History of Colorado; Volume IV, Part 101

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 836

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completed his course in 1898 and was then admitted to the bar of that state. After- ward a student in the University of Oregon, that institution conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree in 1909. He has also taken post graduate work in the University of Wisconsin and the University of California and pursued a course in social economy in the Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1914. From early manhood he has been closely identified with educational work as teacher as well as pupil, being connected with various universities throughout the country as well as with schools of lower grade. Taking up the profession of teaching in early manhood, he became prin- cipal of the high school at Waverly, Nebraska, where he remained in that connection for three years. He afterward taught in the public and high schools of Eugene, Ore- gon, and of Astoria, Oregon, and then accepted a position in the Willamette University of Oregon and later in the Salem University, the latter being the oldest institution of the kind in the west. He was also connected with the University of Puget Sound at Tacoma, Washington, with the Wesleyan University at Mitchell, South Dakota, and became professor of sociological economics and commercial science in the Russell Sage University. He there organized a course for the study of causes and conditions of poverty and charity, and the records of his investigations can be found in book form under the title, Outdoor Relief Missions in the Russell Sage Foundation. For the past eight years be has been one of the teachers of the University of Denver, being at the head of the economics and sociology and liberal arts department, and since 1913 dean of the School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance of the University of Denver. He has done much toward thoroughly organizing and systematizing the work of this de- partment, which was established in 1908 as an affiliated department of the University of Denver, having its own charter and officers. Previous to that time but two other similar institutions existed in the entire country, one having been founded in New York city in 1900 and the other in Philadelphia in 1904. This new development of the twentieth century has proved most popular and practical. Probably no recent expansion of university work has become more helpful or done more 10 identify edu- cational institutions with the active practical interests of the communities of which they are a part. The courses are of standard university rank, special emphasis being placed upon accountancy, corporation finance, office organization and management, business law and other branches of practical business. These courses are supplemented by strong cultural studies that are of especially practical value, chosen from the reg- ular university curriculum and given by able men of the regular university faculty, while experienced business men lecture upon subjects in which they are specialists. Professor Warfield's efforts in this connection are the direct result of his investigation and study of economic and sociological conditions. He finds in the promotion of thor- ough business training and efficiency a solution to many of the problems which have arisen in connection with sociologicai and economic conditions-in a word, the wise direction of effort and energy and the development of the innate powers of the indi- vidual that his training shall fit him for usefulness and activity in the world's work. Professor Warfield is more than an educator. He is a man of broad vision, hold- ing to high ideals yet ever utilizing the most practical methods in their accomplish- ment. He is now a director of the Denver City Federation Board of Control, is a mem- ber of the Civic & Commercial Association, vice president of the Social Service Bureau of the City of Denver, president of the Literary and Accountancy Association, a mem- ber of the American Economics Association, the American Statistical Association, the National Municipal League, the Western Economic Society and the National Geograph- ical Society. He is likewise connected with the Schoolmasters Club of Denver and he is identified with several Greek letter fraternities, including the Sigma Phi Epsilon, the Phi Kappa Phi, the Alpba Kappa Psi and the Phi Delta Omega.

Dr. Warfield was married on the 6th of June, 1903, to Miss Sarah N. Hall, a grad- uate of the Wesleyan University of Nebraska and at the time of her marriage a mem- ber of its faculty. The marriage was celebrated in Reading, Kansas. Mrs. Warfield is a daughter of George M. and Rebecca J. Hall, of Lincoln, Nebraska. Three children were born of this marriage, of whom one died in infancy, while those still living are: Richard H., born in Tacoma, Washington, in 1904; and John Alfred, born in Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1909. Both are pupils in the Denver public schools.

Such in brief is the life history of Professor George A. Warfield. He is fortunate in that he is descended from an ancestry honorable and distinguished and his own lines of life have been cast in harmony therewith He has been closely identified with those movements which have sought not only methods of practical reform but also the cause of undesirable conditions with a view to their eradication. He is regarded as one of the sociological and economic experts of the west and along these lines has ever kept in touch with the best thinking men of the age. Moreover, on many occasions

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he has taken the initiative in bringing about solutions for important problems and his opinions have largely been accepted as authority upon many vital questions which affect the welfare and general conditions of society.

JAMES MONROE BREWER.

James Monroe Brewer was a representative farmer and substantial citizen of Adams county but was called to his final rest on the 8th of November, 1897, leaving to his family a comfortable competence and the priceless heritage of a good name. He was at that time but forty-two years of age, his birth having occurred in Carrollton, Kentucky, on the 18th of August, 1855. He was a son of John Randolph and Hannah Katherine Brewer and a nephew of George Brewer, who was one of the soldiers of the Civil war. His parents crossed the plains in the early '60s, traveling with team and wagon and camping out along the roadside at night. Ultimately they reached Colorado, settling in Arapahoe county, where the father homesteaded and carried on general agricultural pursuits until he passed away.

James Monroe Brewer was but a young lad at the time of the arrival of the family in this state and his education was acquired in the district schools near his father's home. He shared with the family in all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life and afterward engaged in farming with his father, thus early gaining broad prac- tical experience concerning the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Later he purchased about two hundred and eighty acres of land, which he continued to cultivate and improve until his death, which occurred on the 8th of November, 1897.

It was on the 27th of October, 1881, in Golden, Colorado, that Mr. Brewer was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Belgen, a daughter of Solomon and Mary Ann (Clark) Belgen. Mrs. Brewer was born in England and came to Colorado with her parents, being reared and educated in this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Brewer were born the fol- lowing named. Halvin, the eldest of the family, married Margaret J. Waterhouse and has one child, Margaret J. Linus is the second of the family. Ted married Ethel Hedensbury and has two children, Nora and James. Earl is with the United States army in France. Frank has also responded to the call of the colors and is with the United States troops. Fannie is at home. Elizabeth is the wife of George Johnson. Elma Ora gave her hand in marriage to William Heebner, who is mentioned on an- other page of this work. Three children have passed away.

Mr. Brewer filled the office of school director and was a stalwart chainpion not only of the cause of education but of every plan and measure for the welfare and benefit of his community. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church and he lived an upright, honorable life that commended him to the confidence, high regard and goodwill of all with whom he was associated. His widow still occupies the old homestead farm, which she received at her husband's death, and in its management and control she has displayed excellent business ability. Her social qualities, too, have won her many friends in the community in which she makes her home.

J. B. CORNELL.

J. B. Cornell, who is identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of Jefferson county, was born in Michigan on the 10th of October, 1866. a son of Hannah and Thomas (Pelton) Cornell. The father was born in Pennsylvania, while the mother's birth occurred in Ohio. In the '40s he removed to Michigan, where his re- maining days were passed, and in that state the mother is still living. They had a family of five children, all of whom survive.

The youthful days of J. B. Cornell were passed in his native state, his time being divided between the acquirement of a public school education, the pleasures of the playground and such duties as were assigned him by parental authority. He came to Colorado in 1903 and subsequently took up his abode upon the ranch on which he now makes his home, comprising fourteen hundred and eighty acres of land, of which one hundred acres is under ditch. He successfully conducts a dairy business, keeping about thirty head of high grade Holstein cows. Everything about his dairy is con- ducted in a most sanitary and scientific manner and he closely studies the value of every animal as determined by the amount of butter fat that the milk produces. He

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is a member of the Milk Association and is a progressive business man, standing for advancement and improvement at all times.

In 1908 Mr. Cornell was united in marriage to Miss Grace Gray, who was horn in Georgetown, Colorado, a daughter of William S. and Mary E. (Shock) Gray. Her father was a native of Kentucky, while her mother's birth occurred in Ohio. They came to Colorado in 1866, when the work of progress and improvement seemed scarcely begun in this state, and located at Georgetown. For a considerable period they were actively identified with the pioneer development of Colorado. The father, however, passed away in San Francisco, California, but the mother survives and is now living in Denver. To Mr. and Mrs. Cornell were horn three children, Josephine M., Aaron G. and Elinor Loretta.

Mr and Mrs. Cornell attend the Presbyterian church. They are people of genuine worth, highly esteemed by a large circle of warm friends, and the hospitality of the best homes of this locality is cordially extended them. Mr. Cornell votes with the republican party and does not lightly regard the duties of citizenship but has never been an office seeker. Energy and ambition-his dominant characteristics-are lead- ing him steadily forward along business lines and he is now one of the well known farmers and stockmen of Jefferson county.

CHARLES W. BABCOCK.

One of Denver's best known and most substantial business establishments, and the oldest in point of years in continuous existence, is the Babcock Brothers Hat & Fur Company, owned jointly by the three Babcock hrothers, who bought out a small store in the city on the 1st of May, 1888, and who have developed the enterprise to one of extensive and profitable proportions. In fact they are now the leaders in their line in Denver.

Charles W. Babcock, a member of the firm, was horn in Monmouth, Illinois, on the 29th of February, 1856, his parents being John and Lorinda F. Babcock, both of whom were natives of Wales, Massachusetts. They removed to Illinois as early as 1840 and took up their ahode in Monmouth, that state. In 1872 John Babcock came west to Denver and three years later was here joined by his family. His last days were spent in honorable retirement from business, his demise occurring in 1900, when he had reached the age of seventy-five years, while his wife died in Denver in 1915, at the age of seventy-nine years. They had gained an extensive and favorable acquaint- ance during the long period of their residence in this city and their loss was sincerely mourned. They were the parents of five children. F. E. Babcock, the eldest of the sons and one of the partners in the Babcock Brothers Hat & Fur Company, was one of Denver's volunteer firemen in the early days and many times faced danger and death in the performance of his duty. On one occasion the walls of a building which was ablaze gave way and buried several of the brave fire fighters, two of whom were dead when carried out of the ruins. Mr. Bahcock, however, was rescued alive and spared for future deeds of heroism in similar danger. His brothers and sisters are as fol- lows: John, who is associated with his brothers, F. E. and C. W., in the hat and fur business; Mrs. Maxey Tabor, a resident of Denver; Mrs. H. M. Graves, who makes her home in San Francisco, California; and Charles W., of this review.

The last named attended Monmonth College in his native city and after putting aside his textbooks came to Denver. At the end of a year spent in this city he made his way to Leadville, Colorado, where he turned his attention to mining. Meeting with indifferent success, however, he abandoned his activities in that direction in 1879, embarked in business as a dealer in men's hats and conducted a profitable enter- prise of that character until 1889. In the latter year he disposed of his interests in Leadville and returned to Denver, where he purchased the hat and fur store of Owens & Wehber, who had established the business in 1873. The undertaking has been carried on continuously during the intervening period of forty-five years and is the oldest establishment in the state dealing in men's hats and furs. Babcock Brothers have conducted the business most successfully for twenty-nine years and for twenty-seven years have occupied the same quarters. They carry a complete line of Knox and Stet- son hats and also the finest furs on the market, and they enjoy a steadily increasing and enviable patronage. The brothers are men of excellent business ability, enter- prising, progressive and alert, and have long been accorded recognition among the highly esteemed and representative citizens of Colorado.

In politics Charles W. Babcock is independent, supporting men and measures

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rather than party. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He belongs to the Denver Club and the Denver Athletic Club and is popular in both business and social circles of the city.

ULRICH FURRER.

Ulrich Furrer, engaged in the cultivation of one hundred and eighty acres of land near Derby, which he largely devotes to the raising of beets, alfalfa, wheat and potatoes, is of Swiss birth. He was born on the 5th of February, 1864, in the land of the Alps, a son of Ulrich and Magdalena Furrer, whose family numbered four sons, of whom he is the youngest. His education was acquired in the schools of Switzerland, which he attended until he reached the age of sixteen years, after which lie did all kinds of farm work throughout continental Europe. In 1893, however, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and after spending six months in Pennsylvania made his way west- ward to Denver, Colorado, where he engaged in farming. He started with his brother John and was connected with him in the dairy business at Edgewater for a year. He afterward removed to Rose Hill, where he conducted a dairy for seven years, and he also spent two years in Denver, where he engaged in teaming. In 1907, however, he came to Derby and now leases one hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land on which he raises good crops of potatoes, beets, wheat and alfalfa. Everything about his place is orderly and systematic, his work promptly done, and his crops are substantial and gratifying.

On the 18th of August, 1889, Mr. Furrer was married to Miss Rosa Schertz; a native of Switzerland, and they have become parents of two children, William and Anna, the latter at home. The son married Emma Rudy and operates the home farm, while his father is in a measure living retired, although he assists the son to some extent in carrying on the work of the home place.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Lutheran church and Mr. Furrer has supported the democratic party since he became a naturalized American citizen. He is well known in this section of the state, where he has resided for many years and where his substantial qualities have won him the friendly regard and goodwill of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

FRANK L. HORNBAKER.

Frank L. Hornbaker is identified with farming and stock raising interests in Boulder county, his home being pleasantly 'and conveniently situated a mile north of Niwot. He is numbered among the native sons of Boulder county, his birth having occurred within its borders on the 6th of August, 1866. His parents were H. H. and Sarah J. (Way) Hornbaker, the former a native of Indiana, while the latter was born in Iowa. They crossed the plains in 1864, making the journey with ox team and wagon, and took up their abode upon the present farm of Frank L. Hornbaker, which the father secured as a homestead claim. He afterward built thereon a log cabin covered with sod roof and lived in that primitive dwelling for several years, he and his family bravely facing the hardships, privations and dangers that always feature in a frontier settlement. The mother passed away on the old homestead, but the father is still living and makes his home in Longmont, Colorado. To him and his wife were born six children who yet survive.

Frank L. Hornbaker was reared and educated in Boulder county and after reach- ing his majority engaged in stock raising. He also acted as guide to tourists over the mountains for twelve years and then settled on the old homestead which he now occupies, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land which he has greatly im- proved, bringing the place under a high state of cultivation and development. He is likewise a stockholder in the milk condenser at Lovell and is interested in a silver mine at Caribou, Colorado. The major part of his time and attention, however, is given to the cultivation of his crops and to his stock raising interests and along these lines he is meeting with well merited success.

Mr. Hornbaker has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Cora A. Wellman, who was born in Boulder county, Colorado, a daughter of Henry Wellman, who came to this state in 1859 and passed away here. To the first marriage of Mr. Hornbaker three children were born: Roy, now deceased; Verlie, the widow of William Johns;

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and Jessie B. The wife and mother passed away in 1902 and was laid to rest in Boul- der cemetery. In 1904 Mr. Hornbaker was married to Mrs Mintie McLaren, who by her first marriage became the mother of four children, of whom three are living: Elbert; Winnie, the wife of Ira Holland; and Fred, who is now in the United States Army in France. Upon their service flag were two blue stars but one of these has turned to gold, for the son Cecil died in France while serving his country in the effort to save the world from the rule of Prussianism.

Fraternally Mr. Hornbaker is connected with the Elks and also with the Odd Fellows lodge at Niwot, in which he has filled all of the chairs. His political endorse- ment is given to the democratic party, and while he has never sought political office, he has served for a number of years on the school board. He is a public-spirited citizen, interested in all that has to do with the general welfare, and he heartily co- operates in various movements for the public good.

CLARK BLICKENSDERFER.

Clark Blickensderfer is a well known figure in real estate circles and is the capable manager of the Blickensderfer estate. He was born in Denver, September 17, 1882, a son of Dr. James Clark and Eva (White) Blickensderfer, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in Kentucky. They came to Denver in early life and were married in this city. The father was a graduate of a medical college and entered upon practice in Denver, where his marked ability won him a most liberal patronage. He also accumulated a large fortune through successful investments in business prop- erty which he improved, several of the substantial buildings of the city standing as monuments to his foresight and sound judgment. One of these is the large California building on Seventeenth and California streets. It is one of the leading office and store buildings in the city, an ornament to Denver and a source of substantial income to the owners. His keen sagacity enabled Dr. Blickensderfer to purchase property from time to time that continually increased in value and made his estate one of great worth. He was also prominent in his profession and at all times kept in touch with the trend of modern scientific thought and research as relating to the laws of health. He was prominently connected with the various medical societies and he was also a leading and honored member of a number of fraternal organizations. He died in Den- ver in March, 1916, after reaching the Psalmist's allotted age of three score years and ten. His widow still survives and yet makes her home in Denver.

Clark Blickensderfer, their only child, began his education in the public schools of Denver and continued his studies in the East Denver high school. He also spent one year as a student in the University of Denver and later he pursued a course in civil engineering in Columbia University. He was graduated therefrom in 1906 and upon his return to the west he opened offices in his native city, where he followed his chosen profession successfully for several years. Later, however, he gave this up to take charge of his father's property interests and upon his father's death took over the management of the estate and is now caring for his own and his mother's interests, which are large and bring to him a most gratifying financial return annually.

On the 8th of June, 1910, Mr. Blickensderfer was married to Miss Elizabeth Walker, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Walker. They have become parents of two children: James Clark, horn in Denver, March 2, 1912; and Richard Holmes, horn October 3, 1914.

Mr. Blickensderfer has membership in the Denver Civic and Commercial Asso- ciation, also in the Denver Country Club and he belongs to the Theta Xi and the Tau Theta Phi, two college fraternities. He is likewise connected with the Cole Mountain Club. There are few residents of Denver more widely known than Clark Blickensderfer, who has spent his entire life in the city as a representative of one of its pioneer fami- lies. Through many decades the name has been associated with development and progress here and Clark Blickensderfer, like his father, is actuated by a spirit of advancement in all that he undertakes in a business way. The Blickensderfer inter- ests have constituted an important element in the development and improvement of Denver and in the management of his property the son displays the same substantial business qualities and foresight which characterized his father. To accumulate a for- tune requires one kind of genius; to retain a fortune already acquired, to add to its legitimate increment and to make such use of it that its possessor may derive there- from the greatest enjoyment and the public the greatest benefit requires another kind of genius. Mr. Blickensderfer belongs to that younger generation of business men of

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Denver called upon to shoulder responsibilities differing materially from those resting upon their predecessors. In a broader field of enterprise they find themselves obliged to deal with affairs of greater magnitude and to solve more difficult and complicated financial and economic problems. He is proving adequate to the demands made upon him, however, and his worth is widely ackowledged in both business and social circles of his native city.

WILLIAM MICHAEL.

William Michael is the owner of an excellent ranch of one hundred acres near Barr Lake in Adams county, which he has developed, converting it into a very productive tract of land. He was reared to farm life, having been born on the old family home- stead in Decatur county, Indiana, December 1, 1866. He is a son of Henry and Luvisa (Toothman) Michael, both of whom were natives of Indiana, where the father fol- lowed the occupation of farming.

At the usual age William Michael became a pupil in the district school near his father's home in Decatur county, Indiana, and pursued his education in that way until he reached the age of eighteen. He continued to work at farm labor in his native state until he reached the age of twenty-five years and was then married, after which he continued his residence ih the state for six years longer. In 1897 he came to Colo- rado and during the first summer was employed by others. He next homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres hut after living upon the place for four months gave it up. He afterward purchased sixty acres of unimproved land near Barr Lake, to which he has since added a forty-acre tract in 1915. This land is very productive now and he has developed his present excellent ranch property from practically nothing. Un- wearied industry and indefatigable energy, combined with sound business judgment, have been the potent forces in winning for him the position which he now occupies in the agricultural circles of Adams county.

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History of Colorado; Volume IV, Part 101

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Number of Pages: 836

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 836