USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume III > Part 72
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Mr. Skinner is an extensive traveler, having made one trip around the world, taking a little over two years in visiting places off the beaten track. He was also sent by a gold dredging company to investigate placer ground for them in New Zealand, Tasmania and Australia.
On the 31st of January, 1913, in Denver, Mr. Skinner was married to Miss Ruth Hubbell, a native of Saginaw, Michigan, and a daughter of Alfred and Mary Hubbell, who were early residents of Saginaw. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner have become parents of two sons, George W. III and William Porter Skinner. The family residence is at No. 744 Milwaukee street and the property is owned by Mr. Skinner. He finds his chief rest and recreation in motoring and in hunting. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is well known as a member of various clubs and social organizations, including Phi Gamma Delta, the Artists Club, the University Club, the Mile High Club (former president), The Colorado Scientific Society, the Yale Club of New York and also the Denver Civic and Commercial Club, the American Live Stock Association, and director of organization- Colorado State Liberty Loan Committee. He likewise belongs to the Episcopal church. These membership relations indicate the nature, breadth and character of his interests and activities. A man of liberal education and of natural refinement, he has so developed his power and interests as to become a forceful factor in both business and social circles. His personal qualities make for popularity among his many friends and the number is constantly growing as the circle of his acquaintance broadens.
RAYMOND S. HUSTED.
Raymond S. Husted is classed with those who have done much to elevate the standard of stock breeding in Colorado. Especially has he been active in introducing improved strains of the Hereford beef cattle, his efforts in this connection being of marked value to the state. Mr. Husted has been a resident of Denver since 1908. He is, however, a native of the city of Chicago, where his birth occurred May 10, 1874, his parents being Charles E. and Jennie L. (Seger) Husted, who were born in Clarksfield, Ohio, and in early life became residents of Chicago, where the father was connected with the Union stock yards. He afterward removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he became identified with the Interstate National Bank, and on leaving that place he removed to Denver, where he still makes his home. His wife, however, passed away in Denver in 1913. In their family were two children, the daughter being Mrs. May Arnold, also a resident of Denver.
Raymond S. Husted, the elder, pursued his education in the public and high schools of Kansas City, Missouri, and left school in 1891. He then made his initial step in the business world by entering the employ of the Armour Packing Company and rose from a minor position to that of assistant superintendent of the beef department,
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remaining altogether with the Armour Company for ten years. On severing his con- nection with that corporation he came to Colorado and after holding several responsible positions in various lines he joined his uncle, James D. Husted, in the breeding of regis- tered Hereford cattle and in the handling of pure bred stock Together with their associates they own two large ranches in the state, one near Colorado Springs and the other near Denver. and also a large ranch in Laramie county, Wyoming. In fact. they rank among the most prominent breeders of pure bred Hereford cattle in the country. Their land holdings are very extensive and upon these vast tracts of land are found hundreds of Hereford cattle.
In October, 1894. Mr. Husted was married to Miss Lee Reid, of Kansas City, Mis- souri, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Reid. They have become the parents of four children. Harold R., born in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1896, attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and is now in the live stock business in Lamar, Colorado. Helen M., born in 1898. in Kansas City, Missouri, is a student in the University of Colorado. Florence Lee. born in Cripple Creek, Colorado, in 1904, is a pupil in the public schools of Denver, as is Doris Janet, who was born in 1908.
In his political views Mr. Husted maintains an independent course. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has taken the advanced degrees of the Scottish Rite and also is a member of the Mystic Shrine. His lite is an exemplification of the beneficent spirit of the craft. His business career is the expression of modern-day enterprise and his successful achievement has placed him with the men of affluence in the state
ALBERT GRANT DINGLEY.
Albert Grant Dingley, chief field officer of the United States internal revenue service at Denver, was born in Lewiston, Maine. December 6. 1869. a son of the late Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr., who was likewise a native of the Pine Tree state and was a representative of one of the old Maine families of English lineage. The family was founded in America by John Dingley, who came to the new world in the early part of the seventeenth century and settled in Massachusetts. He was a locksmith by trade and became the progenitor of the family in the new world. Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr .. was a journalist by profes- sion and throughout his entire life resided in Maine, where he was called upon to serve his state as chief executive, occupying the position of governor for two terms both in 1874 and 1875. In politics he was a stanch republican and was called upon to represent his district in congress through a period of more than twenty years. He is perhaps best known to the general public as the author of the Dingley tariff bill. In large measure he left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the legislative records of the nation and he stood at all times for progress and advancement, his activities proving most resultant. He died in Washington, D. C .. January 13, 1899, when sixty-seven years of age. There are few men in public life whose public record has covered a longer period and none has been more faultless in honor, fearless in conduct or stainless in reputation. He stood loyally for whatever he believed to be for the best interests of commonwealth or country and he took a most progressive stand on many questions that have had great effect upon the public life of America. In early manhood he wedded Salome McKenna, a native of Maine and also a representative of one of the old families of that state, the American line being traced back to the early part of the seventeenth century, when representatives of the McKenna family came from Scotland to the new world. Mrs. Dingley is still living and yet occupies the old family home in Lewiston. Maine. By her marriage she became the mother of four sons and a daughter. of whom three sons and the daughter are still living.
Albert G. Dingley was the fourth in order of birth. He attended the public schools of Lewiston, Maine, and afterward entered Yale College, where he was graduated in 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He next took up the study of law in Columbian University at Washington. D. C .. and after completing his course there he entered upon journalistic work in Washington, where he served as correspondent for several leading papers. He subsequently became identified with his father's paper, the Lewiston Journal. and was in active connection therewith for three years. But the lure of the west was upon him and, bidding adieu to New England. he removed to Colorado, arriving in Denver in October. 1896. His stay at that time was a brief one, for he received appoint- ment to a position in the customs service at Port Huron, Michigan, and thus entered the employ of the United States government. He acted in that capacity for a year and in 1897 he returned to Denver, where he entered the internal revenue service. with which
ALBERT G. DINGLEY
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he has since been associated, being now the chief field officer. His long connection with this branch of government service well indicates his capability and his fidelity to duty.
He directs all the field work from the collector's office, covering the states of Colo- rado and Wyoming. This is a heavy responsibility under the various laws now on the statute books and requires exceptional executive ability. This work has been so ably handled that Mr. Dingley has been commended for having organized the best field force in the west for taxation purposes. Mr. Dingley has been one of the principal factors in the expansion of the revenue service in Colorado during a period of twenty years, in which the Denver office has grown from a yearly collection of six hundred thousand dollars to a collection of thirty million dollars per annum. Mr. Dingley is a close stu- dent of subjects pertaining to taxation and is considered an authority on internal revenue laws and is frequently referred to as the best posted man on this subject in Colorado.
Mr. Dingley has been married twice. In 1895, in Medford, Massachusetts, he wedded Miss Grace D. Beane, a native of that state and a daughter of Frank D. and Mary (Rob- ertson) Beane, who were representatives of old families of Massachusetts and New Hampshire of English lineage. To Mr. and Mrs. Dingley were born two daughters, Dorothy and Mildred. Mrs. Dingley passed away in Denver in 1914, at the age of forty years, and on the 22d of January, 1916, Mr. Dingley was again married in this city, his second union being with Vivian Estes Killian, a native of South Carolina and of English descent. She comes of the noted old Estes family in the south. One branch of this family came west in the early days and one of its members, Joel Estes, was the first white settler in Estes Park, which was named after him.
Politically Mr. Dingley has always been independent republican since attaining adult age and has been a very active worker and a stanch supporter of all those interests which tend to promote civic progress and improvement. He belongs to St. Luke's Episcopal church and his wife is a very active Red Cross worker and equally helpful in support of many philanthropic measures. They reside at No. 1241 Oneida street and their home is celebrated for its warm-hearted hospitality and good cheer. Mr. Dingley turns to outdoor sports for rest and recreation, enjoying a vacation in the open when opportunity affords. His attention, however, is chiefly concentrated upon his official duties and his loyalty thereto is above question. He has displayed the same sterling qualities in public life that made his father a distinguished statesmau of Maine and the champion of many interests of nation-wide importance.
HURD WARREN TWOMBLY.
Among the prominent and prosperous agriculturists and stock raisers of Morgan county is numbered Hurd W. Twombly, who resides in Brush, from which city he supervises his large interests. Born in Dover, New Hampshire, September 22, 1851, he is a son of George W. K. and Mary Ann (Langley) Twombly, also natives of that state. The father was a brick mason and contractor by occupation but also engaged in farming and resided in New Hampshire until about forty years of age, when he removed to Kansas in 1856. In 1859 he came to Colorado, settling at Fort Lupton, where in that year he bought some land which he began to operate, also engaging in freight- ing. He continued in these occupations until 1866, when he took up his residence int Denver, where he conducted a feed and livery stable and also manufactured brick. He was accidentally killed by being run over by a locomotive in the spring of 1872. His wife had died in 1855.
Their son, Hurd W. Twombly, was reared in the east and on the plains of Colorado, coming to this state when eleven years of age. He attended school in the east and in Denver and has been in business for himself since nineteen years of age. He turned his attention to farming, stock raising and freighting and also successfully handled hay, making his headquarters at Fort Lupton and shipping his hay from Orchard to Denver. In 1871 he engaged in the live stock business and was also very successful in this line. In the fall of 1877 he was elected to the office of sheriff of Weld county and removed to Greeley, which was made the county seat when he was elected. Weld county then comprised Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips. Washington and Yuma counties but it has since been cut up into seven counties. For six years Mr. Twombly was sheriff of this large section of Colorado and ever discharged his duties with absolute fidelity and fearlessness. All law abiding citizens greatly respected him and appreciated the manner in which he discharged his duties, but the lawbreaker stood in terror of his name. Wherever lawless elements were reported he would proceed to
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rid the county of these undesirables. Many interesting and dangerous events occurred in this period of his career and his work had much to do with establishing law and order upon the frontier. Upon retiring from office he again turned to the live stock business, buying cattle and horses. While in the office of sheriff he had acquired land in Morgan county and gradually has become the owner of land in Weld county. His main business until 1914, however, consisted in dealing in cattle and horses. Since that year he has farmed in Morgan county, largely raising stock and making his residence in Brush, from which town he supervises his important interests. How important the agricultural interests of Mr. Twombly are is indicated by the fact that he personally owns about two thousand acres of land in Morgan county and is also connected with a number of other business enterprises, among them the Farmers State Bank of Brush, of which he is vice president.
On Christmas Day, 1877, Mr. Twombly was united in marriage to Miss Katie A. Ewing, and to them were born three children: Bert W., who is connected with the county clerk's office at Fort Morgan; M. Grace, the wife of W. O. Miller and a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and G. C., deputy district attorney at Fort Morgan, whose sketch appears in another part of this work.
Mr. Twombly has always taken a deep interest in public affairs and has served in various public capacities. In 1890, 1891, 1893 and 1900 he served his district as state representative, ably taking care of the interests of his constituents in the lower house of the state legislature. His influence was felt in committee rooms as well as upon the floor of the house and he was connected with much important legislation which has resulted to the benefit of the state. He never lost sight, however, of the interests of his particular district and saw to it that they always received their full due from the state. Mr. Twombly was also county commissioner of Morgan county for three terms, being first appointed hy Governor Cooper. His reelection indicated the confidence which the public has in his ability, and he has served as school director of Brush for twelve years. His political faith is that of the republican party, and frat- ernally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World and the Masonic order, in the last named of which he has attained the rank of a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. By industry, business foresight and unwavering determination Mr. Twombly has attained prosperity and such success as has come to him has been honorably won because no one could ever assail his methods. However, he has not only wrought for himself, but his activities have resulted to the good of his community and district, for he has thereby contributed toward general upbuilding and prosperity. Personally he is a man of the highest character and has many friends in Morgan county, and in fact, throughout this state, New Mexico and Wyoming. His public record must be equally gratifying to him, for it shows him to be a man of clear foresight who has ably administered the trusts reposed in him by his fellow townsmen.
FRED GRAUBERGER.
Fred Grauberger is now living retired in Sterling but for many years was identified with agricultural interests in this part of the state and has contributed much to the development of the country. He was born in Russia in 1855, a son of Frederick and Barbara Grauberger, whose family numbered eleven children, Fred being the fifth in order of birth. They were farming people, who for many years were identified with agricultural interests in Russia.
Fred Grauberger of this review spent his youthful days under the parental roof and on attaining his majority crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making his way to Missouri. His early life had been devoted to farming in connection with his father and he acquired a common school education. He was married in 1874 to Catherine Stayley. . Turning his attention to farming, he rented land in Missouri and cultivated the fields for nine years, while later he purchased one hundred acres. He afterward went to Dundy county, Nebraska, where he preempted land and remained upon that property for two years. Later he removed to Leroy, Colorado, where he secured a preemption claim, which he occupied for twenty-six years. As time passed he prospered owing to his carefully directed efforts in connection with farming and cattle raising. In the early days he endured hardships and privations such as can scarcely be imagined by the citizens of the present time, but with courage and determination he met these and in the course of years has lived to witness remarkable changes and a marked transformation in the appearance of the country. He has seen antelope on the range, for in the year 1889 all was yet open country. Year after year he carefully
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tilled his fields and carried on his farm work and as time passed he prospered in his undertakings, so that with a handsome competence he retired in 1914 and took up his abode in Sterling, where he now makes his home.
To Mr. and Mrs. Grauberger have been born seventeen children Andre, who was born in Russia, married Henrietta Marks and has five children. He follows farming at Leroy. Jonas, the second son, married Sophia Joseph, by whom he has five children, and he, too, gives his attention to agricultural pursuits. Sarah became the wife of Phil Held, a farmer, and they have six children. Frank married Fannie Foxel, by whom he has two children. He is a resident farmer of Leroy. George married Helen Crowkow, by whom he has two children, and he also carries on general agricultural pursuits. Fred C. married Hattie Berksdresser, by whom he has one child, and he makes farming his life work. Harry married Alice Barnes and follows farming. Ben- jamin occupies the home farm at Leroy. Phillip and Milton are also upon the home farm with their brother and Nettie is keeping house for her brother.
Mr. Grauberger divided fourteen quarters of land with his children, giving them their equal shares. He has property in the town of Sterling and is interested in the Farmers elevators at Fleming and at Sterling. When he came to this section of Colorado he had a small dugout nine by eighteen feet and in 1888 he built a sod house, which he occupied tor ten years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings and was then able to put modern improvements upon his land. He did his own threshing with two horses. When he arrived in Leroy he owned a team of horses, had thirty dollars in money and two wagonloads of furniture. He was very active in building up the schools and gave generously to the support of the work. He has favored all modern improvements and has assisted in every way to further the welfare of the community. In the year 1915 his sons threshed grain to the amount of thirty-five thousand bushels. All farm work is now done with the most modern machinery and all of the latest im- provements are upon the place. In fact the Grauberger farm is credited as being one of the most valuable, attractive and modern farm properties in Logan county.
In his political views Mr. Grauberger is a republican but has had little time for activity along political lines, always preferring to give his attention to his business affairs. In 1916 Mr. Grauberger was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife. In April, 1917, he married Lena Myer, who was born in Switzerland but came to this country in her girlhood. She has crossed the Atlantic between New York and Liverpool seven times, paying many visits to the old country. She is a trained nurse and has diplomas from Ohio and Kentucky. Keenly interested in Red Cross work, she is now doing everything in her power to promote war activity and the family stands for patriotism in the highest degree.
FRANK K. WATKINS.
Frank K. Watkins, conducting business under the name of the Watkins Hide Company, of Denver, is now at the head of the oldest establishment of the kind in Colorado. He is also president and manager of the Watkins Real Estate & Investment Company and his interests are extensive and important, placing him with the repre- sentative business men of Denver. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, April 15, 1870, a son of Leonard A. and Emma (Kendrick) Watkins, both of whom were natives of Birmingham, England. They came to America in 1853, settling in St. Louis, Missouri, where the father established the Watkins Hide & Wool Company. He con- tinued successfully in the business there until the early '70s when he removed to Denver, where he resumed business along the same line as the L. A. Watkins Mer- chandise Company. He remained in active business to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1896, when he was sixty-five years of age, and his enterprise was an important element in the commercial development of the city. He also contributed to the welfare of the community by hearty cooperation with plans and measures for the general good and he served his fellow townsmen as alderman for four consecutive terms, making an excellent record in that position. His wife died in Denver in June, 1915, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. There were four children in the family: Leonard K., who passed away in 1914; Mrs. Marian W. Spanberg, living in Tarrytown, New York; Mrs. Lillah W. Hotchkiss, of Denver; and Frank K., of this review. The family home was at No. 1901 Lincoln street, where Mr. Watkins built his residence in the fall of 1873 and from that time until his death resided there as also did his widow until her deatlı.
Frank K. Watkins was a pupil in the public schools of Denver, to which city his
FRANK K. WATKINS
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parents removed when he was but three years old. When his textbooks were put aside he entered business in connection with his father and thus gained knowledge of the interests of which he ultimately assumed charge. After his father's death he and his brother, Leonard K. became heads of the firm, which is now the oldest hide, wool and fur business in the state. Since the death of Leonard K. Watkins in 1914, Frank K. Watkins has been the sole head of the firm. In the early days this house had direct business relations with the pioneer trappers and the Indians, who brought in their winter's catch in the early springtime, the firm then taking charge of the business of curing the hides and furs, which were sent to the tanners and to the eastern markets. Leonard A. Watkins, Sr., through these business relations became a close friend of many of the noted Indian chiefs, trappers and hunters of that early period. The business has developed with the growth of the city and has kept apace with modern business methods in every particular. In fact the Watkins house is one of the leading establishments of the kind in the west. Frank K. Watkins is also the president and manager of the Watkins Real Estate & Investment Company, handling the real estate holdings of his late father and taking care of the interests of his sisters in the property.
On the 7th of April, 1897, in Denver Mr. Watkins was married to Miss Roberta Shy, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Shy, who were pioneers of Byers, Colorado. They have two children: Frances Emma, a native of Denver and a graduate of the Alhambra high school of Alhambra, California; and Marguerite, who was born in Denver and is attending school at Alhambra. Mr. Watkins has a fine home in Cali- fornia, where he spends a portion of his time, his family residing there throughout the greater part of the year.
Mr. Watkins belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He also has membership in the Denver Civic and Com- mercial Association and is interested in all of its well defined and carefully devised plans and measures for the upbuilding and benefit of the city. Appreciative of the social amenities of life, he has memberships in the Denver Athletic, the Lakewood Country and the Rotary Clubs. He has been a member of the Sons of Colorado since the early days of that organization.
In his business career he has made steady progress. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in enlarging and controlling this many a man of less resolute spirit and of more limited energy would have failed. His early training well qualified him for the duties which he assumed and with the passing years he has constantly broadened his interests, utilizing every opportunity to the utmost and making for himself a most creditable place among the leading merchants of Denver and the west.
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