History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 76

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 76

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GRAHAM, David B., lawyer and jurist,

RESIDENCE OFALEX. MILLER, SO. DENVER ARAPAHOE Co.

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was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., Feb. able to devote his undisturbed attention di 17. 1846. Ilis father being a merchant, David, after the usual course of training in the pub- lie schools, became a clerk in the store. At a later period he was sent to Duff's com- mercial college in Pittsburg, whence he grad- uated in the winter of 1863. In 1864 he en- listed in company 1. 211th la. volunteers. and remained in active service until the close of the war, taking part in the long series of engagements about Petersburg and Rich- mond and the final scenes which ultimated in the surrender of Lee's army. When mus- tered out in 1\65, or soon thereafter. he on- tered Westminster college at Wilmington, Pa .. whenee he graduated in June, 1869. The fol- lowing year he was employed as principal of the Ligonier, Pa., academy. Having decided, however, to adopt the legal profession, he was admitted to the Albany (N. Y.) law school and was graduated therefrom in 1871. He then came directly to Denver, opened an office and commenced practice. In the fall of IST6 he was elected district attorney for the second judicial district. then comprising the counties of Arapahoe. Douglas, Elbert, Lari- mer and Weld. In Oct., 1879. he was re- elected. At the close of his second term he resumed the practice of law, which continued until Nor .. 1889, when he was elected a judge of the district court of the second judicial dis- triet, in which position he served to the close of his term in 1894. In political faith. Judge Graham is a republican, and some years ago bore a prominent part in local elections. He was an industrious and efficient prosecutor, and on the bench met the expectations of the electors who placed him there. In 1891 he made a short tour of a part of Europe during the vacation of his court.

GRIFFIN, Heneage Mackenzie. This gen- tleman, now one of the most extensive mine owners in Clear Creek county, is the younger son of Alfred Griffin, Esq., barrister at law, of Branchdale, Staffordshire and Pell Wall Hall, Shropshire, England. by Elizabeth, only daughter of Commander Sandey, Royal Navy. Ile was born at 18 Oxford Square, London, June I. 1848, and educated at Christ Church, Oxford. Having completed his studies, Mr. Griffin traveled on the continent for two years, then came to America and commenced his business training in the great banking house of day Cooke & Co., in New York. In 1873 he made an extended tour of the United States and Canada and arrived in Colorado in 1874. Having traveled over a large part of the terri- tory, he selected Denver as his place of resi- dence and made some investments in real estate which proved very remunerative. In 1877 he purchased an Interest in the Seven- thirty silver mine near Georgetown. The fol- lowing year he took personal charge of this property and subsequently acquired the In- terests of his associates. Adjoining claims were purchased from time to time, and by thus avolding disputes and litigation, he was

rectly to the extensive development of this great property which now consists of some 60 claims grouped about the main Seven- thirty lode, and extending for 16 miles on known veins. By the exercise of sound judg- mont, careful economy and the application of improved methods, he was almost from the first enabled to perform the necessary de- velopment from the proceeds of the mine. and very shortly to realize a handsome profit upon the investment. Ilis judicious per- sonal supervision of every detail of

management and working of the mine brought him more and more gratifying results in the uniform and steadily increasing returns, until at present with a force of be- tween 100 and 150 men, the Seven-thirty group is putting out a larger amount of ore than over in its history, and is considered the steadiest producing and most profitable mine in Clear Creek county, and ranks as one of the best and most reliable properties in the state. The main shaft has been sunk a depth of 800 feet. and will ultimately be con- nected with the Burleigh Tunnel falso owned by Mr. Griffin), some 500 feet below the pres- ent lowest workings, while 4 miles of drifts. galleries and shafts driven on the vein prove it to be continuous and of constantly increas- ing value. Records of shipments of ore since Mr. Grithn assumed control show a net product of $1.100,000. Mr. Gritlin has also been interested in the Stevens group of mines of Clear Creek county, which, by the same careful management, he has put on a paying basis and placed with an English syndicate. holding the position with the company of managing director. Other remunerative in- vestments have claimed a share of his at- tention. From the foregoing brief sketch of Mr. Griffin's career it is seen that he is possessed of unusual business ability. In every enterprise undertaken he has proved himself to be a most successful manager, and by the excellent use he has made of the op- portunities afforded him in Colorado has ae- cumulated a large and valuable estate, and independent wealth. Mr. Grithn is a life member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, and associate member of the Coky rado Seientitie soclety, a director in the Rol- lins Investment company of Denver, and an officer in several other corporations.

GILL, Samuel G., was born in Louisville. Ky .. in 1817, and educated in the public schools of that city. After leaving school, he was employed as a clerk for one year in a large tobacco warehouse in his native city. and then became cashier of a street railway company, which position he resigned in 1804. to accept the post of assistant cashier to Gen. Robert Allen. A. Q. M. Gen., U. S. A. In IS65 he was a book-keeper for the Western I'nion Telegraph company. On account of impaired health he took a trip to Colorado in IS66, and remained In the latter state four months. After

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returning to Louisville, he went to New Or- ington, Mo., going from there to Sedalia, when leans, where he acted as assistant reporter of it had only one house. Realizing the need of more education, he returned to Ohio, and after some preparation, entered Oberlin college, tak- ing a partial course, followed by a full course in a commercial school. He again started West. arriving at Denver when it was a vit-

the gold and cotton market. Three months later he was given charge of the same kind of an office in Charleston, S. C., and, although it was a business entirely new to the mer- chants of that city, he established it on a pay- ing basis, and returned to Louisville in 1867. lage, then went to Central City, spending a In 1869, through the efforts of Col. Bristow, a friend of Mr. Gill, the latter was appointed a postal clerk on the L. & N. R. R. In 1870 he was made a deputy U. S. marshal and census taker. but failing health compelled him to re- sign the positions. He then left home for good, and located in Chicago, where he was employed as cashier in a large commission house, In 1871 he came to Colorado, and kept books for Rogers, Bradley & Co., a commis- sion and furniture house in Denver. In 1872 he was made secretary and manager of the Denver "Tribune association." He was the general bookkeeper, in 1874, of the First National Bank of Denver, of which Hon. Jer-

short time at mining. Being called East, he made a trip with three companions in a boat down the Platte river to Portsmouth. Neb. Soon after his arrival in Ohio he embarked in the warehouse and grain business with one of his brothers, who, desiring the short road to wealth, speculated too heavily, and in two months wrecked the concern. He then engaged in the produce shipping business, which he followed for three years with some success. He again came West, stopping at St. Louis, Omaha, Cheyenne and Green River. Wyo. Learning of some gold mines 110 miles north of the latter place, he started alone and on foot for the diggings. During ome D. Chaffee was president and D. II. the night he reached the camp of two freight- ers bound for the mines with two wagons loaded with goods, and in their company ar- rived in five days at South Pass. He located at Atlantie, and opened a store in a cabin. with a box for a counter, and two boards for shelves. The mines were not rieh and the Indians were very troublesome, many men los- ing their lives around the camp. Nevertheless he lived there nearly three years, when, in company with the men he met on his lonely tramp going to the mines, they started over- land for Denver, arriving in the summer of 1871. That fall he opened a grocery store in Denver, which was the nucleus of his subse- quent gratifying success. In 1875 he went to Ohio and married Miss Sarah E. Snyder of Ross county, returned to Denver with his

Moffat, cashier, and continued with them for six years. in 1880 he went to Gunnison and started the Bank of Gunnison, of which Hon. Il. A. W. Tabor was president, and himself cashier. In 1881 he, with Gov. Tabor, estab- lished the Bank of Crested Butte. He made a heroic stand in the legislature of 1881 against the division of Gunnison county, and suc- ceeded in defeating the bill. In 1SS3 he or- ganized the Iron National Bank, and with his partner bought the controlling interest in the First National Bank of Gunnison, which stood the monetary panie of 1893, maintain- ing fifty per cent. of its cash resources. In the fall of 1892 Mr. Gilt was elected to the legislature on the republican ticket by a ma- jority of nearly 200, in a county that gave 300 majority against President Harrison, In bride, and in 1878 entered the general mer- Jan., 1871, he married Miss Talbott, of Net- son county, Ky., and has two daughters. They have a beautiful home in Gunnison.

cantile business, and as the city increased in population, opened branch stores, having five in operation at one time. For four years he was the treasurer of all the schools in West Denver. He has accumulated considerable property and is a large taxpayer.

GILDERSLEEVE, George W .; merchant, is descended from the old sturdy Dutch stock that assisted in settling not only New York. but the New England colonies, his ancestors GARDNER. J. Frank, farmer, was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., Nov. 2, 1833; moved to Nebraska in 1856, and thenee to Colorado in 1859. locating about thirty miles south of the present site of Denver, on Cherry creek, emigrating from Holland to America in the early part of the eighteenth century. He was born on a farm, Oet. 12, 1839, in Delaware county, Ohio. Itis chances for securing an education in those days were very at what is now known as Frankstown, a min-

bneager, as he was obliged to spend iature city named in his honor. Few of Coto- rado's pioneers have occupied a more promi- nent position in the making of its early his- tory. He was clerk of Douglas county from its organization to 1863, and treasurer from 1866 to 1870. During the Indian raid of 1864, the settlers of the divide country, with their families, went into camp at the old California ranch and built a fort, of which Mr. Gardner was made commandant, and so remained un- til he was mustered into the U. S. service as most of his time clearing and improving the land for crops. llis father died when George was six years old, and at the age of seventeen he built for his mother a neat frame house. lle then taught a district school for a time, and from his seant earn- ings saved enough money to start out in the world, first going to St. Louis, then to Potter county in the western part of Missouri, where he spent one summer; then went to Kansas City, and after a short stay, to Topeka, Kan. sergeant of company M. 3rd Colo. cavalry. in The following summer he spent at Lex- September of that year. In 1866 he repre-

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sented Douglas county in the legislature. be- studying with great care the better standard ing again elected in 1872; served in the state Senate of 1877-80, and again in 1889-91: was appointed commissioner of the Ute Indians in Utah, in 1882, and held the appointment of Indian agent at the Ouray Agoney from 1883 to 1586. Jan. 13, 1867, he married Miss Helen J. Knox, who has borne him five children. one son and four daughters, all of whom are now living. Ile is passing the declining years of an active. useful and honorable life in the quiet shades of his home on the farm, still serving his county in the capacity of com- missioner.

GABRIEL, John H., lawyer, was born at Postville. Green county. Wis .. Feb. 4. 1862, and resided there until 1881. His early educa- tion was received in the public schools, and he was subsequently graduated from the high school at Monroe, finally finishing his educa- tional course with four years' sindy at the university of Wisconsin, after which he do- cided to enter the legal profession, and by a two years' course in the law school at Madi- son, he was admitted to the bar. He did not. however, immediately enter into practice, but taught school for two years in North Dakota. and visited at St. Paul, Minn. Ho came to Colorado in Dee., 1889, and located at Den- ver, where he began practicing law with Mr. J. Warner Mills, assisting that gentleman also with the compilation of that well-known legal authority. "Mills' Annotated Statutes." In the preparation of this valuable work Mr. Gabriel acquired such an intimate acquaint- ance with the decisions rendered in the state, that he was especially selected by the Senate of the Ninth General Assembly to act as clerk of the judiciary committee and assist in drawing up several important measures. Sept. 1. 1893, Mr. Gabriel was appointed seere- tary to the state board of charities and vor- rections, which office also carried with it the secretaryship of the state board of pardons. and his efficiency in filling these important po- sitions has never been questioned. He is a hard reader, an earnest worker and has a re- tentive memory.

GRIFFITH, David, state inspector of coal in the drug trade. That year he came to Den- mines, was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, ver, remaining until May of the following year, then went to Baker's Park, the present site of Silverton, and mined and prospected during the summers of 1873-71-75. In Jan .. 1STG. he left Denver with an ox team, and went to Pueblo, where he loaded on a sawmill and started for the vicinity of Fort Lewis. where he arrived in the following May. Shortly afterward he engaged in freighting and prospecting, with prosperous results, until Jan., 1851, when he went to Alamosa and bought an interest in the book and stationery store Feb. 1. 1856. His parents were born and mar- rled in Carmarthenshire, but afterward re- moved to Glamorganshire. David was the chl- est of four children. Before he had reached the age of ten years he was put to work in a coal mine as trapper. receiving about twenty cents a day. At length he became helper to a miner, when his compensation was advanced to twenty-four cents per diem. Finally he gave up mining and started to learn the blacksmith's trade, but after work- Ing ten months at thirty-six cents a day, re- of Hayt & Co. This he conducted for a year turned to coal mining, which he has followed and a half under the firm name of Goody- up to the present time. Ile worked In the koontz & Gault, meeting with fine success. deep shafts of South Wales, in the daytime. He afterward removed to La Plata county and attended night schools, taking up and and engaged in the grocery business, and at

works on coal mining. In 1852 he came to the United States, arriving in Colorado, May 5, that year, and went to Erie, where, after two months' waiting. ho secured work in the Nathrop shaft. In Feb .. 1883, he went to Como, wrought in the mines there nearly a year, and then went to Crested Butte, arriv- ing a few days after the terrible explosion which occurred there Jan. 24. 1854, and was employed in the same mine. Later on he was appointed fire boss. continuing until July, 1×5, when he was transferred to the Cameron mine at Walsenburg, in the same capacity. In May, 1886, he went back to his native land. Oct. 11. 1886, he married Mary Anne Howells. and Nov. 4 they sailed for the United States. reaching Walsenburg on the 23d. following. where he resumed hisold position in the mines. but a short time after was promoted to pit boss at the Robinson mine. In 199 he l'e- signed and took a position as tire boss under the Colorado Fuel company, at Sopris. In the fall of 1890 he was made mine foreman for the Trinidad Fuei company, at Forbes, which he held three years, then took a like position with the United Coal company. During this time he became a student of the "Correspond- ence School of Mines," of Scranton. Pa. To this course of study he ascribes much of his success in passing the examination for the othce of inspector of coal mines. In the ex- amination held in July, 1893, the board awarded him 908 per cent .. yet Governor Waite refused to appoint him to the place. In JJan., 1525, the board was again called, and awarded him 99.6 per cent., when he was ap- pointed inspector by Governor MeIntire. He has been a close student of the better authori- ties in coal mining and has received, in addi- tion, much valuable aid from ex Inspector John McNeil.

GOODYKOONTZ, Floyd M., ex-auditor of State, was born in Wayne county. Ind .. Feb. 29, 1819, and remained at the place of his nativity until 1854, when the family removed to lowa, where he was educated and laid the foundation for an honorable career. Ilo re- mained in Iowa until 1822. principally engaged

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the same time was postmaster at La Plata City. He continued mining and freighting until 1887. then went to Cortez, being the pioneer of that town; erected the first building on the present town site and opened a restan- rant. Noon he engaged with a ditch company and continued with it until 1890, when he was appointed deputy assessor of Montezuma county. At the expiration of that time he engaged in clerking and freighting until 1892, when, in connection with R. E. Scott, he es- tablished grocery

at Cortez, which they continued to operate until the fall of 1892. when he received the nomination for auditor of state on the populist ticket, and was elected by a large majority. During 1878, 1879 and 1880 he was clerk of the dis- triet court of La Plata county and part of that time was also clerk of the county court. He has led a somewhat adventurous life on the frontier, being frequently called upon to head parties organized to put down violence and crime, having arrested by his own un- aided efforts several noted desperados and criminals whom theregular peace officers dare l not molest. lle has frequently been in positions of peril from hostile Indians and reservation renegades, when only his coolness and per- sonal bravery extricated him. By his integ- rity, strict devotion to the principles of jus- tice and honesty, by his constant opposition to all raids upon the state treasury, he won the esteem of the public, irrespective of party affiliations.

GRAY, A. B., editor and politician, was born at Pepin, Wis., in 1866, acquired his education in the public schools, was gradu- ated from the high school of his native town, and subsequently took a business course in order to especially fit himself for editorial and general newspaper work, which he had chosen for his professional career. Ile then went to Bismarck, Dak., and purchased a half in- terest in a weekly farm paper, where began his career in newspaper life. In 1889 he re- moved to Fargo, and established the official organ of the democratic party of the state of North Dakota. Showing marked ability in his writings and political efforts, he was chosen secretary of the first democratic state conven- tion held in North Dakota, and by the aid of his paper did much toward the support and success of his party. Desiring a larger field for his literary and political labors, Mr. Gray came to Colorado in the spring of 1892, and purchased the "Enterprise," at Rocky Ford. This paper he conducted successfully for one year, but in 1893 he decided to locate at Florence, and accordingly moved there and established the Florence "News;" he is also a half owner of the La Junta "Times." Being impressed with the principles of the populist party, he espoused their cause, and was chosen secretary of the state central com- mittee during the campaign of 1894. On the organization of the Senate of the Tenth Gen-

eral Assembly. Mr . Gray was elected secretary by the combined votes of the populist and democratic members of that body.

GRESSWELL, Charles, the present state veterinarian, was born in Louth, Lincolnshire, England, in 1854, and educated at the Louth grammar school, which is considered one of the oldest in that country, having been estab- lished in the reign of King Edward the VI. He is a descendant of Sir. Philip Sidney, General of the Horse under Queen Elizabeth, and who died at the battle of Zutphen. After leaving school he pursued a course of com- parative anatomy at Oxford, supplemented by a full three and a half years' course at the London Veterinary college, and was gradn- ated at the Royal college of veterinary sur- geons, London, in 1875, at the age of twenty years. The following four years he practiced with his father. Mr. Daniel Gresswell, one of the leading veterinarians of England, and a gentleman of considerable standing in the Midland counties. Afterward, Dr. Gresswell removed to Nottingham, started business on his own account and soon acquired a large and lucrative practice. His health becoming impaired, he was advised to try a change of climate, therefore, in ISSS, he came to Colo- rado. Regaining his health, he associated himself with some English capitalists in elab- orate chlorination experiments at Valverde, where an $80,000 plant was erected. The com- pany itself was a failure,but the results of the experiments are now being used in Da- kota and Australia with great success. In 1890 he resumed his veterinary practice, and in 1893 was appointed state veterinarian. He stands at the top of his profession and holds English diplomas and certificates for many and varied offices. Ile was consulting veter- inary surgeon of the Royal Agricultural so- ciety for Nottinghamshire, consulting advisor to three of the most prominent racing studs in Great Britain, in Newmarket, Epsom and Birmingham, member of the first board of ex- aminers of the Hunters Sire premium show, held under the auspices of the government, and member of the final examining board for veterinary surgeons of Great Britain, when the diplomas of the Royal college of veterinary surgeons are distributed, the greatest honor that can be conferred upon a veterinarian in the United Kingdom. His full titles are M. R. C. V. S. and F. V. M. A. He has done con- siderable literary work in this country, and is joint anthor of the veterinary text books published by Balliere, Tindall & Cox and other noted publishers.

GILL, H. C., is a native of Alabama; came to Colorado in 1877, and settled in Larimer county. He subsequently removed to El Paso county and then to the Divide, and later on to Florissant; at each of these places he operated a sawmill, and in the meantime cut lumber for the Midland railroad. His was the first saw- mill introduced in that part of the state.

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In 1800 he went to Spinney, Park county, ployment on a steamboat which plied on the where he still follows the sawmill business. Ohio and Mississippi rivers. The same year, however, he returned to Cincinnati and em- barked in the business of buying and selling horses, In 1863 he was employed by General He is interested in mines in both Pitkin and El Paso counties and owns real estate in each. Ile is a member of the order of Odd Fellows: is a self made man, and enjoys the Grant and continued in the service of that respect of a great many friends.

GRAVES, Oliver. Thrown npon his own resources at the early age of fourteen years, his opportunities for acquiring an education were very limited. He was born in Brook- field, Vt., in 1813, and is now one of the few octogenarians among the Colorado pioneers. He moved from Vermont to Monroe, Franklin county, N. Y., where he resided four years. and in 1844 went to Illinois and settled in De Witt county and subsequently at Blooming- ton, that state. He went to California in 1850. but returned to Bloomington the following year, engaged in mercantile pursuits for three years and then became a farmer. and re- mained on his farm nutil 1859, when he came to Colorado. He moved his family to the state in 1860. located between Golden and Black Hawk and tried his fortune at mining and prospecting. In 1862 he moved to a tract of land near the town of Arvada, on the old Boulder road, which he improved by erecting thereon a log cabin and planting trees. He built his present residence in 1882. and now has one of the most desirable country homes in that neighborhood. His first mar- riage was with Miss Emily Adams. They had four children, but only one survives-Emily Bradley. Ile married his second wife in 1845 and by this union they have had five children, all of whom are living.

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 76

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