History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 104

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

USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV > Part 104

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vanced to the more important office of super- intendent of machinery. In 18SS he was ap- pointed superintendent of machinery and roll- ing stock. In Jan., 1892, President Jeffery, in recognition of his efficiency in the several de- partments in which he had served appointed him general superintendent of the entire Rio Grande system, which embraces more than 1,- 600 miles of road, standard and narrow gauge. In 1888 he was also made superintendent of machinery of the Rio Grande Western road, and still retains that position. Again, in 1890, he was made superintendent of machinery of the Rio Grande Southern railroad, which he still retains. lle is a member of the G. A. R. and also of the order of the Loyal Legion. From the beginning Mr. Sample has been justly regarded as one of the most valuable men in the employ of the companies named. Their appreciation of his great industry. re- markable intelligence and skill has been man- ifested in his rapid promotion from a mechanic in their repair shops to the responsible post he now occupies.

He is a man of kindly and generous disposition, and also of wonderful force in emergencies. To begin with, he learned his trade in the best school of instruction the country affords, The rest of his honorable career is due to the well-directed exercise of superior natural gifts.

SALE, H. T., lawyer, was born in Fayette county, Tenn., in 1839; was edneated in the public schools, graduated at the university of Alabama, and subsequently finished in the law department of Cumberland university of the leading law school of the South. Ile planted on the Arkansas river from 1866 to 1870, and suffered from the common disas- ters that befell the planting interests at that time. In 1870 he returned to Memphis to re- sume the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in that year; then removed to Texas. where he practiced his profession for seven years. During the winter of 1879-80 he came to 154, and also a railroad and express agent

SCHRADSKY, Hyman, merchant, was born in Prussia, March 23, 1857. In 1871, at the age of fourteen, he emigrated to the United States. After traveling over several states he arrived in Colorado and settled in Georgetown, where heembarked in business on a small scale. Sub- sequently he went to Leadville during the great mining excitement there, became in- terested in some of the early discoveries and was quite successful. In 1877 he came to Den- ver and engaged in the clothing trade at 1525 Larimer street, where he remained eight years. When the Pioneer building was erected he leased the entire first floor, continuing there until Nov. 1, 1894, when finding his then large store too small for his constantly in- creasing business, he removed to his present quarters at the southwest corner of Sixteenth and Larimer streets. He was largely instru- mental in organizing the first " Forester's Court " in Denver, and as a consequence has ocenpied the several high honorary offices In the order.

SWINK, George W .. farmer and legislator. was born in Breekinridge county. Ky .. in 1836. His youth and early manhood were spent on the broad prairies of Schuyler county, IH., where he was engaged in farming, merchandising and In running a sawmill, until 1871, when he came to Colorado and located at Rocky Ford, in Otero county. llis family, however, did not move to the Tennessee. The last named institution is state until three years later. Soon after his arrival he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and began to farm in the spring of IS75. Hle continued the mercantile business until 1981. and has since that time been a farmer and stock raiser. His farm embraces about 2,000 aeres and constitutes the feeding ground for 500 cattle and 350 horses. He was post- master of the town of Rocky Ford fom IST] to

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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

and a county commissioner, and in 1893 was Cuban Junta $100 in cash, with which they elected to the state Senate on the republican ticket for the term of four years. He was also mayor of Rocky Ford and while acting as such inaugurated what is called " water- melon day " in 1855. He has done much to encourage the pursuit of agriculture in the Arkansas valley, has been foremost in the building of irrigating ditches and led in every movement that was calculated to improve the county and aid in developing the farming in- terests. Mr. Swink is a practical, self-made man, and his good judgment has not only been the means of his acquiring a competency for himself, but he has pointed the way whereby many of his neighbors and friends have been placed on the highway to snecess. In 1856 he married Mary J. Cook of Illinois. Their union has been blessed with eleven ehil-

made their way back to New York. Being restless and high spirited, imbued with the love of adventure, after the excitements of his experiences in Mexico and with the Lopez revolutionists, it was impossible for him to settle down and again adjust himself to the tame pursuits of ordinary life. In 1856, there- fore, when the famous Walker expedition for the conquest of Nicaragua came to be re- cruited, he joined it with 208 men from New York, was immediately appointed colonel of a regiment and sailed for Greytown. Inspired by glowing promises of a rich reward in plantations and slaves, Stanley be- came one of the foremost leaders in this perilous enterprise. The third day after his arrival he was ordered out to make a reconnoissance. Meeting the enemy, dren-six sons and five daughters-and all he made a vigorous attack, which brought on

are married but three. The children are: L. C. Alonzo, Clementine, Louis, William S., Schuy- ler, Mattie, Ilannah. Oney Belle, Eddie and Minnie. The senatorial district represented by Mr. Swink is composed of Baca. Bent. Kiowa, Otero and Prowers counties.

STANLEY, Patrick, soldier and pioneer, was born in Charleston, S. C., March 17, 1824. and received a good education in the public schools. When twelve years of age he went to New York and there learned the trade of a bricklayer and ornamental plasterer. At the outbreak of the war with Mexico he deter- mined to join the volunteers, being recruited for that service, but on account of his youth he was rejected. Resolved to go at all hazards, he returned to South Carolina, where he was admitted to the Palmetto regiment of Charles- ton, as orderly to Col. Pierce Butler. He served in that capacity until after the battles at Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo, when at his urgent request, he was mustered in as a pri- vate, and attached to company K, Capt. Suinter, a grandson of General Sumter. He participated in all the battles and engage- ments in the Valley of Mexico and was twice wounded; also in the "forlorn hope" at the storming of Chapultepec. At the close of this war he was honorably discharged, and find- ing himself out of employment and fond of war, he joined the Lopez expedition organ- Ized to procure the freedom of the patriots or revolutionists of Cuba. In this expedition, which sailed from New Orleans, ho comman- ded 300 men. but, fortunately for him and those under him, they were one day late in landing, for in the meantime the revolt had been crushed by the Spanish authorities and all engaged in it shotto deaty. As the Captain expressed it: "When this intelligence reached ns we got out of there immediately." When their vessel arrived at New Orleans on the retreat, it with all on board was captured by the I'nited States revenue entter and the men locked up in prison, but were released the next day. Each man, however, received from the him to the same position on his military staff.

the battle of Rivas, in which the Walker forees were defeated. Humiliated by this dis- aster at the outset, Walker put Col. Stanley under arrest for precipitating the engage- ment, but as his orders were verbal he acted upon his own discretion as to what should be done and so brought on a spirited fight. As a punishment Walker relieved him from his command and sent him back to New York on recruiting service, turning over his regiment to General Bob Wheat, then his chief of staff. and afterward commander of the Louisiana Tigers in the war of the rebellion. As a matter of fact it was a virtual dismissal. Nothing of particular moment occurred until the outbreak of our civil war in 1861, when Stanley enlisted in the 32nd N. Y. reg- iment and served with it in the army of the Potomac. At the battle of Gaine's Mills, be- ing in command of a company, he encoun- tered his old enemy. General Wheat. at the head of his Louisiana Tigers. After fighting all day, Wheat came up for a final charge. Stanley recognized and made up his mind to kill him. In the fight that ensued he came face to face with Wheat and shot him. Some of the men were taken prisoners but Stanley managed to escape. This exploit was men- tioned in general orders and Stanley at once promoted to a captaincy. His father had been a soldier of note. lle was a lieutenant in the Palmetto regiment during the Mexican war, commanded a regiment in the Confeder- ate army, and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness. His brother in the Union army was killed at Chantilly, the same night in which General Phil Kearney was slain. After the close of the rebellion Capt. Stanley came West to Colorado, located in Silverton, took part in building that town and in devel- oping its industries, and has accumulated a comfortable fortune. He is as widely known as the county itself. When Governor Job A. Cooper came to organize his military staff in 1888, Stanley was appointed aid-de-camp. Two years later Governor Routt reappointed

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HISTORY OF COLORADO.

During his eventful career Capt. Stanley has taken part in no less than eighty-three battles and has been awarded a number of medals for gallantry and daring. Brusque in manner, he is nevertheless one of the most sympa- thetie and generous of men, a true friend, a brave defender of his friends and a genial companion. Few men in the San Juan country are more respected than this bluff, hearty, sturdy old veteran of many wars.

was one of the county commissioners. He has been engaged in mining. ranching and merchandising since his residence there.

SYKES, J. W., was born in Pennsylvania in 1838, and having received a classical edu- cation, at eighteen years of age he began and served three years at the glass-blower's trade. In 1859 he removed to Illinois, where for a short time he worked on a farm, then went to Kansas. In 1860 he came to Colo- rado, but shortly afterward returned to the states. In 1861 he came back and until 1862 was engaged in mining, then enlisted in the 2nd Colo. Volunteers, with which he

SCOTT, George A., was born in Jackson county, Va., April 29. 1844. He attended the common schools of his state until the break- ing out of the civil war, when the exciting times of recruiting for the armies of the served until the close of the civil war. Re- turning to this state, he resumed mining in Park county, being located on Beaver creek for three years. The next four years were spent in prospecting. after which he opened a general merchandise store at Fairplay, con- tinuing three and a half years. In 1853 he was elected treasurer of l'ark county, and in 1884 was re-elected. lle is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Masonie order. In 1875 he married Miss Augusta Bradtk. Ile is the owner of several valuable mines in Park county. L'nion and the Confederacy of his county. where the people were about equally divided for each cause, compelled every available per- son to choose sides. lle being of old line whig parentage stood for the Union, and on July 20, 1861, enlisted as a private in com- pany F. 4th West Va. infantry, and was sue- cessively promoted to 2nd and Ist lieutenant of his company. lle served in the depart- ment of West Va. under General Rosecrans until the fall of 1862, when his regiment was transferred to the Army of the Tennessee and became a part of the 15th army corps. Ile participated in the battles of Gouly Bridge, Charleston, Haines' Bluff, Champion Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mission Ridge and Chattanooga. lle re-enlisted with his regiment in March, 1864, and was transferred to the 8th army corps, Army of Virginia, taking part in the battles of Win- chester, Staunton, Lexington, Lynchburg and Snickers' Ferry. In the latter engagement, July 18, 1864, he was almost riddled with bul- lets, having received five distinct wounds, and was left for dead on the field. Both armies withdrawing. the dead and wounded were left to the care of the citizens living in the vicinity until the fourth day after the bat- tle, when a detachment of Union troops took charge of them. He was sent to the hos- pital at Annapolis, Ad., where he remained until Oct. 5, 1864, when he was mustered out of service on account of disability. He then went to lowa, where his parents bad moved during the war, and entered Cornell college at Mt. Vernon, where he remained two years, pany II. by Governor Gilpin, and accompanied and afterward went to Davenport and there took a complete course of instruction in a commercial college.

SANBORN, George L., soldier, was born in Salem, Mass., Nov. 16. 1831. In 1837 the family moved to Newark, Ohio, where George began his apprenticeship in a print- ing-ofhee, completing it in Columbus and Cleveland. In 1849 he went to Chicago, where he joined the Light Guard cadets, hay- ing been previously in the Cleveland Grays, and was elected a lieutenant and subsequently captain. In 1859. having assisted in electing Col. E. E. Ellsworth to the command of his company fnearly all of the members of which became officers in the civil war), Captain San- born started for the Pike's Peak region. Ar- riving in Denver, he took a position on the Rocky Mountain "News" then published in a log cabin across Cherry creek in Auraria, and occasionally engaged in mining. In 1861 he brought out several quartz mills, which were operated in Central t'ity. When the Ist regiment of Colo, vohinteers was or- ganized he was appointed captain of com- the regiment in all its campaigns. In 1862 he was detalled to escort a delegation of Ute Indians to the Missouri river for the purpose of making a treaty at Washington for the relinquishment of their lands In western Colorado. Captain Bonesteel with company I was also detalled on the same expedition. They crossed the plains in the winter of 1862-63 to the Missouri river, where they were held four months, most of the time employed in hunting down bushwhackers, returning to Colorado in the spring of 1863. When the Arapahoes and Cheyennes took the warpath

From 1868 to 1873 he was engaged in various mercantile pursuits in Iowa, and in June of the latter year came to Colorado, locating in Denver, where he ob- tained a clerkship in the dry-goods house of Wiel Bros., on Larimer street, remaining with them until the spring of 1875, when he went to the San Juan country, reaching the present site of Ouray in August, where he lo- cated several mining claims and built the first cabin erected within the town limits of Ouray. At the organization of the town he In 1863-64 he scouted the country east of was elected the first town clerk and in 1880 Denver until the close of the rebellion, then

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retired from the service and settled at Living spring of 1860 he again came to the Rocky Springs, where he remained until 1879. He Mountains and since that time has made it then located in Denver, embarking in mer- his permanent home. In 1861 he was ap- pointed a messenger between Atchison, Kan., and Denver, on the overland stage line, and after two years became division superinten- dent at Julesburg. During his employment in these capacities he experienced many thrilling adventures with hostile Indians and white desperadoes. He was also in the stage business for himself for some years. In 1887 he purchased his present farm of 160 aeres, near Littleton, which he uses as grazing land for cattle and horses. In the early history of Colorado "Bob Spotswood" was one of the most noted men on the western frontier, a brave and gallant officer whom everyone knew and esteemed for his manly courage, his efficiency and genial disposition. cantile business. In 1885 he went to Aspen, where he has since resided, carrying on the grocery trade. My first knowledge of Cap- tain Sanborn was in 1861, when he became noted as the most accomplished volunteer of- ficer and drill master on the frontier. Ilis company was the model one of the regiment, under fine drill and discipline. The com pany he commanded in Chicago, afterward known as "Ellsworth's Zouaves," was un- questionably the most famous of its class in the United States. Its commander was slain soon after the beginning of the war and lamented throughout the North, for he was an exceedingly brilliant and promising offi- cer. As we have seen, Captain Sanborn was chiefly instrumental in placing him on the highway to renown.

SEMPLE, Frank B., railway passenger agent, was born in Cineinnati, Ohio, April 17, 1859. Remaining there till he was seven years of age, his father moved to Indianap- olis, Ind., where the family lived two years. Loeating at Pittsburg, young Semple found employment with the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago railroad company. A year and a half later he went to Louisville, Ky., and entered the service of the Louisville and Nashville railroad company, where he re- mained seven years as stock elerk. Like thousands of young men, he possessed a de- sire to come West, and concluded to try his fortune in the "Centennial state." He ac- cordingly came to Denver and engaged with the American house and subsequently worked at the Brunswick hotel. He soon, however, returned to his old employment and became the traveling passenger agent of the Union Pacific railroad company, eontin- ning until July, 1882, when he accepted a similar position with the Burlington railroad company. Here he remained five years, when he re-entered the service of the Union Pacific as city passenger agent, then as divi- sion passenger agent, assistant general pas- senger agent, and after the consolidation he again became eity passenger agent. In Jan .. 1892, he went to Texas as a traveling freight agent, in which position he was engaged about twelve months, when he embarked in the general produce business. In 1894 he took charge of the passenger department of the Fort Worth railroad company, and in March following was appointed general pas- senger agent of that road. The faet that his ability as a railroad man is fully appreciated is evidenced by his long connection with the different companies.

SCHRADER, Fred C. Sce Vol. 11. page 214.

STEPHENS, Joseph N., real estate opera- tor, was born in Niles, Mich., Oct, 25, 1536, and edueated in the public and high schools of Niles and Ypsilanti. Most of his early years were passed on a farm. In 1861 he enlisted in company L, 2nd regiment, Mich. cavalry, and served four years, being pro- moted to 2nd lieutenant in 1863. This famous regiment was commanded by Gordon Granger, and subsequently by Phillip H. Sheridan. Mr. Stephens, at the battle of Booneville, Miss., July 1, 1862, led the charge of the "forlorn hope," consisting of ninety officers and men, and was twice severely wounded. This small detachment was un- der the immediate command of Captain (now General) R. A. Alger, who, by order of Gen- eral Sheridan, made a detour of several miles and gained the rear of this large force of the enemy. Then came the charge referred to above into the dense masses of the enemy, and the wonder was that any escaped. In this action General Sheridan commanded the 2nd Mich. and 2nd lowa cavahy. both of which had been so depleted by sickness and losses in action as to number only 827 officers and men. While in this condition the com- mand was attacked at Booneville, Miss., at daybreak July 1, by the Confederate General Chalmers with an unknown force. afterward found to be between 5,000 and 6,000 mounted men. The camp was soon aroused and put in battle array, with pickets reinforced. The 2nd Michigan being armed with Colt's re- volving rifles, five shots each, their rapid fir- ing made the number seem mich greater than they actually were. Notwithstanding the great disparity of numbers Sheridan, after fighting all day, gained a complete vie- tory, forcing the enemy into disorderly re- treat, leaving his dead and wounded with a large number of prisoners in the hands of the Union forces. It was this brilliant action and the masterly handling of his little com-

SPOTSWOOD, Robert J., ranchman, was born in Virginia in 1839, where he resided until nineteen years of age. Ite came to Denver in 1858 and remained in Colorado about a year, when he returned East. In the mand that made Sheridan a brigadier-gen-

JOVWise

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HISTORY OF COLORADO.

eral, and Captain R. A. Alger a colonel. Mr. Spending a year at home, he located in Can- Stephens continued in active field service, ada and followed agricultural pursuits for taking part in more than fifty short skirm- six years, when he returned to Michigan and ishes and battles. At the close of the war thence went to Chicago. Leaving that city he settled in Atchison, Kan., engaging in the in Sept., 1858, he started west, traveling book and stationery trade. In 1878 he came across the country in a wagon, stopping at Leavenworth, Kan., where he stayed until April, 1859. At that date he continued his journey westward, arriving at Pike's Peak in June of that year. He went to Central City accompanied by his wife, who was the second white woman to go into that place. Soon afterward he went over the range to Breck- enridge, and in the fall of 1859 pre-empted a to Colorado, proceeded to the mountains and became actively interested in mining. After the usual variations of success and failure, in 1884 he abandoned that pursuit, came to Denver, opened an office and engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate, in which by his energy and naturally fine capabilities for the conduct of business, he soon achieved signal success. A few years later Mr. claim on Platte river on the present site of Fred HI. Hanchett, a young Vermonter of the Harvest Queen mill. He was engaged in farming when the great flood of 1864 came. destroyed his crop and swept away his till- sterling qualities, was admitted to partner- ship under the firm name of Stephens, Han- chett & Co., and has since acquired much able land. He sold his claim to Peter Magnes prominence among the leading operators of the city. In 1891 they established the Cap- ital Bank of Denver, of which Mr. Stephens became president. Both are members of the Real Estate Exchange and also of the Cham- ber of Commerce and Board of Trade; and are financial agents for eastern and local cap- italists in negotiating loans and investments in realty. and settled on his present farm, about six miles from Denver, where he has since lived. He has been an economical, indus- trious farmer and is one of the prosperous men living in the valley of the Platte. Com- ing here early he has witnessed the rapid growth of the country and has done what he could to promote the best interests of the state. While in Michigan he married Miss SMITH, Capt. J. T. See Vol. 11, page 141. Mary K. Skerritt and has a family of eight children. Mrs. Skerritt bore her part of the hardships and deprivations of pioneer days with great patience and fortitude and has been in every sense of the word the loving helpmate of her husband.

STERLING, Mark L., merchant, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., Dec. 21, 1849. His parents were natives of Scotland. They were mar- ried in Pennsylvania, however, and raised their family in that state. Mark L. re- mained there until 1879 and was employed in the Chess & Smyth Nail Works, his father owning an interest in the establishment. He came to Colorado in June, 1879, located in Denver and engaged in various pursuits; among them the grocery, hay and grain, oil and hardware business, and then for many years was in the employ of the D. & R. G. railroad company, as manager of its supply department. he purchased the ground on which his hardware store now stands and where he is doing business. Mr.

Sterling

takes

an interest

polities

and in the church which he attends; is an honored member of Harmony lodge, No. 63. A. F. and A. M .; also a mem- ber of the P. O. S. of A. In 1879 he married, in Pittsburg, Miss Maggie Dickson, daughter of Robert Dickson, and they have two sons-toward and Roy. In the spring of 1893 he was elected alderman from his ward and served two years, the only political office he has aspired to or held.

SANFORD, Byron N., was born in Albion, Orleans county, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1826. His father, Seth Sanford, was a bridge builder and lost his life by an accident when the sub- ject of our sketch was four years old. Three years later the family located in Chemung county, where Byron received his education in the common schools. In July, 1844, the family came West as far as Indiana and set- tled at Terre Haute. He obtained employ- ment on a farm near that town, where he re- mained two years, when he secured work in a wagon and carriage shop and learned the trade. Two years afterward he took pas- sage on a fat-boat laden with produce in the Wabash river, and worked his way to New Orleans, arriving just in time to witness the departure of President-elect Taylor for Washington. After spending several months in and around New Orleans he returned to Terre Haute, opened a wagon and carriage shop and was doing a good business when he lost everything he had by fire. He soon fo- built, but In 1857 removed to Nebraska City, Neb., and two years later continued his journey westward, reaching Denver about June 1. IS60. He soon went to Goldt Hill, In Boulder county, and took a position in a stamp mill. He was joined by Mrs. Sanford, whom he had left in Denver, and whom he had married in Nebraska. The civil war broke out soon after, and Mr. Sanford recely-

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 104

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