USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume III > Part 37
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William S. Smith of this review was one of two children and is the only survivor. He attended the schools of Toronto, Canada, and the high school there. He decided upon a mechanical career and entered upon an apprenticeship with the Dodge Pulley & Machine Company, with which he served his full time of indenture at the machinery trade. He then entered into the bicycle manufacturing business with the Canadian Motors Company and continued in the mechanical department there until he severed his connection with that house and removed to Cleveland, Ohio. He secured a position in the motor department of the Alexander Winton Antomobile Company, with which he remained for four years during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he was employed as a chauffeur. Subsequently he was offered an opportunity which he accepted to take charge of the Metropolitan Garage for the Garford Motor Company of Cleveland, Ohio. He remained in that connection for a brief period and afterward was with the Royal Tourist and Stearns Motor Company until 1906. when he came to Denver and as fore man of the mechanical department entered the employ of W. W. Barnett, continuing to act as foreman and as superintendent until Angust 15, 1918, when with his savings he purchased the well established garage of Patrick V. Downey at No. 3312 East Colfax avenne. Of this he is now sole owner. This garage was established in 1910 and with the business he acquired a large number of patrons of both the storage and repair depart- ments. He also enjoys a large sale in tires, accessories, oil and gas. employing nine people.
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On the 25th of June, 1912, Mr. Smith was married at Sidney, Nebraska, to Miss Fay E. Daniels, of Denver, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Daniels, prominent old-time residents of Denver, Colorado, where they located in 1880. In politics Mr. Smith main- tains an independent course. He has always concentrated his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and his energy has been the basic element of his growing success.
WILLIAM HENDERSON.
William Henderson, of Calhan, who has charge of the pumping stations of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway at Calhan. Colorado, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, October 2, 1855. and his parents, James and Janet (Kerr) Henderson, were also natives of the land of hills and heather. He entered the public schools of his native country at the usual age and was well qualified by thorough training for life's practical and responsible duties. He continued to reside in Scotland until 1873, when at the age of eigliteen years he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing at New York on the 30th of June. He did not tarry on the eastern coast, however, but made his way into the interior of the country, settling at Marseilles, Illinois, where for three years he worked as a stone mason. He afterward went to Turkey City, Pennsyl- vania, about one hundred miles north of Pittsburgh, and there was employed by the firm of Panton Brothers in pumping and drilling oil wells, spending two years in that connection. He afterward traveled through the west, looking for land that he regarded as desirable but subsequently returned to Illinois, where he remained for six months. Later he went to Marion county, Kansas, where he homesteaded eighty acres, but con- ditions were unfavorable and he could not produce crops. Being unable to raise any- thing, he gave up the homestead to a neighbor and worked for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad on the track department for three years. Later he went to work for the firm of Tweedel & Parke, who built the state house at Topeka, Kansas, and while with them operated a stonecutting machine which he and a banker of Cottonwood Falls had invented and later perfected. This instituted a big improvement over any other stonecutting machine of that period. Afterward Mr. Henderson went to Marion, Kan- sas, where he operated an engine in a flour mill for three years. He next became an employe of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company and has been with that corporation continuously to the present time, now having charge of the pumping plants for the road at Calhan. That he is capable. efficient and thoroughly reliable is indicated by his long connection with the road. He is also the owner of a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres situated near Calhan, upon which resides his brother-in- law, Alexander White. Mr. Henderson is also the vice president of the First State Bank of Calhan, is one of its stockholders and directors and is engaged in loaning money to ranchers. In business affairs he displays sound judgment and enterprise and the integrity of his methods is above question.
In politics Mr. Henderson is a democrat, believing firmly in the principles of the party and giving to it his earnest support. Three times he has returned to Scotland and several times has visited Canada, while during his travels he has also seen over half the states of the Union.
CHARLES E. BREON.
Charles E. Breon, one of the best known antomobile mechanics of Denver, who since engaging in business on his own account has been regarded as one of the most successful in his chosen line in this part of the state, is a native son of the city in which he makes his home. his birth having occurred in Denver, December 3, 1885. His parents were Jerry C. and Perlina (Brunner) Breon, the former a native of Illinois, while the latter was born in Indiana. They became residents of Colorado at an early day, casting in their lot with its pioneer settlers. The grandmother of Charles E. Breon in the maternal line is Mrs. Phoebe Brunner, who crossed the plains with an ox team, it requiring several months to complete the trip at that time-a trip that was fraught with many hardships and privations. The family made their way direct to Denver and re- sided in that section of the city which is now Twenty-fifth and Market streets. Mrs. Brunner is still living in Denver and is one of its oldest and most honored pioneer women. Jerry C. Breon came to Colorado in his boyhood days and afterward engaged
WILLIAM HENDERSON
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in the wholesale candy business, establishing the enterprise which developed into the Hewitt Candy Company. Eventually he sold his interest in the candy manufacturing establishment, which later was continued under the name of the Hewitt Candy Company. Mr. Breon then turned his attention to the real estate business and continued active in that field to the time of his death, which occurred in 1893. His widow is still living in Denver.
Their only child. Charles E. Breon, attended the public schools of Denver until he had mastered the work of the grades and then became a pupil in the Highlands high school and also in the East Denver high school. When his studies were put aside he entered mercantile lines, in which he was active for several years. Eventually, however. he became connected with the automobile business. He studied the mechanism of motor cars for several years and then established the Charles E. Breon Company for the conduct of an auto repairing business in 1913. When he began business his cash capital was considerably less than three hundred dollars, but he had a comprehensive knowledge of the trade, combined with strong determination to succeed. All who know him bear testimony to the wonderful success which he has achieved. While he had but two assistants when he started the business, his trade has increased to such proportions that he now employs eleven expert repair men, his patronage growing through the good word which is spoken of him by those who have brought repair work to him. At the present time he really has more work than he can take care of conveniently. His plant is splendidly equipped with all modern appliances for work of that kind and there are no idle moments in his establishment because of the excellent business which he has built up.
In September, 1905. Mr. Breon was married in Denver to Miss Myrtie Boatman. a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Boatman. Mr. Breon belongs to the Denver Civic and Commercial Association and also to the Motor Club. He enjoys the confidence, respect. goodwill and admiration of his fellow townsmen, who have watched his career, noting the attainment of his success through individual effort and honorable dealing until today he has a business scarcely second to any of its kind in his native city.
MERLE E. TURNER.
Among the native sons of Colorado who have gained a substantial position in the business circles of Denver and who are deserving of special mention in this volume is Merle E. Turner of the Turner-Diegel Motor Company. He was born April 7, 1891, in the city which has always been his home, a son of George E. Turner, who is mentioned else- where in this work, and Nellie (McCarthy) Turner, the former a native of Davenport, lowa, while the latter was born in Kansas. The father came to Colorado by way of the overland route in 1860, locating in Denver with his parents, George E. and Hannah Turner, who had crossed the plains with an ox team and prairie schooner and who con- tinned residents of Colorado until called to their final home. George E. Turner attended the first school established in Denver and was one of its first students. After attaining his majority he engaged in the moving business and later in the storage and transfer business and developed the leading establishment of its kind in the west, conducting his interests at the present time under the name of the Turner Moving & Storage Company. of which he is the president. He has led a most useful, busy and active life and his prosperity is the direct outcome of his persistent efforts and energy. To him and his wife were born two children, the daughter being Miss Blanche Turner, who has passed away.
The son, Merle E. Turner, who was the younger, attended the public schools of Denver and afterward entered the Western Military Academy at Alton, Illinois, from which he was graduated with the class of 1909. He then returned to his native city, where he entered into business with his father, and was so engaged for five years. In 1914 he organized the Turner Auto Equipment Company and conducted a very successful business under that name until 1916. when he reorganized his interests under the title of the Turner-Diegel Automobile Company. This company secured the agency for the Ford car and accessories and has in addition a large repair department, in which their business has grown to extensive proportions. The modern building which they occupy was erected for the Turner Auto Equipment Company and by the Turner-Diegel Com- pany has been used as a salesroom and garage. Mr. Turner is also a director and sec- retary of the Turner Moving & Storage Company. He is a wide-awake and energetic young business man, progressive and determined, carrying forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes. His plans are well defined and his prosperity is certainly well merited.
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On the 26th of June. 1912, Mr. Turner was married to Miss Daisy Marie Cooper, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Cooper, who were well known pioneer people, originally from England. Mr. and Mrs. Turner had a little daughter, Blanche Eleanor, who died in Denver in 1914 at the age of fourteen months. Their religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church, and in politics Mr. Turner maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He belongs to the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and is well known in elnb circles of the city, having membership in the Civic and Commercial Association, in the Denver Athletic Club, the Rotary Club and the Denver Motor Club. Appreciative of the social amenities of life, he enjoys the asso- ciations in these organizations and his genial manner and kindly disposition make for personal popularity among his friends and acquaintances. His career is indicative of the progressive spirit of the west and he deserves much credit for what he has accom- plished as step by step he has advanced as the result of close application, indefatigable energy and business sagacity.
ALBERT LIONEL VOGL.
Albert Lionel Vogl, an able attorney of the Denver bar, who has continued in general practice but also specializes in interstate commerce cases, was born in London, England, March 18, 1876. His father, Max Vogl, is of Bavarian birth and became a resident of Eng- land, when a youth of thirteen years. He now makes his home in London, England, and is not engaged in active business at the present time. He married Helene Cazali, a native of Italy, now deceased.
Albert Lionel Vogl pursned bis education in the schools of London and when a young man of twenty-two years determined to try his fortune in America. He arrived in the United States, at Portland. Maine, on the 26th of December, 1898, and made his way to New York. where he resided until July 1, 1901, when he came to Denver. He was in the meantime for two years a student in the New York Law School and later attended Denver University, in which he continued his preparation for the bar. He successfully passed the required examination whereby he was licensed to practice law in 1906 and on the 1st of March, 1907, he entered upon active professional work. He belongs to both the Denver and to the Colorado Bar Associations. In 1908 he became one of the organizers of the firm of Whitehead & Vogl and while active in general practice he has been in- trusted with many important interstate commerce cases which have won him wide renown owing to liis able manner of handling them and his intimate knowledge of the law applicable thereto.
In 1900 Mr. Vogl was married to Miss Virginie D. Hyde, who was born in Philadelphia, a daughter of William D. and Susanna Hyde, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Vogl was living in New York. They have made for themselves an enviable place in the social circles of Denver, while along professional lines Mr. Vogl's course has been marked by steady progress and each forward step that he has made has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities.
HON. WARREN A. HAGGOTT.
Hon. Warren A. Haggott was born in a log farmhouse in Franklin township, Shelby county, Ohio, May 18, 1864, of English-Puritan and Scotch-Irish ancestry.
His father, Benjamin Pearl Haggott, was born April 18, 1806, on a farm near Conway, New Hampshire, and moved with his parents to Butler county, Ohio, in 1814. He studied pharmacy with Dr. Otho Evans, of Franklin, Warren connty, Ohio, which business he followed until 1861. when he volunteered as a soldier in the Civil war. He was hos- pital steward of the Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry until in December, 1862, when he was honorably discharged on account of ill health. He was with his regiment in the battles of Shiloh, Tennessee, and Corinth, Mississippi, and lesser engagements. Upon his retirement from the army, he engaged in farming, which occupation he followed until his death, August 26, 1881.
His mother, Margaret Agnes (Gamble) Haggott, was born in Xenia, Greene county, Ohio, November 17, 1826. She was the daughter of Samuel Gamble and Mary (Gordon) Gamble. Her grandparents. Gordon, had moved to Ohio from Kentucky, on account of their abolitionist beliefs and had brought with them and freed their slaves. She died January 6, 1876.
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All four of Mr. Haggott's great-grandfathers were Continental soldiers in the American Revolution. His great-grandfather. William Haggott, was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. Both of Mr. Haggott's grandfathers served in the War of 1812; one, William Haggott, from New Hampshire, and the other. Samuel Gamble, from Ohio.
Mr. Haggott was educated in the common country school near his home; the Sidney ( Ohio) grammar school; Xenia College, Xenia, Ohio; and the Northern Indiana Normal University, Indiana. He received the college degree of bachelor of science, and also graduated as a civil engineer. He taught school in Ohio, Texas and Colorado. He was superintendent of the public schools of Idaho Springs during his last nine years as a teacher, and established the high school there.
He studied law and was admitted to the har in 1892, but did not begin the active practice of law until 1899, when he opened an office in Idaho Springs.
In September, 1902. he was nominated by the republican party as its candidate for lieutenant governor and was elected. He presided over the state senate during the meet- ings of the fourteenth general assembly, and the forepart of the fifteenth general assem- bly; and was acting governor of Colorado at various times during his term as lieutenant governor. As president of the state senate, he was very active in securing progressive legislation. He was elected to represent the second congressional district of Colorado in the sixtieth congress. The second district, at the time, consisted of forty-four out of the fifty-nine counties of the state. During the time that Mr. Haggott was a member of the United States congress, he gave all of his time to the interests of his constituents and secured much legislation for their local interests; and as a member of the committee on postoffices and postroads of the house of representatives, he made particular effort for legislation for the benefit of the postal service and its employes. He was always active in his support of sound progressive legislation.
In February, 1911, Mr. Haggott removed to Denver, where he has since engaged in the practice of law. giving a part of his time to mining and other commercial interests.
He married Miss Willie Cecil, daughter of John W. Cecil, of Columbia, Tennessee, December 29, 1897. and is the father of three children, Margaret Cecil, Warren Cecil, and John Cecil Haggott.
MICHAEL FINNERTY.
Michael Finnerty, a well known representative of mining interests in Colorado, making his home in Denver, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, September 15, 1853, a son of Timothy and Mary (Malone) Finnerty, both of whom were natives of County Galway, Ireland, whence they came to America in early life, Mr. Finnerty arriving in 1835, while Mary Malone reached the new world in 1836. The former was a railroad contractor, connected with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and after the construction of that line he continued to follow railway work in Pennsylvania and Ohio, while finally he arrived in Iowa, where in 1859 he turned his attention to farming. He made his home in Lee county, that state, throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1875, when he had reached the age of seventy-six years. His wife passed away in Lee county, Iowa, in 1887. In their family were three sons and a daughter. One of the sons, Peter Finnerty, was well known in connection with the development of the mining industry in Colorado, where he passed away. It was he who discovered and opened up the mine known as the Little Chief in the Leadville district. This he and his two partners sold in 1879 and it produced for its owners over nine million dollars in silver and lead. It was the most famous mine in the Leadville district. Another son of the family was Timothy Finnerty, who died in Lee county, Iowa. The daughter, Mrs. Mary Hatton, resides upon a farm near Keokuk, Iowa.
Michael Finnerty was the youngest of the family and in early life attended the public schools of Lee county, Iowa, after which he devoted his attention to work upon his father's farm. A little later, however, he tired of the quiet life of the fields and turned his attention to mercantile pursuits in Lee county. There he carried on busi- ness successfully but on account of failing health he was forced to sell out and on the 14th of February, 1879, he arrived in Colorado. After remaining for a time in Denver he went to Leadville, which was then benefiting by a boom. Like many others, he became imbued with the hope of winning wealth in the mines and removed to that dis- trict to carry on mining and prospecting. He discovered and developed the Adams mine, which proved a bonanza, it being one of the big producers in the Leadville district. At a later period Mr. Finnerty sold his interests in that locality to a St. Louis (Mo.) syndicate and the mine continued to make big money for its new owners. Mr. Finnerty
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MICHAEL FINNERTY
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also discovered and was the owner of other valuable gold producing properties, such as the Hidden Treasure mine, the Ontario, the Dick Mackey and the Comstock mines. all of which became producers. well known in connection with the mining history of this state. In 1886 he removed with his family to Denver but continued in active connection with mining interests. At that time the attention of the whole world was centered on the Cripple Creek district of Colorado and Mr. Finnerty was one of the prominent figures there. He was sole owner of the Dillon mine, now merged with the group of mines of the Granite Gold Mining Company, of Victor, Colorado, in which Mr. Finnerty owns an important interest and is one of the managing directors of that corporation. He is also the owner of a number of other valuable properties in Park county, Colorado, and he is likewise interested in oil properties and producing oil wells in Colorado and Oklahoma.
On the 15th of February, 1877, Mr. Finnerty was married to Miss Katherine O'Don- nell. She died in Denver, April 28, 1888. To this union were born three children Thomas J. Finnerty, whose birth occurred at Keokuk, lowa, in 1878, was educated in the University of Notre Dame of Indiana and in the School of Mines of Colorado. He is now superintendent of the Dolly Varden gold mine in Park county, Colorado. Wil- liam M. Finnerty, born in Denver, September 10, 1884, also attended the University of Notre Dame in Indiana and is now connected with the New York Life Insurance Com- pany of Denver. Katherine is the wife of F. P. Lynch, of Denver. She was born in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1882, was graduated at the University of Notre Dame and at St. Mary's Academy of Denver and by her marriage has become the mother of three chil- dren: Frank, Katherine and Dorothy. In October, 1901, Mr. Finnerty was united in marriage with Miss Anna Kearns, of Denver, and to them have been born three chil- dren, namely: Peter Kearns Finnerty, born in Denver in 1902, now a student in the Jesuit College of Denver: John Philip, born in Denver in 1905, who is attending school: and Virginia, born in Denver in 1907, also pursuing her education in this city. The religious faith of the family is Roman Catholic and Mr. Finnerty holds memher- ship with the Knights of Columbus. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he has always been a stanch supporter of its interests but has never been an office seeker. His career is a notable one in that his advancement and his wealth have been gained entirely through his individual efforts, his judicious investments and his keen sagacity in business affairs. He came to Colorado in poor health but has steadily gained in health, wealth and friends, who are loyal and true. The oppor- tunities he enjoyed were open to hundreds of others, but he had the foresight to rec- ognize something of what the future had in store for this state and he allied his inter- ests with hers. His judicious investments in the mining regions of Colorado have made him one of the prosperous men of the state and the most envious cannot grudge him his success, so worthily has it been won and so honorably used.
ARCHIBALD DE FOREST ATTWOOD, M. D.
Dr. Archibald De Forest Attwood, a medical practitioner of Denver, was born in Watertown, Connecticut, April 18, 1868, a son of Wallace H. and Carolina Orelia (Wild) Attwood. The father was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, while the mother's birth occurred in Dutchess county, New York. They spent practically their entire lives in the former state and there Wallace H. Attwood followed the occupation of farming. During the Civil war he offered his services but was rejected on account of an injury to his hand which made him a cripple. He died in 1918, at the advanced age of eighty years, and his widow is still a resident of Watertown, Connecticut. They had a family of five children: Mrs. Carrie Perry, living at Fruitland Park, Florida; Mrs. Florence Williams, of New Haven, Connecticut: Archibald D., of this review; Mrs. Hattie Tom- linson, of New York city; and Ralph Wallace, whose home is in Willoughby, Ohio.
In early life Dr. Attwood was a pupil in the district schools of Connecticut and after- ward attended the Watertown Academy. from which he was graduated at the age of nine- teen years. He then took up the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Frederick H. Wiggin, of Litchfield, Connecticut, and of New York city, but was obliged to abandon his studies in the east on account of failing health. He therefore came to Colorado in 1896 and resumed his course in medicine in the Gross Medical College, while later he attended the University of Colorado and was graduated therefrom with the M. D. degree in 1901. He located for practice in Denver and has since become one of the well known physicians of the city, enjoying a large and growing practice. For five years he was assistant to the chair of ophthalmology in the University of Denver and he is serving
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