History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 92

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 92

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

McDONALD, Roland P., contraetor and bnilder, was born in Kings county, Ireland, in Sept., 1852. Came to America in 1869; settled in Boston, Mass,, and learned the trade of brick layer and manufacturer. He removed to Colorado in 1878, and has been quite active since that time as a contractor and builder. He built the Duff, Barth, Kitt- redge and MePhee blocks, an addition to Wolfe hall, the Gilsey house, Jesuit church and numerous other public and private build- ings in Denver. He is the possessor of large interests in real estate, both improved and unimproved. He was elected a county com- missioner in 1890. having received the nomi- nation of the democratic party, and was chosen chairman of the board. Mr. MeDonald is an influential member of the A. O. IT. W. organization, and has been prominently iden- tified with many of the more important move- ments for the upbuilding of the state and the betterment of the people.

MAXFIELD, Abram W., farmer, was born on Prince Edward Island, Feb. 8, 1842, where he remained until 1851, when he em- igrated with his parents to Weston, Mo. His father dying in October of that year, left young Maxfield at a very tender age to fight his own battles. lle was only nine years old, but possessing an abundance of pluck, he struck out manfully from the start and has worked his way up from a boy, set- ting up pins in a ten-pin alley, at $2.00 per week, to be not only the manager of the Rifle Townsite company, but one of the solid and most influential men in Garfield county. His education was limited, being confined to the space of one year in the common schools. In 1856 he, with his mother and the family, moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he followed farming until 1864, when he en- gaged for a short time in the grocery busi- ness at the same town. Later on he com- menced freighting between Council Bluffs and Denver. From 1866 to the fall of 1878 he manufactured brick. In the spring of 1880 he came to Leadville, and became inter- ested in mining property on Battle Mountain. Three years afterwards he moved on a ranch at the mouth of Rifle creek, on the Grand river, where he toiled year after year, as all farmers are compelled to do in a new coun- try, until the spring of 1885, when he was made postmaster. lle still conducted his ranch until July, 1889, when the Denver and Rio Grande railroad was completed to his place. lle immediately made a plat of eighty acres of his farm and laid out the present town site of Rifle. The same fall he erected the Winchester hotel, and after oper- ating it for two years, he sold it and erected a new brick residence, into which he moved his family. lle farms the upper portion of his ranch, and also attends to the sale of his real estate in the town.

MELBURN, Lafayette A., manufacturer. was born in Napance, Canada, in 1854. He remained at home until 1873, in the mean- time attending the common schools and learn- MAYOL, Frederick, was born in France, May 20, 1840, where, until twenty years of ily homestead. lle then emigrated to the ing the blacksmith and carriage maker's trade, serving his time as an apprentice, He age, he was engaged in farming on the fam- arrived in Denver in 1873, and began working

高

RESIDENCE OF J. B. WIGHT, NEAR DENVER.

529

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

United States, and Jan. 20, 1863, arrived in after his arrival he engaged in the cattle and Denver, where he joined his brother, who had stock raising business. Of late years he has followed agricultural pursuits altogether at his home place, and also at his farm of 640 aeres, situated thirteen miles due north of Denver: for seven years was water commis- preceded him to this country, and they oper- ated as partners for six years. AAfterward Frederick moved to Saguache county, in the San Luis valley, and took up farming and stock raising. In 1876 he settled at Dallas sioner of distriet No 7; has been a member of creek a tributary of the Uncompalgre valley, the Masonie order more than forty years; is past master of Platte Valley Grange Patrons

where he acquired considerable real estate. I'ntil Nov., 1891, his home was in Ouray, but of Husbandry.

since that time he has been in Salt Lake City. l'tah, where he expects to reside per- manently. His brother, Frank Mayol, was well known in the early days of Colorado abent Denver, the south Park and on the South Arkansas river, below Granite.

MENZEL, August, came to Wet Mountain valley with the German colony, in 1869, and owns a farm containing 360 aeres, which is well improved and stocked with fine breeds of cattle and horses. Ile is a blacksmith and wagon maker, and also deals in farming implements in the town of West Cliff. Ile is ranked among the solid men of his county, and stands high in the estimation of the people.

MANSON, Andrew, was born in Sweden. July 1. 1844. Ile attended the common schools of his native country and continued to reside there until 1867, when he emigrated to America. Ile came direct to Lawrence. Kan., and after remaining there ten years. engaged in the manufacture of wagons until ISTT. then moved to Colorado, and located in the town of Monte Vista, where he now lives. Although a foreigner by birth, Mr. Manson is now thoroughly Americanized. Hle is es- pecially a Coloradoan. Having lived here many years, he is imbued with western ideas and that spirit of progress which has so rap- idly built up the region of the Rockies.

MARKLE, J. B., farmer, was born in Penn- sylvania in 1837, and remained there until he was eighteen years of age, when he settled in Illinois. In Isol he enlisted in company (. 13th Wis. Infantry, and served eigh- teen months, when he was discharged for

disability. In INS2 he came to Colorado and located on a farm eight and a half miles south of Denver, which he has cultivated until it is one of the best of the improved farms in the county. He is a member of the John C. Fremont post. No. $3, G. A. R .. and is also of Western lodge. No. 22, A. l'. and .1. M.

McKAY, J. W. T., farmer, was born in Howard county, Mo., in 1824, where the first four years of his life were spent. Ile lived in Boone county about the same length of time, and then located in t'ole county, where he remained until he attained his majority. lle subsequently became a resident of Platte and Atchison counties, where he followed farming and resided in the latter until 1863. when he came to Colorado. Immediately

MOLLANDIN. Henry, brewer, was born in Germany May 21. IS36, and remained there until 1867. during which time he received his education in the public schools of that coll- try. At the age of fourteen he left school and learned the cooper's trade, and after- wards that of a brewer. In his twentieth year he was selected for military service, where he remained six years. He then re- engaged as a cooper, but it was not a hera- tive business in Germany, for at the end of a year there was no money left over, so he made up his mind to come to the New World. lle sold out and came to New York, arriving there May 27. 1867, with $14 in his pocket. IJe commenced work the second day in a cooper's shop. received $5 for one week's work, and paid it all out for his board. In six weeks all the money he had was gone. He borrowed $2 from a friend, went to Albany, and was employed in a cooper's shop, where he received $14 a week. In the fall of the same year he was employed as foreman in a brewery at Louisville, Ky., at S60 per month and board. In the spring of 1822 he came to Denver, and with a friend engaged in the brewery business, which continued but a short time, after which he worked in a brewery until 1875, at which time he began building houses on his different properties. Of late Mr. Mollandin has devoted his time to the care of his property interests, which by careful mnagement he has largely increased.

MADLUNG, J. E., dairyman. was born in Germany in ISI, where he remained until 1869, having in the meantime acquired the rudiments of a practical education. lle served four years as an apprentice at cabinet making and four years longer at drafting. lle served in the Prussian army, in Is66. under King William I, being commissary of his regiment. After emigrating to America he worked at the carpenter's trade for a short time in Chicago, then came to Longmont. Volo., with the Chicago colony, where he laid the first foundation for a house that was rrertel in that town. Later he located on the Platte river, below Denver, and engaged in the stock business, where he lived eight years. He finally moved to Harmon, where he became interested in the dairy business. which he still follows; was one of the prime movers in having the town of Harmon in- corporated. and has served three terms as one of the trustees of that place.

34 -iv

530

BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

MENIG, E., contractor and builder, was modious buildings, and the manner in which born in Würtemberg, in 1842. He was edu- it is conducted proves him to be a careful cated in the public schools and afterward and methodical man of affairs.

learned the

carpenter's trade. When twenty-three years old he emigrated to America and settled in Sandusky, Ohio, re- mainlng six months. For the next five years he was a resident of Milwaukee, en- gaged in building and contracting. From Milwaukee he moved to Chicago, where he continued his trade for eighteen months. In 1873 he came to Colorado, located in Den- ver, following his trade for the ensuing three years, then opened a hotel on Market street, which he conducted two years, then took charge of the Tremont house. A year later he built the Milwaukee house, which he con- ducted until the fall of 1889. He owns much real estate in East Denver.

MUNN, John D., dairyman, was born on Prince Edward Island, but left home when a boy, and located in Boston, Mass., where he remained about five years. He came to Colorado in 1880 and engaged in the dairy business, continuing to the present time. He has erected on his land, consisting of six acres, a fine briek residence and com- modious outhouses, and has all the modern appliances for a comfortable home, and all the facilities necessary to the conduet of his trade. He married Eva Lane, to whom one child has been born.

MOTLEY, James, was born in Switzerland, about three years.

Aug. 2, 1847, and emigrated to America while very young. Upon his arrival in this coun- try, he resided in New York city for a brief period, and subsequently resided in Illinois and lowa. In 1860 he became a resident of Colorado, and in 1861 enlisted in company E. 3rd Colo. cavalry. During the nine years preceding 1878, he was in the employ of John W. Smith, but in that year he en- gaged in the dairy business, and by his en- ergy rapidly attained success in that enter- prise. His first investment in Denver realty was on South Tremont street, which is now well improved and yielding him a handsome income. In 1883 he became a resident of the town of Harmon, where he now (1893) resides, and is the largest resident property owner there. He was the first mayor of Harmon, to which office he was twice re- elected. He is a member of Lincoln post, G. A. R., and takes a lively interest in all its proceedings.

McMURRAY, H. W., farmer, is one of the more advanced and enterprising of Colorado dairymen, and these traits, together with in- domitable perseverance and energy, have achieved gratifying sneeess in his chosen field of labor. The product is disposed of in the Denver market. ITis ranch, which consists of 47 acres, is situated about six miles from Denver, on the Ft. Worth rail- road and is devoted principally to raising hay. The place is well improved with com-

MADDEN, Thomas, dairyman, was born in New York, in 1844, where he grew to man- hood and where he was educated in the public schools. In 1861 he enlisted in com- pany 11, 32nd N. Y. regiment, for a term of two years, and during that time was con- stantly engaged in active service. Among the battles in which he participated were Bull Run, West Point, the Seven days' fight, Second Bull Run. Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. During the latter he was promoted a non-commissioned officer. In IS82 he came to Denver, was employed In gardening for a short time, then purchased a dairy, and subsequently became a consld- erable owner of live stock.

NETTLETON, Edwin S., an eminent en- gineer, was born in Medina, Ohio, Oct. 22, 1831; edueated partly in the seminary of his native town, but latterly at Oberlin college. While pursuing his studies in the institute last named, he was attacked by dangerous inflammation of the eyes, which compelled him to abandon all hope of continuing on to grad- nation. Meanwhile, however, before enter- ing Oberlin, he had been apprenticed to the famous civil engineer, Zachary Deane, under whose skillful direction he studied and prae- tieed eivil and mechanical engineering for For two years the in- flamed condition of his eyes necessitated con- finement in an unlighted room, but the long and tedious discipline brought partial restor- ation. When convalescent he was made assistant postmaster at Lafayette, Ohio, and worked in a dark room for another year which completed his recovery. He then went to Michigan and, in partnership with his eousin, Mr. B. F. Broadwell, engaged in lumbering, and also practiced engineering in and about Kalamazoo. At the outbreak of the civil war the partners decided that one should respond to President Lincoln's call for volunteers, and the other remain and conduet the business. The choice was de- termined by lot. Mr. Broadwell drawing the prize, he became an officer in the 13th Mich. infantry, and served throughout the war. Mr. Nettleton managed the business until 1863, when it was disposed of, and he went to the oil region of Pennsylvania, where he resumed his profession, and, in addition, was appointed manager of two or three oil companies. In 1867 he was made chief engineer of the Oil Producers' association of Pennsylvania, and in that capacity surveyed the oil region on a line which subsequently was adopted by the director of the second geological survey of that state, in whose published reports the notes of Mr. Nettleton's survey were incorporated. the spring of 1870 he joined the Union Colony, formed in New York, removed to Greeley,

531

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

Colo., was made chief engineer of the colony, surveyed and platted its town site, en- gineered its canals and superintended their construction. When the Colorado Springs Colony came to be organized and located, he was transferred to that field, laid off the town, its streets, parks and irrigating canals; also the town of Manitou, and superin- tended the public improvements in both places. In the fall of 1872 he was again transferred, this time to the Colorado Im- provement company-later the Colorado Coal and Iron company-charged with the selection of its coal lands, and the survey of its ser- eral town sites, with headquarters at Pueblo. He took the direction of all its engineering

work. and at one time was its agent. In 1873 he was appointed postmaster of South Pueblo, and held that office until Feb., 1882. his engineering meanwhile carrying

duties as before. In 1878 he came to the northern division of the state as chief en- gineer and superintendent of construction of the Larimer and Weld Irrigating canal, con- jointly built by B. II. Eaton and the English company, with which he remained until it was completed, in 1879. When Jay Gould came out to negotiate the sale of the lands of the Denver Pacitie and Kansas Pacific railways, to Mr. James Duff, manager of the Colorado Mortgage and Investment company, Mr. Nettleton was employed to make a hasty preliminary survey of such lands. The sale perfected, he was appointed chief engineer of the High Line Irrigating eanal that grew out of it, a work that engaged his attention for the succeeding three years. Meanwhile,

Governor Pitkin had tendered him the im- portant office of state engineer, but the eom- pliment had to be declined, owing to the urgency of current engagements. In 18St, however, he being at liberty, the appoint- ment was again tendered bim by Governor Grant, and accepted; and he was also ap- pointed a member of board of capitol man-

properly estimated, and the economical ap- plication of water enforced. This was the first attempt to exercise official surveillance by law over the publie waters of Colorado. Previously, for the want of well-considered methods, there had been deplorable confu- sion, infinite perplexity and much expensive litigation. The publication of his first report as state engineer, covering his experience and proceedings during the preceding bi- ennial term, just hastily epitomized, was a gratifying revelation to the publie. It con- tained so large an amount of extremely val- uable information relating to agriculture and irrigation under the improved system brought under general operation, and set forth the excellent results determined during his first administration so clearly, as to com- mand widespread attention, and most fatter- ing comment by the press and people. The demand for copies was so great a large extra edition had to be printed. It was conceded to be the most important report ever issued by the state, and the second, which appeared two years later, conveying the results of two years' further experience and improvement under the original and amendatory laws, at- tracted oven greater demand. The value of Mr. Nettleton's service to the agricultural population and to the state at large can not well be overestimated. They form the foundation of all that since has been accom- plished for the benefit of that interest. and the inception of what is now one of the greatest and best systems of canals, laws and regulations affecting the distribution of water known to the people of the continent. From this model. California has in recent years greatly amplified and improved her own laws and regulations. From 1857 10 1889 he was engaged as consulting engineer on irrigation work in Colorado, Wyoming. Idaho, New Mexico and Kansas, examining

and reporting upon projects of that nature advanced by individuals and corporations.

agers and served six years. Two years drafting plans and supervising the work of later he was reappointed by Governor B. H. other engineers, as aids to the projectors in Eaton. During the legislative sessions of

1879-80, and 1881-82 Mr. Nettleton drafted some of the more important sections of our Irrigating laws, giving especial attention to the provisions which define the dutes of the state engineer. In 1884, on assuming that

enlisting the co-operation of local and foreign capital in such enterprises. In 1889 he was, by the secretary of the interior, appointed supervising engineer for the eastern part of the arid region. embracing all the drainage flowing into the Missouri and Gulf of Mexleo.

office, he devised the existing method of en- and all that part east of the Colorado river gineering with reference to irrigation. This flowing Into the Gulf of California, including work began by proving up the priorities, and the arid sections of North and South Da- kota, Montana. Wyoming. Nebraska. Colo- rado. Kansas, Indian Territory, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and a part of Utah. This was undertaken as a part of and In conjune- tion with the I'. S. geological survey for irri- gation and reservoir surveys under Major determining the capacities of the various ditches, mainly confined, however, to the Platte river drainage; ganging the streams of the state. ascertaining their dally and annual discharge: the duty of water for ir- rigating purposes; inventing devices for the

accurate measurement of water from canals Powell, chief of that department. In April. for the farmers, and in general reducing the 1890, while on this duty, he was detailed erude, complicated and unsatisfactory pro- from the Interior to the agricultural depart- ceedings hitherto In use to plain selentitle ment by request of Secretary Rusk, and given principles, whereby prior rights should be charge of the field work of the "Artesian

532

BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

Well Investigation." including the territory legitimate conclusions, it will transform very much of the now inhospitable divisions of the West into blooming grain fields and gar- dens, lead to the creation of new cities, towns and villages, the building up of a vast com- merce, and the multiplication of blessings beyond the limited sweep of our vision. lying between the 97th meridian and the east- ern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. This engagement he pursued until Ang. 1st, fol- lowing, when he returned to the interior department surveys, but on the 15th re- signed, owing to differences with Major Powell, who insisted upon his plan for first making a topographical survey, which woukd NESMITH, John W., iron manufacturer, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, Jan. 4, 1834. Going to St. Louis, he learned the machin- ist's trade, which he followed there and in that vicinity until the spring of 1860. At that time he was employed by one of the mining mill companies just organized in St. Louis and directed to proceed to Colorado and superintend the setting up and running of their machinery for a short time. After this he worked for A. G. Langford & Co. for several years, being foreman of the shop the greater part of the time. He then went to Black Hawk and engaged in the milling busi- ness for two years, when he sold his interest, having received the appointment of master mechanic of the Colorado Central railroad company, which position he held about four years. Ile was then master mechanic of the Denver division of the Kansas Pacific rail- road until he was appointed superintendent of the Denver, South Park and Pacific rail- road, which position he filled until Feb., 1879. relinquishing it to take the superintendency of the Colorado Iron Works. lle began the business with no capital but now owns the establishment and employs 150 to 300 men. lle was a member of the territorial Senate during the sessions of 1868 and 1870. Ile is now the largest manufacturer of mining, milling and smelting machinery in the West. and one of the most estimable citizens of the state. consume several years, while Mr. Nettleton was equally strenuous for an engineering survey for, and the location of reservoirs as urgently demanded by the public interest. It will be remembered that a brisk discussion of Powell's scheme sprang up in the U. S. Senate during the session of 1890, led by Senator Stewart, of Nevada, whose opinion accorded with Nettleton's. The latter. dis- covering that no appropriation would be made to Powell's department for a reservoir system, quietly withdrew. Oct. 15th, of the same year, he was appointed chief engineer of the agricultural department, in charge of the " Irrigation Artesian Wells and Under- flow Investigation" for the arid region lying west of the 97th meridian and the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Its pur- pose was to assist the inhabitants of the plains who have no access to mountain streams, and is of the first importance to 'Iwellers in dry or semi-humid sections, by pointing ont the manner whereby the under- flow may be brought to the surface and util- ized through artesian wells. It was the province of this investigation to show where artesian and subterranean waters may be found. It has been discovered by these ex- aminations that the Dakotas probably con- tain the largest and strongest artesian basin in the world. 400 miles in length by from 20 to 60 in width. In this basin each of a number of wells furnishes sufficient water. NICHOLS. James H., real estate broker, was born in Chester, Geauga county. Ohio. Jan. 19, 1843. and was educated at Denison univer- sity, that state. In 1860 he learned telegraphy and the year following went to Washington. where he was attached to the United States military telegraph corps of the Federal army, serving throughout the rebellion, first at the War department in Washington, and after- wards at the headquarters of the armies of the Potomac and of the James. He was with General John Gibbon's command at Appomattox Court House during the surren- der of the Confederate army by General Robert E. Lee. In Sept. INGT, he came to Denver and became an operator in the West- ern Union telegraph office: was subsequently appointed manager of that company's office at Cheyenne. and also agent of the Denver Pacific and Kansas Pacific railways at the same place. During his residence there he was for four years director of the First National Bank of Cheyenne, and served as county commissioner for the same length of by storing in reservoirs, to irrigate 1,500 to 2,000 acres. One well, 356 inches in diameter at the base and 900 feet deep, affords water enough under a hydrostatic pressure of 160 pounds to the square inch to drive a hundred- barrel flouring mill, supply a town of 1,000 people for domestic and fire purposes, be- sides irrigating two considerable farms and filling from the wastage a lake or natural reservoir of several hundred aeres on the prairie. To conclude. the consequences of the labors which have engaged this man's attention during the past twenty years can not now be measured: we can only vaguely estimate them. But no truth is more real than that they must greatly influence all future time. The rapid synopsis presented shows that he has established the basis of a structure at once indestructible, of vast ex- tent and destined to be of immeasurable benefit to the present and coming generations of men. It means the blazing of new trails, the opening of new waterways in the bleak and uninhabited desert places that will cause time, being chairman of the board. In 1878 them to rejoice and blossom Carried on to he returned to Denver and engaged in a gen-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 92

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