History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 85

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

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EMIL G. PETERSON.

Emil G. Peterson, living in the vicinity of Colorado Springs, where he is success- fully engaged in general farming, was born in Red Oak, Iowa, November 7, 1873, a son of Swan A. and Carrie A. (Samuelson) Peterson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. He acquired a common school education in Red Oak and devoted his youth- ful days to farm work there when not busy with his textbooks. After his school days were over he carried on farming in Iowa until 1908, when he removed to Castle Rock, Colorado, where he spent one year and then became a resident of Colorado Springs. He conducted a grocery store and livery business in the city until 1916, when he purchased his farm ten miles south of Colorado Springs, upon which he now resides. It is neat and thrifty in appearance, the farm work is carefully and systematically done and his labors have brought splendid results. In his commercial career he was actuated by a spirit of enterprise that enabled him to overcome all difficulties and to regard obstacles as stepping stones to something higher. He is still the owner of the brick store building in Colorado Springs at No. 449 East Kiowa street, which is rented for a grocery house. He also owns a residence at No. 928 East Kiowa street and thus from his realty interests in the city derives a good income. He has his ranch well stocked with fifty head of cattle and twelve horses and is an industrious farmer, devot- ing his time and energies to the further development and improvement of his place.

In 1895 Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Eva Samuelson, a daughter of August and Christine (Erickson) Samuelson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. Mrs. Peterson, however, was reared at Red Oak, Iowa, and by her marriage has become the mother of eight children. Evan G., born October 8, 1896, is now in France as a first lieutenant in Heavy Artillery, A. E. F. No. 773. He was at the officers' training camp at Fort Monroe and won a commission as second lieutenant and on the 5th of August, 1917, enlisted in the army. Ora Elnora, born August 2, 1898, is a grammar school graduate and Is at home. Murle Evaline, born August 28, 1900, is also a grammar school graduate and is at home. The others are: Harold Elmer born Sep- tember 5, 1903; Virgil S., born June 20, 1905; Kermit A., born September 2, 1907; Loyl S., born January 6, 1909; and Kenneth E., in 1913.

In his political views Mr. Peterson is an earnest republican, with firm faith in the principles of the party. He attends the Lutheran church and is widely recognized as a man of genuine worth, possessed of many admirable and substantial qualities.

WILLIAM M. ROBERTSON, M. D.

Dr. William M. Robertson was in former days most prominent in public life in Colorado and remains today as one of the pioneer physicians and surgeons of Denver, holding high professional rank because of his scientific skill and attain- ment. The story of his life had its beginning in Muskingum county, Ohio, on the 23d of February, 1844. His parents, William and Esther ( McKibon) Robertson, were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ohio in early life. There the father engaged in farming until 1858, when he went with his family to Van Buren county, Iowa, where he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death, his wife also passing away in Iowa. They had a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters.

Dr. Robertson, the seventh in order of birth, attended the public schools of Van Buren county, Iowa, and with the outbreak of the Civil war he responded to the call of the Union and joined Company H of the Third Iowa Cavalry in September, 1861. For four years he rendered active, valorous and honorable service to his country and with a most creditable military record returned to his home after the close of

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the war in September, 1865. He had heen detailed for service with the Army of Missouri, or the western division, but after a few months was transferred to the command of General Sherman, being with a division of Wilson's Cavalry Corps, which preceded the main body of General Sherman's army, clearing a road for the advanc- ing infantry troops so that the main army could proceed without interference on its march to Atlanta, Georgia. However, the division to which Mr. Robertson was at- tached reached Atlanta after the surrender of the city.

When the country no longer needed his military aid Dr. Robertson became a student in the Academy of Birmingham at Birmingham, Iowa, and later he began reading medicine, in 1867, in the Keokuk ( Ia.) Medical College, from. which he was graduated with the class of 1870, being thus numbered among the alumni of the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Keokuk. He located for practice in Marion county, Iowa, and afterward removed to Van Buren county, where he remained until 1875, when he came to Colorado. The removal was made more for the benefit of his health than to engage in his chosen profession. He returned to Van Buren county, where lie resumed practice, but failing health compelled him to come once more to Denver in 1882 and since that time he has remained in the city, winning for himselt a place among Colorado's leading physicians. He was one of the first health officers in the city of Denver and served in that capacity from 1887 until 1889. The present high standards in the health service are the outgrowth of his early efforts to make this one of the cleanest and healthiest cities. After resigning that position Dr. Robertson was elected county commissioner and served from January 1, 1889, until the 1st of January, 1893. The following year he was elected city supervisor and occupied the position for two years. In the fall of 1904 he was elected to the state senate. In 1908 he was again chosen to serve as city super- visor and after serving out one term declined reelection. He was a warm personal friend of Mayor Robert W. Speer and cooperated with every effort of the mayor for the benefit and upbuilding of Denver.

In 1883 Dr. Robertson pursued post graduate work in the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Chicago and at all times he has kept in close touch with the advanced thought and progress of the profession. He was formerly identified with the various medical societies but of late years has not attended these meetings because of his age, leaving such matters to younger men.

On the 11th of October, 1870, Dr. Robertson was married to Miss Mary A. Park, a daughter of John and Ann Park, pioneer residents of Van Buren county, Iowa. Three children have been born of this marriage. Clarence A., born in Iowa, died at the age of two and a half years. Mary Belle, born in lowa, died in Denver in 1885 at the age of seven and a half years. Hugh L., born in Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1873, is a locomotive engineer, residing in Denver. He married Miss Grace Worden and they have two children: Lawrence M., who was born in Denver, January 20, 1900; and Helen L., born September 30, 1903. Both are now high school pupils.

Dr. Robertson and his wife are regular attendants at the services of the United Presbyterian church and throughout the city they are recognized as people of genuine worth and are held in the highest esteem by all who know them.

RICHARD M. CRANE.

Richard M. Crane, certified public accountant, who has acquired expert ability, has a Colorado state degree as public accountant, having passed the examination before the most critical board of accountancy of any state in the Union. He has built up a clientage of large proportions and his patronage is steadily growing. Mr. Crane is a native of Marion, Kansas. He was born on the 28th of October. 1879, and is a son of Richard M. and Mary Ella (Shultz) Crane. The father was born in Wisconsin and the mother is also a representative of a well known family of that state. They were married in Wis- consin and in the early '60s removed westward to Kansas. The father, who had gradu- ated from the law department of the University of Wisconsin, became a prominent attorney of Kansas and occupied the circuit court bench, his death occurring while he was representing the judiciary. He passed away in Denver, Colorado, in 1898, at the age of tifty-four years, and is survived by his widow, who is a resident of Denver. They were the parents of four children, one of whom is deceased, the surviving daughters

RICHARD M. CRANE

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heing Mrs. Arthur H. Laws, the wife of a prominent attorney of Denver, and Mrs. R. L. Lyman, whose husband is a member of the faculty of Chicago University.

Richard M. Crane was the second in order of birth and in his youthful days attended the public schools of his native city and continued his education in the East Denver high school. Later he was graduated from the Denver University School of Commerce after a five years' course in accountancy, with the B. C. S. degree, in 1915. He became a public accountant in 1913 and entered into partnership with Chester G. Weston under the firm style of Weston, Crane & Company. Their business was successfully conducted until 1917, when Mr. Weston withdrew from the firm and Mr. Crane has since continued the business alone. He has become prominent in professional circles in Denver and throughout the state and employs a large force of competent assistants, for he has built up his patronage to extensive proportions.

Oir the 16th of February, 1907, Mr. Crane was united in marriage to Miss Ethel M. Wolfe, of Denver, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Wolfe, and they have two children: Mary Katherine, who was born in Denver in 1910; and Richard M., born December 3, 1912. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and they occupy an enviable position in social circles, having the warm regard of many friends.

JOHN DWYER.

John Dwyer, whose progressive farm methods have made him one of the leading representatives of agricultural interests in eastern Colorado, was born in the state of New York on the 31st of May, 1852, a son of John and Johanna Dwyer, who were farming people of the east. His education was acquired in New York state and when sixteen years of age he left school and began work upon his father's farm, thus early receiving practical training in the work of the fields and the best methods of caring for the crops. When twenty-two years of age he went to Missouri and was there engaged in farming for ten years on his own account, purchasing a small tract of land which he carefully cultivated. In 1887 he came to Colorado and took up his abode upon his present place, which is situated on section 30, township 9, range 42, in Kit Carson county, just across the Kansas boundary line, in fact he receives his mail at Kanorado, Kansas. For thirty-one years he has resided upon this farm, which he has made an attractive and valuable property and from which he has derived a very substantial annual income, particularly in the last ten years. The early days were a period of hardship owing to the sparsely settled condition of the country and the remoteness from railroads, so that shipping facilities were very poor. He had to haul all of his groceries a distance of sixty miles, and there was no Burlington nor stores, nor other conveniences for the farmers, the sixty-mile drive being to the nearest railroad point. During the early days he lived in a sod house, in fact he had three different sod houses upon his farm. As the years have passed, however, he has introduced modern improvements and has now an excellent property, the fields being under a high state of cultivation. He produces wheat, barley, corn, millet and beans and also engages in the raising of horses, cattle and hogs. Moreover, he is one of the well known chicken raisers of this section and has some of the most modern incubators. He believes in handling not only high grade chickens but high grade farm animals of all kinds and in fact he is actuated by a progressive spirit in all that he does. He is enthusiastic concerning his work and his undiminished energy and perseverance have been salient features in winning for him his well deserved success. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought or desired official preferment.

WILLIAM M. ALLEN.

William M. Allen is one of the honored pioneer residents and venerable citi- zens of Colorado, making his home at Arvada. He was born in Westmoreland county, new Brunswick, on the 4th of November, 1837, and has therefore passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. He is a son of Charles C. and Jane ( Mytten) Allen, the former a native of Halifax and the latter of England. The father was a sea captain for many years but in the later period of his life devoted his attention to farming in Westmoreland county, New Brunswick.

William M. Allen was reared in New Brunswick and there took up the occupa-

JOHN DWYER

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tion of farming, which he followed between the ages of ten and eighteen years. On crossing the border into the United States in 1856 he made his way to Rockford, Illinois, and in that vicinity engaged in farm work for three years. On the 15th of August, 1859, he arrived in Colorado and turned his attention to mining, enter- ing the employ of Green Russell. He carried on prospecting and mining for four years and then took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Jefferson county and in 1868 purchased an additional tract of one hundred and sixty acres. Since 1900 his son, Charles E. Allen, has farmed the former place. Mr. Allen has also sold sixty acres of his land, which includes the townsite of Arvada. Aside from his landed interests he is a stockholder in the Crescent mine at Cripple Creek.

On the 2d of August, 1865, in Arvada, Colorado, Mr. Allen was married to Miss Miriam C. Reno, a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Thomas T. and Anna ( Evans) Reno, who were residents of Beaver county. The father was a merchant and in 1863 came to Colorado, becoming a farmer of this state, which occupation he followed until his death in 1873, when he passed away at the age of seventy-three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen have been born the following named: Anna Mand, who became the wife of E. F. Ward and died March 16, 1916, leaving one child, Marion; Laura, the wife of Hiran A. Brown, mentioned elsewhere in this work; Charles E., who married Lillian White and is also repre- sented on another page of this volume; and Grace May, the wife of James H. Steele, hy whom she has one child, Allen.

Mr. Allen was one of the Indian fighters of the early days but modestly refrains from saying much concerning this. In August, 1864, when Colonel Chivington called for volunteers to suppress the Indian uprisings in eastern Colorado, William Allen was one of the first to offer his services to his country, and served in the Third Colorado Volunteers, taking active part in the famous battle of Sand Creek, and at the close of the war, was honorably discharged in December, 1864. In the early '80s, when Deadwood, South Dakota, was a flourishing frontier town, Mr. Allen accompanied by his brother-in-law, Thomas T. Reno, made a most dangerous trip into the Black Hills with two wagon loads of flour and grain. The Comanche, Arapahoe and Cheyenne Indians were on the warpath with the freighters at this time, and Mr. Allen's party narrowly escaped becoming victims of their savage attacks on several occasions.

He has heen a strong advocate of the irrigation system, and was president of the old Arapahoe ditch when it was owned by the farmers. Afterwards, he became a one-third owner of this ditch with W. C. Lathrop and H. G. Wolff. He still retains stock in this enterprise which is now known as The Farmers High Line Canal & Reservoir Company. In 1884, he built the Allen ditch which opened up to cultiva- tion the section around Westminster, where he now owns a fine ranch of four hundred acres of the most productive land in that vicinity. He has always been of temperate habits, and although now eighty-one years of age, retains in marked degree, the vitality and vigor which have ever characterized him. He has never used tobacco or liquor in any form and has always preferred the quiet of his home and the society of his family to that of lodges or clubs, never having affiliated with any secret organizations, excepting his connection with the Grand Army of the Republic.

His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served as county commissioner of Jefferson county for six years but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which have been wisely directed and have brought to him a substantial measure of success. He is one of the honored and venerable citizens of the county, having here resided for almost six decades, so that he is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the development of the county and with all the events which have shaped its history.

CHARLES ELBERT ALLEN.

Agricultural labors constitute the life work of Charles Elbert Allen, who is a native of Arvada, born March 1, 1871, his parents being long connected with the his- tory of this community. He was educated in the schools of his native city and Denver, and since putting aside his textbooks he has taken up agricultural work with con- siderable success. He first farmed for others but in 1896, he began for himself, acquiring one hundred and sixty acres of land, two and one-half miles west of . Arvada. He follows the latest methods, and modern machinery and buildings are to be found

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upon his farm, which is cultivated to suitable cereals as regards climate and condi- tion of soil. Mr. Allen is an expert on soil composition and suitability and by careful investigation and experience has established to his own satisfaction which crops are best suited to his land. It is therefore but natural that prosperity has attended his efforts and that financial success has come to him.

On January 18, 1899, Charles E. Allen was united in marriage in Arvada to Miss Lillian White, a daughter of Rev. J. F. and Elizabeth White. She was born in Colorado and by her marriage has become the mother of two children, William Elbert and Willard W., aged respectively, seventeen and thirteen years.

Politically Mr. Allen is independent, giving his support to candidates and measures irrespective of party lines, selecting the man whom he considers best ftted for the office to which he aspires. Along fraternal lines he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Grange. His life course, fraught with hard work, has been an honorable one and he has attained success chiefly on account of his determi- uation and perseverance as well as his reliable qualities. He has many friends in Arvada who esteem him for what he has achieved and for those qualities of character which have made possible that achievement. He is ever public-spirited and the general welfare has been promoted by him in connection with a number of move- ments which he has loyally supported.

FRANK H. GILL.

Although Frank H. Gill passed away eighteen years ago, memory of him remains fresh with the many friends whom he had made while a resident of Brush, Colorado, conducting a large cattle business upon a well improved farm near the town. By his labors Mr. Gill not only acquired prosperity for himself but contributed largely toward the development of important industry of his state. He was born in Hen- derson Harbor, New York, October 21, 1858, his parents being William H. and Harriett A. (Otis) Gill, of whom more extended mentions is made in connection with the sketch of W. H. Gill, of Greeley.

Frank H. Gill was reared under the parental roof and received his earlier education in New York state. Coming to Colorado with his parents in the early '70s, he subsequently attended a business college in Greeley in order to prepare himself better for life's work. After having completed his business education he took the position of foreman for his brother-in-law, Bruce F. Johnson, on the 22 Ranch and remained with him for a number of years, carefully husbanding his earnings. At the end of that period he acquired title to three hundred and twenty acres of land four and a half miles northeast of Brush, upon which he put modern improvements and which he cultivated to good advantage during the remainder of his life. He introduced up-to-date facilities upon the place and planted such crops as would bring the most desirable results considering soil conditions and climate. He was quite largely interested in cattle and hog feeding, specializing in this line. In his business transactions he was ever fair and just, and as he was a wide-awake man, he succeeded in accumulating a comfortable competence. His death occurred November 25, 1900, as the result of an accident when rounding up cattle. This lamentable occurrence was a deep shock to his family and spread great sorrow among his many friends, for his high qualities of character were recognized by all who knew him, and he was not only appreciated by all for his success in his enter- prises but because of those qualities of heart and mind which made him friend to all who appreciated honest and sincere friendship.

On July 14, 1892, Mr. Gill was united in marriage to Nellie A. Plowhead, a daughter of John H. and Amelia S. ( Simon) Plowhead, natives of Bern, Switzerland. They came to America in the early '50s and later located near Evans, Weld county, Colorado, where the father took up land. During the sensational gold discoveries in California he went to that state and came to Colorado from there, investing the money which he had made in California in the Colorado farm upon which he spent the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in October. 1892, his widow surviv- ing him nearly two decades, passing away July 3, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Gill became the parents of three children: Jennie. the wife of H. W. Dixon, residing at Fort Collins, Colorado; Frank L., who is now cultivating the home farm; and Whitford H., also on the old home place. Mr. Gill had been previously married, his first union occurring in October, 1883, when he wedded Jennie Gannett, and to them

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was born oue child, Arthur William, residing at Greeley, Colorado. Mrs. Jennie Gill died March 3, 1886.

Politically Mr. Gill was a republican, always true to the principles of his party, and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was ever ready to support public measures of value and lend a helping hand in promoting the welfare of his community. He was beloved by all who had the honor of his acquaintance and his memory still lives with those who called him friend. After his untimely demise Mrs. Gill removed to Brush in order to procure better school facilities for her children and she has resided there ever since. She acquired a nice home at 314 Carson street, which is still the family residence. She is very much interested in war service work, particularly in the Red Cross, and devotes a great deal of her time to that cause. Education has also found in her a champion and she is now secretary of the local school board, having done efficient work in this position for three years. She is a member of the P. E. O. sisterhood. The family is well and favorably known in Brush and the hospitality of the best people of the town is extended to them. The home farm is now ably conducted by the sons, who follow in the footsteps of their father and have further improved the property, so that it is now to be numbered among the most valuable in the vicinity of Brush.

HARRY McBRIDE RUBEY.

Harry McBride Rubey, president of the Rubey National Bank at Golden, occupies an enviable position in business and financial circles, not alone by reason of the the success he has achieved, but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he has ever followed and which measures up to the highest standards of business integrity and enterprise. A native of Arkansas, Mr. Rubey was born in the city of Helena, June 7, 1871, a son of Thomas H. and Ella ( McBride) Rubey. His parents removed from Arkansas to Moberly, Missouri, where he attended the public schools, and after putting aside his textbooks he secured a position in the Randolph Bank, making his initial start in the business world along the line in which he is now engaged. In fact he has devoted his entire life to the banking business and his knowledge thereof is comprehensive and exact. After spending a year and a half in the Randolph Bank he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, and obtained a clerkship in the Bank of Commerce, in which he was employed for a year and a half. Later he went to Sioux City, Iowa, where he occupied a clerical position for four years, and in 1894 he came to Colorado, making his way to Golden, where he accepted the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Woods & Rubey, bankers. He afterward served as assistant cashier in the Woods-Rubey National Bank, later as cashier and ultimately as vice president. He then purchased the interest of Mr. Woods in the institution in October, 1916, and changed the name the following year to the Rubey National Bank. Under this style the business has since been conducted and as its head Mr. Rubey is bending his energies to constructive effort, to administrative direc- tion and executive control. He is the vice president and a director of the Golden Savings Bank and his name is a well known one in banking circles of this section. He is also widely known throughout the state as a prominent representative of financial interests and one who has exerted considerable influence among the banking fraternity. His high standing is indicated in the fact that he has been honored with the presidency of the Colorado Bankers Association and was elected a member of the executive council of the American Bankers Association for Colorado, serving in the latter position for three years.

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History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 85

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