USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume III > Part 64
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WILLIAM RANDOLPH SELBY.
William Randolph Selby, deceased, was well known among the cattle men of Colorado and enjoyed the reputation of thoroughness and reliability as well as en- terprise in all his business undertakings. He was born in Cumberland, Maryland, on the 20th of June, 1868, and his life record covered' the intervening years to the 6th of April, 1917, when he passed away in Denver. His father, Walter Randolph Selby, was a merchant who conducted business during the greater part of his life in West Virginia. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Mary Selby, have passed away.
In the schools of his native state William R. Selby acquired his education and about 1893 came to Colorado, where he turned his attention to the cattle industry. He purchased and conducted a cattle ranch in Montrose county and had his headquarters at the stock yards in Denver, where he carried on a successful business. He was watchful of every opportunity pointing to success and was always regarded as a fair and honorable competitor. He was actuated in all that he did by a spirit of enterprise that enabled him to overcome difficulties and obstacles and steadily forge his way to success.
On the 7th of October. 1903. in Denver. Mr. Selby was married to Miss Helen F. McGeever, who was born in San Francisco, but whose parents, John and Mary ( Greer) McGeever, now reside in Denver. Mr. and Mrs. Selby became the parents of two daughters, Margaret Kathryn, born in December, 1907. and Willa Ruth, born in April, 1913. They occupy the family home on Dahlia street in Denver, Mrs. Selby desiring that her two little daughters shall be educated in the schools of the city.
Mr. Selby was a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he kept well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day but never sought or desired office. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and every summer took long fishing trips. This constituted his relaxation, but he never allowed outside interests to interfere with the conduct of his business affairs. He found his greatest happiness in contributing to the welfare and comfort of his wife and children and he was not only a devoted husband and father but also a most loyal friend. By all who knew him he is spoken of in terms of warm regard and there are many who cherish his memory.
WILLIAM N. PETTEE.
William N. Pettee is the vice president of the Pettee Cycle Company, doing busi- ness at No. 423 Sixteenth street, in Denver. He was born in Allegany county, New York, on the 19th of April, 1872, and is a son of Nelson A. Pettee. The family comes of French ancestry and was planted on American soil within the boundaries of the Empire state. Nelson A. Pettee was a prosperous builder, and thinking to find better
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business opportunities in the growing middle west, he removed from New York to Michigan, settling at Battle Creek. After a time, however, he returned to Allegany county, New York, where he passed away in 1909, after attaining the age of seventy- five years. He was a Civil war veteran, having served in the One Hundred and Thir- tieth New York Dragoons. He enlisted in an Allegany county regiment as a private, served for eighteen months and was then honorably discharged on account of disability. He was also prominent in civic affairs and filled the office of justice of the peace at Hume, New York; was also tax collector for six years and was active in community interests, doing not a little to shape public thought and action. He married Julia Burnell, who was horn in the Empire state and belonged to one of its old families, also of French lineage. She died in the year 1887 at the age of forty-nine. By her marriage she had become the mother of three children, the firstborn being Frank Arthur Pettee, who was the founder and is the president of the Pettee Cycle Company. The daughter, Lulu Pettee, is the wife of Melvin J. York, a resident of Wyoming county, New York. Frank Arthur Pettee was born in Allegany county, New York, and came to Denver on the 2d of January, 1890. For five years he acted as bookkeeper in the employ of the National Bank of Commerce and the Kistler Stationery Company and then embarked in business on his own account as proprietor of a general bicycle estab- lisliment, incorporating his interests in 1898 under the name of the Pettee Cycle Com- pany, of which he has since heen the president. On the 23d of January, 1901, he was united in marriage to Miss May Hodge. He belongs to the Denver Athletic Club and fraternally is well known as a Knight Templar Mason and member of the Mystic Shrine. At the polls he usually supports the candidates of the republican party.
The youngest of the family is William N. Pettee of this review, whose youthful days were largely devoted to the acquirement of an education in the Pike Seminary, New York, while later he continued his studies in Denver schools. He came to this city with an aunt, Mrs. F. A. Burnell, who was a representative of one of Denver's pioneer families. This was subsequent to his mother's death. Afterward. however, he returned to the east to enter the University of Buffalo, New York, where he prepared for a professional career. He took up the study of medicine there and was graduated with the M. D. degree as a member of the class of 1899. Following his graduation he entered upon the active work of the medical profession in Wyoming county, New York, where he remained for six years, or until 1905, when he returned to Denver. Here he at once hecame associated with the cycle business, which had previously been established by his brother, F. A. Pettee, and in which he has since continuously engaged, his efforts being crowned with a substantial measure of success such as follows intelligently directed effort, combined with indefatigable energy. The business. was started in a small way but the company ranks today among the leading firms of the kind in the state. Their patronage has steadily increased and their interests are now large and important. Mr. Pettee gave up the practice of medicine on account of ill health, caused by the close confinement, and since recovering and entering com- mercial circles has felt that he prefers such a life and his adaptability thereto has been demonstrated in the success which has attended his labors.
In 1894 Mr. Pettee was married in Buffalo, New York, to Miss Anna Green, a native of the Empire state and a daughter of George A. and Anna (Taft) Green, the latter a second cousin of Ex-President William Howard Taft. Mr. Green died when a resident of Pike, Wyoming county, New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Pettee have been born five chil- dren, Burnell Green, Ruth M., Genevieve, Marguerite and Douglas. The family residence is at No. 1005 South Gaylord street, Denver, where they own their home.
In politics Mr. Pettee is a republican and always gives stanch support to the party where national issues are involved but casts an independent hallot at local elections. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and he guides his life according to its teachings. He is a man of genuine personal worth, of marked enterprise in business and of high ideals in every relation, and his salient traits of character are such as win for him respect and goodwill in every community to which he goes and among all by whom he is known.
CLARENCE L. CRIST.
Clarence L. Crist, a well known ranchman of Kit Carson county, was born in Cin- cinnati. Ohio, May 15, 1862, his parents being Benjamin R. and Lorenda ( Hildebrandt ) Crist, in whose family were three children, Clarence L. heing the eldest. The father was a farmer and amid the surroundings and environment of farm life Clarence L. Crist was reared. His educational opportunities were somewhat limited but experience has
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largely supplemented his knowledge, for he possesses an observing eye and a retentive memory. When eighteen years of age he went to Cloud county, Kansas, where he rented land and there engaged in farming until 1883. He afterward removed to Phillips county. Kansas, where he again cultivated a tract of land which he leased.
It was about that time that Clarence L. Crist was united in marriage to Miss Della May Crites, a daughter of Adam and Charity Crites, who were farming people. Mrs. Crist was born near St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1867. The young couple began their domestic life on the Kansas farm hut the operations of Mr. Crist in the development of that place did not win success on account of the dry weather and the grasshopper scourge. In 1894 he arrived with his family in Burlington and took up his abode upon his present place in Kit Carson county. He has since made all of the improvements upon the land. The first home of the family was a sod house but today he is the owner of a very comfortable and substantial residence which stands in the midst of a highly cultivated farm. He has been very successful in the raising of hogs, cattle and chickens, and his place is today one of the attractive farm properties of the community.
To Mr. and Mrs. Crist have been born the following named sons and daughters: Lula and Carl, who died in early childhood; Arthur, a farmer; Clarence, who was drowned in a creek near his home when twelve years of age: Nina, the wife of Charles Powers, a resident of Kansas; Rena, the wife of Arthur Allen, now living in Moffat county. Colorado; Sylvia Marie, who died in infancy; Elmer; Leonard Lee, who died at the age of three years; and Gladys, Erma, William and Ray, all yet in school.
Mr. Crist belongs to the Masonic lodge. He became a member thereof in 1915 and he is also identified with other fraternal organizations. He was made a Modern Wood- man in 1893 and a Knight of Pythias in 1908. His political allegiance is not given to any particular party, for he maintains an independent course. His thought and atten- tion are concentrated upon his farming interests and he is much devoted to his home and its welfare. In manner he is very pleasant and agreeable, meeting everyone with a smile, and his neighbors speak of him and his family in terms of the highest regard.
WILLARD D. PECK.
Willard D. Peck, occupying the position of public examiner for the state of Colorado, with office in Denver, was born in Georgetown, Colorado, March 6, 1882, a son of Harry B. and Emma (Hull) Peck. The father was a native of Chicago, while the mother was born in Lawrence, Kansas. Her father, John C. Hull, was one of Colorado's early pioneers and was accidentally shot on Dorsey Hill, where his body now rests. The grandfather of Willard D. Peck in the paternal line was James C. Peck, who at one time was prominent in the grain trade of Chicago. He became one of the early pioneer residents of Colorado, settling in Georgetown, and was killed in Georgetown Pass. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Parson and was a daughter of Mrs. May Parson of Revolutionary war fame. She passed away in Georgetown at the age of ninety-six years. Harry B. Peck arrived in Colorado in 1860, having traveled overland by stage. He cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers on the Platte river near Denver, which was then a tiny frontier village, presenting little that was attractive and much that indicated that lawlessness was ofttimes prevalent, for to those western communities the lawless element then made its way. He engaged in ranching and cattle raising and after several years removed to Clear Creek. Still later he took up his abode in the town of Empire, where he erected the Peck House, one of Colorado's early botels. This he con- ducted for several years with success and was then elected county assessor of Routt county, which position he efficiently filled for an extended period. During the latter part of his life, however, he lived retired, enjoying a rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved. He passed away in February, 1915, at Nevada, Missouri, when sixty-two years of age. His wife is still a resident of Colorado and is now superintendent of the schools of Rontt county, a position which she has filled for fifteen consecutive years. She was one of the first lady superintendents of schools in this state and that her work has been highly satisfactory is indicated by her long consecutive service there. To Mr. and Mrs. Peck were born four children: Edwin, who is now in the state forestry service; Roy, a forest supervisor; Mrs. Grace Devery, residing in Seattle, Washington; and Willard D.
Willard D. Peck was the third child in the family and in early life he attended the schools of Idaho Springs, Colorado, where he passed through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school. He then came to Denver, where he attended business college and was graduated with the class of 1903. He next turned his atten-
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tion to mercantile life and after a time was appointed to a position in the office of the county assessor, serving as deputy under his father. He continued in that position for six years and later was appointed chief clerk in the health department of the state and so remained for six years. In 1917 he was elected public examiner of the state and is filling the position with capability and fidelity.
On the 6th of November, 1906, Mr. Peck was united in marriage to Miss Esther Light- hizer, of Hayden, Colorado, a daughter of the Rev. S. D. Lighthizer, of Iowa. To them has been born a son, Russell Peck, whose birth occurred in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1908, and who is now attending the Lincoln school of Denver. He is a member of the Olinger Highlanders.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Episcopal church and Mr. Peck also has membership with the Woodmen of the World and with the Democratic Club, the latter association indicating the nature of his political affiliation. Much of his life has been devoted to public service and he has made an excellent record as an official, bis course ever being marked by devotion to duty. In public office he places the general welfare before personal aggrandizement and the good of the community at large before partisanship.
WILLIAM H. LAUCK.
William H. Lauck, of Colorado Springs, is filling the position of county agricul- tural agent for El Paso county. His business and official interests make heavy de- mands upon his time, and his work, especially at this critical period in the country's history, is of greatest worth. An eminent American statesman has said: "In all this world the thing supremely worth having is the opportunity, coupled with the capacity. to do well and worthily a piece of work the doing of which shall be of vital significance to mankind." Such an opportunity has come to William H. Lauck and he has eagerly embraced it, to the great benefit of the community in which he labors. Through his assistance and advice the county has had a remarkable and lasting growth.
Mr. Lauck is a native of Illinois. He was born on a farm in Stephenson county in 1880, a son of Peter H. and Christina (Kurtz) Lauck. He was but four years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Nebraska, so that his education was acquired in the schools of Cortland, after which he pursued special short courses in the Colorado Agricultural College at Fort Collins. He came to this state in 1898 and remained for two years, after which he went to northern Jowa, where he engaged in general farming and in the raising of live stock, coming again to Colorado in June, 1903.
On the 28th day of January of the same year, in Palo Alto County, Iowa, Mr. Lauck was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Jackson, a daughter of Josiah Jackson, who was an Illinois soldier during the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Lauck have been born the following, named: William Clarence, Lucy Hazel, Helen Gladys, Frederick Roeding, and Edward Jesse. The parents are members of the first Methodist Episcopal church of Colorado Springs.
From March 1, 1906, to October 15, 1912, through civil service appointment, Mr. Lauck served in the irrigation investigations of the United States department of agriculture. Under this appointment he had charge of demonstration plots and farms in the fruit section at Canon City, Colorado, and in the beet section at Rocky Ford. This work also placed him in charge of the government demonstration farm at Eads, Kiowa county, where he had supervision over the windmill and power pump investiga- tion in relation to dry farming.
As first county agricultural agent in the state of Colorado, Mr. Lauck received his appointment on October 16, 1912. The appointment was made through the cooperation of El Paso county with the United States department of agriculture and the State Agricultural College. This newly created office carried with it heavy responsibilities. The new county agent was expected to blaze the trail for a new and better type of agriculture in eastern Colorado. Because the work was so new there was no one to whom he might turn for suggestions or advice. Government bulletins on the subject of county agent work were not available at that time. Everything had to be hewn out of the wilderness. Mr. Lauck entered upon his duties, fortified with an intimate knowledge of farm problems in Colorado, confident that permanent homes meant health and increased opportunity for hundreds of people, and inspired with a remark- able vision of real service to his fellowmen.
It took courage and faith to overcome the many obstacles which came in the
With Lovek.
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way of this pioneer worker. One of the greatest obstacles which confronted Mr. Lauck was a general misunderstanding which arose in the minds of the people concerning both the work and the man. The self-reliant farmer hesitated, and in some cases refused, to become a coworker with this new man. Patience, tact, and the ability to view the situation from the farmer's standpoint, these were the qualities which eventu- ally converted a personality into a compelling force. As a result the rural people soon saw in their midst a man who had an unselfish interest in their success, a man to whom long, cold rides in stormy weather were no obstacle when his people needed him, a man who conld lend a helping hand to the homesteader's family in sickness, poverty, or discouragement, a man who was not afraid to take a definite stand for better agriculture and better rural life. It was this man who, in a day dream, as he was pondering over the needs of his people, originated the now well-known slogan "For Better Farms, Homes, and Schools."
Mr. Lauck is identified with the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Reserve Watch of Colorado Springs, also with the Farmers Grange, Farmers Club, the El Paso County Farm Bureau, the Colorado County Agents' Association and the American Farm Management Association. These connections indicate that he is concentrating the major part of his time and attention npon the subject which he has chosen as a life work. He is constantly reading and studying to broaden his knowledge to the end that he may aid the farmers of this section of the state to pro- duce the crops that constitute the basis of prosperity in every other field of business. No country ever becomes rich or stable that does not have agriculture as its basic interest and the value of this great department of labor has never been better demon- strated than at the present time, when all the warring nations are looking to those countries which can supply food. Mr. Lauck is a republican in his political views, with firm belief in party principles, yet he does not sacrifice the general good to par- tisanship. He is above all a loyal and patriotic citizen and one whose cooperation in the general welfare can always be counted upon. Possessing broad, enlightened, and liberal minded views, faith in himself and in the vast potentialities for development inherent in his country's wide domain and specific needs along the distinctive line chosen for his life work, his has been an active career in which he has accomplished important and far-reaching results contributing in no small degree to the expansion and material growth of the state.
JOSEPH DENNIS.
Not only has Joseph Dennis figured prominently in business circles of Golden, :ut he has also been a contributing factor to the splendid results achieved along public and political lines. Actuated in all that he does by a marked devotion to the general good, his work has been of great worth and his fellow townsmen speak of him in terms of admiration and high regard.
Mr. Dennis is of English birth. He was born at Truro, in Cornwall, England, February 9, 1862, his parents being Joseph and Eliza J. (Staple) Dennis, who were also natives of Cornwall, where lived his paternal grandfather, Josiah Dennis, who was identified with mining interests there. The maternal grandfather, John Staple, was a farmer by occupation. After farming in his native country for some time Joseph Dennis, Sr., bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world in 1866, hoping that he would here find conditions favorable to the establishment of a home. He was not disappointed and the following year he sent for his wife and children, who joined him near Tamaqua, in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in mining for a year. He then removed to Johnstown. Pennsylvania, where he continued in the same business, and in 1878 he made his way to Golden, where his family remained while he went to Nevada, where for a period he followed mining. . He then returned to Golden and took up contract work in coal mining, in which he was engaged for a long period. His wife was descended from an English soldier who fought in the Napoleonic wars and participated in the famous battle of Waterloo. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis was that of the Methodist church. They had a family of three children, two of whom are living, Joseph and Mrs. Laura Owens, both of Golden. They lost one daughter, Minnie, who was twenty-one years of age when called to the home beyond.
Joseph Dennis was a little lad of hut five summers when brought to the United States and during the period of his residence in Pennsylvania, from 1867 until 1878, was a pupil in the public schools there. Not long after the establishment of the family
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home at Golden he, like his father, began work in the coal mines, but after devoting eight months to such labor he turned his attention to teaming. He entered commer- cial circles in 1881 as clerk in a grocery store and that he was most capable and faithful is indicated in the fact that he remained in that establishment for ten years. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, however, he established a livery barn in June, 1891, and for some tinie continued actively in the livery business but sold out in 1912. In the meantime he had been elected sheriff of Jefferson county in 1910 and occupied that position until 1917. He had previously served as under sheriff for twenty years and his long experience had made him well qualified for the duties of the higher position to which he was called. His work was extremely satisfactory when he was in the office. One of the important tasks which he was called upon to undertake and which he successfully accomplished was the settlement of the Leyden coal miners' strike in 1913 and he also assisted in the settlement of the strike in Routt county. Following his retirement from office, he served from the 20th of January, 1917, until July of the same year as manager of the Williams Transfer Company but is now manager of his son's confectionery store.
On the 16th of November, 1885, in Golden, Mr. Dennis was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Hewitson, a native of Canada, and they became the parents of five chil- dren: Joseph E., who is now serving as first sergeant in the One Hundred and Fif- teenth Engineers, on active duty in France; Ethel A., the wife of L. F. Hulen and the mother of a little daughter, Elizabeth Jane; Minnie Jeannette, at home; Orville L., who is a first lieutenant of the Three Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infantry in France; and M. Emily. The wife and mother passed away September 1, 1913.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Dennis is an active and helpful member, serving on its board of trustees. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and aside from serving as sheriff and deputy he filled the office of alderman of Golden in 1890, 1891, 1893 and 1895, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many well defined plans and measures for the public good, and is at present secretary of the republican central committee of Jef- ferson county. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Golden City Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; Golden Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M., of which he is. a past high priest; Colorado Commandery, No. 1, K. T., of Denver; and El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine, at Denver. He has likewise been connected with the Knights of Pythias, of which he is a past chancellor, and was second lieutenant in the Uniformed Rank of the order. He was also foreman of the Excelsior Fire and Hose Company and he has always stood for progress, reform and improvement.
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