USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume III > Part 30
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109
HAROLD D. WRITER.
Harold D. Writer is a member of the firm of Writer Brothers, automobile dealers of Pueblo, conducting business at No. 119 North Santa Fe street. He was born in Middle- town, New York, on the 24th of April, 1894. and is a son of Louis M. and Belle ( Mapes) Writer. His parents came to Colorado in 1900, first settling in Denver, where his father engaged in business.
It was in the public schools of this city that Harold D. Writer pursued his early education, which was supplemented by study in the University of Colorado, in which he pursued a three years' course. Having an opportunity to enter the automobile busi- ness and encouraged by his parents to take this step, he procured the agency for the Paige and Harroun cars for southern Colorado. He maintains a service and repair sta- tion and has built up a business of gratifying proportions, now employing five men. He greatly enjoys hunting and fishing when leisure permits and is fond of all phases of outdoor life but concentrates his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. which are wisely and creditably conducted and are bringing to him substantial success.
BENJAMIN KEMPER.
Benjamin Kemper, a prominent stockman engaged in the commission business under the style of the Denver Live Stock Commission Company, of which he is the president, represents one of the leading firms doing business at the stock yards. His sound judgment, his enterprise and business ability are important factors in winning for him the success which is now crowning his efforts. Mr. Kemper was born in Cameron, Missouri, July 7, 1870, and is a son of John Quincy Adams and Adelaide (Smith) Kemper, the former a native of Kentucky, while the latter was born in Ohio. At an early day the parents removed to Missouri. They were married in that state and the father there engaged in farming and cattle raising, continuing his residence in Missouri up to the time of his deatlı, which occurred in April, 1915, when he was eighty-nine years of age. During the period of the Civil war he enlisted in a Missouri regiment and served throughout the duration of hostilities. His wife died in Missouri in 1874.
Benjamin Kemper was the seventh in order of birth in a family of eight children,
211
HISTORY OF COLORADO
six sons and two daughters, all of whom are yet living. In his youthful days he attended a country school at Cameron, Missouri, and afterward had the benefit of instruction in the Missouri Wesleyan College, where he continued his studies for a year. He after- ward took up the cattle business on his own account when nineteen years of age and continued in business in that way in Missouri until 1899, when he sold out and entered the live stock commission business at St. Joseph, Missouri. The year 1906 witnessed his removal to Denver, where he immediately established a paying business as a live stock dealer. He purchased a controlling interest in the Denver Live Stock Company and became its president. He reorganized the business, which was incorporated in 1906, and through the intervening period of twelve years he has won phenomenal success and is today one of the prominent factors of the Denver Live Stock Exchange. He has con- tributed in a large measure to its success and to the success achieved by the Denver live stock market, which is fast becoming one of the big live stock centers of the country. Aside from his interest in that business Mr. Kemper is a director of the Home Savings & Trust Company, also of the Windsor Farm & Dairy Company of Denver, is vice presi- dent and a director of the Tucker Live Stock Company of Arizona, and president of the Denver Live Stock Exchange. There is nothing that has a bearing upon the live stock market or the development of the business with which he is not familiar and his efforts have been most wisely and intelligently directed.
Mr. Kemper was married in January, 1897, to Miss Lillian Smith, of Lawson, Missouri, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Smith, of a prominent family of that place. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kemper: Lynn Smith, who was born in Cameron, Missouri, May 8, 1899, and is a graduate of Culver Military Academy, in which he com- pleted his course on the 12th of June, 1918; and Lawrence Benjamin, who was born in October, 1901, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and was graduated from the East Denver high school in June, 1918. Both boys are fine lads Lynn now being in the officers' training camp at Waco, Texas, while Lawrence Benjamin is at the Colorado State University at Boulder, training in the A. T. C. branch of the government. The parents have every reason to be proud of their stalwart sons.
Mr. Kemper belongs to the Civic and Commercial Association of Denver. In politics he maintains an independent course, but is never remiss in the duties of citizen- ship, standing for progress and improvement in all things. His life work has been care- fully directed and determined purpose and indefatigable effort on his part have con- stituted the foundation upon which he has builded his success.
ERNEST F. BUTTERS.
Ernest F. Butters, in years of service the second oldest on the staff of city meat inspectors of Denver, has been a resident of this city for more than a third of a century and for a very extended period was engaged in the meat and grocery business on his own account. subsequent to which time he was appointed to his present position and is found most faithful in the discharge of the important and responsible duties that devolve upon him in this connection. He came to Denver from Maine, his native state. He was born in Exeter, Penobscot county, on the 22d of July, 1859. His father was the late Flavel Butters, also a native of the Pine Tree state and a representative of one of its old families of Scotch lineage. The ancestral line is traced back to Robert Bruce. The founder of the family in America came to the new world during the early colonization of New England and among his descendants are those who have participated in every war from colonial days to the present titanic struggle. Flavel Butters was a lumberman who conducted lumber and flour mills and in addition carried on farming in Maine, where he spent his entire life, there passing away in 1876, at the age of fifty-four years. He was a very stanch republican in politics and an active supporter of party principles and he filled various local offices, including that of selectman and treasurer. He married Sarah Shaw, who died in Denver. in 1913, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. She, too, was a native of Maine and belonged to one of the old families of that state of Eng- lish lineage.
Ernest F. Butters was the fifth in order of birth in a family that numbered five sons and three daughters. He acquired his education in the public schools of Exeter and in Corinna College of Corinna, Maine, a preparatory school, which he attended to the age of twenty-one years. Upon his father's death, however. he had started out to earn his own livelihood and aid in the support of the family. He took up the profession of teaching, which he followed through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he worked in his father's mill, and for six years he continued teaching. In 1883 he started for
212
HISTORY OF COLORADO
the west, making his way direct to Denver, where he arrived on the 17th of March, his choice of a destination being influenced by the fact that his brother, William M. Butters, was a pioneer grocer of South Denver and in fact was the first to engage in the grocery business in that place. Ernest F. Butters entered his brother's employ and continued with him for two years. He then embarked in business on his own account in partner- ship with his younger brother, Edwin E. Butters, as a dealer in meats and groceries. The partnership lasted for only three years but for twenty-four years longer Ernest F. Butters continued the business, ranking with the foremost merchants in his line in the city. In 1909 he became connected with the meat inspection department. being appointed by Mayor Robert W. Speer. He has since continuously served and is today the second old- est member of the department. His previous experience as a dealer has made his opinions of great worth in this connection and his labors are proving of much value to the city.
On the 2d of June, 1885, in Denver. Mr. Butters was united in marriage to Miss Clara May Brown, a native of Minnesota, and a daughter of Orrin D. and Sarah J. Brown, both of whom have passed away. They were representatives of an old Maine family. Mr. and Mrs. Butters are parents of a daughter, Gladys A., who is the wife of W. R. Weiss, a resident of Clifton, Arizona. She is a graduate of Boulder University and for three years was a teacher of languages in high schools in New Mexico. Idaho and Arizona. Mr. Butters is a democrat in his political views and an active worker in party ranks. He also belongs to South Denver Lodge. No. 93, A. F. & A. M. He turns for diversion to reading, to the theater and to fishing but allows no outside interests to interfere with the faithful performance of his duties. His has been a successful career as the result of his perseverance, labors and fidelity. He and his brother, Edwin E. Butters, built the first three story building in South Denver, where the Broadway Bank is now situated. They also established the first meat market in South Denver. At the time they erected their building. everybody proclaimed it a foolish venture, never believing that the city would require a structure of such proportions in that section. The development of Denver, however, has been phenomenal, until the building which they put up has outlived its usefulness and been replaced by other and much larger buildings. In its erection Mr. Butters and his brother displayed their foresight and their faith in the future of the city. Denver has ever found in Ernest F. Butters a public-spirited man and one devoted to the general welfare, and while he has promoted his individual interests, his labors have constituted an element in public progress and improvement.
JACOB M. GILE.
Jacob M. Gile. an architect whose developed powers have brought him to a position of prominence in professional circles, was born in Lebanon. Boone county, Indiana. March 18, 1848. a son of John and Charity (Chamness) Gile. The father removed westward to Iowa when his son Jacob was but six years of age, the removal occurring in 1854. The family home was established in Benton county, Iowa, where they resided until about 1867. or two years after the Civil war. In the meantime the father passed away. his death occurring in 1858. Some of the family served as soldiers in the Union army and their attitude was always one of the utmost loyalty to the country in that hour of crisis as it is at the present time. Mrs. Gile long survived her husband and passed away in Pueblo. Their family numbered three sons and a daughter.
Jacob M. Gile, who was the second in order of birth, is indebted to the public school system of Jowa for the educational training which he received. but he also learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. In fact, much of his knowledge has been acquired in that way, as his father's early death made it necessary that he provide for his own support when he was still quite young. Going to Maryville, Missouri, he there learned the trade of a carpenter and eventually became a contractor. His knowI- edge of his profession has been self-acquired. He has devoted his leisure to study and has acquainted himself with the scientific principles of architecture as well as with every practical phase of building operations. His first work was in Maryville and after he had qualified for contract work his first job was that of superintending the building of a courthouse at Maryville, which was erected at a cost of eighty thousand dollars. He was also superintendent of the construction of a jail and a school building there in 1881. Subsequently he removed to Ringgold. Iowa. and afterward to Wichita, Kansas. where he opened an office for the practice of his profession in 1885. In the spring of 1890 he arrived in Colorado, at which time he located in Denver. There he was in the employ of Frank Edbrooke for five months and superintended the construction of the Brown Palace Hotel. He then made more definite arrangements for continuance with
JACOB M. GILE
214
HISTORY OF COLORADO
Mr. Edbrooke, whom he represented as superintendent for nine years. He was superin- tendent of the building of the Antlers Hotel at Colorado Springs, a work that required two years. He was also the superintendent of the construction of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company's Hospital at Pueblo, another project that was two years in completion. He then engaged in business on his own account. He planned and erected a number of school buildings, including the school building of District No, 20 in Pueblo, and he was superintendent of the construction of the high school in District No. 20. He likewise built the Ordway school at Ordway, Colorado, and the school at Numa, Colorado, the high school at Eads, Colorado, and the Hill and Pinon schools, both near Pueblo. Another of the fine structures of the state which stands as a monument to his skill, his ability and his efficiency, is the State Odd Fellows Home at Canon City. He was the builder of the bank at Eads, Colorado, also a school building at Cotopaxi, a school at Chivington, Colorado, and the residence of W. L. Hartman. He built the Greek church at Pueblo, also rebuilt the Methodist church and the Baptist church, the Mesa Baptist church and the First Baptist church in Pueblo. He erected the Christian church and St. Anthony's Catholic school at St. Leander. Another important structure with which he was closely identified was the Sacred Heart Catholic church and he was associate architect and superintendent of the Hotel Vail building. Thus in various places throughout the state are found substantial monuments to his skill and ability. What he has undertaken represents the fit utilization and development of his innate powers and talents. For one year he was in partnership with G. W. Roe, for a year was associated in business with Jolin F. Bishop, and for fourteen years he has occupied his present offices in Pueblo.
On the 29th of August, 1869, Mr. Gile was united in marriage to Miss Vinah L. Tompkins and on the 29th of August. 1894. they celebrated their silver wedding, and within another year their golden anniversary will be celebrated. They have become parents of the following named: William H., Dallas M., John A, Myrtle and Raymond, and they also have five grandchildren.
Mr. Gile votes with the republican party, of which he has been a stalwart champion since reaching adult age, casting his first ballot for Grant at his second election. For fifteen years he has been connected with the Masonic fraternity as a third degree Mason and for forty-three years he has been a most loyal representative of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is greatly interested in the state and its development and has through his professional connections and in other ways contributed much to its growth and improvement. He is a man of pronounced professional ability and his promi- nence and success are well deserved.
WALTER I. LYON.
Denver, with its pulsing industrial activity and its almost unlimited scope for business, has drawn to it many able representatives of professional life, and well known as a member of the bar is Walter I. Lyon, who has his offices in the Gas and Electric building. He was born in New Waterford. Ohio, August 21, 1881, his parents being Marcena and Hannah J. (Lewis) Lyon, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The former was a son of John Lyon. likewise a native of Ohio, descended from Scotch ancestors who on coming to the new world settled in Connecticut, whence representatives of the family in later generations removed westward. Marcena Lyon became a carpenter and contractor who conducted business successfully for many years at New Waterford. He was too young to enlist for service in the Civil war but he had a brother who rose to the rank of general in the Union army. The mother of Walter I. Lyon is still living in New Waterford. Her father was a partner of Mark Hanna in the building of the Erie Canal and in construction work on the Pennsylvania Railroad west of Pittsburgh. In the fam- ily of Mr. and Mrs. Marcena Lyon were five sons: Everett L., who is president of the rub- ber company of East Palestine, Ohio; Harry O., living in Struthers, Ohio; Arthur M. and J. H. C., both of Youngstown, Ohio; and Walter I .. of this review.
In the pursuit of his education Walter 1. Lyon attended the Mount Union College of Alliance. Ohio, and while a student there he hecame a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He afterward attended Ohio Northern University at Ada and, completing his law course there, was graduated in 1908 with the LL. B. degree, also receiving the Bachelor of Science degree. It was during his college days at Mount Union that he became a member of the T. N. E. fraternity. Following his graduation he was admitted to The Ohio bar and located for practice in Youngstown, Ohio, where he became a partner in the firm of Lyon, Henderson & Lyon. He was appointed first assistant prosecuting attorney of Mahoning county and entered upon a successful professional career there but
215
HISTORY OF COLORADO
his health failed and. hoping to find a change of climate beneficial, he removed westward, taking up his abode in Denver in 1915. Here he entered upon practice alone and has succeeded in winning a large and gratifying clientage through the intervening period of three years. He is serving at the present time as county attorney of Adams county. He is owner of a ranch in that county and supervises its management and development in addition to engaging in the general practice of law in Denver.
In 1911, Mr. Lyon was united in marriage to Miss Bessie L. Brewer, of Ada, Ohio, and they have won many friends during the period of their residence in Colorado. They hold membership in the First Avenue Presbyterian church of Denver and Mr. Lyon is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Ohio and with the State Grange of Colorado. His political allegiance is given unfalteringly to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position by intelligent argument, and he is now serving as chairman of the republican committee for Adams county.
GEORGE J. STUMPF.
George J. Stumpf, secretary and manager of the Dixon-Stumpf Bottling Company, conducting business in Pueblo, was born in Denver, Colorado, on the 29th of October, 1867, a son of Lorenz and Elizabeth (Schachtel) Stumpf, who were married in St. Joseph, Missouri, and who in 1867 removed to Denver, where the father established business as a brewer. He continued active along that line until his death, which occurred July 15, 1887. He is still survived by his widow. Their family numbered three children, includ- ing two daughters.
George J. Stumpf. the eldest of the family, was educated in the old Arapahoe street school of Denver and in the University of Denver, in which be completed a business course as a member of the class of 1885., He then took up the brewing business in Pueblo, the family having removed from Denver to Pueblo in the year 1881. He was active in that business until legislative enactment caused the state to go dry. In March, 1916, he assisted in organizing the Dixon-Stumpf Bottling Company, which was incor- porated in December of the same year and established at its present place of business on the Ist of January, 1917. They employ six men in the manufacture of soft drinks, which are shipped to all points in the valley, and their business has grown rapidly in two years, increasing two hundred and fifty per cent, so that the company is now conducting a very profitable and growing enterprise.
On the 30th of April. 1891, Mr. Stumpf was married to Miss Mary J. Koch and to them have been born three children: Inez E., Mona I. and Frances J. In politics Mr. Stumpf is a republican and fraternally is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World, the Improved Order of Red Men and the United Commercial Travelers. He is greatly interested in the state and its development. Born in Denver, he was never outside the boundaries of Colorado until he was forty years of age and his interest has always centered here and he has put forth active and effective work for the general good. He and his family reside at No. 713 West Abriendo avenue and are widely known in Pueblo, where Mr. Stumpf has made his home since 1881.
ANDREW G. HORN.
Andrew G. Horn, the cashier of the Drovers State Bank of Denver, of which he was one of the organizers, has been connected with banking and financial interests ever since he put aside his textbooks and entered the business world. He comes to the United States from Scotland, his birth having occurred in Falkirk, that country, on the 16th of February, 1883. He is a son of John Fraser and Catherine ( Macpherson) Horn, who are also natives of the land of hills and heather, where they resided until 1889, when they crossed the Atlantic to America, settling first at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The father has ever been a man of infinence and wealth. He soon became connected with large enterprises and with his family he removed to Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, where he and his wife still reside. He became identified with public utilities corporations and is now president of the water company, also of the electric light and gas companies and several others of similar character. He has thus contributed in substantial measure to public progress and prosperity as well as to individual success. Five children were
216
HISTORY OF COLORADO
born to him and his wife, four of whom are still living, namely: Mrs. Christine Elliott, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Lieutenant John M. Horn, serving with the colors; Fraser Horn, living in Pittsburgh: and Andrew G.
The last named is the eldest of the family. In the acquirement of his education he attended the public and high schools of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and afterward entered the banking business in connection with the Merchants Savings & Trust Company of Pittsburgh, occupying a clerical position there. He continued with that bank until 1905 and then came to Denver. Almost immediately after his arrival he accepted a position in the First National Bank and rapidly rose until he became teller. In the meantime he and others organized the Drovers State Bank on the 1st of January, 1917, and Mr. Horn was elected to the position of cashier. He then resigned his position with the First National Bank and assumed his duties in connection with the new institution, which has since enjoyed phenomenal growth, attributable in no small measure to the efforts, business ability, enterprise and close application of Mr. Horn. This has become one of the prosperous banking institutions of the state. The bank is capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars, has surplus and undivided profits amounting to almost twenty- five thousand dollars and its deposits have reached six hundred seventy five thousand dollars. Mr. Horn is also the secretary and treasurer of the Drovers Cattle Loan Com- pany, organized in connection with the Drovers State Bank.
In January, 1907, Mr. Horn was married in Denver to Miss Leontine Tatum, a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tatum, prominent and well known people of St. Louis, Mis- souri. Mr. Horn maintains an independent attitude in politics nor has he ever sought political favors or promotion. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, holding mem- bership in Union Lodge. No. 7. of Denver. He also belongs to the Lakewood Country Club, which indicates something of the nature of his recreation. A man of well bal- anced character, capacities and powers he has worked his way upward entirely unas- sisted and has gained a high position in financial circles. Moreover, he has the personal qualities which render him popular with all with whom he comes in contact.
NORVAL WILSON WALL.
Norval Wilson Wall. a civil engineer and architect of marked ability. practicing his profession in Colorado with offices and residence in Pueblo, was born in Baltimore, Mary- land. September 13, 1848, a son of Jacob and Sarah Anne (Deems) Wall. the latter a daughter of Colonel Jacob Deems, who won fame as an officer in the War of 1812. Fred- erick Deems, great-grandfather of our subject, served throughout the Revolutionary war with the Third Pennsylvania Regiment. thus actively assisting in winning independence and liberty for the colonies. The Deems family comes of Holland ancestry.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wall were born eleven children. six sons and five daughters, of whom Norval Wilson is the youngest. In the city schools of Baltimore he pursued his education. and also under private instruction, and with natural talent and inclination for engineering work, he early specialized in that direction. He acquainted himself with the major points of civil engineering by practical work under the directions of Major Nathaniel H. Hutton and John Murdoch. He attained a high degree of efficiency and became an assistant to the officers of the engineer corps of the United States army, after which he rendered extensive service in connection with river and harbor work. His father was an architect and he also developed ability in that direction. In 1874 he accepted a position with the Baltimore Bridge Company, but at the same time opened and main- tained a private office until July, 1876, when he decided to remove from Maryland to Colorado.
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.