History of Colorado; Volume IV, Part 11

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

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On the 30th of June, 1879, in Denver, Mr. Brothers was married to Mrs. Thomasine (Thomas) Manhart, a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Meyers) Thomas. The Thomas famlly was early established in Indiana, where Francis Thomas was born, while his wife, Elizabeth (Meyers) Thomas, was descended from an old Virginla family. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas subsequently removed to Missouri and in that state Mrs. David Brothers was born. Later the family went to Kansas, where Mr. Thomas became owner of two fine ranches. In the spring of 1860 they again took up their course toward the west, starting for Colorado with ox teams, the father, mother and six children riding in a light wagon or huckboard. They were one month In making the five hundred miles to Pike's Peak, which was then the slogan, as the name of Colorado was hardly known. During their westward journey no troubles were incurred with the Indians, who always remained friendly and were frequently entertained at their camp. The Thomas family located at Globeville, now a part of Denver, where Mr. Thomas acquired land. They were the parents of nine children, of whom four daughters survive, as follows: Mrs. Brothers, Mrs. Anna Manhart, Mrs. Laura Ramsey and Mrs. Emma Corfman, all residents of Denver. Mrs. Brothers was

DAVID BROTHERS

HISTORY OF COLORADO

but ten years of age when brought to' Colorado, where she was largely reared and received her education.

Mr. Brothers gave his political allegiance to the republican party, which he had supported since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He belonged to the Metho- dist Episcopal church of Highlands, of which his widow is a devoted attendant, and to the Denver Civic and Commercial Association, connections which indicated the nature of his interests and the rules which governed his conduct. He ever stood for progress and improvement in public affairs, for integrity and honor in the life of the individual, and his course made his an honored name. Death called him on the 24th of November. 1918. He lived to see many changes in the great west and in the world at large. Born during the presidential administration of Martin Van Buren, he saw the introduction of the telegraph and the telephone and the extension of a most wonderful system of railroads over all parts of the country. Moreover, he lived to see the country emerge triumphantly from four different wars-the Mexican, the Civil, the Spanish-American and the World war, so recently and so brilliantly won. He was ever keenly interested in great world movements and in his home locality he bore his full share in the work of general development and progress.

G. A. NEWKIRK.

G. A. Newkirk arrived in Denver an absolute stranger. Today he is widely known in social and business circles and has won an enviable position as the general agent at Denver for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey. He has advanced steadily to this position since starting out in the business world in a humble capacity, yet all days in his career have not been equally bright. Obstacles and difficulties have arisen but perseverance and determined effort have enabled him to overcome these and steadily push forward to the goal of prosperity.

Mr. Newkirk is a native son of New York. He was born at Fort Hunter, Mont. gomery county, August 14, 1857, and comes of Dutch ancestry, belonging to that class of Knickerbockers who founded the Empire state. Three brothers of the name came to the new world and the progenitor of the branch of the family to which G. A. Newkirk belongs was one of the first settlers in Amsterdam, now New York city. Later repre- sentatives of the name participated in the Revolutionary war and still others in the War of 1812. His father, Abraham Newkirk, was born in the Empire state and became a successful farmer there. Ultimately, however, he removed to the west, taking up his abode in Denver, Colorado, in 1890. There he lived retired to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1904, when he had reached the age of seventy-six years. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Snook and was born near Fort Hunter, New York. She, too, belonged to one of the old families of that state, of Scotch descent. Her death occurred in Fonda, New York, in 1883, when she was fifty years of age. The family numbered seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom G. A. Newkirk is the third in order of birth.

While spending his youthful days to the age of thirteen years upon the home farm G. A. Newkirk attended the district schools and then put aside his textbooks, since which time he has learned his lessons in the school of experience. Starting out to earn a living, he was first employed in scraping broomcorn on a neighboring farm. He afterward took up clerking in a variety store at Fultonville, New York, thus gaining his first experience along commercial lines. He afterward followed clerical work in this store for three years, and at the age of seventeen, in order to secure thorough training for business duties, he entered the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, in which he completed a commercial course. He then removed to New York city and secured employment with John H. Starin, who was largely engaged in the transportation business and was a steamboat owner. He acted as cashier for Mr. Starin at Glen Island, the celebrated summer resort in Long Island Sound, continuing in that position for a year, after which he returned to Fonda, where he secured a position In a general store, there remaining until the death of his mother, which occurred in March, 1883.

Mr. Newkirk afterward removed to the west, arriving in Denver on the 5th of April of that year. He had no acquaintance in the city but he believed that individual effort and ability would gain him a start, and after a time he obtained a clerkship in the store of J. J. Joslyn, with whom he was connected until December 31, 1884. At that date he turned his attention to the life insurance business, becoming a solicitor for the Washington Life Company, with which he continued until December 31, 1886, or

G. A. NEWKIRK

HISTORY OF COLORADO

for a period of two years. He afterward entered the employ of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company as general agent on the 22d of March, 1887, and has continued in the position to the present time. He is today in point of time and service the oldest general agent of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, and also dean of the insurance business in Denver, and he has built up his agency from a small business to one of large proportions. He now has an organization in which he employs twenty-five solicitors and he ranks with the leading insurance men of the west. His advancement has come as the direct result of his close application, his inde- fatigable energy and his sound judgment.

In Denver, in 1892, Mr. Newkirk was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Milheim, a native of Denver and a daughter of John Milheim. Politically Mr. Newkirk maln- tains an independent course. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons. He was made a member of the organization in Fultonville, New York, in 1878 and now belongs to Union Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M., to the chapter and to Colorado Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He also has membership with the Denver Athletic Club and the Denver Motor Club, with the Sons of the American Revolution and with the Denver Civic and Commercial Association. His interests as thus indicated are broad and varied and yet more than all else his interest centers in his home and his activities are directed toward the furtherance of the welfare and happiness of his wife and daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Newkirk was born one child, Grace, who is now the wife of Edwin M. Tucker, of Denver. Mrs. Newkirk is quite an active Red Cross worker. In a word, their aid and influence are always given on the side of advancement and improvement and they are continually reaching out a helping hand to assist others. Through thirty-five years as a resident of Denver Mr. Newkirk has indeed become widely and favorably known and in the city has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.

D. EDGAR WILSON.

D. Edgar Wilson has during the period of his residence in Denver, covering twenty-two years, gained distinction as a leading lawyer and citizen whose loyalty and progressiveness in public affairs place him among those who are taking a fore- most part in the development of Denver. He comes to the west from Baltimore, Mary- land, where his birth occurred on the 12th of April, 1874, his parents being Dr. David and Frances O. (Smith) Wilson. The father was born in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1825, and after pursuing hls early education in the public schools of Bed- ford county, Pennsylvania, became a student in the Logansport Academy at Logansport, Indiana, and later in the Washington County Male and Female Seminary at Salem, Indiana. He was afterward for two years a student in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia and was later a student at and graduated with the degree of M. D. from Washington University at Baltimore, Mary- land, in 1868. He taught in the public schools of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in early manhood. An earnest desire to become an active force in the work of the ministry led him to join the Maryland Annual Conference of the Methodist Protestant church at Baltimore, Maryland, in March, 1845, and he largely devoted his time, thought and energies to his holy calling. He was first married March 6, 1856, to Annie M. Zollickoffer, whose death occurred May 29, 1870, and on the 12th of December, 1872, he wedded Frances O. Smith, who died September 6, 1907. He had four daughters and two sons: Carrie F .; Annie M., the wife of Major James C. Ord; Jennie F., the wife of Major Joseph C. Byron; E. Blanche, the wife of Joseph H. Hampson; Daniel Z .; and D. Edgar. Dr. Wilson was active in the organization of and hecame one of the charter trustees of the Western Maryland College at Westminster, Maryland, in 1868. He was elected a representative to the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant church in 1874, 1877, 1880 and 1896 and was elected to the presidency of the Maryland Annual Conference for three successive years, beginning in 1874. On the 17th of June, 1880, he was commissioned post chaplain of the United States army and retired from active army service March 30, 1890. His last days were passed in Denver, where his death occurred February 28, 1906. His ability as a preacher, his tender and effective ministrations in the pastorate, his polished manner, and his sympathetic soul gave him great power. His character for piety, fidelity to duty and ability were recognized outside of his own church circles. Companionable, genial, generous, true, intelligent, any man could feel sincerely grateful whose privilege it was to number him among his friends. He was a well informed man. He read much,

HISTORY OF COLORADO

was conversant with the theological literature of the age, and an author of some reputation.

In the army he never lost the respect and confidence of the officers and soldiers. Dr. Wilson did not only win the respect of the men, but his interest in them, his uniform urbanity, and pleasing manner, won their confidence and their love, and made him one of the most popular officers in his regiment.

D. Edgar Wilson was the fifth in order of birth in his father's family. He was reared in the atmosphere of a refined and cultured home and hegan his education under private tutors. He afterward attended the Western Maryland College at Westminster, where he won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1893. He pursued his university course at George Washington University of Washington, D. C., and was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1895, while the following year the Master of Laws degree was conferred upon him. He was admitted to practice in the District of Columbia in the fall of 1896 and entered upon the active work of his profession in Washington. The following year, how- ever, he removed to Denver, was admitted to the bar here and has since been in active practice in this city. His ability and the thoroughness of his work have brought him connection with much of the important litigation in the courts of the district and his capability and power are recognized by his colleagues and contemporaries. He has also figured in business circles of the city as a director of various corporations.

On the 10th of February, 1904, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Dorothy E. Webb, a daughter of Jean Francis and Mary Elizabeth Webb, of Denver, formerly residents of Lebanon, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one daughter, Grace Eleanor, who was born in Denver, December 19, 1910, and is attending the city schools.

Mr. Wilson belongs to the Mile High Club, is a member of Temple Lodge, No. 84, A. F. & A. M., and of the Junior Order of American Mechanics. He is a member of the Denver Bar Association and the Colorado Bar Association. Outside the strict path of his profession he is perhaps most widely known as an ardent republican and one who has occupied a position of leadership in connection with party affairs in Denver. For two terms he served as a member of the city council, being first elected in 1904 and reelected in 1906, and during his connection with the city council he served on various important committees. He has ever been a believer in progress and one who is fear- less in the expression of his honest convictions, who places the public welfare before personal aggrandizement and seeks the benefit of the community rather than of self. He bas taken a most active interest in patriotic work, has been a member of the board of managers of the Colorado Society of the Sons of the Revolution for a number of years and in 1913 and 1914 was state president of that society.

JOSEPH H. HARRISON.

Joseph H. Harrison was born in Manchester, England. His parents, Mark and Rebecca Harrison, gave him the notable traits that go to build up what the world calls a good reputation and what is inherently character. In the spring of 1872 he came from England to the United States, settling in Philadelphia. For a time he was employed in a store in that city and later went to Wilkes-Barre, where he took a position in a general store. During these formative years he acquired not alone a fundamental knowledge of business, but also laid the basis for an education which has made him one of the best informed men in the state.

In January, 1881, Mr. Harrison came to Denver and in 1882 he became general agent for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia. Later he was elected a member of the executive committee, and afterwards second vice president of the agency organization of the company; positions which he still holds, being classed among the most capable men in his line.

In 1906 Mr. Harrison was elected as a republican to the state senate and perhaps his most notable work in that body was the assistance he rendered in the preparation and enactment of an insurance measure which has since been used as a model by other states. He was the father of a proposed amendment to the constitution making judges appointive; but the progressive spirit was not yet strong enough to pull it through. It passed the senate but failed of passage in the house. One of the evils of the state at that time was the inability to convict in cases where those working in a fiduciary capacity and whose compensation was derived from commissions could, and in numerous cases did, appropriate to their own use the funds collected for and belonging to others. He had a bill prepared and succeeded in passing it through both houses, making such acts of misappropriation the crime of larceny and punishable accordingly; the effect of which

HISTORY OF COLORADO

has been to reduce very largely the number of such cases which had been quite numerous theretofore.

On February 13, 1912, President William Howard Taft appointed Senator Harrison postmaster of Denver, and during his incumbency (he retired from the position April 1, 1915), the new post office, one of the finest in the land, was planned and constructed. The adoption of many improvements incidental to the interior arrangements, under con- sideration by the committee at Washington, with whom he was frequently called in con- ference, were suggested by Mr. Harrison. His work as postmaster was made notable by his introduction of new systems for handling the funds of the post office, and the general delivery patrons. He revolutionized the methods employed for the supervision and regu- lation of the work of the employes in the interests of the clerks and carriers, no less than in that of the post office department itself, for which he was highly commended by the authorities at Washington, who, after investigation, introduced these improve- ments in many other post offices over the country.

Senator Harrison has been a factor in promoting the welfare and upbuilding of the state in general, and Denver in particular. After becoming its general agent, he induced The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia, a conservative Quaker institution, to adopt a program of investments in Colorado which in time secured to its citizens an aggregate sum of over twenty million dollars, which, invested in first mortgages, enabled our enterprising people to build up one of the most beautiful and substantial cities (Pueblo and Colorado Springs included) in the country as evidenced by its business blocks and dwellings, some of which the Senator had built on his own account.

Mr. Harrison was married to Esther Abrahams, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 14, 1884. The death of his wife, a few years ago, came as a shock to the entire community, for she had endeared herself to all by her philanthropic activities, to which she devoted many years of her life. Senator Harrison is the father of three sons, all natives of Denver: Mark M., born November 7. 1885, now in business with his father; Samuel A., born January 1, 1891, who enlisted in the United States army in the fall of 1917, was commissioned as a lieutenant of Company D, Twenty-fifth Infantry, in Sep- tember, 1918, and is stationed at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California; and Horace L. Harrison, born February 24, 1893, an ensign in the United States navy, Engineering Division, with headquarters at Washington, D. C.

Senator Harrison has always played a prominent part in the philanthropic, civic, social and political activities of the community, as an officer, director, or member of many of such organizations. His activities cover a wide field in the progress and advancement of the community.

JOHN RICHARDS CHAMPION.

The name John Richards Champion is indelibly impressed upon the history of the development of the mining interests of Colorado. He was born in the Breage mining district of Cornwall, England, on the 20th of May, 1856, a son of the Rev. John and Ellzabeth (Richards) Champion, the former a minister of the Methodist church.

He acquired a common school education and throughout his life was a deep and earnest student of mining and mining methods, in which field of labor he became very successful, occupying positions of trust and importance. He came to the new world in 1877 and for thirty-nine years was identified with the development of the rich mineral resources of Colorado. His ability won him recognition in that field and he was called to various places of responsibility. During the last sixteen years of his life he was superintendent of the Yak Mining and Tunnel Company at Leadville, Colorado, his high efficiency being indicated in the fact that he was so long retained in that important position.

It was in Leadville on the 3d of June, 1890, that Mr. Champion was married to Miss Nellie M. Lazenbey, a daughter of Charles and Helen Lazenbey, the former a mining man of Leadville. Mr. and Mrs. Champion became the parents of two daughters: Claire L., now the wife of Joseph E. Purcell, Jr., of Fairplay, Colorado; and Edith L., a successful teacher in the high school at Arvada. In October, 1910, Mr. Champion removed with his family to Arvada where he erected a handsome and commodious dwelling. In August, 1916, he retired from active business life and on the 22d of May, 1917. after a brief illness, was called to his final rest.

JOHN R. CHAMPION

HISTORY OF COLORADO

In his religious faith Mr. Champion was a Methodist, adhering to the teachings of his boyhood. He was well known In Masonic circles, being received as an entered apprentice at Georgetown, September 4, 1880. He was raised to the master's degree in Leadville, April 11, 1883, and he served as worshipful master of Leadville Lodge, A. F. & A. M., for the term of 1888-9. He was afterward secretary of the same lodge from 1891 until 1897 inclusive. He became a member of Leadville Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M., on the 1st of July, 1886, and was elected high priest in 1890. He was made a Knight Templar of Mount of the Holy Cross Commandery, No. 5, on the 20th of December, 1893, and served as its eminent commander in 1901. He likewise had membership relations with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he was evér most loyal to his professions and to his obligations. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, but he never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energy and his thought upon his business interests and duties. He was a self-made man in the highest and best sense of the term, carving out his own fortunes and shaping his career in most honorable fashion.

REV. ALANSON MOODY VIR DEN.

Rev. Alanson M. Vir Den, of Hugo, Colorado, is one of the most forceful preachers of the Methodist Episcopal church known to this state. For thirty years he has ex- pounded the gospel and it is due to his untiring efforts and his convincing arguments that six thousand people have joined the church. His fame is not only known to Colo- rado but he is a man of national reputation, and his unselfish efforts are so eager and carrying that he has succeeded in bringing back to God many lost souls. Twenty-one churches were built and rebuilt because of his earnest appeals and largely through his efforts the present Methodist Episcopal church in Hugo was erected. He was born in Ohio, March 16, 1863, a son of William A. and Mahala (Drake) Vir Den, both natives of Ohio, the father being engaged along agricultural lines in that state. The grandfather on the mother's side belonged to the famous Drake family of which Sir Francis was the best known member. A great-grandfather on the father's side is said to be descended from that Duke of Alencon who was the commander in chief of the army which was vic- toriously led by Joan of Arc. The great-grandparents of our subject were driven out of France at the time of the French revolution.

Alanson M. Vir Den was the eldest in a family of six children and the only one to take up a profession. He received his primary education in Ohio and then attended the Ohio Northern University of that state for two years, while subsequently he studied in Valparaiso University for three years. His desire to lead his fellow beings to pursue a true Christian life influenced him to take up theological studies and for two years he at- tended the Garrett Bible Institute of Chicago. He entered upon his ministerial duties in South Dakota, beginning to preach in a little sixteen-by-twenty sod church, his humble congregation consisting of about forty members. This was in the year 1888. He con- tinued to preach in South Dakota, near Huron, which was one of the live towns of that day, for some time, subsequently was for eleven years engaged in church work in In- diana and for five years in Ohio and then removed to Oklahoma on account of the health of his wife. In 1913 Mr. Vir Den's health also gave way on account of his untiring labors and he decided upon removal to a more congenial climate, settling at Rush Creek, Colo- rado, where he homesteaded a farm of three hundred and twenty acres. He has trans- formed this tract into a beautiful place of residence, creating from a wilderness produc- tive fields, instituting modern improvements and facilities and putting up suitable buildings. Following the most progressive methods and ever ready to embrace new ideas if found practical, he bas made his farm one of the valuable properties in the neighborhood. He gives considerable attention to dairying, keeping Brown Swiss cattle, and his principal crops are corn, barley and a new grain which has been imported from Africa called feteretia and also Sudan grass, which are considered two of the finest and highest grade crops in that country. Rev. Vir Den makes his home in Hugo, Colorado, and has taken a deep interest in the moral and intellectual development of the commu- nity. He has been helpfully interested in building the present Methodist Episcopal church here and in other ways has proven himself a public-spirited citizen who is always ready to lend a helping hand or give a good word to those who are in sorrow and distress. He has now been a member of the Oklahoma Methodist Episcopal Church Conference for fourteen years and for thirty years he has preached the gospel to such good purpose that six thousand people have been taken into the church. Through his

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History of Colorado; Volume IV, Part 11

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