History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 55

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 our state polities, achieving a re- markable victory for his party. Having in the early years of the territory acquired large landed interests in and about the city of Denver, the remarkable growth of the metropolis and the rapid rise of realty values raised him from comparative poverty to affluence. He has made several tours to Europe, owns a fine residence on Grant avenue opposite the state capitol, and occupies an enviable position among the wealthy and respected citizens of Denver. He is a care- ful and prudent business man, a safe coun- selor in public and private affairs, Ilis career has been marked by strong fidelity to offices and appointments. In 1878 he came the duties of good citizenship. Although not to Colorado and first settled for a short time

a place seeker, refusing many tenders of political preferment, he has taken earnest at Silver Cliff, but early in 1879 joined the rush to Leadville, where he engaged in min- part in promoting governmental reforms, and ing. In July, 1882, he moved to Denver, where in the advancement of good works. While he has sinee resided. In June, 1889. he was an active member of the Chamber of Com- appointed clerk of the district court. In April meree, in connection with some of its more of that year, by legislative enactment, the efficient committees, especially that on man- district court was divided into four divisions, ufactures, he has given much study and co- with four judges, and in 1890-91 a fifth was

J. W. Robb.

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added. to dispose of the enormous amount of a broad, intelligent and just system of valu- litigation, civil and eriminal. constantly aris- ations of taxable property for assessment. ing in this great district, where. it may be stated, a greater number of causes are tried each year than in all the other counties of the State combined. At times there are six

It was founded in equity to all classes and embraced all the better principles of just ac- tion in this field. From the domain of mere guesswork and fallible rules he rescued and divisions, judges from other districts sitting. placed it upon a plane which will serve as a Therefore the clerkship which Capt. Adams model for all future Incumbents of the office. It is not extravagant to say that Mr. Aggers is the best assessor Arapahoe county has had in the thirty-three years of its existence. In recognition of his capabilities and his effi- ciency as a publie officer he was re-elected, and is at this writing serving his second term. holds is one of unusnal importance and re- sponsibility, covering as it does five distinct courts, with thousands of causes, and all the complex minutin thereto pertaining. His re- tention of the office, and the universal com- mendation of his efficiency, attest his capa- bilities. Like most men of New England birth, he is intensely practical. His military training taught him the value of perfected methods, an experience which he has applied to all the details of his present position. His frame is that of a muscular athlete. his man- ners and address those of a pleasant and ae- complished gentleman.

ADAMS, Wilber Fisk, merchant tailor, was born at Derry, N. H., Nov. 15. 1860, son of Rev. John W. Adams, a retired minister at Chelsea, Mass. Mr. Adams traces his an- eestry through an unbroken line of twenty- four generations to Sir John Ap'Adam, knight, who was Lord Ap'Adam, a member of the British parliament from 1296 to 1307. His ancestor Henry Adams (16) came to this coun- try from England and settled in Braintree (now Quiney), Mass., in 1630, his descendants being as follows: Joseph Adams (IT), great-

ALLEN, Denny H., city clerk of Denver, was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1857, and was educated in the public schools of that eity. After graduating he engaged with the Champion Machine company in Springfield. In 1850 he came to Colorado, located in Lead- grandfather of President John Adams: Jona- ville, and took employment in the business office of the Iron Silver Mining company. In ISSS he removed to Denver and engaged in the real estate business. In 1893 he entered the office of the county treasurer as a clerk, remaining until his election to the office of eity clerk in April, 1895.

than Adams (IS), great-unele of President Adams; Jonathan Adams (19), Jonathan Ad- ams (20); John Adams (21); John Adams (22); Rev. John Wesley Adams (23), father of the subject of our sketeh. The presidential line in America commences with the sixteenth generation and runs down to President John Quincy Adams. Wilber F. was educated at the New Hampshire Conference seminary. January I, ISS6, he was married to Miss Mary J. Jenks. In his senior year, at the age of seventeen, he left the seminary and took up his residence in Boston, Mass .. and from that time until his arrival in Denver, Dee. 2, 1882, was with some of the most prominent firms of Boston and New England in his profession as cutter and manager of tailoring houses. He has built up a fine and increasing trade by his skill in his art and by his steadfast attention to business.

AGGERS, George L., county assessor, was born Nov. 22. 1847, in Pittsburg. Pa .. where he resided until sixteen years of age. llis first independent venture in life was in the oil field of that state, but soon afterward he went to Ohio at the outbreak of the civil war and enlisted in company C 170th regiment Ohio volunteers, with which he served six months, participating in several engagements during that period. After retiring from the army he returned to Ohio, remaining until the spring of 1865, when he again located in the oil fields, where he was engaged until 1872. meanwhile completing a course of study in college at Edenburg, Pa., and subsequently at Mount I'nion college in Ohio. In the year last named he came to Denver and soon after engaged in the grocery trade, begin- ning with a cash capital of $250. In ISSt he there eighteen months. Upon the recommen-

ALLEN, Walter, melter in U. S. branch mint, was born in Mississippi in 1859. and after learning the rudimentary branches of education he attended the West Point prepar- atory school at Sing Sing. N. Y .. remaining was master of the largest trade of its class In the city. Failing health then compelled dation of llon. L. Q. C. Lamar he was ap- pointed a cadet at West Point. Two years his retirement, and thenceforward until the afterward he went to New Orleans (1879) autumn of 1801 his energies were chiefly de- and embarked in the cotton commission busi- voted to Investigating and developing eortaln ness with his brother James, the style of the large interests whch he had acquired in the firm being James D. Allen & Co. He con- tinued in this business until the summer of isss, and in September of that year he he- came a resident of Denver. For two and a half years thereafter he was engaged as a mer- chandise broker, continning until he received

oll fields of Wyoming. During the years just mentioned he was elected to the board of county commissioners and twice to the city council of Denver. In is01 he was elected to the important office of county assessor, and immediately upon his induction adopted hisappointment as melter in the United States measures for its complete reorganization on branch mint. In 1822, before assuming these

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duties, he made an extended trip in the in- until 1884, since which time he has been as- terest of N. K. Fairbanks & Co., of Chicago, through Utah, California, Montana, Washing- ton and other western states. His honorable record, supplemented by a thorough knowl- edge of the demands of his present position, make him a valuable officer,

ANTHONY, Webster D., was born at Union Springs, Cayuga county, N. Y., June 4, 1838, and educated in the public schools, In 1856 he emigrated to the West, and was engaged in the grain business in Henry county, Ill., until the latter part of 1858, when he moved to Leavenworth, Kan., and there took a clerkship in the office of the register of deeds for that district, which fitted him for the office that some years later he assumed

1875, in Arapahoe county, Colo. In 1860 he came to Denver, where he has since resided. In 1861 he was appointed private secretary to Gov. William Gilpin, serving in that capac- ity until 1863, when he was appointed clerk of the first judicial district, Judge B. F. Hall presiding. Hall was succeeded by S. S. Har- ding, with whom Mr. Anthony remained until December, 1864, when he resigned, and a year later he was elected treasurer of Arapahoe county. In the fall of 1867 he was elected clerk and recorder, retaining the office until 1875 as stated above. During this period he prepared a complete set of abstract books, the first of the kind instituted here, showing the course of titles to lots and lands from the original entries to the close of his term, which system has been continued through all in- tervening years. In 1876, when Colorado was admitted into the Union, he was elected to the house of representatives of the first Gen- eral Assembly, and when that body came to be organized in November following he was chosen speaker. By reason of his somewhat extended experience in presiding over masonic and other deliberative bodies, he proved an excellent officer, well versed in parliament- ary law and prompt in the dispatch of busi- ness. As a member of the great order of Free Masons he has been active, prominent and useful; was elected secretary of Union Lodge No. 7, Denver, in 1865; senior warden in 1866; master in 1867-68 and again in 1871; junior grand warden of Colorado grand lodge in 1867-68; senior grand warden in 1869; dep- uty grand master in 1871-72; grand master in 1873-74; captain-general of Colorado com- mandery Knights templar No. 1 in 1870; em- inent commander in 1872; deputy G. C. of grand commandery K. T. in 1876 and grand commander in 1877. As a matter of fact the order of Knights templar in Colorado owes its origin to him. he having been appointed in 1876 special deputy to organize the order in Colorado, by the grand master of the United States. In November, 1877, he was appointed chief clerk of the United States branch mint in Denver, under IIerman Silver. superintendent, which position he retained

sociated with the firm of Anthony, Landon & Curry in the business of furnishing ab- straets of title to real estate in Denver and Arapahoe county. During his incumbency of the recorder's office Mr. Anthony was a prom- inent factor in local and state politics, and during that period also built, and, until the death of his wife, occupied the residence on Curtis street, subsequently owned and ocen- pied by Mr. W. B. Daniels.

APPEL, J. S., merchant was born in Phil- adelphia, Pa., Dec. 9, 1851. ITis education was received in the public schools, supple- mented by a course at the Central high school in the city of his nativity, from which he was graduated in 1866. He came to Colorado and held by successive elections from 1867 to in 1873 and associated with his brother in the clothing business on Blake street, Denver, who had established a small store a year pre- vious. Their business has increased to vast proportions, being one of the largest in their linein the West. Forthe pastten years Mr. Ap- pel has devoted much time and money to the work of industrial charity and prison reform, He was one of the founders of the state board of associated charities and corrections. Mainly through his efforts there have been introduced and passed by the state legislature our most salient and important laws on the subject. He was prominent also in the re- form movement in the insane asylum. He was mainly instrumental in the establish- ment of the kindergarten school system and its adoption into our public schools. IIe is now agitating and at work on the establish- ment of a work house in connection with our present prison system. He has written and published a number of valuable articles on these subjects, which have met the hearty approval and cooperation of those in sym- pathy with such reforms. Notwithstanding his large amount of public work. he finds time to manage the affairs of the large busi- ness house of which he is the directing head.

ARKINS, John. See Vol. III, page 137.

ARTHUR, Edwin Foster, city treasurer, of Denver, was born in Putnam county, N. Y., in 1858, at the home of his grandfather, Judge Ebenezer Foster. He was educated in the primary and grammar schools and the college of the city of New York. At the age of nine- teen he went to San Antonio. Tex., and re- mained one year as clerk in a wholesale house; then became general agent of the El Paso stage line, continuing until its supersedure by railways in June, ISS1. In August fol- lowing he entered the railway service as chief clerk to the division superintendent of the International & Great Northern R. R. at San Antonio, and two months later was pro- moted to chief clerk to the general superin- tendent of the same line at Palestine. in the same state, remaining until Jan. 15. ISSS. when he resigned to accept the position of trainmaster of the Denver & Fort Worth

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R. R. In April of that year he was trans- nation, he engaged with the Denver "Times," ferred to Denver as assistant to the general his first position being in the circulating de- manager, C. F. Meek. lle remained in that partment, but in a short time was promoted capacity until the consolidation of this road to city editor, and subsequently, to associate editor. This position he held until ISS5, when his eyes becoming affected, he resigned and with the Union Pacific in January, 1801, when he was appointed chief clerk to the general su- perintendent, but resigned in August following. located on his ranch in Douglas county, which He then engaged in mining for a short time, and in the spring of 1892 went to Minneapolis as assistant sergeant-at-arms of the National republican convention. July 5, 1892, he was made assistant to the president of the Colo- rado Coal & Iron company and continued as such until its consolidation with the Colo- rado Fuel & Iron company. In March, 1893. he was secretary of the republican eity cen- tral committee, acted throughout that cam- paign, and is now in the same position. In April, 1893. he was appointed deputy city auditor, and in April, 1895, was elected city treasurer. In 1882 he married Miss Louise Burkhart at Matagorda, Tex., and has four children. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies, of the Knights of Pythias, J. O. U. A. M. and for five years has been recorder of Colorado commandery No. I. K. T.

ATKINS, C. O. See Vol. III, page 218.

ARTHUR, E. P., banker, was born in England in 1839, and received a collegiate edu- cation. In 1862 he went to Australia and there engaged in the sheep business for five years. then returned to England where he farmed and also acted as agent for an estate for a entire matter over to him. In the face of like period. He then came to Colorado and the most trying circumstances, the bills were finally perfected and passed through the House, but owing to a necessary com- promise with the Senate, the bills did not go upon the statute books in the form do- sired by the House. Mr. Ammons was known as the hardest worker in the House, and through his unflagging zeal, he accomplished much toward the perfection of the legis- located on a ranch in Clear Creek county until 1874 when he removed to Park county and there purchased and improved the Arthur ranch, continuing until 1882 when he opened a banking house in Alma in company with C. G. Hathaway of Fairplay. Ilis ranch of 1,760 acres produces large quantities of hay. lle improved the Platte ranch of 2,200 aeres and sold it to Raymer, Edmundson & lation enacted by the Eighth General Assem- Co. Ile also built a residence and business house in Alma. In 1867 he married Miss Sarah Morris of England and they have ten children. Mr. Arthur is now connected with a bank at Cripple Creek.

AMMONS, E. M., journalist and legis- lator was born in Macon county. N. C., July 27, 1860, and remained at the place of his nativity until 1871, when the family removed to Colo- rado. Soon after his arrival in Denver, Mr. Ammons secured work in a woolen mill, con- ALEXANDER, A. W., was born June 9, 1851, near the city of Erie, Pa. In 1855 his parents moved to Waverly. Bremer county. Jowa, and in the fall of 1857 emigrated to Allen county in the southern part of Kansas. In the spring of 1560 he located in Lawrence. the same state, where he was educated. av where he lived until he attained his majority. Ilo arrived in Colorado in May, 1872, and settled first in California Gulch. now Lead- ville, where ho engaged in mining. This be tinned there one summer, and the following spring went to Turkey Creek and engaged in hauling lumber and driving teams until 1875, when his desire to secure an education Impelled him to return to Denver. Ile at once entered the Arapahoe street school and continued his studies until his gradua- tion which occurred in 1850. While pursuing his studies, he worked at different pursuits out of school hours, and in that manner Sule- ceeded in educating himself. After his grad- followed for about seven years and still owns

he has devoted entirely to the raising of cattle. At the present time, he has about one thousand head, to which he is constantly adding. In August, 1800. he assumed the duties of clerk of the district court in his district and held the position until the fall of that year when, he was elected to the House of Representatives from Douglas county, and re-elected in 1892, at which time, his record in the previous session having made a favorable impression he was the unani- mons choice of his party for the speakership. To this position he was duly elected, being the youngest man who had ever held that position in Colorado. In the organization of the Eighth General Assembly. Mr. Ammons opposed what was known as the "combine," which deposed Speaker Ilanna and organized the House and Committees against the re- publicans. Owing to the active part he took in that struggle, he was omitted from all committees he most desired to work with. lle spent many weeks in preparing bills regulating the obnoxious fee system. These bills necessitated much labor, and after need- less waste of time, the committee turned the

bły. Notwithstanding the fact that he was Speaker of the Ninth General Assembly, he took note of the great number of bills in- troduced at that session, and incorporated many excellent features in those that became laws. While a member of the House, he was not absent from a single session and never dodged a vote. He pushed legislation, and procured more for his county than had been accomplished by any of his predecessors.

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mining property at Leadville. In 1881 he pull- chased a ranch in Fremont county, and he- gan to farm and raise stock, and also en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1889 he was elected a county commissioner of Fremont county, which office he now holds, being re- elected in Nov., 1893. He was the only can- didate on the republican ticket who was elected in the county. Ile has been post- master of Canon City.

ACKER, Henry L., mine operator, was born of German parentage in Montgomery county, Pa., October 4, 1831. His ancestors on the paternal side emigrated to America in 1735, and settled in Germantown, Pa. Ilis great-grandfather was a soklier of the Revo- lution, and was with General Washington at Valley Forge during the dark days of that period. After an ordinary course in the pub- lic schools Henry was apprenticed to the printing trade in the Norristown "Register" office. At the age of 22 he became the pub- lisher of this journal and was appointed on Governor Wmn. Bigler's military staff with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In 1857 he sold his interest in the "Register" and began publishing the Pottsville "Standard." In

1858 he was appointed postmaster of Potts- ville. by President Buchanan. In 1862 he sold the "Standard" and returned to Norris- town. A year later he started a book and job printing office in Philadelphia. In 1872 he was elected chairman of the state national greenback party; in 1877 was appointed bank clerk, by General Wm. Schell. then auditor- general, at Harrisburg, for a term of three years. In 1878 he was unanimously nomi- nated by the national greenback party for Congress in the 7th congressional district, and polled the largest vote of any candidate on the ticket. In 1879 he began publishing the "National Era" at Harrisburg, devoted to the canse of labor, but soon afterward sold it, and in the fall of ISSO came to Colorado, lo- cated at Buena Vista and engaged in mining. In 1882 he left for Garfield, then a prosperons town. In 1884 he was unanimously elected mayor of Garfield, and also treasurer of the school board. At the present time he is wholly engaged in mining. Mr. Acker has been thrice married, the first time to Rachel C. Rossiter. of Port Carbon. Pa., Dec. 25. 1856: she died of consumption July 1, 1863. Three children were born to them. His sec- ond union was with Louisa Bennee, of Norris- town, Pa., July 12. 1865. She died cighteen months later of abscess of the brain. One son was the issue of this marriage, now a graduate of West Point Military School. His

third and present wife was Caroline S. Drake, born May 11. ISI7. in the town of Hull, York-

of Norristown, Pa., and they were united Nov. 24, 1868, and to them three daughters have been born. In 1892 Mr. Acker was appointed state inspector of metalliferous mines.

ADAMS, George H., stock grower and general manager, was born in Milwaukee, Wis .. Jan. 21. 1845, on the site now occu- pied by the building of the Northwestern Mutnal life insurance company. His parents, both natives of New York, settled in Wis- consin in 1836. George was educated in Milwaukee University; at the age of 15 he was apprenticed to A. Whittemore & Co., bookbinders of that city, where he was em- ployed until 1863, when he took a clerical position in the office of the Milwaukee & La Crosse R. R. company. In 1864 he enlisted in company 1, 39th regiment, Wisconsin vol- unteers, for 100 days service, and in the lat- ter part of the same year was mustered out as a corporal. He then re-enlisted in the 47th regiment, was made a sergeant, promoted to first sergeant. then to sergeant-major and as such, mustered out at the close of the war. In 1865 he entered the employ of the U. S. Express company as bill clerk, whence he was promoted to money receiving clerk. In 1867 he was appointed superintendent of the Goodrich Express company, with the Good- rich line of steamers on Lake Michigan. In ISOS he was re-employed by the U. S. Ex- press company as messenger on the Smoky Hill route, Kansas, and came to Colorado with the builders of the Kansas Pacific rail- way. In 1869 he settled in the San Luis val- ley and engaged in the stock business. In 1871 he was elected clerk and recorder of Sagnache county. 1872 he assumed the man- agement there of "Baca Grant No. 4." com- prising 100,000 acres of land, and since that time has been its lessee, owner and man- ager. An account of this extensive grant may be found in the history of Saguache county. Mr. Adams is at this time also presi- dent of the San Luis Town and Improvement Co., of the San Isabel Land & Live Stock Co., and of the Saguache county fair association. Though frequently tendered the nomination for representative in the General Assembly by the republican party, he has invariably declined, having no desire for political honors. In ISTS he married Miss Addie J. Bertschy, of Appleton, Wisconsin, and one child, a daughter, has been born to them. By reason of the vast interests under his control. Mr. Adams is one of the most important factors in the upper portion of the great and fertile basin of the San Luis valley. which. under the recently imparted stimulus of immigra- tion, capital and development is becoming one of the great industrial quarters of the state.

ATKINSON, John, manufacturer, was

shire. England. Ile emigrated to this coun- try in May. 1834. settled in Canada and was there engaged in making brick until 1837. when he went to Lonisville, Ky. In 1838 he located in Buffalo, N. Y .; the follow-

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ing year moved to Illinois, locating first for two years in the high school at Ports- in Springfield and afterward in Peoria. In mouth. Ile then went to Pittsburg, Pa., 1840 he married Sarah Ellen Largent who where he was the principal of the prepara- died in 1844. Two years later he married Sarah Ellen Davis with whom he lived in great happiness

until his death Sept. 9, 1891. In 1849 he settled In Rock Island, remaining until 1858, then changed to Aledo in the same state, continuing until 1860. May 1st of that year, he arrived in Denver and here, as in all other places where he has resided pursued the trade of brick manufacturing. In 1862 he moved to Black Hawk, Gilpin county, remaining until 1866, then returning to Denver, resided there until 1875. The next five years were spent in Boulder, afterward uutil 1883 he worked in Denver, then went proprietor of the "Apex Park," comprising back to Boulder. In June, 1884, he settled in Aspen where the remainder of his years were passed. By his first wife two sons were born, John W. and George W. both now living: by the second, four sons and five daughters, seven of whom survived him. In the early part of his life, he possessed great strength and activity, and was fond of athletic sports. He served his time in the British army and was honorably discharged. He was also a member of the "home guard" of Denver in 1861-62. He became an earnest steadfast christian in 1848, and thenceforward was a faithful member and worker in the Methodist church. His widow tells that he was a devot- ed and loving husband, and father, and when he died he had no onemy on earth.

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 55

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