USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume III > Part 41
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In October, 1915, Dr. Kestenbaum was appointed by Mayor W. H. Sharpley as city and county physician of Denver. He served in that capacity also under Mayor R. W. Speer until the latter's death, when he resigned to take up his duties with the government as member of the Tuberculosis examining board at Camp MacArthur. Texas. There, he examined thousands of recruits and passed on their physical fitness as fighting men for Uncle Sam in the great struggle for justice and human freedom. In the service thus rendered his country Dr. Kestenbaum had ample opportunity to prove his fitness for the important work that devolved upon him in this connection. His extensive experience as physician to the sick of Denver particularly fitted him for the rapid yet thorough
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examination of recruits at army camps. Those who were found to have symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis were not discharged, but held in line of duty and sent to army tuberculosis sanatoriums, where they received full soldier's pay, the best of care and treatment.
On the 6th of June, 1911, Dr. Kestenbaum was married to Miss Rose Beck, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Beck, who are pioneer people of Colorado and are still living in Denver. Her father is a well known cattleman of the state. Doctor and Mrs. Kestenbaum have two children: Clarence, born February 7, 1912, in Denver, and now attending school; and Vallerie, born in Denver, December 5, 1916. Dr. Kestenbaum has erected one of Denver's most attractive homes. It is of the bungalow style, sit- uated on Federal boulevard, and the surrounding lots have been parked off and made beautiful with flower beds and ornamental shrubs.
The Doctor enjoys an extensive general practice and his ability is widely acknowl- edged by the profession and general public.
ALBERT G. CRAIG.
Albert G. Craig, engaged in the general practice of law, in Denver, was born in this city, February 24, 1890. He is an adopted son of the late Albert G. Craig, who was a native of Indiana and came of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. Craig senior came to Colorado during the early '80s and conducted business as a harness manufacturer, having pre- viously learned the trade in the east. His interests along that line were successfully con- dueted for many years. He married Minnie Thurnagle, a native of Wisconsin. They adopted Albert G. Craig and also had a daughter, Rebecca, now the wife of L. L. Hancock, of Butte, Montana. The death of Mr. Craig occurred in 1899, but the mother is still living in Denver.
Albert G. Craig pursued his education in the public schools of Denver, and in a pre- paratory school, after which he entered the University of Denver for the study of law and was graduated from there with the class of 1913. He next pursued a post-graduate course at the Hamilton School of Law which he completed in 1914. Prior to this time he was associated with the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. of Denver. After his graduation, how- ever, he entered upon the active practice of his profession and in 1917 became associated with the firm of Lewis & Grant, in the general practice of law, in which firm he has since remained.
Mr. Craig is a member of the Denver Bar Association and also has a membership in the Colorado State Bar Association. He votes with the democratic party and in 1914 was the nominee of that party for the state legislature. He belongs to Highlands Lodge, No. 86, A. F. and A. M. and has obtained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Colorado Consistory, No. 1, and is a member of El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine, of Denver. He is a member of the Denver Civic and Commercial Association and a deacon in the Highlands Christian church.
JOSEPH B. FOWLER.
Joseph B. Fowler, who is now living retired in Colorado Springs, where the period of his residence covers almost four decades. was long and actively identified with the lumber trade, acting as president of the Crissey & Fowler Lumber Company. His birth occurred in Whitehaven. England. on the 30th of July, 1858, his parents being J. H. and Mary Ann (Jackson) Fowler. the former a native of England, while the latter was born in Montreal, Canada. In the year 1863 the father brought his family to America, settling in Ontario, Canada, where he spent the remainder of his life as a representative of the Methodist ministry. He was active in his holy calling to the time of his demise, which occurred when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. To him and his wife were born seven children, five sons and two daughters.
Joseph B. Fowler, the second in order of birth, was a little lad of five years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world and acquired his education in the schools of the province of Quebec, Canada. On attaining his majority he crossed the border into the United States and made his way to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he arrived on the 18th of October, 1879, and where he has continued throughout the intervening period. During his first year in this state he worked as a freighter by the mouth and then entered the lumberyard of Giles Crissey, by whom
JOSEPH B. FOWLER
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he was employed for two years. Subsequently he was engaged in ranching and stock raising for three years and then again became identified with the lumber business in connection with Mr. Crissey, with whom he was associated for a year and a half, or until the lumberyard was purchased by the St. John & Marsh Company. When this concern failed the business was taken over by Joseph B. Fowler, Giles Crissey, F. L. Crissey, son of Giles Crissey, and E. W. Davis, the enterprise being carried on under the name of the Crissey & Davis Lumber Company. In 1897 the other partners bought Mr. Davis' interests and the firm became known as the Crissey & Fowler Lumber Company. Mr. Fowler remained active in its conduct until the time of his retirement in May, 1917, serving as president for a number of years and contributing in large measure to its continued growth and success. He still retains an interest in the com- pany and also owns a ranch of three hundred and sixty-five acres on the Pueblo road south of Colorado Springs, near Fountain. His business affairs have ever been wisely and carefully conducted, so that substantial success has rewarded his efforts and he has long been numbered among the representative and prosperous citizens of El Paso county.
On the 27th of January, 1883, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage to Miss Nellie S. Hancock, who passed away in March, 1918. They had one daughter, Bertha, the wife of James R. Ferril, who is proprietor of the Ideal Bakery at Colorado Springs and by whom she has one child, Marion Louise.
Mr. Fowler gives his political allegiance to the republican party and on its ticket was elected to the office of county commissioner of El Paso county, in which position he is now making a most excellent record. A member of the Masonic order, he is a worthy exemplar of the teachings of the craft. He has witnessed and aided the growth and development of his district from pioneer times to the present, and his career has ever been such that the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
FRANK D. TAGGART.
Frank D. Taggart is regarded in the profession of law as a man of exceptional ability and is also well known by reason of his activity in the field of benevolence and charity. These things make him a representative citizen of Denver-one well worthy of finding a place on the pages of its history. Mr. Taggart is numbered among the native sons of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Orrville, that state, on the 16th of January, 1857. His father, Samnel M. Taggart, was also born in Ohio, while his ancestors came from Penn- sylvania and were of Scotch and Irish descent, the family having been founded in the Keystone state in 1763 by James Taggart, who served as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He enlisted from Pennsylvania in defense of the cause of liberty and later became a captain. He was 'also an active participant in early fighting prior to the Revolution. Records indicate that he was with Washington in New Jersey and passed through the memorable winter at Valley Forge. He was a linen weaver by trade and was the great- grandfather of Frank D. Taggart of this revlew. Samuel M. Taggart, the father, was a successful farmer and a man of high moral purpose and principle. Throughout his entire life he resided in Wayne county, Ohio, where he passed away in 1907, at the age of eighty years. He was a Civil war veteran and served in an Ohio infantry regiment. He had the spirit of a true soldier and became a renowned rifle shot. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, to which he always loyally adhered. He married Sarah Slusser, a native of York, Pennsylvania, and a representative of one of its old fam- ilies of German lineage. The family was founded in America by Jacob SInsser, who came from Baden prior to the Revolutionary war, in which he participated with the American troops. Thus in both the paternal and maternal lines Frank D. Taggart comes from Revolutionary war ancestry and he has a son who is a lieutenant in Company M1 of the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh United States Infantry. Fort Schlosser, near Niagara, was named in honor of his maternal ancestors, who originally spelled the name in that form, but it has since been anglicized to its present form. The mother of Mr. Taggart is still living and makes her home in Orrville, Ohio, with her daughter, Alice, at the age of eighty-five years. By her marriage she had a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom three sons and a daughter are living. Colonel E. F. Taggart, who is commanding the Thirty-first Regiment of the United States troops, is in the Ameri- can expedition to Siberia, which recently landed at Vladivostok. He is a West Point graduate of 1883, receiving appointment to West Point from President Mckinley. Since his graduation he has been a well known army officer. Howard Taggart is a resident
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of Washington, D. C., and has earned distinguished recognition as a railroad official. Alice is the widow of David Kimberlin. She resides at the old home in Orrville, Ohio, with her mother and she has a family of five sons, three of whom are now in France in active service in the present war. Wallace, the only son of his deceased brother David is in the navy in the waters of France and England.
Frank D. Taggart acquired his education in the public schools of Orrville, Ohio, and in the University of Wooster, from which he was graduated with the class of 1880, at which time the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. Three years later his alma mater bestowed upon him the Master of Arts degree. His early life was spent upon the home farm and when he was little more than a boy he took up the profession of teaching. He was identified with the Normal School at Millersburg, Ohio, as a teacher until the latter part of 1880 but regarded this merely as an initial step to other pro- fessional labor, for he had become imbued with a desire to enter the legal profession and to that end he became a student in the law office of Colonel James Laird, and Benjamin F. Smith at Hastings, Nebraska, where he was admitted to the bar in 1881. He then began practice in Hastings, where he remained until 1890, when he removed to Denver, where except for about one year in Wyoming he has since successfully followed his pro- fession as a general practitioner. His success in a professional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and, concise in his appeals before the court. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom, with a determination to fully utilize the means at hand, are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conserva- tor of justice and which is one that none should enter without a recognition of the obstacles to be overcome and the battles to be won. Possessing all the requisite qualities of an able lawyer, Mr. Taggart has steadily advanced through the period of his residence in Denver, covering twenty-eight years, and is today regarded as one of the prominent lawyers of the city. He has also been called upon to act as one of the lawmakers of Nebraska, having served as a member of the senate from 1888 until 1890. His political endorsement is always given to the republican party and he keeps thoroughly informed concerning the leading questions and issues of the day.
On the 16th of April, 1889, Mr. Taggart was married in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Miss Louise B. Williams, a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of Elihu and Caroline ( Vickery) Williams, both of whom were of distinguished Revolutionary stock and both of whom have passed away, the mother living to the notable old age of ninety one years. Mr. and Mrs. Taggart have become parents of three children. Beatrice, who was born January 18, 1890, in Hastings, Nebraska, is the wife of Herbert Newton Joyner. who is a Harvard man, having graduated from Harvard university with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws. He was engaged in the practice of law at Great Barrington. Massachusetts, but at the outbreak of the war enlisted and is now a lieutenant. They have one son, Herbert Newton Joyner, Jr. Roger Taggart, the second member of the family, was born in Denver, December 10, 1895, and is a young man of exceptional ability. who has been liberally educated and who possesses notable oratorical power, having been heard on the public rostrum from the age of eighteen years. He is exceptionally well trained in the arts of war, is a splendid disciplinarian and a leader and teacher in mil- itary tactics, in which he had taken a deep interest long prior to the outbreak of hostilities with Germany. When a youth of eighteen, during the labor troubles in southern Colorado. he enlisted in the military service and splendidly aided the cause for which he fought. He not only did active military duty but by public speaking did much to enlighten the people on the real situation. He is now in France as a member of the American expedi- tion. The youngest member of the family is Grace Taggart, who was born in Denver, November 19, 1899, and was graduated from the East Denver high school in 1918.
Mr. and Mrs. Taggart hold membership in the Central Presbyterian church. He is a man of domestic taste, devoted to the welfare of his family, is a kind and loving husband and father and finds his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare and comfort of those at his own fireside. He is also a friend to the poor and has not only put forth most earnest and helpful effort for the alleviation of hard conditions of life for unfortunate individuals but has also been endeavoring for years to secure the passage of legislation establishing a state law bureau where the poor and unfortunate may seek advice, aid and counsel without cost or compensation. In the absence of such legislation he has befriended hun- dreds of the poor and oppressed without charge and without considering race, color or nationality. He has truly proven the "friend indeed" and believes in that constructive helpfulness which will assist the individual to develop his own powers and promote his efficiency so that he may become a self-supporting and self-respecting citizen. Many there are who bear testimony to the great usefulness of Frank D. Taggart as a factor in life's
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work. His abilities have never been centered on the development of his own interests but have reached out for the benefit of mankind and he may be termed a most successful man when judged by the standard of a modern philosopher that "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us, is the measure of our success."
JOHN J. HALL.
John J. Hall, a substantial rancher living in the vicinity of Calhan, was born Novem- ber 19, 1861, in Mahaska county, Iowa, a son of Jacob and Caroline ( Van Buskirk) Hall. both of whom were natives of Monroe county, Pennsylvania.
John J. Hall began work as a farm hand after he had completed a common school education in Iowa and was thus employed for ten years. He then left his native state and removed to Marshall county, Kansas. He resided there for six years, and was then married on August 27, 1889, to Miss Ocelia Gebbie, who was born January 13, 1869, at Peoria, Illinois, and moved with her parents George and Mary ( Bain) Gebbie to Home, Marshall county, Kansas, where she completed her education and was married. During that period they carried on farming, and moved to Colorado where they established their home near Monument. where they lived on a farm for three years. On the expiration of that period, the moved to Calhan, Colorado, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres. At different times he added to his property by purchase until he is the owner of eight hun- dred acres, constituting one of the valuable ranches of that section of the state. They keep from fifty to eighty head of cattle upon their land and from eighteen to twenty head of horses, and they have a Case 9-18 H. P. tractor, and gang plows, with which they do their farming. Their place is well stocked and everything about their farm is indicative of their perseverance and determination. The property that they have acquired is the direct outcome of their energy and close application. Mr. Hall is regarded as one of the substantial ranchers of that section of the state.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hall were born five children, four of whom are still living. Nettie E., born December 30, 1890, died at the age of nineteen months. George Earl, born August 28, 1892, is now with an infantry regiment in France. He belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, having membership in Calhan Lodge, No. 115. Stanley J., born March 24, 1896, is a high school graduate and is a mail carrier, on Route B. out of Calhan. He was married August 27, 1918, to Miss Edna Mayhew of Yoder. Col- orado. Thomas M., born March 3, 1901, is a third year pupil in the Calhan high school. William A., born December 10, 1902, is also a third year pupil of the Calhan high school.
Mr. Hall belongs to the Woodmen of the World, having membership in the local lodge, No. 475, at Callian. In politics he is a democrat but not an office seeker. He has personal qualities that make for popularity and he is well liked by those who know him.
HOWARD T. CHINN, D. D. S.
Dr. Howard T. Chinn, actively engaged in the practice of dentistry in Denver. was the second white child born in Summit county. Colorado, his natal day being October 15, 1867. His birthplace was near or upon the present site of Breckenridge. His father. Raleigh Washington Chinn, was a native of Indiana, born in Indianapolis, for his par- ents removed to that state from Kentucky. The family is of English and Scotch lineage, being direct descendants of Sir Walter Scott. The founder of the American branch of the Chinn family arrived in the new world prior to the Revolutionary war. Raleigh Washington Chinn was a railroad contractor in early life. In the '50s he crossed the plans to California and engaged in mining in that state. He also followed freighting from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Denver from 1861 until 1863 and again in 1864-5. In the spring of 1867 he brought his family to this state, establishing his home in Summit county, where he lived for many years. His last days, however, were passed in Denver, where his death occurred December 24, 1913, when he had reached the age of eighty-five years. He prospered in his undertakings as the years passed and earned a considerable fortune but gave much of this away, for he was of a very generous and liberal disposition and was constantly extending a helping hand where aid was needed. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church, and for sixty years he was a con- sistent and devoted member of the Masonic fraternity. He married Theresa M. Ager, a native of Germany, who was brought to the United States by her parents when a little malden of two summers, the family home being established in Iowa, where she was
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DR. HOWARD T. CHINN
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reared and married, the wedding ceremony being performed in Muscatine. The death of Mrs. Chinn occurred January 17, 1915, when she had reached the age of eighty years.
Dr. Chinn was the fourth in order of birth in a family of five children who are yet living. three sons and two daughters. In the acquirement of bis education he at- tended the public schools of Clear Creek county and afterward became a student in the schools of Denver. He was graduated from the Colorado College of Dental Surgery in 1899 with the D. D. S. degree but prior to that time he had followed mining in Montana, New Mexico and southern Colorado. Following his graduation he entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Boulder, Colorado, and six months later he removed to Denver, opening an office in the Mack block. Since then he has been in active, continuous and successful practice in the same building and is regarded as a most skilled and capable dentist. thoroughly familiar with the latest scientific methods that have to do with professional work. America has gained leadership among the nations of the world in the matter of dental surgery and Dr. Chinn has kept abreast with the trend of modern thought and progress in this field. He belongs to the National Dental Association, to the Colorado State Dental Association and the Denver City As- sociation. He was also at one time a member of the state board of dental examiners.
On the 3d of June, 1903, Dr. Chinn was married in Denver to Miss Nettie Jane Hall, a native of this city and a daughter of Elijah and Mary Flora ( Morrison) Hall. Dr. and Mrs. Chinn reside at No. 1488 St. Paul street. He turns to hunting and fish- ing for recreation, greatly enjoys trap shooting and an occasional game of golf. He has membership in Highlands Lodge, No. 86, A. F. & A. M .; Highlands Chapter. No. 39, R. A. M .; and Colorado Consistory, No. 1, A. A. S. R. He is likewise a member of El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine and he has membership in the Capital City Gun Club and in the Denver Trap Club. His interests and activities have been well balanced. At the outset of his career he recognized the fact that progress must depend upon close application as well as mechanical skill and scientific knowledge. He is therefore found six days a week in his office and his long practice has brought about increased ability that places him in a most creditable position among the foremost dentists of this section of the state.
THOMAS A. CHRISTIAN.
Thomas A. Christian, instructor in vocal music in Pueblo, was born at Peel, on the Isle of Man, on the 14th of September, 1879, a son of William T. and Catherine (Clark). Christian. The father was a master mariner and died in the year 1901. The mother resides in Lakewood, Ohio.
Thomas A. Christian was educated in the schools of his home town and early mani- fested musical talent and ability. He was given excellent opportunities to develop his powers in this direction, studying under some of the most able musicians of his native land. In 1902 he came to the United States, establishing his home in Cleveland, Ohio, and was there engaged as soloist in Trinity cathedral and also was for a time a member of the quartette of the Second Presbyterian choir. He belonged to the Singers Club of Cleveland, an organization that is nationally known. The rigors of the eastern climate, however, caused him to seek a district where he would not have to pass through the severe winters and in 1912 he removed to San Antonio, Texas. Later he became a resident of El Paso, Texas, and afterward of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He possesses a splendid baritone voice. He began to sing in public at the age of seventeen years and through the intervening period has done much concert and oratorio work. His studio is at Thirteenth street and Grand avenue in Pueblo. His concert work since coming to Colorado in 1916 has taken him to every city of any size in the state, including Denver and Colorado Springs. He has concertized extensively throughout the west and southwest, and filled a number of May festival engagements with great success. His teachers were among the most famous of England's musicians and his natural powers have been devel- oped by thorough study as the years liave passed.
Mr. Christian is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Pueblo and is the director of its choir. He is also director of Pueblo's municipal chorus and organized and directs the Pueblo Male Chorus. He belongs to the Civic Music Committee and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is also very active in Young Men's Christian Association work. He gave up all his professional interests and engagements and went to Canada to join the British forces after the outbreak of the present war but was not accepted because of the condition of his health. In every possible way, however, he is attempting to do his bit for the allied cause, and is at present engaged as a song leader in
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