History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 73

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

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ALBERT C. LASELLE.

Albert C. LaSelle, engaged in the automobile business in Kit Carson, where he has a splendidly equipped garage, is meeting that success which results from close applica- tion, indefatigable energy and unfaltering industry. He was born in Beatrice, Nebraska, on the 12th of March, 1885, a son of L. F. and Martha (Palmerton) LaSelle. The father was a prominent stock raiser and dealer who in the year 1875 located in Nebraska following his removal from the state of New York. He possessed notable energy and enterprise and successfully conducted his business interests until death terminated his labors in January, 1917. His widow is yet a resident of Beatrice, Nebraska, and the family is of the Presbyterian faith.

Albert C. LaSelle was the fourth in order of birth in a family of seven children. After a few years devoted to the acquirement of a public school education he accepted a position as ticket clerk for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, with which he · remained for five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to the west, making Kit Carson, Colorado, his destination. He then homesteaded twelve miles northeast of the town in which he now resides and proved up on the property but did not make a great deal of money from that venture, although he is still owner of the farm. Not all men are adapted to farming nor all men capable along commercial lines. Mr. LaSelle's ability, however, is in the latter direction, as has been demon- strated by bis splendid automobile business. On leaving the farm he turned his atten- tion to the livery and draying business and made it a profitable venture. After two years he went into the auto livery business, in which he continued for a year and admitted N. A. Rhoades to a partnership. They occupied a building thirty by forty-

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five feet and later built the present garage, which is forty by one hundred feet. On the 15th of July, 1918, Mr. LaSelle purchased the interest of his partner and is enjoying a fast growing business which is now valued at twenty-four thousand dollars annually. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out empty-handed and has gradually worked his way upward, his prosperity being due to his wise discrimination in business affairs, his unfaltering perseverance and unabating energy.

On the 18th of September, 1912, Mr. LaSelle was married in Cheyenne Wells, Colo- rado, to Miss Lelah Thompson, of State Center, Iowa, a daughter of J. H. and Nellie (Bartlett ) Thompson, the former a contractor. Mrs. LaSelle was a teacher of music in the schools of Cheyenne Wells prior to her marriage. She has become the mother of three children: Coulson, born in 1913; Norman, in 1915; and Mason, in 1917. They are three interesting boys of whom the parents have every reason to be proud.

In his political views Mr. LaSelle is an earnest republican and in public office has proven his fidelity to the best interests of the community in which he lives. In 1914 he became deputy sheriff at Kit Carson, in which office he served for a term, and in 1916 was elected constable of Kit Carson, in which position he is serving at the present time. In the same year he was elected secretary of the school board but had to resign, as he could not give so much time to public affairs owing to the demands of his growing private interests. In 1916 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is much interested in Red Cross and other war work, to which he has been a gener- ous contributor, doing all in his power to further the interests of the country and her allies along those lines. The people of Kit Carson speak of him in terms of high regard, accounting him one of the progressive young men of the community and one who is contributing largely to its substantial upbuilding and development.

W. E. TURNER, M. D.

Dr. W. E. Turner, practicing physician of Brush who holds to the highest pro- fessional standards, was born in Claysville, Guernsey county, Ohio, October 14, 1862, a son of George and Elizabeth (Warden) Turner, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of Guernsey county, Ohio, respectively. The latter's parents were from the north of Ireland and reached Pennsylvania in 1803. George Turner was a harness maker by trade and followed that pursuit in different places in the employ of others. He engaged in business on his own account during the greater part of his active career. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Ninth Ohio Cavalry and was at the front throughout the entire period of hostilities between the north and the south, participating in Sherman's march to the sea, which proved the southern confederacy to be hut an empty shell, the troops having all been drawn from the interior to protect the border. The death of Mr. Turner occurred in October, 1869, when he was but thirty-three years of age, and his widow long survived, her death occurring in August, 1898.

Dr. Turner was reared and educated in Ohio until he had completed his public school work, after which he entered the University of Iowa, there studying for a year. Later he took up a course in medicine and for one year was a student in Rush Medical College of Chicago, while later he was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Des Moines, lowa, which is the medical department of Drake University, with the class of 1893. Having completed his preparation for the practice of medicine and surgery, Dr. Turner then opened an office in Benton, Ringgold county, Iowa, where he continued for two and a half years. He later removed to Bridgewater, Adair county, Iowa, where he lived for two and a half years, and in 1898 he came to Colorado, settling at Brush, Morgan county. Here he has since practiced and is today the oldest practicing physician within the borders of the county. He has his offices in the Farmers State Bank building of Brush and he enjoys a large patronage. Broad reading and study keep him in touch with the advanced thought of the profession and he is familiar with all the latest truths which research and scientific investigation have brought to light. In 1907 he went to Europe and pursued post-graduate work in Edinburgh, Scotland.

On the 12th of November, 1890, Dr. Turner was married to Miss Mattie Hagan, who was born in Warren county, Iowa, on the 11th of December, 1869, a daughter of E. J. and Mary ( Hildreth) Hagan, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Indiana. Her father was a carpenter and blacksmith by trade and also followed the occupation of farming. When eleven years of age he went to Warren county, Iowa, and later removed to Guthrie county in that state. There he continued to reside until 1898,

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when he brought his family to Colorado, settling at Brush. He homesteaded land in Morgan county and continued its further cultivation and improvement until 1909, when he retired from active business and took up his abode in Brush, where he has since resided. His wife is also living and they are among the highly esteemed people of the town. To Dr. and Mrs. Turner have been born two children: Rex E., who was born April 25, 1895, and is now assistant cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Brush but expects soon to join the national army; and Ruth E., who was born May 14, 1900.

Dr. Turner is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and his son is also prominent in the order, having become a member of the Mystic Shrine. Dr. Turner likewise is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his political belief that of the democratic party. He has served as mayor of Brush and as a member of the town council, discharging his official prerogatives in support of many well devised plans and measures for the public good. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and he has served on the board of school directors. He owns two improved farms in Morgan county but he concentrates the major part of his time and attention upon his professional duties, and that he may keep in touch with the trend of modern scientific thought and investigation he holds membership in the Morgan County Medical Society, the Colorado State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is interested in all that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life and he puts forth every possible effort that will make his service of value to his fellowmen.

JONATHAN M. TERRY.

The spirit of western enterprise finds expression in the life record of Jonathan M. Terry, who is conducting business interests under his own name as a wholesale dealer in hay and grain and as proprietor of an elevator at No. 1916-30 Blake street. Denver. He was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, July 7, 1865, a son of the late Henry Terry, who was a native of Canada and a representative of one of the old families of Nova Scotia of English lineage. The family was founded in America near Hartford, Connecticut, in the early part of the seventeenth century. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary war Captain John Terry removed to Canada and settled in Nova Scotia at Kentville, and a land grant given him is today in possession of Jonathan M. Terry. This old document called for three thousand acres of land which is now very valuable, but the family never benefited from this grant. Among his descendants was Henry Terry, who became a successful contractor and builder there. He resided throughout his entire life at Kent- ville, Nova Scotia, and passed away in 1903 at the age of seventy-four years. His wife hore the maiden name of Mary S. Seaman, and she, too, was born in Nova Scotia of English parentage, her ancestors having been pioneer settlers of Canada. She died in 1913 at the age of eighty-seven years. The family numbered seven children, four sons and three daughters.

Jonathan M. Terry. the youngest of the family, was educated in the public schools of Kentville. Nova Scotia, pursuing his studies to the age of sixteen years, when he started out to provide for his own support. He was first employed in the accounting department of what was then the Windsor & Annapolis Railroad, now the Canadian Pacific Railroad, and he continued in that service for eight years. He afterward spent several years in Boston in connection with the passenger department of the Fitchburg Railroad and in 1890 he came to Denver, where he entered the employ of the Denver Union Depot Company, remaining in railroad service in this city for two years. He next became identified with the firm of J. D. Best & Company, wholesale dealers in hay and grain. His position was that of bookkeeper and accountant, but later he became a member of the firm and continued in active connection therewith for fifteen years. In 1907 he withdrew to engage in business independently and established a wholesale hay, grain and elevator business under his own name. This he has since conducted with sub- stantial success and today he has one of the largest wholesale hay and grain trades in Colorado, being located at Nos. 1916-30 Blake street, Denver. He utilizes extensive warehouses and a grain elevator and his patronage is steadily increasing as the direct outcome of persistent labor and intelligently directed effort. He is thoroughly reliable in all of his dealings and his trustworthiness has constituted an important feature in his growing success.

In Denver, in 1890. Mr. Terry was united in marriage to Miss Martha Best. They

JONATHAN M. TERRY

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have one daughter, Margaret. Mr. Terry resides with his family at No. 760 High street. He owns a farm of eighty acres seven miles from Denver, where he resides in summer and which is supplied with every modern improvement and equipment, and he finds his chief recreation and enjoyment in the conduct and development of this place. His political allegiance is given to the republican party where national questions and issues. are involved, but at local elections he casts an independent hallot. He belongs to the Denver Civic and Commercial Association and the Denver Motor Club. He stands for progress and improvement in public affairs just as he does in the conduct of his busi- ness interests and he has ever fully recognized and met his obligations and responsi- bilities in citizenship.

FRANK B. CHURCHER.

Frank B. Churcher was one of the prominent and substantial business men of Salida, whose death was a great hlow to the city in which he made his home. He was born January 28, 1856, at Rochester, New York, a son of James Churcher, who was a native of England. The father was a carpenter and contractor and the son learned and fol- lowed that trade. He was but a boy in years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Battle Creek, Michigan, where he resided nntil 1877, when he heard and heeded the call of the west. The trip to Colorado was made in a prairie schooner and in 1877 he arrived in Pueblo. He afterward went to Leadville, where his brother was located, and with building operations was closely associated at various points in the state for many years. He took a contract with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company to build its depots, water tanks and other buildings when the line was being constructed through this part of the country and thus he did much to further the railroad operations of that corporation. While working in Leadville he met I. W. Haight, who had also been a former resident of Battle Creek, Michigan, and later they entered into partnership relations in Salida, where they began building contract- ing in 1880. They won a liberal patronage and their business steadily increased. Seven years later they opened a furniture and undertaking business, with which Mr. Haight was connected until 1903, when he disposed of his interest to O. L. Johnson. Mr. Churcher continued an active partner in the enterprise until his demise. He also extended his efforts to other lines, becoming a heavy stockholder and the vice president of the Salida Granite Company, being of the group of business men of the city who considered granite quarrying one of the greatest assets of this section. He was elected to the directorate of the First National Bank and he had investments in several mining prop- erties. It was largely through his efforts and influence that the Elks Club building at Salida was erected. He loaned money to the lodge for the purpose, subscribed lib- erally to the building fund and personally superintended the construction without charge.

Mr. Churcher was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Ware and to them were born two daughters: Mrs. Rex B. Yeager, of Denver; and Mrs. A. T. Thompson, of Salida. Mr. Churcher was a man of fine physique and of equally splendid spirit,-kindly, generous and honorable. He was a devoted member of the Elks Club of Salida and also a member of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association, in which organization he was very popular. He passed away in St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver, July 17, 1918. The news of his demise was received with the deepest regret throughout the city and in all parts of the state where he was known. Thoroughly progressive and reliable in business, active and honorable in citizenship, the worth of his work and of his life was widely acknowledged wherever he was known.

WILLIAM CROWLEY.

William Crowley, acting secretary of the Denver Volunteer Veteran Firemen's Asso- ciation, is one of the native sons of the city and also one of its best known citizens. His birthplace was at the corner of Eleventh and Wazee streets and his natal day was November 16, 1862. His father, John Crowley, was born in Cork, Ireland, and after attaining manliood married Elizabeth Redmond, a native of Wexford, Ireland, and a near relation of the Hon. William Redmond, the prominent Irish leader. On starting for the west the family traveled by rail as far as they could and completed the journey across the plains with a prairie schooner. They arrived in the new world

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on the 15th of June, 1859, and reached Denver the following year. The father was a blacksmith by trade and afterward he made six trips across the plains with colonies of emigrants, for whom he acted as blacksmith, the trip extending from Davenport, Iowa, to Denver and return. He afterward opened a smithy in Denver, where he conducted his business for many years. He died at the home of his daughter in Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 14, 1897, when seventy years of age. His widow survived him for a decade and passed away December 17, 1907, at the age of eighty-five years, her birth having occurred on Christmas day of 1822. In their family were ten children, all of whom have departed this life save two, the surviving daughter being Mrs. Lizzie Schneider, of Colorado Springs.

The son, William Crowley of this review, was the seventh in order of birth in the family and in his youthful days attended the public and parochial schools of Denver and was graduated from the Washington school with the class of 1879. When his textbooks were put aside he entered a blacksmith shop at Thirteenth and Blake streets and there learned the trade. He afterward joined the volunteer city fire depart- ment in 1876 and in that connection rose to the rank of captain. On the 16th of March, 1882, the volunteer department passed out of existence but Mr. Crowley continued with the paid department of the city, first as private and later as lieutenant and captain of several of the fire companies of the city. His last connection was with the Stock Yards Company, which he prevailed upon the city fathers to organize, and at length he resigned after a most valorons and competent service, being pensioned by the department. On the 1st of January, 1912, he was appointed assistant chief of the Denver Volunteer Veteran Firemen's Association and through the intervening period has had charge of its affairs. He is also a director and member of the organization known as the Territorial Sons of Colorado. His religious faith is indicated by his connection with St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church.

On the 15th of June, 1904, Mr. Crowley was united in marriage to Miss Harriet La Page, a native of Denver and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter La Page well known pioneer residents of this city. There is a son, Martin W. Crowley, of a former marriage, who was born May 29, 1893, in Denver and is now a machinist in the Denver & Rio Grande shops. For fifty-six years Mr. Crowley has been a witness of the growth and development of Denver and has ever manifested the keenest interest in its progress. He has done important public service through his connection with the volunteer and paid fire departments and his record is a most commendable one.

PHILIP J. DEVAULT.

Philip J. Devault has been a resident of Denver for almost three decades, having arrived in this city in 1889, and through the intervening period he has been largely connected with public office, serving at the present time as secretary of the public utilities commission. He was born in Lambton, in the province of Quebec, Canada, January 29, 1852, a son of John B. and Seraphine (Richard) Devault. The father, who was a native of Quebec, was a leather dealer and has now departed this life, while the mother passed away in 1896. In their family were twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, all of whom are yet living.

Philip J. Devault pursued his education in the schools of Lambton and came to the United States when a youth of sixteen years. He afterward engaged in furniture work but soon became a professional musician and went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he continued for fifteen years. As chief musician he sailed on the battleship Grant on a trip around the world. He was very prominent as a musician of the United States navy, being a cornet soloist. He continued to devote his life to the art of music until 1889, when he removed to Denver, where he has since made his home. Here his attention has been largely given to official duties. He was county assessor in Teller county for one term, having his office at Cripple Creek, and he is now the secretary to the public utilities commission of the city and county of Denver.

Mr. Devault has always been greatly interested in labor movements and in sociologi- cal, economic and political problems. He has been a deep student along these lines, reading broadly and thinking deeply, and has also been a close student of history and biography. He has in large measure been free from that intense commercial spirit which came near being the undoing of the country until the present war brought about a keener and a saner recognition of life's values. He has studied thoroughly many problems which have to do with the welfare of the race in all of the varied relations of life and has long been imbued with that spirit of democracy which believes in

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opportunity for every individual. He is an interesting conversationalist and is usually found in those gatherings where men meet for the discussion of vital and interesting problems of the age.

ADDISON C. MCCAIN, M. D.

Dr. Addison C. McCain is a successful and leading representative of professional interests in Weld county, having for the past fourteen years been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Ault. His birth occurred in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of December, 1875, his parents being James Leslie and Agnes (Gould) McCain. who established their home in Colorado as early as 1879. Throughout the period of the Civil war the father served with the Union army as a member of Company K, Thirty ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Addison C. McCain supplemented his earlier educational training by attendance at the Colorado State Normal School in 1896 and then turned his attention to the profession of teaching. In 1899 he entered the State Preparatory School at Boulder, attending that institution for two years, while in 1901 he became a student in the medical department of the University of Colorado, which conferred upon him the degree of M. D. in 1904. Since that time he has been continuously engaged in the general practice of medicine at Ault, where he has built up an extensive and lucrative patronage, demonstrating his ability to cope with the complex problems which so often confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and prolong life.

On the 9th of October, 1904, in Denver, Colorado, Dr. McCain was joined in wed- lock to Miss Mary A. Koontz, a daughter of David Koontz. They now have two children, David James and Olive. The Doctor has spent almost his entire life in Colorado and has therefore witnessed the growth and development of the state from pioneer times to the present, while his position in professional and social circles of his community is a most enviable one.

AUGUST KARL BOTT.

August Karl Bott, manager of the Denver Athletic Club and one of the most capable and best known men in this capacity in his section of the west. has made a most ex cellent record in his efforts in behalf of the organization which he thus represents. While comparatively a young man, Mr. Bott's training for his work began when he was in his teens and includes service in the employ of some of the leading hotels and dining car systems of France and England as well as several high class clubs in the west.

He was born in Bavaria, Germany. January 15. 1889, a son of John and Dorothy ( Oswald) Bott, who are still residents of Germany, where the father is well known as a mechanical engineer. In their family were eight children, of whom August Karl Bott of this review is the youngest. In early life he attended the public schools of Bavaria, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. He was graduated at the age of thirteen years, after which he entered into the hotel business, becoming connected with the Ritz-Carleton Hotel in Paris. France. In 1907 he was employed by the Great Western Railway Company of England in an important capacity in connection with its dining car and hotel systems in Ireland. This work took him to Dublin, Belfast, Bray, Ross-Leene and Queenstown.

Leaving that work to come to the United States. Mr. Bott arrived on the 8th of October, 1907. He located first in St. Louis, where he accepted a clerical position with the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company, in whose employ he remained about a year. Leaving there, he went to Colorado Springs and took charge of the Cheyenne Mountain Country Club as manager, which position he filled for four years. In making. a study of club management and to better equip himself for that work he took a modern busi- ness course at the Brown Business College at Colorado Springs. Later he accepted the management of the University Club of Kansas City and for two years successfully filled that position. In July. 1915, his services were secured by the Denver Athletic Club, since which time he has had the management of that well known and popular institution. He has made this one of the best clubs in the west. meeting every standard of club service. Under his direction the business interests have been so systematized and managed that the members of the organization at all times can be assured that the club will meet every requirement of club life. It is attractively housed and hy

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History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 73

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

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