USA > Colorado > History of Colorado; Volume IV > Part 89
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In 1909 Francis J. Hildebrand was married to Miss Josephine C. Shekey, of Hum- boldt, Iowa, and to them was born a daughter, Dorothy C. The wife and mother passed away in 1912 and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Fort Dodge, Iowa, her death being a severe blow to the husband and little daughter. Mr. Hildebrand is a mem- ber of the Catholic church. He has spent his entire life on the ranch which is yet his home, concentrating his efforts and attention upon its further development and improvement, and he now ranks with the representative farmers of Jefferson county.
HERMAN H. CORDES.
While more than a third of a century has passed since the death of Herman H. Cordes, he is yet remembered by the older residents of Denver as one of the most alert and progressive merchants and business men of his time. He was born in Bremen, Germany, of wealthy German parents, on January 11, 1850, but at the age of two years was brought to America by his family, whose sympathies were with the revolutionists of 1849. Because of their sympathies with those who believed in the ideals of today- democracy-the family lands and fortune were confiscated by the government of Ger- many and the Cordes family, with other believers in the cause of freedom, came to America.
The family established themselves in Sedalia, Missouri, where Mr. Cordes received his early education in the public schools, later attending one of the academies. He
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HERMAN H. CORDES
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began his business career as a merchant in Sedalia, Missouri, where he was a clerk in the store of Morrison Brothers. It was in the autumn of 1874 that Mr. Cordes located in Denver to take a position with the firm of Morrison Brothers in the Denver store. He remained with this firm for a number of years and then accepted a position with the Daniels & Fisher Company as head of their carpet department. Mr. Cordes made friends quickly and it was not long before he had acquired an extensive acquaintance in Denver. As an illustration of this, twenty-five years after his death one of Phila- delphia's financiers, while in Denver on a visit, sought out one of Mr. Cordes' friends in order to discover where he might find Mr. Cordes or his family, as he said: "I met Mr. Cordes but once and I have never been so impressed with a young man and pre- dicted a great future for him." In 1878, in company with his brother-in-law, Philip Feldhauser, he entered the carpet business under the name of Cordes & Feldhauser. The growth of the business was both rapid and substantial and before long theirs had become the leading house in its line in Denver. Mr. Cordes' wonderful energy and thoroughly progressive business methods were great factors in its progress. As has been said of him, he was a merchant ahead of his time, and but for his untimely death, seemed destined to become Denver's merchant prince. Early in the spring of 1884 he was taken suddenly ill and on the advice of his physician went to Los Angeles, where a change of climate it was thought might restore his health, but there his death occurred on the 26th of April, 1884, when he was little more than thirty-three years of age.
It was on the Ist of August, 1875, that Mr. Cordes was married in Denver to Miss Caroline Feldhauser and to them were born a son and two daughters, namely: Arthur, who died at the age of two years; Mary, now the wife of Dr. Samuel Fosdick Jones, who is now a major in the service of the United States; and Caroline M., now the wife of Samuel Huston Thompson, a member of the Federal Trade Commission. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one daughter, Caroline Huston.
Mr. Cordes was recognized as one of the best known representatives of mercantile circles in Denver and as a citizen was of that type that meant a distinct loss to the city when he was called to his final rest. His personal popularity was great. His closest personal friends were men who in later years became the big men of Denver's business and financial life. His thoughtful consideration of his employes, his many acts of kindness and the helpful interest he took in all worthy causes needing assistance combined to make his loss keenly felt by many outside of his own home. He was a kind husband and indulgent fatber whose interest centered in his family and who found his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare and comfort of the members of his own household.
FRED S. HUSTON.
Fred S. Huston is prominent in, and representative of, financial interests in Washington county, being cashier of the First National Bank of Otis, Colorado. The growth and development of this institution is largely due to his business ability and his experience in the banking line. He was born in Waukee, Dallas county, Iowa, in February, 1879, a son of John A. and Florence J. (Sloane) Huston, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Iowa. In early life John A. Huston made removal from his native state to Iowa, where he was engaged along mercantile lines and made his home until 1888, when he proceeded farther west, taking up his abode in Hyde, Washington county, Colorado, where he gave his attention to the lumber business and banking for several years until local conditions decided him to give up these lines and he located on a ranch, where he engaged in the cattle business for some time. He ran cattle and horses until 1915. when the means which he had acquired permitted him to retire from the active labors of life, his ranch of three sections being divided among his sons. He now makes his home in Otis and Mrs. Huston is also living.
Fred S. Huston was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the public schools of Des Moines, Iowa, as well as in Hyde and Otis, Colorado, having come to this state with his parents. Up to the age of nineteen he was more or less an invalid, but then his health improved considerably and he took up the occupation of telegraphy and entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. with which he remained for twelve years,-as agent at Otis, also as night operator and dispatcher at Denver, and in the general offices in Omaha, Nebraska. In the fall of 1910 Mr. Huston, having carefully saved his earnings and acquired a handsome sum with which to start in business, organized in partnership with others the Otis State Bank, of which he became the cashier and as such was entrusted with its direction.
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In May, 1916, the institution was formed into a national bank under the name of the First National Bank. The president is M. B. Holland, while P. J. Sullivan, of Wray, Colorado, is the vice president. The bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dol- lars and its surplus now amounts to five thousand dollars, while the deposits have reached the sum of one hundred and ninety thousand dollars. The First National Bank erected a modern, well constructed and thoroughly protected bank building in 1916, which has been the home of the institution ever since. In guiding the destiny of the bank Mr. Huston has always followed conservative banking principles, protecting to the best of his ability the interests of the depositors and stockholders, yet he is pro- gressive and readily extends credit where funds, are needed for the extension of legiti- mate business enterprises or in order to finance the marketing of farm crops, or live stock deals. He has become recognized as an authority in financial matters and is often consulted in regard to investments, as he is not only thoroughly acquainted with the bond and stock market but also has considerable knowledge of local real estate values. The growth of the bank and its prosperous condition must be largely ascribed to his experience and ability and the honorable principles which have guided all his business transactions.
In October, 1913, Mr. Huston married Alice M. Brandon and they have two chil- dren: John Paul, born September 29, 1914; and Denzil F., born April 29, 1916. The family is popular in the social circles of their community and their hospitable home is a meeting place for their many friends, who esteem them for their high qualities of character and heart. Their. residence is one of the finest in this section of the state, appointed with all modern conveniences. comfortably arranged and tastefully furnished.
The religious faith of Mr. Huston is that of the Presbyterian church and his po- litical allegiance is given to the republican party. He has always taken a laudable interest in the promotion of the welfare and growth of his community and is a mem- ber of the town council, taking active part in securing for Otis all the advantages of a modern city. In the Masonic order he belongs to the various branches of the organ- ization and the principles of brotherhood underlying the craft guide him in his con- duct toward his fellowmen. He is still interested in the Huston Brothers' ranch and, besides this, owns other farm property, deriving from these sources a gratifying addi- tion to his income. Mr. Huston is a public-spirited citizen, a patriotic American and a business man of high principles and standards and since being engaged in business in Otis has earned the high encomiums of the public and has made many friends in this city.
DANIEL KNAUS.
Although yet a young man Daniel Knaus has already attained a position among the agriculturists of Boulder county which entitles him to distinction, as he has dis- played progressive methods and ideas that have not only proved of value to him but have demonstrated to others what can be attained through earnest labor. Mr. Knaus has live stock interests besides following general farming, his place being located one and three-quarters miles northeast of Niwot. A native of Boulder county, he was born about three-quarters of a mile south of his present place, March 1, 1890, and is a son of Clemens and Eliza (Greub) Knaus, who are more extensively mentioned on other pages of this work.
Daniel Knaus was reared at home and educated in the rural schools of Boulder county, rounding out his common school course by six months' attendance at a busi- ness college in Boulder. He ably assisted his father until he was twenty-two years of age, thus becoming thoroughly acquainted with agricultural methods through prac- tical labor. In 1914 his father gave to each of his sons a farm and Daniel Knaus received one hundred acres of land, upon which property he now lives. He has made a number of improvements since he received this property, having taken it over in the fall of 1917. Previous to that time he was for five years manager of a creamery at Niwot. The buildings upon his farm are up-to-date and the equipment is modern in every respect, thus demonstrating his progressiveness. A prosperous future may be predicted for him, as he has already demonstrated his ability. .
In 1912, Daniel Knaus was married to Lillian Wederquist and to them have been born three children: Muriel C., whose birth occurred on the 25th of March, 1913; Kenneth D., born June 12, 1915; and Dallas H., June 28, 1917.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Knaus are well liked in the social circles of their neighbor- hood and have many friends in Niwot and vicinity. Besides his farm he is a stock- holder in the Niwot State Bank and also of the alfalfa mill there. Moreover, he is
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interested in the Farmers Life Insurance Company of Denver. Besides general farm- ing he gives his attention to the raising of thoroughbred horses, specializing in Per- cherons. He belongs to the Grange and is also a valued member of the Modern Wood- men of America. His political persuasion is that of the democratic party and he is well informed upon all issues of the day, particularly in regard to his county and locality, and is ever helpful in giving his support to movements which he believes will be of benefit to the general public.
CHARLES G. GAMMON.
Charles G. Gammon, actively engaged in general farming and stock raising in Boulder county, comes to Colorado from South Dakota, his native state, his birth having there occurred on the 12th of February, 1888. He is therefore yet a young man and the success which he has already achieved indicates that his future career will be well worth watching. He is a son of William and Cora (Ellis) Gammon, the former a native of England, while the latter was born in South Dakota. They continued resi- dents of that state until 1898. when they removed to Colorado, establishing their home upon a farm in Boulder county. They are still living within the borders of that county, now making their home in Hygiene.
Charles G. Gammon, an only son, was but ten years of age when the parents came to Colorado and his education, begun in the schools of South Dakota, was con- tinued in the public schools of this state. Through vacation periods he worked upon the home farm and he remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, after which he took up agricultural pursuits on his own account. He pur- chased his present farm in 1918, acquiring sixty acres of land, all of which is care- fully irrigated and splendidly improved. It is known as the Water Front farm and in its cultivation he is meeting with substantial success. He has carefully tilled the fields and as the result of his earnest labor, guided by sound business judgment, he has gathered good crops which have made his annual income a very desirable one.
In 1911 Mr. Gammon was united in marriage to Miss Junie Hildenbrandt, who was born in Jones county, Iowa, a daughter of Philip and Anna (Bohlken) Hilden- brandt, the former a native of the state of New York, while the latter was born in Germany. Mrs. Gammon was one of a family of eight children and by her marriage she has become the mother of one daughter, Evelyn Faye, horn June 7, 1917.
In his political views Mr. Gammon is a democrat but has never been an office seeker, preferring to give his undivided time and attention to his business affairs. He has made all that he possesses since starting out in life on his own account. Steadily he has worked his way upward until he is today one of the prosperous farmers of Boulder county, wisely and successfully carrying on busines interests which bring him good financial returns.
THEODORE A. HUTCHINSON.
Forty-two years have passed since Theodore A. Hutchinson took up his abode upon his present farm, which is situated in the vicinity of Broomfield, although the town had not been established when he located on his present place. He has been an interested witness of the growth and development of the state throughout the passing years and has borne his full share in promoting its agricultural progress. He was born in Canaan, Columbia county, New York, October 11, 1842, and has therefore reached the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey. His parents were Benjamin B. and Clarissa (Dewey) Hutchinson and one of his granduncles, Wheeler Hutchinson, served as a private in the Revolutionary war and with the rank of lieutenant in the War of 1812.
Theodore A. Hutchinson acquired a district school education in Michigan, for during his early childhood his parents removed to that state. He also attended the Methodist Seminary at Colon, St. Joseph county, Michigan, and at the time of the Civil war he put aside all personal interests to espouse the cause of the Union, enlisting on the 11th of August, 1862, as a member of Company C of the Seventeenth Michigan Vol- unter Infantry. He participated in the battle of South Mountain and Antietam with ·General Mcclellan, was also for a time with the division under General Burnside and was with Grant in the capture of Vicksburg. He afterward participated in campaigns
THEODORE A. HUTCHINSON
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in Kentucky and Tennessee and took part in the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee. He was also with the forces under General Grant in the capture of Petersburg, and was serving with the rank of first sergeant when the war was brought to a close. He had always been a brave and loyal soldier, faithful to duty, and returned to his home with a most creditable military record.
With his return home Mr. Hutchinson resumed his education, spending the suc- ceeding fall and winter in the seminary. In the spring of 1866 he removed westward to Missouri with his brother Frisbie D., where he engaged in farming for five years, and in 1870 he arrived in Colorado on the first passenger train to make the trip over the old Kansas Pacific Railroad. Settling in Denver, which was then a small mining town, he established a grocery business and conducted his store for five years. In 1876, however, he removed to the vicinity of what is now Broomfield and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. Throughout the intervening period he has carried on general farming and has been an interested witness of the marked changes which have occurred in methods here. When he first came, there was no water, as no irrigation systems had been promoted. He met the hardships and con- ditions of pioneer life and he was among the foremost to promote the construction and extension of the old Arapahoe ditch for about twenty-six miles through Jefferson and Adams counties. For a long time he was secretary of the ditch company, which is now called the Farmers Highline Reservoir & Canal Company, the stock of which is owned only by the farmers who are supplied with water from that ditch. Mr. Hutchinson has about thirty-five acres of his land planted to alfalfa, while the rest is given over to grain production. His farm presents a very neat and attractive appear- ance and he is systematic in all of his work, while his energy and enterprise have ever proven dominant elements in the attainment of his success.
In Hannibal, Missouri, Mr. Hutchinson was married on the 28th of May, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Lennon, a daughter of the late Major John A. Lennon, of Denver, and Elizabeth (Brown) Lennon, a sister of H. C. Brown of the Brown Palace Hotel. The children of this marriage are as follows. Clarissa is the wife of Ben A. Johnson, by whom she has five children, Irene, Edna, Ben, Willis and Clara May. Elmer and Katherine May are both deceased. Arthur, now deceased, married Margaret Johns, by whom he had three children: Theodore; Katherine, who became the wife of Arthur Ketchum and has one son; and Benjamin, who is now in France with the United States army. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson have lived to celebrate their golden wedding anni- versary.
Mr. Hutchinson is a republican in his political views and maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Arvada Post, G. A. R. He has ever been as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south and the same spirit is manifest in his grandson, Benjamin Hutchinson, who is now with the colors in France.
BENJAMIN A. JOHNSON.
Benjamin A. Johnson, living near Eastlake, on a farm owned by him and known as Ash Grove Farn, has been closely identified with the development and man- agement of irrigation projects in eastern Colorado. He was born at Batavia, Illinois, April 17, 1871. a son of Nels and Anna T. Johnson, the former deceased, and the latter now residing at 2929 Gilpin street, Denver. Both parents were natives of Sweden, where they were educated, and after coming to the new world were married in Illinois. Nels Johnson came to Colorado in the year 1880, and was employed in the smelters at Argo and Golden for some four years, then moved to a homestead thirteen miles north of Denver and remained there until 1906, when he moved to Denver, living there at the time of his death in 1909.
Benjamin A. Johnson, the second in order of birth in a family of four children, was educated in the district school, and later took a business course in the Central Business College of Denver. His business course was taken during the winter months when he began his irrigation career as ditch rider on the Farmers' High Line Canal in 1887 and was employed during the irrigation seasons, attending business college during the winter months. He was employed in that capacity until 1898, at which time he was promoted to the superintendency of said canal company and remained in that capacity until 1912, when he accepted a position with the Model Land and Irrigation Company, in the southern part of the state, as manager and superintendent. He was employed by them until 1917, at which time he accepted a position with the
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Tucson Farms Company, one of the largest land and irrigation companies in southern Arizona, and is at present employed by them as their general superintendent, the position appealing to him on account of the general knowledge he is receiving of pump- ing irrigation, which he proposes to use in future, in further developing irrigation in Colorado. He has also been active in agricultural instruction work, making that part of his work at all times, and is serving at present as president of the Pima County (Arizona) Farm Bureau.
Mr. Johnson was married in 1892, on the Hutchinson farm, near Eastlake, Colo- rado, to Miss Clara F. Hutchinson, a daughter of Theodore A. and Mary Elizabeth (Lennon) Hutchinson. She was born in Denver and has always been a resident of this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born five children, Irene M., Edna B., Benjamin A., Willis T. and Clara May.
In his political views Mr. Johnson is a republican, giving stalwart allegiance to the party because of his firm belief in its principles. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, and fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias. He has many sterling qualities, and his business ability has been recognized by all whom he has represented. Gradually he has worked his way upwards, and his energy has brought him prominently to the front.
PATRICK MULROONEY.
For many years Patrick Mulrooney of Denver has been identified with the devel- opment of the rich mining resources of the west. His efforts in Colorado have con- tributed much toward promoting the prosperity of the state, where he has resided since March, 1877. Ireland claims him as a native son, his hirth having occurred in County Galway in March, 1852, his parents being Patrick and Sarah (Mooney) Mulrooney. His education was partly acquired in his native land but when sixteen years of age he bade adieu to the green isle of Erin and sailed for the United States. He afterward worked at boiler making in Wilmington, Delaware, for the firm of Harlan & Holling- worth, with which he continued for two years. On the expiration of that period he left the Atlantic coast and made his way to Davenport, Iowa, where for two years he was connected with the lumber trade. Later he spent two and a half years in St. Louis, where he conducted an express business for a firm who had about seven hun- dred teams. For three years he occupied that important position and then removed to Cheyenne, Wyoming, whence he came to Denver in March, 1877. Not long after- ward he began mining at Central City, where he remained for a few months and then went to Leadville, where he worked in the Gallagher mine, sinking a shaft for Charles and Patrick Gallagher. Two months were spent in that position, at the end of which time he was poisoned and in order to recover from the illness attendant thereon he went to Cottonwood Springs. Since 1878 he has engaged in business on his own ac- count and has become a prominent figure in mining circles in Colorado. He located the Greenback mine in May, 1878, and worked it at intervals afterward. He also leased other properties, including the Morning and Evening Star mine and the Venus mine, which he leased in 1886 and in which he is still interested. He was superintendent of the Pittsburgh mine in 1880 and 1881 and of the Independence mine in 1881 and 1882. In February, 1888, he went to Utah and was identified with mining interests of that state for eleven years. In 1900 he returned to Denver, where he has since made his home. Like all who enter the mining field, he has met with both reverses and success, but the latter has predominated owing to his sound judgment combined with wide experience and unfaltering enterprise. From 1894 until 1898 inclusive and again from 1902 nntil 1916 he worked the Greenback mine, the largest in the state, and then sold to the Western Chemical Company. There is no feature of mining in Colorado with which he is not thoroughly familiar. He has studied the subject from every possible standpoint and his determination, backed up by sound judgment and clear insight, has been the salient element in the attainment of the gratifying success which is today his.
In Leadville, in March, 1884, Mr. Mulrooney was united in marriage to Margaret Fitzgerald and to them have been born the following children: Mary, Sarah, Margaret, Gertrude, Thomas, Edward, Helen and Anna, but the last named is now deceased.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Mulrooney is identified with the Knights of Columbus as a third degree member, belonging to Leadville Council, No. 681, in which he served on the board of trustees in 1901. His efforts and attention have always largely been concentrated upon his business affairs
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