History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 97

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 97

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).

He was born in Racine, Wisconsin. May 9, 1859, and is a son of John A. and Harriet (McHenry) Titus, the former a native of Dutchess county, New York, while the latter was born in Chautauqua county, that state. They were among the pioneers of Wisconsin, where the father established himself in the mercantile business and remained so en- gaged until 1860, when he resumed his westward course and by the overland trail came to Colorado. Here he engaged in the cattle business and in stock raising near the town of Burlington, the name of which has since been changed to that of Longmont. John A. Titus held many public positions of trust while a resident of Weld county, among which was that of probate judge, which he filled for many years. He died May 7, 1877, his widow subsequently becoming a resident of Denver, where she passed away twenty years later, in 1897. Four children were born to them. namely: William F., deceased ; Campbell D., deceased, and formerly a partner of our subject in the mercantile business and also an alderman of Denver; Anna A., a resident of this city; and Augustus, who is the youngest in the family.

In the acquirement of his education the last named attended country school and later public school in Longmont, Colorado, after which he entered the employ of Daniels & Fisher, who conducted a department store, the monetary compensation for his services being represented by one dollar at the end of each week. However, he was a persistent young man and of an industrious nature and as he desired to learn the business thor- oughly and to increase his salary, he continued with the firm and his salary was raised from time to time. After eight years, having attained a position of importance in the firm, he resigned, receiving a high recommendation for efficiency from his employers He then entered the shoe business on his own account on the west side of Denver. his brother, Campbell D. Titus, having previous to this time entered the dry goods business in the same neighborhood. After a short time the two brothers consolidated their interests and erected the building which has since been known as the Titus building,

68-

HISTORY OF COLORADO

adopting the firm name of Titus Brothers. Both brothers were active, vigorous, far- sighted business men and, giving all their energy to the development of the enterprise, they soon had the satisfaction of seeing it grow even beyond their fondest expecta- tions and grown it has ever since. Mr. Titus, of this review, is now in managing control and as he has had long and varied experience he is not only able to appreciate the im- portance of details in a business of this kind but he has also developed executive ability, which enables him to marshal his large force of employes in such a way that the greatest satisfaction of customers is assured, while the business is conducted along the most modern and progressive lines. They carry a large and well selected assortment of gen- eral merchandise and practically everything handled by an establishment of this kind can be found at their store. Mr. Titus is thoroughly conversant with market conditions and is therefore often able to buy goods of the highest quality at more reasonable prices than his competitors hecause he knows where and when to buy. He makes it a point to let his customers profit on these occasions and in every way gives the best possible advantages to his patrons. Politeness and promptness are the watchwords of the firm and Mr. Titus has trained his sales force so efficiently that a dissatisfied customer is a rarity among his patrons. The house enjoys the reputation of selling goods for what they are represented to he, and to buy at Titus' means that one gets what one wants in regard to price and quality.

In July, 1885, Mr. Titus married Miss Anna Sevison, the marriage being solemnized in Denver. She was a daughter of Samuel Sevison, of Pennsylvania, and to them was horn a daughter, who is now Mrs. Ethel Titus Harndon, whose birth occurred in Denver but who now makes her home in Kansas City, Missouri. She is the mother of two chil- dren, Marjorie and Glenn Titus. Mrs. Titus passed away May 26, 1886, and on April 25, 1888, in Denver, Mr. Titus married Miss Malinda Sevison, a sister of his first wife, and they have a son, Paul A .. who was born in Denver and who is now wearing Uncle Sam's uniform as a corporal of infantry, stationed at Camp Funston.

In his political affiliations Mr. Titus is a democrat, but his large business activities have precluded his active participation in public affairs and he has therefore never aspired to political honors, although he gives his hearty support to all measures under- taken for the development and advancement of his city along material or other lines. He belongs to the Sons of Colorado and in the Masonic order is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 61, of which he is a past master. His success must he largely ascribed to the honest principles, which underlie all his dealings, his thorough knowledge of the business, his untiring energy. his natural sagacity and his ability to embrace opportunities.

CHARLES H. GILBERTSON.

Charles H. Gilbertson is mayor of Fort Morgan and is proving a capable, efficient and popular officer. His administration of public affairs is characterized by marked devotion to duty, a recognition of the needs and opportunities of the city and by a strong and earnest desire for its further upbuilding and development in accordance with modern ideas of municipal progress. Moreover, Mr. Gilbertson brings to bear in the discharge of his duties sound business principles. Such has characterized the conduct of his individual interests, for he is today recognized as one of the leading farmers of Morgan county.

He was born in Ledyard, Cayuga county, New York, March 13, 1860, a son of James and Jane (Henderson) Gilbertson, who were natives of Scotland. The father was a tailor by trade and in the early '40s came to America, settling in New York. Following the outbreak of the Civil war he responded to the call of his adopted country for aid and enlisted in the One Hundred and Eleventh New York Infantry, with which he served for about three years, and then, following the expiration of his first term, reenlisted. He was afterward taken prisoner and incarcerated at Andersonville for a long time. Because of the rigors and hardships of southern prison life he became ill and died on his way home in 1865. His eldest son also served in the Civil war, joining the Fourteenth New York Infantry from Brooklyn, and very few of the regi- ment came back. Mrs. Gilbertson, the mother, came to Colorado in 1879, locating in Greeley, where she resided to the time of her death, which occurred in 1902, when she was eighty-three years of age.

Charles H. Gilbertson was reared in New York to the age of ten years and during that period attended school but afterward put aside his textbooks to provide for his own support. He then worked as a farm hand until eighteen years of age and after- ward was employed in connection with an implement business in New York for three

CHARLES H. GILBERTSON

686

HISTORY OF COLORADO

years. His residence in the west dates from 1881, at which time he took up his abode at Fort Collins, Colorado, where he worked at the implement business until 1885. He then went to Wyoming and rode the range for two years, or until 1887, when he went into the circus business, at which he continued for twenty-eight years. In that time he was with the S. H. Barrett circus, one of Sells Brothers' shows, was also with Walter L. Main for eight years, was manager with Ringling Brothers for one year and was with the Pawnee Bill show, was assistant manager of the John Robinson show and was with the Sells-Flotow show as assistant manager. When Mr. Gilbertson came to Colorado he took up land and all the time he was in the show business he was improving his ranch of twenty-seven hundred acres. In addition he also leases land. He had to give up the show business in order to look after his farming and

since 1916 he has concentrated his efforts and attention upon his agricultural in- terests, which are most wisely, carefully and progressively carried on. He employs the latest methods to develop his fields and improve his property and the results are most gratifying and satisfactory, his ranch constituting one of the fine properties of this section of the state. He devotes most of his time to the ranch and is engaged in raising pure bred cattle, making a specialty of Herefords. He likewise raises high grade Duroc Jersey hogs. He also farms six hundred acres of his land. His ranch is con- veniently situated about twenty-three miles from Fort Morgan.

In December, 1892, Mr. Gilbertson was united in marriage to Miss Louise C. Heil- man and to them was born a daughter, Mildred Jane, whose birth occurred February 4, 1900, and who was graduated from the Fort Morgan high school with the class of 1918. In the fall of the same year she entered the Colorado State University at Boulder.

Mr. Gilbertson is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge at Fort Collins, the chapter and commandery at Fort Morgan and to the Mystic Shrine at Chicago. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church and in politics he is a republican. In January, 1918, he was elected mayor of Fort Morgan and is now giving to the city a most businesslike and progressive administration in which he is seeking to prevent all useless expenditure; yet, he does not believe in that needless retrenchment which hampers advancement and improvement. In a word, he is guiding the affairs of the city along a businesslike course productive of excellent results. His own career shows the force of his character and his capability, for steadily he has worked his way upward and he commands the highest confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen.

GORDON F. B. HOLLIS.

Gordon F. B. Hollis, banker and dealer in horses and mules, has in the latter con- nection become widely known throughout the country, for he has attained the position of leadership in the volume of business done along that line in the state. He is senior partner in the Hollis & Platt Horse Company of the Denver Union Stock Yards. Born in Olney, England, on the 1st of October. 1876, he is a son of Edward and Emily Eliza- beth (Downing) Hollis, who came to America in 1890, settling in Kansas. The father was engaged in the flour milling industry both in England and Kansas and passed away in Junction City, Kansas. His widow is still living, residing with her son, Gordon F. B., in his beautiful home in Denver. In the family were eight children, four of whom are yet living, Gordon F. B. being the second in order of birth. The other sur- viving members of the family are: Mrs. Richard White, of Topeka, Kansas; Mrs. Charles L. Tallant, of Independence, Missouri; and Vincent, living in Superior, Ne- braska.

In early life Gordon F. B. Hollis received thorough educational training under private tutors and afterward continued his studies in college, pursuing a course in pharmaceutical chemistry. He continued to follow his chosen profession in Kansas until 1906, when he came to Denver, realizing the splendid opportunities offered in the horse and mule market with the vast districts of Colorado, Wyoming. Utah and Idaho to draw from. He became associated with A. S. Platt in organizing the Hollis & Platt Horse Company and their interests have developed to mammoth proportions until they occupy a position of leadership in connection with the horse and mule market of the west. Their barns and sales rings are by far the most extensive to he found any- where in this country. Their buildings were erected especially for the purpose used and there is no feature of the trade with which Mr. Hollis is not thoroughly familiar. He closely watches the market and his investments have been most judiciously placed, bringing very substantial returns.

687

HISTORY OF COLORADO

Mr. Hollis also figures prominently in banking circles. He was one of the organ- izers of the Drovers State Bank, which is conveniently located near the Denver Stock Yards. This was organized January 2, 1917, and has enjoyed marvelous growth. Mr. Hollis has served as vice president and his business enterprise and discriminating judgment have contributed in large measure to the success of the institution. His name is also widely known in banking circles elsewhere. He is a director of the Coal Creek Land & Live Stock Company, a Colorado corporation; is the president of the Strasburg State Bank of Strasburg, Colorado; vice president of the Farmers State Bank of Deertrail, Colorado; and a director of the Mattison State Bank of Mattison, Colorado.

On the 10th of June, 1903, Mr. Hollis was married to Miss Margaret E. Erwin, of Chapman, Kansas, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Erwin, and they have become parents of four children. Gordon F., born in Junction City, Kansas, in 1905, is now at- tending St. John's Military Academy of Denver. Kathryn Eileen, born in 1908, is attending Miss Wolcott's School. Margareta Philomena was born in 1912, and John Edward in 1915. The family home at 2209 East Thirteenth street is one of the beautiful residences of Denver.

Mr. Hollis has never aspired to public office but is interested in the Denver Civic and Commercial Association and its well defined plans and projects for the general good. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Denver Club. His has been a notable career of progress: Possessing sound judgment, he has readily discriminated concerning those things which are most worth while and has quickly appreciated the full value or the difficulties of any business situation or condition. He has thus been enabled to utilize his time wisely and well and most carefully direct his investments, and as a result he has advanced step by step from a humble position in business circles to a place of prominence.

REASON J. BELCHER.

Forty-six years have passed since Reason J. Belcher came to Colorado and lie has been an interested witness of the growth and development of the state from pioneer times to the present. He is now a leading and influential business man of Pueblo, where he is well known as the president of the Mountain Ice & Coal Company. He was born in Cass county, Missouri, on the 2nd of March, 1863, and is a son of A. J. and Sally Ann (Judy) Belcher. The family came to Colorado in 1872, making their way across the plains to Colorado Springs, where the parents continued to make their home until called to their final rest, their remains being interred in a cemetery of that city. The father had served with a company of volunteers from Missouri during the Civil war and after the removal to the west he took active and helpful part in promoting the pioneer development and progress of the community in which he located.

Reason J. Belcher well remembers the trip to this state when he was a lad of nine years. He rode with a bunch of cattle over the plains as the family slowly made their way to their destination, reaching Pueblo on the 8th of July, 1872. The family home was established at Colorado Springs and he pursued his education in a private school there, for the public school system had not yet been instituted. He afterward became a cowboy on the plains and also a stage driver and he engaged in teaming in the early boom days of Leadville and of Cripple Creek. There are few phases of pioneer development and experience in Colorado with which he is not familiar. He owned hauling outfits and contracted to haul ore from the mines of Leadville and Cripple Creek to the railroad and he drove stage for the firm of Barlow & Sanderson. He has been in nearly all of the early boom camps and there are few events which figure promi- nently on the pages of Colorado's history in the early days with which he is not familiar.

Mr. Belcher took up his abode in Pueblo in 1897, at which time he established his present business as a dealer in ice and coal. He first shipped ice from Lake George and from a small beginning has developed a business of extensive proportions. Originally he had but two teams, this being all that was needed to care for the trade. Something of the growth of his patronage is indicated in the fact that he now employs eighty men and utilizes forty head of horses and six auto trucks. The company has its own Ice plant and is now shipping much of its product. In the coal trade, too, the company has secured a liberal patronage and in fact the business is one of the foremost com- mercial enterprises of Pueblo.

On the 16th of June, 1889, Mr. Belcher was united in marriage to Miss Rose I. Long

688

HISTORY OF COLORADO

and their children are: Mark R., who is now with his father in the wholesale ice cream business; Stella I .; Lynn L., who is employed at the plant; and a daughter, Edith E., who was the oldest and died at the age of nineteen years.

Fraternally Mr. Belcher is connected with the Woodmen of the World and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Commerce Club and belongs to the Colorado State Association of Retail Coal Dealers. He greatly enjoys hunting, fishing and other forms of outdoor life when leisure permits him to indulge therein. The greater part of his time and attention is concentrated upon his business affairs and his intelligently directed industry, firm purpose and unabating energy are substantial factors in his growing success, which has placed him among the prosperous men of the state.

ROMILLY E. FOOTE.

Romilly E. Foote, an attorney practicing at the bar of Walsenburg, was born in Canton, Mississippi, on the 19th of July, 1881, a son of Henry Stuart and Emma ( Yandell) Foote. The father took up the profession of the law as a life work and achieved a creditable position at the bar. He served as district attorney in Mississippi and was also United States attorney in the federal district for the northern part of California. Later he was commissioner of the supreme court of California and was United States federal judge in Indian Territory. It was in 1883 that the family went to California and Judge Foote was prominently identified with the legal profession in that state and later in the Territory, his pronounced ability being used for the benefit of the states in which he resided. He passed away in March, 1905. His wife is still living.

Romilly E. Foote was an infant at the time the family home was established in California and his early education was acquired in the public schools of San Francisco. He afterward pursued a preparatory course in Berkeley, California, and later became a student in the University of California and subsequently in the University of Denver, where he qualified for the bar, being graduated with the class of 1909. He located in Fort Collins, where he remained for two years, and in 1911 opened an office in Walser- burg, where he has since remained. He is accorded a good clientage that connects him with much of the important litigation in the courts of the district. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care, is strong and logical in argument and con- vincing in his reasoning.

On the 1st of September, 1910, Mr. Foote was united in marriage to Miss Enid Metcalf and they have one child, Enid. Mr. Foote gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and he belongs to Kappa Sigma, a Greek letter fraternity.

MARTIN E. ROWLEY.

Martin E. Rowley is the manager of the Metropole Hotel of Denver and well qualified by native ability and acquired business sagacity for the duties which devolve upon him in this connection. He was born in Underhill, Vermont. January 27, 1876, and is a son of the late Lawrence Rowley, who was likewise a native of the Green Mountain state and was of Irish lineage. The family, however, has been represented on this side of the water through several generations, early settlement having been made in Vermont. Lawrence Rowley became a railroad engineer and carpenter. He followed those pur- suits in the east for some time and in 1881 removed westward to Colorado, taking up his abode in Pueblo. At a later period he left that city to become a resident of Denver in 1886 and here he continued to the time of his death. He married Emma Flannery, who was also born in the Green Mountain state and was a daughter of Martin Flannery, one of the early settlers there, making his home at Underhill until his death. which occurred in 1913, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-two years He was of Irish lineage. His daughter, Mrs. Rowley, was reared and educated in Under- hill, Vermont, and there became the wife of Lawrence Rowley, accompanying her lius- band and their family to Denver, where she still makes her home. She has become the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom three are yet living.

Martin E. Rowley, the eldest of the household, was educated in the public schools of Pueblo and of Denver to the age of fourteen years, when his textbooks were put aside and he started out to provide for his own livelihood. He was first employed as a mes- senger in the St. James Hotel in 1890 and continued there for two years, thus taking

MARTIN E. ROWLEY

Vol. II-44

690

HISTORY OF COLORADO

the initial step which has brought him to his present position. His next employment was at the Windsor Hotel in Denver, where he acted as elevator boy until 1894. He then became connected with the Brown Palace Hotel, beginning in the elevator service, and later he was called to the office and continued to act in a clerical capacity there until 1901, when he resigned his position to become night clerk of the Metropole Hotel. Subse- quently he was advanced to the position of day clerk and so continued until 1903, when he became associated with the Shirley Hotel as clerk and assistant manager. After- ward he was made manager of that hostelry and continued with the Shirley until 1910, when he returned to the Metropole and assumed the duties of general manager. This position he has since continuously filled and his capability is recognized by all who know aught of this attractive hotel.

On the 20th of April, 1904, in Denver, Mr. Rowley was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. O'Brien, a native of Denver and a daughter of the late John E. and Kate (Rock) O'Brien. She is a representative of an old and prominent family of Denver, known here since 1870 and coming originally from Illinois. Mrs. O'Brien was born in Illinois and is still living in Denver. Mr. O'Brien, however, was a native of Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowley have been born two children: John Edward, whose birth occurred in Denver, December 24. 1906; and Mabel Anna, born in Denver, March 19, 1909.

In his political views Mr. Rowley has always. been a democrat where national ques- tions and issues are involved, but casts an independent ballot at local elections. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Catholic church. He is a member of the Denver Civic and Commercial Association and of the Optimists Club. His genuine worth is recognized by all who know him and his genial manner, unfailing courtesy and other marked traits of character have made him popular among all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. Men who are familiar with his business career attest his excellent executive ability as well as his spirit of marked enterprise and progressiveness-a spirit that has brought him up from a humble posi- tion in the business world to his present place of responsibility.

C. EDWARD MITCHELL.

In financial circles the name of C. Edward Mitchell is well known inasmuch as he is operating successfully in the field of stocks and bonds, with offices in the First National Bank building of Denver. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, August 18, 1893, and is a son of William G. Mitchell, a native of the Empire state and a representative of one of the well known families of New York founded in America by John Mitchell, the grand- father of C. Edward Mitchell, who after crossing the Atlantic settled in New York city. The father of Mr. Mitchell of this review was reared and educated in New York city and upon his removal to the west took up his abode in St. Louis, Missouri, where he located ahout 1880. There he became a factor in business circles as secretary of Bray's Art Company and there he continued to the time of his death, which occurred more than a quarter of a century later. He passed away in St. Louis in 1908 and was sixty-two years of age at the time of his demise. During the period of the Civil war he had espoused the cause of the Union and went to the front as a member of a New York company. He married Margaret Judge, a native of New York and a representative of one of the old families of Albany, New York, of English lineage. She is still living and yet makes her home in St. Louis. In the family were five children, three sons and two daughters.

C. Edward Mitchell, who was the fourth child, was educated in the public schools and in the Central high school of St. Louis to the age of fourteen years, when he started out to provide for his own support. Since then he has depended entirely upon his own resources for whatever he has achieved or enjoyed. His first employment was on the St. Louis Times in the capacity of reporter and he followed newspaper work for a year. Later he was with the Furstenwerth-Uhl Jewelry Company and afterward was active in various other commercial lines. From St. Louis he removed to the west in 1913, making his way to the Pacific coast. In San Francisco he was employed by the Barnard-Hirsch Jewelry Company as a traveling salesman and represented that house upon the road for a year. Later he was with the firm of E. F. Hutton & Company of San Francisco in the brokerage business, with which he became familiar in all of its branches. In 1916 he retraced his steps eastward as far as Denver, where he arrived an entire stranger. In this city he entered the automobile tire business under the name of the Lancaster Tire & Rubber Company and the Mitchell Tire Company. He conducted interests along that line for about nine months, on the expiration of which period he

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 97

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