History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 36

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

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SAMUEL C. STOUT.

Samuel C. Stout has passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey, but Colorado Springs numbers him with its men of energy and enterprise, for he pos- sesses the vigor of a man of much younger years. Indeed age rests lightly upon him and he keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress in an unusual degree. He was for many years actively identified with land and ranching interests in the state but at the present is living retired from business, having a number of years ago removed to Colorado Springs in order at that time to give his children the educational advantages of the city. He was born near Delmont, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 2d of December, 1836, and is a descendant of Jonn Stout, of Nottinghamshire, England, whose son Richard emigrated to Long Island, New York, about 1640. A vessel from Holland, numbering among its passengers a man named Van Princess and his wife Penelope, was stranded near Sandy Hook about the same time. The young man, having been ill on the voyage, was unable to travel farther, so they remained on the Jersey coast, where he was killed by the Indians, while his wife, Penelope, was badly wounded and left there to die. She crept to a hollow tree, where she was discovered by a friendly Indian. who cared for her wounds until her recovery. Afterward she met Richard Stout, who sought her hand in marriage, and Mr. Stout of this review is among their descendants in the seventh generation. His parents were Richard M. and Ann (Irwin) Stout, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. The father was born September 15, 1782, served as a soldier in the American army in the War of 1812 and passed away December 10. 1872. His wife, who was born April 19, 1794, departed this life March 8. 1868. Mr. Stout was a shoemaker by trade and always followed that pursuit to support his family. Both he and his wife were buried at Delmont, Pennsylvania.

Samuel C. Stout was educated in the country schools of his native county, near Delmont, Pennsylvania, and on the 25th of August, 1862, when twenty-five years of age, enlisted iu defense of the Union as a member of the Fifteenth Penn- sylvania Cavalry, known as the William J. Palmer Regiment. He was with the army until June 21, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee. He served under General Rosecrans at Stone River and Chickamauga and was at Antietam under General Mcclellan and at South Mountain and at the battle of Nashville, and participated in about forty minor engagements. He was never wounded nor was he ill a single day throughout the entire period of the war. He was promoted to the rank of corporal March 1, 1863, and became a sergeant on the 11th of Novem- ber, 1864. He was constantly with his command and bore a gallant part in all engagements, rendering faithful service to his country.

With a most creditable military record. therefore. Mr. Stout returned to his home and after the war he worked as a millwright in Pennsylvania until 1869, when he was sent to Sheridan, Colorado, then the terminus of the Kansas Pacific Railway,

MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL C. STOUT

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now the Kansas branch of the Union Pacific, and from there to what is now known as the Black Forest, to act as overseer and purchasing agent and in fact was at times in charge of the greater part of all construction work, more especially the buying of ties and lumber. In about a year the road was built to Denver, which at that time had a population of only three thousand. Mr. Stout also became superin- tendent of the Colorado Trust Company, which later was organized into the Colorado Pinery & Land Company, his superintendency covering a period of forty-two years. This company owned forty-three thousand acres of land at one time, which was nearly all sold under Mr. Stout's supervision until a trustee was appointed to wind up the business and close up the affairs of the company. Their business was the selling of stumpage and land. Mr. Stout was quickly recognized as a man of marked executive ability, carefully forming his plans, which he promptly executed, and the success of the company was due in very large measure to the efforts and ability of its superintendent. As the years passed Mr. Stout prospered as the result of his intelligently directed labors. In 1871 he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land and as favorable opportunity presented for investment he kept adding to his holdings until he had over three thousand acres. He lived upon the ranch for twenty-six years and later removed to Colorado Springs to educate his sons, who subsequently purchased the ranch and now reside thereon.

On the 5th of December, 1876, Mr. Stout was married to Miss Mary Emeline Richards, a descendant of Robert Elder, who was born in Scotland in 1679 and on crossing the Atlantic to America located in what was then Lancaster but is now Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, making his home upon a tract of land about five miles north of Harrisburg. Mrs. Stout's great-great-grandfather, a son of Robert Elder, fought in the Revolutionary war and was known as the "Fighting Parson." Mrs. Stout is six generations removed from this hero of the War for Independence. She is a daughter of Robert Elder and Rosanna (Thompson) Richards and was born at New Alexandria, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1845. By her marriage she became the mother of three children. Anna Jane, born September 15, 1877, died at the age of fourteen years. James Wilber, born October 24, 1879, married Malita Henry on the 21st of February. 1904. and has two children: Mary Elizabeth, born March 23, 1910; and Dorothy Anna, born September 28, 1912. Samuel Wayne, born February 4, 1884, married Jessie Doughty on the 10th of January, 1905, and their three children are: Marjorie Louise, born February 14, 1908; Clarence Wesley, born May 9, 1910; and Samuel Wayne, born July 7, 1913. Both sons are engaged in ranching and live upon the ranch purchased from their father. Both are high school graduates and are progressive and enterprising business men.

In his political views Mr. Stont has always been a democrat, stanchly supporting the party yet never aspiring to public office. He attends and supports the Presby- terian church. His has been an active and useful life fraught with good results not only in the upbuilding of his own fortunes but in the development and improvement of the state as well. While now living retired, he gives out of the rich stores of his wisdom and experience for the benefit of others and

"Though the snows of winter are on his head, The flowers of spring are in his heart."

EDWARD W. BURRUSS, M. D.

Dr. Edward W. Burruss, a physician and surgeon of Denver, was born in Carroll- ton, Illinois, June 10, 1864, and is a representative of one of the old Kentucky families that did so much toward the development of Illinois. His parents, George L. and Maria (Wood) Burruss, were both born in Kentucky and in the year 1831 settled in Carrollton, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming. The grandfather on the maternal side was Dr. B. C. Wood and was a noted physician and surgeon and Methodist minister of his day. Both Mr. and Mrs. George L. Burruss spent their lives in Illinois subsequent to their removal from Kentucky and passed away in that state. They had a family of seven children, one of whom died in early life. The others are: John C., now residing in Atlanta, Georgia; Harry D., whose home is in Carrollton, Illinois; A. L., living in Adrian, Missouri: Mrs. H. B. Nelson, also of Carrollton, Illinois; Dr. Burruss, of this review, and Maria F., living in Carrollton.

In early life Dr. Burruss was a pupil in the rural schools of his native county. He also attended an academy at Galesburg, Illinois, for a year and later became a student in McKendree College at Lebanon, Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1884 on

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the completion of the literary course. He afterward entered the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1886 and also pursued his studies under Dr. A. C. Bernays, whom he assisted in his practice and who was the first physician in the United States to use cocaine for medical purposes. Dr. Burruss was graduated in 1886. He then came to Denver to engage in practice and here remained for a year, after which he went to New York city and had charge of the New York Skin and Cancer Hospital for a year. He afterward took up private practice in Wrightsville, Illinois, where he remained for a year and then removed to Poplar Grove, Arkansas, where he continued for a similar period. He likewise spent a year at Mount Adams, Arkansas, and later for a year engaged in practice in southern Texas and in old Mexico. He was then appointed pension examiner with headquarters at Helena, Arkansas, and remained in that position and in the private practice of medicine at Holly Grove for twelve years, returning to Denver in 1910. He has since followed his profession in this city, although he is now living practically retired. The years brought him success, resulting from his wide knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the principles of medicine. He always held to the highest professional standards in his practice and his labors were of great benefit to those in need of professional service. He belonged to the American Medical Association and thus kept in touch with the most advanced thought of the profession.

In June, 1891, Dr. Burruss was married to Miss Johnetta Hodge, of Carrollton, Illinois, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Hodge. They have become parents of four children. Mrs. C. L. Cunningham, who was born at Holly Grove, Arkansas, and was graduated from the Denver high school, is now living at Lodge Pole, Nebraska, and has one child, Lucille. Nellie H., born at Holly Grove, Arkansas, is now assistant manager of the Schuyler Insurance Agency of Denver. Edward W., born at Holly Grove, Arkansas, is now with the national army in France and prior to his enlist- ment was in the United States forestry service. Mary H., born in Holly Grove, Arkansas, is attending business college.

While the family were living at Holly Grove, Dr. Burruss filled the position of postmaster there. He is a member of the Congregational church and its teachings have guided him in all of the relations of life. He is widely known and prominent, standing high in professional circles and as a citizen, while his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.

FREDERICK C. EWING.

A prominent figure in commercial circles as well as one of the best known men in the coal trade in this section of the west is Frederick C. Ewing, who is sales manager for three of the leading coal companies of Colorado, with offices in Denver, these being The Crested Butte Anthracite Mining Company, The Crested Butte Coal Company and The Baldwin Fuel Company. He was born in Albany. New York, October 24, 1879. His father. Charles S. Ewing, was born at Little Falls, New York, and was a representative of an old New England family. He engaged in the jewelry business for many years. He married Emma Danby, who was born in Albany, New York, and who is still living, but Mr. Ewing has passed away.

Frederick C. Ewing acquired his education in the public schools of Albany. New York, where he remained until about the age of twelve, when his mother removed to New York city, as his father died when Frederick C. Ewing was but four months old. He was graduated from a night high school of New York city and while thus pursuing his studies was employed as clerk in a law office. At the age of eighteen, upon the advice of a physician, he came to Denver and. deciding to enter some outdoor work, became identified with the Colorado Supply Company in connection with its coal mining interests. He afterward entered into business relations with the Atlas Coal Company and the Summit Fuel & Feed Company as yard manager. After this service he accepted a position with the Pike's Peak Fuel Company as secretary and treasurer. This proved a distinct advance- ment in their business and for three years he capably filled the position. Severing that connection with a desire to get out of the retail into the wholesale end of the business, he became sales manager of The Crested Butte Anthracite Mining Company, The Crested Butte Coal Company and The Baldwin Fuel Company, in which capacity he yet remains.

In 1901 Mr. Ewing was united in marriage to Miss Ima E. Wallace, of Colorado Springs, a daughter of Charles Wallace, a pioneer mining man and prominent citizen of

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this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Ewing has been born a son, Frederick Charles, Jr., born November 13. 1917, in Denver.

Mr. Ewing is a Mason, belonging to Highlands Lodge, No. 86, A. F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Denver Civic and Commercial Association and he belongs to the Highlands Methodist Episcopal church, connections which indicate the nature and breadth of his interests. He cooperates in all those forces which work for public benefit and progress and for the advancement of individual welfare and higher standards of living. and his sterling personal worth as well as his business qualifications have gained him a creditable place in public regard in his adopted city.

STEPHEN T. PARSONS, M. D.

Dr. Stephen T. Parsons, one of the well known members of the medical profession in Denver, was born May 18, 1870, in Ovid. Michigan, and comes from an old New England family whose members took a prominent part in the pioneer settlement of Michigan. Dr. Parsons' father was Palmer C. Parsons, while his mother's maiden name was Augusta Tyler, whose father. Anson Tyler, was an own cousin of John Tyler, at one time president of the United States. Augusta Tyler's mother, Mary Scott, belonged to the Scott family that settled at Pontiac. Michigan, in the early settlement of that part of the Wolverine state.

Palmer C. Parsons was a son of John, whose father, Aaron, was a son of Thomas C. Parsons. The last named was born about 1700 at Farmington, Connecticut, a son of Cornelius Parsons, who was one of the founders of Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1635. Thomas C. Parsons settled in York state at what is now the city of Rochester and reared a family, among whom was a son, Aaron, the paternal great-grandfather of Dr. Stephen T. Parsons. Aaron Parsons settled in the state of Michigan at a very early period in the history of that state and was killed by the Indians, being a victim of the great Pontiac massacre. His family returned to New York state and resided there until one of the sons, John Parsons, the paternal grandfather of Dr. Parsons, moved with his family to Michigan. He, too, became a victim of the murderous Indians and met death at their hands near the same locality where his father had been killed. His death left a widow, three sons and a daughter, who returned to New York state. There the family remained for some time and it was in that state that Palmer C. Parsons, the father of Dr. Parsons, grew to manhood and married Augusta Tyler. Their marriage took place at Avon, New York. In 1859 Palmer C. Parsons removed to Michigan, where he resided until he removed with his family to Iowa. The parents spent the latter years of their life at Odebolt, that state, and there passed away. The father engaged in the jewelry and watch-making business and was well known to the trade. He died in the year 1891, while his wife passed away in 1890. In their family were nine children

Stephen T. Parsons, the fifth in order of birth, after attending the public schools of Ovid, Michigan. entered Redemptrius College in St. Louis, Missouri, to prepare for more advanced education. Later he entered the University of Iowa, remaining one year, after which he became a student at the University of Illinois, where he won his professional degree in 1904. During his university course he attended clinics and autopsies in the Cook County Hospital and was also attending physician in bed- side work, as well as being demonstrator of anatomy under Dr. Eckley, in the uni- versity. In taking up the active practice of his profession Dr. Parsons removed to Montclair, Colorado, in 1904. He was the first physician to establish himself in what was then a suburban town of Denver. He became one of the owners of the first stock of drugs opened in the town and in connection with his medical practice carried on the drug store. His practice rapidly increased until it covered the entire com- munity for many miles around. He also opened the first operating room outside of Denver and his patients are now numbered by the hundred, including many of the best families in the community. As the years have passed he has prospered and has accumulated a considerable amount of valuable property. He has recently erected a valuable residence in Montclair, which is one of the attractive homes of that section of the city. He also owns some valuable ranch property which he devotes largely to the extensive raising of hogs. This ranch is fast becoming a very profitable invest- ment. On the 1st of January, 1917, Dr. Parsons, feeling the urgent need of a down town office, secured rooms in the Commonwealth building and there receives his Denver patients. He has done post-graduate work in the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat

DR. STEPHEN T. PARSONS

Vol. III-17

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Hospital. pursuing four special courses and one course in the West Side Eye and Ear Infirmary of Chicago.

Dr. Parsons was married in June, 1891, to Miss Margaret La Duke, of Breda, Iowa, who passed away in Aplington, Iowa, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. La Duke. They became the parents of six children. Hendrina, now Mrs. Carl Julich, is a resident of Mount Carmel, Iowa, and has four children. Ida has passed away. Marie married Alvin Bergren and they reside in Odebolt. Charlotte is the wife of Fred Whittington, who was formerly a master mechanic of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, but is now a member of the United States Engineering Corps, doing duty in France. Margaret is a student in the East Denver high school. Loretta is attend- ing high school in Omaha. For his second wife Dr. Parsons chose Miss Rachel H. Hutchison, a graduate nurse of the Illinois Training School for Nurses, in Chicago. Dr. and Mrs. Parsons were married on the 7th of September, 1904.

In his political views the Doctor is a republican and has been a member of the republican committee of Montelair. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a chapter and commandery Mason, a past patron of the Eastern Star and a member of El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise connected with the Sons of the American Revolution, having seven ancestors who took part in that struggle, among them being Captain Ezekiel Scott, who was a staff officer under General George Wash- ington. Along strictly professional lines he has connection with the American Medical Association. He is widely known and stands high as one of Colorado's capable and leading physicians.

LOUIS DEGEN.

Louis Degen, of Degen Brothers of Denver and holder of large ranch properties and cattle raising interests in Colorado, was born in Ottawa, Illinois, June 23, 1877, a son of Lehman & Sophie (Ottenheimer) Degen, who in early manhood and woman- hood became residents of Illinois, where the father engaged in raising cattle, remaining in that state until his demise in 1917.

Lonis Degen was a pupil in the public schools of Illinois. after which he took up farm work and cattle raising in connection with his father, remaining in his native state until 1899, when he removed to Colorado. He reached his destination on the 8th of May and was employed at the stock yards by the firm of Becker & Degen until 1902, when he entered into partnership with his brother. William L. Degen, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Since then they have conducted their interests jointly under the name of Degen Brothers. He is also associated with the J. N. Pierce Land & Cattle Company, of which he is a director. His business interests have been carefully and wisely managed. He has closely studied every phase of the live stock industry and in the development of the ranch he and his brother have displayed a most progressive spirit, while the conduct of their interests in Denver shows that they are thoroughly familiar with the question of sales.

On the 24th of December. 1914, Mr. Degen was married to Miss Bessie Slawitsky and they have one son, Louis, who was born in Denver, August 5, 1916. Mr. Degen is a Scottish Rite Mason, loyally adhering to the teachings of the craft and exemplifying in his life its beneficent purposes. Moreover, he is a self-made man who has worked his way up entirely on his own account. He started out when twenty-five years of age and as time has passed has steadily advanced toward the goal of success.

CARLE WHITEHEAD.

Carle Whitehead, senior partner in the firm of Whitehead & Vogl, attorneys at law of Denver, was born in Meriden, Connecticut, February 1, 1877. His father, Emory J. Whitehead, of Westfield, New Jersey, is connected with the United States Fidelity & Guaranty Company. He was born in Winsted, Connecticut, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Celia Josephine Baldwin, was born at Naugatuck, Connecticut.

Carle Whitehead pursued his education in the public schools of Westfield, New Jersey, until graduated from the high school with the class of 1896. He afterward determined upon the practice of law as a life work and matriculated in the Columbia University Law School, from which he was graduated in 1899, winning his LL. B. degree. The same year he was admitted to practice at the bar of New York. In August of that

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year he came to Colorado, settling in Denver, where he won first place upon examination here for admission to the bar. He has continued in the general practice of law and is also well known as a patent solicitor and has conducted much important litigation relative to patents. He practiced alone until July, 1903, when he became associated with Greeley W. Whitford. In December, 1904, he formed a partnership with William B. Shattne and following the death of the latter in April, 1908, Mr. Whitehead entered into partnership with Albert L. Vogl, an association that is still maintained.

In 1904 Mr. Whitehead was married to Miss Mabel C. Kennedy. a daughter of S. S. Kennedy, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Greeley, Colorado. where the birth of Mrs. Whitehead occurred. By her marriage she has become the mother of three chil- dren: Dorothy and Bruce, aged respectively twelve and eleven years and now in school; and Carleton, a little lad of five summers.

Mr. Whitehead and his wife belong to the Unity church and are also members of the Unity Clnb. He has membership relations with the Royal Arcanum, is an active representative of the Colorado Mountain Club and along strictly professional lines is connected with the Denver Bar and the Colorado State Bar Associations. He greatly enjoys mountain climbing, to which he turns for rest and recreation when leisure permits. In his profession he has made steady progress and his ability is bringing him rapidly to the front.

WILLIAM S. SMITH.

After twelve years of faithful service as foreman and superintendent of the mechanical department of the W. W. Barnett Anto Company, and with the good wishes of the corporation and the well wishes of hundreds of friends in the city, William S. Smith resigned his position to engage in business on his own account, having a splendid oppor- tunity to step into the old and well founded business directly in line with his life work of Patrick V. Downey, who was proprietor of one of the old and well established garages and repair shops. "Thrift is the power to save," and thrift has long been one of Mr. Smith's marked characteristics. With the savings from his earnings therefore he wel- comed the chance to establish a business of his own and on the 15th of August, 1918, became the sole proprietor of the Downey Garage at No. 3312 East Colfax avenue. With the progress that he has already made in this new enterprise he is well on the road to a successful business which withont doubt will grow to large proportions. Already he employs four expert automobile mechanics and four floor men, together with one office man, and he has in the garage capacity for one hundred cars. He also has an ample repair shop and in addition a well equipped accessories and tire department. He like- wise handles oil and gasoline and is now doing a profitable business.

William S. Smith was born in Hamilton, Ontario, April 20. 1883, a son of William S. and Clara (Barrett) Smith, both of whom were also natives of Ontario, where they spent their entire lives. The mother died in Toronto, Canada, while the father is still a resident there and is well known in connection with the automobile business in that city, where he has conducted interests of that character for a number of years.

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History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 36

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