History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 85

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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Missouri militia against the Younger and James gangs, and was in several thrilling hand-to-hand conflicts with them. Starting to the Missouri university the next year after the war, he graduated from Kentneky univer- sity at Lexington in 1870, and went South for his health. Teaching school and publishing a country newspaper in French and English for one year, during which he had to fight a duel, he was invited to New Orleans to edit the leading republican paper in the South. April 26,1871,he married Modeste Caillier, descended from one of the noted French colonial families of Louisiana. As editor of the New Orleans "Republican," he inaugurated the movement to re-elect the hero of Appomattox for a sec- ond term, and on the 12th of June, 1871, he carried a resolution through the convention of the state republican editors indorsing Grant. le carried it in a most turbulent convention, at the peril of his life, and against the bitter leans railroad was organized by Denver cap- opposition of Gov. Warmoth's liberal or Greeley republican state administration. In this tierce campaign in Louisiana he earned the gratitude of Gen. Grant, who offered him the consulate of Bordeaux, but he declined it to accept the more lucrativo office of harbor mas- ter of New Orleans. At this time he furnished the material for a great speech by Senator Morton of Indiana, on the Louisiana question. While holding this office he graduated from the law department of theuniversity of Louisi- ana, and was admitted by the supreme court. but never practiced. lle wrote many of the appeals of the New Orleans Chamber of Com- merce, which resulted in the construction of the "Eads' jetties." On the 14th of Sept., 186-1, Mr. Leet fought at the side of Gen. Long- street, in the bloody battle at the foot of Canal street, in New Orleans, in which the Kellogg republican state government was overthrown by the White league, In 1876 he worked hard for the election of Hayes, giving up a nomination to Congress for the sake of

italists. After reporting the state Senate of the winter of ISSO-SI for three newspapers, Mr. Loet opened a real estate office, although continuing an irregular connection with the city press. lle wrote the editorial that led to the building of the Tabor opera house. He also first proposed the Windsor hotel, the I'mion depot, the court house, City hall, the first sewers and many other splendid improve- ments. lle is the author of much of the lit- erature that has called the world's attention to Denver. Ilis real estate reviews, pamphlets and exhaustive articles in behalf of the city and state are too numerous to mention. After the silver panic of 1893, when the world sup- posed that the state was crushed and the elty abandoned, an article from his pen on "Colo- rado's Bright Outlook," was published in the dan., 1894, number of the "North Amerlean Review" and was ropublished everywhere, even in Europe. It put a new face on the situ- ation and brought the state's fresh gold de- velopments for the first time effectively to party harmony, and risking his life in several the front. In the fall of 1891 he was secretary riotous encounters inaugurated by the White of the Denver business men's league, organ- league, but after the state was lost by the ized avowedly to restore Colorado's credit by overthrowing populism. His famous letter

negleet of the national committee he refused to be a party to the returning board proceed- denouncing populist rule in this state was Ings, by which the electoral vote of Louisiana pronounced by the St. Paul "Pioneer Press" was counted for the republicans Being re- to be "the most telling indictment ever drawn

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against any political party in auy state in ing thereby cut off, he was obliged to leave the Union," and was used as a campaign doeu- ment by thousands of papers to defeat popu- lism all the way from Minnesota to Georgia. In 1881 Mr. Leet was one of the active pro- moters of the Circle road and mining expo- sition. In 1884 he helped to found the Cham- ber of Commerce and Real Estate Exchange. In 1585 he induced the city to buy Lincoln park, which turned ont to be a great bargain for the people. He earried it through in the face of a storm of abuse. In 1886 he went to Wyoming to help found the town of Douglas. and missed a fortune on real estate options which he surrendered in Denver, for a boom came on before he could get back. In 1887 he presided over the first rapid transit meeting in Denver, subscribed the first share to the Montelair road, and helped raise $100,000 bonus for the Colfax cable. In nearly all pub- lic meetings to promote the interests of the city he has been called on to take a promi- nent part. While adhering to bis determina- tion not to re-enter politics as a business, he has generally been a delegate to republican conventions. In the spring of 1890 he was the foreman of the grand jury which indicted the state officials and contractors, and brought on a reform movement throughout the state. That fall, in a bitter factional fight. he was elected by the "Gang Smashers," on a test vote, president of the turbulent Fifteenth street theater republican convention. Ile stood firmly against the threats of the "gang." which bolted and was defeated at the polls. In the Trans-Mississippi congress in 1891, in Denver, he took a leading part in committing that body to the cession of the arid lands to the states. In the same congress at Ogden, in 1893, he made a speech against the Nicaragua canal that was telegraphed over the country. In the county republican convention in 1894 he was selected as leader of the business men's and women's delegates. About the same time he was the sole representative of the Denver Chamber of Commerce in the National Irri- gation congress. He has handled millions of dollars' worth of Denver real estate. IIe platted Garden Place, Leet's Apex, Peabody's Ileights, Platte Farm and Leetsdale. In the spring of 1895 he was elected alderman from the new 14th ward for the express purpose of securing to the town of Harmon the city im- provements which were promised if she would vote to annex to Denver. Mr. Leet has a pleasant family of two grown daughters and a young son. lle is an old member of the Denver Athletic club.

college and earn his own livelihood. Unable to enter the army, by reason of tender years, he took a clerkship and also served as book- keeper in a store at his native place, where he remained two years. In the spring of 1865 he came to Colorado, and soon after was ap- pointed chief clerk to the collector of internal revenue in Denver. In the fall of 1869 he was elected county superintendent of public schools, a position which at that time required organizing ability, energy, force and sys- tematic methods, for the schools of the city were sadly in need of careful and thorough management. He entered upon the work with an intelligent conception of the public need in that direction, organized the several dis- triets in the county and put them in working order. From that time forward more grati- fying progress was made, and the public in- terest in the subject began to feel results commensurate with the effort to establish a new and better regime. In 1870 the reputa- tion thus gained eaused him to be selected by Governor MeCook for territorial superintend- ent of public instruction, which extended the scope of his usefulness. The result of his ob- servations in the wider field, the importance of further legislation, more funds, a uniform system of text books, were fully set forth in his annual report for that year. Reappointed in 1872, he continued the work until the fall of 1873, effecting numerous changes and im- provements, when he resigned,and, until Sept., 1875, was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In the year last named he was elected clerk and recorder of Arapahoe county, re-elected in 1877 and a third time in 1879. Prior to this, however, in 1873, he was elected to the school board of East Denver, serving three years. This was the board which first employed Prof. Aaron Gove. Mr. Lothrop was eminently clerical by nature and practice. He was a faithful and efficient officer. Ile was also an influential politician, an excellent organizer and campaigner, a fact which all his contem- poraries were compelled to recognize. His prestige in the local field caused him to be made chairman of the republican state central committee, and the manager of that party in the stirring eampaign of 1884, as the successor of ex-Senator J. B. Chaffee, the greatest leader that party in Colorado has ever known. He conducted the canvass with signal ability, electing every man on the ticket. With this exception he has not been prominently identi- fied with politics since the expiration of his last term as county elerk. Ilaving invested his surplus earnings, from time to time, in real

LOTHROP, Wilbur C., a prominent business man. was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Sept. estate, when the city was young, and the lots 25, 1845. After a preparatory course in the and lands much cheaper than they are now, public schools he entered Kenyon college at the increased value has made him a respectable Gambier, in the same state, but before he fortune. In 1883 he built the large and fine could complete his studies in that institute the block which bears his name, on the site of his civil war occurred, and the financial assistance home at the cornerof Lawrenceand Eighteenth which up to that historic event he had received streets. He was one of the builders of the from a brother then living in New Orleans, be- Baptist church on Stout street, and one of the

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HISTORY OF COLORADO.

leading members of that society, especially allurgy, Prof. Gregory Board, at the Valley serviceable in collecting funds and manag- Smelting works, near Golden, for a thorough practical education in the reduction of ores. In 1880 he went to Gunnison as an engineer and assayer, and spent 1553-81 in his profes- ing its financial affairs. For some years past he has been quite an extensive dealer in city real estate and farm lands. He is the owner of the Culverton stock farm of 880 acres, situ- sion at Leadville. In 1885-86 he built and op- ated nine miles northwest of Denver.

LIDDELL, Oliver B., lawyer and jurist. was born Nov. 3. 1543. near Guilford. Dearborn county, Ind., educated in the public schools, and later entered Brookville college, from which institution he was graduated in June, 1861, at the age of seventeen years. In Ang .. 1862. he enlisted in the GSth Ind. volunteers, and was afterward promoted for gallant ser- vice on the field to 1st lieutenant of company E. Being attached to the Army of the Cumber- land, his regiment was the last to cover the retreat at the battle of Chickamauga, the bloodiest and hardest fought battle of the re- bellion. Ho commanded his company at the battle of Nashville, which was one of the first in scaling Mission Ridge. At the close of the war, in 1865. he was mustered out of service, and began the study of law. In 1866 he was appointed 2nd lieutenant of the 18th infantry. regular army, by President Johnson, and was sent to Fort Morgan, where he was stationed until 1867. While at the Fort he held the offices of post-adjutant, post-quartermaster and post-commissary, all at the same time. He resigned in 1867 and returned to Indiana, resumed the study of law, and was admitted to the bar the same year, practicing law in that stato for fifteen years. He wasacandidate for district judge of Lawrence county, on the republican ticket. but thecounty being largely democratic he was defeated. In 1852 he came to Colorado and located in Denver, where he has sinee practiced his chosen profession with fine success. In 1889 he was appointed judge of the district court of Arapahoe county, by Governor Cooper, to serve out the balance of an unexpired term. On June 5. 1886, he mar- ried Miss Josephine Major of Lawrenceburg, Ind., whose ancestors were the first settlers in that state, of authentic record. Mr. Liddell Is an active and prominent member of the Masonic order. Loyal Legion and G.A.R .. and also of the Methodist churchi.

LARIMER, Gen. Wm. See Vol. II. page 2.11.

erated sampling works at Gunnison. In 1887 he went to Ouray, and later engaged in ore sampling and buying under the firm name of Lee & Kedzie. In the political campaign of 1592 he was appointed secretary of the repub- lican state central committee, and subse- quently had charge of the Moffat-Smith prop- erties at Leadville. In the spring of 1895 he was appointed state commissioner of metallif- erous mines by Governor Molntire.

LEE, Henry, merchant. was born of Scotch ancestry, Oct. 30, 18-11. Attracted to this state at an early day, he has lived through all the vicissitudes of three decades, and witnessed the rise of a great commonwealth from a desert. He has taken prominent part in mak- ing the state what it is, and materially aided in laying the foundation for its brilliant fu- ture. Inheriting from his ancestors a rugged constitution. a resolute will and a practical. vigorous mind, he was fortunate in having these qualities supplemented with western views and liberal ideas. He lived in Iowa and obtained his education mostly while working at the printer's trade, which he pursued until about the time he left that state. He came to Colorado in 1865, and located in Jefferson county, where he resided until 1891, then came to Denver. He represented this county in the legislature during the third and fourth ses- sions of that body, and was a member of the Senate, serving through the fifth and sixth sessions. He etablished himself in the agri- cultural implement trade in Denver twenty- five years ago, and has succeeded in building up a business which now covers a wide seopo of territory. His long years of experience in farming implements and machinery give to his opinions in such matters great weight among the agricultural classes. to the great majority of whom he is personally known. In 1873 he married Miss Jennie Paul of Iowa City, Iowa. She is the daughter of George Paul, who was the first state printer of Iowa. They have three children-two sons and a daughter.

LEHOW, Oscar E., one of the original band of pioneer gold hunters in the Rocky Moun- tain region, immediately following the dis-

LEE, Harry A., state commissioner of mines. was born in Sparta, Randolph county, Ill .. Juno 28. 1857. He began the study of engineer- coveries reported by Green Russell and his Ing under competent guidance, and when only

Cherokee Indians. Ile was born in Northum- ten years of age commenced practical work in berland, Pa., Jan. 24. 1820. When he had mines. At fourteen he entered a machine reached the age of fifteen his father died. Therefore, like many young men, who, from shop, and two years later was made a master mechanic. He spent the next two years in such conditions, have hewn out their own fort- erecting mills and setting up machinery, then unes by the proper exercise of their inherent talents and the right direction of their on- carpenter and jolner, working at the same in took a course at the Illinois Industrial uni- versity in Champaign. In 1877-78 he was em- ergies, he began by learning a trade, that of a ployed in the lead mines of Joplin, Mo .. and Short Creek. Kan. He came to Colorado in Philadelphia and New York. In 1950 he went 1879 and joined his original instructor in met- to Charleston, S. C .. and there established a

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sash factory. In the spring of 1857, the year a location and a name, with but little visible of the great financial panie which convulsed prospect of the importance it has since at- the entire country, he removed to Belleview, tained. Nevertheless, some of the most im- Neh., and there engaged in contracting and portant factors in the rise and growth of Den- ver and the territory and state of Colorado sprang from its then uninviting and rather inhospitable conditions. Some time later he settled in Brownville, Neb., where he took up building until the fall of 1558, when he crossed the plains in search of better promises held out by reports, then just beginning to reach the border, that valuable gold placers had been found upon the South Fork of the Platte the real estate and lumber business; purchased and its tributaries. On arriving at the Cherry one-fourth of the town site, assisted in laying Creek encampment or trading post, now West off the town, built a sawmill, produced lum- Denver, there was but one solitary cabin in ber, and by every means at his command en- sight, that of old John Smith, the Indian guide deavored, but in vain, to make it a prosperous and trader. Following the example of all who community, In 1860 he brought his family came at that early date, he began prospecting to Colorado and established a new home in a for the yellow metal, but like all the rest was commodious log cabin, situated on North Clear disappointed in the results. But when John creek, just above the business center of Black Gregory and George A. Jackson proclaimed Hawk, where for sixteen years he was a well their discoveries of large deposits in the moun- recognized and higlily successful factor in the twin pursuits of mining and milling precious tains, he went up the Vasquez Fork and ex- amined Jackson's diggings on Chicago creek, ores, mainly from the "Field" claim on the but soon passed on to Spanish bar, a mile famous Bobtail lode. He was the agent and above. where he and Andrew Sagendorf staked out and worked one of the better claims on that har. Mr. Lehow shortly afterward sold his interest to a party of incoming emi- grants for $4,000, taking pay in cattle, horses, etc. It will be recalled by those who have followed the course of our history that Wm. N. Byers and his comrade, Mr. Henry Allen, on returning from their exploration of the Up- per Clear Creek valley, found Lehow and Sagendorf staking out claims and preparing to open them. This was in May, 1859. In the fall of that year Mr. Lebow, whose early life had been passed on a farm, and who had lit- tle taste for the laborious work of mining. selected a fine ranch elaim on Plum creek, and to it moved his live stock. In the summer he located another ranch near the mouth of Platte (añon, taking his brother, Mr. C. L. who arrived in the spring, into partnership. These two carried on the business of farm- ing and stock raising at that place until 1870. In the meantime, however, Oscar located still another tract of about 1,600 acres in the San Luis valley, which he enelosed with a fence and whereon he placed about 1,000 head of cattle. In Sept., 1878, he again took up the pursuit of mining near Silver Cliff, there be- ing only two eabins in the town at that time. He became a fixed resident of Denver in 1873, having accumulated a satisfactory fortune from the various pursuits enumerated in the foregoing rapid sketch. He died in Denver, March 11, 1894, and was buried in Fairmont Cemetery. manager for Mr. J. F. Field, the fortunate owner of thirty-three feet on the lode men- tioned, which proved the richest section of that remarkable fissure vein, operating the mine and reducing its products in a 25-stamp mill. He subsequently administered upon the estate of his patron, who died in 1878. lle was active in public affairs, in promoting good government, proper public improvement, the establishment of schools and churches, and the advancement of the general welfare; was chosen a member of the city council of Black Hawk a number of times, and in that capacity labored earnestly in the causes named. In 1876 he was elected to the House of representatives of the First General Assem- bly where like efficiency marked his efforts. In the fall of 1878 he disposed of his property in Black Ilawk and removed to Leadville, where he purchased a quarter interest in the water company of that city, then in the formative stage, and by a subsequent pur- chase of stock increased his holding to a one- third interest. For three years he held the offices of secretary and treasurer of the com- pany. In 1882 the stock, franchise and prop- orty were sold to Chicago parties, and in 1885 Mr. Lake transferred his residence from the mountains to Arapahoe county, having pur- chased a fine ranch, consisting of 300 acres, situated in the beautiful and productive val- loy of Bear creek, about ten miles above Den- ver. This is noted as one of the most exten- sively cultivated and valuable agricultural properties of its size in the northern division of the state. In the fall of 1882 he bought a considerable interest in the Manville (now Elgin) smelter at Leadville.

LAKE, H. W., farmer, was born in the town of Tully, Onondaga county, N. Y., Sept. 25, 1832, where he remained until the age of nineteen, attending the district school in win- LAMBERT, John J., soldier and journalist. known all over Colorado as the owner and publisher of the Pueblo "Chieftain," was born in Ireland, Jan. 29, 1837. When only twelve ter, and working on his father's farm during the other seasons. Ilis education was rounded out and perfected at the Homer academy near by, and he afterward became a teacher in years of age be accompanied his parents to that institute. In the fall of 1854 he came America. They settled in Dubuque, Iowa. west to Omaha, when that place had simply

where John was educated, and afterward ap-

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prenticed to the printer's trade, which he fol- lowed until 1861. At the outbreak of our civil war he entered the Union army and served throughout the war, first as lieutenant, and later as captain of Company 1. 9th lowa volun- teer cavalry. His regiment was mustered out in the spring of 1866, and immediately after- ward he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the 5th U. S. regular infantry, which served on the frontier. For five years he was post ad- jutant, quartermaster and commissary at Fort Reynolds, some twenty miles below Pueblo. In the spring of 1870 he purchased the "Chief- tain" newspaper, and placed his brother in charge as manager. In 1872 he resigned from the army and assumed personal control of this investment. Ilis later experience in the service, combined with excellent natural qual- ifications for the conduct of business affairs, supported by strong common sense. all of which gave him high standing, soon brought this enterprise to the front as one of the lead- ing political influences of the territory, a prestige that has steadily expanded with the years. In 1879 he built a fine briek office building near the center of the city. The Daily "Chieftain" has the most extended eir- culation of any journal published outside of Denver, and is the only other paper in the state which is a full member and stock- holder in the associated press. It is well edited. and especially well managed. Capt. Lambert has, in an eminent degree, the quali- ties of mind and heart which command the esteem of his fellow men wherever known. His life has been pure and upright. The policy of his paper is essentially his own, and the result of well-founded convictions. 11

deals with men and the material issues of polities with ungloved hands, and in all cam- paigns exerts a power greater than that of any other journal south of the Divide. May 14, 1800, he was appointed receiver of the U. S. land office at Pueblo for the term of four years. This is the only public trust which he has aspired to or held. Though quiet and reticent, constantly industrious, working un- der perfect method and with rapidity, it is a pleasure to meet and converse with him. Among his brethren of the press he is hell in high esteem, the outgrowth of their apprecia- tion of both his manliness and the breadth of power his journal wields.

render of Vicksburg, the battle of Tupelo, Nashville and the siege and capture of Mobile; at the latter two places his bravery be- ing so conspicuous as to attract the at- tention of his superior officers. After the surrender of Vicksburg his battery was transferred to the 16th army corps, and subsequently all the batteries of the corps were formed into a brigade, and Capt. Lowell placed in command. While holding this posi- tion he finished his service in the army, being Innstered out Sept. 5, 1865. After receiving his discharge from the army, Mr. Lowell lo- cated in Sycamore, Ill., and engaged in the book and stationary trade in which he con- tinned one year, then removed to Wisconsin and engaged in the lumber business, which he followed successfully four years. At this time he accepted the agency for several of the more prominent eastern manufacturers in Salt Lake City, Utah, and remained in that city until 1881, when he came to Colorado. and, in connection with Hon. Geo. M. Scott and James Glendenning, engaged in the cattle business under the name of the Lily Park Stock Growers' association. Starting in with but seven hundred cattle. the associ- ation has grown to be the largest and most important in the northwestern portion of the state, and the methodical plan and system upon which everything is conducted gives assurance that the growth of the association will be fully as great in the future as it has been in the past. In the fall of 1892 he was elected to the House of representatives from the counties of Routt and Rio Blanco with but little opposition. His record as a legislator was marked by great industry and honesty of purpose, and by a faithful consid- oration of the interests of the people he repre- sented.

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 85

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