History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 98

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

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sold out and removed to New York city, where for a short time he was with the firm of Jones & Baker, stocks and bonds. The lure of the west, however, was upon him and in April, 1917, he returned to Denver, where he established his present business, which he has since successfully and continuously conducted. He has now a very satisfactory clientele and is recognized as one of the leading brokers in the stock and hond business in his city.

It was on the 8th of January, 1918, that Mr. Mitchell was married in Denver, Colo- rado, to Miss Marion Manley, a daughter of Hon. George C. Manley, dean of the Denver Law School, represented elsewhere in this work. Mr. Mitchell is independent in poli- tics, voting for men and measures rather than party. He belongs to the Denver Ath- letic Club and is appreciative of the social amenities of life. From his youthful days Mr. Mitchell has been dependent upon his own resources and is now regarded as one of the progressive and successful young men in financial circles in Denver. He is only twenty-five years of age but already he has made for himself a place in business circles that may well be envied by many a man of twice his years.

ARTHUR R. BLIESNER.

Among the younger representatives of commercial interests in Pueblo is Arthur R Bliesner, a progressive and enterprising business man who is widely known as the presi- dent of the Sanitary Ice Cream & Supply Company. His birth occurred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the 17th of December, 1888, his parents being F. C. and Mary Bliesner, who came to Colorado in 1907 and established their home in Pueblo.

Arthur R. Bliesner, who acquired his education in the public and high schools of his native city, was a young man of nineteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state. During the following six years he devoted his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock raising and on the expiration of that period became identified with commercial interests, establishing the Elite Ice Cream Company at Pueblo in 1913. This he conducted until 1915, in which year the Sanitary Ice Cream & Supply Company was formed and of the latter he has since been the president. Under his wise direction and able management the business has steadily grown and pros- pered until its annual sales now reach seventy thousand dollars. The plant is com- pletely equipped in every particular and most modern throughout, while the trade of the company is constantly increasing. Employment is furnished to eight men and four auto trucks are utilized in the conduct of the business.

On the 8th of July, 1914, Mr. Bliesner was united in marriage to Miss Ombra Carbiener, by whom he has three children-Arthur R., Catherine and Robert. Mr. Blies- ner is a member of the Commerce Club and gives his political allegiance to the repub- lican party but has not sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, in which he is meeting with substantial and . gratifying success. In leisure hours he turns to hunting and fishing for recreation and in fact is fond of all forms of outdoor life. He has won many friends during the period of his residence in Pueblo and is popular in both social and business circles of the city.

CHARLES W. COCHRAN.

Denver has made substantial progress toward the high ideals which many men are entertaining in regard to political and public service. With the adoption of the commission form of government she has endeavored to place men in office whose ability well qualifies them for their work and whose political integrity is unquestioned. Such men, whether in office or out, are the natural leaders of whichever party they may be identified with, especially in that movement toward higher politics which is common to both parties and which constitutes the most hopeful political sign of the period. One is led to this train of reflection in reviewing the life history of Charles W. Cochran, who is now secretary of the civil service commission of the city and county of Denver. He is numbered among the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Ahing- don on the 24th of October, 1860. His father, Thomas S. A. Cochran, was a native of Ohio and came of Scotch ancestry. The founder of the family in America was Simon Cochran, who with a brother came to the new world prior to the Revolutionary war, in which both participated. They originally settled in Massachusetts and later removed

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to Virginia, while their descendants became pioneer settlers of Ohio. Simon Cochran, the great-grandfather of Charles W. Cochran, was of the third generation of the family in the new world and was an itinerant Methodist minister of Ohio and Kentucky. Thomas S. A. Cochran, during the greater part of his life, was engaged in the nursery business and was a resident of Illinois. He passed away, however, at Muscatine, Iowa, in July, 1913, when seventy-nine years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Bell, was a native of Illinois and a representative of an old Ohio family that was established in Knox county, Illinois, in pioneer times, her father settling there in 1842. Mrs. Cochran died in 1870, at the comparatively early age of twenty- eight years, leaving a family of four children, two of whom have passed away, while those living are Charles W., of this review, and Edward, the latter a resident farmer of Knox county, Illinois.

Charles W. Cochran is indebted to the public school system of Knox county, Illinois, for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed in early youth, while later he attended the high school at Murray, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1878. He then turned his attention to the printer's trade, which he followed as a journeyman printer for ten years. He afterward concentrated his efforts upon the profession of journalism and was editor of the Cedar Rapids Republican for several years. In 1887 he removed to the west, settling first at Omaha, Nebraska, where he did reportorial work and also acted as telegraph editor on the Omaha Republican and as managing editor of the Omaha Evening Dispatch. He continued in that city until 1890, when he again heard and heeded the call of the west and became a resident of Denver. During the first six months spent in this city he continued to do reportorial work and during the succeeding eight years was telegraph editor on the Denver Repub- lican. In 1898 he became connected with the Denver Times and later was telegraph, city and managing editor with that paper for five years. On the expiration of that period he was appointed secretary of the republican state central committee, which position he occupied for two years. In the meantime he had otherwise become ac- tively connected with political interests. He had served for seven years on the board of aldermen and in June, 1913, he was appointed secretary of the civil service com- mission, which office he has since continuously and capably filled. While a resident of Iowa, he, too, rendered valuable public service to the community and commonwealth, having for two terms represented his district in the Iowa legislature in the '80s.

On the 25th of September, 1884, Mr. Cochran was married in Springville, Iowa, to Miss Lulu M. Smith, a native of Iowa and a daughter of the late Curtis G. and Mar- garet (Johnson) Smith, who were pioneer residents of that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Cochran were horn two children, Margaret and Anna, the latter having passed away.

Mr. Cochran's present position is in marked contrast to his condition in youth. He started out in the business world empty-handed and when but thirteen years of age was employed to herd cattle in Iowa, receiving for a summer's work forty dollars. However, at that time this seemed a large amount to him and he felt very proud as the possessor of so much money. He has ever been actuated by a laudable ambition to advance and as the years have gone on he has progressed step by step, his capa- bility and powers being continually augmented through the exercise of effort. In the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons and is today a liberal- minded and well informed man. He belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and his life has been actuated by his membership relations with the Metho- dist church.

WILLIAM DOUGLAS EDMONSTON.

William Douglas Edmonston, artist and scientist, now in charge of the United States Entomological Bureau at Colorado Springs, was horn in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1870. His father, Samuel Edmonston, was also a native of that city, horn in the year 1823, and in Scotland he married Miss Jane Young Douglas. Following the birth of their son, William Douglas, they came to the United States, making their way to Denver, Colorado, and later taking up their ahode at Larkspur, where both passed away, the father dying in the year 1904, while the mother's death occurred in 1910. The father possessed considerable artistic skill. painting pictures of merit but only for his own pleasure, as his patrimony was sufficient to supply his wants.

William Douglas Edmonston pursued his education in the schools of his native city and was graduated from the Royal School of Arts of Edinburgh with the class of 1887. He devoted his time and attention to art until 1893 and then took charge of a

WILLIAM D EDMONSTON

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tract of land in Douglas county, Colorado, for English owners, remaining in that business connection until 1901, when he entered the government service as agent of the general land office. In 1905 he was transferred to the forest service and in 1910 was given a position in the entomological department. He is now in charge of the station of Colorado Springs, which is headquarters for work of this character for Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona. He has attained thoroughness and pro- ficiency in this science, as he did in art, and his work is of a valuable character.

In 1896, at Castle Rock, Colorado, Mr. Edmonston was married to Miss Laura M. Kenner, a daughter of the late John Kenner, who came to Colorado in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Edmonston are the parents of two children: Gladys Hampton, the wife of Howard E. Cox, of Denver, by whom she has one child, Roberta May Cox; and Samuel Maxwell Edmonston, born in 1898.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church and in political belief Mr. Edmonston is a republican. He belongs to the Colorado Springs Art Society and outside of his official duties concentrates his time and attention upon art. He has produced some very attractive and valuable canvases and had five paintings on exhibi- tion in the art exposition which was held in the Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs in July, 1918. His powers in this direction have constantly developed and his native talents now find expression in most finished and pleasing work.

ANDREW DICK.

Andrew Dick, secretary of the Dick Abstract & Investment Company of Walsenburg, was born in Mcintyre, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of September, 1882, a son of Mr. and Mrs. George Dick, who came to Colorado on the 5th of November, 1885. The father worked as a miner until 1890. He was active in politics and was called to a number of public offices, serving as sheriff, as treasurer and as county clerk. In 1901, however, he resumed active connection with business affairs but is now retired. Both he and his wife are living and they make their home in Walsenburg.

Andrew Dick acquired a public school education, completed by graduation from the high school with the class of May, 1900. He, too, was active in connection with public affairs for a long period, filling the office of county treasurer from 1906 until 1916. He proved a most faithful custodian of the public funds and his record was one which gained for him the high confidence and trust of all who knew him. He refused to again become a candidate for office, desiring to enter the field of business, and in 1916 he became secretary of the Dick Abstract & Investment Company, in which he was associated with his father. He has since been active along this line and his management of the interests of the firm has contributed in marked measure to its success.

In his political views Mr. Dick has always been an earnest republican, giving stal- wart support to the party and its principles and doing everything in his power to promote its success. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World. He is fond of outdoor life and turns to hunting and fishing for recreation. Moreover, he is a public- spirited citizen and one who never fails in any duty or responsibility to the community in which he lives. His well spent life has gained for him the respect of all who know him and he is regarded as one of the substantial and valued citizens of Wal- senburg.

FRED E. BRITT.

Fred E. Britt, of Pueblo, who is filling the office of county sheriff, the duties of which he discharges with marked promptness, capability and fidelity, was born upon a farm in Warren county, Illinois, on the 23d of October, 1862, and is a son of Edward and Sarah (Foster) Britt. The father followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He was born in England but in early life came to the new world and his last days were passed in Illinois. His family numbered four sons and two daughters.

Fred E. Britt, who was the second in order of birth in that family, acquired his education in rural schools of Illinois and spent his youthful days upon the home farm with his father, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops as he assisted more and more largely in the work of the fields

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as bis age and strength increased. He continued on the old home place until twenty- five years of age and then made his way westward, reaching Monarch, Colorado, in 1888. There be engaged in mining until 1891, when he removed to Pueblo, where he accepted a position as clerk in a store. He was thus employed for six years and after- ward spent four years as a clerk in the North Side Waterworks. He afterward occu- pied the position of bookkeeper wtih the Crystal Ice Company and after leaving that company entered upon public duties, becoming clerk under Joseph H. Loor in the office of county treasurer. He continued to serve in that capacity for two years, when he entered the county clerk's office as deputy and remained in that position for nine years and four months. He was next appointed sheriff on the 29th of April, 1918, to fill out the unexpired term of Sheriff McKee and is now acting in this capacity. His previous service in public office was an indication of what he would do in his present position. His public duties have been discharged with promptness and fidelity, for he has ever regarded a public office as a public trust, and it is a well known fact that no trust re- posed in Fred E. Britt has been betrayed in the slightest degree. He gives bis po- litical allegiance to the democratic party, and has been a delegate to its conventions and chairman of the county central committee. In fact, he has been a most active worker in support of democratic principles in this section of the state.

Mr. Britt was married in Pueblo on the 20th of November, 1895, to Miss Louise M. Wagner and to them have been born two children, Edith and Edward. Mr. Britt belongs to Elks Lodge, No. 90, of Pueblo, also to the Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. He is popular and well known as an active party leader in democratic circles and his appointment to his present position was approved by all. He has gained many friends during the long period of his residence in Pueblo county and is held in the highest esteem by those with whom he has been brought in contact.

PHILIP A. PEREGRINE.

Philip A. Peregrine. manager of the Colorado building at Denver, was born in South Wales, England, May 6, 1866. His father, the late Jabez E. Peregrine, was also born in South Wales and in 1883 came to America, settling in Tracy, Minnesota, where he was engaged in farming. He continued to reside at that place to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1888, when he was fifty-three years of age. He wedded Mary Evans, a native of South Wales, who came to America with her husband and their family and who, surviving him for a considerable period, passed away in 1912, at the age of seventy- two, her death occurring in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Three of their children are still living.

Philip Peregrine of this review was educated in the schools of England, pursuing a high school course at Workington, Cumberland, England, to the age of fifteen years, when he started out to provide for his own support. He was first employed at a blast furnace and afterward was apprenticed to learn the trade of a machinist and stationary engineer. That business he then followed during the greater part of the time between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-eight years and he also followed railroad engineering in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The year 1891 witnessed his arrival in Colorado, where he came as an entire stranger. He was first employed in Denver at the Railroad building and afterward at the Miners' Exchange building as an engineer. In June, 1896, he be- came connected with the Colorado building, first as an engineer, and since December, 1911, he has been general manager of the building, having a record of continuous connec- tion with this building covering twenty-two years. No higher testimonial of efficient service, capability and fidelity could be given than the fact that he has been so long retained.

Mr. Peregrine has been married twice. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, he wedded Miss Magdalene Lloyd, a native of Wisconsin, and following her demise he was married in Conneautville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Edna Gibson, a native of that place but a representative of an old Pennsylvania family of Irish and German lineage. To Mr. and Mrs. Peregrine have been born four children: Philip C., Jennie May, Fannie Rosalie and Doris. The son, Philip C., was among the first to enlist at the outbreak of the war with Germany and is now a member of the Three Hundred and Forty-ninth Ambulance Corps.

In his political views Mr. Peregrine maintains an independent course. He is a member of the board of examining engineers of Denver and along fraternal lines is connected with Highlands Lodge, No. 86, A. F. & A. M .; Denver Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M .;

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and also Union Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F. He belongs to Colorado Lodge, No. 1, of Stationary Engineers and has been financial secretary for a number of years. He has also filled all of the chairs in the local lodge of Odd Fellows. He is likewise a member of the Building Managers' Association of Denver. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. For many years he was very active in labor circles and served as president of the International Union of Steam Engineers, being the only western man ever elected to that office. However, he has withdrawn from connection with that organization. His interest centers in his home outside of business hours and he finds his greatest happiness in the companionship of his wife and children.

G. MURRAY EDWARDS, M. D.

Dr. G. Murray Edwards, an alumnus of Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and thoroughly qualified by broad training for the active and responsible duties of his profession, is now successfully practicing in Denver and is most conscientious as well as able in the performance of all of his professional duties. A native son of Pennsyl- vania, he was born at Wilkes-Barre on the 1st of March, 1867, and is a son of Philip D. and Elizabeth (Nagle) Edwards, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. The father became a well known merchant of Pennsylvania, where he spent his entire life. When he was but eigliteen years of age he enlisted for service in the Civil war and went to the front, participating in a number of hotly contested engagements. Although he joined the army as a private, he was advanced to the position of sergeant and he died in Wilkes-Barre. Pennsylvania, in 1901, after having for an extended period been prominently and successfully identified with its business interests. His widow survives and is now living in Denver at the age of seventy-three years. They had a family of three children, of whom G. Murray Edwards is the eldest, while one has passed away. The surviving daughter is Mrs. William Stratton, now living in Alameda, California.

In retrospect one may see Dr. Edwards a schoolboy in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and after mastering the branches of learning there taught he continued his educa- tion in the Bloomsburg (Pa.) Normal School. He taught school in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, for six years, following his attendance at the Normal. Thus with broad literary training to serve as a foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of pro- fessional knowledge, he entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and was graduated with the M. D. degree as a member of the class of 1894. He immediately entered into practice in Philadelphia, becoming at the same time identified with several hospitals in staff work and soon built up a large practice. He has always been recognized as a careful diagnostician. Moreover, his ability grew through experience and he has ever remained a close student of the science of medicine and surgery, continually keeping in touch through broad reading with modern investigation and research and the truths thus brought to light. Leaving the east in 1898, he came to Denver and immediately entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in this city. His efforts here have been attended by the same results that accompanied his professional service in the east. Conscientious and faithful in his practice, he soon won favorable recognition from his professional brethren, while the public has accorded him a liberal patronage. Dr. Ed- wards has taken post graduate work in several eastern schools and at all times has kept abreast with the trend of modern scientific thought and investigation along the lines of medical and surgical practice, being a great admirer of the Mayo brothers and the late Dr. John B. Murphy's work. He belongs to the Denver City and County Medical Society, the Colorado State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

In Philadelphia, on the 18th of June, 1895, Dr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Day, a daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Michael Day, of Philadelphia, the father connected with the Methodist Episcopal Conference. Dr. and Mrs. Edwards have become the parents of four children. Paul, who was born in Philadelphia in 1897, after finishing the graded schools attended the North Denver high school for two years. Being desirous of pushing into more practical work than the high school offered, he became a student in the Young Men's Christian Association, where through the splendid teaching and influence of the faculty he received his real inspiration for doing things. A year and a half of work following this in the Denver University brought him to the time of enlistment in the army, where he engaged by choice in aviation work. He always mani- fested a special liking for and ability in mechanics and in his work has rapidly risen in favor and usefulness since until he has won the grade of lieutenant. Howard, born in 1899, is a student in the Agricultural College at Fort Collins, Colorado. Louise, born

DR. G. MURRAY EDWARDS

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in Denver in 1900. is a pupil in the high school. Bruce, born in 1908, is attending the public schools of Denver.

The family is well known socially. Dr. and Mrs. Edwards occupy an enviable posi- tion in the regard of their fellow townsmen by reason of their social worth, and the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.

JOSE G. ARCHULETA.

Jose G. Archuleta, acceptably filling the position of county clerk in Huerfano county, was born on the 16th of February, 1870, within the borders of the county in which he still makes his home, his parents being Antonio C. and Maria Y. (Sanchez) Archuleta. The family came to Colorado in 1869 from New Mexico and the ancestry, as the name indicates can be traced back to Spain. To the parents were born three sons and a daughter, the subject of this review being the third in order of birth, and of whom only two are now living. Jose G. and a brother. The father devoted his life to farming and stock raising in order to provide for his family and continued actively in the business until his life's labors were ended in death in 1908. His widow is still living.

Jose G. Archuleta was educated in the rural schools of his native county and afterward assisted his father with the work of the farm and stock raising to the time of the latter's death. He then took charge of the business and is now occupying the old homestead at Red Wing, where he is successfully conducting ranching interests, making a specialty of sheep raising. Everything about the place, which is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods. He is energetic and his close application and industry are bringing to him substantial success.

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History of Colorado; Volume II, Part 98

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