USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume III > Part 33
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William Garman Krape. an investment broker of Denver, whose enterprise has led to the establishment of a substantial business, was born in Freeport, Illinois, May 13. 1882, and is a representative of one of the old families of Pennsylvania, the grandfather having removed from Center county, Pennsylvania, to Orangeville, Illinois. His son, Dr. William W. Krape, was a soldier of the Civil war, having served for three years in the Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry. He was born in Illinois and took up the profession of dentistry which he followed in his earlier years but afterward turned his attention to the insurance business. He married Miss Emma Garman, of Brookville, Illinois.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, William Garman Krape of this review attended the public schools and afterward became a student in St. John's Military Academy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. He later became a student in the University of Wisconsin, where he completed a classical course as one of the alumni of 1905. In March of that year he became connected with the Standard Publishing Com- pany of Freeport and there remained for five years, steadily working his way upward to the position of manager. Later he resided for a year in Florida, where he was en- gaged in the real estate business and in plantation work. In the fall of 1911 he came to Denver, where he entered into connection with mining interests, financing and promoting three mining companies-the Crown Prince Consolidated, the Pie Martin Mining Company and the West Mexico Mines Company. He has also organized and promoted the Big Bear Oil Company, operating in the Big Muddy oil fields of Wyoming. Keen sagacity and en- terprise have combined in winning for him the measure of success which he has achieved.
In 1913 Mr. Krape was united in marriage to Miss Josephine McCormick, of Elkton, Kentucky, a daughter of Captain Joel McCormick, of the Confederate army. To them have been born three children, Josephine, William and John, the eldest four years of age. Mr. Krape is a well known Mason, belonging to Excelsior Lodge, No. 97, A. F. & A. M .; Montview Chapter, No. 50, R. A. M., Denver; Freeport Commandery, No. 7, K. T .. of Freeport, Illinois; Freeport Consistory, S. P. R. S .; and Tebala Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Rockford, Illinois. He is a past exalted ruler of the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks, his membership being in the lodge at Freeport. He also belongs to Winneshiek Lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F., of Freeport. His religions faith is that of the Episcopal church and his life has been guided by its principles. He is a man of marked enterprise, continually reaching out along broadening lines, achieving success by deter- mined purpose and intelligently directed effort. During the years of his residence in Denver he has become well established as a prominent representative of investment interests and has become the promoter of four important companies which have operated extensively and successfully in connection with the mining and oil interests of the west.
JOHN R. MILLER.
John R. Miller, the well known custodian of the courthouse at Pueblo and junior vice commander of the Spanish War Veterans in Colorado, was born in Jacksonville, Morgan county, Illinois, April 21, 1869. He is the youngest child in a family of four sons whose parents were George and Mary ( Peterson) Miller. When a small boy the
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family removed to Kansas, where the father served as a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Both parents are now deceased.
John R. Miller was educated in the rural schools of Kansas, in which state his early life was spent. On starting out in life for himself he chose railroading and for many years was a locomotive engineer. About 1888 he came to Colorado and located at Pueblo, where for a time he was in the employ of the Smelter and Steel Works. During the trouble with Spain he enlisted in 1898 in Company C, First Colorado Infantry, and remained in the service for eighteen months, one year of that time being spent in the Philippines.
The democratic party has always found in Mr. Miller a stanch supporter and he has been called upon to serve as a delegate to both county and state conventions. On the Ist of January, 1917, he accepted his present position as custodian of the courthouse at Pueblo and his duties have always been promptly and faithfully performed. Frater- nally he is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and is a member of the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers. He takes a deep interest in public affairs and is always ready to aid any enterprise which he believes will prove of benefit to his community or the country at large. He is fond of outdoor life and is a man who commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact.
CHARLES A. ROGERS.
Charles A. Rogers, well and favorahly known as one of the representative business men of Denver, as the controlling influence in the important business conducted under the name of I. N. Rogers & Son, comes to the west from Cleveland, Ohio, where his birth occurred December 1, 1866, his parents being Isaac N. and Harriet (Pitkin) Rogers. The father was a native of Mississippi and became a resident of Denver in 1871. Here he engaged in the furniture business as a member of the firm of Bradley & Rogers, and as the business flourished and expanded with the growth of the town, additions were made from time to time, including that of a mortuary service, which latter was conducted by Mr. Rogers at Leadville from 1879 to 1881. In 1881 he reengaged in business in Denver, and on December 1, 1888, Charles A. Rogers became associated with his father, the firm name of I. N. Rogers & Son being later adopted. The association was maintained until the father's death, which occurred in Denver, October 15, 1910, but the old partnership name has been since continued. Isaac N. Rogers had taken an active part in the general welfare and upbuilding of Denver, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. His long years of residence here, as well as his activities in business and other circles. had brought bim into direct personal contact with the people and his circle of friends and acquaintances was a large one. He was an earnest member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and through his activities in behalf of the order, he became recognized as one of its organizers in Colorado. He served with distinction in the various offices of the order, and Canton Rogers, of the Patriarchs Militant, was named in his honor. In 1866 he wedded Harriet E. Pitkin, a native of Burlington, Vermont, and a descendant from one of the prominent old New England families. She was a gentlewoman of refine- ment and culture and her many works of a benevolent and philanthropic character were in full keeping with a kindly and Christian spirit. She died in Denver. February 28, 1918.
Charles A. Rogers was the only child born to his parents, and was but a lad of five years when he came with them to Denver. Here he spent his boyhood, profiting in an educational way by the advantages afforded by the public and high schools of the city. As a youth he entered the employ of the Davis-Creswell Manufacturing Company, with whom he continued for some time. He subsequently became identified with the Bagley & Watkins Company, severing this connection on December 1, 1888, when he became associated in business with his father. The present magnificent mortuary on Lincoln street was completed and occupied in January, 1910, and stands as a monument to the enterprise and ability of its builders, as well as an ornament to the city. It is one of the finest establishments of its kind in the country, containing a spacious chapel with every convenience for large assembly. Mr. Rogers conducts his business along the most modern and scientific lines, and in a manner most satisfactory to his patrons.
On January 7, 1891, Mr. Rogers wedded Miss Gertrude Wood, a daughter of Eli Wood, of Denver. She died in 1897, leaving one child. who is now Mrs. Welcome Mc- Murray and who was born in Denver in 1891, and is the mother of two children, Welcome and Charline Gertrude. Mr. Rogers was married a second time in 1900, this union being
CHARLES A. ROGERS
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with Mrs. Mayme Wood Long, who died in 1909. Her son, Robert P. Long, is associated with Mr. Rogers in business. In 1911 Mr. Rogers was united in marriage with his present wife, Mrs. Cecelia W. Farrall.
Fraternally Mr. Rogers is a member of the Masonic Order, holding membership in Oriental Lodge, No. 87; Denver Chapter, No. 2; Denver Council, No. 1; Colorado Com- mandery. No. 1. Knights Templar; Colorado Consistory, No. 1, Scottish Rite Masons, and El Jebel Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He also holds membership in Occidental Camp, Woodmen of the World. and in Denver Lodge, No. 41. K. of P. He is a member of the Loyal Legion, and his social affiliation is with the Denver Athletic Club. Widely known in Denver, where the greater portion of his life has been spent, he has won recognition and esteem by reason of his many sterling traits of character, and is num- bered among the progressive, substantial business men of the capital city.
ELIZABETH CASSIDY, M. D.
Dr. Elizabeth Cassidy, successfully engaged in medical practice in Denver, comes to Colorado from Vermont, Illinois. Her father, Leander Cassidy, was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, and the ancestral line can be traced back to the colonial period in American history. Leander Cassidy followed the occupation of farming as a life work and passed away in 1902. He married Louisa Cox, a native of Ohio, and she still survives, her home being in Macomb, Illinois. In their family were seven children, six of whom are living.
Dr. Cassidy, after attending district schools of Illinois. entered Knox College at Galesburg, from which she was graduated with the class of 1891, winning the Bach- elor of Science degree. She next entered the University of Wisconsin. where she re mained for a time, and still later she became a student in the Woman's Medical School of Northwestern University at Chicago and completed her course there by graduation in 1897, at which time the M. D. degree was conferred upon her. She afterward did post-graduate work in the New York Post Graduate School and located for practice in Burlington, Iowa, where she remained for seven years. In 1907 she removed to Colo- rado, where she has since practiced and she has done much work as an anaesthetist. She also served as county physician for two years, from 1908 until 1910, and in the latter year she was chosen a member of the board of county commissioners-the only woman who has ever filled the office in Denver county. She has also been a member of the state board of charities and corrections since 1910. Her activities are thus broad and varied and touch the general interests of society, while her efforts and in- fluence are always on the side of progress, reform and improvement. She is a stanch advocate of democratic principles and her religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. When leisure permits she turns to motoring for recreation. She has gained a most creditable position in professional circles during the period of her residence in Denver and is widely known in this connection.
EDWARD H. WAHL.
Edward H. Wahl has been actively identified with the real estate business in Denver and Colorado for many years and few men are as well informed concerning property values, either city realty or ranch and farm property in the various sections of the state. In fact, Edward H. Wahl, of Denver is considered an authority on real estate, second to none.
A native of Missouri, he was born in Glasgow, July 19, 1870. and is a son of Philip and Mary (Baier) Wahl. The father was born in Germany but came to America when very young and immediately made his way to Missouri, where he attended school. Later he was there united in marriage to Miss Mary Baier. He was very successful in his farming and stock raising operations and soon became one of the prosperous as well as respected citizens of the state. After devoting considerable time to stock raising he turned his attention to the meat business at Glasgow, Missouri, where the firm of Wall & Stettmund became one of the prosperous business enterprises of the town. There for many years the firm continued to carry on a profitable business, with which Mr. Wahl was associated to the time of his death, which occurred in 1900, when he was sixty- six years of age. His wife was born in Glasgow, Missouri, and was reared, educated and married there. Her parents had been pioneer settlers of the state. After her husband's
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death she removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where she passed away in April, 1918, at the age of seventy two years. In their family were ten children, seven of whom are yet living, namely: Philip B., a resident of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Mrs. Louise Steckling, residing in Kansas City. Missouri; Mrs. Emma Anschutz, also of Kansas City ; Mrs. J. C. Stamm, living in Oak Park, Illinois; and Leon and Leonora, both of Kansas City.
Edward H. Wahl, who was the third of this family, attended the public schools of Glasgow, Missouri, and afterward became a student in Pritchett College of that place, being graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree. After leaving school he went to St. Louis, where he did clerical work in a large retail store for several years. He then decided to remove to the west and in 1892 became a resident of Denver. Having saved some money from his earnings, he determined to invest in real estate and entered the real estate field. His first few ventures were successful and from that time on he has devoted his efforts and attention to the buying and selling of real estate, handling hoth city property and farm and acreage properties. Through strictly honorable methods, com- bined with sound judgment and keen insight in business affairs, he has won notable success. No word of complaint has ever been uttered in connection with any of the real estate deals which he has engineered. He is an honored and respected member of the Denver Real Estate Exchange.
On the 14th of June, 1916, Mr. Wahl was married to Miss Bella Drake, of Memphis, Missouri, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Drake, who were pioneer people of that section. Mr. Wahl and his wife are identified with the Christian Science church. In politics he maintains an independent course. He has membership with the Junior Order of American Mechanics, with the Denver Motor Club and with the Civic and Commercial Association, and he stands for that which is progressive and beneficial in the public life of the. community. All who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance in Denver, speak of him in terms of high regard by reason of the enterprise which he has displayed in business and also owing to his genuine personal worth.
CLIFFORD P. GEHMAN.
Clifford P. Gehman, attorney at law practicing at the Denver bar, was born in Frostburg. Maryland, July 29, 1875. His father, Lewis H. Gehman, was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, belonging to one of the old families of that state, his ancestors having been among the first settlers of Germantown. It was in 1683 that the family was established on American soil. Lewis H. Gehman devoted his life to educational work. becoming a teacher in Pennsylvania and in other states, but at the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call and joined Company D of the Forty-seventh Iowa Volunteers.
C. P. Gehman was the third child in order of birth. The public schools of lowa and of Kansas afforded him his educational privileges, his studies being continued to the age of sixteen years, when he put aside his textbooks in order that he might provide for his own support. His first employment was that of a clerk in the law office of Judge Charles A. Wilkin at Fairplay, Colorado. He next entered the service of the Union Pacific Railway Company in a clerical capacity, continuing there for a year. when he resigned and engaged with the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. There he became ultimately assistant cashier in the general offices of the company, with which corporation he remained until 1902, when he gave up his position to become vice presi- dent and general manager of the Overland Cotton Mill Company, where he remained for two years, covering 1902 and 1903. During these years he studied law in his leis- ure hours. In 1904 he was appointed by Judge Morton S. Bailey official court reporter for the eleventh judicial district. In August, 1905, he passed the bar examination and was admitted to practice law. He continued to act in his official capacity for the eleventh judicial district for six years. On the expiration of that period he became official shorthand reporter for the district court of Denver, serving continuously in the latter position for a period of eight years. He held the world's record for speed in shorthand reporting. This was won in the second international shorthand speed contest, held in Boston, Massachusetts, March 30, 1907, on which occasion he made a record that had never before heen reached-two hundred and twenty-six words net per minute. He has written over three hundred words in a single minute. Mr. Geliman is not active in the practice of law. He holds membership with the Colorado Bar Association and with the Denver Bar Association. He has for many years reported
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the transactions of the annual meetings of the Colorado Bar Association and has acted as referee on the proving up of the Cheesman dam and other important water rights.
In 1896 Mr. Gehman was married and has two daughters, Dora and Lela. During the very early days of motoring he was among the first to own and drive an automo- bile and still turns to motoring in large measure for recreation. His political allegi- ance is given to the republican party and fraternally he is connected with Union Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M.
THOMAS C. DAWKINS.
Thomas C. Dawkins, now living retired in Pueblo, was born on the 3d of April, 1839, in Albany, New York, a son of Thomas and Phoebe (Capen) Dawkins. In the family were three children, one son and two daughters, of whom our subject is the eldest. The parents are hoth deceased. In early life Thomas C. Dawkins accompanied the family on their removal to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was practically reared and educated. During his boyhood he was apprenticed to the tinner's trade and later worked for the Missouri Pacific Telegraph Company for one year at Kansas City.
In 1863 Mr. Dawkins first came to Colorado and located at Boone, where he en- gaged in ranching for a year. As the Civil war was then in progress he enlisted at the end of that time as a member of Company G, Third Colorado Cavalry, with which he served for six months. After being mustered ont he settled near Nepesta. He next engaged in driving ox teams in freighting to Missouri and later returned to St. Louis. From there he went by team to Las Vegas, New Mexico, and subsequently returned to Boone, freighting from that place to Fort Lyon. In 1866 Mr. Dawkins purchased a team and engaged in mining for a time. He next worked on the grade in the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad and was present when the last spike was driven. He drove four mules from there to Sheridan, Kansas, on the Kansas Pacific Railroad, and spent the winter of 1870 in Pueblo. He was with the Kansas Pac- ific Railroad when the Indians captured all the mules that belonged to the com- pany. In 1874 Mr. Dawkins became a prominent resident of Pueblo and was a pioneer in the express business. For twenty years he carried the mail and for fifteen years served as night gateman at the depot, but since 1913 has lived retired. enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
On the 1st of January, 1887, Mr. Dawkins was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Miller, by whom he had one daughter, Ida May, who died at the age of four years. He is a stanch supporter of the republican party and served as alderman of Pueblo in 1903. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is one of the en- terprising and public-spirited citizens of Pueblo. He is a pioneer of southern Colo- rado and has watched with interest the development of this state. In business affairs he has prospered and he commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact
VAN BUREN KELSEY.
Van Buren Kelsey, deceased, who was the first sheriff of Weld county and for many years was identified with its farming and dairying interests, was born in Perrysville, Ohio. April 20, 1839. a son of James and Sophia (Cowen) Kelsey. The father was born in Ireland and came to America in the early '30s, settling in Pennsylvania, where he met and married Sophia Cowen. a native of that state. He removed to Ohio when it was still a pioneer district. and there homesteaded land. which he developed and improved, con- tinuing the cultivation of his farm for many years. About 1868 he went to Missouri, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1870. His wife died abont 1886.
Their son, Van Buren Kelsey, was reared in Perrysville, and in Ashland. Ohio, where he attended the public schools. In 1859 he sought the opportunities of the growing west and came to Colorado, taking up his abode in Weld county. He also entered land in Denver county and developed and improved that tract, but afterward traded it for other property. He gave his time largely to dealing in cattle, and met with success in his initial business ventures in this state. In 1876 he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land five miles north of Fort Lupton, which he at once hegan to bring under cultivation, converting the place into fertile fields. He carried on farm work there until 1908, when he retired from active business and removed to Fort Lupton. where his
VAN BUREN KELSEY
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remaining days were passed. While on the farm he operated a dairy and in this, as in his other undertakings, met with a fair measure of success.
On the 30th of November. 1867, Mr. Kelsey was married to Miss Laura Bailey, a daughter of Laurence and Laura ( Graves) Bailey, who were natives of Vermont and of Massachusetts, respectively. At an early day they removed to Ohio, and there Mrs. Kelsey was born, September 10, 1850. her natal place being Dresden. Her father was a millwright and cooper by trade, and operated a sawmill at Dresden, Ohio, throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1875, while his wife passed away in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey became the parents of seven children: Helen, at home; Charles, living at Fort Lupton: George, who is operating the old home farm; Kate, who died June 6, 1901; Sophia, at home; John Wheeler, who passed away July 6, 1914; and Cammie, the wife of O. A. Carlson, a resident of Fort Lupton. The family circle was again broken by the hand of death when. on the 6th day of July, 1911, after a long illness of two years, Mr. Kelsey passed away. He was not only connected with the history of Weld county as one of its leading farmers and raisers of high grade stock, but also as one of its progressive citizens, and he served as the first sheriff of the county. His political allegiance was always given to the democratic party. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and loyally adhered to its beneficent purposes and principles. He was also a consistent mem- ber of the Episcopal church and his life. ever honorable and upright, won for him the good will, confidence and respect of all who knew him. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Kelsey has erected a fine modern home at Fort Lupton, which she occupies, and she also still owns the farm.
ALFRED GARROW PREY.
Alfred Garrow Prey, who made his start in the live stock business by purchasing one hundred head of heifers on borrowed money, is now the president of the Prey Com- mission Company, operating extensively and successfully at the Denver stock yards. Moreover. he has large ranch holdings and important business interests of other kinds, placing him with the substantial business men of Denver. He was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska. October 26, 1869, and was the second in order of birth in a family of three children whose parents were James and Elizabeth (Garrow) Prey, the former a native of New York, while the latter was born in Scotland. The mother came to America in her girlhood days. The father is of Scotch parentage and in early life removed westward to Nebraska, casting in his lot among the pioneer settlers of the state. He there engaged in the stock business and still spends the summer months in Curtis, Nebraska, while he passes the winter seasons in the home of his son in Denver. Here the mother passed away June 4, 1915, at the age of sixty-eight years. The elder son of the family. William D. Prey, died in Denver in April. 1916. The daughter, who is the youngest, is Margaret, now Mrs. Herbert O. Wilson, of Curtis, Nebraska.
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