History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 19

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

USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume III > Part 19

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).

Mr. Low has been married twice. In 1877. in El Paso, Illinois, he wedded Miss Ella D. Smith, by whom he had four children. H. Townsend Low, M. D., who is in the United States Army as a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps, was formerly stationed with the National Guard at Camp Kearny, California, and is now somewhere in France. Percy H. is a railroad fireman residing in California. Sibyl gave her hand in marriage to C. R. Morris, of Boulder, Colorado. J. H. H. Low, Jr., is in the United States service in France. The mother of the above children passed away in 1902 and in March, 1904, Mr. Low was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Noble, who reared the family.

In politics Mr. Low is a republican. Fraternally he is a Mason and is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and several other orders. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. He is a public-spirited man, highly respected by all who know him because of his devotion to the general welfare as well as by reason of his fidelity to the highest standards and ethics of his profession.

JAMES A. PAYNE.

If the horoscope of time could be turned backward for about a third of a century, one could find James A. Payne among the Denver newsboys. Today he is the president and manager of the Great Western Publishing Company, owning ninety per cent of its stock. Not by leaps and bounds has he reached his present position but by the steady progression that has followed the thorough mastery of any task that has been assigned him, coupled with the earnest desire to fit himself for more important activities. Mr. Payne was born in Abilene. Kansas, October 31, 1875, a son of John M. Payne, who was a native of Virginia and a representative of one of the old families of that state of English lineage that was founded in America prior to the Revolutionary war. John M. Payne became a contractor and builder and after following that pursuit in several localities removed westward to Colorado in 1887, at which time he took up his abode in Denver. where he continued to reside until death called him in September, 1917. when he had reached the age of seventy years. In early manhood he had married Sarah Blankenship, a native of Kentucky, who belonged to one of the pioneer families of that state of Scotch and German lineage. The death of Mrs. Payne occurred in August, 1916, when she had reached the age of seventy-four years. By her marriage she had become the mother of six children, five sons and a daughter, all of whom are yet living.

James A. Payne was the third in order of birth in that family. He began his educa- tion in the public schools of Abilene, Kansas, and for one year was a student in the Gilpin school of Denver but when a lad of thirteen years started out to earn his own

133

HISTORY OF COLORADO

livelihood. He sold papers on the streets of Denver and his first regular employment was that of an apprentice in a printing office, his purpose being to learn the trade of pressman. He followed that pursuit as a journeyman for twenty-five years and in 1902 he aided in the organization of the Great Western Publishing Company, which was formed by a number of the stockholders and employes in the plant where Mr. Payne was in charge of the press room. The business did not progress under its first organiza- tion and after two years Mr. Payne was elected president and manager. Under his administration the business has been placed on a safe basis and its output raised to the highest standard. The Great Western Company is today one of the representative firms of the kind in the city and as the years have passed on Mr. Payne has acquired more and more of the stock until he is now owner of ninety per cent of it. The business is capitalized for ten thousand dollars but the plant is valued at a much higher sum. The firm employs on an average of twenty-two people and the plant, most thoroughly equipped, covers a floor space of ten thousand square feet. The latest and most modern machinery has been secured, so that the highest grade work is turned out in the job printing line. Mr. Payne devotes his entire time and attention to his business interests, which are care- fully and wisely directed and which are bringing to him substantial and well merited success.

On the 23d of June, 1896, Mr. Payne was married in Denver, Colorado, to Miss Etta M. Heckert, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Alfred M. and Amma (White) Heckert, who belong to old Pennsylvania families. The city of Whitestown, Pennsylvania, was named in honor of her ancestors. Both of her parents are living and have been resi- dents of Denver since 1890.

In his political views Mr. Payne has always been an earnest republican but at local elections, where no party issue is involved, casts an independent ballot. He belongs to the various Masonic bodies of the York Rite and also to the Mystic Shrine. He is like- wise connected with the Woodmen of the World and with the Cowboy Rangers aud the nature of his activities and interests is further indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Colorado Manufacturers Association, of the Denver Civic and Commercial Asso- ciation and of the Denver Ad Club. When the demands of business are not too pressing he enjoys a motoring or fishing trip, thus gaining needed rest and recreation. His present position is in marked contrast to his start in life, when he earned his first money by the sale of Denver papers, and he also worked in his early boyhood in a grocery store and bake shop. Today he is at the head of a large and important business second to none in character and workmanship in Colorado, and the patronage is steadily growing. His life record therefore illustrates what can be accomplished through determined pur- pose guided by intelligence and prompted by laudable ambition.

FRANK W. ACKER, M. D.

Dr. Frank W. Acker, a member of the medical profession in Colorado Springs, spe- cializing in surgery, and also well known as a stock raiser, was born in Atlantic, lowa, in 1886. His father, William C. Acker, was a native of Illinois, born in 1858, and in his boyhood days he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, where he was reared. In that state he married Emma Bilger, who was born in Pennsylvania, and he is now residing on a farm near Denver, which he is carefully cultivating.

Dr. Acker is indebted to the public school system of Atlantic, lowa, for the early educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He later attended the Agricultural College at Fort Collins, Colorado, and was graduated in 1906 from St. Vincent's College at Los Angeles, California, taking special courses in bookkeeping and banking. He later spent three years as a student in the medical department of the University of St. Louis, Mis- souri, and then went to the Denver University, where he completed his medical course, winning his professional degree by graduation with the class of 1910. Two years after- ward he located in Colorado Springs, where lie opened an office and has since followed his profession, making a specialty of surgery, in which he has developed particular skill. He has studied broadly along that line and his experience and capability are prov. ing strong elements in his success, for he is now regarded as one of the most capable young surgeons of his part of the state. He is also extensively engaged in farming and owns a large ranch in El Paso county, upon which he raises cattle and logs. The place is splendidly equipped, his stock is of high grade and the business is proving very profitable. He is president of the Burlington Consolidated Oil. Coal & Gas Company of Adair county, Missouri, which also contributes to his financial resources.

On the 6th of May, 1917, in Denver, Colorado, Dr. Acker was married to Miss Alta

134

HISTORY OF COLORADO

May Hall, a daughter of B. E. Hall, and they have a son, Frank W., who was born May 6, 1918. In his political views Dr. Acker is a republican but has never been an office seeker. He lias membership with the Masonic lodge and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He was one of the well known football stars, being on the All American team in 1906 and 1907 and his name appears in the press in connection with many notable football events. He yet greatly enjoys watching the game, which furnishes to him much of his recreation. In his profession he is actuated by laudable ambition and his progress has been continuous.

EDWARD W. BALLERT.

Edward W. Ballert of the Whitlow-Ballert Sales Company of Pueblo, whose name is also well known in motor racing circles throughout the country, was born in Toledo, Ohio, on the 6th of July, 1882, a son of August W. and Fredericka ( Steusloff ) Ballert. both of whom have passed away.

The son pursued his education in the public schools of Toledo, passing through con- secutive grades to his graduation from the high school, after which he took up the study of medicine in the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor but did not complete the course. Deciding to turn his attention to other activities, he went upon the road as a commercial traveler and was thus engaged for five years. He afterward took up auto racing as a professional and in 1917 won at the Big Bear meet in California and also in the drive from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City in April, 1917, and from Salt Lake to Denver in May of the same year. He was a driver in five races in 1918, winning first honors on four occasions and second honors in one of the races. He was also driver three times in the raees from Phoenix to Los Angeles. At length he determined to engage in the motor car business on his own account and is now a member of the Whitlow-Ballert Motor Sales Company of Pueblo, which handles the Scripps-Booth car in seven counties, extending from Raton, New Mexico, to the Kansas line. The company also maintains a service station with two machinists and a helper.

Mr. Ballert was married on the 16th of October, 1905, to Miss Daisy Richardson. He maintains an independent attitude in politics, holding men above party, and fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the Commeree Club of Pueblo and to the Rocky Mountain Auto Trades Association. He enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and all forms of outdoor life. He is interested in the state and its development and gives active. earnest and effective cooperation to well defined plans and measures for the general good. Through concentrated effort upon his business interests he has built up a good patronage and today the Whitlow-Ballert Motor Sales Company is enjoying a business of extensive and gratifying proportions.

W. C. K. BERLIN, M. D.

Dr. W. C. K. Berlin, whose professional ability has gained him rank with the most distinguished surgeons of Denver, was born March 3, 1872, near Emienton, Pennsylvania. a son of Joseph M. and Salinda Ann ( Morrison) Berlin, who were natives of Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania. and retained their residence in that state until the latter part of their lives, when they removed to West Virginia. The father was well known as a merchant and as a farmer in both states. During the period of the Civil war he was among the first to volunteer in Pennsylvania for active service and he became captain of a company of infantry, rendering valuable aid to the Union during the period of hostilities between the north and the south. He was married in Pennsylvania and both he and his wife passed away in West Virginia, both dying at Sistersville. Their family numbered three ebildren: Fred B., who is now living in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Eliza- beth P., a resident of Newark, Ohio; and W. C. K., of this review.

The last named pursued his early education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and later attended Allegheny College. while his medical course was pursued in the Western Reserve University at Cleveland. His school work, however, was not con- tinuous. He was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1895, after which he entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Cleveland. Ohio, where he remained for two years. The Spanish-American war saw him a captain and assistant surgeon in the medical department and for four years he thus devoted his time to army medical service. He was afterward a member of the Ohio National Guard, following his honorable dis-

EDWARD W. BALLERT

136

HISTORY OF COLORADO

charge from the army as a commissioned officer. Returning to Cleveland, he resumed the practice of medicine, in which he continued until 1905. In the meantime, however, Dr. Berlin went abroad, studying in Berlin, Germany, in 1901, and was awarded certificates of merit in bacteriology, immunity and blood work, and research work in the immuniza- tion of infectious diseases. He pursued this post graduate work under Dr. C. S. Engel of Berlin, Germany, and in 1902 was again at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsyl- vania. While a resident of Pennsylvania and Ohio he was also prominently connected with educational interests. He was from 1892 until 1895 assistant to the chair of chemis- try and physics, in Allegheny College and for three years he was a teacher of medicine. After entering upon active practice in Ohio he was assistant professor of chemistry of the medical department of the University of Wooster.

On leaving Ohio Dr. Berlin first went to California with the view of establishing practice there and successfully passed the very rigid examination required to enter upon the work of the profession in that state, but concluded to come to Denver, althoughi he is still registered in California and should he at any time desire to practice there he can do so. In 1905, however, he opened an office in Denver and has no reason to change his place of residence, for this city, recognizing his worth, has accorded him a cordial welcome and given him generous support in recognition of his marked ability as a physician and surgeon. He is called upon many times to take part in medical conferences and cases of the greatest importance. He practices in all the hospitals of the city and in addition has an extensive private practice that is indicative of his marked professional talent and the confidence reposed in him by the public. He puts forth every effort to keep in close touch with the advanced thought, research and scientific investiga- tion of the profession and to this end holds membership in the Medical Society of the County and City of Denver, the Colorado State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

In 1904 Dr. Berlin was married to Miss Bessie L. Koen, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thornton F. Koen, and they have become parents of three children: Flora Constance, born in Denver in 1905 and a graduate of the Junior high school; Lelia Jane, born in 1907 and now in school; and W. C. K., Jr., who was born in 1909 and is also a pupil in the public schools of Denver.

Dr. Berlin is a Chapter Mason and also has membership with the Spanish-American War Veterans. He is serving as a member of the state board of health and is doing im- portant work in this connection. Since coming to Denver he has established a high, enviable and well merited reputation among the members of the profession as a physician of advanced learning and notable skill.

SCHUYLER HAMILTON ALEXANDER.

Schuyler Hamilton Alexander, whose efforts in promoting legislation of the greatest valne to the state, especially to the poorer classes, have made his name almost a house- hold word in Colorado, was born in Gosport, Indiana, on the 3d of November, 1862. His parents were Jesse I. and Eliza L. Alexander. The father served as a captain in the Mexican war and was colonel of the Fifty-ninth Indiana Infantry Regiment in the Civil war. He named his son in honor of Major General Schuyler Hamilton, a personal friend, who acted as godfather to the child, and Mr. Alexander of this review is now possessor of the sword worn by the General during his brilliant service in the Civil war. In the maternal line he is directly descended from the New York Livingstons and also through that line is a direct descendant of the Laurens family of South Carolina. His mother, Mrs. Eliza Livingston Alexander, was the only known direct descendant of the Laurens family, one of whose members served on Washington's staff. The Alexander family comes of Scotch ancestry.

In the public schools of Terre Haute, Indiana, Schuyler H. Alexander pursued his education and afterward became private secretary to Senator Daniel W. Voorhees, of Indiana. filling the position for three years. He removed to Colorado in 1888 and entered the real estate field in Denver, remaining active in that line for seven years, acting especially as agent for Santa Fe lands. In 1896 he was elected to the board of aldermen of Denver for a two years' term and later, or in 1900, was made chairman of the water committee which prepared, introduced and passed the ordinance for the purchase of the plant of the Denver Union Water Company for four million, five hundred thousand dollars. People ratified this by a vote of three to one. The United States courts, how- ever, nullified this important action, and the city in 1918 paid approximately fourteen million dollars for the property. While in the council Mr. Alexander was elected assessor

137

HISTORY OF COLORADO

and served in that office for three terms. He was also president of the state board of assessors. During his term as assessor he framed the famous Revenue Bill No. 1 in conjunction with legislative committees. This completely revolutionized the revenue laws of the state, bringing them up to date. The bill was the foundation of modern or scientific taxation for Colorado and the law was passed at an extraordinary session of the legislature. While assessor Mr. Alexander also secured the passage of a bill by the legislature exempting property to the value of two hundred dollars from taxation. Prior to this only household goods to that value were exempted. This worked great hardship on families with small household effects who kept a horse or cow, which hitherto had always to be taxed. When through the assistance of the late Max Morris, a noted legislator, the bill became a law, the people in the poorer sections of the city arranged a monster celebration in honor of the work of Assessor Alexander and his legislative aide. He has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party and during the last Bryan campaign was a member of the democratic national com- mittee from the state of Colorado.

In Terre Haute, Indiana, Mr. Alexander was married to Miss Florence M. Owen and their children are: Mrs. Otto Herres, whose husband, a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, is now practicing his profession at Hiawatha, Utah; and Mrs. George D. Barr, whose husband is assistant auditor of the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander is that of the Episcopal church and he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Loyal Legion. His valuable public service ranks him as one of Colorado's representative and honored citizens. He has been a close student of public questions and problems, especially those which have worked injustice to the poorer classes, and he has labored untiringly to bring about improved conditions, his efforts on many occasions being far-reaching and resultant.

HON. JOHN M. WARDLAW.

Hon. John M. Wardlaw is a well known member of the Denver bar, who has left the impress of his ability and individuality upon the judicial and legislative history of the state. He formerly served upon the bench and also was a member of the general assem- bly of Colorado. He was born in Anderson, South Carolina, a son of Andrew Calhoun and Mary Frances (Smith) Wardlaw, both of whom were natives of South Carolina and representatives of old families of that state, the former being of English and Scotch lineage, while the latter came of English and Irish ancestry. The Wardlaw family was founded in America while this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. The first of the name originally settled in Virginia and some of the family participated in the Revolutionary war in defense of the cause of liberty. Andrew C. Wardlaw devoted his life to agricultural pursuits for many years, but is now living retired, making his home at De Queen, Arkansas. He espoused the cause of his beloved southland at the time of the Civil war, serving with the Confederate army as a courier throughout the entire period of hostilities. He wedded Mary Frances Smith and her death occurred in 1900, when she was sixty years of age. In the family were six children, five sons and a daughter.

John M. Wardlaw, the second of the family, was educated in the public schools of South Carolina and in the University of Anderson at Anderson, South Carolina. His early life to the age of fifteen years was spent upon the home farm and when he started out independently he turned his attention to newspaper work. He first became asso- ciated with the Telluride Daily Journal of Telluride, Colorado, and was for a number of years the owner of the San Miguel Examiner. also published at Telluride. He followed journalism for about five years and during this time he completed his law studies. In 1899 he was admitted to practice in all the courts and opened a law office in Telluride, where he continued to live until 1908, when he removed to Denver. He has since fol- lowed his profession, devoting his attention to general practice. He is a member of the Denver Bar Association and enjoys the respect and confidence of his professional col- leagues and contemporaries, for he is careful to conform his practice to a high standard of professional ethics.

On the 8th of December, 1915, Mr. Wardlaw was united in marriage in Denver to Miss Ruth Wilt, a daughter of Oswald and Mary Josephine (L'hote) Wilt, a well known family of St. Louis, Missouri. They reside at the Hotel West Court.

In his political views Mr. Wardlaw is a democrat and has always taken a very active part in politics, being associated with the Democratic Club of Denver. While residing at Telluride he served two terms, from 1898 to 1905, as judge of the county court and

138

HISTORY OF COLORADO

made an excellent record upon the bench by the fairness and impartiality as well as the wisdom of his rulings. He also served as city clerk and during the same period was county judge. In the course of his judicial experience, during the bitter strike which extended from November, 1903, to April, 1904, a number of cases were brought before him for settlement which had ultimate bearing upon the difficulties in which the state was then involved. His fairness and impartiality won him the high esteem of all con- cerned. In 1908 he was elected to represent San Mignel county in the seventeenth general assembly, serving also in the special session of 1910. He gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which came up in the legislature for settlement and labored earnestly to promote those interests which he believed would be of greatest value and worth to the commonwealth. He was chairman of the committee on rules and did important work as a member of the house of representatives.

Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Henry M. Teller Lodge, No. 144, A. F. & A. M., also has membership in Colorado Lodge, No. 1. K. P., and the Knights and Ladies of Security, Centennial Council, No. 1100. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church. His military record covers service as a member of Company B, First Regiment of the Colorado National Guard, from 1913 to 1915.

Nature endowed him with strong intellect and his developed powers have brought him prominently to the front in professional relations. As lawyer and law maker he has made a most excellent record and his course has commended him to the respect, confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has been associated.

COLONEL CHARLES A. WHITE.

A most interesting record is that of Colonel Charles A. White, who is now living retired at Greeley. He was born in West Deering, New Hampshire, September 19, 1836, and has therefore passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey. His parents were James and Abigail Butler (Coburn) White. The father was a carpenter and thus pro- vided for the support of his family. Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Colonel White attended the schools of Deering and of Manchester, New Hampshire, and when sixteen years of age started out to provide for his own support, working as a bobbin boy in the Amoskeag cotton mills, while later he was given charge of a section in the mill. He subsequently decided to go to Boston and there he began work at the trade of brick- laying, continuing his activity along that line until the outbreak of the Civil war. Hardly had the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns cleared away when on the 16th of April, 1861, he joined Company A of the Third Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry as a private. The regiment embarked on board the steamship S. R. Spanlding, which moved down Boston harbor and anchored. The next morning General Butler went aboard and the men were furnished blankets and equipment, after which the steamer weighed anchor and under sealed orders proceeded southward, landing the Third and Fourth Massachusetts at Fort- ress Monroe, Virginia, on the morning of the 20th of April. These were the first two Union regiments to land on Virginia soil in the Civil war. That night the Third Regi- ment took part in the destruction of the Gosport navy yard and when the work was completed they embarked on the steamer Pawnee, which with the sloop of war Cumber- land in tow proceeded down the Elizabeth river. The regiment was for a time stationed at Fortress Monroe and at Hampton, Virginia, during its three months' service. The contraband of war negroes who were the subjects of General Butler's decision were brought into Fortress Monroe by Company A of the Third Regiment, which was on outpost duty on the night of May 23, 1861. The first flag of truce carried in the Civil war was taken to Company A after the battle of Big Bethel on the 10th of June and the detail brought in the body of Major Winthrop, who was serving on General Butler's staff. At that time Newport News was a military camp. There were not a dozen houses within a mile of the place where now stands a large and beautiful city and where is found one of the largest dry docks of the United States. While at Fortress Monroe the Third Massachusetts aided greatly in mounting cannon in the parapet of the fort. At the time of the arrival of the regiment the fort was garrisoned by not more than seventy men, who were there to care for a traet covering eighty acres. On the 16th of July the Third Massachusetts embarked on the steamer Cambridge for Boston, its term having expired, and was mustered out on Long Island, in Boston harbor, on the 22d of July. Colonel White reentered the service on the 12th of August, 1861, as a member of Company A of the Third Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteers, which went into camp near Concord, on the Merrimac river, and left there on the 3d of September for Hempstead Plains, Long Island, where it was intended to organize the Port Royal expedition for South Carolina. They left Hemp-

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 III, Part 19

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