USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume III > Part 86
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On the 21st of January, 1908, in Golden, Mr. Rubey was united in marriage to Alice (Power) Macgregor, who by her former marriage has two children, Maude Macgregor and Mrs. Helen (Macgregor) Charles, whose husband is in the United States aviation service.
Fraternally Mr. Rubey is a Mason, having membership in Golden City Lodge, No. 1, of which he is a past master and the present treasurer. He also belongs to Golden Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M., in which he is also serving as the treasurer, and Coronel Commandery, Knights Templar. He is likewise a member of the Denver Consistory and of El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine. His membership relations extend to Elks Lodge, No. 17, and in club circles he is well known, being a member of the Denver Athletic Club and the Lakewood Country Club, serving as one of the directors of the latter. His interests and activities are broad and varied. Appreciative of the social amenities of life and always cordial and genial, he yet never allows
HARRY M. RUBEY
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outside interests to interfere with the faithful performance of his duties in his business relations, and aside from his connection with the bank he is the secretary and treasurer of the Rubey Clay Company and its chief stockholder. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Colorado School of Mines, at Golden. He has done much to build up in Golden a most successful financial institution, one worthy of the trust and patronage of the public, his ability and enterprise being dominant factors in the continuous growth of the Rubey National Bank. One feature of his success is that he has always concentrated his efforts and attention upon this work, never dissipating his energies over a broad field but thoroughly master- ing every feature of the banking business. The friends who speak of him in terms of high regard are legion.
JAMES PERCHARD.
One of the outstandng figures in Colorado supreme court circles, having held the position which he now occupies through many changes in administration, is James Perchard, clerk of the supreme court of the state since 1889. His long experience and capability have made his work of the greatest worth in connection with the court tribunal, and judges and lawyers speak of him in terms of the highest regard. He was born on the Isle of Jersey, December 29, 1850, a son of Thomas and Jane ( Arbieu ) Perchard, who were also born on the Isle of Jersey, where the father engaged in farming and where both he and his wife spent their entire lives.
James Perchard was the sixth child in their family. In early life he attended private schools and after laying aside his textbooks he went to sea and sailed before the mast. He visited all parts of the world on his various voyages and was steadily advanced during the two years which he spent on shipboard. He then came to America, settling first in Chicago, where he remained for two years and thence made his way to George- town, Colorado, where he arrived in 1875. For a time he engaged in mining but after- ward gave that up to turn his attention to merchandising, in which pursuit he formed a partnership with H. A. Spruance, who afterward became state auditor of Colorado in 1889. The business was then sold and Mr. Perchard was appointed deputy clerk of the supreme court and later, in 1891, clerk of the court of appeals. He has held these offices continuously since. The court of appeals was abolished in 1905 and he was then appointed deputy clerk of the supreme court of Colorado and in January, 1918, was again made clerk of that court, in which capacity he is now serving to the entire satisfaction of the lawyers and the judges who have to do with the work of this court of last resort.
Mr. Perchard is a Scottish Rite Mason who exemplifies in his life the beneficient spirit of the craft. He belongs to St. Mark's Episcopal church and for the past eighteen years has been a member of its vestry. He takes an active interest in all that per- tains to the intellectual and moral progress of his community and his aid and in- fluence are always on the side of right, of advancement and improvement.
MRS. FRANCES SEVERIN.
Mrs. Frances Severin is the owner of a valuable farm property in Kit Carson county, situated on section 15, township 10, range 44. She has been a resident of Colorado since 1906, spending the entire period in the county which is still her home. She was born in Bohemia in 1863 and came to this country with her parents when a maiden of fourteen years, the family home being established in Nebraska. There she became the wife of Augustin Severin, who was also a native of Bohemia, in which country he learned the harness maker's trade. He came to the new world when twenty-one years of age in order to avoid compulsory military service in Europe, to which principle he was opposed. His father gave him two hundred and fifty dollars and in order to leave his native land he had to travel partly on foot and partly by train in order to make the authorities believe that he was looking for work, for no one was supposed to leave the country. He therefore put most of his money between the sole of his shoe and the lining and thus kept only a small amount of change in his pocket. He made his way to Bremen and from that port sailed for the new world. Reaching American shores, he crossed the country to West Point, Dodge county, Nebraska.
MR. AND MRS. AUGUSTIN SEVERIN
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It was in Colfax county, Nebraska, in June, 1879, that Mr. and Mrs. Severin were married. For ten years they resided in Stanton county, Nebraska, Mr. Severin con- tinuing to engage in harness making, after which they took up their abode upon a farm in that county upon which they resided for seventeen years. It was a period of prosperity, for their carefully directed activities brought to them a very substantial measure of success. In 1897, however, Mr. Severin became ill of asthma and spent five years in California, Colorado, Utah and Arizona, after which he went to Billings, Montana, for the benefit of his health. He decided to remain in that state and made arrangements to engage in the conduct of a hotel but his health again became im- paired and he was forced to abandon that plan. During all this period his wife was still conducting the farm in Nebraska, but eventually they sold the property there. After leaving Montana Mr. Severin returned to California and again spent a year upon the Pacific coast. When making his way to Nebraska he passed through Colorado and was so pleased with the state that he decided to continue here. In 1906 he removed with his family to Kit Carson county and homesteaded, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for after about fifteen months spent upon his farm he passed away on the 20th of January, 1908, his remains being interred in Burlington.
Upon Mrs. Severin therefore devolved the task of completing the work of develop- ing and improving the farm. To this she devoted her energies untiringly nntil 1915, when her health broke down and she decided to live with her son, Albin, who had previously homesteaded nearby. Mrs. Severin is still the owner of three-fourths of a section of land and her son, in addition to the homestead, bought another quarter section in 1917. Their farm property is therefore extensive and valuable, for their labors have brought their land under a very high state of cultivation.
Mrs. Severin speaks several languages and is an interesting talker. She has reared a family of six children, Emma, Tilly, Rosa, Alice, Albin and Louise, all of whom are now married with the exception of Albin. Mrs. Severin has never had occasion to regret coming to the new world. Here she found a good home and during lier husband's lifetime prosperity came to them as the result of their united efforts. Since his death she has continued to manage her business affairs carefully and is enjoying a good income from her property.
HON. WILLIAM P. RIDDOCH.
Hon. William P. Riddoch is one of those valuable American citizens whose cradle stood in the land of hills and heather, for he was born in Inveraray, Scotland, October 4. 1880. For many years he has been a resident of Colorado and at present is serving as mayor of the city of Fountain, in which position he renders valuable service to the public, giving the community a businesslike and resultant administration. He is a son of William G. and Jean Valentine Riddoch, both natives of Scotland. The family came to the United States in 1882, in which year they took up their residence in Clarinda, lowa, where the father engaged in the contracting business. There they continued for about six years but in 1888 came to Colorado and the father became interested in the development of Green Mountain Falls, becoming one of the directors of the original town site company. He subsequently removed to Denver, where he was in business for a number of years and then removed to Fountain, which city he has since made his home.
William P. Riddoch was only about two years of age when the family came to the United States and was eight years old when removal was made to Colorado. He received his education largely in the public schools of Denver and after having thoroughly prepared himself for a higher course of learning entered the State Agri- cultural College at Fort Collins. Well prepared for life's arduous and responsible duties, he then became connected with the sawmill business at Chama, New Mexico, where he remained for a year and then removed to Colorado Springs, where for three years he was connected with lumberyards. In 1909 he established his own yard in Fountain, the firm being known as the Fountain Lumber & Supply Company. He has always followed progressive methods in all of his business affairs and has built up an enviable reputation for strict honesty, so that his trade has grown from year to year until he now derives a very gratifying income from his business interests.
In 1903 Mr. Riddoch was united in marriage to Miss Anna Elizabeth Sullivan and to this union were born the following children: Lucile, Kenneth, Gordon and Billy. The parents attend the Congregational church and in his political affiliations Mr.
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Riddoch is a republican, having taken considerable interest in local affairs of his party. He served as town trustee for three terms, his reelections being indicative of the confidence and trust which his fellow townsmen repose in him, and in 1917 he was elected to the position of mayor for a one year term, giving a great deal of his time and energy to the administration of the executive office. He has ever been interested in educational affairs and has given much of his time and thought toward promoting school interests and is serving at the present time as secretary of School District No. 8. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and very prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the local lodge of which he has held all the chairs, while he has also acted as representative to the Grand Lodge. Mr. Riddoch has always taken a deep and helpful interest in all projects and enterprises undertaken on behalf of the public welfare as far as his community, his state or nation is con- cerned. He vigorously upholds the policy of the government and has assisted in making successful, various drives and campaigns in order to establish American ideals of democracy among all nations of the world. He has made many friends since coming to Fountain, all of whom are agreed as to his high qualities of character. He finds recreation in baseball when his business or public interests permit and is an enthusias- tic fan of the game. There is much credit due Mr. Riddoch for what he has achieved, for he has attained an honorable position in life and has gained financial independence entirely through his own efforts.
J. WARNER MILLS.
J. Warner Mills, who for more than two decades was a leading representative of the legal profession in Denver, passed away on the 17th of May, 1907, when fifty-five years of age. His birth occurred at Lancaster, Wisconsin, on the 6th of July, 1852, his parents being Joseph T. and Rebecca (Warner) Mills, who were natives of Ken- tucky and Ohio respectively. The father, a distinguished representative of the legal fraternity, served as district court judge for a period of eighteen years.
J. Warner Mills, one of a family of three sons and a daughter, acquired his early education in the common schools and prepared for the practice of law in the University of Wisconsin, from which institution he was graduated in 1876. The same year he was admitted to the bar and entered upon the active work of the profession in asso- ciation with his father. In 1877 he arrived in Colorado, casting in his lot with its pioneer settlers, after which he engaged in the practice of law at Lake City, Colorado, and continued an active factor in professional circles there until 1885. In that year he removed to Denver, where he remained an active and prominent member of the bar until his death, carving his name high on the keystone of the legal arch. He was remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepared his cases. In no instance was his reading ever confined to the limitations of the question at issue; it went beyond and compassed every contingency and pro- vided not alone for the expected, but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. His logical grasp of facts and principles of the law applicable to them was another potent element in his success, and a remarkable clearness of expression, an adequate and precise diction enabled him to make others understand not only the salient points of his argument, but his every fine gradation of meaning. He was the author and publisher of Mills' Annotated Statutes, Mills' Colo- rado Digest, Mills' Irrigation Manual, and Mills' Constitutional Annotations. More, he was the author of the equal suffrage hill of Colorado. He assisted in drafting the amendment to the state constitution, and in this, as in many other ways, left the impress of his individuality upon lawmaking in Colorado. On one occasion he was prevailed upon to hecome candidate for the office of city attorney hut was defeated, and on another occasion he was a candidate for judge of the supreme court. He was the first candidate for governor on the prohibition ticket and was again named by the prohibition party for that office. He was recognized as one of the distinguished representatives of the legal profession in the west and was a valued member of the Denver City, the Colorado State and the American Bar Associations.
On the 14th of February, 1880, at Lake City, Colorado, Mr. Mills was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Adelia Wilde, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Camp) Wilde. Her father, a native of England, crossed the Atlantic to the United States when a youth of but seventeen years. The grandmother of Mrs. J. Warner Mills, the wife of Hosea T. Camp, was the first white woman in Iowa, settling at Dubuque. Mr. and Mrs. Mills became the parents of seven children, namely: Mrs. E. E. Irish,
J. WARNER MILLS
CLIFFORD W. MILLS
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who is a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Evaline, who is now teaching in the Opportunity school of Denver; Clifford W., a sketch of whom appears below; J. Warner, a prominent young attorney of Denver, who is now serving with the rank of second lieutenant in the United States Army, somewhere in France; and Rebecca, Helen and Blanche, all of whom are deceased.
In politics Mr. Mills was originally a republican but subsequently transferred his allegiance to the democratic party, while later he hecame a prohibitionist and finally became a political free lance, advocating many of the reforms which have since been written into the statutes of Colorado. Fraternally he was identified with Lake City Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Royal Arcanum, and his religious faith was that of the Unitarian church. When he passed away on the 17th of May, 1907, Denver mourned the loss of one of her leading lawyers and esteemed citi- zens and his memory will long be cherished by those who knew him intimately. His widow survives and yet makes her home in Denver, where she has an extensive circle of warm friends.
CLIFFORD W. MILLS.
Clifford W. Mills, attorney at law and one of the regents of the University of Colorado, has been an active representative of the legal profession since 1910. He was born in Lake City, Colorado, January 21, 1882, a son of J. Warner and Sarah Adelia (Wilde) Mills, more extended mention of whom is made above.
In early life Clifford W. Mills attended the schools of Denver and after leaving the high school became a student in the University of Wisconsin, where he was gradu- ated on the completion of a commercial course with the class of 1905. He then took up the study of law in the University of Denver and also read law in his father's office. He was admitted to practice in 1910 and has since followed his profession. In 1912 he was elected justice of the peace in Denver and served in that position for one term. The name Mills has long been a most honored one in connection with law practice in Denver and the record of Clifford W. Mills bids fair to add new lustre thereto. His clientage is already large and of an important character. He has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he has followed. He displays strong powers of concentration and application, together with a retentive mind, and in the discussion of legal matters stands high before the court. He belongs to the Denver Bar Association and he is an instructor in law in the Westminster Law School. In 1916 he became further identified with educational interests as a regent of the University of Colorado.
On the 12th of August, 1908, Mr. Mills was united in marriage to Miss Maude L. Ketchpaw, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Ketchpaw, of a well known and prominent family now residing in Carpenter, Wyoming. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have become parents of two children: Muriel, who was born in Denver in 1909; and Gabrielle, who was born in Denver on the 18th of May, 1912. Both are now in school. Mr. Mills is connected with the Knights of Pythias and his religious faith is that of the Unitarian church. He is well known in Colorado, where his entire life has been passed. Parental influence may have something to do with securing social prominence, but individual merit is the only thing that can attain advancement in law practice, and while the example of his illustrious father may inspire and encourage Clifford W. Mills, it is through personal effort that he has won the place which he now fills as a leading representative of the younger ranks of lawyers at the Denver bar.
JAMES ALISON MILLER.
A history of Colorado would he incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make reference to James Alison Miller. He was one of the pioneers who pene- trated into the Rocky Mountain fastnesses of the western frontier and for many years engaged in freighting supplies to the various government posts. Later he figured for more than two decades as clerk of the state supreme court of Colorado and now, in the evening of life, remains an honored citizen of the state.
He was born at Rockyhill, Ohio, in 1839, a son of Dr. James Hosea Chessman Miller and Azuba (Carpenter) Miller. His ancestors in both the paternal and
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maternal lines went to England and Scotland with William the Conqueror. In 1638 the descendants of the Miller family emigrated to the new world and in 1669 the Carpenter family was planted on the soil of America. These families resided in what later became the states of Vermont and Massachusetts.
Dr. James Hosea Chessman Miller was born at Rushville, New York, in 1800 and died at Jackson, Ohio, in 1883. He and five of his brothers were soldiers of the Union army in the Civil war and before the contest opened James A. Miller of this review was away "doing his bit" in delivering supplies to the government posts of the west and their wards, the Indians. Such a record well entitles him to the claim of being one hundred per cent American. The spirit of the frontiersmen seems to have been a dominant one in the Miller family. The father, Dr. Miller, surreptitiously left his home in New York in 1819 and walked and worked his way across the country to the Kanawha Salt Works, in what is now West Virginia, and from that point traveled southward by salt rafts to New Orleans. He fell in with a body of trappers from Texas, then a state of Mexico, and with them came for furs over the Cochetopa pass to the Arkansas river. From that point they continued on their northerly way, striking the head of Cherry creek, and proceeded down to its junction with the Platte, camping at its mouth in 1821 and 1822, long before Colorado had become American territory. Returning to the Gulf, Dr. Miller after- ward went to Boliva, South America, and fought the Spanish with General Bolivar until the Bolivians secured their independence from Spanish rule about 1824. Later Dr. Miller returned home and married but after a few years again heard "the call of the wild," his taste for adventure taking him to Texas in 1836. There, with other heroes, actuated by a love of liberty, he fought until the independence of the state was secured. Then, at the request of the chief of the Mexican army, who had become attached to Dr. Miller, he went to Mexico and for two years was an officer at Zacatecas. He returned home, however, at the time of the Civil war and attempted to enlist, with the "Boys in Blue" of the Union army. He was at that time sixty- one years of age and the board was inclined to reject him on account of his years, but he insisted he was only "forty-four past," the limit being forty-five. They laugh- ingly accepted him as a private but he was soon transferred to the surgeons' depart- ment, where he used his medical ability, serving in that way throughout the war, thus doing his full duty for oppressed humanity in this and other lands. Later, taking up his abode at Jackson, Ohio, he there remained until his demise in 1883. His wife, who was born in Vermont in 1803, passed away in Jackson in 1877.
The same spirit of adventure led James A. Miller to leave home prior to the Civil war and he did not return until twenty-five years later. His life upon the frontier brought him such experiences as were shared by all the pioneers of sixty years ago -- vigorous young fellows, not afraid to face the hardships and dangers of the country, then held by the warlike Sioux, Utes, Comanches, Arapahoes. Navajos, Kiowas, Cheyennes, Apaches and other warlike Indian tribes who roamed over the great American desert. Speaking of this period of his life, Mr. Miller said: "Why we were out here we did not know or care. The controlling motive was to 'get there.' 'Pike's Peak or bust' was the motto of all." No matter what were the reasons that led these men to leave happy homes and start out to lead practically nomadic lives they constituted the forerunner band of many thousands of stalwart, fearless young men who came to the west from every direction to subdue the country, well armed and ready at a moment's notice for the fray. Every "bull whacker" or "mule skinner" had his "irons," as his weapon was called, close at hand on the side of his wagon or on his person. A spirit of comradeship existed between all, notwithstanding the fact that they possibly would never meet again, for travelers were coming and going at all times. In this period of his career many occurrences were vividly impressed upon the memory of Mr. Miller and remain as fresh as though they happened but yesterday. His wanderings carried him from the starting points to the various forts and Indian agencies, east and south, with supplies for the troops and Indians, the sutlers, traders and merchants of Denver, Pueblo and Salt Lake, which were the only three settlements of any consequence in the west, east of the Pacific. Mr. Miller and his companions were often compelled to fight for the right of way and generally won out. In 1864 they came upon a band of Pawnees and Otoes near old Fort McPherson, who in a raid had captured an old Sioux squaw. who was packed like a burro. Mr. Miller struck up a deal for her purchase and after much dickering the deal was consummated. When he started to unpack the squaw she hugged him and tears of joy fell from her eyes. She was placed in a wagon and they started west. The woman was very old and white-haired and in
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answer to his question she pointed west, saying: "Bebe Kick," which after several days' travel proved to be a large Sioux war village of eight hundred warriors, on Beaver creek, who were after the raiding party. The Pawnees had intended to burn the Sioux squaw but at the suggestion of Dr. Miller that white soldiers never burned prisoners as it was cowardly, they consented to "swap her." On arriving at Beaver creek she was turned over to her people. Their chief, Red Cloud, who was in command, came down to the camp of the white man and shook hands with Mr. Miller and his friend, Duke, patting the former on the hand and saying "Good boys." He could speak very little English, but managed to express himself very forcibly. He said practically: "Most all white men are thieves, and me going to fight them." Mr. Miller and his companions were ready to start when the chief said: "Wait one hour ( putting up one finger), me come back." In an hour he hrought back a round piece of rawhide about three inches in diameter and covered with fresh blue hieroglyphics, with a long buckskin string, or whang, attached and slipped it over Mr. Miller's head, depositing the circular piece in his shirt pocket, saying: "Sioux no hurt you; show this." It proved Mr. Miller's guardian angel from there to Salt Lake. They met large bodies of painted Sioux but upon presenta- tion of their passport they were permitted to go on. Mr. Miller exhibited this in Salt Lake to numbers of old plainsmen who could give no interpretation, but one well dressed, smooth gentleman said he had a friend who could interpret it and Mr. Miller let him take it, to be returned the next morning, but he never heard again of the buckskin passport. The marks thereon were like the ancient hiero- glyphics of Egypt and Asia and if interpreted might prove most valuable concerning the remote ancestry of the red race on this continent. Professor March, a member of the faculty of Yale (or Harvard), in the early '70s told Mr. Miller that he had discovered in talking with the Cheyenne Indians many Hebrew words. Their features certainly carry out their origin as of the very ancient Jews.
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