History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 89

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company
Publication date: 1889-95
Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co.
Number of Pages: 791

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HISTORY OF COLORADO.

his career in that state. It is sufficient to Allegany county, N. Y .. and removed in 1845 relate that he became a furious politician and to Caledonia, Livingston county, N. Y., where lie received a common school education. In Ang., 1861, he enlisted in company B, 100th regiment. N. Y. volunteer infantry, and served with that regiment as an enlisted man under General MeClellan through the Chickahominy campaign, taking part in the battles of Wil- liamsburg, Fair Oaks and the seven days' fight on the retreat from Richmond to the James river at Harrison's Landing; he was subsequently commissioned as lieutenant of company G. 21st N. Y. cavalry, and served until the close of the war in the Shenandoah valley, Va .; was appointed additional aid on the staff of General David Hunter during his campaignagainst Lynchburg. Colonel Strother (Port Crayon) and Charles G. Ualpin (Miles O'Reilly) were also members of the staff at the same time. At the close of the war he was ordered with his regiment to Colorado. July 13, 1866, he was minstered out of service with the rank of captain. After a brief visit to New York, he located near Fort Collins, Colo. In 1875 he was elected a member of the lower House of the last territorial legis- lature, and Oct. 30, 1876, was elected a mem- ber of the first state General Assembly. In the fall of 1878 he was elected secretary of state and re-elected in ISSO; in ISS3 was ap- pointed by President Arthur surveyor-gen- oral of Colorado, which office he held until the close of his term. In ISS6 he was nomi- nated and elected lieutenant-governor for the term of two years. In 1800 he was appointed by President Harrison receiver of public moneys of the Sterling land district, and in Jan., 1895, was appointed register of state lands, the position which he now holds. Mr. Meldrum has been an active and successful politician ahnost from the time he began to- siding in the state. Making his home near Fort Collins, Larimer county, he was long noted as its leading political force. During his residence near Fort Collins he was en- gaged in farming and stock raising. He was married in 1879 to Miss Susannah Warren, of Rush, Monroe county. N. Y .. and they now have a family of three children, two daugh- ters, Evelyn M. and Susie A., and one son. Gordon B. a powerful campaigner at the very outset after leaving schoot. In the fall of 1856 he went to Kansas Territory with the design to settle there, and the next spring took up his residence in Paola, entering upon the practice of his profession, and by his activity and success in the first causes undertaken, ac- quired a large and lucrative business. lle was engaged in many important cases and his industry and zeal, combined with his reputa- tion as an eloquent advocate. enabled him to achieve great success against some of the ablest lawyers in that region of country. The civil war coming on in 1861, the bitter animosities excited thereby greatly disturbed the business of the courts, and in due course Mr. Miller found himself unable to continue his practice in that state, and moreover the property that he had acquired was threatened with ruin. After clearing up the wreck, a small remnant remained, and with this he. in the spring of 1864, accompanied by his family, crossed the plains with an ox team and settled in Denver, llore he opened an office and re- engaged in legal practice in partnership with Mr. V. D. Markham. They remained together about ten years. Mr. Miller almost from the first attained a prominent position by reason of his power as an advocate in a number of celebrated cases, and by his effectiveness as a stump orator in the political campaigns of his party. In 1867 he was elected to the lower House of the territorial legislature from Arapahoe county. In that session he intro- duced and secured the passage of the home- stead and pre-emption law. He was largely instrumental, also, in securing the passage of the bill which resulted in the removal of the capital from Golden to Denver. In 1869 he was again elected to the House and was chosen speaker of that body, one of the very few democrats elevated to that position in Colorado. In the fall of 1870 he was nomi- nated for delegate to Congress against Jerome B. Chaffee, the leader of. the republican party, and after an extremely vigorous campaign, in which Mr. Miller stumped the territory, was defeated. He was chairman of the democratic central committee in 1875 and 1876, and was nominated for judge of the supreme bench at the convention held by that party in 1876, but was defeated with the balance of the ticket. Ile is a member of the I. O. O. 1, and also of the Presbyterian church. In ISSG he was elected county judge of Arapahoe county, succeeding Hon. B. F. Harrington. In 1889 he was re- elected to that very important office, and is the only democrat who has been chosen to that position. He is held in high regard for his knowledge of law, and it was the popular belief in his integrity which caused his elee- tion to that court, for the county is and always has been overwhelmingly republican.

MOORE, John Morse, merchant, was born July 2, 1819, in the town of Junius, Seneca county, N. Y. He lived on a farm, and was educated in the district school, afterward at- tending Cazenovia seminary, leaving there in 1540. Ile taught school in Junius and Tyre. and worked on the farm. llis father died when he was 10 years oldl. He married Ilan- nah Lisk. April 8, 1816: removed to Rochester, N. Y., In 1851; entered into the hardware busi- ness, the firm being Moore & Galen. The business was destroyed by fire in 1856, while velebrating the laying of the first Atlantie cable. He afterward engaged in the hard- ware business with Mr. Henry Hebing. now

MELDRUM, Norman H., register of state lands, was born Oct. 11, 1811, in Mixville, of Rochester, the firm being Moore & Hebing.

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Mr. Moore sold out in Rochester in 1864, and the risk of his life, resened her from her removed to Chicago, going into the commis- perilous position and placed her out of sion business at 197 South Water street, the danger. His unselfish action and intrepid firm being Hanson, Evans & Moore. He bravery wore attended, however, with disas- seemed to care more for the hardware trade. trous results, for barely had he hurried the lady out of all danger when he himself was caught in the crash and paid the penalty of his heroism as stated above. In Ang., 1879, he married Miss Sophia Llewelling of Trini- dad, who was the first American child born in Colorado south of the Arkansas river. His wife died Oct. 23. 1889, leaving tive children -three boys and two girls Miss Jennie Harry B., Llewellyn G., Robert C. and May. lle is a member of the 1. O. O. F. At the republican state convention held at Denver in the fall of 1894, he again received the nomi- nation for state treasurer. At the ensuing election his majority over the candidate who received the combined and earnest support of both the democratic and populist parties was very large, testifying to public apprecia- made in a beneficent cause. therefore disposed of his Chicago interest in 1865 and, in connection with Jacob Lisk, a brother-in-law, purchased a stock of hard- ware in Decatur, Mich. Here, in 1870, he met with his second and most disastrous loss by fire. After giving their creditors all that re- mained, he came to Denver in April of 1871, at the age of 52, with very little capital to start anew. In connection with his nephew, George T. Dell, he placed a small stock of hardware in the new colony of Longmont, but as Den- ver was better suited to his ideas of a trading center, he began in a small way here with a stock of heavy hardware and wagon supplies. This busines he continued to the time of his death, Oct. 26, 1883, the firm name being at that time J. M. Moore & Son. In religion he was of the liberal faith and at the time of his tion of his character and to the sacrifice he death was president of the board of trustees of the 1st Unitarian society of Denver. Those MURPHY, E. R., auditor of the Denver and Rio Grande railway company, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 24, 1843, where he re- mained until 1880. Ile attended the public schools of that city, finishing with a course at the Friends high school. lle then served of his family surviving him are his wife, Hannah L. Moore, his daughter, Mrs. E. C. Dewey, and two sons, Lucius L. and John A., who succeeded him in the business, the firm name now being "J. M. Moore's Sons."

MULNIX, Harry E., state treasurer, was as a clerk in a store for one year. lu 1862 he enlisted in company K. 12Ist Pa. volu- teers, remaining until the following year, when he went to Frankford arsenal, where for two years he was superintendent of the manufacture of shell fuses. The next two were spent in book-keeping, after which he entered the service of the Pennsylvania rail- way as clerk, from which position he was promoted chief clerk to the comptroller in 1875. In Nov .. ISSO, he received the appoint- ment of auditor of the Texas Pacific, and re- mained with that road in the capacity named until Nov .. 188], when he accepted a like position with the Denver and Rio Grande railway, and has continued with that road to the present time. As a soldier, clerk and railroad official he has enjoyed the confidence of his brother officials, and the respect of his fellow citizens.

born near the city of Pittsburg, Pa., Oct. 15. 1856. He attended the public schools, and was graduated from the high school of Pitts- burg, in the class of 1874. lle was then em- ployed as a clerk for twelve months, and afterward engaged for himself in the whole- sale cigar and tobacco trade. In 1878 he came to Colorado and located at Trinidad, where he embarked in the mercantile busi- ness. continuing until ISSS. In 1886 he he- came a railroad contractor, doing work for all the Colorado railroads, and securing con- tracts for a good portion of the more im- portant work done by them. He was a mem- ber of the city council of Trinidad for six years, and was president of that body for two terms, In 1892 he was nominated by the republican convention for state treasurer by acclamation. but owing to the peculiar con- dition of affairs which then existed, he, in MYERS, Julius A., banker and real estate broker, was born in Summit county, Ohio, in 1846. When he was ten years of age his par- ents moved to Defiance in the same state. Hle resided there until the breaking out of the civil war, and then joined the 11th Ohio cavalry, and served with it until the close of the war. Ilis regiment was then ordered West, and was stationed at Fort Laramie Wro., afterward taking part with Gen- on the Yellowstone and Powder rivers. Com- ing to Denver, he entered the employ of the Kansas Pacific R. R. company and later that of the Denver and Rio Grande railroad com- conjunction with the entire ticket. was de- teated. Mr. Mulnix. however, leading his as- sociates by 1,500 votes. He has always been a loyal and consistent republican, true to his party athliations, and doing all which hon- orably lies within his power to advance its interests. On July 23, 1891. while traveling on the Denver & Rio Grande railroad near Pueblo, he was so severely injured in a head- end collision as to necessitate the amputa- eral Connor's expedition against the Indians tion of his right leg on two different ofca- sions. When the accident occurred he was fortunate enough to escape without injury to himself, but learning that there was a lady in the wreck whose safety depended upon pany in the capacity of pay master, train immediate action, he rushed back, and. at master, and finally as superintendent. In

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HISTORY OF COLORADO.

1880 he was elected an alderman of Denver, but a disastrous conflagration that well nigh and later representative in the legislature, on the republican ticket. During the past ten years he has been engaged in the real estate and banking business, and has been instru- mental in erecting some of the better busi- ness blocks in Denver. He is an active mem- her of the G. A. R. and masonie orders, at- taining the highest degree in each. As junior partner in the widely known firm of Bennett & Myers he has been one of the largest and most successful real estate dealers in the city, and is one of its publie spirited and en- terprising citizens. The firm is also largely interested in real estate and mines in Cripple Creek, now one of the most active and pro- duetive gold mining districts of the world. The principal town was built upon lands owned by them. See history of Cripple Creek, this volume.

McFARLAND. Austin, railway man, was born March 6. 1845, at Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, where he was educated in the publie schools. In 1855 he accompanied his parents to Leavenworth. Kan. Entering the post office in 1857, he served in the deliv- ery department until 1864, at which time he entered the railway service under the general western passenger agent for the C., B. & Q. railway, in the capacity of assistant ticket agent, remaining until 1874, when he was ap- pointed general ticket agent for the Kansas City, St. Joe & Council Bluff's railway at At- chison. Kan., which he retained until 1879. when he again changed and accepted the position of general agent for the Hannibal & St. Joe, Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific railways at St. Joseph, Mo., which he occu- pied until 1884, when he resigned and entered upon the duties of ticket agent for the Denver and Rio Grande railway at Denver, Colo .. which he has held continuously to the present time. These positions of trust for thirty years in the railway service have rendered him one of the most proficient men of the day in that department. lle has invested somewhat in mines, and has secured interests in some Aspen properties that possess good future prospects. In 1868 he married Miss Mary Bogen of Kansas City, Mo., to whom have been born four children-one son and three daughters. Musie being a special five years Mr. MeCourt made a number of

feature in the children, the young ladies are being educated in Baltimore, Md. Miss Dora is an especially fine pianist, and the twin sis- ters Misses Mary and Marie-having superb voices, which are being carefully cultivated. are likewise making rapid proficiency on the piano, which in due time will be a source of delight in musical and social gatherings in Denver and elsewhere.

swept away the town. deprived him of his wealth, therefore his son was early com- pelled to seek employment for a livelihood. lle took a clerkship in a dry-goods store in his native place, but later on went to New York City, where he became general sales- man in a very large establishment. In 1883 he was appointed private secretary to his brother-in-law. Senator Il. A. W. Tabor. A year afterward he was made manager of the Tabor Grand opera house in Denver. Begin- ning his duties as ticket seller, he advanced by rapid progression to the headship of the guild in the West. It is a fact worthy of mention that this beautiful histrionic temple has from the day of its opening, in Sept., ISS1. been one of the most popular and profitable houses of public entertainment in the coun- try. Much of its prosperity is properly as- cribable to Mr. MeCourt's shrewd activity in perfecting what is known as the "Silver theatrical circuit," established by his prede- cessor, but on a very limited scale as com- pared with the present structure: that is to say. he has secured by lease or other agree- ment, for the use and benefit of companies traveling to and from the Pacific coast. the intermediate opera houses in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Trinidad, Leadville, Aspen and Grand Junction in Colorado. Provo, Park City, Salt Lake City and Ogden in Utah, all conducted by and in connection with the Tabor Grand. As the years passed and Mr. Tabor's business interestsdeveloped into many new enterprises. the minor details of the opera house man- agement were left to trustworthy subordi- mates, which gave him liberty to meet the demands of the Tabor Investment company in its rapidly expanding transactions in min- ing. milling, real estate and building con- tracts. He was chosen vice-president and treasurer of that corporation; treasurer of the Gold and Silver Extraction company; vice- president and treasurer of the Matchless Concentration company: treasurer and di- rector of several mining companies, and presi- dent of the Sheridan Town Sito company. each organized and directed by the parent concern, and from the central office in the opera house building. During the past investments in city and suburban real estate, outside of his engagements with the Tabor Investment company, some of which were very profitable. As a theatrical mana- ger he has few equals in the West. He seems to possess in an eminent degree. first, the capabilities for fine executive management. Which form the real working basis of human success, and, as a strong reinforcement, pleas- ing manners.

McCOURT, Peter, manager Tabor Opera house was born in Oshkosh, Wis., Nov. 1. MACHEBEUF, Rt. Rev. Joseph, tirst ('atlı- olie bishop of Denver, was born at Riom. France, Ang. II. ISI. He was ordained to 1856, and educated in the schools of that city. At this time and later his father was one of the wealthier residents of Oshkosh, mainly in the priesthood on Christmas, 1536. Three buildings, of which he owned a large number, years later he left his native land for Amer-

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ica and offered his services to Bishop Pur- and requiring his constant presence. Mean- cell, of Cincinnati, Ohio. While laboring in while Bishop Machebeuf had been calling to his assistance a few zealous and hard-work- ing missionaries, among whom Father Ra- verdy stands first and foremost. With their aid, missions were being established, chapels erected and schools built almost every where, where circumstances allowed. Since 1870 the diocese of Denver has been growing so rapidly that it would be impossible to give an ad- equate idea of its up building and of its pres- ent state without the aid of dry statistics. At this writing (as a result of Bishop Mache- beut's zealous and untiring work) there are in Denver nine parishes, with each a paro- chial school attached except one; two hos- pitals; the House of the Good Shepherd: two orphan asylums; an academy and a fine con- vent of the Sisters of Loretto, at "Loretto Heights." Last, but not least, we can men- tion the college of the Sacred Heart, con- dueted by the Jesuit fathers. No better ap- pointed institution exists west of the Mis- souri river. In the diocese there are about eighty priests-regular and secular-who at- tend about ninety churches and chapels and over one hundred and ten stations; eight academies, with over nineteen parochial schools having an attendance of over four thousand pupils; ten hospitals, and a total Catholie population of about sixty to seventy thousand. Bishop Joseph P. Machebeuf

that diocese. his simplicity, piety and earn- estness-those qualities which particularly shone in him until his death-made him be- loved wherever he went. In 1844 Father Machebeuf visited his home in France, and it was on this occasion that he brought back with him ten sisters of the Ursuline order and established them in Brown county, Ohio, where they now have a most flourishing and well-appointed convent. This was the intro- duction in the United States of a teaching community unrivaled in the Catholic church. In 1850 Father Lamy, a comrade and friend of Father Machebeuf, who had come to this country with him, was made bishop of Santa Fó, N. M. Taking Father Machebeuf with him, they reached Santa Fe in 1851, after spending several months giving mis- sions through Texas. Upon arriving at Santa Fe, Father Machebeuf was created vicar general of the diocese. All through New Mex- ico and Arizona for years, he traveled up and down, building up the church and leaving everywhere the imprint of his zeal. On the 29th of Oct .. 1860, he arrived in Denver, ac- companied by his faithful friend, Rev. J. B. Raverdy-whom Bishop Lamy had appointed to assist him. Here begins the real work of his life and we regret that space will not allow more than a cursory view of it. Upon his ar- rival here he immediately started the building died August 10, 1889, leaving his won- drous works for his monument. His body rests in Mount Olivet cemetery, and his soul with God. We are indebted for the above to the "llistory of the Catholic Church in Colo- rado," by Father O'Ryan and Father Ma- lone, from which we have freely quoted. of the Catholic church of St. Mary's, which still stands on Stout street, between Fifteentli and Sixteenth, as the first brick edifice reared in Colorado to the service of God. During its construction, the reverend father offered up the holy sacrifice of mass in a small frame building next door to the present Metropoli- tan hotel at Sixteenth and Market streets. Colorado and in his ceaseless journeying from place to place, he sowed the seed of the gospel of Christ wherever there was soil to receive it. But the church was growing and Catholics were pouring into Colorado with the priest at this seminary, Dec. 20, 1884. In tide of immigration. In 1864, feeling the need of a school, he called to his assistance the sisters of Loretto, Ky. A band of a few noble women hearkened to his call and in humble beginnings they planted the seed which has grown to the proportions of a magnificent and stately educational institu- tion called St. Mary's academy, on California street between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets. On Feb. 5. 1868, Colorado and Utah were erected in a Vicariate Apostolic and Fa- ther Machebeuf was appointed its Viear

MALONE, T. H., Catholic priest, editor and Father Machebeuf continued his labors in orator was born in Waterloo, N. Y., April 22, 1858. After attending the high school of that city and the Niagara university, he finished his education at St. Joseph's seminary in Troy, the same state. He was ordained a 1885 he came to Colorado and located in Denver, and took charge of St. Joseph's par- ish. Soon after entering upon his duties, he erected a frame house of worship, which had to be enlarged in the course of a few months. Within a year he found that the seating ca- pacity was still entirely insuthcient for his growing congregation, and he then began the erection of the large, attractive and substan- tial brick church edifice and school house, which are now ocenpied. When he began his work here there were only about thirty Apostolie by the Holy See. On Feb. 12, 1871, parishioners. This number has increased to Utah was placed under the jurisdiction of about three thousand. These figures, consid- the archbishop of San Francisco, Cal. ering the length of time he has been in charge On Ang. 16, 1868, Father Machebeuf was consecrated bishop in St. Peter's cathedral, Cincinnati, Ohio, by Archbishop Pureell. A short time later he returned to Denver, where he found Catholic interests growing rapidly of his field of labor, eloquently testify to the value of his services and to his success, Sinee May. 1890, he has been the editor of the Colorado "Catholic." an able and influential weekly newspaper devoted to the interests of

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his church, and to a fearless discussion of 1536. His father was a native of New York and1 the current topics of the day. On the rostrum he is a powerful advocate and orator ..

MARSH, Alvin, lawyer and jurist, was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1834. descended from one of the old New England families of colonial days. le emigrated to Ilinois in 1×51 and after receiving an academical edu- cation, entered the law office of Parks & llarris, at Waukegan, Ill. He was admitted to the bar of that state and practiced law in company with Hon. B. F. Parks at Aurora. but subsequently removed to Omaha, Neb., where he remained until the discovery of gokl in the Rocky Mountains, when he crossed the plains to Denver, taking passage in one of the freight wagons of John M. Thayer. afterward governor of Nebraska. Soon after his arrival at the Cherry Creek settlement. he pushed on to the Gregory diggings, where for a time he was engaged in placer mining, subsequently purchasing an interest in the first quartz mill erected in Illinois Central mining distriet. In connection with other pioneer lawyers of Gilpin county he spent much unrequited time and labor in the organ- ization of mining districts in that section. and in framing, codifying and administering their laws. After the organization of Colorado Territory in 1861, he settled in Black Hawk, where he remained until ISSJ, when he re- moved to Central City, practicing his profes- sion in those places until ISS6, when he was elected attorney-general of the state. Though not an office seeker, he has been a very active and useful politician in the better use of the term, and has received many signal proofs of the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens. He was mayor of Black Ilawk in 1872-73, and twice elected to the same office in Central City: a member of the territorial legislature in 1861, and again in 1572. when he was made speakerof the House. In 1875 he was elected to the constitutional convention. On the 23rd of Ang .. 1876. he was elected chairman of the first republican state convention, which met in Pueblo. and nominated the first state ticket. In ISS5 he was elected attorney-general and served two years in that important office. In 1891 he was appointed by Governor Routt judge of the district court for Arapahoe county, in which he served to the expiration of his torm, then retired from the bench and formed a law partnership with Hon. James B. Belford. In the course of his many years of practice in Colorado, and by the fortunate investment of his gains, he has acquired not a large, but a satisfactory, measure of capital and valuable property. He has always been a high minded and very useful citizen, and, according to the foregoing hasty epitome, his worth has been generously recognized by the people, not only of Gilpin county, but of the state at large.

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 89

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