History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 97

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 97

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).

the Rocky Mountain region with Father Machebeuf. After a long and tedious jour- ney. weary and weak, he finally arrived in Denver late in the evening of the 29th of Oct., 1860. At this time Denver's chief archi- teetural beanties were three or four low brick houses, and here and there a pretentious frame building. For the rest, it was made up of hurriedly constructed frame or log cabins, and outside the limits the smoke gaily curled around the wigwams of the Indians. Catho- lies were very few then, numbering about thirty or forty individuals in Denver. Not- withstanding, Father Raverdy urged Bishop Machebenf to build the little church which is now called St. Mary's cathedral, at Stout and Fifteenth streets. One thing, however, grieved Father Raverdy; it was that this church should be built on the prairie. On Christmas day. 1860, he sang in it the first mass at midnight. While Father Machebeuf was building the church, and his little house which now forms part of the present vestry of St. Mary's, Father Raverdy started on horseback for southern Colorado, carrying with him the necessary paraphernalia in which to say mass. Ile first visited lluerfano, arriving there Nov. 15, 1860, and remained some days, visiting Mexican families, saying mass for them, baptising their children, performing marriages, etc. In con- nection with his work in Colorado, it may be interesting to mention that the first Catholie baptism was performed by Bishop Mieje dur- ing his visit in 1860. Here is the record taken from the register of St. Mary's cathedral: "On the third of June, 1860, by the Rt. Rev. J. B. Mieje, Bishop of Leavenworth, was baptised George Eckhet, son of George Eek- bet and Margaret Thornton. born the 11th March, 1860; godmother, Mary Yank." The second baptism was performed the same day; the child was named John Edward, and was the son of John and Catherine Doyle; spon- sors, Wm. Dunn and May King; baby born April 28, 1860. The first marriage of Catholies in Denver took place Feb. 11, 1861. The con- tracting parties were LAbner Davidson and Anna Moran: Father Machebeuf officiated. Golden City had then several Catholics. In 1860 three children of Catholics were born there. Their names were Murphy, Truby and Kean: Martin Murphy was born on New Year's day, 1860, in Golden. Up and down went fathers Raverdy and Machebeuf, finding here and there a few Catholic families, whose needs they attended and faith they consoled. Hard work and poor fare such was the lot of both priest and people. He lived with his companion from hand to mouth. The weary rides from station to station, the many nights spent with no canopy but God's grand spangled arch of blue, and no bed except the cold and often snow-covered ground, the buffalo robe wrapped close to keep the cokl ont. Such were their comforts. Yet withal they were cheery. Who of the old residents

RAVERDY, John Baptist, Catholic priest. was born in the old city of Rheims, France, June 24. 1831. His early education was re- ceived in his native town; philosophy and theology he studied at the college at Chalons. It is well to notice here that the young man was materially aided in his arduons studies. and encouraged in the attainment of his holy vocation to the priesthood, by Mr. Charles Heidsieck, Sr., whose death occurred Feb. 13. 1893, when seventy-one years old, and whose son is still a prosperous and respectable wine merchant of Rheims. Here he was ordained sub-deacon in 1850. In 1859, hearing of the new missionary field in the far-off West, he offered his services to Bishop Lamy of Santa Fe, who accepted him as one of his, and ordained him a priest. Soon after he cheerfully obeyed the order he received from Bishop Lamy to go to from Huerfano to Denver, in California Gulch,

551

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

in Central City, ever found them complaining, large cattle ranch located near Fort Collins, day or night, wherever the duty called them? making Greeley his headquarters. Disposing of his ranch, he again became a citizen of Cheyenne, where he erected a large and costly building especially designed for the manu- fheture and sale of carriages. Ile was there six years, and during that time was elected a county commissioner, being chairman of the board, and also a member of the city council. holding both positions at the same time. While filling these offices he was chiefly in- strumental in having a bill drawn and passed through the legislature of that state for the building of a county hospital. To this end he devoted much of his time and influence, and finally succeeded. The hospital was erected at a cost of $50,000, and stands to-day as a monument of the friendly aid and untiring zeal of Mr. Robertson. In May. 1881, he be- came a permanent resident of Denver, and. with Mr. Doll as a partner, he established himself in the carriage business at 1533 to 1539 Arapahoe street. Six years ago the Rob- ertson-Doll Carriage company built their new house at the corner of Fourteenth and Arapa- hoe streets, where they have since been doing :1 large and safe business. In May, 1874. Mr. Robertson married Miss Alice Orr at Mon- treal. They have three children-one son and But the christian spirit, the spirit that led their master, was in them. The life of these two priests was as purely missionary as that of St. Pant in his travels. In 1864 Father Raverdy visited Utah. General Connors re- ceived him kindly at the fort in Salt Lake, where he stayed some weeks ministering to the wants of Catholics there. From Salt Lake he went to Montana, where the gold fever was raging. Ile was there one month and did much good. In 1866 he took charge of Central City, and from Central City he attended Georgetown, Empire, Idaho Springs, Boulder and several other small settlements. He re- mained pastor of Central City until 1871. In 1868 Bishop Machebeuf appointed Father Raverdy his vicar-general, "a post (to use Bishop Machebeuf's words when he was dy- ing) which he has held honorably ever since." Grand and simple epitaph for a priest! If ever a monument is raised over his grave, let these words be carved on its marble. Father Raverdy died on the 18th day of Nov., 1889, at Denver. The shock produced by Bishop Machebout's death, which he learned on his way home from France, certainly hastened his own. Perhaps it was as well that, as they had been "lorely and pleasant in their lives, two daughters.

in their death they were not divided," that to- gether they received peace. The church they built up in Colorado remains as their monu- mont.

ROLLINS, E. W. See Vol. III, page 228.

ROBERTSON, Nathaniel, carriage manu- facturer, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Feb. 22, 1841. He is of Scotch descent, and possesses many of the sterling traits of char- actor which distinguish the people of his nationality. lle remained at his birth-place until he was six years old, when his parents started for America. His mother died on the voyage, and soon after his arrival at Mon- treal, Canada, his father died, leaving Nathan- iel to the care of an unele, who resided near that city on a farm. His educational advan- tages were very meager, as he attended school of the war and covering a vast seope of eoun- only six months when he was about eight try. He was twice wounded, at Stone River and at Chickamauga, but was rewarded by years of age, a period of his life when he was unable, on account of his youth, to acquire gradual promotion from the ranks to a cap- more than a mere smattering of the rudi- tainey. After the general surrender of the Confederate forees he returned to Quincy, and engaged In the profession of architecture until 1873. In February of that year he came to Denver, opened an office and has been ever since occupied with plans and building. In 1875 he was appointed architect to the East Denver school board, which position he re- signed in 1859. He has planned and superin- tended the construction of all its school bulld- Ings, except two. Some of these editices have been pronounced by competent critics the fin- est models In the world for school purposes. mentary branches. Ile lived with his uncle until 1859, when he began to learn the ear- riage trade at Montreal, working for his board and clothes. He finally made enough money to pay his way to New York City, and had four dollars when he arrived there. Hle immediately obtained employment with John Stevenson, the great car builder, and, after two years' service, came to Colorado in July, 1865. lle opened a shop in Denver at the corner of Fifteenth and Wazer streets, where be carried on the carriage business until 1867. when he moved to Cheyenne, Wyo .. and If this fact had not been widely recognized during the same year to Salt Lake City. In In the educational literature of the United 1874 he returned to Colorado to look after a States, Germany and England, the statement

ROESCHLAUB, Robert S., architect, was born in Munich. Bavaria, July 6. 1813. Three years later the family emigrated to the United States, moved west, and settled in Quincy, Ill., where Robert received his pri- mary education. At the age of nineteen (Angust, 1862) he enlisted in the &Ith regi- ment Ill. volunteers (company E) and served therewith until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Rocky Face Ridge, Dalton. Pumpkin Vine Creek, Kenesaw, New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Johns- town, Lovejoy, Franklin and Nashville, of the Atlanta campaign. Thus, it will be seen, his enlistment involved the hardships and perils attending Sherman's mightiest battles

552

BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

would appear extravagant. It is undoubtedly tle capital he had saved to complete his edn- true that no other American architect has eation, fancy his astonishment when apprised been so largely commended for the excellenee of the fact that the person to whom it had been entrusted was a bankrupt, and no part of his designs, and the uniform superiority of construction. The late Dr. Philbriek, the of it could be restored. This proved a bitter venerable patriarch of public education in this country, could scarcely find words in which to adequately express bis admiration of the Denver school buildings, declaring them to be far in advance of anything in his expe- rienee. His, and the other reports published by eminent educators, have given them world- wide renown. Copies of some of these plans have been sent to England and Germany, at the request of the educational authorities of those governments, and several buildings were ereeted from them. Other copies have been furnished nearly every state of our Union .. In addition to schools, Capt. Roesch- laub has designed and built a number of the finer residences and business blocks in Den- ver. The state institute for the deaf, mute and blind, at Colorado Springs: the King block; College hall: university: the Chamberlin ob- servatory at University Park; Trinity Metho- dist church, one of the most beautiful churches in America; the Central block in Pueblo; the First Presbyterian church at Colorado Springs; the State Normal school at Greeley, etc. Nearly all intelligent visitors from other states and foreign lands have been mich impressed by the variety and architectural beauty of Denver, the stability of its business blocks, and the tasteful picturesqueness of its many stately homes. In this general com- mendation, Capt. Roeschlaub is fairly entitled to a material share. for the evidences of his skill are numerous among the higher class from which our fame has grown.

disappointment, for, as the doctor states it, "the long, wearying struggle had to be com- menced de noro." Resuming his old vocation. he tanght school in Baker City, Ore., and spent the vacations in mining. To quote his words: "Wet from head to foot, one day I re- ceived a call to go to Idaho City and teach, with a salary of $175 a month. I never for one instant questioned the source of the call. but packed my clothing and blankets, threw the bundle over my shoulder and on foot tramped through deep snow to Baker City, 50 miles distant." While teaching in Idaho, after his return from Baker City, he studied medicine under his preceptor and brother. Dr. W. J. Rothwell, then a resident of Placer- ville, Idaho (now of Denver). After two and a half years of teaching and medical study. in the fall of 1879 he entered the university at Ann Arbor, Mich., one of a class of 99 that graduated in 1881 and was the historian of his class. Ilis college vacations were passed in study with his brother, Dr. E. I. Rothwell. then of Ithaca, N. Y. Thus well fitted, he came to Colorado in 1881. located in Denver, and here began his life work in the practice of his profession. Abhoring all forms of ehar- latanism and empiricism, he has persistently antagonized them wherever found. Under the presidency of Grover Cleveland he was appointed an examiner of applicants for pen- sions, an office that came to him unsought, and its dntles wore faithfully discharged to the close of his term. Ile took part in organ- izing the Gross medical college, and a few years ago published a pamphlet in reference to the climate of Colorado, correcting many errors that passed current in the East respect- ing its effect upon various forms of disease. Ile also wrote a pamphlet on "Oxygen as a Therapeutic Agent," and invented a valuable apparatus, and is now employed in its manu- facture and use. In 1871 he became a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and in 1891 of the A. O. IT. W. He is also a member of the Colorado state medieal society. and of the Denver organization. In the ten years of his residence here he has acquired a large practice and attained high standing in the medieal fraternity.

ROTHWELL, P. D., physician, was born near Ottawa, Canada, March 5, 1849, of An- glo-Irish descent. Five years later the family moved to what then was known as the "Queen's Bush." a term applied to the portion of Ontario comprised in the county of Perth and those adjoining. Ilere in the wilderness a new home was created. Having acquired a good English education. he began teaching school in the autumn of 1863, when but a little more than fourteen years of age, which was continued two years and three months, after which he attended the Normal school in Toronto, whence he was graduated in June, 1866. After graduating he taught four and a half years longer in Canada, and then was engaged by Bishop Tuttle, of Salt Lake ROE, Robert S., proprietor Denver City Transfer, was born at Clapham Common. New London, England, Oct. 8, 1839. For more than ten years Mr. Roe, as the owner and manager of the City Transfer, has handled a very large part of the great commerce of Den- ver. His father, the Rev. Charles Hill Roe, I. D., was a Baptist minister of considerable note in England, and, continuing his ministry northern Illinois in 1851. was connected with City, to take charge of St. Michael's parish school at Boise City, Idaho, which opened Sept. 4, 1871. Ile remained at the head of this select school four years, and during vaca- tions was engaged in surveying and civil engineering. The money earned in these pur- suits was hoarded, and finally loaned upon what he believed to be good security. When the time arrived in which he had desired to after his emigration to and settlement in enter upon the study of medicine and make that a life profession, depending upon the lit- Dr. Burroughs in founding the Chicago uni-

F. W. KOHLER.

553

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

versity. llis ancestry dates back to ancient times in Britain, and he was nearly related to Lord Hill, for whom he was named. His wife was the daughter of Rev. Dr. Steadman, pres- ldent of the Baptist college in Yorkshire, Eng- land. Therefore it will be seen that our sub- ject has cause to feel honest pride in his pro- genitors. In his eleventh year he came to Amer- ica with his parents, and was educated in the higher mathematies and languages in the publie schools of Belvidere, III. In the spring of 1859 he came to Colorado, arriving lune 22nd, and began mining in Russell Gulch, Gilpin county. May 12. 1862, he was appointed 2nd lieutenant of the 2nd Colo. infantry by Col. J. II. Leavenworth, and assigned to company G, with which he served until Get., 1863. when the 2nd and 3rd regiments were consolidated. forming the 2nd Colo. cavalry. lle was promoted to 1st lieutenant and adjutant early in 1864. and took part in nearly all battles in which his regiment and brigade were engaged in Indian Territory, Arkansas and Missouri. doing duty most of the time as adjutant-gen- eral of the district and brigade. Ile was mistered out July 31, 1865. In 1866 he set- tled in Chicago, taking a position as book- keeper in a large commission house. In 1874, on account of failing health, he again came to Denver and was for a time employed by E. B. Light in the Baker coal office, then be- came collector for the City Transfer Co., W. Il. Pieree, proprietor. In ISTO he pur- chased three teams and went into the same business for himself, and in 1881 bought out the City Transfer, which he has managed to the present date. In 1875 he was appointed adjutant-general of Colorado by Governor Routt, and in 1876 reappointed to the same position. In 1878 he was elected to the lower House of the state General Assembly by an overwhelming majority; was made chairman of the committee on finance, ways and means, and introduced and passed several very important measures, among them a bill redneing the rate of interest on state warrants. In 1885 he was a prominent candidate for mayor before the republican city convention, but withdrew in favor of Hon. Joseph E. Bates, who was elected. In the winter of 1890-91 the Assembly enacted a law provid- ing for the appointment by the governor of a board of three metropolitan police commis- sioners to conduct the fire and police organi- zations in Denver, and in March, IS91, Gen. Roe was made a member of that board. It Is a force that under this board revolutionized and exalted those branches of publie service. by stripping them of all entangling political alliances, and employing them solely in the public interest. No amendment that has been made to the city charter during the history of Denver has been of such important and far reaching effet as this thoroughly commend- able administration. Mr. Roc has been ao- tively identified with the upbuilding and

growth of the Baptist church, and especially useful in forwarding the development of the Railroad Union mission, of which for many years he has been the superintendent. He Is also a director of the Young Men's Christian association, and for two years was a director In the Chamber of Commerce.

ROBINSON, Thomas D., surveyor-general of Colorado, was born in Fall River, Mass., April 17, 1857, and remained there until 1873, when he entered Adams academy in Quiney, Mass. One year later he entered the Brook- lyn Polytechnic institute, graduating there- from in 1878. He came to Colorado in Feb., 1580, and soon thereafter engaged in civil engineering on the Denver, l'tah and Pacific railroad. He was in the office of the Denver city engineer for two years, and then became connected with the California Short Line rail- road, for which he worked until 1883, when he located at Grand Junetion. While there he was deputy county surveyor of Mesa county. Returning to Denver in 1884, he engaged with the Burlington railroad company and in 1SS6 entered the Union Pacific office at Omaha. Ile came back to Colorado in 1SSS for the purpose of getting the right of way records to the lines of the ['. P. road in Colorado. After that he followed the profession of an architect and engineer until 1890, when he was elected town engineer of South Denver, serving three sep- arate terms. lle received the appointment of United States surveyor-general for Colorado June 15. 1893, and took charge of the office July 19 the same year. He is admirably fitted for the responsible position which he holds. Ile is a good citizen, a pleasant gentleman. and is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. In ISSS he was nominated on the democratie ticket for county surveyor of Arapahoe connty, and, although defeated, was renominated in 1890, at which latter time he declined to run on account of his business prospects.

ROGERS, Merritt Harrison, a prominent railway engineer, was born in Centermore- land, Pa., May 19. 1851. About 1853 the family settled in Harveyville, the same state, where our subject was educated. He subse- quently studied in Now Columbus academy, and in Wyoming seminary at Kingston. His ancestors came from England, and were among the first settlers in Salem, Mass. One branch of the family went to Connectient, and their descendants to the Wyoming Valley, Pa. Several members were in the battle and siege of "Forty Fort" and the Wyoming massacre. During 1868-60 he was engaged in surveying timber lands in the Allegheny mountains. llis railway service began in 1870 and has bron continuons to the present time. He was associated in various capacities with the en- gineering and construction of a number of railways in his native state. In the spring of ISTS he removed to Kansas and entered the employ of the Kansas Pacific railroad, continu-

554

BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.

ing until Ang. 15, 1880, when he went to the Den- storehouse in the town. Soon after the com- ver & Rio Grande as transit-man under Chief Engineer J. A. McMurtrie. Early in 18SI he was appointed assistant engineer, with head- quarters at Pueblo, and aided in constructing extensive improvements there and elsewhere along the line. In 1883 he was promoted to division engineer, continuing as such until 1859. when the office of chief engineer was abolished and Mr. Rogers was appointed resi- dent engineer, with the powers and duties of chief. During his incumbency many exten- sions were undertaken and completed. At the gents of the State university. serving six close of work in 1890 this office was discontin- und and that of chief engineer revived, when Mr. Rogers was appointed to that position by President Moffat, and when the latter was surreeded by E. T. Jeffery, he was retained. In March. 1802. the superintendency of the bridge and water service was added to his duties, Mr. Rogers married Miss Mattie E. Dodge of Buffalo, N. Y. Two children were born to them, but both died. For several years he has been a member of the American society of civil engineers.

RINEHART, A. E., photographer, was horn in Clarks Hill, Ind., Oct. 21, 1851. llis earlier years were passed in eastern Illinois, where he received his education in the public schools, and subsequently learned the photo- graphic art. In 1875 he came to Colorado, settled in Denver, and entered the studio of Mr. Charles Bolim as chief operator, where he remained until 1880, during which time he achieved and has since maintained the repu- tation of being the best photographie portrait artist in the city. In 1880 he was married, and soon afterward formed a partnership with Mr. W. Il. Jackson at No. 1637 Larimer street. The next fall Mr. Rinehart purchased Mr. Jackson's interest, and continued the busi- ness there until Jan., ISSS, when he moved to his present quarters on Arapahoe street. which had been elaborately fitted up with all modern appliances. He began the study of photography in 1871, and, having a natural genins for that profession, he has, with great patience and skill, made it very successful.

pletion of this building a part of it was oe- cupied by the U. S. post office, Capt. Rice using the remainder for his stationery wares. In 1873 he assisted in organizing the city of Pueblo, was one of the trustees, and presi- dent or mayor during the first three terms. Ile represented the counties of El Paso and I'neblo in the council of the territorial legis- lature at the eleventh and last session of that body prior to its supersedure by the state. In Nov., 1880, he was elected one of the re- years in that capacity. He has always mani- fested a lively interest in the public schools, and by reason of his great zeal in that direc- tion was for six years president of the Pueblo school board. When the Board of Trade was organized in 1873 he was elected presi- dent of that body. Throughout the term of his residence there he was held in the high- est esteem by all. He was universally known and admired for his genial manners, for his honesty and uprightness, the purity of his life, his zeal in advaneing the public welfare. Something of this was shown in the numer- ous high places to which he was called. Al- though a republiean, the city itself generally carried the democratic ticket, yet when he became a candidate for any office all classes voted for him. At the republican state con- vention of 1SS6, he was brought forward by his friends for the office of secretary of state, nominated by acclamation and elected by a large majority. In 18SS he was re-elected. After four years' service he retired, and soon afterward organized and was made president of the Mica Asbestite Insulating company of Denver, whose offices were in the People's National Bank building. He was also presi- cent of the European & Colorado Mortgage Co. It would be difficult to know Capt. Rice in the fullness of his true character withont becoming attached to him. His manners are easy, affable and attractive, his disposition amiable, kindly and benevolent. The testi- mony of those who best know him is un- «quivocally favorable, and in most cases land- atory.

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 97

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