History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 107

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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HISTORY OF COLORADO.

tice. Feb. 1, 1879, desiring to make perma- eral Assembly to serve out the remainder of nent investment of his capital in Denver, he Senator Teller's unexpired term, a period of about 30 days. 1n 1856 he was made chair- man of the republican state central commit- tee, and conducted the campaign of that year with marked ability. In Jan., 1891, he was elected president of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade. His ad- herence to and faith in the republican party, were intensified by his experiences in Kan- sas. After acquiring great wealth he became conspicuous in its eouneils, and a powerful factor in its conventions and campaigns. The tender to him of the lieutenant-governor's chair was spontaneous and hearty. He was admired for his honesty, generosity and un- assuming manners to all men. lle is frank. truthful and candid, kind hearted and bounti- fully charitable. There is so much good in him. he has done, when able. so much good to others, for the public, for individuals, for the poor, and has taken so active a part by his example in making Denver a well-built, substantial metropolis, and in a thousand ways rendered himself so useful, there is the kindest feeling and respect for him. The disappointment of his perhaps too ardent am- bition for political honors has not shaken his standing as a citizen. Though countless extravagant reports concerning him have been scattered broadcast, those who know him in his true character give little heed to them, for all are extravagant and most of them false. All good citizens hold him in high regard for the good works he has ae- complished, for what he has done toward the progress and development of the country. He has had the most extraordinary career of any man of his time. It is unquestioned that he was the first to erect the tiner models of ar- chitecture in Denver, and the leading influ- ence in determining the present channels of trade. While many of the sources from which his riches sprang have been exhausted. a large fortune remains in the massive income paying property he holds, if it can be extri- cated from present financial embarrassments, which his host of friends ardently hope may be accomplished. purchased the Broadwell corner, at Sixteenth and Larimer streets, for $39,000, then con- sidered a large price, and simultaneously the block of ground and residence on Broadway, then occupied by 11. C. Brown, paying $40,000 therefor. The Tabor block, the first of its class (fine cut sandstone) and height built in Denver, was completed in the spring of 1880. The stone for this elegant structure was out and fitted at Clough's quarries, near Amherst. Ohio, the sidewalk flagging at Joliet, Ill., and all transported by rail to Den- ver. The people of Colorado had not then learned to properly estimate the value of their own quarries, hence very few had been opened. As early as midsummer of 1879 he resolved to build an opera house, in compli- ance with the generally expressed desire of the people, and also that it should eclipse everything of its class in the country. March 8. 1880, he purchased for this purpose. through the real estate firm of J. M. Berkey & Co., the corner at Sixteenth and Curtis streets, then the residence of Mr. A. B. Daniels, together with certain other lots owned and occupied by Mr. II. Z. Salomon and others. W. J. Edbrooke & Co., of Chicago, were employed to draft the plans and super- intend the construction. They were enjoined to visit the best buildings of that elass in the I'nited States, study also the better mod- els of Europe, and produce an edifice of su- perior design and finish. How well they sur- ceeded the present Tabor Grand abundantly testities. It was completed and formally opened to an audience that filled every part of the beautiful auditorium, Sept. 5, 1881, Emma Abbott's English opera company be- ing the attraction. For this splendid amuse- ment resort the people of Denver have been constantly grateful to the builder, and it is equally enjoyed by strangers from other states and lands. I'D to the date when Mr. Tabor began to purchase eligible corners on Sixteenth street, the tendency of commerce was toward the north and south parallels, with Larimer street as the center. It was his action in building at the two points named. TRUMBULL, Frank, railway manager, was born in Arcadia, Mo., Nov. 11. 1558, but when quite young the family removed to Pleasant Hill, in the same state. Here, at twelve years of age, young Trumbull en- gaged as a clerk in a book and stationery store, continuing two years, when he ae- cepted a similar position for a like period in the post office at that place. At the expira- tion of that time he removed to Sedalia, where he became connected with the Mis- souri, Kansas & Texas railroad company. and continued in its service until 1880. be- ginning as a clerk, and finally becoming traveling auditor, which position he held un- til he located In St. Louis, In that city he engaged with the Missourl Pacific system. his subsequent purchase of the corner of Arapahoe and Sixteenth, and its offer to the government for the site of a post office (which after a long struggle with opposing interests was accepted), together with his purchase of the corner opposite the opera house on Curtis street, and the building of the county court house on Sixteenth and Tremont. that changed the course of trade and definitely settled the business center of the city. In April, 1852, when Senator Teller was ap- pointed secretary of the interior, Mr. Tabor was strenuously urged by his friends for the senatorial succession, but Governor Pitkin appointed George M. Chilcott of Pueblo to the vacancy thus created. In the winter of 1853 he was elected to the Senate by the Gen- remaining the years, after which he became

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auditor for the receivers of the Texas & Pa- 1880 he was nominated by the republican citie railroad company, living at Dallas dur- state convention for the office of attorney-gen- ing the reorganization of that road, holding the office for a period of two years. In 1888 Mr. Trumbull moved to Denver, where for five and a half years he was engaged in the wholesale coal trade, building up, during that time, one of the most important enter- prises of the kind in the city. At the time of the separation of the Fort Worth road from the jurisdiction of the Union Pacific manage- ment, he was appointed receiver. That the selection was a wise one is best evidenced by the record he has made for himself in the management of its affairs since taking charge of that oflice. Ile is quite a young man, and it may fairly be said that he is just entering upon a life of great usefulness to himself and to others. eral, and in the election following received a very large majority of the popular vote. On assuming the duties of that position he fixed his residence in Denver, where he has since resided. During his incumbency a number of important legal matters arose for determina- tion, among them the final adjustment of a suit pending before the supreme court of the United States involving title to the state capitol site. Oct. 11, 1881, he proceeded to Washington, argued the case, and finally ob- tained an opinion from that august tribunal confirming the state's title to the tract in question. Those interested in the subject may find much evidence of his fidelity to the interests of the commonwealth among the records of the attorney-general's office. Ilis term expiring in Jan., 1883, he resumed the practice of his profession in Denver and soon acquired an extensive business. Nov. 25. 1880, he married Miss Katherine E. Wol- cott of Cleveland, Ohio, a sister of Henry R.

TOLL, Charles Hanson, lawyer, was born in Onondaga county. N. Y., April 25, 1830. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Baldwinsville, a beautiful town situated on the line of the Syracuse & Oswego railroad, where they still reside. The author of this and Senator Edward O. Wolcott of Denver. Two sons have been born to them.

history spent a year or two of his early man- hood there, and cherishes many interesting recollections of the place and its picturesque environs. But notwithstanding its lovely at- tractions, it is not a town for a young and aspiring man to spend his life in. for no matter what his capabilities, there are few opportunities for rapid or high advancement. Most of its people are wealthy, but not rap- idly progressive. Ilence the greater part of the younger generation is scattered over the states of the West, where many have

THOMAS, C. S. See Vol. III, page 71.

THOMAS, Theodore H., lawyer and ex- attorney-general of Colorado, was born in Augusta, Bracken county. Ky., Feb. 2, 1852. Four years later his father moved to the Ohio side of the river, where his sons grew to man- hood. After a time in the public schools, Theodore entered Augusta college and was graduated in June, 1870, then went to New York and took a clerkship in a store. A year

won distinguished places in the professions, afterward he returned to his home in Ohio,

and began reading law with London &

in politics and commerce. Young Toll at-

tended the Baldwinsville academy, a fine in- Young, in Georgetown. In 1875 he was ad- stitute, until 1867, and then entered Munro mitted to the bar. Immediately thereafter he

collegiate institute at Elbridge, N. Y. In 1868 and his twin brother, Thornton H., moved to St. Louis, Mo., and formed a law partner- ship, which continued until 1SS0, when they came to Colorado and settled in Gunnison. then a rapidly growing town, where they resumed practice under the name of Thomas, MeDonga & Thomas, and also took an active part in politics. They were among the prin- cipal lawyers of the place, and became en- half the cases instituted there. In 1884 he advanced to Hamilton college, from which he graduated in 1872. In connection with the regular curriculum he attended a course of law lectures, having previously decided to adopt the legal profession. His course of instruction being completed, he settled in Syracuse, and there was admitted to the bar, practicing with gratifying results until 1875, when he came to Colorado and located in the gaged on one side or the other of fully one then new and prosperous town of Del Norte. While a resident of Rio Grande county, at Theodore was nominated by acclamation for the very threshold of his independent career, he was favored with numerous manifesta- tions of the esteem and confidenee of the people; wherefore, in 1876, within a year after

the office of attorney-general by the repub- lican state convention held at Colorado Springs, and was duly elected. Shortly after his induction to office he found it necessary his arrival. they elected him county judge. At in behalf of the state to meet in the supreme court at Washington a suit for the recovery of the state capitol site, brought by II. C. Brown, who had donated the ground to the territory in 1867, but had begun an action in the Colorado courts upon a deed of revocation. Mr. Thomas, assisted by his brother, finally succeeded in securing a confirmation of the

that time he was but twenty-six years of age. Two years later he was elected to the House of Representatives of the Second General As- sembly of Colorado, and during that session was one of its active members, efficient not only in legislative work, but in the election of Hon N. P. Hlill to the Senate of the United States. In 1879 he was appointed assistant title to the state (see Volume III. Chapter IV). U. S. attorney for Colorado. In the fall of He was the first attorney-general to decide

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illegal the extra pay warrants issned by or- and assisted in founding Beta Kappa chapter der of the General Assembly. Such war- of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and was rants had been issued for years. His de- one of its charter members. In the fall of rision brought on a bitter contest between the 1884 he went to Europe, and after a few legislative and executive departments. The weeks in England, visited Germany, where he Assembly had appointed some 175 clerks and entered the university at Bonn, there pur- other employés, and had increased their pay. Mr. Thomas advised the state auditor that the warrants issned to these employés were illegal and could not be paid. A lively dis- enssion ensued, in which the publie press took part. Eminent lawyers were engaged by the legislative employés and the matter was carried to the supreme court, where the attorney-general's opinion sustained. This effected a saving to the treasury of nearly $50,000. He was likewise the first attorney-general to decide that a tax levy in excess of four mills was illegal. Since 1882 levies had been made in excess of the con- stitutional limit, and some of the counties were drifting into bankruptey by reason of their extravagance. The cause was taken to the supreme court, where the attorney-gen- eral's opinion was upheld and all excessive tax levies since 1882 were declared illegal. This decision created a profound sensation. Many intricate legal propositions were de- cided by this officer during his term, in every one of which he was sustained by the su- preme court when appealed to that tribunal. He was an industrious, careful, painstaking attorney, and was kept constantly employed upon matters appertaining to his office. It is simple justice to say, as many citizens and some of the leading journals openly declared, that he was the most efficient officer who had held the office. Dec. 5. 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma E. Fairchild of California. After the expiration of his term. the pre-existing law partnership with his brother was resmned, not in Gunnison, but in Denver, where they have acquired a lu- vrative practice. The twins resemble one another so closely it is difficult to identify one from the other. Theodore has taken a conspienons part in the political affairs of the city, county and state during his residence In Denver.

THOMAS, William J., lawyer and jurist, only son of Edward Thomas, a prominent miner of Gilpin county, was born at Connor Downs, Gwinear Parish, England, July 31, 1864. His education began in the private school of Prof. Tregenza at Camborne, to which place his parents removed in order to afford him this advantage. in Der., 1873. he. with his mother, loft England for Colorado, whence his father had preceded them two years before. William entered the public school at Central City, then managed by Mr. John L. Jerome, now of Denver. He completed the course in June, 1879, and in the fall of the same year entered the state uni- versity at Boulder, remaining until the spring of 1884. Here he became a leader of Its liter- ary societies, was prominent also in oratory,

sning a course of philosophy and history. Returning to the United States in Oct., 1SS5, he settled in Central City and began the study of law in the office of ex-Judge Alvin Marsh. In Jan., 1886, he was appointed clerk of the 1st judicial district court by the late Judge C. C. Carpenter, and Nov. 2. following. was elected county superintendent of schools. In May, 1887, he married Miss Mary Sternberg of Boulder, who has since been admitted to the bar, the first woman to receive that honor in the state of Colorado. In Jan., 1559, he resigned the superintend- ency of schools to accept the appointment of county judge (to fill a vacancy caused by the election of Judge Clayton F. Becker to the district bench), and at the general election fol- lowing, Nov. 11. 1889, was elected to that office for a term of three years, and was undoubt- edly, the youngest judicial officer in the United States, lle has taken a leading part in politics for the last ten years, on the stump and in party conventions. Being an excel- lent speaker, his talent is in frequent demand. He has taken a deep interest in the public school system, and when he resigned the superintendency of public schools in 1859 was at once elected a member of the school board of Central City, and was largely in- strumental in establishing the present efficient high school and in formulating its course of study. In Nov., 1892, he was elected a member of the legislature on the populist ticket to rep- resent Gilpin county, and during the session of that body, was recognized as one of the leaders of his party. He championed the cause of the educational institutions of the state. and it was through his efforts that the state university received an appropriation for the completion of its magnificent scientific build- ing. During the session he was appointed assistant attorney-general, and served out the term, performing the duties with great in- dustry and ability.

THOMAS, Wm. R. See Vol. 111, page 139.

THOMPSON, Julius, lawyer, was born in Milwaukee county. Wis .. June 5, 1839, and re- mained at the place of his nativity until twenty-two years of age, during which time his education was received in the publie schools of that state, finishing with a course at the Lawrence university of Wisconsin. After a course of law he was admitted to practice at Milwaukee, in 191, and subse- quently located in Chicago, where he engaged in practice until IST1, at which time, his health having failed. he removed to Missouri, and for five years was engaged in lead and zine smelting. Returning to Chicago, he renewed

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his practice and continued it in that city until

TWOMBLY, John C., county commissioner, 1880, when the desire to try his fortune in the was born in Stratton county, N. H., Feb. 1. West induced him to come to Colorado and 1853. In 1862 he went to Weston, Mo., but locate at Rico. Here he was one of the after a few months moved to St. Joseph in largest and most successful mining men in the same state, where he spent one winter. the state.

lle lived in Kansas until the spring of 1864, when the family came to Fort Lupton, Colo. They remained there three years, when he settled in Denver, continuing there until 1871, when he engaged in the cattle business, which he followed nine years, being located at Brighton and Fort Lupton. He then returned to Denver and in Nov., 1880, became a citizen of Gunnison county, where he em- barked in the hardware business. Two years later, his health becoming impaired, he re- turned to his ranch near Brighton. In the spring of 1853 he helped to organize the Brighton Creamery company. In the fall of 1884 he purchased an interest in a merean- tile business at Brighton. In 1888 he was elected a county commissioner of Arapahoe county and re-elected in 1891. and has been

THOMPSON, J. H., mine operator, was born in New York City, Ang. 27, 1841. He was edneated primarily at boarding schools until 1×55, when he was sent to Europe for finishing courses. He passed through college in French at Vevey, Switzerland, in 1858, and from thence went to Hanover, Germany, where he was graduated from the Polytechnic school in 1860. During the same year he re- turned to New York and became foreign cor- respondent for A. T. Stewart & Co., remaining two years, then enlisted in the army, passed through the civil war and was mustered out in Oct., 1865. In December, that year, he left for California and Nevada, where he en- gaged in mining in Virginia City, Austin White Pine, Belmont and many other places. chairman of the board ever since. His record At White Pine, to use his own expression, he as a commissioner has elicited the commen- "went broke." remaining there six weeks and dation of his fellow citizens.

departed when the excitement was at its height. " selling everything 1 had for $250,000 cash, but lost every dollar on the stock mar- ket in San Francisco." In 1869 he returned East, but. being accustomed to the manners, customs and ways of the wild but faseinating West, he soon became restive, and in 1870 again sought the Pacific slope. Renewing operations in mines and mining stoeks, he soon made a second fortune of over $500,000 dur- ing the excitement in Consolidated Virginia, but in about four years lost it all as in the first instance, by over indulgence in specu- lation. Ile remained in San Francisco most of the time until 1880. In November of that year he came to Colorado and almost im- of Swan river and located there for the win- mediately took up the old business, his first venture being in the Garfield county deposits, which then were supposed to be very rich and extensive. He went to Leadville and re- mained there seven years. Becominginterested in the Oro mine near Breckenridge, he sub- sequently purchased that property from the Syraense company-then owning it. Ile en- deavored to manage it from Denver, where he preferred to reside, but found it necessary to take personal supervision on the ground, and

TYNON, James, farmer was born near the city of Alexandria, Va., Nov. 2, 1835. He received a good common school education and being especially fond of history, has been a studious reader all his life. From 1851 to 1853 he directed his uncle's herring fishery and other commercial business on the Potomae, near Mt. Vernon. After this he went to Boston, Mass., and was connected with the grocery and jobbing business, selling out his interest in 1856. That year he removed to Flonda where he was connected with the coast survey two years. In the summer of 1. 58 he passed up the Mississippi to the mouth ter, interested in buying and selling hides and furs. In the spring of 1859 he started across the plains for Pike's Peak, taking the Platte river trail, going as far as Beaver creek, near where the town of Fort Morgan now stands. Having had several hemorrhages from the lungs, he concluded to stay and freight on the Colorado plains. He crossed them forty-four times, from several points on the Missouri river to Denver, and had numerous skirmishes with hostile Indians. Regaining perfect health therefore became a resident of Breckenridge he engaged in the grocery business in Denver. in charge of working operations, but later on resided in Denver. He is a member of the Denver Mining Exchange, of the Consolidated Stock and Petroleum Exchange of New York, of horses. Upon these certificates of solvency of the California commandery of the Loyal Legion. U. S., and a visiting member of the Colorado commandery, his number being 1737. that is to say, amongst the first. Mr. Thomp- son has many warm friends wherever he is known, the result of his manliness and per- ennial good humor.

The letter of credit he required from each new settler was that he should possess a wife, two children, one yoke of cattle or a span and honesty he loaded their wagons with one year's provisions, thus giving them a chance to keep a few milk cows and their increase of calves. Once or twice a year they came to Denver to report progress. If the birth of a child in the family was reported he gave the happy parents a gallon of wine. The settlers all prospered for about six years, and Mr. Tynon does not think there were more honest

TOBEN, Tom. See Vol. 11. page 254.

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men or women in any country: their word was good if life lasted or the Indians left their scalps. He never took a mortgage on their farms for security or ever received an aere of land for debt or trade. In 1879 he closed out his grocery business, but still carried on the hide and wool business until 1SS2, when he closed out the latter and devoted his time to improving his farm, consisting of 640 aeres nine miles West of Denver. He has planted an orchard in oblong shape, of $,000 apple trees, with a fine graded gravel driveway fifty feet wide between orchard and lake, and has named it the "Jefferson County Farm." He has resided for the past twenty years at No. 1362 Tremont street, corner of Fourteenth, Denver.

TONGE, Thomas, secretary of the manu- facturer's exchange, was born at Styal. near Manchester, England. March 31. 1848. in which neighborhood, successive generations of the Tonge family have been resident for 700 years, the first of the name being Gilbert de Tonge, who held Jand at Tonge, a few miles north of Manchester, in A. D. 1180. Mr. Tonge for a number of years held a responsible posi- tion in the office of one of the oldest and largest legal firms in Manchester, during which time also he was more or less connected with the great daily and other papers of that city. In 1883, as he was suffering from bronchial trouble cansed by the damp climate of the north of England, he came to Colorado, and at once realizing that it was the country for him, located in Denver and took ont his nat- uralization papers as an American citizen and subsequently his final papers when the law allowed. Ile is a member of the Colorado " State Editorial association " and of the Den- ver Chamber of Commerce. His skill and ex- perience as a shorthand writer have resulted in his acting as official reporter of the many state, interstate and international conventions which have been held in Denver since 1883. Like many others, he has taken advantage of the exceptional opportunities offered during the past few years of investing to advantage in Denver real estate. He has also been the means of bringing considerable English

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 107

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