History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 95

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

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In June. 1916, Mr. Chenoweth was united in marriage to Miss Martha Debord, a native of Illinois, who was reared in Lancaster county, Nebraska, where she acquired a common school education. She is a daughter of W. V. Debord, a native of Illinois, while her mother was born in Indiana.

Mr. Chenoweth is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Ramah Lodge, No. 178. He served for one term as justice of the peace of the Ramah district. In politics he is independent but lears toward socialism. He has worked earnestly and persist- ently as the years have gone on and his efforts have brought to him a measure of success that is gratifying. He has demonstrated the productiveness of this sec- tion of the state and in carrying on his farm has so wisely directed his labors that he has annually gathered very substantial crops and has thus materially promoted bis prosperity.

HON. CHARLES A. FOSTER.

The Preblo district has called upon Charles A. Foster to act as its representative in the state legislature and he is serving in that office at the present time, his record being creditable by reason of his marked devotion to duty and his high standards of citizenship. In business circles he is known as a representative of the Arkansas Val- ley Railroad Company and makes his home in Pueblo, where he has an extensive circle of warm friends. Arkansas numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred at Salem, that state, on the 1st of February, 1880, his parents being James N and Elizabeth ( Taylor) Foster. His father was a prominent and influential resident of Arkansas, where he served as a member of the state senate. He was of English lineage, while his wife was of Irish descent. He was graduated from De Pauw Univer-

MR. AND MRS. W. O. CHENOWETH

THE RANCH OF W. O. CHENOWETH

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sity at Greencastle, Indiana. He took up the occupation of farming as a life work and after his removal to Arkansas became actively and prominently identified with agri- cultural interests in that state, where he reared his family, numbering six sons and two daughters.

Charles A. Foster, the youngest member of his father's household, spent his youth- ful days under the parental roof and began his education in the public schools. The father provided his children with excellent educational opportunities and after he left the high school Charles A. Foster became a student in the Southwestern State Normal School at Weatherford, Oklahoma, of which he is a graduate. In early manhood he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed through the winter seasons, and the money thus earned enabled him largely to meet the expenses of his Normal course. He also spent two years in the position of cashier in a state bank in Oklahoma and in 1910 he removed to New Mexico, where he engaged in ranching until 1912, when he determined to become a resident of Pueblo. Here he has made his home for the past six years and is now active in business as a representative of the Arkansas Valley Railroad Company. He is also associated with the People's Coal & Supply Company, a cooperative association, and is assistant stock manager.

On the 25th of November, 1903, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Nancy R. Sutton and to them has been born a son, Charles Stanton. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Foster is that of the Methodist church, to which they loyally adhere, and Mr. Foster is identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Malta and the Modern Woodmen of America and also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, his membership in the last named being in Oklahoma. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party, of which he is a stalwart supporter. He was elected to the state legislature for a two years' term and became a stanch cham- pion of the bill to change the name of the State Asylum to the Colorado State Hospital and have it put upon the mill levy basis. He was also an advocate of the adult pro- hibition bill, which was defeated, and of the six days' work bill, which also met defeat. He has been the champion of many railway measures and stands loyally at all times for a cause in which he believes. Neither fear nor favor can swerve him from a course which he believes to be right, and his position upon any vital question is clearly defined, as he does not hesitate to express his honest convictions.

VIRGINEUS H. CHANDLER.

Virgineus H. Chandler, who is engaged in general farming near Burlington, in Kit Carson county, was born in West Virginia, on the 12th of November, 1852, and is the eldest of the ten children whose parents were Francis T. and Elizabeth Chandler, farming people of that state. The son acquired a common school education but his opportunities in that direction were very limited, as his services were needed upon the home farm. He was but two years of age when the parents removed with their family to Hancock county, Indiana, and when a lad of but eight years he began active work on the farm, picking up chunks and doing anything useful to assist in the further development and cultivation of the land. When fifteen years of age he was an active farm worker in the fields and continued to assist his father in the care and cultivation of the crops until he attained his majority. He was about twenty-three years of age when he removed to Illinois, where he was employed on different farms at eighteen dollars per month.

It was about this time, or on the 24th of November, 1876, that Mr. Chandler was married to Miss Elizabeth Yarnell, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Aaron and Elvina Yarnell, who were also farming people. The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm, on which they lived for six years but did not meet with very great success during that period on account of many wet seasons. Mr. Chandler therefore decided to remove to Fillmore county, Nebraska, where he lived for three years and on the expiration of that period came to Colorado, settling fourteen miles northwest of Burlington, where he maintained his home for twenty-three years. He homesteaded there, securing a tract of land which he converted into rich and productive fields. He engaged in raising cattle and horses and at the same time carried on general agricultural pursuits. He also made some improvements upon the place during that period. In 1911 he removed to his present home and through the intervening years has met with a very substantial measure of success. He has one hundred acres planted to corn and eighty acres to wheat. Upon his farm are found forty head of

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cattle and twenty-five head of horses. His work is conducted along most progressive lines and his labors are bringing to him merited reward.

Mr. Chandler has reared a large family. May C., the oldest, is the wife of Henry Goebel, a farmer and stockman, and they have seven children. Francis A., the second of the children, is a farmer by occupation. Grover C., who formerly followed farming, enlisted in September, 1917, for active service with the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Infantry and is now in France. Charles is assisting his father upon the home farm. Ida M. is the wife of Floyd Reed, a resident farmer of Rexford, Kansas, and they have three children. William C. married Lucy Broadsword, by whom he has three children, and they reside upon a homestead in this locality. Cora M. is now engaged in teaching in Montezuma county, Colorado. Dewey Samson works upon his brothers' farm. Harry is also assisting his brothers in farm work. Earle, the youngest of the family, is at home.

Mr. Chandler is a member of the Grange and is interested in both the social and progressive purposes of that organization. In politics he is a democrat where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He has led a busy and useful life and as the years have passed has eagerly utilized every opportunity for business advancement in order that he might provide a good living and adequate opportunities for his family. His worth has made him many friends in the community in which he lives.

THOMAS R. LANCASTER.

Thomas R. Lancaster, state inspector of highways, maintaining his office and resi- dence in Pueblo, was born in Letts, Louisa county, Iowa on the 4th of December, 1868, a son of William and Margaret (Armstrong) Lancaster. The family comes of English and Scotch ancestry. The father is deceased but the mother is still living.

Thomas R. Lancaster was educated in the common schools and in young manhood was identified with coal interests at Centerville Iowa, for two years. In 1887 he made his way westward and located for a time in Wyoming and afterward became a resident of Colorado. He took up his abode in Pueblo in 1888 and was employed in various ways. He was also a member of the police force of Cripple Creek during the boom days there and for nine years was a member of the police force of Pueblo. He after- ward entered into business relations with Thomas J. Tynon, as superintendent of the road camp, building roads in northern Colorado. He occupied that position for eight years, when his health demanded a change and he received the appointment to the position of bailiff of the district court. He acted in that capacity until the 15th of May, 1918, when he resigned to accept the position of state inspector of highways. in which position he is now serving.

Mr. Lancaster is a democrat in his political views and has long been an active worker in the ranks of his party. He has frequently served as a delegate to the county and state conventions of the party and his opinions have long carried weight in its councils. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he is widely known by reason of his activities along various lines and his resi- dence in different parts of the state. He has ever been greatly interested in the state and its development, and has been particularly active in support of the good roads movement. It was this which led to his appointment to his present position as state inspector of highways and already he has marked out his work along progressive lines productive of excellent results. He looks ever beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities, the needs and the possibilities of the future, and is working to give Colorado a system of highways of which she will have every reason to be proud.

JOHN RUFUS SCHMALZRIED.

John Rufus Schmalzried, of Victor. was born on a farm in Wabash county. Indiana, in 1878, a son of John George and Josephine (Bitzer) Schmalzried. The father followed farming throughout his entire active life. He was married in Indiana and still resides at Andrews, that state.

John Rufus Schmalzried was reared upon the old homestead farm, having the usual experiences of the farmbred boy who early becomes familiar with the labors of the fields. In the acquirement of his education he completed a course in the

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high school at Lagro, Indiana, from which he was graduated. He left home in 1899 and came to Colorado and on the 27th of August of that year took up his ahode at Cripple Creek. He engaged in mining there for a few years and in 1904 removed to Victor. In 1912 he returned to Cripple Creek, where he spent three years in the undertaking business, and in 1915 he again hecame a resident of Victor, where he purchased an undertaking business, which he still conducts. He also owns an in- terest in the Thompson-Claypool Undertaking Company of Cripple Creek. His under- taking parlors are well conducted, his business is carefully managed and the ex- cellent service which he renders has secured to him a large and growing patronage.

On the 28th of June, 1911, in Littleton, Colorado, Mr. Schmalzried was united in marriage to Miss Wilhelmina Winifred Jones. Their children are: Ellen Jo- sephine; John Leroy, who was born in 1915; and Ethel Marie. Mr. and Mrs. Schmalzried hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Woodmen of the World, the American Yeomen and the Knights and Ladies of Security. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he was first called to office in ap- pointment to the position of deputy coroner. In October, 1915, he was appointed coroner to fill out an unexpired term and was elected to the office in 1916, so that he is the present incumbent in that position. He is a very industrious, energetic man of determined purpose and commendable ambition, and all who know him speak of him in terms of warm regard.

ARTHUR WILMOT MORRELL.

Among the most successful merchants of Cripple Creek is numbered Arthur Wilmot Morrell, who since 1890 has been president of the Morrell Hardware Company. He is also president of the Cripple Creek State Bank and as such occupies an acknowledged position in the financial circles of the state. Mr. Morrell was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1859, a son of Alonzo and Sarah (Smith) Morrell, also natives of that state, where they were married. The father was born in New York in 1833 and died in Brook- lyn in 1915, his wife having passed away in the same city. He was a substantial banker of Brooklyn for many years and enjoyed the confidence of all who came in contact with him in a business or private way.

Mr. Morrell of this review was reared under the parental roof in his native city and there acquired his education, eventually graduating from the high school. His first employment was in Brooklyn, but in 1880 he removed to Denver and soon after- ward to Breckenridge, Colorado. There he became a clerk in a hardware store, con- tinuing as such for five years and thoroughly learning the business. At the end of that period he was sent by his employer to Montezuma, Colorado, to open a branch store of which he acted as manager for three years. He then went to Aspen, Colorado, where for five years he was manager of a hardware store, hut at the end of that time, having thoroughly learned the business and carefully saved his earnings, Mr. Morrell decided to engage in business on his own account and opened a hardware store in Aspen, which was continued there until 1892. In 1890, however, a branch store had been opened in Cripple Creek and subsequently this was organized under the name of the Morrell Hardware Company, our subject becoming the president of the corpora- tion, and he has ever since held the executive position in the enterprise. Having practically spent his entire life in the hardware business, he is thoroughly acquainted with every feature of the trade and has made a great success of his enterprise in Cripple Creek. He sold his store in Aspen in 1896 but in 1893 he had established a · branch in Victor, Colorado, which is still in operation and which he manages in con- junction with the store in Cripple Creek. Through his long years of experience Mr. Morrell is enabled to buy his goods at the most reasonable prices, for he knows exactly

from which manufacturers the highest quality at the lowest prices can be obtained. He carries a very complete line of hardware, taking due cognizance of any possible demand his customers may make. His store is conducted on the highest plane and the methods pursued are most honorable. Mr. Morrell has always believed in the prin- ciple of giving a customer what he asks for and selling goods at a reasonable profit. Naturally his business has grown year by year and today he is the owner of one of the foremost hardware establishments in Teller county. He is also connected with the Cripple Creek State Bank, in which he is largely interested and of which he is the president. In the direction of this financial institution he has taken an active and

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helpful part and has largely supervised its policy. He believes in conservative bank- ing methods and thoroughly protects stockholders and depositors. At the same time he is ever ready to extend credit to anyone who needs money for the promotion or expansion of any honorable business enterprise. Through both of his establishments he has greatly contributed toward the growth of Cripple Creek.

On October 18, 1881, in Breckenridge, Colorado, Mr. Morrell was united in mar- riage to Miss Alta R. Cleaver a native of Pennsylvania and to them have been born the following children. Alonzo Cleaver Morrell, born in 1884, married Blanche Hutson and they have two children, Arthur Alonzo and Marjorie Catherine. Henry Gill Mor- rell, born in 1887, died in 1911, when a young man of twenty-four years. He married Frances Cinq-Mars and to them was born a daughter, Lillian Ruth. The third member of the family is Miss Ruth Alta Morrell.

Fraternally Mr. Morrell is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his club relations are with the Cripple Creek Club. His political faith is that of the republican party and although he has never aspired to public office he is ever ready to support public measures of worth and value and has been a prominent factor in the development and upbuilding of bis town. He is considered one of the substantial citizens of Teller county and he has made many friends since locating here, all of whom entertain for him great respect and esteem because of what he has achieved and also because of the qualities that have made possible his prosperity. Mr. Morrell is a self-made man in the best meaning of the term.

HARVEY RIDDELL.

Harvey Riddell. a representative of the Colorado bar since 1879, and now successfully engaged in the practice of law in Denver, was born in Irvine, Estill county, Kentucky, December 22, 1857, a son of Robert and Anna Maria (Toby) Riddell. the former a native of Kentucky, while the latter was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. However, she became a resident of Kentucky at an early age, and they were married in that state. The father was a prominent lawyer and served upon the circuit court bench in Kentucky. He was still acting as judge of the circuit court when death called him from his labors in 1908, when he was seventy-five years of age. His widow survives and is yet a resident of Estill county, Kentucky, being now eighty-one years of age.

Harvey Riddell was the eldest in their family of ten children. In his youthful days he attended the public schools of Irvine, and for two years was a pupil in the University of Virginia, but left that institution before graduation. He later took up the study of law at home, pursuing his reading independent of any instructor up to the time when he was admitted to practice. In January. 1880, he went to Breckinridge, Colorado, where he entered upon the active practice of law. there winning a liberal clientage. In 1889 he came to Denver with Samuel W. Jones, who had been elected attorney general of the state in November, 1888. and Mr. Riddell served as his assistant. On retiring from public office he concentrated his attention and efforts upon general law practice, in which he has since continued. He is very careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases and he possesses a mind that is naturally analytical and inductive. His reasoning is sound, bis arguments are clear and concise, and the logic of his deductions is recog- nized by all.

On the 19th of April, 1893. Mr. Riddell was married to Miss Laura Rice, of Wash- ington, D. C., who was born in Irvine, Kentucky, a daughter of ex Senator B. F. Rice, of Arkansas, also for some years a resident of Colorado. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, but he has never sought or filled office. He has worked his way upward entirely unaided and has attained a creditable and prominent position in pro- fessional circles, while his personal popularity is attested by all who know him.

THEODORE C. GATES.

About two and a half miles from Eaton lies the home farm of Theodore C. Gates, who is a representative agriculturist of Weld county. He was born near Plymouth, Michigan, a son of William and Mary Gates, who were natives of Germany. They came to America at an early day and took up their abode in Michigan. The father was a farmer by occupation. He purchased land and continued its cultivation throughout

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his remaining days, his death occurring in 1910. His widow survives and is now living in Plymouth, Michigan.

Theodore C. Gates has led an active, busy and useful life. He has always carried on general agricultural pursuits. He was reared and educated in Michigan, attending the public schools, and after he put aside his textbooks he concentrated his efforts and attention upon farming. In 1891 he came to Colorado, taking up his abode in Weld county, after which he worked as a farm hand for two years. He then began farming on his own account by renting land, which he cultivated for two years, and afterward rented his present farm for four years. During this period he carefully saved his earn- ings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to purchase the property. He has since concentrated his efforts and attention upon its further development and improve- ment and today has a beautiful farm splendidly cultivated and lacking in none of the accessories and conveniences which constitute the model farm property of the twen- tieth century. He makes a business of feeding sheep and he raises many cereals and vegetables especially adapted to soil and climatic conditions here. One of his large crops is potatoes and he is a stockholder in the Potato Growers Cooperative Company of Eaton. He does not feel it necessary at the present time to give his attention so largely to farm work as in former years and he has rented his land to Mr. Lair.

It was in December, 1896, that Mr. Gates was united in marriage to Miss Clara Lair, a daughter of Melville and Celia Lair, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of Arba E. Lair. Mr. and Mrs. Gates became par- ents of a son, Melville William, who passed away.

Mr. Gates is a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a firm believer in its principles. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church, to the teachings of which he is loyal. He and his wife occupy a beautiful home which is the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift. Whatever success he has achieved is the direct result of his own labors and perseverance and his energy has brought him to the front as a leading farmer of Weld county.

DELBERT P. PORTER.

Delbert P. Porter, superintendent of waterworks at Pueblo, was horn in Morgan county, Missouri, on the 18th of June, 1885, a son of Cicero and Mary Porter, the latter now deceased. While spending his youthful days under the parental roof he acquired a public school education and was a youth of seventeen years when in 1902 he came west settling at Fort Collins, Colorado, where he lived for four years. In 1906 he became a resident of Pueblo, where he has now made his home for twelve years. He has been continuously identified with the city service for eleven years and during the last two years has filled the position of superintendent of the waterworks. In this connection he is putting forth every effort to furnish an adequate supply of pure water for Pueblo. The work of the department is thoroughly organized and there has been a splendid pumping system installed. Everything about the place is kept immaculate and in most sanitary condition, and Mr. Foster's work is proving highly satisfactory to the public.

On the 9th of June, 1909, Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Mamie D. Sutton and they have one child, Lavelle. In his political views Mr. Porter is a democrat but maintains a largely independent course. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is interested in all that pertains to general welfare and progress and is a man whose sterling worth has gained him high respect.

DAVID L. CELL.

David L. Cell is one of the enterprising farmers of Colorado, living near Foun- tain. He has a well developed property splendidly equipped with modern improve- ments, and everything about the place indicates his progressive spirit. He was born in Wheeling, Ohio, February 16, 1853, a son of Jacob and Sarah E. ( Phinney) Cell, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in Maryland. In the year 1856 the father removed with his family to Missouri, and there spending his youthful days under the parental roof, David L. Cell acquired a public school education and through vacation periods worked in the fields. He was afterward

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employed as a farm hand until 1872, when he made his way to Colorado Springs and there worked for an uncle, D. W. Cell, for five years. He subsequently pur- chased his present ranch of two hundred acres, for he had carefully saved his earn- ings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to invest in the property. As the years have passed he has added substantial improvements to his land and has upon his place a pleasant residence, good harns and all modern accessories needed to facilitate the work of the fields. He uses the latest improved machinery and everything about his place is indicative of practical, progressive methods which produce substantial results.

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History of Colorado; Volume III, Part 95

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