver. Mr. Perrenoud first came to Colorado in 1860 and two years later returned east and brought his family to this state. Mrs. Perrenoud passed away a few years later, her death occurring in 1864, but her husband survived her many years until 1900, so that he had reached the age of ninety-two years at the time of his death. After coming to Colorado he worked with his brother-in-law, Thomas J. Bayaud, who was a prominent settler of the state and active in the affairs of the commonwealth. Through his business life in Colorado, Mr. Perrenoud won a substantial fortune, leaving his family in very com- fortable financial circumstances.

REDWOOD FISHER.

The record of Colorado's substantial pioneers bears the name of Redwood Fisher, who was well known as a civil engineer of the early days and afterward as an office holder in Denver. . He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in the year 1839 and was therefore twenty-one years of age when he arrived in Colorado in 1860. In the east his studies and activities had been directed in the field of civil engineering and in following his profession in Colorado he became closely associated with work of utmost impor- tance in the development of the state. He followed surveying throughout his entire life and in 1865 was associated with General Hughes in the building of the wagon road from Denver to Provo, Utah, over the Continental Divide, a most difficult and important engineering feat, constituting an initial step in the great highway projects through the mountains of the west. . He was also called to office along the line of his profession, serving as both city and county surveyor.

On the 6th of May, 1865, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Louise Perrenoud, a daughter of John G. Perrenoud, whose record is given above. To them were born three children: Louise A., whose birth occurred July 27, 1866; Charles G., who was born August 3, 1868, and married Sarah Reed, of Pueblo, by whom he has two children, Redwood and Sallie; and Ella, who is the wife of George De L. Emery and has three children-Louise, George De L., Jr., and William F.

The death of Mr. Fisher occurred May 12, 1870, and was the occasion of deep and

679

HISTORY OF COLORADO

widespread regret to the many friends whom he had made through the period of his residence in Colorado, as well as to his immediate family. Mrs. Fisher and her family still reside in Denver, where they are known among the most prominent pioneer people of the city, long occupying an enviable position in its social circles.

FRENCH LEE TAYLOR.

French Lee Taylor, attorney at law practicing at the Pueblo bar, was born August 23, 1884, in Azen, Missouri, a son of Parkman W. and Darna R. (Yeager) Taylor. The father was a cattle man and is now living in Colorado, making his home at Penrose. To him and his wife have been born four sons, of whom French Lee Taylor is the second in order of birth.

During his youthful days a student in the public and preparatory schools, French Lee Taylor afterward became a pupil in Denver University, where he devoted a year to the study of the arts course and three years to the study of law. He was graduated in 1913 and for nine months engaged in practice at Cañon City. In April, 1914, he came to Pueblo and was made special officer in the district attorney's office. He is now concentrating his efforts and attention upon general law practice and his developing powers have brought him a clientage that many a man connected with the profession for a longer period might well envy.

On the 22d of December, 1915, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Edna Mildred Hills, of Denver, and they are well known socially in Pueblo, where the hos- pitality of many of the best homes is freely accorded them. They are also identified with the Congregational church, while in fraternal relations Mr. Taylor is a Mason, hav- ing taken the degrees of the lodge, and a member of Lodge No. 2, K. P., of Pueblo. He belongs also to the Lions Club and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He turns to hunting and fishing for rest and recreation and his interest in those things constitutes an even balance to arduous professional activities. He recognizes the fact that one must play well and work well to avoid one-sided development and his habit of concentration upon the duty or interest at hand is one of the forces which has made for his success in anything that he has undertaken. He is now rapidly forcing his way to the front in a professional connection and ranks with the leading young lawyers of Pueblo.

BETHUEL M. WEBSTER.

Bethuel M. Webster, junior partner in the firm of Allen & Webster. prominent in connection with land and irrigation litigation in Denver, was born in Wattsburg, Pennsyl- vania, on the 9th of February, 1871, and is the only child of Grove F. and Elizabeth Webster, the former now deceased, while the latter is still living. He was but five years of age when brought by his parents to Denver, so that his education was acquired in the schools of the city, the year 1891 chronicling his graduation from the high school. He subsequently took up the study of law at the University of Colorado and completed his course in 1894 with the LL. B. degree. In the spring of the same year he was admitted to the bar and became associated with Judge Charles L. Allen as a partner in the firm of Allen & Webster, which has long ranked with the foremost law firms of the city. They have concentrated their efforts and attention upon land, irrigation and taxa- tion matters and have been identified with much important litigation in the trial and appellate courts of the state. Mr. Webster, while ambitious to secure success, never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.

In 1899 Mr. Webster was married to Miss Anna L. Davidson, of Florence. Colorado, and they have become the parents of three children: Bethuel M., Jr., eighteen years of age, who is a graduate of Culver Military School at Culver, Indiana; and Mary Virginia and Ann Elizabeth, both in school.

Mr. and Mrs. Webster hold membership in the First Congregational church and he is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity, being connected with South Denver Lodge. No. 93, A. F. & A. M. He has also taken the Royal Arch degrees and was president of the building association, which erected the South Denver Masonic Temple. In politics he has maintained an independent course. He belongs to the Denver Bar Association and also to the Sons of Colorado. He is deeply interested in social service work and is

680

HISTORY OF COLORADO

now and has been, during the four prior state administrations, a member of the board of control of the Colorado Industrial Workshop for the Blind. He has been a close student of many social problems and by reason of his generous spirit and broad humani- tarianism has continually extended a helping hand to others and has shed around him much of life's sunshine.

DANIEL W. DANIELSON.

Daniel W. Danielson is numbered among the prosperous farmers of Pueblo county, where he has a valuable tract of land, comprising one hundred and twenty acres, of which he owns forty. He was born near Ottawa, Kansas, March 11, 1872, and is a son of Andrew Danielson. The family came to this country in 1868, settling in Illinois, but later they removed to Kansas and in August, 1876, came to Colorado, where the father located near Pueblo. There he took up agricultural pursuits, following this line of occu- pation successfully until his death in 1904. His widow survived him for two years, pass- ing away in 1906. In their family were seven children, of whom Daniel W. Danielson of this review was the second in order of birth.

Our subject received his education in the rural school near his father's farm in Pueblo county and continued to reside with his parents until twenty-one years of age, assisting his father in the cultivation of the farm. Upon reaching his majority he started out for himself and has since followed agriculture with great success, annually deriving a gratifying income from the sale of his crops. He owns forty acres in this county and besides rents eighty acres and has made many valuable improvements on the property, having installed modern facilities and erected suitable buildings thereon. He also gives his attention to stock raising and receives a gratifying addition to his income from this source.

On September 30, 1896, Mr. Danielson was married to Miss C. Willa Day. a daughter of Alexander Day, one of the honored pioneers of Pueblo county, who died in 1913, his widow still surviving. Mrs. Danielson passed away as the result of an accident on May 13, 1917, her death not only casting deep sorrow over the family, but causing wide- spread regret among her many friends, all of whom mourned in her passing a woman of the finest qualities of heart and mind. To Mr. and Mrs. Danielson were born five children. Wilmarth L., Eugene C., Emma E., Sarah A. and Daniel Howard.

The family are highly esteemed in Vineland and neighboring districts, being num- bered among the pioneers of the section. In his political affiliations Mr. Danielson is a republican and for some time served as water commissioner of his district and also as a justice of the peace, dispensing the law fairly and impartially. His religious faith is that of the Protestant church, in the work of which he has always taken a deep interest. He is a public-spirited and patriotic citizen, who has cooperated with many movements undertaken for the benefit of the public and has made many friends in his community.

ELMER L. BROCK.

Elmer L. Brock. a representative of the Denver bar, who is doing important corpo- ration work as assistant general counsel of the Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company of Denver. was born in Laurel county, Kentucky, December 15, 1880. He is a brother of Charles R. Brock, in connection with whose sketch on another page of this work appears mention of the family. He was educated in the public schools of his native county, in the Sue Bennett Memorial School of London, Kentucky, and in the State College of Kentucky, which is now the University of Kentucky, at Lexington. Mr. Brock came to Colorado in December. 1904, and with a broad literary training as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge, he entered the law department of the University of Denver and was graduated with the LL. B. degree as a member of the class of 1909. He worked his way through college by teaching and while attending law school he occupied a position as collector with the Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company, thus providing the necessary funds for the advancement of his education. He thus also displayed the elemental strength of his character-a strength that accomplishes its purposes. that recognizes no such word as fail and that never stops short of the suc- cessful fulfillment of well defined plans. Following his graduation Mr. Brock was ap- pointed assistant attorney general and occupied that position for two years. He was

ELMER L. BROCK

682

HISTORY OF COLORADO

later associated with the firm of McMullin & Sternberg at Grand Junction, Colorado, for two years and in January, 1913, he became connected with the legal department of the Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company. His ability in this connection won recognition in a promotion to the position of assistant general counsel in 1914 and he has since made a most excellent record in that capacity.

On the 7th of June, 1911, Mr. Brock was married to Miss Nora Lindon, a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, and they have become parents of two children: Elmer Leslie, Jr., who was born at Grand Junction, December 1, 1912; and Charles Lindon, whose birth occurred in Denver, November 6, 1916.

Politically Mr. Brock is a democrat, and while not an active party worker in the sense of seeking or desiring office, he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and his aid and influence are always given on the side of municipal upbuilding, reform and improvement. He belongs to the Kappa Sigma college fraternity and the legal fraternity of Phi Delta Phi, while his interest in the moral progress of the community is shown in his membership in the First Baptist church. Along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Denver Bar Association and the Colorado State Bar Associa- tion and he enjoys the warm friendship and high regard of many of his professional colleagues and contemporaries.

HON. WILLIAM G. SMITH.

Among Colorado's citizens whose career has reflected honor and credit upon the state that has honored him is numbered William G. Smith, who has been president of the senate and lieutenant governor of the state, and a prominent factor for many years in connection with the work of interpreting and framing the laws of the commonwealth. He is now engaged in the practice of law in Denver with an extensive clientage that is at once indicative of his pronounced ability and of his devotion to the interests which he represents.

A native of New Jersey, he was born in Newton. His father was a member of the board of education in that state and figured prominently in connection with educa- tional interests of New Jersey for many years hut was attracted hy the opportunities of the growing west and became a resident of Detroit, Michigan, in 1865. From that time on he devoted his life to the work of the Presbyterian ministry and became recognized as one of the eminent representatives of the clergy of that denomination.

William G. Smith acquired a fair education in the public schools of Birmingham, Michigan, and afterward studied under Professor Spencer in preparation for entrance to the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor. Owing to his father's failing health, how- ever, he was unable to carry out his plans for a university course and in August, 1872, he accompanied the family to Colorado, their home being established in Golden. After reaching this state William G. Smith turned to the profession of teaching, which he followed in Jefferson county and afterward in Douglas county. He entered the news- paper field as a compositor on the Golden Globe in the fall of 1873, after having previously learned the trade of typesetting. and in that connection lie was employed until 1874, when he purchased a half interest in the paper, becoming a partner of Edward Howe. That association was maintained until January 1, 1879, when he acquired the interest of his partner and thus became sole owner of the Globe. His advancement in newspaper circles was won by earnest and untiring effort. He closely studied every phase of the business and became a careful and conscientious writer, expressing his ideas clearly and forcibly and so presenting his views that they carried conviction to the minds of his readers.

In the meantime his deep interest was aroused in political questions and conditions and he gave most helpful and earnest consideration to the vital issues before the people. His public-spirited devotion to the general good caused him to be selected by the repub- lican party as its candidate for office on various occasions. He was first called to political service when in April, 1880, the municipal council of Golden elected him city clerk. Dur- ing the same year Governor Pitkin appointed him private secretary and he continued in that position until the end of the executive term. His prominence iu public affairs during these years led to still higher honors. In November, 1888, he was elected lieu- tenant governor of Colorado on the republican ticket, receiving a larger majority than was given the governor, and it is said that the only criticism passed upon him prior to the election had to do with his youth. All acknowledged his ability and the public endorsed his candidacy hy a very large vote. Broad study of parliamentary law and practice enabled him to preside with much more than ordinary ability over the senate of the seventh general assembly and during the absence of the governor he conducted

683

HISTORY OF COLORADO

the duties of the executive office to the general satisfaction of the people of the state. With his retirement from the office of lieutenant governor he accepted in July, 1900, the position of tax agent with the Denver Tramway Company and became property agent and president of the Denver & Intermountain Railroad Company, in which connection he continued for five years. He was also traffic manager for two years of the Denver tramway system. On the Ist of February, 1918, after eighteen years' connection with the Denver tramway system, he retired and is now devoting his attention to the practice of law in Denver, in which connection he has won a large clientage.

In 1882 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Lake E. Mealey, of Fairfield. Jefferson county, Iowa, a daughter of Thomas S. Mealey, who for fifty years was a prac- ticing physician there. They have become the parents of four children. Jessie, who was born in the fall of 1883, is the wife of J. L. Woodruss, of St. Louis, and they have two children, William and James. Frederick Pitkin, who was graduated from Harvard University with the LL. B. degree, is now in Washington, D. C., where he is acting as an assistant to the general counsel of the director general of railways. He married Miss Willilee Wesson, of Denver. Mary Gertrude is the wife of Walter E. Heinrich, a mechanical and mining engineer of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who was graduated from the Colorado School of Mines. Margaret L. is the youngest of the family and is fifteen years of age. Mr. Smith and his family maintain their residence at Golden, while he continues in the practice of law in Denver. For two years he served as city clerk of Golden, at one time was county superintendent of schools and was a member of the state board of control in connection with the State Industrial School. His life has always been identified with constructive interests along professional, educational and political lines and his labors have been far-reaching and resultant. People have differed from him concerning political policies hut they have never questioned the integrity of his views nor his fidelity to the position that he has filled. He has the analytical mind of the lawyer and the statesman's grasp of affairs, and his activities directed by strong intelli- gence have made his career a potent force for good in connection with the history of Colorado.

AUGUSTUS TITUS.

One of the foremost mercantile establishments of Colorado is The Titus Brothers Mercantile Company, of which Augustus Titus is secretary and treasurer. The business is located in Denver, in the Titus building, corner of Twelfth and Kalamath streets. Moreover, Mr. Titus is secretary and treasurer of the Titus Investment Company, also of this city.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 96

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