USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume III > Part 67
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To Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbaugh have been born the following named. Bessie May, born in 1892, is the wife of L. V. Hudson, a cattleman of Cheyenne Wells, and they have three children. William, born in 1895, married Lillian Mary Bogert, by whom he has two children, and is engaged in farming. Lewis John, born in 1897, assists his brother on the farm and also gives assistance to his father in the real estate busi- ness. Cora Ellen, born in 1902, and Jennie Belle, born in 1905, are the younger members of the family.
Mr. Hollenbaugh is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Woodmen of the World. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. His activity in the field of real estate is constituting him an element in the progress and np- building of Cheyenne Wells and this section of the country and his worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged.
R. E. THORNTON.
R E. Thornton, living at Walsenburg, was born in Fort Collins, Colorado, Novem- ber 12, 1879. His father, Dr. William C. Thornton, was a native of Chillicothe, Mis- souri, horn February 8, 1841, and was a son of John Thornton, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, who removed to Missouri in 1832 and in that state took up the occupation of farming, which he followed throughout his entire life. There he reared his family of fourteen children, of whom Dr. Thornton was the youngest. John Thornton passed away in Missouri and left behind him many friends, for he was an honored and respected citizen of his community. His political allegiance was given to the demo- cratic party and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church.
Dr. Thornton was reared in Chillicothe, Missouri, and acquired a country school education. after which he attended the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which in due course of time he was graduated. He then entered upon the prac- tice of his chosen profession in Chillicothe, there remaining until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted. After the war he removed to Colorado, settling in Lari- mer county in 1865 and becoming one of the pioneer physicians of that section of the state. He afterward removed to Leadville, where he was located during the big boom. Later he went to Alma, Colorado, but after a brief period took up his abode in Walsen- burg in 1884. For a time he engaged in farming and stock raising, but about 1886 left Walsenburg and removed to El Moro in Las Animas county. There he again entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he continued actively to the time of his death on the 22d of February, 1911. He was an able physician, keeping in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress, and thus his labors were of great benefit to his patients.
It was at Alma, Colorado, in 1878, that Dr. Thornton married Miss Julia H. Haynes and to them were born the following named: Ralph Emerson, of this review: Earl R., who passed away in 1903, at the age of twenty-two yaars; and Helen Pearl, the wife of Claude Rinker, a resident of Weston, Colorado.
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R. E. Thornton, reared under the parental roof, is largely familiar with the history of Colorado by reason of his residence in several districts and his interest in the state. Having arrived at adult age, he married Gussie M. Clark, of Weston, on the 11th of June, 1902, and to them have been born four children: Cecil C., Claude Wesley, Fred- erick Lyle and Evelyn.
Mr. Thornton gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, which he has always supported, and he is now filling the office of coroner of Huerfano county. He belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church, of which he is a loyal adherent, doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence.
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WILLIAM ALLEN WILLIAMSON, M. D.
Dr. William Allen Williamson, whose thorough professional training well qualifies him for most important duties, is now acting as physician for the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company at Rockvale. He is a native son of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Cincinnati on the 5th of July, 1862, his parents being William and Margaret (Radcliffe) Williamson. The father was a pioneer packer of Cincinnati, becoming identified with that industry during the period of its early development. He was prominent in city affairs as well as in business and he commanded the respect, confidence and goodwill of all who knew him. He came of Irish parentage. Both he and his wife are now deceased. In the family were two sons and three daughters.
Dr. Williamson, who was the fourth in order of birth, was educated in the schools of Cincinnati until he reached the age of twelve years and then went to Belfast, Ire- land, where he continued his studies for two years. He later spent a year in study in Heidelberg, Germany, after which he returned to his native country, making his way to Cincinnati. At a later period he went to Canada, where he arrived in 1880. He entered the Toronto University and was graduated therefrom on the completion of a course in medicine in 1886, winning the M. D. degree. He first practiced in Topeka, Kansas, where he remained for six years and then came to Colorado, settling in Stark- ville. For seven years he served as county physician and in 1898 he removed to Rock- vale to become physician for the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. He has since served in that connection and has utilized his professional ability to good account.
On the 15th of November, 1899, Dr. Williamson was married to Miss Jean Meikle- john, of Trinidad, Colorado, and to them has been born a son, William Allen, Jr. In his political views Dr. Williamson is a republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party as factors in good government. He has become a member of the blue lodge of Masons and in periods of recreation he turns to hunting and fishing. He is much interested in the state and its development and he takes an active and helpful part in Red Cross and Liberty Loan work, is a member of the local draft board and in fact does everything in his power to further and advance patriotic movements.
FAUSTIN T. MASCARENAS.
Faustin T. Mascarenas, who is engaged in general merchandising at Aguilar, where he is also serving as notary public, was born at Mora, New Mexico, on the 15th of February, 1885, a son of Francisco and Isabelle (Teyes) Mascarenas. The family came to Colorado in 1886 and the father was identified with coal mining but has now passed away.
Faustin T. Mascarenas was the second in a family of six children. He began his education in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, and later he was with his father in the mines. At the age of twenty-two years, how- ever, he engaged in business on his own account in Aguilar, opening a general store, and through the intervening period he has built up a trade of gratifying proportions. He carries a good stock and puts forth every effort to please his patrons, so that he has won liberal support. He is likewise filling public office and is a substantial citizen of the community. In addition to acting as notary public Mr. Mascarenas is one of the trustees of the town, is treasurer of the school board and is filling the position of mayor pro tem.
Mr. Mascarenas was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Phifer, of Aguilar, and they have become the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters. The
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religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and fraternally Mr. Mas- carenas is connected with the Foresters of America. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has been a delegate to county and state conventions. At one time he was a candidate for the state legislature and in 1915 he occupied the position of assistant sergeant at arms in the general assembly. He enjoys hunting and fishing and is fond of various phases of outdoor life, to which he turns for recreation. While born in New Mexico, practically his entirely life has been passed in Colorado, for he was but an infant when brought to this state by his parents. He has ever been inter- ested in its growth and development and in the community in which he lives has con- tributed in substantial measure to public progress and improvement.
JOHN P. HAMMILL, M. D.
Dr. John P. Hammill assistant Medical inspector of the city and county of Denver, where he was born on the 22d of June, 1878, is a son of William Joseph and Mary (Nihan) Hammill. The father was born in New Glasgow, Canada, and the mother is a native of Ireland but came to America on the 2d of June, 1871. arriving in Denver in 1873. The following year William Joseph Hammill took up his abode in Denver. They were the first couple whose wedding was celebrated in the state, for the marriage took place on the day that Colorado was admitted to the Union. They continued to reside in Colorado and Mr. Hammill engaged in the contracting business in cement work, continuing active in that field to the time of his death, which occurred in 1883. His widow still resides in Denver at the age of sixty-four years. They had two children, Mrs. Elizabeth Spillanne, a resident of Denver, being the younger.
Dr. Hammill, in the acquirement of his education, passed through the public schools and then entered the University of Denver, from which he was graduated with the Ph. G. degree in 1897. He then gave his attention to pharmaceutical pursuits on his own account and later he entered the Gross Medical College, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1903. He immediately entered upon practice and soon built up an extensive business. He was also appointed police surgeon, in which position he efficiently served for a year, and later he was appointed medical inspector of the city of Denver, acting in that capacity for four years. He now is assistant city physician and medical inspector of the city and county of Denver, and at the same time enjoys a large private practice.
Dr. Hammill belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is likewise a member of the County & City Medical Society of Denver, the Colorado State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and thus keeps in touch with the trend of modern scientific thought and investigation, learning much of progressive methods of the profession through his connection with those organizations. He has done splendid professional work in office and almost from the time of his graduation has been continued in public positions.
WALTER B. FRASER.
Walter B. Fraser, who has made a notable record for efficiency and falthfulness as game and fish commissioner of Colorado, was born in Rome, New York, on the 18tl day of May, 1877, a son of Walter F. and Ruby ( Brooks) Fraser, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. Removing westward. they settled in eastern Nebraska, at an early period in the development of that region, and there the father engaged in the mercautile business for many years, but is now living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits, at Lincoln, Nebraska.
In his boyhood days Walter B. Fraser attended the public schools of Wisner, Nebraska, from which he is a graduate, and later became a student at the University of Iowa. Mr. Fraser's education includes a thorough knowledge of drugs, and in 1902 he left Nebraska. coming to Colorado, where he entered the employ of the Scholtz Drug Company. of Denver: severing this connection two years later. however, to engage in the real estate and brokerage business for himself.
In 1913. acting under provisions of the statutes, Governor Ammons (democratic), governor of Colorado, appointed a civil service commission, empowered to hold examina- tions for several of the important positions theretofore considered political in this state. Mr. Fraser. among several others, took the examination for state game and fish con-
WALTER B. FRASER
Vol. III-31
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missioner of Colorado, successfully passed the same with the highest rating. and dur- ing the month of April, 1913, was appointed to the position by Governor Ammons. Mr. Fraser has never been active politically with either party. and as a consequence has held through three administrations. He has the support and endorsement of practically all of those individuals, clubs and associations interested in game and fish propagation and preservation.
The affairs of the game and fish department are handled by Mr. Fraser withont fear or favor, and absolutely without regard to politics. It may be said that Mr. Fraser is the only man to succeed himself in being appointed to the position of game and fish commissioner of Colorado, he having served the state with credit to himself under both political parties.
Mr. Fraser is married, his wife having been Miss Alma E. Halberg, of Pender, Nebraska, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Halberg. To them has been born one son, Earl Preston Fraser, who is now a pupil in the Mannal Training high school of Denver.
Fraternally, Mr. Fraser is connected with the various Masonic bodies, is a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason, while with the Nobles of El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine, he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is likewise connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Of fine personal appearance, he is a big. broad-minded man, looking to the best interests of the state in the discharge of his public duties. He has ever regarded a public office as a public trust, and it is a well known fact that no trust reposed in Walter B. Fraser has been betrayed in the slightest degree.
WILLIAM WILKINSON.
William Wilkinson, a real estate dealer of Burlington, Colorado, was born in Spring- field, Illinois, January 4, 1867, a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Steele) Wilkinson, the former a native of Stark county, Ohio, while the latter was born in Illinois. The father became a commercial trader and was well known throughout Sangamon county, Illinois.
William Wilkinson, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, attended the common schools to the age of fifteen years and then took up the work of mining in the vicinity of Springfield. He was later employed in various ways for twenty years and about 1905 came to Colorado for the benefit of his health, at which time he took up his abode in Burlington. He had previously lived in Colorado from 1886 until 1894, in Gunnison county, where he was engaged in mining. At Burlington he entered the real estate business and found in it a profitable field for his labors. As the years have passed he has conducted many important sales and property transfers and has also become the owner of excellent property in the town. He is thoroughly conversant with real estate values here and his activities have been an element in promoting the growth and prosperity of his adopted city.
In 1893 Mr. Wilkinson was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Howett, a daughter of James and Rebecca Howett, who were farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and his political allegiance is un- falteringly given to the republican party. Since 1895 he has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and on the 4th of October, 1917, he attained the thirty-second degree in Scottish Rite Masonry. He is most loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft, which he exemplifies in all of his relations with his fellowmen.
JOHN MILHEIM.
Marked business ability and enterprise, a keen sagacity that enabled him to recognize something of what the future had in store for this great and growing western country, led John Milheim to concentrate his efforts and attention in his later years largely on real estate investments and through this avenne he became one of the wealthy men of Colorado. He was born June 3, 1835, near Bern, Switzerland, and passed away in Denver on the 20th of March, 1910. When he was but ten years of age his mother died and when a youth of fourteen he, with thirteen others, came across the ocean in a sailing vessel which dropped anchor in the harbor of New York in May, 1849. His financial possessions were very scanty when he first walked the streets of Manhattan, but soon he found work in a steel factory, which supplied him with enough money for his living. After a time he went to Niagara Falls, where he learned
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the baker's trade, and at the end of two years he removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he was employed by the Ohio Tool Company, and there learned the art of polishing steel, a trade for which he found little use, however, in after years. In the next few years, his stay at Columbus having been of short duration, he traveled over the country quite extensively, following the baker's trade at various points. Finally he reached Council Bluffs, Iowa, which was his last stop prior to his start for the Rocky Mountain conntry. In Council Bluffs he worked in a bakery and while in that city he met the girl who was to share his future years of prosperity in the glorious west.
Mr. Milheim remained in Council Bluffs until the late spring of 1859, when he joined an ontfit bound for Pike's Peak. There were one hundred ox-drawn wagons in the train and the trip across the plains consumed six weeks. The size of the train proved its protection against the Indians and the party arrived in Denver on the 26th of June, 1859. The settlement at this point was then known as Auraria and the future metropolis of the plains was but a village of frame and log houses at that time. Immediately after arriving on Cherry creek Mr. Milheim, in connection with his brother-in-law, John J. Riethmann, established a bakery on Larimer street which was the first bakery in the state of Colorado. Not long afterward he started another bakery on Blake street and in that business continued until 1866. He then sold out and began to invest his money in real estate and mining properties. He possessed excellent busi- ness ability, keen sagacity and foresight and unfaltering enterprise and as the years passed he amassed a large fortune, being at the time of his death one of the wealthy men of the state.
On the 16th of April, 1859, Mr. Milheim was married in Council Bluffs to Miss Mary Louise Riethmann, whose brothers, John J., Emile and Fred Riethmann, now reside in Denver, the family being mentioned in connection with the sketch of Emile Rieth- mann, on another page of this work. Three daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Milheim now reside in Denver. They are Mrs. Clara A. Wheeler, Mrs. Mary Gartner and Mrs. G. A. Newkirk. Mrs. Milheim, the mother, survives and occupies an attractive and com- fortable home at No. 1355 Pennsylvania street in Denver.
Mr. Milheim was of a retiring disposition and never sought to figure prominently in public life through either political or social connections. He was devoted to his family and believed in permitting his children to enjoy his successes during his life rather than after he had passed on, so that he gave liberally to the members of his own household that he might thus enhance their comfort and happiness. He was also a liberal supporter of worthy enterprises, contributing generously to many movements. for the public good.
THEODORE M. STUART, JR.
Theodore M. Stuart, Jr., assistant general attorney for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company, was born in Chariton, Lucas county, Iowa, June 24, 1883, a son of Hon. Theodore M. and Sarah (Walker) Stuart. The father was a native of Gallipolis, Ohio, and the mother was also born in that state. They came to Iowa as children in the early pioneer days and were reared in southeastern Iowa. The father located in Chariton, Iowa, at an early day in its development and there through his undaunted determination became established in a large law practice. He held many positions of public honor and trust and was several times the democratic candidate for the United States congress. He is now eighty-two years of age and until recently remained very active in professional circles in lowa. His name is closely linked with the law of Iowa during its formative period and he participated in many of the constructive decisions of the critical pioneer days. He is a lawyer of the highest type of the old school and is recognized as one of the ablest counsellors that the Iowa bar ever pro- duced. He has an unblemished record of a half century's active practice. His wife also survives and is now seventy-three years of age. They reared a family of six children: Katie, deceased; C. W. Stuart, a prominent attorney of Chariton; Colonel G. W. Stuart of the United States Army, now in France with the American Expedition- ary Forces; Mrs. Louise Israel, deceased; E. G. Stuart, of Des Moines, Iowa. who is assistant supervising engineer of construction at Camp Dodge; and Theodore M., Jr., of this review.
During his youthful days Theodore M. Stuart, Jr .. pursued his education in the schools of his native city and later came to Denver, where he matriculated in the University of Denver. pursuing a scientific course, which won his Bachelor degree in 1904. He then entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and there continued
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his law studies until 1906, when he graduated with the degree of LL. B. During his collegiate work he was prominent in athletics. In 1906 he returned to his old home in Chariton, lowa, where he engaged in law practice with his father for four years, but on the expiration of that period he again came to Denver, where he entered upon the general practice of law in connection with Judge N. Walter Dixon. This association was continned for a year, at the end of which time Mr. Stuart was appointed assistant attorney general of Colorado by Attorney General Benjamin Griffith and occupied the office through the years 1911 and 1912. He was made assistant general solicitor of the Colorado & Southern Railway and assistant attorney for Colorado of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company in 1912, which position he filled until February, 1917, when he was appointed assistant general attorney for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company and is now acting in that capacity. He is an able lawyer, particularly strong in the department of railroad law, to which he has given especial attention, and large responsibilities and important duties devolve npon him in his present position. He is a well known member of the Bar Association of the City and County of Denver and he enjoys the respect and confidence of colleagues and con- temporaries in the profession. Aside from the law, he has important business interests, being a director of the West Side State Bank of Denver and vice president of The Progressive Mining & Leasing Company of Cripple Creek, Colorado.
Mr. Stuart was married on the 14th of December, 1911, to Miss Bettina B. Bradley. of Centerville, Iowa, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Bradley. Their home is at 1100 South Franklin street, Denver. He belongs to Beta Theta Pi and the Denver Athletic Club and is well known in this city, in which he has spent most of his time since his student days.
WILLIAM A. OTIS
Prominent among the leading business men of Colorado Springs stands William A. Otis, widely known as a successful broker. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1864, a son of Charles A. and Eliza (Shepherd) Otis. The father was horn in Bloomfield, Ohio, in 1826 and was a lad of nine years when he removed with his parents to Cleve- land. where he remained for many years becoming a foremost figure in its business circles and was one of the pioneer iron men of northern Ohio. He founded The Otis Steel Company in 1870 in Cleveland, Ohio, and actively and successfully continued that business until 1889, when he retired and removed to New York city where he resided, his death, however, occurring in Cleveland, in 1908. He had for a quarter of a cen- tury survived his wife, who died in Cleveland in 1883.
After acquiring his early education in the schools of Cleveland, William A. Otis entered Yale University and would have graduated with the class of 1886, but his health became seriously impaired when he was in his sophomore year. On the advice of his physician he went to the Adirondacks in the state of New York, where he re- mained for more than a year. On the expiration of that period he made his way to San Antonio, Texas, and finally came to Colorado, arriving here in the fall of 1885. For more than a year he was interested in and lived npon a cattle ranch in the sonth- western part of the state. He has since been a resident of Colorado Springs and an active factor for many years in business development and particularly in the financial circles of that city. In 1892 he engaged in the brokerage business, in which he has since continued, being a partner in the firm of Otis & Company and a man well in- formed on matters pertaining to investment securities. Otis & Company have their main office in Cleveland, Ohio. William A. Otis conducting the firm's branch offices in Denver, Colorado Springs and Casper, Wyoming. Mr. Otis has for many years been a director of the First National Bank of Colorado Springs and more recently of the Colorado Title & Trust Company. He is the president of the Utah Ice & Storage Company, a vice president and treasurer of the Producers & Refiners Corporation, a Wyoming corporation, with offices in Denver and in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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