History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 68

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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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

route, with only 150 troops, but successfully accomplished that difficult undertaking. the battles of Pigeons' Ranche and Apache Cañon he did heroic service. In civil life he When relieved from this command some time is a very pronounced and positive force. Fond of engaging in political contests, except for the office of probate judge, he has not been a candidate, but has frequently aided his friends to secure their political aims. From thoroughly accomplished the protection of the his real estate and other investments he has acquired a large fortune.

later, he was higlily complimented by Major- General Curtis for the able manner in which his duties had been performed, both in the management of the savages, and in having so long line of travel that not a life was lost, nor the stages and traffic materially disturbed. Ile was appointed assistant inspector general to inspect Camp Fillmore, Fort Lyon, Camp Wynkoop, Fort Garland, Guadaloupe. Forts Laramie and Halleck, Camps Collins, Sanborn and Wild, posts widely separated and embrac- ing a vast region inhabited only by roving bands of Indians. As detailed in our first volume, the Indians made general war on the plains in 1864, therefore the few troops in this department were kept almost constantly or- cupied in pursuing them. Many people were killed. freight trains, stages and emigrants at- tacked. Col. Chivington, then commanding the military district of Colorado, ordered Major Downing to take such troops as could be spared from Camp Sanborn, search for and punish the hostiles wherever found. After a long chase he found them encamped at Cedar Cañon, 140 miles below on the Platte. At daybreak he charged upon them, and after somo hours of hard fighting, mainly in a hand to hand encounter, the Indians were routed with a loss of 38 killed, and a large number wounded. More than six hundred ponies were captured and the village was destroyed. In the fall of 1864 Major Downing led one of the columns in the famous battle of Sand Creek, and soon afterward was mustered out of the service. In 1867 he was elected probate judge of Arapahoe county, and ever since the expira- tion of his term has been engaged in real es- fate enterprises, farming and stock raising. He owns a ranch of about 2,000 acres four and a half miles west of Denver, the greater part under cultivation.

DENMAN, A. A. See Vol. 111, page 212.

DOLL, Henry C., carriage manufacturer, was born in Harrisburg. Pa., Oct. 25, 1838, and received his education in the common schools. Ile served an apprenticeship of four years at the shops of the old Pennsylvania railroad company, learning the trade of a ma- thinist. At the expiration of his term of service he engaged in the iron trade, and after operating one year he enlisted in the Union army as a ninety-day soklier, joining com- pany F. 25th Pa. volunteers, May 2, 1861. When his time was out he went to St. Louis and became a clerk in the quartermaster's department. He was at Pittsburg Landing and through the southwest, and one year at Omaha. In April. 1864, he went to Montana during the gold excitement at Bannack City. Was there two months, and then resided at Salt Lake City two years, connected whh the Indian department. In April, 1866, he came through Denver on his way to Harrisburg, where he resumed the iron business. One year later he went to Fort Hayes and again took a position in the government service, where he remained five months; spent the winter at Fort Leavenworth, and in the fol- lowing spring moved to the southwestern part of lowa, engaging in the mercantile and ex- press business. He left there in 1870. return- ing to Salt Lake, and worked for the govern- ment in the same old employment, at Fort Douglas. He then, in partnership with Na- thaniel Robertson and Howard Seebree. en- gaged in the agricultural implement business, and in the fall of 1880 returned to Harrisburg. In Jam, 1881. he located in Denver, and soon thereafter established himself with Mr. Rob- ertson in the carriage business, which he now follows. In Jan., 1874, he married Miss Cath- erine B. Giesy of Lancaster, Ohio, who was visiting Salt Lake at that time. They have four children living; three sons and one daughter. Mr. Doll is an elder in the Cen- tral Presbyterian church of Denver.

Certain tracts are planted with fruit trees. At this time he has about 250 blooded horses, some of which are among the finest thoroughbreds in the West. He believes Colorado to be the most favor- able of climates for developing the lungs of horses and other animals, and for giving them health, strength and speed. The only drawback is, that the dryness of the soil is liable to affect their feet unless very care- fully watched. Ile owns much valuable real DORSEY, Stephen Wallace, was born on a farm in the town of Benson, Rutland county. Vt., Feb. 28, 1843. Ilis early boyhood was spent in working on the farm and attending the village school. In 1860 he went to Ober- lin. Ohio, intending to take a classical course at the college in that place. The war coming on, however, he enlisted as a private soldier in the 1st Ohio light artillery, April 19, 1861. and remained in continuous service in the same command until June 15. 1865, having estate in Denver. Downing avenue was named in his honor. He laid out Downing's additions to East and North Denver and Downington. Throughout the stormy period of settlement hero he was regarded as one of the boldest and most mcompromising of Tinion men, the loyal supporter of both fed- eral and local government, and always pre- pared to fight for the principles he advocated. In the battles of the Ist regiment he was nt the front directing and leading his men. In been constantly in the field for four years and

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about two months. He was present at all He was a delegate to the republican national the minor engagements in West Virginia in conventions of 1868, 1872, 1876 and 1880. In the spring and early summer of 1861; such as 1872 he was placed on the republican national Phillipi, Canafax Ferry, Rich Mountain, ete. committee and upon the executive committee. Joining Gen. George 11. Thomas in Kentucky Ile took an active part in the campaigns of 1872. 1876 and 1SS0. The latter year he was the lu Sept .. 1861, he took part in the first consid- erable battle of the war in which the Union manager of the campaign. having been placed army succeeded-Mill Springs-wherethe Con- in that position at the request of Gen. Gar- field. It was one of the most remarkable campaigns in the history of our politics. Since that epoch he has devoted his time to his private affairs, in looking after his large ranch interests in New Mexico and his various mining enterprises in Colorado. He has lo- cated permanently in Denver, Colo., where he has a comfortable home ou Capitol hill.

DUNLEVY, Elias Fassett, elerk of the County Court, Arapahoe county, was born on a farmi near Granville, Ohio, in July, 1861. He attended the public schools at Granville until 1879, when the family removed to Deuver, Colo. The same year he entered Brown uni- versity in Providence, R. l., was graduated in 1883, and then returned to Denver. In 1884 he accepted the position of deputy county clerk of Arapahoe county. under R. W. Steele, and in September of that year was ap- pointed elerk of the county court, serving un- til 1887: he then accepted a clerkship with Mr. S. B. Morgan, in the real estate business. and in 1889 was appointed deputy clerk of the district court, in charge of the criminal division, serving until Jan., 1893, when he re- signed, to again accept the position of clerk of the county court of Arapahoe county.

federate General Zollieoffer met his death. He participated in the following battles: Bowling Green, capture of Nashville, Shiloh, Chattanooga in 1862; Perryville, Ky., Stone River. Tenn., Tulahoma, Chickamauga, Look- ont Mountain and Mission Ridge. In Jan., 1864, he was promoted and assigned to the 6th corps (Sedgwick's) of the Army of the Po- tomac, and went east with Gen. Grant. In the eastern army he took part in the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Hatchers' Run. All these occurred in May, June and July, 1864. When the City of Washington was threatened by Early and Breekinridge in August of that year, the 6th corps was or- dered to its protection, under Gen. Sheridan. Mr. Dorsey, then a major, went with his corps and was engaged in the battle near the city of Washington, at Winchester, Edinburg and Cedar Creek. The latter battle was made famous by the poem describing Sheridan's ride. The 6th corps was theu sent back to Petersburg, and was engaged in the battles and capture of Petersburg, April 1 and 2, 1865. Following Lee's army, Colonel Dorsey was on hand at Sailors' Creek and at the final contest at Appomattox, where the Army of DUNLEVY, F. H. See Vol. 111, page 225. North Virginia surrendered. During this long service he was never absent from the DE SOLLAR, Herbert S., proprietor of the Central business college, was born in Beards- town, Cass county, Ill., July 26, 1855, and re- mained at the place of his nativity until 1872. Ile was educated in the public schools, and when less than seventeen years of age ob- tained a teacher's certificate. The success he attained as principal of the village and dis- triet schools for many years, by teaching dur- ing the fall and winter months and assisting his father in the store in summer, until twenty-one years of age, enabled him to ae- enmulate sufficient funds to defray the cost of a course of study in the Gem City business college at Quincy, Ill., whence he was gradu- ated with the highest honors in Aug., 1879. Ile then became a hook-keeper with Deere & Co. (plow works) at Molino, III., remaining many months. After leaving that noted house, with strong credentials, he accepted a professorship in Johnson's commercial college in St. Louis, Mo., where he remained a year as principal of the penmanship department. Resigning this position he engaged In teach- ing penmanship at various teachers' Insti- tutes. This, with itinerant teaching at vari- ons county seats throughout the states of Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa and Illinois, oeeu- pied his time for over two years. These ven- army on leave, his command was never in reserve, but took an active part on the line of battle in every engagement named above and in many minor affairs. He held every rank in his regiment from private to colonel, and was mustered out of service in Cleveland, Ohio, June 15, 1865. He engaged in the man- ufacturing business at Sandusky, Ohio, after the war, as manager of the Sandusky Tool company: was made chairman of the repub- liean county committee of Erie county, Ohlo, in 1866; a member of the Congressional com- mittee and of the Ohio state committee, and took an active part in politics while he lived in that state. He was elected president of the Arkansas Central railroad in 1869 and moved to that state with a view of making it his per- manent home. He engaged In many enter- prises in Arkansas successfully. In Jan .. 1873, he was elected United States Senator from Arkansas, to serve six years, receiving 102 votes out of a total number of 105, the democratie party giving him its solid vote, though he was known to be a radical repub- llcan. Mr. Dorsey was appointed on the com- mittee of Appropriations for railroads and was made chairman of the District of Columbia committee the day he was sworn In as Senator. tures cleared him over $600 a month. He

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next became secretary of the Southern busi- Mr. Downer, Capt. MeClure and others or- ness college at Louisville. Ky., where he re- mained about six years. Soon afterward he located in Decatur, Ill., and established for himself a successful business college, contin- uing until 1887. He then came to Denver and immediately established the Central business

college of this city. As his superior methods federate army, Capt. MeClure was severely of teaching became more and more widely known, the attendance increased so rapidly that in the fall of 1889 the college had grown to enormous proportions necessitating a change to more commodious quarters, therefore he engaged the entire top floor of the Mack block on Sixteenth street, to which the college was transferred in Jan., 1890. During the last school year between six and seven hun- dred students were enrolled. Prof. De Sollar possesses a quick. nervous energy, acute business perceptions, indomitable persever- ance, and pre-eminent talent for teaching. While interested extensively in real estate and farming lands in Arizona, Kansas and Colorado, he has also acquired valuable and extensive interests in both improved and un- improved property in the city of Denver, ag- gregating in all over $100,000. He married Miss Hattie Le Brun of Chicago, Ill., July 26, ISS5. They have one child, Hattie Janet, a little girl of five summers.

DOWNER, James P., soldier and farmer, was born in Uniontown, Pa .. Feb. 22, 1818. He was liberally educated at Madison college in that place, and afterward served an ap- prenticeship at the saddlery and harness- maker's trade. In 1846 he enlisted in the

ganized company B. 2nd Kansas regiment, marched to Lawrence and enlisted. They joined the forees under Gen. Lyon in Missouri and were engaged in the battle of Wilson Creek, where Lyon was killed. In a subse- quent battle .with Gen. Green of the Con- wounded, and Mr. Downer took command of the company. After nine months of service the regiment was mustered out, but soon after reorganized as the 2nd Kan- sas, and served under Gen. Blunt in Ar- kansas. At Kane hill, in 1864, Mr. Downer was slightly wounded in his left leg, but erysipelas set in and it was with much ditti- culty that it was saved from amputation. After honorable discharge, at Fort Leaven- worth hp engaged with Col. Isaac Eaton, agent of the Butterfield Overland stage line, and came to Denver. In 1868 he went to Saguache county, secured a ranch and re- sided there to the date of his death, cultivat- ing the soil and raising cattle and other live stock. He left a valuable ranch property, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all his fellow citizens.

DRAKE, Frederick James, Senator. was born in the year 1851. at Belvidere, Boone county, Ill., where he passed his youth on a farm. He received his early education in the common schools and was graduated from the Illinois State university in the class of 1876. During his course there he taught school for a year in central Illinois, and after- ward attended the law school at the uni- army for the war with Mexico. 2nd regiment. versity of Michigan, receiving his diploma and admission to the bar in 1879. The same year he came to Colorado and located at Leadville in the practice of his profession. In the fall of 1881 he moved to Pueblo, where

Pa. volunteers, his company commanded by Capt. W. B. Roberts. The regiment was mus- tered at Pittsburg, sailed from New Orleans to Vera Cruz, joined the forces under Gen. Winfield Scott, and took part in the siege and he has since resided, continuing the practice capture of that city. This accomplished, the of law. In ISSt he was elected city attorney. army, 10,000 strong, marched into the into- which office he held for one term. In ISSS he was delegate to the republican national con- vention at Chicago, and in 1892 was elected rior. At Cerro Gordo they met Gen. Santa Ana with his entire army, and after a hard fought battle gained a decided victory. Gen. to represent Pueblo county in the state Sen- Scott then advanced to Puebla, where after ate for a term of four years. Senator Drake receiving large reinforcements he pushed on has never been much affected with what we to the City of Mexico. At the storming of the may call passion for office. No estimate of Castle of Chapultepec Mr. Downer was placed his life would go farther from the facts than in command of one of the parties which to measure the sum of his political activities stormed and finally took that formidable by the brief terms of his official service. It is but just to say that he has been for twelve years one of the most active and influential republicans of his county. Within that period his influence has always been a strong force and has frequently been the leading force. His faculty for setting all the energies of the party in motion is remarkable. Ile is a man of convictions in matters political. but is usu- fortress. and with the conquering host en- tered the City of Mexico. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo having been concluded, the surviving members of the regiment to which he was attached returned to Pittsburg and were discharged. In 1850-51 Mr. Downer represented Fayette county in the state legis- lature of Pennsylvania. In 1856 he went to Leavenworth. Kan .. and engaged in the freight ally liberal, and he is always loyal to them. ing trade with Majors, Russell & Waddell. In His well-known liberality of views in the 1861 he was a citizen of Junction City, Kan. matter of laws for the protection of labor has When President Lincoln issued his call for operated to his political detriment at times, 300,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion, with the powers that control, but has made

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him strong with the masses. His policy has cades, marrying there in 1859. In Aug., 1862, been to hold the party up to the most ad- he enlisted in the Union army, joining com- pany G, 29th lowa infantry volunteers, and served until the close of the war, being mus-

vanced point of practical liberality, and after the legislative session of 1892-93 the Colorado Trades Assembly published his name in "the tered ont Ang. 9, 1865, at New Orleans, as roll of honor" among those faithful and con- stant in support of the legislation sought in the interest of labor.

DYATT, Hugh, was born in County An- trim, Ireland, in 1849, and two years later his parents brought him to America, Flowing in his veins is the blood of the sturdy English- man, the thorough-going Scotchman, and the sanguine Irishman, a combination which sel- dom fails to indicate sterling traits of charac- ter. As he grew to manhood he resided in various states of the Wuion, and in his early career experienced many phases of what may be termed a checkered life. He came to Colo- rado in 1879. and in the city of Leadville found a permanent place of abode. Quiet and un- obtrusive, he took no active part in publie af- fairs until 1892. At that time his many friends who knew and appreciated him as a man and citizen, urged him to become a can- didate for the legislature, and to accept a nom- ination on the populist ticket. To this he re- luctantly consented. Afterward the repub- lican party tendered him the same honor, which he at first refused, because his accept- ance might conflict with his obligation to the populist party, but when assured by the com- mittee that waited upon him that he was cx- pected to caucus and vote with his party. he also accepted that nomination, and was elceted by a majority of 1,261 votes over his democratic competitor. Ile possesses genuine sympathy for the great masses of the people, and if he had his way would educate them. not by the incendiary and revolutionary methods too often practiced, but by legiti- mate appeals to their manhood and good citi- zenship. Ite cherishes an abiding faith in the grand future of his adopted state, and be- lieves that it will ultimately be one of the most prosperous In the Union. He sees in her great abundance of material resources the ele- ments to bring about that result. His con- stituents endorsed the course pursued by him in the extra session of the legislature of 1893- 94. Ile was one of the most active and in- fuential members of that body. devoted to the Interest of his own county and the wel- fare of the entire state, evineing great fidelity and zeal In their behalf.

2nd lleutenant. Returning to Iowa, Mr. Dake took an active interest in business. lle was twice elected treasurer of Ringgold county. Ile left Iowa in 1872 and went to Nebraska, remaining there until 1890, when he became a citizen of Jefferson county, Colo. He was nominated in 1892 by the republican party for the House of Representatives, and was elected by a handsome majority over a popular candidate. Ilis record in the legis- lature is a good one and has no shadow upon it. Ile worked as a methodical business man. and accomplished much in the way of legislation. Aside from his successful efforts in behalf of the state institutions at Golden. he procured the passage by the House of a $9,000 appropriation for the Bear Creek road in Jefferson county, which, however, was lost in the Senate. Ile was author of the new fish and game law, and was instrumental in passing the coal miners' bill that was de- sired by the miners at Golden. Ile introduced and procured the passage of a joint memorial to Congress to have the Lost Park reserve donated to the state, so that the game and the forest may be protected to the state. In 1883-84 he discovered that there was a spot far up in the mountains along the Platte river, in Jefferson county, that possessed all the elements necessary to make one of the most romantic and healthful of local resorts. He purchased 160 acres of land, embracing the point, and, in 1885, moved there, named it Pine Grove and began to develop it. Two years ago he organized the Pine Grove Re- sort company with a capital of $100,000, he being the general manager. The company has built a tine hotel, and has erected twenty summer cottages on the spot. Since locating in Jefferson county, Mr. Dake has been one of the most aggressive spirits for the upbuilding of that section and has inaugurated and given shape and potency to numerous schemes, which, if finally carried out. will be of great benefit to his constit- uency and to the commonwealth.

DE LAPPE, John A., real estate, was born in Crawford county, In .. Dee. 13. 1815, and remained at the place of his nativity until he was nine years of age, when his parents moved to Adams county, in the same state. llere, in the little town of Payson, young De Lappe, while assisting his father on al farm. attended the common schools until 1865. when he came to Colorado. He obtained em- ployment in Denver with Lincoln & Strickler. After working for this firm five years, he entered the large and well-known clothing house of Daniels & Rekhart, where he re- mained two years, then engaged with the

DAKE, Charles W., legislator and business man was born in Medina county, Ohio, July 28, 1839. His father was a pioneer in the famous Western Reserve. He received a good common school education-a broad and safe foundation on which any active and ambi- tlous young man may build a superb super- in the auction and commission business. structure, and this he has done. Thrown up- on his own resources, at the age of eighteen years, he caught the Western fever and went to southern Iowa, where he lived for two de-

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Denver & Rio Grande railroad company as joined by Mr. Brisbane, when they engaged in a contractor. In ISTS he located at Leadville the purchase and sale of real estate, mining, and continued the same business, still work- building, etc. In 1882 Mr. De Mainville was ing for the D, & R. G. R. R. Co., and later on elected to the board of county commissioners for the Colorado Midland railroad company. of Lake county, and served from Jan. 1, He hauled ore from the Crysolite and Pitts- 1883, to 1889. Since that time they have burg mines to the Grant Smelter, which was been engaged in various business pursuits. at the time located at Leadville. He fol- lowed this about five years, when he pur- chased a ranch embracing 1,200 acres, situ- ated in the Arkansas valley, near Leadville, which he still owns and cultivates as a hay farm. While residing in Leadville, he was elected a county commissioner of Lake coun- ty, and held the office three years. In 1887 he settled in Denver, and for three years afterward was engaged in grading the streets. Since then he has been in the real estate business, and owns "De Lappe Place," which is located at Manhattan Beach, con- sisting of 350 lots. In 1880 he married Miss R. Millie Green, who came to Colorado with her mother in 1861. They have two sons, De Stelle and Birch.

DISSMORE, R. H., ranchman and stock orado in 1872. Hle spent about $1,000 in mining in the San Juan country, therefore, when he arrived in Custer county, he was finan- cially embarrassed and took a contract from Barlow & Sanderson to furnish hay for five of their stage stations on the mail route from Canon City to Salida. Afterwards he took the mail contract from Texas Creek to Silver Cliff and held it until the railroad was completed through that country. He owns 760 acres of land in the Wet Mountain valley; about 400 acres are hay lands. He has250 head of cattle, a Devon bull that cost $1,000, a few horses from Norman stock, and is raising Yorkshire hogs, which were the first introduced in the valley, being taken there by him. He re- sides at Ifillside, Custer county, and is also engaged in fish culture, possessing three small lakes which are stocked with trout.

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 68

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