USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume III > Part 68
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Mr. Otis has been married twice-in New York city, in 1887; and again in Chicago, in 1909. The children of his first marriage were three sons: William F., who is now (1918) first lieutenant in the ordnance department; Charles A .; and Philip S. The eldest son was married in August, 1917, in Troy, New York, to Marjorie Wheeler.
Mr. Otis gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never shown desire for public office. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he is a well known club man. He is a member of the El Paso Club.
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the Winter Night Club, and the Cheyenne Mountain Country Club, of Colorado Springs; the University and Rocky Mountain Clubs, of New York; the University Club, of Chicago; and the Denver Club and the University Club, of Denver.
FREDERICK L. BALLARD.
Frederick L. Ballard, an alert and energetic business man, being identified with investment interests of Colorado Springs as a partner in the firm of Tucker, Ballard & Company, was born in Port Chester, New York, in 1867, a son of James E. Ballard, who was born in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1831 and was there married in 1855 to Carrie Morrell. They afterward removed to Port Chester, New York, where they resided for a number of years, but eventually returned to Connecticut and Mr. Ballard was identi- fied with manufacturing interests in that state. At the time of his death he was serving as postmaster of Darien, Connecticut.
Frederick L. Ballard pursued his education in the schools of the town of Stamford and was graduated from the high school. He afterward began reading law in the office and under the direction of Judge N. C. Downs, and in 1888 he removed to the west, making Denver his destination. There he engaged in the real estate business for five years, or until 1893, when he removed to Cripple Creek, Colorado, where for three years he devoted his attention to the investment business and the promotion and development of some of the largest mines in that district. On the expiration of that period he came to Colorado Springs and at once entered into partnership with John S. Tucker under the firm style of Tucker. Ballard & Company. They have since con- ducted an investment business and are ranked among the progressive men in that line in the city. Mr. Ballard has become thoroughly familiar with the value of con- mercial paper and all other investments and is thus able to wisely direct the interests of his clients.
Mr. Ballard has been married twice. On the 25th of April, 1889, in Denver, he wedded Miss Ivanor B. Ferris, of Sound Beach, Connecticut, who passed away in 1897, leaving two children: Marguerite, now the wife of Nelson Brett, of Danbury, Connecti- cut; and Katherine Seeley, the wife of Frank D. Clay, of Ruedi, Colorado. In 1899 Mr. Ballard was again married, at which time he wedded Jean Ball McClure, of Denver. They occupy an enviable position in the social circles of Colorado, having won many friends during the period of their residence here.
Mr. Ballard gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never been an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He also belongs to the Winter Night ('lub and to the El Paso Club. He is of a genial, jovial disposition and his genuine good nature is contagious. He is always ready for a laugh and his nature is such an cne as sheds around it much of life's sunshine.
WILSON C. BIRKENMAYER, M. D.
Dr. Wilson (. Birkenmayer, a well known physician and surgeon of Denver. was born in Jacksonville. Illinois, on the 3d of October, 1880, and is a son of the late Frederick Birkenmayer, who came to America about 1850, at which time he took up his abode in Jacksonville. He there gave his attention to the live stock business and to farming and was very successful, becoming one of the substantial citizens and leading business men of his county. He married Gretta Shelton, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, and they became the parents of three children, of whom Wilson C. is the youngest Both parents have passed away, the father having died in 1888, while the mother survived for about two years. her death occurring in 1890.
Dr. Birkenmayer was educated in Illinois and after attending the public and high schools of Jacksonville he became a student in Whipple Academy and later in the Illinois College of Jacksonville, from which in due course of time he was graduated. In 1899, on account of ill health, he came to Colorado, settling in Denver. Here he entered the University of Denver, having determined to make the practice of medicine his life work. He pursued the full course and was graduated in 1902 with the M. D. degree. After his graduation he served for one year as an interne in St. Joseph's Hospital and has since continued in active practice, now making a specialty of diseases of the nose and throat. His hospital experience was of great value to him,
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as in no other way can one so quickly obtain knowledge of all demands for medical and surgical service. As the years have passed his practice has steadily increased and he stands exceptionally high in professional circles. He is constantly reading and studying along advanced lines and his investigation and research have promoted his efficiency until colleagues and contemporaries, as well as the general public, acknowledge him to be a leader of the profession in Denver.
Dr. Birkenmayer is a democrat in his political views and he is a well known Mason, having been initiated into the order in Denver, since which time he has steadily pro- gressed through its varied branches until he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite. He belongs to the Plymouth Congregational church, in which he is an earnest worker. He is a great reader of history and fiction and until 1915 he was active in the University of Denver as a member of the medical staff, but the growth of his private practice has prevented his work in educational circles since that time. Dr. Birkenmayer belongs to the Denver City & County Medical Society, to the Colorado State Medical Society and to the Ameri- can Medical Association and through the proceedings of these bodies he keeps in touch with the most advanced scientific thought. He is prompt and aggressive in action, is speculative in thought, quiet and unassuming in manner, making strong and lasting friendships. He has gained for himself a creditable name and place in his adopted city and, recognizing that life is purposeful, he has made his career of worth to his fellowmen not only along professional but in other lines as well.
MRS. LENA M. BANGS.
Mrs. Lena M. Bangs, filling the position of librarian of the law library of Denver, was horn in Jersey county, Illinois, a daughter of Frederick and Rowena (Curtis) Giers. The father was born in Lorraine, France, in 1833 but the same year was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled in St. Louis on land that is now in the center of the business section of that city. He married Rowena Curtis, a daughter of Hiram Curtis, who was a representative of the well known family of that name in New Hampshire. The first representative of the name came to the United States from Scotland about 1785. The mother of Mrs. Giers was born in Mississippi and wben quite young removed to Ohio, where she married, and there most of her children were born. The Curtis family afterward removed to Illinois about 1845 and settled on land in Jersey county that is still held by members of the family.
Lena M. Giers became a resident of Colorado in early girlhood, arriving in Denver in August, 1879, and was graduated from the East Denver high school with the class of 1890. She then took up the work of bookkeeping and also filled positions as cashier but about 1903 became manager of the Lawyers' Exchange, in which capacity she is still serving, also filling the position of librarian for the Denver Bar Association, having been called to the latter office in 1908. That her service is most acceptable in both connections is shown by the long period in which she has occupied the two positions.
On the 28th of December, 1892, in Denver, Colorado, Lena M. Giers became the wife of William T. Bangs. The ancestors of the Bangs family came from England on the sister ship of the Mayflower, The Ann, which dropped anchor at Plymouth colony. James Cannon Bangs, the father of William T. Bangs, was born in Virginia. His mother was a Miss Gormley before her marriage. The brother of James Canton Bangs was Frank Cannon Bangs, a prominent actor and the last survivor of the original Booth and Barrett Company. He died at Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1912 at the age of seventy-seven years, at which time he had just finished a two years' theatrical engage- ment in New York city. James E. Bangs, the eldest son of James Cannon Bangs, was in newspaper work in Denver for some years. David C., the second son, is deputy United States customs inspector at Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. William T. Bangs were born the following named: James Cannon Bangs, the eldest, is now sergeant in the Medical Detachment of the Three Hundred and Thirteenth Ammunition Train, Eighty- eighth Division, in France. Edward Barnwell, who in 1916 married Delia Benson, of Detroit, Michigan, makes his home in that city. He joined the army but was dis- charged because of physical disability, having been injured at Corpus Christi, Texas, while with the Fifth Regiment of Engineers, in July, 1917, his injuries forcing him to remain in the hospital for seven months. Miriam B. Bangs is a graduate of the South Denver high school of the class of 1917 and at present is a student in the Colo- rado Agricultural College.
Mrs. Lena M. Bangs is a member of the South Broadway Christian church. She
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also has membership with the Women of Woodcraft and is doing important war work in connection with the Red Cross, the food commission and with the Denver Council of Defense, assisting largely in making the drive to aid in furthering war interests.
EDWARD GEORGE REINERT.
Edward George Reinert is a member of the Killen-Reinert Company, mining and oil operators of Denver, and there are few men in the state whose knowledge equals his concerning the resources of Colorado in this connection and the work of development that has already been carried forward, together with possibilities for further development. Mr. Reinert is a native of Iowa. He was born in Keota on the 13th of June, 1872, a son of John Reinert. a native of Germany, who came to America when a youth of eighteen years, arriving in the new world during the Civil war period. He immediately took up his abode in Richland, Keokuk county, Iowa, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed successfully throughout his remaining days. About 1896 he removed to Colorado, settling at Longmont, where he continued to make his home until his death. He was quite active in educational and religious matters and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he took an active and helpful part for many years, doing much to further moral progress. He married Katherine Elizabeth Leimbach, who was born in Maryland and is of German lineage. She resides at Longmont.
Edward G. Reinert was the third in order of birth in their family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters. He pursued his education in the public and high schools of his native state at Keota, after which he furthered his education by attending night school in Denver. At the age of fifteen he started out to provide for his support and entered upon an apprenticeship in the printing office of the Wellman Advance at Wellman, Iowa. After completing his term of indenture be actively followed his trade for four years, coming in 1889 to Colorado and taking up his abode in Denver, where he obtained a position on the Daily Mining Exchange Journal, a publication devoted to the mining industry and markets. He was thus connected with that paper for a year and then became the business manager, conducting the paper for several years. After the death of his brother, William F. Reinert, who was the editor of the paper. Edward G. Reinert continued its publication until August, 1915, when he sold the business and established the Mining American Magazine, a weekly journal devoted to similar interests and con- cerned largely with the scientific side of the business. He published the magazine until May, 1917, when he sold and entered into partnership with David L. Killen for the con- duct of mining and oil development projects under the name of the Killen-Reinert Com- pany. Their operations extend largely over Colorado, Wyoming, Canada and Texas and their interests are today of a most important character.
From 1897 until 1901 there was issued at Colorado Springs a publication known as the Daily Mining and Financial Record. Mr. Reinert purchased the interests of Mr. Stratton in the Evening Telegraph and combined that publication with the one previously mentioned, the new publication then being issued by a corporation known as the Tele- graph-Record Printing & Publishing Company, in which Mr. Reinert filled the office of vice president and secretary. He removed the plant of this mining publication to Denver and continued in active association therewith until the formation of the Killen-Reinert Com- pany. During the period of his connection with publishing interests he was active and instrumental in bringing about changed and improved conditions in connection with the lax laws then existing in relation to the mines and was instrumental in driving many of the unscrupulous and fake mining operators out of business. The mining interests of Colorado are deeply indebted to him for bringing about many valuable changes which have been of great benefit to the state. In prosecuting those who have made the name of mine operator and promoter a byword in the country he involved himself in much litiga- tion, resulting in seventeen libel suits in the course of twenty years, in all of which he proved his point and in many instances produced convictions of fraudulent parties, some of whom are still serving out sentences in the penal institutions of the national govern- ment. As the result of his efforts to bring about honorable and clean conditions he secured twelve convictions. In 1894 and 1895 he conducted an information department in connection with his paper, giving minute information of every company engaged in mining operations in Colorado, compelling corporations to give to the public information showing their true status, and in this way he saved many thousands of dollars to investors which would otherwise have been lost. At the same time he placed the mining interests of the state on their present high basis. The Record was the first independent mining
EDWARD G. REINERT
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publication in America to inaugurate a publicity department through which the public might investigate any mining or oil company operating in the western hemisphere. Its information was a pioneer movement in this special line of newspaper effort, which was later generally employed by other weekly and monthly mining journals in America. Its field was not bounded on the north, east, south or west, or by any state or conntry. In representing the great basic industry of all commercial activities its scope was world- wide and of international consequence. It was the only daily mining newspaper pub- lished in the world and it received medals and certificates from every world's exposition held in the United States and Europe, from the Paris exposition which granted the Grand Prix down to the World's Columbian Exposition of Chicago.
Mr. Reinert was married in Denver, September 21. 1898, to Miss Helen B. Moser, a native of Colorado and a daughter of George H. and Margaret (Quane) Moser. She was the first girl baby born at Aspen, Colorado, the noted silver camp, her parents having been pioneers of that place. Mr. Moser was formerly treasurer of Pitkin county, Colo- rado. and was a well known mining man. To Mr. and Mrs. Reinert have been born two sons: George Arthur, born in Denver, December 17, 1903; and Werden Neal, born in Denver, November 5, 1905.
In politics Mr. Reinert is a republican where national questions and issues are in- volved but casts an independent local ballot. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having joined the order at Colorado Springs, and he is also a member of Denver Lodge, No. 41, K. P. For years he has been prominently known in connection with various clubs and is a life member of the American Mining Congress since October. 1906. He received the credit for having importantly aided in establishing the permanent home and headquarters of the congress in Denver. His broad experience in connection with mining and mining publications enables him to speak with authority upon the subject as it relates not only to Colorado but to the west at large. and he is now conducting a business of substantial extent and worth as a member of the Killen Reinert Company, mining and oil operators. Mr. Reinert is also treasurer of the Wano Mining and Milling Company of Boulder county, producers and shippers of commercial fluor spar. Ever holding to high ideals, his labors have indeed been of great worth to the state in bringing about present-day conditions, his efforts proving most resultant and beneficial.
HARRY N. KROHN. M. D.
Dr. Harry N. Krohn, a physician and surgeon of Denver, who is enjoying a large private practice and is on the staff of a number of the hospitals of the city, was horn in Kansas City, Missouri, September 26, 1880, a son of Samuel and Esther Krohn, both of whom are natives of Russia. The father came to America in early life, settling in Kansas City in 1878. He became one of the noted rabbis of the Church of Israel and removed to Denver at an early period in its development, becoming a power and influence for good among his people in this city, being held in very high esteem and reverence by the Jewish population of Denver. His work has indeed been of great worth to the world. He is now living retired from the active duties of the ministry and he and his wife still make their home in Denver. They had seven children, of whom six survive: Morris J., a practicing physician and surgeon of Denver; David H., also living in Denver: Mrs. J. B. Cohn, whose home is in Joplin, Missouri; Florence and Lee, both of Denver; and Harry N., of this review.
The last named was the third in order of birth. He pursued his early education in the schools of Kansas City, Missouri, and after his graduation from the high school entered the Kansas City Medical College, in which he completed a course in 1904. He then came to Denver and opened an office, since which time he has become well estab- lished in his chosen profession, being regarded today as one of the able physicians and surgeons of the city and receiving liberal support in professional practice. He. is connected with the tuberculosis department of the Connty Hospital and is a member of the staff of Mercy Hospital. St. Anthony's Hospital and the National Jewish Hospital. He belongs to the Medical Society of the City & County of Denver, the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Doing everything to promote his efficiency in the field of his chosen profession, he has taken post graduate work in New York city and at Rochester, Minnesota, and by constant reading and study is advancing his knowledge and skill.
On the 27th of July, 1908, Dr. Krohn was married to Miss Hattie Davidson, a native of Denver and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Davidson, pioneer people of the city.
Fraternally Dr. Krohn is a Scottish Rite Mason and is also a member of El Jebel
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Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political allegience is given to the republican party, but recogni- tion of his professional ability came to him from the late Mayor Robert W. Speer, a democrat, who in 1915 appointed Dr. Krohn to the position of city physician, in which capacity he served for two years.
Dr. Krohn was selected by the surgeon general of the United States army as one of the specialists to aid in detecting tuberculous subjects and he performed special work in this line in the various southern camps during the latter half of 1917.
ORVILLE LEMUEL SMITH.
Orville Lemuel Smith was for many years a prominent and honored business man of Denver, one of the organizers of the Smith-Brooks Printing Company. Throughout his entire career his business life was the exponent of constructive measures and his path was never strewn with the wreck of other men's failures. Opportunity was ever to him the call to action and his efforts were most wisely directed, so that he built up a business of extensive and gratifying proportions.
The story of his life is the story of earnest endeavor intelligently guided. He was born in Sandy Hill, now Hudson Falls, New York, July IS, 1850, and passed away in Denver on the 8th of May, 1916. His parents were Abram and Emma Ann (Harris) Smith, the former a shoemaker by trade. The family numbered four sons, the brothers of Orville L. being Charles, Roswell and Fred. The parents for many years resided at Sandy Hill and there passed away.
Orville L. Smith acquired his early education in the schools of his home town, pur- suing his studies to the age of fifteen, when he began learning the printer's trade on the Sandy Hill Herald, of which Major John Dwyer was editor. In 1867 he left his home and went to Philadelphia, where he found employment with an oil company and later he removed to Albany, New York, where he resumed work at the printer's trade, becoming a member of the force on the Times. With his removal to New York city he established a small printing business in connection with his brother Charles and there resided until 1878, but attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he sold his interest in the business in the metropolis and went to Kansas, locating on a raw farm which he purchased in Wilson, Ellsworth county. He then turned his attention to ranching. A contemporary biographer has said of him: "His idea of the great west was best portrayed by the fact that he entered his western home astride a Missouri mule, clad in a frock coat and silk hat. Two years of ranch life convinced him that such was not his vocation and leaving his family upon the farm he came to Denver." A year later Mr. Smith disposed of his ranch and was joined by his wife and three children in the city.
It was in August, 1880, that Mr. Smith took up his ahode in Denver and for a few years was employed along various lines. He acted as state solicitor for the old Denver Republican and also for the News and Times, but in 1886 entered business on his own account, forming a partnership with A. P. Ferl at 1516 Arapahoe street. They were afterward joined by Hal Gaylord and George W. Brooks, who succeeded Mr. Ferl in the partnership. In the year 1890 the Smith-Brooks Printing Company was organ- ized and thus was started the largest and most modern printing establishment in Colorado and one of the best in the middle west. The company now draws its pat- ronage from a very wide territory. The plant has long since been recognized as the first sanitary and modern printing establishment in the state. Its equipment enables them to turn out high-grade work of every class. With every practical phase of the business Mr. Smith was thoroughly familiar and was thus able to direct the labors of his employes. Moreover, he kept in touch with the trend of modern progress and improvement in the printing business and in fact initiated many steps which have since been followed by others. He worked indefatigably for the success of the business. attending to most of the outside duties, while Mr. Brooks managed the office. He brought to his plant many new features that contributed to the growing success of the undertaking and was instrumental in building up a business that took place of leadership in connection with the printing industry in Denver.
On the 13th of November, 1872. Mr. Smith was married to Miss Honora Agnes Riordan, of New York, who was born in County Cork, Ireland, a daughter of David and Mary Riordan. The mother died while Mrs. Smith was an infant and the father. with unusual courage and resourcefulness, came across the ocean to America with his five little daughters, of whom Mrs. Smith is now the only survivor. By her marriage
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she became the mother of five children: Orville L., Jr., who married Laura Donahoue, of New York, and is connected with the Smith-Brooks Printing Company; Katherine, now the wife of Captain Louis Hough, by whom she has one child, Orville Louis; and three who are deceased.
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