USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume III > Part 87
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With the building of the railroads into the great wild west, an iron band crossing the continent, the occupation of Mr. Miller and his companions on the plains ceased. He was afterward appointed by the first state supreme court in 1877 to the position of clerk of that tribunal and for twenty-one years carried out all of his duties to the satisfaction of the judges, the bar, the litigants and the public, but overwork and failing health compelled him to resign in 1898.
Mr. Miller was married in 1860 to Miss Mary Sophia Powell, the wedding being celebrated on the 15th day of March. They lived their lives in the city of their adoption, Denver, Colorado, from 1863 until Mrs. Miller passed away in February, 1906. Her Christian character and philanthropic spirit, as displayed among the poor and needy, is still remembered by her associates and her memory is cherished hy the older residents of Denver and particularly those to whom she reached out a helping hand. Mr. and Mrs. Miller became the parents of four children: Ida Alice, afterward the wife of Dr. Frederick E. Warren; Mary Malvina, who became the wife of George L. Weaver; William Chessman Powell Miller; and Charles Francis Miller. All are residents of Colorado.
Mr. Miller has seen Denver grow from a small trading post with a few shacks along the banks of Cherry creek to the metropolitan city of nearly three hundred thousand inhabitants and his life from young manhood to the autumn of his days has been spent underneath the shadow of the Rockies, in the Queen City of the Plains.
GEORGE H. WAIBEL.
George H. Waibel is proprietor of the Waibel Service Station, located on Broad- way, in the automobile district of Denver. It is the last word in automobile service, expressing the most progressive and modern ideas of motor car development. Among its customers are many of Denver's leading citizens, Mr. Waibel having built up his patronage through prompt, efficient and high class workmanship until today his business is among the most prosperous of the kind in the state.
Mr. Waibel was born in Shelby county, Missouri, August 14, 1884, a son of Louis and Matilda (Brown) Waibel. The mother was also a native of Shelby county, her parents having removed from Virginia to Missouri. The father was born in Shelby county, Missouri. His father met an accidental death when his son, Louis, was but eight years old. Louis Waibel subsequently took up his abode in Shelby county. Missouri, where he married and engaged in farming. He is still active in agricultural
GEORGE H. WAIBEL
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pursuits, residing on the old homestead in Bethel township, Shelby county, as does his wife, with whom he has long traveled life's journey. Their family numbers five sons and daughters: John W., who is living in Kit Carson county, Colorado; Mrs. Anna W. Gosney, a resident of Shelby county, Missouri; George H., of this review; Mrs. Minnie Boyles, of Shelby county, Missouri; and Arthur M., who has responded to the call of the colors and is a member of the United States Army.
George H. Waibel acquired his early education in the public schools of his native county and subsequently attended high school for two years. Later he worked along mechanical lines and was hut fourteen years of age when he began learning steam engineering. He followed that trade and also engaged in well drilling, blacksmithing and automobile repairing in Missouri for seven years. In 1905 he removed from his native state to Thomas county, Kansas, where he was employed at the machinist's trade for two years. In 1907 he took up his ahode in Kit Carson county, Colorado, where he again worked along the same lines and extended the scope of his activities to include the drilling of artesian wells. In 1910 he removed from Kit Carson county to Denver and was connected with the mechanical department of various automobile companies until he entered the service of the Cadillac Motor Company in connection with its repair department. He worked his way upward through the various depart- ments until he became foreman of the repair and mechanical department, having full charge of the business along those lines. At length, however, he decided to emhark in business on his own account and the Cadillac Company reluctantly accepted his resignation although wishing him every success. He then established the Waihel Service Station, which he is now conducting. The building was erected especially for his convenience and is one of the most modern of the kind in the state. He hegan business on the 1st of March, 1918, and since that time his patronage has rapidly increased. He has a staff of twenty-three expert repair men in his employ and the business has been more than satisfactory in all departments. He also conducts a large accessories department.
On the 22d of November, 1912, Mr. Waibel was married to Miss Senada Ross, of Denver, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthias Ross, the former a Civil war veteran and now a prominent resident of Denver.
Mr. Waibel helongs to the Denver Automobile Trade Association and also to the Civic and Commercial Association. In politics he maintains an independent course, nor has he ever sought or desired office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs. He has made his way in the business world unaided and is a self-made man, deserving all the credit and praise which that term implies.
THOMAS BERNARD EVANS CARRINGTON.
Thomas Bernard Evans Carrington, who passed away on the 20th of October, 1918, had become well known in business circles of Colorado Springs as proprietor of the undertaking establishment conducted under the name of the Carrington & Sons Undertaking Company. He was a native of England, his birth having occurred in Birkenhead, that country, in 1881. His father, E. Evans Carrington, was a native of Wales and was there married to Lydia Coke. They came to America in 1883 and made their way westward to Colorado in 1889, settling in Colorado Springs. The father was for many years a well known minister of the Southern Methodist Episcopal church and passed away in Denver in 1910, while on a business trip to that city. His life was one of beneficent influence and value in the community where he labored and many there are who owe much to his teaching and encouragement. His widow still survives, as do also three daughters of the family, namely: Hilda C., of Colorado Springs; Evelyn, who is a resident of Nashville, Tennessee: and Mrs. Sophia Pearson, of Silverton, Colorado.
Thomas Bernard Evans Carrington was reared in Colorado Springs from the age of eight years and attended private schools of the city. In 1902 he turned his attention to the undertaking business, in which he was actively engaged to the time of his demise, conducting his interests under the style of Carrington & Sons. The firm originally comprised himself and his father, together with a brother, Edward H. Carrington, who died in Colorado Springs in 1911. As the years passed Mr. Carrington of this review developed the business according to modern scientific lines in the care of the dead and had a well appointed establishment which was liberally patronized, owing to the fact that he was most wise, careful and considerate in funeral direction.
On the 30th of November, 1916, in Colorado Springs, Mr. Carrington was married
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to Miss Edna Pearl Sparks, and they won an enviable position in social circles of Colo- rado Springs. Mr. Carrington held membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church, while his widow is identified with the Grace church, Episcopal, and he belonged also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Knights of Pythias, while in Masonry he attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite. His political belief was that of the republican party but he was never a politician in the sense of office seeking. His untimely demise, when he was but thirty-seven years of age, brought a sense of deep bereavement to his many friends as well as to his immediate family, for he was a man of genuine personal worth and many splendid qualities which had com- manded the high regard and esteem of all who knew him.
HON. HIRAM R. BROWN.
Among the honored pioneers of Jefferson county, Colorado, was numbered Hon. Hiram R. Brown, who settled here in 1874. Not only was he one of the foremost agriculturists of his section, but he took an active part in the political life of his county, which he represented in both houses of the legislature. Moreover, Mr. Brown was one of the earliest residents of the state, for he first came to Colorado in 1862, participating in the Indian fighting, and in 1866 he settled in Denver.
Mr. Brown was born in Bedford, Lawrence county, Indiana, December 13, 1836, one of a family of nine children. His father, John Brown, was a native of Virginia but was reared in Kentucky and after his marriage to Mathilda Board' he removed to Indiana, the young couple settling in Bedford, where Mr. Brown secured a position as a bank clerk. He maintained this connection for twenty-two years, proving thereby his faithfulness and capability, and then removed to Lee county, Iowa, where he acquired an extensive tract of land and laid out the town of Franklin, which is now a flourishing village. After a number of years he removed to Mount Pleasant and there John Brown died. He served one term in the Iowa legislature and was one of the committee chosen to locate the state capital when it was changed from Iowa City to Des Moines. A . stanch advocate of republican principles, he contributed to his party's success in his state.
After due preparation in the lesser schools Hiram R. Brown entered Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant. where he completed his education. He then taught one term of school in Pike county, Missouri, and two terms in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The year 1862 marked his arrival in Colorado, the journey trom Iowa being made down the river to Louisiana, where he took steamer up the Missouri to Leavenworth. At that place he hired out to some parties to drive ox teams across the plains and on the 4th of July he arrived in Denver, fifty cents representing his entire capital. Desirous of trying mining, he then went to Tarryall gulch, South Park, where for a time he worked in the mines, and thence proceeded to Montgomery, where he found employment in the lead mines. In the fall of the same year he went to Colorado City and was appointed deputy county clerk and deputy postmaster. There he organized the Colorado Com- pany and secured from the government the title for the town site. During this time Indian troubles broke out and a company was organized, but the government refused to permit them to act as an independent regiment and therefore they were mustered into the United States service, Mr. Brown being made quartermaster sergeant of Company F, Third Colorado Cavalry. When the quartermaster sergeant of the regi- ment was taken ill, shortly afterward, Mr. Brown was detailed to fill his position and he afterward served as such. He took a prominent part in the battle of Sand Creek. Shortly after his return from the Indian fighting Mr. Brown received the appointment of provost marshal, being assigned to Park county, where he served for nine months. In 1866 he removed to Denver and there he engaged in the mercantile business with a brother-in-law for two years, achieving considerable financial success. He then decided to go to Cheyenne, as the Union Pacific Railroad was then in process of con- struction, and during the building boom there found employment at large wages. After eighteen months, however, he returned to Denver and in partnership with a Mr. McCune engaged in the painting business, their enterprise being immediately attended with success, for they received large contracts, which returned to them gratifying results. For four years they successfully conducted that business and in 1874 Mr. Brown came to the farm in Jefferson county, where he continued to make his home until called to his final rest on February 21, 1918. He placed upon this property up- to-date facilities and improvements, installed modern machinery, put up new buildings and in every way made his farm one of the finest properties in Colorado. He ever
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followed the latest methods and thoroughly studied soil conditions and climate in order to derive the greatest return from his crops. As a natural result he received gratify- ing financial returns from his labors and he accumulated a competence which left his family in comfortable circumstances. In fact Mr. Brown was untiring in improv- ing his farm property and by making it one of the best in the section he largely advanced agricultural development. The farm is located two and a quarter miles northeast of Arvada and originally comprised one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land. To this he added from time to time until he owned two hundred and thirty-five acres.
In 1863 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Boyd, who died April 6, 1894, at the age of fifty-two years, and to them were born four children: Edgar A., who preceded his father in death; Maud J., now Mrs. John S. Calkins, of Westminster. Colorado; Hiram A .; and Carrie B., now Mrs. M. A. Nicholson of Leadville, Colorado.
Mr. Brown took an active part in the public affairs of his county and state and was a stanch republican, ever ready to support his party. In 1889 he was elected to repre- sent his district in the lower honse of the state legislature and two years later was elected to the state senate, serving in the eighth, ninth and tenth general assemblies. He was prominent and influential in committee rooms and on the floor of the house and did much toward promoting valuable legislation which has proven of great importance to the state. He never lost sight of the interests of his constituents and consistently defended their rights in the house. During his first term in the senate the Australian ballot system was introduced and the new police system of Denver was inaugurated, while woman suffrage was also carried when he was a member of the legislature. He was a member of the Clear Creek Valley Grange and the Grand Army of the Republic and was junior vice commander of Major Anderson Post and many a pleasant hour he spent with his former comrades in arms and was very popular with them.
He was a prominent and loyal member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been active in the formation of Arvada Lodge, No. 145, becoming a charter member of the same, and in which, he received the highest official honors. He was also a member of Silver State Encampment, and of Canton Arapahoe, I. O. O. F.
His death was a great blow to his immediate family and was deeply regretted by his many friends in Jefferson county and elsewhere in this state. All appreciated him as a man of high quality of character and he had endeared himself to many. He was a straightforward, kindly man, ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who needed aid. ever ready to give a good word of sound advice,-and often his advice would be followed by deeds of kindness. His memory lives with all those who had the honor of his closer acquaintance and his achievements live as a part of the history of his connty, in which he assisted to plant civilization.
HIRAM A. BROWN.
One of the representative citizens of Jefferson county, being as well numbered among the most progressive agriculturists of the state, is Hiram A. Brown, of Arvada. Mr. Brown is a native of the Silver state, his birth having occurred in Denver, August 9, 1874, and a son of Hon. Hiram and Mary A. (Boyd) Brown, extended mention of whom has been made in this work on other pages.
Hiram A. Brown was but an infant when his parents located near Arvada, and practically his entire life has been spent in the community where he now resides, and where he has won recognition through his personal worth and character. During his earlier boyhood he attended the public schools of the neighborhood and when nineteen years of age, he became a student at the Colorado State Agricultural College at Fort Collins, where he pursued a thorough course of study in mechanical engineering. Later, he became a student in the Central Business College, of Denver, thus thoroughly fitting himself for life's work. The failing health of his father necessitating his presence and assistance at home, he relinquished his ambition for further study, and joined his father in the management of the latter's property and affairs, which association was continued for several years.
On August 6, 1902, Mr. Brown wedded Miss Laura Allen, of Arvada, and the young people took up their abode on the ranch where they now reside, and which under the skilled management and scientific cultivation it receives, is conceded to be one of the best that can be found in this, or any other, locality. Here, Mr. Brown is putting into daily use, not only the careful training and valuable experi- ence gained through continued association with his father. but also the knowledge
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acquired through careful research and study of advanced methods, intensive cultiva- tion, soil improvement, etc.
Mrs. Brown, like her husband, is a native of Colorado, a daughter of William M. and Miriam ( Reno) Allen, of whom more extensively is written on other pages in these volumes, her father being numbered among the best known, as well as oldest living pioneers of the state. The property upon which Mr. and Mrs. Brown reside has long been known as the Pioneer ranch, it having been located many years ago by Mr. Allen. Here it was that Mrs. Brown was born and grew to womanhood. She was educated in the public schools of Arvada and Denver, in which latter city, she also became a student in Wolfe Hall, then an advanced finishing school for girls. There she pursned a thorough literary course, devoting especial attention to elocution and dramatic expression, in which she achieved high honors and won a considerable success in public readings, in various parts of the country. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have one son, Richard Allen, born September 14, 1910.
Politically, Mr. Brown is an ardent supporter of the republican party and its principles, and while never an office seeker he has taken an active interest in political affairs, and was appointed deputy food commissioner for Jefferson county, which appointment he is now filling acceptably, his broad acquaintance in the community, supplemented by his accurate knowledge of conditions in his district, constituting important factors in the work.
In fraternal circles, he is well known as a charter member and treasurer of Arvada Lodge, No. 145, I. O. O. F., and in the same order holds membership in Silver State Encampment and in Canton Rogers. He is also a member of the Clear Creek Valley Grange, while both he, and his worthy wife, take active part in Red ('ross, Liberty Loan, and other war activities.
GEORGE G. WOOD.
George G. Wood, who is engaged in general merchandising at Ramah, was born at Ripley, Jackson county, West Virginia, on the 8th of Jannary, 1871, a son of John and Ruth ( Price) Wood, both of whom were natives of Ohio. In 1895 George G. Wood removed to Pueblo, Colorado, where he resided for three years and then came to Ramah. In 1898 he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land and lived upon the ranch for about eight years, after which he disposed of the property and erected a suitable building in Raman for mercantile purposes. He then opened his store in 1908 and has since carried on general merchandising, meeting with a fair measure of success. In connecton with this he has a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres which he purchased in 1915. He leases the ranch and the income derived therefrom adds materially to the comforts which he is thus able to enjoy. He spent one year in Oregon prior to opening his store at Ramah but since his removal to the west has remained almost continuously in Colorado and whatever success he has achieved has come to him as the direct reward of his labors.
On the 17th of February, 1900, Mr. Wood was married to Miss Jenny M. Marsh, a daughter of B. F. and Mary E. (Usher) Marsh, who were natives of Indiana. The wife is a high school graduate. They have one daughter, Laura Luella, who was born November 20, 1901, and is a student in the Ramah high school.
Mr. Wood belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having membership in Ramah Lodge, No. 178. He was elected justice of the peace but did not qualify, as he has no desire to fill the office. For nine years, however, he has served as a director of the school board of the Ramah Consolidated school. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the Baptist church, to the teachings of which he is ever loyal. His life is guided by high and honorable principles and at all times he endeavors to follow the golden rule, attempting to do unto others as he would have them do unto him.
HORACE HOPKINS.
Weld county, once a barren waste, a range of sand dunes and wild grasses, is today a richly developed tract owing to the progressive farm methods which have been em- ployed by the settlers who have laid claim to the land and converted it into productive fields. Horace Hopkins was born in Tennessee, March 25, 1852, and is a son of Benjamin
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HORACE HOPKINS
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P. and Ruth (Tinker) Hopkins, who were natives of Virginia and of Kentucky, respec- tively. The father was a stockman and farmer and in young manhood went to Ten- nessee, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. Death called him in 1886, after he had for twelve years survived his wife, who died in 1874.
Horace Hopkins spent the period of his minority in his native state and acquired his education in its public schools. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of nineteen years, when he bade adieu to friends among whom he had been reared and started for Arkansas. Residing in that state until 1877, he then removed to Colorado, where he worked in the mines at intervals and is still interested to some extent in mining. In 1888 he purchased his present farm property of eighty acres, situated on section 21, township 6, range 65. He has greatly improved the place during the intervening period of three decades and has one of the valuable and attractive farm properties of this section of the state, his time and attention being given to its further development and improvement. In addition to raising the crops best adapted to soil and climate he has also engaged quite extensively in feeding cattle. He also has large mining interests near Leadville, Colorado, and he is a stockholder in the Peter Smith Manufacturing Company of Denver.
In September, 1890, Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hanson and to them have been born three children, namely: George, who died in 1891, at the age of eight months; Mildred, who follows the profession of teaching; and Helen, who is also engaged in teaching school. Mr. Hopkins exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He loyally espouses any cause in which he believes, but he has never sought to figure prominently in any public connection outside of his business interests, confining his attention at all times to mining and to farming during the period of his residence in Colorado. His investments have been carefully and judiciously made and his holdings are now important, representing a life of industry and thrift such as always wrests fortune from the hands of fate.
LE ROY PEASLEY.
Le Roy Peasley is the owner of The Glynnhurst farm in Weld county. His agri- cultural activities are most wisely, carefully and profitably directed, showing him to be a man of sound judgment and excellent business ability. Mr. Peasley was born in Decorra, Illinois, February 6, 1878, a son of George K. and Mary E. (King) Peasley. The father was a cattle man and farmer of Illinois, where he carried on business until 1880, when he came to Colorado, settling at Evans, Weld county, which was then the county seat. There, in connection with Mr. Harper, he engaged in the cattle business, their business association being maintained for a number of years. Later Mr. Peasley became interested in the 70 ranch and was made manager. In this connection he handled cattle exclusively and he became known as one of the foremost cattle men of the state. His interests were conducted on a very extensive scale and his enterprise and sound judgment brought a very substantial measure of success. He was also a stockholder in the First National Bank of Greeley and was interested in a hardware business there. He met an accidental death while engaged in shipping cattle near Julesburg, Colorado, three cars of a train running over him. This was in the year 1892. His widow still survives and is a resident of Denver. Mr. Peasley was the owner of the entire section of land on which his son, Le Roy Peasley, now resides and which the latter still owns with the exception of a tract of two hundred acres, which he has sold.
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