USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 23
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In 1898 Mr. Hanlon was united in marriage to Miss Addie Friedman and to them have been born seven children, namely: Edward L., Mary E., Albert R., Frank K., Ralph J., Roy W. and George W.
For more than a quarter of a century Mr. Hanlon has resided in Colorado and has ever heen loyal to the welfare and best interests of the state. He has put forth every effort to improve business conditions and persistent energy has enabled him to overcome all difficulties, which have seemed rather to serve as an impetus for renewed effort on his part.
OTTO VOGEL.
An excellent farm property of forty acres pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by Otto Vogel. Born in Zurich, Switzerland, on the 11th of July, 1863, he is a son of Jacob and Judith (Haupt) Vogel. The father, a farmer by occupation, first came to the United States in 1867, making his way to Dallas, Texas, then a town of fifteen hundred inhabitants. His loghouse still stands there although it has been moved farther out, two or three times, as the city grew. Two years later he returned to the land of the Alps, where he remained until 1881 and then again came to the new world, after which he took up the occupation of farming in Kansas, where he lived for a year. He next came to Colorado and settled near Broomfield, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land which he carefully cultivated and developed to the time of his death, which occurred in 1909. To him and his wife were born three children: Emma, Ida and Otto.
The last named attended school in Switzerland. He came to the new world with his father, upon the latter's return to this country in 1881 and upon his father's death received forty acres of land, which he has since owned and cultivated. Prior to his marriage he had assumed the management of his father's entire farm and has thus been long and extensively identified with agricultural interests in his section of the state. His methods are at once practical and progressive and he is actuated by a spirit of advancement in all that he undertakes. He has studied the conditions and the needs of the soil, knows the crops that are best adapted to climatic conditions here and has so directed his efforts that annually he has gathered good harvests.
On the 20th of August, 1889, Mr. Vogel was married to Miss Eliza Langmeier, a
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daughter of Heinrich and Susan Langmeier, the wedding being celebrated in Denver. They have become the parents of two children: Elsie, the wife of Charles Bode, by whom she has two children, Otto and Henrietta; and Emma, the wife of William H. Infanger.
The political faith of Mr. Vogel is that of the democratic party but he has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his busi- ness affairs, which have been wisely and carefully directed, bringing him the substantial success that is now his. From the age of eighteen he has resided continuously in the new world and for more than a third of a century has made his home in the vicinity of Broomfield, closely identified with its agricultural interests and contributing in marked measure to its progress in this direction.
WALTER WISE.
Walter Wise is the able and efficient young manager for the Fisk Rubber Company of Denver, having charge of the sales and distribution of goods of that firm over the states of Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and a portion of Nebraska. He has thor- oughly studied conditions of the trade and has developed notable success in the busi- ness through the field in which he labors. He is today one of the most familiar fig- ures in connection with the tire trade and wherever he is known he is spoken of in terms of the highest regard.
Mr. Wise was born near Auburn, Georgia, January 17, 1888, a son of Allen Sher- wood and Elizabeth ( Adams) Wise, who are natives of Georgia, but in 1900 removed to Dublin, Texas, where Mr. Wise is engaged in ranching. They became the parents of two children: Luther V., who has passed away; and Walter, of this review.
Walter Wise was the elder and in his boyhood days he was a pupil in the public and high schools of Dublin, Texas. His first position was that of clerk in a drug store and later he served in various ways along business lines. He went to Dallas, Texas, in 1909, and for six months was an automobile tire salesman, after which he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he acted as city salesman for the Fisk Rub- ber Tire Company, continuing there from 1909 until 1914. In the latter year he came to Denver to take charge of the local and district branch of the company in this city, and so ably has he managed the business that the sales from this branch have more than held their own with those of much larger districts in other parts of the country. He knows that he is representing goods of the highest quality and he does not hesitate to recommend them. Moreover, he is alert, energetic and determined, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he attempts.
On the 28th of October, 1914, Mr. Wise was married to Miss Marguerite Hardy, of New Albany, Indiana, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. and Ella Wood (Hedden) Hardy of that place. The Hardy family is a well known and prominent one in that section of Indiana, while the Heddens were pioneer manufacturers and have been leaders in industrial circles in southern Indiana for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Wise have one child, Walter Richard, born in Denver, August 13, 1915.
Fraternally Mr. Wise is connected with the Masons. He belongs to the Young Men's Christian Association and his aid and influence are ever given on the side of right and truth, of advancement and progress. He is the possessor of many sterling traits of character which have gained for him the highest esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact as he has traveled widely over the length and .breadth of this land.
JOHN EDWARD YEAMANS.
John Edward Yeamans, who is living retired in Akron, Colorado, was for many years one of the most successful merchants of that city and by his labors has con- tributed to the general progress and growth of his city and county. All of his business dealings have ever been undertaken upon a strictly fair basis and therefore his success is well merited and his prosperity well earned. He was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, in January, 1857, a son of Nathan F. and Lydia E. (Hoffman) Yeamans, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer and miller, taking up his abode in Iowa and locating in Marshall county at an early day in tlie history of the state. Having acquired a comfortable competence he retired and for four
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WALTER WISE
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years made his residence in Marshalltown, coming at the end of that period to Akron, Colorado, where his remaining days were spent. Death called him November 17, 1898, his widow surviving until 1899.
John E. Yeamans spent his boyhood under the parental roof and received his education in the schools of Marshalltown, Iowa. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the blacksmith's trade, taking up this occupation in that city, and there he con- tinued along that line for five years. The lure of the west was upon him, however, and in 1880 he and his brother, Charles N. Yeamans, went to Frontier county, Nebraska, where they homesteaded. They proved up on their claim and then proceeded to Furnas county in the same state, where they engaged in the blacksmith and implement business until November, 1885, when they decided upon another removal and came to Akron, Colorado. Here they opened a business which is flourishing today. In the beginning they gave their principal attention to hardware and implements, the firm being established under the name of Yeamans Brothers & Company. Mr. Yeamans and his brother continued together for about seventeen years, when John E. Yeamans retired. Under the able management of the brothers, who harmoniously cooperated, the business grew and their trade increased from year to year, so that prosperity attended their efforts. Mr. Yeamans had a large part in this success, for it was he who as the elder took much of the management upon his shoulders. The policies which he followed proved entirely successful and he secured a large patronage for the business, his customers implicitly trusting his word, as he would never misrepresent goods or try to make a sale by high-handed methods. The reputation of the firm for honesty is
built therefore as upon a rock and much of the success of the business is due to this fact. Upon first arriving in Akron, Mr. Yeamans also took up a preemption claim. After having sold to his brother he engaged in the blacksmithing business and continued therein until June 15, 1918, when he sold out and retired from active work, having acquired a comfortable competence. He now looks after his farming interests, owning land in partnership with his brother and also owning independently one hundred and sixty acres, all Improved farming property, near the town. His wife is also the possessor of a fine property. Mr. Yeamans is likewise the owner of the Citizens Bank building in Akron and has several other business properties.
On October 10, 1887, Mr. Yeamans wedded Alma A. Dexter, of Toledo, Tama county, Iowa, and to them were born four children, namely: Floy, the wife of A. S. Wilcox, a farmer residing one mile east of Akron; C. William, who resides in Chicago and is purchasing agent for the Belt Line Railroad; and Marion Edna and Lillian Elma, twins. The former is the wife of Joseph Nolte and resides in southwestern Missouri, while the latter married Clinton Dausdill, of Akron, Colorado. Mrs. Yeamans passed away November 25, 1901, and on September 20, 1905, Mr. Yeamans married Mrs. Leanah Abbott, her first husband, C. H. Abbott, having passed away June 20, 1899. By him she had three sons: William A. Abbott, now with the American expeditionary forces in France; Charles T. Abbott, with the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ammunition Train in France; and Leroy A. Abbott, at home.
Mr. Yeamans is a republican in his political affiliation and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. While his has been a busy and useful life in regard to his private affairs, he has also found time to serve in public capacities and has ably administered the office of town clerk and also that of coroner of Washington county. Moreover, he has served as a member of the town council of Akron. His public activities have ever been of a progressive character and, in accord with his business reputation as a purposeful man of rugged, honest principles, and he has done everything in his power to plant deep a civilization of moral and material worth in the section of the state which has been his home for so many years.
JOHN D. WILSON.
Honored and respected by all, no man occupies a more enviable position in the business and financial circles of Eaton than does John D. Wilson, the president of the First National Bank, whose comprehensive knowledge of the banking business is matched by his honorable purpose and straightforward methods in all that he undertakes. Colo- rado numbers him among her native sons, for he was born In Greeley on the 3d of December, 1881, his parents being Thomas H. and Mary (Milne) Wilson, who were natives of Scotland and in 1881 came to America, settling at Greeley, Colorado. Mr. Wilson came to the new world as manager for Lord Ogilvie, having charge of his landed interests in this state for two or three years. He afterward removed to Eaton and
JOHN D. WILSON
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purchased land before the town was established, becoming owner of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres which he entered from the government. He at once began to develop and improve the property and continued its cultivation for many years. He still makes his home upon that place, but is now living retired from active life, leaving to others the work of tilling the soil and further developing the property. His wife also survives.
John D. Wilson was reared at Eaton and supplemented his public school training by a course in the Agricultural College at Fort Collins, Colorado, from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. He then returned home and began work as hook- keeper in the bank of Thomas, Sullivan & Wilson, his father being part owner in that institution. Mr. Wilson of this review remained in that position for a year, after which the First National Bank was organized in 1902 by W. W. Sullivan, who was its first president, while F. L. Weller became the first cashier. Mr. Wilson continued with the other bank until March, 1905, when the two banks were consolidated and Mr. Wilson entered the First National as vice president. At that time Mr. Sullivan sold his interest in the business and A. C. Adams was made president. In June, 1910, the latter resigned and Mr. Wilson was elected to the presidency. C. J. Stockfleth came to the First National with Mr. Wilson in the capacity of assistant cashier, and upon the death of Mr. Weller, the cashier, in 1915, Mr. Stockfleth succeeded to the position, which he is now occupying. The bank is capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars and has surplus and profits amounting to twenty-five thousand dollars, while its deposits have reached six hundred and eighty-six thousand dollars. The bank is in a most prosperous condition, its business most thoroughly systematized and ably managed, and the officers are men who inspire confidence in the institution. In addition to his interests at Eaton, Mr. Wilson has farming property in this locality from which he derives a good rental. He is also a stockholder and one of the directors in the Farmers Bank at Severance, Colorado.
In April, 1907, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Marie Rempen, a daughter of Theodore and Charlotte (Gotthardt) Rempen, who were residents of Ger- many. The father died in 1893, but the mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born four children: Mary, who was born in May, 1909; Thomas, in Septem- ber, 1911; Norman, in December, 1914; and Robert, in May, 1917.
Fraternally he is connected with the Masons as a member of the lodge, chapter and commandery and is most loyal to the teachings of the craft. He is also identified with the Order of the Eastern Star and with the Woodmen of the World. Politically he is a democrat. believing firmly in the principles of the party, but never seeking or desiring office as a reward for party fealty. His religions faith is that of the Congregational church and his life is guided at all times by its teachings. Those who know him- and he has a wide acquaintance-find in him a man who at all times is worthy of con- fidence, trust and respect. He is a man of high ideals not only in relation to business but in matters of citizenship as well and his activity in behalf of public interests has been far-reaching and effective.
HENRY AUGUSTUS BUCHTEL, D. D., LL. D.
The couplet
"He leaves a patriot's name to aftertimes Linked with a thousand virtues and no crimes"
might well be chosen to epitomize the public service of Henry Augustus Buchtel as clergyman, educator and Colorado's governor. Holding to high ideals, his service to his state has nevertheless been of the most practical character and his labors will not have reached their culmination until movements which he instituted have been brought to their full fruition. He was born near Akron, Ohio, September 30, 1847, and the ancestral line is traced back to Wurttemberg, Germany, whence in 1753 came the founder of the family in America, making settlement in Pennsylvania. This was John Buchtel, an astronomer of note, whose strong mentality has been an inherited force in later generations. The ancestral line comes down through Solomon and Maria (Reber) Buchtel and Dr. Jonathan B. and Eliza (Newcomer) Buchtel to Henry Augustus Buchtel of this review. The family name is perpetuated in Buchtel College at Akron, Ohio, which was built and equipped by John R. Buchtel, a cousin of Dr. Jonathan B. Buchtel. The last named, after preparing for and entering upon the
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practice of medicine, removed from Akron, Ohio, to Indiana in 1848 and made his home for a time at Elkhart, whence he went to South Bend.
Largely in private schools of the latter city Governor Buchtel acquired his early education, which was supplemented by a year's study in what is now De Pauw Univer- sity. He afterward devoted several years to business, giving some time to service as foreman of the country order department in the wholesale drug house of Burnhams & Van Schaack, of Chicago. Ultimately he became a partner in a wholesale and retail grocery house of South Bend, Indiana, but decided to give up commercial interests in order to prepare for the ministry, having for a number of years been deeply interested in the cause of religion. Again entering Asbury (now De Pauw) University, he was graduated therefrom in 1872 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Soon afterward he was married and was sent by his church as a missionary to Bulgaria, residing for a brief period at Rustchuk on the Danube river. His first regular pastorate was at Zions- ville, Indiana, and at subsequent periods he was located in pastoral work at Greencastle, Knightstown, Richmond and Lafayette, Indiana, at Denver, Colorado, at Indianapolis, Indiana, at Mount Vernon, New York, and East Orange, New Jersey.
Rev. Buchtel severed his pastoral relations in the east in 1899 to return to Colorado as chancellor of the University of Denver, an institution which at that time was burdened by a great debt. He made it his first duty to procure necessary funds and after an untiring and vigorous campaign succeeded in raising two hundred and sixty thousand dollars, which cleared the property from all mortgage encumbrances, though all floating debts were not extinguished until the total amount of cash secured aggregated a third of a million dollars. The total amount secured by Chancellor Buchtel for the school down to the present year (1918) is more than a million dollars. During his administration the attendance increased from six hundred to fourteen hundred students. The University of Denver is the pioneer school of higher learning in Colorado. It now has fourteen hundred students and approximately one hundred and sixty professors. As chancellor, Rev. Buchtel has visited every part of Colorado and it is said that no man in the state has a broader acquaintance. His prominence as the successful head of this institution led to his selection for other public service and honors, for in the fall of 1906 the republican party named him as its candidate for governor. When offered the candidacy he wrote in reply: "I accept the nomination you have tendered with the distinct understanding that I am not to be expected to make any pledges of any character to anyone. . . . . . I hope we shall be able to make a campaign which is in harmony with the best traditions of the republican party, that is, a business campaign that is clean and honest." That Colorado's citizens believed in him and his policy is indicated in the fact that election returns gave to him a majority of approximately twenty thousand. His inauguration, contrary to the usual custom of the state, took place in the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, which Governor Buchtel had largely aided in building while serving as its pastor. He concluded his inaugural address with a prayer, which was followed by the Lord's prayer. This was indicative of the spirit of his administration, which was characterized by the highest ideals of manhood and of citizenship. All appropriations for the biennial period, as well as all deficits of former administrations, were paid in full, and the administration turned over to its successor three hundred thousand dollars in cash. The legislative enactments, too, were of a character that proved of the greatest benefit to the state at the time and not only looked to the exigencies of the moment but considered also the opportunities of the future. A pure food law was enacted, also one requiring the inspection of build- ing and loan associations. A civil service law found its way to the statute books of the state and laws providing state employment agencies and the establishment of juvenile court and detention houses for child offenders. Another law that was enacted provided for the employment of prison labor on public highways. There was passed a meat and slaughter-house inspection law and one of the best local option laws which has also been adopted by other states. Other legislation of importance that was secured during his administration related to banking, railroads and insurance.
It was on the 4th of February, 1873, that Governor Buchtel was united in marriage to Miss Mary Stevenson, daughter of William N. Stevenson, of Greencastle, Indiana. They became parents of two sons and two daughters: Dr. Frost Craft Buchtel; Henry Augustus, Jr., who died in 1901; Emma, now the wife of Dr. William G. Lennox, both of whom are doing missionary work in China; and Mary.
In the year 1884, Governor Buchtel received from his alma mater the honorary degree of D. D. and in 1900 that of LL. D. Since his retirement from office he has devoted his entire attention to his services as chancellor of the University of Denver. His service as governor of Colorado, however, constitutes a chapter in its history of which the state is justly proud. His election followed an era of great bitterness and
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it was due to his rare tact and splendid qualities of heart and mind that conflicting ele- ments were brought together. He was indeed a peacemaking governor. Since his term of office, the old harsh, unforgiving attitude of political opponents has largely disappeared from the strife of parties. The people of the state can never forget the great "good- fellowship" banquet given by Governor Buchtel and which marked the beginning of an era in the history of the commonwealth. His course has marked the triumph of truth, of right and progress. His methods have been practical, while his vision has been broad and his ideals high. His appeals to the manhood of the state have never been in vain and his teachings and example have been a guiding force for the adoption of all those elements which work for good to the individual and to the community at large.
TAYLOR GREEN.
Taylor Green, one of the pioneers of Elbert county, was born in the state of New York in 1834 and acquired his education in local schools there. He learned the trade of carpentering in his youthful days and when he came to Colorado in 1871 he went at once to Elbert county, where he established himself in the contracting business. Many of the finest and largest farm buildings in the county were planned and erected by him.
Prior to his removal to Colorado he had served for three years in the Union army under General Sherman and at the time of his death in 1906 was an honored member of the Grand Army post in Elbert county, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old military comrades, with, whom he had marched to the defense of the Stars and Stripes during the momentous period of the Civil war.
On the 2d of December, 1891, Mr. Green was married in Denver to Miss Gertrude McArthy, a native of Prince Edward Island. Albert T. Green, their son, is now in Base Hospital, No. 29, in London, doing active service for his country. He enlisted in June, 1917, and was mustered in at Camp Cody, New Mexico, in March, 1918, going later to Camp Crane, Pennsylvania, and then to important hospital service in London.
JOHN WICH.
Starting in business on his own account with practically no funds and otherwise handicapped, John Wich nevertheless has gradually overcome all obstacles and diffi- culties and in the course of years he became one of Denver's leading boiler men and manufacturers, and owner of one of the largest concerns of the kind in the west- the Star Boiler & Sheet Iron Works. In this connection he made for himself an enviable name and place in the business circles of the west and at a recent date he sold out and is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil In a well earned rest.
Mr. Wich was born in Bavaria, April 13, 1852, a son of John and Catharina Wich, who were natives of the same country, where the father was engaged in the meat business. Both he and his wife have passed away. In their family were ten children.
John Wich, the ninth in order of birth in his father's household, attended the public schools of his native country and at the age of eighteen years bade adieu to friends and fatherland and sailed for America, attracted by the opportunities which he believed he might enjoy on this side of the Atlantic. He located at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and for a time was employed by the Central Railroad Company of New Jersey. He afterward learned the boiler maker's trade at Wilkes-Barre and remained there for five years. Subsequently he went to Texas and was employed at his trade in various parts of that state. In 1880 he came to Denver and for two months worked for others, after which he established a small shop in connection with a partner. That relation was continued successfully for nine years, at the end of which time, in 1889, Mr. Wich purchased the interest of his partner and continued as sole owner of the business. From a small start he developed the present extensive establishment, which he conducted with profit for many years. He developed a business second to none of the character in the west. He employed fifty experienced workmen and had a splendidly equipped plant covering more than a city block. The business was con- ducted under the name of the Star Boiler & Sheet Iron Works and he manufactured all kinds of steam boilers and did sheet iron work of all descriptions. On the 4th of September, 1918, having decided to retire from active business life, he made a sat-
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