History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 62

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


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On the 19th of September, 1886, in Laramie, Wyoming, Mr. Turner was united in marriage to Miss Edith M. Sharp, a daughter of Spencer and Martha ( Holmes) Sharp. Mrs. Turner was born in Lincolnshire, England, and was brought to this country by relatives when seven years of age. Her father was born in Thurlby, Lincolnshire, Feb- ruary 24, 1823, and her mother was born April 29, 1825. They were married in Kings- cliffe, Northamptonshire, June 20, 1848, and the mother died there on the Ist of February, 1864, while the death of the father occurred on the 26th of June, 1866. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Turner are as follows. James Spencer was born at West Hay, England, May 26, 1850. Robert was born at West Hay, April 3, 1851, and was married September 30, 1875, to Mary Taylor, of Chicago, Illinois. They became the parents of eight chil- dren: James R., born July 3, 1876; Charles Arthur who was born January 29, 1878, and died in 1879; Francis Allen, born December 28, 1879: Edith M., who was born in 1882 and died in 1887; Walter C., born December 19, 1884; Emma K., who was born May 21, 1887, and died July 1, 1888; William B., born October 19, 1889; and Henry, born December 6, 1891. Charlotte Elizabeth, the next member of the Sharp family, was born December 15, 1852. Sarah Martha, born at West Hay, England, February 9, 1854, married John Norman Buchanan on the 6th of September, 1887. Their children are: Norman C., born at Douglas, Wyoming, August 28, 1888; Lottie Jeannette, horn November 5, 1890; and Effie E., born February 16, 1893. The two last named were born at Hot Springs, South Dakota. George W. Sharp, born at West Hay in 1855, was married in Illinois on the 28th of December. 1876. to Fannie Aurelia Risley and they have two daughters: Mabel Alice, born in 1880; and Mary F .. in 1882. Henry, born at Burghley Park, England, June 3, 1857, was married in Weston, Iowa, on the 13th of July, 1886, to Anna Catharine Irwin. They have had four children: Elsie May, who was born April 11, 1887. and died in May, 1887; Irwin Spencer, born February 6, 1890; Ruth, born February 5, 1895: and Robert, born July 23, 1897. All were born in Weston, Iowa. The next member of the Sharp family was Emma K., who was born December 7, 1858, and died in 1891. Charles A., born March 20, 1860, died in 1880. Edith M., born May 14, 1861, became the wife of Wilson Turner. Frank born January 12, 1863, died on the 10th of April of that year.


To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Turner have been born nine children but the fourth, an infant son, died in December, 1891. The others are as follows. Elizabeth Mabel, born at Ferris, Wyoming, June 29, 1887, was educated in the public schools of Greeley and died in 1903, at the age of sixteen years, her remains being interred in Linn Grove


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MR. AND MRS. WILSON TURNER AND SONS


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cemetery. Spencer Thurman, born June 22, 1888, was educated in the public schools and a business college, and for one year attended the agricultural college at Fort Collins. He married Mrs. Carrie Benton née Snook and is now baggage agent at Greeley, Colorado. Elmer Page, horn April 1, 1890, was graduated from the Teachers' College and became art teacher in the Fort Collins high school. He enlisted for service in the One Hundred and Fifty seventh Infantry and is at Camp Kearny, California. He is an artist of superior ability and has painted some beautiful pictures. He has had instruction from some of the best art teachers and won prizes on his work at the county fair in 1902. Allan Cedric, born September 22, 1892, is a graduate of the Greeley high school and the Barnes Business College of Denver and for several years worked upon the home farm but enlisted in the Marine Corps and is now in France. He was selected as one out of sixty of his camp in Virginia for special duty in France and was sent to that country. After serving for five months in France he was sent back to America on the Ist of June, 1918, to enter the officers' training camp at Norfolk, Virginia, and expects to be returned to France at an early day. Clarence Ernest and Clara Edith, twins, are the next members of the Turner family. They were born March 22, 1895, and are graduates of the Greeley high school and of the Teachers' College. Clarence became the principal of the school at Savery, Wyoming, and is now somewhere with the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Heavy Artillery. His twin sister, Clara, is now a teacher in the Southeastern State Normal School at Durant, Oklahoma. Edgar Percival, born October 28, 1897, was graduated from the Greeley high school and became a mechanic in the Ford Motor Agency at Greeley but enlisted in the Three Hundred and Forty-ninth Ambulance Corps and is stationed at Camp Dodge at Des Moines, lowa. Dorothy Helen, born June 30, 1907, is in the training school of the Colorado State Teachers' College at Greeley. The children have all been given good educational advantages, for Mr. and Mrs. Turner are believers in thorough educational training. Mrs. Turner was a teacher in Iowa and Wyoming for ten years after having received training for the profession in the Iowa Normal School at Cedar Falls.


The family attend the Baptist church and are loyal to its teachings and active in its support. Mr. Turner has always cast an independent ballot, supporting the man whom he believes will work for the benefit of the community and not for the aggrandizement of self. He is a very loyal American and has given four of his sons to the country for service in the present great war. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have every reason to be proud of these sons and their names should be placed high on the honor roll. They are of heroic mold and are willingly and gladly doing their duty to aid in establishing world democracy.


CORNELIUS W. FAIRLEY.


Cornelius W. Fairley, president of the Fairley Undertaking Company of Colorado Springs and vice president of the Fairley Investment Company, operating in Seattle, Washington, was born on a farm in Mercer county, Missouri, in 1859. His father, Cornelins P. Fairley, was born near Zanesville, Ohio, and was married in Mercer county, Missouri, to Miss Malinda J. Lindsey, a native of Tennessee. The father was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting from Missouri in defense of the Union cause, and becoming a member of Company B, Twenty-seventh Missouri Infantry. He participated in a number of hotly contested engagements and during the siege of Vicksburg he contracted the illness which caused his death in the year 1863. His widow survived until 1891 and passed away in Colorado Springs.


Cornelius W. Fairley acquired a country school education in Mercer county, Missouri, and afterward attended a business college in Keokuk, Iowa. He started out in the business world when a youth of fifteen years, beginning work as a "rustler" in a general store in Princeton, Missouri. In 1880 he arrived in Colorado Springs, where he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in connection with his brother, David B. Fairley, who had removed to Colorado Springs in 1878. The firm was Fairley Brothers and so continned until about 1904, when the style was changed to Fairley Brothers & Fairley, the junior partner in the firm being Fred C. Fairley, a son of David B. This partnership relation was maintained until 1909, when the furniture line was sold and the undertaking business was incorporated under the name of the Fairley Undertaking Company, of which Cornelius W. Fairley is the president. This company has the leading patronage in their line, their business growing largely by reason of the satisfaction which they give to their patrons, for in'the care of the


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dead they employ the most scientific methods, while in funeral direction their work is always satisfactory,


On the 18th of December, 1884, in Princeton, Missouri, Mr. Fairley was married to Miss Lillian B. Bailey, a daughter of the late Hon. James P. Bailey, who was a representative from Mercer county to the Missouri legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Fairley have become parents of a son and a daughter. Leon S., born in 1885, was graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder and is now associated with his father in business in Colorado Springs. He was married to Miss Florene Rochette at Billings, Montana. The daughter, Bessie M., is now the wife of Edgar W. Mumford, of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia.


The parents attend the Christian church and Mr. Fairley is a Master Mason, having been raised in 1880 by Grand Master Dockery, ex-governor of Missouri. He also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while his political support is given to the republican party. He stands very high as a business man and citizen, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom he has been associated, and the sterling traits of his character have gained him warm friendships.


CHARLES CLARK WELCH, JR.


Charles Clark Welch, Jr., is a representative of the Denver bar, is prominently connected with agricultural and coal mining interests in the state and is a most active factor in promoting the interests of the commonwealth through scientific methods of utilitization of its natural resources. He is particularly well known as the governor of the International Dry-Farming Congress and he has been a most discriminating student of all questions that have to do with Colorado's progress and improvement along all lines that have constituted basic forces in her growth and prosperity.


Mr. Welch was born in Golden, Colorado, August 19, 1880, being a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state. On his ancestral records appear many dis- tinguished names, the family history being given at length in connection with the sketch of his father, Charles Clark Welch, Sr., on another page of this work. His father figured prominently as a railroad builder, mine operator and business man in Colorado and as a most public-spirited citizen, and many lines of work which he instituted have been carried on by Charles Clark Welch, Jr., whose training for life's practical and responsible duties was of a most thorough and comprehensive character. After completing a course in the East Denver high school he entered Columbia Uni- versity and later studied in the University of Virginia, where he completed a law course by graduation with the class of June, 1907. His initial step in the business world, however, had previously been made, for when a youth of seventeen he became an employe in the First National Bank of Denver, where he remained for two years. After the completion of his law course he returned to Denver, opened an office and entered upon the practice of his profession, and he is recognized as a man who has comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and is correct in the applica- tion of such principles to litigated interests or disputed questions. His business interests aside from his profession are very extensive. He is the president of the Jefferson Farm Company and also the president of the Louisville Coal Mining Company. which has leased its lands to the Northern Coal & Coke Company. He has been a most thorough student of modern farm methods and has closely investigated the possibilities of the state in connection with dry farming. Few men equal him in his knowledge of this subject- a fact indicated in his selection for the position of governor of the International Dry- Farming Congress. He has many other responsible connections with large corporate and business interests and Colorado is benefiting continually by his wisely directed efforts and interests.


On the 10th of November, 1904. Mr. Welch was united in marriage in Denver, Colorado, to Miss Clara Armstrong, a daughter of Andrew Armstrong, formerly of Denver but now deceased. Their home, known as Welchester, is situated on the new state highway, eight miles west of Denver, in Jefferson county. They are leaders in the social life of the city and Mr. Welch is a member of the University Club, the Denver Athletic Club, the Real Estate Exchange, the Society of Mayflower Desceu- dants and the Sons of the Revolution, while in Masonry he has attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite. These associations indicate much of the nature and breadth of his interests, for he has never allowed the accumulation of wealth to monopo- lize his time. Moreover, his business affairs have ever been of a character that have contributed largely to public progress and improvement as well as to individual pros-


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perity. He takes delight in the science of law and in the solution of its intricate problems and, admitted to the bar, he at once entered upon practice and from the beginning has been unusually prosperous in every respect. The success which he has attained is due to his own efforts and merit. The possession of advantages is no guarantee whatever of professional success, which comes not of itself nor can it be secured without integrity, ability and industry. These qualities Mr. Welch possesses in an eminent degree and is most faithful to every interest committed to his charge. Throughout his whole life, whatsoever his hand finds to do, whether in his profession or in any other sphere, he does with his might and with a deep sense of conscientious obligation.


J. R. CANNON.


J. R. Cannon, the cashier of the Lincoln State Bank at Arriba, was born in Harrison- ville, Missouri, August 7, 1883, and was the third of the four children whose parents were James G. and Annie R. (Roberts) Cannon. Like other farmbred boys, he acquired an ordinary common school education, which he supplemented by a four years' high school course, and later he attended the University of Missouri. Thus liberal educational opportunities well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. A year after leaving school he accepted a position as bookkeeper in a wholesale grocery house in Kansas, where he remained for two and a half years and then became a government inspector in the bureau of animal industry, with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. He remained there for two years, after which he came to Colorado and homesteaded eighteen miles north of Arriba. He proved up on the property and began the business of raising cattle and small grain, residing upon his ranch from 1908 until 1916, during which period be met with a very substantial measure of success. When the Arriba Bank was reorganized in 1916, he became cashier, a position which he has since filled, entering upon the duties of the office on the 29th of January, 1916. Within a very short time after he took charge, the deposits of the bank had increased from thirty thousand to one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Cannon is also still interested in cattle raising and yet owns his ranch, on which he runs two hundred head of cattle. He likewise owns a half interest in a mercantile enterprise of Arriba. Thus he is constantly broadening his activities and interests and his well defined business effort is bringing to him very substantial success.


On the 4th of February, 1917, Mr. Cannon was married to Miss Dorothy Flindt, a daughter of Frank and Ottelia Flindt, the former the president of the Lincoln State Bank. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Cannon received a hospital training. Fraternally Mr. Cannon is connected with Flagler Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which he joined in December, 1917, and in 1918 he became a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and they are well known in Arriba and throughout the surrounding district, occupying an enviable social position, while in business circles Mr. Cannon is leaving the impress of his individuality and ability, his enterprise greatly promoting the interests with which he is connected and thus contributing to general prosperity as well as to personal success.


HARTLEY B. WOODS.


Hartley B. Woods, engaged in law practice in Denver, was born in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1881. His father, Edwin F. Woods, also a native of McKees- port, devoted his life to the banking business and became secretary-treasurer of the Mckeesport Title & Trust Company, with which he was identified to the time of his death on the 3d of June, 1917. He married Anna E. Berry, also a native of Mckees- port and a representative of a family that has heen connected with Pennsylvania since 1760. To them were born a son and a daughter, the latter being Eleanor M., the wife of Foster W. Walker, of Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, who is now with the national army.


Hartley B. Woods, spending his youthful days at the parental home in Mckeesport, attended the public schools and afterward continued his education in Shady Side Academy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. After completing his preparatory course he entered the Washington and Jefferson College and won the Bachelor of Science degree upon his graduation as a member of the class of 1903. He then turned his attention to newspaper work, in which he engaged in both Pennsyl-


Hartley B Hood


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vania and Denver, Colorado, covering a period of three years, during which he devoted his attention to reportorial duties. He arrived in Denver in 1903, but later returned to the east, where lie continued for one year in newspaper work. His preparation for the bar was made in the law school of the University of Denver and his thorough training there enabled him to pass the required examination in 1909. He then entered upon active practice in connection with John R. Smith and they have since engaged in general practice, having a large and distinctively representative clientage that has connected them with much important litigation. Mr. Woods is a member of the Denver and Colorado State Bar Associations and at all times he has been careful to conform his practice to high professional standards, so that he commands the full respect and goodwill of his professional brethren as well as of the general public.


In 1910 Mr. Woods was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Robertson Smith, a daughter of Jolin R. and Ellen F. Smith, of Denver. Mr. Woods belongs to Phi Delta Theta and Phi Delta Phi, two Greek letter fraternities, the latter drawing its mem- bership from the legal profession. He is also well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Park Hill Lodge, No. 148, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master; to Mountview Chapter. No. 50, R. A. M., of which he is high priest; to Corona Commandery, K. T .; to Colorado Consistory, No. 1, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite; and to El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise well known in club circles, holding membership in the University, Lakewood Country and Denver Press Clubs, and his pleasing personality has won him popularity in all of these different connections. As a representative of the bar he has attained a prominence that many an older practitioner might well envy and the thoroughness with which he prepares his cases insures him success in the work before the courts, while his devotion to his clients' interests brings to him a constantly growing practice.


GEORGE W. DEFFKE.


George W. Deffke, a wholesale produce merchant of Eaton, Colorado, was born in Hamilton county, Iowa, November 28, 1863, a son of Louis and Dora (Hencke) Deffke, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to America, the father arriving in 1841, while the mother crossed the Atlantic prior to that time. Louis Deffke took up his abode in Michigan and there worked at the carpenter's trade for many years, having previously acquired knowledge of that business when in Ger- many. He afterward removed to Iowa, purchasing land in Hamilton county, at which time he concentrated his efforts and attention upon clearing and developing the property. His place was situated eight miles from Webster City, but when he took up his abode there only two houses were between him and the town. He was one of the early settlers there and he contributed to the pioneer development and progress of that section of the state. He continued to cultivate his farm until he was seventy years of age, when he retired from active business life and removed to Duncombe, Iowa, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring January 6, 1911, when he was eighty-three years of age. His widow survives and is now living in Greeley, Colorado.


George W. Deffke was reared in Hamilton county, Iowa, and Is indebted to its public school system for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He remained at home with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-two years and in Febru- ary, 1886, came to Colorado, settling at Greeley. For a year he was in the employ of others, at the end of which time he rented a farm east of Eaton and devoted four years to its cultivation and improvement. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until he was able to purchase land. He then bought eighty acres northwest of Seeley's Lake, which he at once began to develop and improve. After six years he sold that property and invested in another farm near Ault, Colorado, which he rented for three years, while he cultivated a tract of land which he leased for the same length of time. His health became impaired, so that he sold everything that he had and went to California, where he remained for a year. He then returned to Colorado and engaged in buying potatoes for Chris Rugh of Greeley, with whom he remained for two years. He afterward began the shipping business on his own account, his first shipments being quite small. Just prior to this time he purchased a quarter section of land near Ault, which he has since rented and which brings to him a good annual income. He then started in the wholesale produce business, and although his efforts in that line were originally small. he kept on increasing his business until he is one of the largest dealers at Eaton. He has erected an extensive warehouse on the Union Pacific Railroad.


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building this in the fall of 1917, and he is now controlling interests of large extent. His son is associated with him under the firm style of G. W. Deffke & Company and Mr. Deffke also owns a quarter section of land two miles east and a half mile south of Pierce and has improved that property but has rented it. As a wholesale produce merchant he ranks with the representative business men of this section of the state and his well directed interests have brought to him a very gratifying measure of success. He is also a stockholder in the First National Bank of Eaton and a stock- holder in the Farmers Mercantile Company of Greeley, the latter a wholesale pro- duce company.


On the 7th of March, 1888, Mr. Deffke was united in marriage to Miss Martha Rienks, a daughter of Benjamin and Martha Rienks, who were natives of Holland and who came to America at an early day. They located near Dubuque, Iowa, where Mrs. Deffke was born and reared, her father devoting his remaining days to farming in that state. He died in January, 1909, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1876. To Mr. and Mrs. Deffke were born three children. Guy C., who was born in August, 1891, is in business with his father. Glenn H., born in October, 1894, is now a captain in the national army in France. He was graduated from the Eaton schools when seventeen years of age and from the Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, in June, 1917. He brought home five gold medals and one silver medal as the result of his college work. On the 20th of June, 1917, he volunteered for active service with the American troops and is now a captain and in France. Mildred G., the youngest of the family, born iu June, 1901, is attending school and shows considerable talent in music, playing the piano with ability.


Mr. Deffke served for two terms on the town board of Eaton and is interested in all that pertains to community upbuilding and to the welfare of the country at large. In his fraternal relations he is an Odd Fellow, while politically he is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. Steadily he has worked his way upward, his persistency and energy being the foundation upon which he has built most ereditable and desirable success. All who know him speak of him in terms of warm regard and his marked ability in business circles bas found expression in the establishment and development of the large wholesale produce business which he now controls.


JOSEPH S. HALL.


Joseph S. Hall, who owns and operates an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 26, township 7, range 67, has been actively identified with agricultural pursuits in Weld county for the past twenty-two years and has won a most gratifying measure of success in his undertakings. His birth occurred in Auburn, West Virginia, on the 13th of March, 1871, his parents being Elisha M. and Jane (Jeffrey) Hall, who were likewise natives of that state. The paternal grandfather was born in England and on em- igrating to the new world took up his abode in Kalamazoo, Michigan, later removing to West Virginia, where he spent the remainder of his life. Elisha M. Hall, father of Josephi S. Hall, remained a Baptist minister of West Virginia throughout his entire life, passing away in September, 1886. His widow, who long survived him, was called to her final rest in June, 1909, when seventy-one years of age.




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