History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 10

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918-19
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 844

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On the 3d of November, 1893, Mr. Linger was united in marriage to Miss Rosie E. Gilvie, of Gibbon, Nebraska, a daughter of James and Margaret (Key) Gilvie, of that place. They have become parents of five children. Earl O .. born in Nebraska in 1894,

G. W. LINGER

HISTORY OF COLORADO

was graduated from St. John's Military School at Salina, Kansas, and also attended the Colorado Agricultural College at Fort Collins for two years. He married Vera Mallon, of Denver, and has a daughter, Margaret Ann. born November 13, 1917. Howard K., born May 11, 1897, in Nebraska, formerly on his father's ranch, but now in the United States Radio service; Albert L., born in Nebraska. May 29, 1903. is a pupil in high school; Margaret L., born in Nebraska, December 12, 1905, is attending school in Denver. and Lyman G., born in Denver. October 26, 1908. is pursuing his education here.

Mr. Linger is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in Masonry has attained high rank. belonging to the Mystic Shrine. He is indeed one of the self-made men of the state. He started out in the business world without a dollar, but steadily and persistently has worked his way upward and increased his interests until he is today one of the wealthy men of Colorado and ranks as one of its notable ranch- men. The family home is at No. 770 Clarkson street. Denver.

WILLIAM G. MAITLAND.

When in the battle of life the city boy crosses swords with the country lad the odds are against him. The early rising, the daily tasks, the economical habits of the country boy prepare him for the struggle that must precede ascendancy. The early training of William G. Maitland was that of the farm and the habits of industry and close application which he early developed have constituted the foundation of his present success. Step by step he has advanced in his business career until in Denver he is now prominently and favorably known as the resident vice president of the Fidelity & De- posit Company of Maryland, with offices in the Colorado building.

He was born near Urbana, in Champaign county, Ohio. June 11. 1846. His father, James M. Maitland, was a prominent figure in democratic ranks in Ohio and did much toward shaping the political history of that state. He was a warm personal friend of Stephen A. Douglas and was active in the Douglas campaign. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania and he came of Scotch-Irish ancestry, being a son of Alexander Mait- land, who was born in Scotland and became the founder of the family in the new world. He was a man of scholarly attainments, a noted writer and the author of numerous literary works and writings on educational, civic and economic subjects and conditions. His son, James M. Maitland, took up educational work in Ohio and throughout his entire life was identified with the profession of teaching. doing much to further the school interests of the Buckeye state. As previously indicated, he figured prominently in politi- cal circles and at one time represented his district in the state legislature. in which he gave careful and earnest consideration to the vital questions that came up for dis- cussion and settlement. He wedded Ann Mast. a daughter of Daniel Mast, a leading member of the Mennonite church in Pennsylvania and of Holland Dutch descent, whose ancestors had come to America on account of religious persecution. The death of Mr. Maitland occurred in Ohio, January 31, 1864, when he was forty-nine years of age, and his widow long survived. departing this life in 1896 at the advanced age of eighty-three years. They had a family of three children. The eldest, Joseph M .. is a Civil war veteran and now resides at Kings Creek, Champaign county, Ohio. The only daughter died in infancy, while William G. Maitland was the youngest in the family. Upon the family record appears an interesting military chapter for Elhanan M. Mast. a brother of Mrs. Maitland, served as a lieutenant colonel in the Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was at the head of his regiment when killed at the battle of Chickamauga on the 19th day of September, 1863. Joseph Maitland, brother of William G. Maitland, was an orderly sergeant of Company D of the Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and afterward on detailed service at Memphis, Tennessee. at general headquarters under the judge advocate general. He served from 1862 until the close of the war in 1865.

William G. Maitland acquired his education in the public schools of Urbana. Ohio. He later attended the Champaign County Normal Institute, which was then conducted by Professor A. C. Deuel, an educator of national reputation at that time. At the age of nineteen years he started out to provide for his own support, following the death of his father. He took up educational work and subsequently entered the railroad service. becoming connected with the Pennsylvania Lines, west of Pittsburgh. He was located at Logansport. Indiana, and thus made his initial sten in the business world. At a later period he entered the general freight office of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad at Peoria. Illinois, but resigned his position in 1874 to become traffic manager for the Buck- eye Agricultural Works at Springfield. Ohio, owned and controlled by P. P. Mast & Com-

HISTORY OF COLORADO

pany. There he remained until 1866. when he removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, becoming secretary and treasurer of the Nebraska Planing Mill Company, which position he occu- pied until November, 1894. At this date he became associated with Francis A. Chapman, a representative of the Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland. Mr. Maitland found in this field a congenial vocation and was advanced step by step until he became general agent, controlling the interests of the company in Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico. A branch is now established in the Colorado building, from which all business is tran- sacted throughout the entire territory controlled. The company furnishes all kinds of surety bonds, also writes burglary insurance. Mr. Maitland is today the oldest repre- sentative in the surety business and is justly entitled to be the dean of the profession. He is a director of the Colorado Builders' Supply Company of Denver.

On the 22d of October, 1873, Mr. Maitland was married to Miss Agnes Dreher, of Indianapolis, Indiana, a daughter of Mathias Dreher, a leading merchant of that place. They became the parents of three children, two of whom are living. Alice, the eldest, is the wife of Dr. John McCaw, a leading practitioner of Denver, who is specializing in diseases of the eye. The second child died in infancy. The youngest, James D., is the president and manager of the Colorado Builders' Supply Company, and married Pauline Blythe, by whom he has one child, a daughter. His home is at 1232 Race street, in Denver. Mrs. Agnes Maitland departed this life in Lincoln, Nebraska, February 4. 1892, when thirty-eight years of age. On the 6th of December, 1899. Mr. Maitland was again married, his second union being with Miss Isabelle Jones, a daughter of Dr. George E. Jones, a prominent physician of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a Civil war veteran. The death of Mrs. Isabelle Maitland occurred April 11, 1907. in Denver, when she was thirty-six years of age.

Mr. Maitland gives his political allegiance to the republican party where national issues are involved but casts an independent ballot at local elections. He belongs to Oriental Lodge. No. 87, A. F. & A. M .. and the rules which govern his conduct are further found in his connection with the Central Presbyterian church. He has served on the board of trustees on the Session of the Church, and is now an associate elder. He has always been very active and helpful in church work and has done much to further religious interest in this city. His is the splendid success of an honest man in whose life business ability and humanitarianism are well balanced forces. With that quality which leads the individual to greet everyone as a valued friend, he has the keenest desire for the welfare and happiness of others, and, putting forth his efforts for good where assistance is most needed, has been a factor in ameliorating hard conditions for the unfortunate and supplanting want with comfort.

JULIEN GAMMON.

The name of Gammon is indelibly stamped upon the pages of Colorado's history. Julien Gammon bore an important part in the work of general development and im- provement in the section of the state in which he lived and his worth was widely acknowledged. He was born January 19, 1843, in Indiana, and passed away in 1902 when in the sixtieth year of his age. His parents were George W. and Martha (Robin- son) Gammon. After acquiring a common school education and spending his youthful days in Monroe county, lowa, he removed to Central City, Colorado, in the year 1862 and there became well known as a prospector, rancher, cattleman and cow puncher, continuing his residence in that locality for twelve years before preempting one hun- dred and sixty acres of land. He was also engaged in merchandising for a short time but gave the greater part of his time and energy to the cattle business and to ranching until his death. Prospering as the years passed by, he kept adding to his holdings until he was one of the extensive landowners of the state, having fifty-six hundred acres.

On the 23d of January, 1878, Mr. Gammon was married to Miss Roxie A. Green, a daughter of Abel W. and Sophia Jane (McCray) Green, the former a native of the state of New York, while the latter was born in Virginia. Mrs. Gammon was born in Linn county, lowa, and obtained a common school education in Benton county, that state. By her marriage she had five children. Eugene, born October 15, 1878, on the ranch near Ramah, married Gertrude Dunning, a native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and to them were born two children: Eugene, whose birth occurred June 3, 1915; and James Boyd, born August 21, 1917. George W., born June 29, 1880, is also a ranchman. He married Elizabeth Ross, of Scotland. on the 20th of September, 1905, and his children are three in number: Kenneth Eugene, born November 15, 1906; Erma Isabelle, born April 7. 1908; and Margaret Anna, born September 20, 1916. Charles W .. the third member of

HISTORY OF COLORADO

the family, born December 15, 1882, is a ranchman of El Paso county. He married Myra Petefish, by whom he has two children: Julien, born June 14. 1906; and Agnes Leona, born April 26, 1911. Erma, born June 30, 1884, was married on the 22d of June, 1910, to J. M. Ryan, who is a farmer residing at Muscotah, Kansas. Mrs. Ryan is a graduate of the State Agricultural School at Manhattan, Kansas, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Mary K., born June 30, 1913; and Charles L., born January 19, 1917. Mary Anna, the youngest of the family, born December 11, 1890. is the wife of John F. Gaden, of Seiling, Oklahoma. She is a graduate of the high school at Colorado Springs and she has four children: Roberta Roxie, born Angust 2, 1913; Elizabeth Marie, January 19, 1915; George H., August 19, 1916; and Thomas Gammon, June 15, 1917. Mr. Gammon had a creditable military record, for in 1864 he enlisted for service in the Union army, with which he served until honorably discharged in 1865, having par- ticipated during that time in the warfare caused by Indian uprising in Colorado. In politics he was a democrat and for a number of years filled the office of justice of the peace. He was ever loyal to duty, whether of a public or private nature, cooperated in many movements for the general good and in business affairs so directed his time and energy that his labors were franght with abundant success. He became one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his section of the state and his worth was widely acknowledged and his memory is yet cherished by all who knew him.

ROBERT EMMET ARMSTRONG.

Robert Emmet Armstrong, superintendent of sales with the Texas Oil Company, his territory covering Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and other sections of the west, was born in Cape Vincent, New York, September 21. 1873, a son of John and Elizabeth ( Stowell) Armstrong, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, where the father followed the occupation of farming. Both he and his wife have now passed away.

Robert E. Armstrong is indebted to the public school system of his native city for the early educational advantages which he enjoyed and afterward, in Potsdam, New York, he attended high school and also pursned a normal course. He has long been identified with the oil business, having in early manhood entered the employ of the Waters-Pierce Oil Company, with which he continued from 1891 until 1909. or for a period of eighteen years. He afterward became associated with the Texas Company as superintendent of sales for Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and other western terri- tory and has remained in this connection for the past nine years. He is a master of salesmanship, which he has studied from every possible angle, and with him each hour must mark off a full-faithed attempt to know more and to grow more.

In 1899 Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Miss Isa Collier, of Victoria, Texas, and during the period of their residence in Denver they have won many warm friends among the best families of the city. Mr. Armstrong belongs to the Denver Athletic Club and fraternally is connected with Graham Lodge, No. 20. A. F. & A. M., at Brenham, Texas, and also with the Elks Lodge, No. 151, at Houston, Texas. His religions faith is that of the Episcopal church and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He belongs to the Civic and Commercial Association of Denver and is in hearty sym- pathy with all of its well defined plans and movements for the upbuilding of the city and the advancement of its civic interests. He has ever been actnated by a spirit of progress that has enabled him to quickly recognize and readily utilize opportunities and step by step he has advanced in his business career until he now controls important interests in connection with one of the leading industries-oil development- in the west.

EDWIN H. SOPER.

Edwin H. Soper is an alert, energetic and progressive business man of Greeley, where he is conducting commercial interests as proprietor of a business carried on under the name of E. H. Soper Implement Company. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois, Angust 11, 1879, and is a son of George W. and Mary (Horth) Soper, who were natives of the Empire state. The father was a farmer by occupation and in early life removed westward to Galesburg, Illinois, in company with his parents, who were among the first settlers of Knox county. His father owned and conducted one of the first stores in Galesburg and also carried on farming in Knox county for several years but finally retired from

EDWIN H. SOPER

HISTORY OF COLORADO

active business, having accumulated a comfortable competence as the result of well directed energy and thrift. He continued to make his home in Galesburg throughout his remaining days. The death of George W. Soper occurred in that city in November, 1915. He had for thirty-five years survived his wife, who passed away in 1880.

Edwin H. Soper, whose name introduces this review, spent his youthful days in Galesburg, whose schools afforded bim his educational privileges. After his textbooks were put aside he engaged in the pursuits which had claimed the attention and the energy of his grandfather and his father, for he began farming in Knox county, Illinois, where he cultivated a tract of land successfully until 1900. He then sold his property and, attracted by the west, made his way to Greeley, Colorado. Here he embarked in the implement business, working for a year in connection with the Farmers Supply & Ma- chinery Company. At the end of that time he purchased stock in the company and was chosen one of its officers and directors. He was active in the ownership and management of the business until 1909, when he sold his interest in that concern and spent the suc- ceeding years upon the road as a traveling salesman. He then returned to Greeley and embarked in business on his own account. He has since conducted his interests under the name of the E. H. Soper Implement Company and today enjoys a very extensive and well deserved patronage. He handles all kinds of farm machinery and harness and makes a specialty of farm tractors. In fact, he handles everything that a farmer uses and his prices are reasonable, while his efforts to please his patrons have brought good results. He holds a tractor demonstration every year and handles four makes of tractors. He also has quite extensive farming interests, owning several valuable farm properties in the county, for as his financial resources have increased he has invested more and more largely in land until his holdings are now extensive and bring to him a very gratifying annual income.

On the 26th of June, 1908, Mr. Soper was united in marriage to Miss Esther Nelsou and to them was born a daughter, Edna, whose birth occurred in June, 1910.

Mr. Soper is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and also a con- sistent and loyal member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum. That he is interested in community welfare and progress is indicated in the fact that he holds membership in the Greeley Commercial Club. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and his religious faith has ever been that of the Methodist church, which has guided him in all of life's relations and made him a man worthy of high respect and esteem among his fellow townsmen.

HERBERT W. OAKES.

While Herbert W. Oakes is still a young man. he ranks with Denver's leading rep- resentatives of business activity in the wholesale district and is widely known throughout the state of Colorado as a leading dry goods merchant, having spent seven years as city salesman of the wholesale interests of the Daniels & Fisher Stores Company, while since February, 1917, he has been president of the Isbell-Kent-Oakes Company, Inc., wholesale dealers in dry goods. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, August 10, 1882, and is a son of George L. and Annie W. (Hazlett) Oakes, the former a native of St. Clair, Michigan, while the latter was born in Philadelphia. In the early '60s they be- came residents of Minnesota and the father engaged in railroad work in that state, occupying a position in the general offices of the Northern Railway Company at St. Paul to the time of his death, which occurred in 1901. His widow has since become a resi- dent of Denver, Colorado, where she now makes her home. In their family were seven children, of whom two passed away in infancy.

Herbert W. Oakes was the sixth in order of birth in that family and at the usual age he became a public school pupil in St. Paul, Minnesota, and supplemented his work in the grades by three years' study in the high school. At a later date he entered into the wholesale dry goods business in St. Paul and continued there active along that line until 1907, when he removed to Denver and became identified with the wholesale department of the establishment of the Daniels & Fisher Stores Company. As stated. he continued with that firm for seven years, acting as city salesman, but ambitious to conduct interests of his own, he joined in the organization of the Isbell-Kent-Oakes Wholesale Dry Goods Company on the 6th of February. 1917. Their business was in- corporated and the three young men who are its founders have given demonstration of their marked ability to handle important and growing interests. Mr. Oakes is the president of the company, with Roy A. Isbell as the vice president and Edwin M. Kent as the secretary and treasurer. He brings to the management of his present interests

HISTORY OF COLORADO

broad practical experience, keen sagacity, sound judgment and commendable ambition and is making steady progress, for the new house has already gained for itself a very enviable reputation in business circles and its trade relations are constantly broadening.

On the 16th of June, 1915, Mr. Oakes was united in marriage to Miss Goldina Ann Bilderbeck, of Denver, and they have become parents of two children: Dorothy Louise, who was born November 2, 1916; and Robert W., born November 29, 1917.

Mr. Oakes and his wife are members of the Baptist church and he is a prominent Mason, holding membership in the lodge, chapter, commandery, the consistory and in the Mystic Shrine. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party, and he has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to concentrate his undivided time and attention upon his business affairs, which are constantly growing in volume and importance. Already he has made for himself a creditable position in commercial circles, and. actuated by the spirit of enterprise which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the west, one need feel no hesitancy in predicting for him progress and prosperity in the future.

JOSEPH J. JANTZEN.

Joseph J. Jantzen of the Jantzen Garage & Tire Works, whose business is marked by efficiency and skill, was born on the 14th of July, 1870, in New York, a son of John and Elizabeth Jantzen, both of whom are still living. With the removal of the family to Elgin, Illinois, he pursued his education in the public schools there and has also learned many valuable lessons through experience, observation and reading as the years have passed on. In his youthful days he followed farming in Kansas and in Colorado, coming to the latter state in 1906. He has been engaged in his present business for three years and in the Jantzen Garage & Tire Works a complete line of automobile accessories and tires is carried. He specializes on vulcanizing and his work in that connection has attained a high degree of efficiency.

On the 12th of October, 1890, Mr. Jantzen was united in marriage to Miss Millie E. Campbell and they have become the parents of four sons and seven daughters, as follows: Phoebe; Pearl, who died in infancy; Raymond; Clark; Clyde; Gladys; Jose- phine; John; Sarah Belle; Fannie; and Esther, There are three grandchildren, Eliza- beth, Reinhard and Mildred.

In politics Mr. Jantzen maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and his has been an active, useful and well spent life. He is interested in civic betterment and all those activities which are a matter of value in community upbuilding. Success has attended him as the years have gone by, his prosperity coming to him as the direct result of persistent and earnest labor.

DAVID LEES.

Through long years of connection with Colorado, David Lees was closely associated with its mining and agricultural interests and with various phases of its pioneer development. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, December 23, 1830, and was in the sixty-seventh year of his age when on the 8th of May, 1897, he passed away. While spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, John and Barbara (McMillan) Lees, he attended the public schools and afterward learned the stonecutter's trade. He came to the United States in 1852 and worked at his trade in New York, after which he was employed as a stonecutter in New Jersey and in Philadelphia. He started on his westward way in 1856, in which year he went to Chicago and aided in the building of the Illinois Central depot. In 1858 he removed to Iowa. taking up his abode near McGregor, and then in 1860 again started westward, crossing the country to Boulder, Colorado. He settled on Gold hill and there resided for a year, after which he took up his abode on Four Mile creek, where he also lived for a year. He next went to Ne- vadaville, above Central City, where he continued for two years, and then removed to Georgetown. All this time he was working in the mines and thus became identified with the pioneer mining projects at various points in the state. In 1870 he purchased eighty acres of land from the Kansas Pacific Railroad Company south of Golden and there engaged in raising stock. Later, however, he again engaged in mining for a brief period but afterward purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on Clear creek

HISTORY OF COLORADO

and there engaged in farming until death ended his labors on the 8th of May, 1897. He contributed in substantial measure to the early mining progress and agricultural development of the state and for many years was a most worthy and respected farmer in the vicinity of Clear Creek.

On the 23d of December, 1853, Mr. Lees was married in New York city to Miss Anna Graham, a daughter of Peter and Jessie (Bennett) Graham. She was born in Perth, Scotland, and came to the new world with her father, who was a shipbuilder. Mr. and Mrs. Lees became the parents of eight children: Isabella, who was born in New Jersey; Walter, born in Chicago; Daisy, in lowa; Douglas, in Boulder, Colorado; Minnie, in Nevadaville; John and Annie, twins; and Ruth.

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History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 10

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed Publication date: 1918-19 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Number of Pages: 844

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918-19
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 844