History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 100

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company
Publication date: 1889-95
Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co.
Number of Pages: 791

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of Stalleup, Unthe & Shafroth was formed. a clerkship in a mercantile house. Ambitious In 1882 Mr. Luthe was elected prosecuting to achieve a prominent place in the world. the following year he went to Montana Ter- ritory. and there engaged in merchandising and mining, in both of which he was highly successful. The ensuing ten years brought a series of remarkable changes and many sub- stantial triumphs. le did business for a time. each in Wellsville, Salt Lake City, Idaho and other western states and territories, with largely profitable results. In the spring of 1868 he became an extensive wholesale grocer at Helena, Mont., and in the fall of that year began to deal quite extensively in cattle, which attorney for the 2nd judicial district-Arapa- hoe county-and Mr. Shafroth was appointed his chief assistant, which position he filled for three years with signal ability. During that time it so happened that the author. as a juror, served two terms on the regular panel of the criminal court, Hon. Platt Rogers pre- siding, and in those periods had ample oppor- tunities to measure the abilities of Mr. Shaf- roth both as a lawyer and public prosecutor, for he conducted all cases in that court. It is but just to say, since it is in full accord with general sentiment, that he was an admirable he sold in Nevada. He then traveled through officer, prompt, able, vigorous and thoroughly California and ohl Mexico for rost and recre- ation, and on returning purchased large herds of stock in Arizona, which like all previous ventures, yieldled satisfactory returns. Hav- Ing thus founded the basis of his present large fortune, he went to New York, thence to Washingtonand passed several months travel- ing in the Southern states. In 1870, after a short time in New Orleans, he crossed Ber- wick's bay to Galveston, thence to Brenon and Austin, Texas, making a horseback ride of more than 600 mlles through the southwestern part of that state, in the course of which he dealt largely in cattle, purchasing 1,200 at honest in the discharge of his duties. He pro- sented his cases with remarkable energy and skill, and pushed them with the single par- pose of attaining the ends of justice, llis etli- cieney became the subject of favorable com ment by courts, lawyers, jurors and witnesses. Ile persecuted no one, but prosecuted offenders whose gullt was manifest to conviction and punishment. Mr. Shafroth is a clear and logical speaker, never lengthy or tedious, but compre- hensive and forcible, with a strong voice and convincing manner. There are few men at the bar who are capable of presenting their argu-

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Fredericksburg and 1,000 in Travis county, to capacity, to about 700 men. In 1892 he added be delivered on the Brazos river, where he had a complete refinery, with all modern improve- established a camp. They were subsequently ments. in 1892 he was elected manager of the Denver Union Real Estate, Live Stock and Investment Co., and in 1894 president of the Denver Dry Goods Co. He has been treas- urer of the Colorado Mining Exchange and the Western Patent Co. Ilis inventive genius appears in a number of valuable inventions now in operation at the smelter. lIe has filled many leading positions in other lines of busi- ness, where his advice and skill have been largely beneficial in the promotion of private and public enterprises. His speeches before the Chamber of Commerce, the legislature and other assemblies gave evidence of a deep com- prehension of public questions. He was in- strumental in perfecting arrangements with the railroads whereby lead ores from the Louer d'Alene mines of Idaho could be shipped into our state, where they were greatly needed by the sinetters. Finally Mr. Sheedy has been remarkably, almost phenom- enally, successful in every large undertaking of his life. His career has been one unbroken series of financial triumphs. He is broad minded, liberal and charitable withal: a leader of men, a marked force in the community where the lines of his maturer years have been rast. In personal appearance Mr. Sheedy is a man of superb physique, standing oversix feet high and weighing some two hundred pounds. He is a gentleman in every instinct of his na- ture. Feb. 15, 1882. he married Miss Catherine V., daughter of Matthew Ryan, a wealthy and highly respected citizen of Leavenworth, Kan. This estimable lady died .June 22, 1895, leaving two children. She possessed rare culture of mind. and was very prominent in the higher social life of the city. sold in Abilene, Kan. Mr. Sheedy then lo- cated his headquarters in Kansas City, re- maining from the fall of 1870 to the spring of 1881. In 1871 he bought 7.000 cattle in Texas, 5,000 of which he wintered in western Kansas and eastern Colorado. The following spring he left all the beef cattle for shipment to Chi- cago and took the balance to the head of Jumboklt river in Nevada, where he located permanent ranches, and at the same time operated ranches in Kansas and the Indian Territory. He remained on the Humboldt two years, and shipped several thousand cat. tle to the San Francisco market. Disposing of his interests there. he established several ranches on the Arkansas and Cimarron rivers. In 1873 he wintered 5000 cattle at the head of Loup river in Nebraska, which were sold in Chicago in 1874. In 1879 he moved his stock to the North Platte in Nebraska and Wy- oming. where he concentrated 32,000 cattle and about 400 horses. Hard winters entailed some losses, but after gathering together two- thirds of the numbers on his books, he sokl them at $30 per head. This terminated the more active part of his career in that "line of business investment. It will be comprehended that he passed through many exciting ad- ventures and indescribable hardships, which tested his courage and endurance to the utter- most limit. Ile has traveled thousands of miles on foot and on horseback. encountering vicissitudesand perits which only indomitable perseverance, remarkable physical strength and undaunted bravery could master. Often threatened with death. obstructed by frightful snow storms and blizzards, not in- frequently beset by Indians, he emerged from SANDERS, J. F., soklier and miner, was born in Marion county, Ind., in 1844, where he was educated in the public schools. In Aug., 1861, he enlisted in the 11th Ind. Zonaves, and was assigned to the Western army under General U. S. Grant. Mr. Sanders was present and actively engaged in all the en- gagements with the enemy from the capture of Fort Donaldson to the fall of Vicksburg. Having served his three years' enlistment, he reenlisted in 1864, and was sent to the Shenan- doah valley. Va., under Generat Phil Sheridan, where he remained until the close of the war. Upon being mustered out of service. he re- turned to Indiana, where he remained until 1877. then removed to Colorado, and located at Leadville, engaged actively in mining. making it a practical as well as a profitable enterprise, being successful in nearly every mining prop- erty with which he has been connected. Mr. Sanders has been identified with many large mining transactions in the state, notably the Smalt Hopes Mining company of Leadville; the Tam O'Shanter Mining company of Ash- croft, and latterty the Last Chance and New York Chance Mining and Millingcompanies at every difficulty unscathed. He made a trip to Cuba and the West Indies, returning in the spring of 1880. In the spring of 1881 he settled in Denver and as- sumed the guardianship of the son of his old friend A. B. Daniels, with the care of his large estate. It may be stated in passing. that under his sagacious management the young man's heritage at the final settlement had in- creased more than twofold in value. Mr. Sheedy purchased stock in the Colorado Na- tional Bank and became a director. A year later he was elected vice-president and still occupies that position. In the winter of 1886- 87 he bought an interest in the Hollen Smelt- ing Works, and shortly after was made presi- dent and general manager, which he has ever since retained. In 1889 the title was changed to the tilobe Smelting and Refining company, and the town which had sprung up about the works was christened Globeville. It now con- tains 2,000 inhabitants. Under Mr. Sheedy's able direction the smelting plant has been in- creased to more than four times its original capacity, and is now the largest in the country, affording employment. when running at full Creede, Mineral county. He is republican in

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HISTORY OF COLORADO.

polities and has always taken an active inter- and Jan. 1, 1866, engaged in the banking busi- ost in everything pertaining this party. Ile is a member of the republican national com- mittee from Colorado. While he has never sought any politieal office, yet he is always alert to the advancement and prosperity of his adopted state, and stands high in the es- teem of his fellow men.

SMITH, Charles H. See Vol. III, page 222, SWALLOW, George Ransom, banker. was born in Greene county, Ill., Aug. 21, 1839, be- ing the third of five children, of Ransom and Sophia L. Swallow. His parents were natives of Vermont, descendants of revolutionary stock and men who served their country gal- lantly in the war of 1812. In 1840 Mr. Swal- low moved with his family to Winchester, 111 .. where he died in 1844 and where the mother of George R. now lives. At the age of four- teen George commenced life by clerking for some fourteen months in a drug store in Win- chester, thence he went to Alton and hekl the position of eterk in the post other for nearly seven months, thence moved to Jerseyville. keeping books in a store, mill and bank until 1860. lle then removed to Centralia, and started the Centralia Bank. In March, 1861. he moved to Vincennes, Ind., and in August following enlisted in Capt. laines' 7th Ind. battery. On the 4th of Ort .. the same year, he was commissioned by Governor Morton junior 1st lieutenant of said battery. After the battle of Corinth he was commissioned captain of his battery by Governor Morton, who was at that time with the army. Capt. Swallow re- mained with his battery, which was attached to Buell's army, marching to near Stevenson. Ala,, then on the retrograde movement to Nashville and Louisville, then again on the ad- vances to drive General Brage out of Ken- tucky: through Cumberland Gap to Nashville under General Rosecranz in the battle of Stone River-thence to Chickamauga, after which he was appointed chief of artillery in General A. Baird's division, and went up Mis- sion Ridge with the same. Starting on Sher- man's march from Atlanta to the sea, he was commissioned major of the 10th Ind. cavalry (May 6, 1864) and joined that regiment at Nashville, Tenu. He was employed during the summer of 1Sol in guarding railroads from Pulaski, Tenn .. to Decatur. la. lle was at the latter place with four companies, when it was attacked by General Hood on his way to Franklin andNashville, He took part in the battle of Nashville and was shot in the second day's fight. His command captured more prisoners than they had men employed. Two majors, one lieutenant-colonel and several line officers were wounded in said battle. The regiment was then moved to New Or- leans and Mobile, Ala. At the latter place he was commissioned colonel of the 10th Ind. cavalry, and marched through Alabama and Mississippi to Vicksburg. In Sept. 1565, he was mustered out. returned to Jerseyville. III.

ness as junior member of the firm of Cross & Swallow. Oct. 24, 1966, he married Miss Vir- ginia Davis, of Jerseyville, 11. In Nov., 1872, he sold out, and in July, 1873, emigrated to Colorado, and started the first bank in this state south of the Arkansas river. In Sept. 1875. he was one of the organizers of the First NationalBank of Trinidad, and he has been identified with that institution from the begin- ning. In the fall of 1884 he was elected to the office of treasurer of state by the repub- lican party, carrying his own county, the strongest democratie county in the state, by 1,200 majority. lle is now engaged in the banking business in Denver. The above con- densed record shows a life of unbroken acti- vity and usefulness.

STRUBY, Frederick F., wholesale grocer, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., July 24, 1850, and remained there until he was twenty-one years of age. llis education was received in the private and public schools of that city. after which he followed book-keeping two years. Desiring to come West, wherein larger fields might be found for the exercise of his energy

and business talents, he started for Chicago, but, after a few months' residence in that city, continued his journey westward, and ar- rived in Denver in Nov., 1871. He became a clerk in the Colorado National Bank. and then embarked in the grain and flour business, which he continued five years. Engaging with the Denver & Rio Grande railroad com. pany, he did the forwarding business for their road at La Veta, Garland and Alamosa. for three and a half years, and, returning to Den- ver in 1ss1, formed a partnership with Geo. Il. Estabrook and W. B. Berger, Inte cashier of the Colorado National Bank, and began the wholesale grocery business, which he has con- tinued to this time. Jan. 25, 1 78, he married Miss Laura M. Ruth, daughter of William Ruth of Donver. They have four children, three sons and a daughter. Mr. Struby is a fine example of an American representative business man.

STONE, Wilbur Fisk, lawyer and jurist. was born in Litehfiekl, Conn .. in Der .. 1533. and is descended from some of the earliest set- tlers in the Hartford colony of English an- cestry. Six years later his father moved to western New York, and soon after to Michi- gan. As that rogion proved unhealthy. an- other change was made to Fayette county. Ind. In ISif he located in lowa upon the new government lands of Oskaloosa. Wilbur, after living on the farm for six years, at the age of eighteen was sent to Indiana for the purpose of completing his education. After a two years' course at the academy in Rushville.sup- porting himself as an assistant teacher, he en- tered college at Ashbury university. Green- castle, where he remained until the beginning of his senior year. While here. he earned hls tuition by writing prize essays, and teaching

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country schools during vacations. After var- of the active promoters of the Denver & Rio ious interesting experiences, he finally en- Grande railway; was its attorney until 1877, when he entered upon his duties on the bench. In 1874, with the late H. C. Thatcher, he went to Boston and effected the contract for the building and extension of the Atchison, To- peka & Santa Fé railroad, from the eastern boundary of the state to Pueblo. He was a member of the constitutional convention in 1875, and named by the democratic minority as their candidate for president of that body. Mention of his services appears in Chapter XIV, Volume II. Ile was chairman of the committee on judiciary department, and a member of several other important coul- mittees. Upon the ratification of the consti- tution then framed, and the admission of the

tered the senior class of the state university at Bloomington, and in due course was grad- nated. lle then took up the study of law and subsequently was graduated in the law depart- ment of the state university, having been enga- ged in the meantime-for a year-as college tu- tor in the classical department. Naturally and strongly inclined to literary pursuits, and be- ing a facile writer, he contributed letters and articles to the local press. After the comple- tion of his law studies, he settled in Evans- ville. Ind., and for more than a year was the leading editor of the Daily "Enquirer" of that place. In the fall of 1859 he went to Om- aha upon legal business, which detained him there through the winter andto pass the time, state in 1876, Mr. Stone was nominated by he engaged as assistant editor of the Omaha the democratic party for associate justice of " Nebraskian," now the "Herald." In the the supreme court, but was defeated with the spring of 1860, inspired by the reports from the restof theticket. In 1887, however, Judge E. T. Rocky Mountain gold mines, he crossed the plains to Denver, and soon afterward passed up to the Tarryall diggings in the South park where the next five years were passed in pros- pecting and mining at various points, and in practicing law. In 1861, when the territory of Colorado was organized, he was chosen to rep- resent Park county in the legislature, which assembled in Colorado City in 1862, and was re-elected in 1864. From 1862 to 1866 he held the position of assistant United States district after (inisSt) was appointed by the governor attorney, under General Sam E. Browne. In the winter of 1865-66 he went East and mar- ried Miss Sallie Sadler of Bloomington, Ind., and soon after returned to Colorado and set- tled in Pueblo, where he engaged in the prae- tice of law until 1877, when he was elected to the supreme bench of the state. Mr. Stone was one of the early settlers of Canon City, Fremont county, and, in connection with the late Geo. A. Hinsdale, drafted the first code of laws for the "People's court" of that district. During the early days he wrote many letters for the territorial press over the nom de plume of "Dornick." In 1864 he wrote and published the finest description of Mount Lincoln that has ever appeared in print, and which was widely copied in the various literary news- papers of the land, reproduced in Hollister's " Mines of Colorado," in one or two of the books on Colorado published by Samuel Bowles of the Springfieldl " Republican," and by Col. Alex MeClure of Philadelphia. Mr. Stone and Geo. A. Hinsdale were the first editors of the Pueblo "Chieftain," established in 1868; was treasurer and corresponding secretary of the first Board of Trade, organized in 1869: wrote and delivered an historical review of Pueblo in 1876, for the national centennial records of Wells, who held the long term of nine years resigned. and Mr. Stone was nominated for the position by a convention of the bar of the state, held at Colorado Springs, and was there- upon elected without opposition, a proceed- ing without precedent or repetition since, and hence regarded as an unusually high com- pliment to him by his professional brethren. He remained on the supreme bench until the expiration of his term, in 1886. and soon there- judge of the criminal court at Denver, which office he held until that court was abolished, together with the superior court of Denver, by the legislative act of 1889. From that time until 1891 he was engaged in the practice of law in Denver. Under the Act of Congress of March 3. 1891, es- tablishing "The Court of Private Land Claims," for the settlement of the Spanish and Mexican land grant titles in accordance with the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo-the court consisting of five judges, appointed from different states of the Union, and its territorial jurisdiction including Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Wy- oming-Judge Stone was appointed one of the justices of said court by President Har- rison, and with the other justices appointed was confirmed by the United States Senate. By reason of his previous local knowledge of the subjects, and the country embraced in the jurisdiction of this court, and his famil- iarity with the Spanish language, acquired during his early residence among the Spanish- speaking population of southern Colorado. he is regarded as one of its most efficient members. In pursuance of an order of the court. he went to Spain in the winter of 1894- the government at Washington. He was the 95, in company with Mr. S. Mallet-Prevost, special assistant to the attorney-general of the United States, for the purpose of procur-

first district attorney of the 3rd judicial dis- triet. and hell various positions of public trust and duty connected with the educational and ing evidence, on behalf of the government. Industrial institutions of Pueblo and the state, from the Royal archives at Madrid, to be In connection with the late ex-Governor A. C. used in the famous Peralta case in Arizona-a Hunt, and General Wm. I. Palmer, he was one grant of over 12,000,000 acres of land. granted

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HISTORY OF COLORADO.

in 1748, by the King of Spain to one of his It was in the latter that he won lasting re- barons. Judge Stone has visited Europe five nown, for whatever the division of public sen- or six times with his wife and sons, and pos- timent as to the conviction of Dr. Graves, sesses a good knowledge of the French and all men admit that Mr. Stevens conducted the German languages, as well as the Spanish. He is a classical scholar, a ready and felici- tons writer, and much given to the humorous. as well as the practical vein. He is a promi- nent member of the society of Colorado pio- neers and seldom fails to contribute a happy address at the annual banquets of the society,

STEVENS, Isaac N., lawyer and politician, was born in Newark, Ohio, Nov.1. 1558. His father, a noted physician, a native of Mary- land; his mother, a grand-niece of the famous old naval warrior, Commodore Perry, whose memory all men revere, endowed him with a very thorough education. He was gradu- ated from the high school of his birthplace. which embraced an excellent academiccourse, and then, owing to the death of his father, ob- liged to earn his own livelihood, he began the earnest business of life at the age of seven- teen by teaching school in Henderson county. Ill., which continued through the winters of 1876-77. In March of the latter year hie went to Burlington. Iowa, and there entered the office of Hedge & Blythe, locat attorneys of the C. B. & Q. railroad, where he remained three years, or until the attainment of his majority, when he was admitted to the bar: then came immediately to Denver, arriving June 1, 1880. Possessed of a decided leaning toward political adventure, naturally ambi- tious to forge his way in the world, he soon became a leader of young men attached to the republican party, and strove with all his might for its success. He was elected presi-

cause celebre with profound sagacity and with very distinguished ability. Indeed, there is no cause of record in our courts, few in that of any otherstate, that have been more thoroughly and effectively managed, and the result, though at first astounding, will stand to his credit as one of the great historical achievements of our era. This, with other re- markable work executed during his ineum- beney, placed him upon a lofty pedestal at the threshold of his manhood. He was after- ward (in 1892) appointed county attorney, and in 1893 made chairman of the republican central committee, and splendidly conducted the city campaign of that year. No man of the current epoch, whatever his impressions of Mr. Stevens' political course may be. will deny his ability as a lawyer and counselor, nor will it be questioned that he has on numerous occasions exhibited masterly skill in the or- ganization and management of local and state campaigns. Though at this writing somewhat out of favor with the politicians of his party, it seems inevitable that in the not remote future he will again be ranked among the powerful influences of the city and state.

STAPLETON, William. See Vol. 111, page 153.

SPANGLER, M., banker, was born in Clark county, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1846, where he was educated in the common schools. At the age of tifteen he entered the Union army, accompanying an older brother, captain of a company in the 110th Ohio infantry remain-

dent of the Lincoln club, and a member of the ing with him in the field a year and a half and republican executive committee in 1882-83; was chairman of the city committee from 1881 to 1888, and secretary of the state committee from 1886 to 1SSS. In 1881 he was appointed assistant United States attorney for Colorado by President Arthur, the first appointment of that nature made for this state. In 18SS he was elected district attorney for the 2nd judicial district-Arapahoe county-and dur- ing his term of three years achieved a wider celebrity as a public prosecutor than any man

is probably the only man who performed ac- tive field duty for that length of time with- out pay or other compensation-when he en- listed in the Sth Ohio cavalry, with which he served until mustered ont in 1865. Return- ing then to his native state and realizing the need of further education, he entered Wit- tenburg college at Springfield and there re- mained several years under tuition. In 1873 he came to Denver and engaged in the pur- chase and sale of real estate. Taking an in- who has thus far occupied that position, first. terest in local polities, he was made chairman because many of the more important causes which excited popular interest were brought before thecourtsof his district, and, secondly, the remarkable ability displayed in their man- agement. Among them may be mentioned two famous state cases: First impeaching the integrity of certain state officials, the other alleged frauds upon the state treasury; the city detective cases; the prosecution of Harley Mccoy for the murder of inspector Hawley, and finally closing his torm with an exceedingly brilliant and masterly prosecution of Dr. T. Thatcher Graves for the murder of Mrs. Josephine Barnaby of Providence. R. I., a case that assumed national importance. of the republican county committee in 1878, and in Oct., ISTO. was elected sheriff of Arapahoe county. At the close of his torm in ISSI he was re-elected. In Volume 111. pages 27-28, of our general history, will be found some stirring ineldents connected with his ad- ministration of that office. Here is one which excited much interest and general amusement. The city had for some time heen infested by a gang of thieves, bunco-men and all man- ner of swindlers. Mr. Spangler managed most of them without serions difficulty, but their chlef, known as "Dor Baggs." one of the shrewdest, most accomplished and suc- cessful confidence operators in the West, was

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 100

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company Publication date: 1889-95 Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co. Number of Pages: 791

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company
Publication date: 1889-95
Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co.
Number of Pages: 791