USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 32
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Dr. Samuel B. Childs attended the Hartford public schools and was graduated from the Hartford high school with the class of 1879. He was graduated from the academic department of Yale University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1883, and in 1887 he won his M. D. from New York University Medical School. In the interim he had devoted the years 1884 and 1885 to teaching school in East Hartford. Following his graduation from medical college he became an interne in the out- patient department of Chambers Street Hospital of New York and in June, 1887, was appointed an interne in the Hartford Hospital, and during the last ten months of his service there was house physician and surgeon. He began practice in Hartford in 1888 as a physician and surgeon and continued in that city until 1895 when, on account of his health, he came to Denver and soon thereafter resumed the active practice of his profession.
Since 1900 he has devoted his attention to diagnosis and to treatment by the use of the Roentgen-ray. From 1900 to 1912 he was professor of anatomy in the Denver University Medical School and in the Denver and Gross Medical College. Since 1912 he has been professor of roentgenology in the medical department of the University of Colorado. He is a member of the Medical Society of the City and County of Denver and has served as its president. He is also a member of the American Medical Association and of the American Roentgenological Society.
Dr. Childs was a member of the Hartford City Guard of the Connecticut state militia and in 1888 and 1889 he was assistant surgeon of the Connecticut National Guard. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He is a great lover of out-door sports,-is an enthusiastic hunter, fisherman and golfer. He belongs to the Denver Club, Denver Country Club and to the Colorado Yale Association and was president of the Yale Association in 1911. He is a member of the Twenty-Third Avenue Presbyterian church. Dr. Childs has ever been actuated by high ideals and in his practice he has striven to attaln the highest degree of efficiency.
Dr. Childs has been twice married, his first wife being Henrietta Willett, whom
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he married in 1890 in West Hebron, New York, and who died in 1906, leaving one son, John Wood, who was born in 1896. In 1908 Dr. Childs married Anne Starling of Henderson, Kentucky. Mrs. Childs is a great-great-granddaughter of Justice Thomas Todd of the United States supreme court, who married Lucy Payne Washington, the young widow of George Steptoe Washington and only sister of Dolly Madison. Lucy Payne Washington lived with her sister, Mrs. Madison and her marriage to Justice Todd was the first marriage to be solemnized in the White House.
Dr. and Mrs. Childs have one son. Samuel Beresford, Jr.
JOHN SAHM.
For twenty-seven years John Sahm has been a resident of Colorado, arriving in Elbert county in 1891, and through the intervening period he has contributed much to its agricultural development. He was born in Belleville, Illinois, on the 15th of December, 1866, and is a son of German parents who on coming to the new world settled at Belleville. In the schools of his native city John Sahm pursued his educa- tion and was a young man of twenty-five years when he sought the opportunities of the west, making his way to Elbert county, Colorado. Here he purchased a farm of six hundred acres close to the town of Elizabeth. He has a model farm property, to which he has added many modern improvements and equipments, and today he is regarded as one of the most prosperous men in his section. He has brought his land under a high state of cultivation, has added substantial buildings, has divided his place into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and he utilizes the latest improved farm machinery in caring for his crops.
In 1890 Mr. Sahm was united in marriage to Miss Mary Anderson. They have had no children of their own, but their generosity has prompted them to care for and give a home to five orphan children. one of whom came to them when seven years of age. They were taken from the Home for Dependent Children at Denver and from St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum. All have been given excellent educational privileges in the fine public schools of Elizabeth and have thus been qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. Two of the sons have enlisted and are now in the service of their country, while the other three children are upon the farm. Mr. Sahm is a man of generous and benevolent spirit, continually extending a helping hand where aid is needed. In his business affairs he has displayed keen wisdom and sound judg- ment in everything relating to the advancement of the productivity of the soil and the raising of crops. The worth of his ideas is manifest in the large harvests which he gathers, placing him among the substantial agriculturists of his part of the state.
RALPH EVERET FINNICUM.
Ralph E. Finnicum, one of the brilliant young lawyers of the state of Colorado, has recently established himself in Kiowa and has already gained a gratifying client- age. He came to this city in May, 1918, and quickly demonstrated his ability, as is evident from the fact that he has been chosen county attorney of Elbert county, now ably representing the interests of the county. Formerly he was a partner in the firm of Hilliard & Finnicum, with offices in the Guardian Trust building in Denver. He was born in State Center, Iowa, December 2, 1886, a son of George E. and Effie (Ryan) . Finnicum, both of whom are living, the father being actively engaged in business as an engineer. The mother was born in Iowa and by her marriage has two children, the brother of Ralph E. Finnicum being Leo G. Finnicum, now a resident of Stockton, California. The family is of English ancestry, the first of the name who settled on this side of the Atlantic coming to the new world from England about 1800.
At the usual age Ralph E. Finnicum became a pupil in the public schools of Des Moines, Iowa, and after mastering the work of the high school there entered the State University of Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1912 with the LL. B. degree. He then removed to Denver, was admitted to practice in the courts of this state in that year, and in 1912 was also admitted to the Iowa bar. During the period of his residence in the west he has given his attention to general law practice and while in Denver built up a liberal clientage. Since coming to Kiowa he has continued very successful, his previous reputation and experience greatly helping him in the building
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JOHN SAHM
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up of his private practice. He now however gives a great deal of his time and effort to his duties as county attorney, thereby rewarding the confidence and trust which the public reposed in him by calling him to that office. While yet a comparatively young man, he has already displayed marked ability, is thoroughly versed in the law and acquainted with principle and precedent, is ever careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases and clear and logical in his deductions. He is forceful and resourceful and ably presents his cause before court and jury, readily bringing out by close analysis the points which he desires to demonstrate. He belongs to the Denver County and City Bar Association. of which he has been a member for about four years, and has won many friends among his brethren of the legal profession.
In June, 1915, Mr. Finnicum was united in marriage to Miss Loraine Hilliard, of Denver, Colorado, the wedding being celebrated in that city. During their residence in Colorado they have gained many friends in the state and have been received with open arms by the young social set of Kiowa and Elbert county.
Mr. Finnicum has always taken a laudable interest in public affairs and is ever ready to give his support to measures which he considers of value to the community, county and state, and although he has been a resident of Elbert county for but a short time he has been elected to the position of county attorney, giving the hest that is in him to faithfully perform his duties in that connection. He is greatly interested in war work and has in every way assisted in making the various drives and campaigns of the government successful, being fully in accord with the policy set up by the administration. of gaining a world-wide victory for democratic ideals. Per- sonally Mr. Finnicum is well liked, as he is easily approachable, sympathetic and pleasant-mannered.
THEODORE ADDISON ERB.
Among the valued citizens of Akron, Colorado, who contributed much to the growth and development of this community was Theodore Addison Erb, who for a number of years successfully conducted business interests here. His efforts were devoted to the management of a hotel but he was also engaged in the plumbing business, and it was through an accident while performing labors in this line that his life was termi- nated in 1914. Although it is now several years since Mr. Erb has passed away, his memory is still enshrined in the hearts of his friends, who respected him as an hon- orable and straightforward man of high qualities of heart and character.
Theodore A. Erb was a native of Maryland, where he was born March 24, 1852. a son of Christopher and Mary (Shade) Erb, natives of Pennsylvania. For many years Christopher Erb followed agricultural pursuits in Virginia, to which state he had removed from Pennsylvania in his youth, and the Old Dominion remained his home until death called him in 1903. His wife had preceded him to the home beyond in 1896.
Although born in Maryland, Theodore A. Erb was reared in Virginia, where the parental home was established, and he received his education in the home neighbor- hood. His schooling, however, was very limited, for he put aside his textbooks at the age of eleven and began to learn the blacksmith and wagon maker's trade. Becoming proficient in these lines, he continued to work at his trade in Virginia until 1885, when at the age of thirty-three he decided to seek the less thickly populated sections of the west in order to grow up with the country and improve his opportunities. He first removed to Trenton, Nebraska, where for five years he was engaged in the im- plement business but at the end of that time went to McCook in the same state, there giving his attention to the conduct and operation of a hotel which he successfully managed for three years. In 1893 he came to Akron, Colorado, and this city remained his home until his untimely demise in 1914, so that for over twenty-one years he was a resident of Akron, Washington county. Upon his arrival in this city he bought a hotel, to the operation of which he devoted his energies throughout the remainder of his life, although he conducted a plumbing business at the same time. He man- aged his hotel along modern ideas and put forth every effort to make his guests com- fortable. His place therefore was well patronized and became favorably known to the traveling public. In the plumbing business Mr. Erb was also quite successful, deriving from this line of his activities a gratifying addition to his income. His death occurred from the effect of burns which he had received while doing plumbing work. His sudden death was not only a great shock to his immediate family but was deeply regretted by his many friends and the traveling public, who had come to know him
MR. AND MRS. THEODORE A. ERB
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as a reliable, trustworthy, honorable and pleasant man. Moreover, Mr. and Mrs. Erb operated a railroad eating house for about eight years but after the discontinuance of the same served meals in the hotel, this proving more satisfactory to the public. Subsequent to his death Mrs. Erb opened a cafe in connection with the hotel which she successfully operates, maintaining a rooming house in addition.
On July 21, 1884. occurred the marriage of Theodore A. Erb and Susan S. Payne, a native of Frederick county, Virginia, where she was born in November, 1866, and a daughter of Summerfield and Susan (Timberlake) Payne, natives of Virginia, where the father followed farming all his life. During the war between the states he served as a lieutenant in the Confederate army, being active throughout the entire period of the war, and for four months he was held prisoner at Fort McHenry. His death occurred in August, 1885, while his wife died in 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Erb were born two children: Anna M., who married Worth M. Miller, a newspaper editor of Ogallala, Nebraska; and Ruth G., who makes her home with her mother. Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Miller have two children, Suone, who is now eleven, and Marcellus Harwood, who is seven years of age.
From that time when he took up his residence in Akron, Colorado, until his death Mr. Erb always cooperated with his fellow citizens in order to promote or support plans for the growth of his community either in a material or moral and intellectual way. He was interested in all matters concerning Akron and was ever ready by word, deed and means to render assistance to worthy causes. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while Mrs. Erb belongs to the Eastern Star. The principles of brotherhood underlying these organizations always guided Mr. Erb in his conduct toward his fellowmen, to whom he ever was kind and helpful. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which he took active part, and politically he was a democrat. Although more than four years have passed since death claimed one of Akron's most useful and most respected citizens, the memory of Theo- dore Addison Erb lives in the hearts of his fellow citizens, for all recognized in him a loyal American, a successful business man of honorable principles and a true, faithful friend who would never fail in an emergency.
HAROLD PAGE MARTIN.
Harold Page Martin, an active practitioner at the bar of Boulder, to whom success has come as the result of thorough training and broad experience, was born upon a farm in Boulder county, Colorado, in 1878. His father, William J. Martin, was a native of England and came to the United States in his boyhood days with his father, following the death of his mother. They settled first in the east but after- ward removed westward to Colorado, where they arrived in the early '60s. William J. Martin became a gold miner and was part owner of the Caribou mine in Boulder county, Colorado, which he and his partner discovered. He was married in Central City, Colorado, to Miss Ida S. Wilson and they are now occupying a farm in Boulder county.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Harold Page Martin became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, for in his boyhood his time was divided between his studies in the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. After mastering the elementary branches of learning in the district schools he became a student in the high school of Boulder, Colorado, from which in due course of time he was graduated. He later entered the University of Colorado at Boulder and won the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy upon graduation with the class of 1901. With broad literary learning to serve as a founda- tion upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge, he took up the study of law and in 1904 completed a course in the law department. winning the LL. B. degree. He practiced for two years in Denver, covering 1905 and 1906, and then returned to Boulder, where he opened an office. His record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, for in the county where practically his entire life has been passed Mr. Martin has been accorded a liberal and distinctively representative clientage. He is most careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases and presents his cause with clearness and strength, never failing to impress judge and jury with the correctness of his position and seldom failing to gain the verdict desired.
Mr. Martin is a republican in his political views and takes active part in further- ing the principles in which he believes. He has served as deputy prosecutor of Boulder
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county for several years but has not been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks aud is also a member of the Boulder Club. He is appreciative of the social amenities of life and among the members of these organizations he has many friends.
MELVIN C. GOSS.
Melvin C. Goss, devoting his life to the practice of law in Boulder, where he opened his office in 1906, has through the intervening years become well established as a successful lawyer whose ability enables him to solve many intricate and involved professional problems. Colorado numbers him among her native sons, for his birth occurred upon a farm in Pueblo county in 1874. He comes of English and Scotch ancestry. His father, Calvin W. Goss, was born in Tennessee in the year 1828 and after reaching manhood was married to Miss Sarah Parsons, a native of North Carolina. The father served as a soldier of the Civil war, joining the Eleventh Kansas Cavalry, and was largely engaged in fighting Indians upon the Wyoming frontier. His last days were spent in Pueblo, Colorado, where he departed this life in 1913, after having devoted many years to general agricultural pursuits in Pueblo county.
It was there upon the old homestead farm that Melvin C. Goss was reared, his youthful days being passed in the usual manner of the farmbred boy. He attended the country schools and after mastering the branches of learning therein taught, became a student in the high school of Pueblo. Ambitious to enter upon a professional career, he decided upon the practice of law as a life work and in preparation therefor entered the University of Colorado, in which he pursued the law course, winning the LL. B. degree upon graduation with the class of 1906. He then located for practice in Boulder, where he has since remained, and through the intervening period he has enjoyed a constantly growing clientage. Advancement at the bar is proverbially slow, yet no dreary novitiate awaited him. He soon demonstrated his power to handle legal questions and one of the characteristics of his practice has been the thoroughness with which he has prepared his cases. He is also identified with business interests as the assistant secretary of and the attorney for the Western Light & Power Com- pany of Boulder and is also attorney for the Boulder National Bank and attorney for and a director in the Mercantile Bank and Trust Company.
On the 10th of June, 1913, in Denver. Mr. Goss was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Hoyme, a daughter of the late Captain Hoyme of the United States army. Mr. Goss belongs to the Boulder Club and is also identified with Phi Alpha Delta, a college fraternity. Both he and his wife are widely known and highly esteemed in Boulder, occupying a very enviable position in social circles, their many friends bearing ready testimony to their genuine worth.
LOUIS W. HENDERSHOTT.
Louis W. Hendershott is living retired in a beautiful home at the corner of Seventh street and Turner avenue in Berthoud. For a long period he was identified with ranching interests but ultimately put aside business cares to enjoy in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He was born in Livingston county, New York, March 24, 1856, a son of John and Sarah (Sterner) Hendershott, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer and in early life removed to New York, where he purchased land about 1840. He improved that place and continued its cultivation throughout the remainder of his days. His father also became a resident of the Empire state at the same time and purchased land there. He had twelve sons and they all settled in that vicinity. The death of John Hendershott occurred in New York in 1860 and his widow, long surviving him, passed away in 1889.
Louis W. Hendershott was reared and educated in the Empire state, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, after which he cultivated the home farm for three years. He had previously had liberal experience in that line of work, his vacation periods being devoted to the task of developing and cultivating the fields. In 1881 he left the east for Colorado and took up his abode in Larimer county, purchasing land a mile south of Berthoud which he improved. In partnership with H. V. Bennett, he bought the property and together they carried on their ranching interests for six years, at the end of which time Mr. Hendershott disposed of his in-
LOUIS W. HENDERSHOTT
MRS. LOUIS W. HENDERSHOTT
LOUIS W. HENDERSHOTT'S RANCH, WELD COUNTY, FOUR AND A HALF MILES NORTHEAST OF BERTHOUD
LOUIS W. HENDERSHOTT'S RESIDENCE, SEVENTH AND TURNER AVENUE, BERTHOUD
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terest to Mr. Bennett. He afterward rented land for a year and next bought one hundred and sixty acres in Weld county four and a half miles northeast of Berthoud. This he at once began to develop and improve and continued its cultivation until 1900 but lived upon the place until 1914, when he took up his abode in Berthoud, erecting a large and attractive residence at the corner of Seventh street and Turner avenue, where he has since remained. While upon his ranch he engaged in the raising of high grade Percheron horses and shorthorn cattle. He also fed sheep for several years. He is now a stockholder and one of the directors in the First National Bank of Berthoud, and is a stockholder in the Fairburn Lumber Company of Berthoud. His investments have been judiciously made and he derives therefrom a substantial annual income.
In September, 1883, Mr. Hendershott was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Keirnes and to them were born two sons: Carroll C., who is operating his father's place and one of his own adjoining; and Orlan N., a farmer of Weld county, living a mile north and a mile and a half east of the old home place. The wife and mother passed away in July, 1900, and on the 4th of February, 1902, Mr. Hendershott wedded Jennie Parker. Politically he is a democrat and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Eastern Star and in these associations are found the rules which govern his conduct and shape his course in all the relations of life. He commands the respect, confidence and goodwill of those with whom he has been brought in contact and his friends in this section of the state are legion.
JOHN ANDERSON.
John Anderson, county judge of Douglas county and one whose record upon the bench, characterized by strict fairness and impartiality, has won the support of the general public, was born in Sweden, October 31, 1863, a son of Andrew and Margaret E. (Astberg) Anderson. He acquired his elementary education in the schools of his native country and afterward became a student in the Lutheran Academy at Wahoo, Nebraska, having come to America in June, 1882, when a youth of nearly nineteen years. He started upon his business career as an employe of the Omaha Grant Smelt- ing Company, being there employed for two years. In August, 1885, he arrived in Colorado, making his way first to Denver, and in 1886 removed to Douglas county, where for ten years he was superintendent of stone quarries for different concerns, acting in that capacity until called to the office of sheriff of Douglas county by election in 1908. 'He made an excellent record and was reelected in 1910, serving in that position until 1912, when he was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of county judge. He was always a stanch supporter of democratic principles but when elected county judge made nonpartisan appointments, which was not according to party rule, and hence he was not again nominated by the democrats for the office. At the close of his term in 1916, however, he became a candidate for reelection on an independent ticket, making the run against both republican and democratic candidates, and winning the election by a good majority- a fact which indicates that the public is satisfied with the equity and impartiality of his rulings. As judge of Douglas county he represents all of the people and does not show any political preference and in consequence the old party organization did not support him, but public opinion endorsed his course. He has also been secretary of the school board for nine years and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. He continues a factor in business circles as one of the stockholders in the First National Bank of Castle Rock.
In 1886 Judge Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Oberg, who was born in Sweden, and they have become parents of five children. Edgar T., who was born March 16, 1887, was graduated from the high school and spent three years in the State University at Boulder, after which he devoted one year to the study of law. He attended the second officers training camp at Fort Sheridan, near Chicago, and received a commission as second lieutenant. He then went to France, attending the French artillery school at Samour and now holds the rank of first lieutenant in the field artillery, having been engaged in active duty with the Stars and Stripes on the battlefields of the western front. Richard E., born October 21, 1888, was graduated from high school, spent a year in the Colorado College at Colorado Springs and four years in the West Point Military Academy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1912. He is now a lieutenant-colonel in the field artillery in France. He married Anne White Glover, of New York city, and has one child, Cornelia Livingston. Alice Elizabeth, the next of the family, was born March 21, 1890, attended the high
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