History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 43

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

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Nathaniel P. Hill, Jr., was the third in a family of seven children and his youthful days were spent upon the old homestead farm three miles east of Montgomery, New York, which was first occupied by his grandfather, Captain Peter Hill, in 1779. At the death of the father his brother, James K. Hill, had succeeded to the management of the property and, in turn, was succeeded by Nathaniel P. Hill, who at the same time was pursuing his education in Montgomery Academy. Later he entered Brown University at Providence, Rhode Island, and was there graduated in 1857. Before the completion of his course he was made assistant professor of chemistry there and in 1859 became pro- fessor of chemistry, occupying that chair until 1864. He won wide renown by reason of his comprehensive understanding of chemistry and metallurgy and this occasioned various capitalists of Providence and of Boston to seek his services as their representative In Colorado in 1864. He came to this state to investigate its mineral and agricultural resources in the Gilpin grant and while in Gilpin county he was strongly impressed by the wasteful methods which were being employed in the treatment of Colorado ores. Believing that much could be saved, he originated the plan of founding the great reduction and smelting works which were later established in the state and which successfully treated the refractory ores.

After visiting Colorado twice in 1865 Mr. Hill made two trips to Europe to investigate methods employed at Swansea, Wales, at Freiberg and other places in the treatment of gold and silver ores. He became convinced of the feasibility of smelting the products of the Colorado mines while upon a third trip to the state in 1866 and then, returning to the east, he influenced capitalists at Boston and Providence in the enterprise and two hun- dred and seventy-five thousand dollars was raised for the capitalization of the Boston & Colorado Smelting Company, which was organized in 1867. Operations were begun by the company at Blackhawk in January, 1868, and from the initial point the business steadily grew and developed, necessitating the enlargement of the plant, while in 1873 a branch was established at Alma, Colorado. It was not long before mineral products were being received from all parts of the west and for the further development of the business the capital stock was increased to a million dollars and a large plant was estab- lished at Argo, in the suburbs of Denver. From the beginning this enterprise proved one of the profitable productive industries of the state. Mr. Hill also recognized the pos- sibilities of the oil fields and became an investor in the United Oil Company, which handled the major part of the oil output at Florence. Colorado. He occupied the presi- dency of the Colorado Smelting & Refining Company, the Denargo Land Company. and many other corporations which were a most important element in the utilization of the natural resources of the state. He also figured in journalistic circles as the owner of the Denver Republican.

Senator Hill had marked influence in political affairs and was long a recognized leader of the republican party in Colorado. He ever stood for right and justice and

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because of this made a strenuous fight against monopolies. His first office was that of mayor of Blackhawk, to which he was called in 1871. During the two succeeding years he was a member of the territorial council of Colorado and in 1878 was elected to represent the state in the United States senate for a term of six years, beginning March 4, 1879. His ability and qualities of statesmanship brought him at once to a position of leadership in the upper house of the national legislature, and following the close of his service in Washington he was appointed by President Harrison in 1891 to serve on the international monetary commission, composed of three members.

In July, 1860, Senator Hill was married to Miss Alice Hale, a native of Providence. Rhode Island, born in January, 1840, and a descendant of the same family to which belonged Nathan Hale. the young Amercian patriot, who, meeting death at the hands of the British in the Revolutionary war. said: "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country." Mrs. Hill, who passed away in Denver, July 19, 1908, is held in loving remembrance by reason of her philanthropic and patriotic work in this city. She was the promoter of the kindergarten system of Denver and was equally active in the establishment of the home for the Young Women's Christian Association. She served as Colorado regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association for two decades and she co- operated in many activities of great worth to the social and civic life of the community. To Senator and Mrs. Hill were born three children: Crawford Hill, Mrs. Franklin Price Knott and Mrs. Lucius M. Cuthbert. While almost twenty years have passed since Senator Hill was called from this life, time has not served to dim his memory or lessen · his fame. On the contrary, the worth of his work is even more widely acknowledged, for he won well deserved fame as a scientist, as a most progressive business man and as a statesman.

WILLIAM ARMSTEAD CAMPBELL, M. D.

Dr. William Armstead Campbell, practicing at Colorado Springs, was born on a farm near Eaton, Ohio, on the 1st of December, 1856, a son of Jehu Bennett and Alzina ( Huff- man) Campbell. His paternal grandfather, William Campbell, migrated from Delaware to Ohio in 1826. His father, Jehu Bennett Campbell, was born in Delaware and moved with his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Alzina Huffman.

Dr. Campbell, of this review, acquired his early education in the public schools near his birthplace and in the high school at Eaton, Ohio, from which institution he grad- uated in June, 1875. He then became a teacher in the public schools and while thus engaged devoted his leisure hours to reading medicine. He entered the Ohio Medical College in the fall of 1878 and was graduated therefrom on the 2nd of March, 1880. He located for the practice of his profession in Eaton, Ohio, where he opened an office on the 14th of May, 1880. He remained here for ten years, during which period he met with success in his professional work, but the west beckoned to him, and in the spring of 1890 he left Ohio for Colorado, reaching Colorado Springs on the 23d of May. Through the intervening period covering twenty-eight years, he has here resided. Believing his calling an exalted one and worthy of the kindliest feeling from all the community he has devoted his time wholly to its practice. Imbued with a most earnest desire to make his professional activity of the greatest worth to his patients, he has from time to time taken post graduate work in famous institutions of the country. He was a post graduate student in Chicago in 1890; in New York in 1897; in Vienna, Berlin and London in 1904, and at the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota, in 1906. He engages in the general practice of medicine and surgery. If success is gauged by earnestness in his profession. a desire to become efficient in his calling and the high esteem of his clientele, his reward must be pronounced.

On the 22d of April, 1880, in Eaton, Ohio. Dr. Campbell was united in marriage to Minnie Adelaide Surface. They have two children living: Grace, who is the wife of Dr. Homer C. Moses, of Colorado Springs; and William A., Jr., who is now a student in Johns Hopkins Medical College.

Fraternally Dr. Campbell is connected with the Masons, Elks and Knights of Pythias. As a diversion in his medical work and a desire to extend the teachings he has been very active in the various Masonic bodies. He was made a Mason on the 12th of July, 1892; received the Capitular degrees in 1902; the order of Christian Knighthood in 1903; the Cryptic Rite in 1907; the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite to the thirty- second degree in 1901; and was made a Knight Commander. Court of Honor, in 1915. He is a past officer of all the local bodies and also past master of Kadosh of Colorado Consistory, No. 1. He is also a past grand priest of Colorado and a past grand master of the council.

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His love for and interest in Masonic work and in the principles it exemplifies are a part of his life. The handsome Masonic Temple in Colorado Springs is a monument to his genius and to his untiring devotion to the craft. His life is an exemplification of the highest standards of Masonry, presenting a recognition and observance of the highest ethical, Christian rules.

Dr. Campbell's political endorsement is given to the men and measures of the republican party. He has been too busy a man professionally to take an active part in politics but be never fails to vote. He is best known as a physician and surgeon. He holds membership in the American Medical Association, the American Climatological Association, the American Therapeutic Society (member of the Council), the Mississippi Valley Medical Association, the Colorado State Society, the El Paso County Society (ex- president of the latter two) and the Solly Tuberculosis Society. He is a courteous genial gentleman, whose ways are those of refinement. and whose worth no man can question.

CHARLES A. FAGERBERG.

For a long period Charles A. Fagerberg has been identified with agricultural interests in Weld county and is still the owner of excellent farm property but is now largely leaving its cultivation to his sons, while he is in a measure enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He was born on the 6th of March, 1856, in Sweden, a son of John and Louise Johnson. His father was the owner of a small farm in that country. While spending his youthful days under the parental roof Charles A. Fagerberg attended the public schools of Sweden until he reached the age of fifteen years and after- ward devoted three years to farm work. He then enlisted in the army and served as a private with the Swedish troops for six years. He was twenty-five years of age when on the 1st of November, 1881, he came to the new world, reaching Loveland, Colorado, on that date. During the first year of his residence on this side of the Atlantic he was employed as a farm land and later he rented land west of Loveland. Since that time he has continuously devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits and as his financial resources have increased he has added to his holdings until he is the owner of valuable property comprised within three farms. Two of these are situated three miles west of Lucerne, Colorado, while another is eight miles east of Eaton. His farming interests have been wisely, carefully and successfully conducted and as the result of his earnest labors he has won a substantial measure of success that places him with the well-to-do and representative farmers of Weld county. About 1909 he retired from the active work of the fields and turned his land over to the care of his sons but still gives personal supervision to his property and advises with his sons as to the best manner of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In addition to cultivating the fields in the pro- duction of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has been feeding lambs for the spring market, these being shipped to Chicago.

In Sweden, Mr. Fagerberg was united in marriage to Miss Anna Louise Bolander, a daughter of Johannes Bolander. Her father was a farmer and also served as a soldier, retiring from the army when he was fifty years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Fagerberg have been born the following named: Aaron; Betty; Ernest; Arthur; Albert; Powell; Carrie, who died in Greeley and was laid to rest in the Lynn Grove cemetery when fourteen years of age; Edith, who died in 1898, at the age of eighteen months, and also was laid to rest in the Lynn Grove cemetery: Eddie; Henry; Agnes; David; and Alice. Betty became the wife of Samuel Johnson, a native of Sweden, who now resides two and one-half miles west of Lucerne, and they have three daughters, two of whom are in the public schools. Aaron, the eldest son of the family, married Tillie Benton, of Greeley. Ernest, the second son, married Freda Swanson. He owns a farm three miles west of Greeley. Albert, another son of the family, enlisted in the aviation service and is now in France. To enter the army he gave up a good position with the Singer Sewing Machine Com- pany and became a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-second Aero Squadron on the Wilbur Wright Field of Dayton, Ohio. Powell is married and has a son and works upon the home farm. Arthur is also engaged in the operation of the home farm. Agnes, Alice and David are at home with their parents. Agnes is attending school and Alice is still a public school pupil.

In his political views Mr. Fagerherg is a republican, having always supported the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He is a member of the Swedish Free church of Greeley, with which both he and his wife have been connected for many years. He is acting as a trustee and treasurer of the church and both manifest a most deep and helpful interest in everything pertaining to the moral development and progress

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES A. FAGERBERG

Vol. III-20

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of the community. As a citizen Mr. Fagerberg is most highly esteemed and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has steadily worked his way upward.

THOMAS LEONARD JAMES, M. D.

Identified with various medical societies and keeping in close touch with the trend of modern thought and progress along professional lines, Dr. Thomas Leonard James is well known as an able physician of Colorado Springs. He was born in Bridgeport, Ala- bama, in 1883, a son of Dr. William and Katherine ( Arendale) James, the former a native of Jackson county, Alabama. and a physician by profession. He was graduated from Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, and after thirty years of active practice retired to private life about 1911, making his home in Bridgeport to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1916. His widow is still living there.

It was in his native city that Dr. Thomas Leonard James acquired his early educa- tion as a public school student. while later he entered Pryor Institute at Jasper, Ten- nessee. He next became a student in the University of Tennessee at Nashville, where he pursued his medical course, winning his professional degree in 1907. He afterward became surgeon for the Battle Creek Coal Company in Alabama, occupying that position from 1907 until 1910: In the latter year he came to Colorado, settling at Colorado Springs, where he entered upon the general practice of medicine, in which he still continues, and through the intervening period of eight years he has built up a practice of large and gratifying proportions.

Dr. James was married on the 24th of June, 1909, at Orme. Tennessee, to Miss Eliza- beth Muecke. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally is a Master Mason. His political support is given to the republican party but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his undivided attention upon his professional interests, and that he may be in close touch with the most advanced thought and purposes of the profession he holds membership in the Solly Tuberculosis Society, the El Paso County Medical Society, the Colorado State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation.

ALBION K. VICKERY.

Albion K. Vickery, secretary of the Southern Agency and thus actively connected with insurance interests in Denver, was born in Essex county, New York, July 3, 1871, his parents being Albion K. and Sarah P. ( Martin) Vickery, the former a native of the state of Maine, while the latter was born in the Empire state. Albion K. Vickery, Sr., however, spent the greater part of his life in New York and for a long period was engaged in the lumber business in Essex county, where he passed away in 1880, at the age of forty-five years. His widow afterward removed westward to Denver and here departed this life in 1901, at the age of fifty-six years. They had a family of three children, the surviving daughter being Mrs. Jessie Pearson, of Michigan, while one child has passed away.

The youngest of the family was Albion K. Vickery of this review. who in his youthful days was a pupil in the public schools of Denver, the family having removed to this city in 1881, following the death of the husband and father. He afterward pursued a course ' in civil engineering, but from 1885 until 1889 he was in the employ of the Colorado Telephone Company. In the latter year he entered the employ of the city in the engi- neering department and throughout the intervening years he has given much attention to civil engineering. He served as chief deputy for four years and later he became con- nected with the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. At a later period he entered into partnership relations as a member of the Vickery, Foster & Dool Engineering Company, which was maintained until 1907. In the meantime he had been called to the office of county clerk in 1904 and occupied that position for two terms, having been reelected to the office in 1906. In 1908 he was chosen city auditor and filled that position for a term of four years or until 1912. In 1913 he was chosen president of the Civil Service Com- mission of Denver and has since acted in that capacity. It was in the same year that

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Mr. Vickery joined James C. Burger and R. J. Bardwell in establishing the Southern Agency, of which he is now the head. The business was incorporated in 1913 with R. J. Bardwell as the president. James C. Burger as vice president and Mr. Vickery as general manager. They conduct a general insurance business, handling all kinds of insurance. At the present time Mr. Vickery is secretary of the company and is active in controlling its interests, his voice and plans being the directing forces in the business.

In July, 1898. Mr. Vickery was united in marriage to Miss Kittie May Cobb, a daughter of Francis M. Cobb, who passed away in Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Vickery have four children. Albion K .. born in Denver in 1899, is a student in the high school and is well known in football circles. Howard F., born in Denver in 1900, is attending the high school and is president of the class of 1918. Katherine MI., born in Denver in 1905, and Rodney M., born in 1908, are both in the graded schools of Denver.

Politically Mr. Vickery is a republican and in the work of the party has taken an active and helpful interest. serving as a member of the central committee from 1908 until 1912 and at all times doing everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of republican principles. He is a well known Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree, while with the Nobles of El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is also connected with the Woodmen of the World and he has membership in the Denver Athletic Club.

JOHN WILLIAM FOLEY. M. D.

Dr. John William Foley, oculist and aurist of Denver, was born March 28, 1873, a son of the late Joseph Foley, who was a native of County Wicklow. Ireland, the beauti- ful region that Thomas Moore celebrated in his song, "The Meeting of the Waters." Joseph Foley was reared and educated in Ireland and after coming to America engaged in the manufacture of clothing in Rochester, New York. where he resided to within ten years of his death. He then removed westward and passed away in Ann Arbor, Mich- igan, when forty years of age. He was a Civil war veteran. serving with the Fifth Mich- igan Cavalry, remaining with the regiment for three years. The hardships and rigors of war undermined his health and he never fully recovered from his army experience, which ultimately caused his death. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Bridget Clancy, a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a daughter of Michael Clancy. who was a native of Ireland and a pioneer of Ann Arbor. He was one of the early merchants and became one of the leading bankers of Ann Arbor. His daughter, Mrs. Foley, was reared. educated and married at Ann Arbor and became the mother of seven children, four sons and three daughters. She passed away at Ann Arbor in 1912, at the age of seventy-three years.

Dr. Foley of this review was the youngest of the children. He mastered the branchies of learning taught in the public schools of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and later entered the State University there. being graduated theretrom with the M. D. degree. He was afterward connected with the university for two years as a teacher of gynecology and obstetrics and on the expiration of that period entered upon the private practice of medicine in Leadville, Colorado. He there continued in general practice for a period of eleven years and was also surgeon at St. Vincent's Hospital. In 1911 he removed to Denver, where he took up his permanent abode and through the intervening years he has specialized as an oculist and aurist. In fact he has concentrated his efforts and attention upon that branch of the profession since 1906 and he has taken several post graduate courses in London, Berlin and Vienna as well as in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. He has studied broadly and is thoroughly in touch with every phase of the work and with the most advanced scientific researches that have to do with his branch of the pro- fession. He has gained distinction as an oculist and aurist and his labors have been productive of splendid results. While residing in Leadville he was secretary of the Lake County Medical Society and he now belongs to the Denver City & County Medical Society, the Colorado State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is also a fellow of the Academy of Oto-Laryngology and he is ophthalmologist on the county staff. Dr. Foley has important farming interests, owning seven hundred and eighty acres planted to wheat and one hundred acres in alfalfa. The farm is situated in Weld county, Colorado.

On the 27th of September, 1914, Dr. Foley was united in marriage to Miss Anna Postel. a native of Muscoda, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Postel. The father was a captain in the Civil war and the family has long been connected with Wisconsin's development. Dr. Foley enjoys hunting as a diversion and finds rest, interest and recreation in reading and music. He and his wife are residing at the Shirley

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Hotel. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures that he believes will best promote the public good, irrespective of party lines. Where national issues are involved, he usually supports the democratic party. Fraternally he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His genial manner, his unfailing courtesy and his kindly disposition have made him popular with a large circle of friends, while along professional lines he has attained prominence.

FREDERICK W. WELLS.

Frederick W. Wells, vice president and manager of the Mountain States Rubber Company, with plant at Denver, was born in Clifton Springs, New York, November 27, 1880, a son of David M. and Harriet ( Williams) Wells. The father was born in the state of New York and in his later years became a resident of Denver. He was widely known as an expert accountant and auditor. He died in Denver in 1911 at the age of sixty-two years while his wife, also a native of the Empire state, passed away in 1914 at the age of sixty-two years. In their family were five children, one of whom has departed this life, the others being: Charles R., of Utica, New York; Mrs. Sadie L. Fee, a resident of Denver; Gertrude H., of Denver; and Frederick W., of this review.

In early life Frederick W. Wells was a pupil in the public schools of New York and he made his initial step in the business world by becoming identified with mercantile interests. He removed to the west in 1905 with Denver as his destination and here he became connected with the rubber industry. He first engaged in the rubber specialty business in connection with W. C. Hendree in 1910 and later he was advanced to the position of manager. He is also vice president of the company, and as an executive officer and directing head he contributes much to the success of this undertaking. The Mountain States Rubber Company was established in the west in January, 1906, and is engaged in the manufacture of mechanical rubber goods, packing, leather belting and asbestos goods, having a large leather belting factory at Denver thoroughly equipped to handle an extensive business in this connection. They turn out goods of every kind in their line but of standard quality and the excellence of their output has ensured them a most liberal sale on the market. Mr. Wells' long connection with the business has made him thoroughly familiar with every branch of the rubber trade, as represented by his house.

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History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 43

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