USA > Colorado > Arapahoe County > History of the city of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado > Part 65
USA > Colorado > Denver County > Denver > History of the city of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado > Part 65
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young. His education was received partly in the public schools in that city and partly in the Jesu- its' College, where he remained until he had reached the age of seventeen. Then selecting mechanical studies as the avocation best adapted to his taste, he entered the machine-shops of the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad as an apprentice, and remained in the employment of that Company nearly four years. After a brief connection with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pa- cific Railroad machine-shops, he came to Colorado and was employed on the Kansas Pacific Railroad in a similar capacity for a year, when he was pro- moted to the position of foreman of the round- house. He was subsequently placed in charge of the machine-shops of the Denver Pacific Railroad, and when the Kansas Pacific Railroad and the Denver Pacific Railroad Companies passed under the same management and the shops of both roads were consolidated, he was selected to fill the posi- tion of general foreman. He was acting in this capacity until appointed to his present position, November 25, 1878, as Master Mechanic of the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad. Such has been his brief connection with the mechanical and motor-power departments of various railroads, and a steady gradual advance in the estimate placed upon his ability and trustworthiness by his superi- ors is the most notable feature of his career. It stands almost without parallel in the history of railroads that one should occupy, at the age of twenty-seven, the responsible position now filled so creditably by Mr. Kirk. The complex duties of his office embrace the supervision of engineers, firemen and mechanics in the different departments, all of whom are responsible to and are employed by the Master Mechanic. He is charged with the condition of the rolling-stock, the building of cars and engines, and the general supervision of the repair shops and employes, wherever located or stationed along the line. Not only is a thorough knowledge of his profession necessary for a proper performance of the duties incumbent upon the office, but he must be possessed of great adminis-
trative ability in order to meet creditably the emergencies of the situation. That Mr. Kirk combines in himself these prerequisites-as his appointment would indicate-is proved by the continued confidence reposed in him by his superi- ors, who are quick to detect mismanagement in any of the departments of this most wonderful railroad in the world. Mr. Kirk was married in Chicago in 1877, and is the father of one child.
EDWARD KERNGOOD.
This gentleman is a member of the firm of L. Garson & Co. He was born in New York City February 12, 1842. When he was three years of age, his parents removed to Syracuse, N. Y. He remained there until he was thirteen years of age, when he went to Seneca Falls, N. Y., and became clerk in the clothing house of L. Garson. He re- mained with that firm three years, being employed a part of that time in a branch store of the firm at Waterloo, N. Y. In 1858, he returned to Syr- acuse, N. Y., and engaged with the wholesale and retail clothing house of A. C. Yeats, and remained there eight years. He then removed to Oswego, N. Y., and again engaged with L. Gar- son, who had removed from Seneca Falls to that place. Two years later, he became a partner in the firm and manager of the business at that place while Mr. Garson established himself in. Roches- ter, N. Y. In 1868, he was married to Matilda L. Garson, daughter of his partner. He remained in Oswego, N. Y., until 1872, when he removed to Rochester, N. Y., and in January, 1873, came to Denver to make arrangements for building a storeroom. The building was completed and ready for occupancy in November, 1873, when he became manager of the business in this city, while Mr. Garson continued at Rochester, N. Y., in the wholesale and jobbing business. They also have a retail store in Buffalo, N. Y. They were the originators of the one-price system in Roches- ter, and were the first to adopt it in this city, where it has been the main factor in the success of their business.
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LUTHER S. KAUFFMAN.
Luther S. Kauffman was born November 5, 1846, in Minersville, Penn., where he spent his early life and was engaged in the banking business until 1872. Removing to Pittsburgh, Pena., he engaged in the insurance and brokerage business until 1875. From that time until 1878, he was a stock broker in New York City, and one of the first members of the New York Mining Stock Ex- change. Leaving New York, he came to Colorado in June, 1878, and stumped the State for the Re- publican party, after which he opened an office in Denver, in 1879, for negotiating mining property, under the name of the Colorado Mining Exchange. In June, 1879, he assisted in organizing the Home Mutual Building and Loan Association of Denver, of which he was Secretary.
J. C. KUNER.
Mr. Kuner was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 17, 1820. At the usual age of fourteen, he was apprenticed to the trade of a coppersmith, and, after the expiration of his three years' apprenticeship, traveled as a journeyman to perfect himself in his business. Returning, he entered the army, and, after six months, was released by the influence and intercession of his father. He then obtained a position on a steamboat, on Lake Constance, where he remained five years. Becoming connected with the Revolution of 1848, he was forced to leave the country, and came to the United States. Arriving in New. Orleans, he learned the baker's trade. He spent five years in New Orleans, Memphis and Holly Springs, removing to Iowa City, Iowa, thence to Marshalltown, and from there to St. Louis, in 1870. There he engaged in the manufacture of vinegar. In 1872, he came to Colorado and started the Denver Pickle Works. He began in a small way, having lost his entire capital in St. Louis. It is said that he carried his vinegar about the city in a wheelbarrow. From this small beginning has developed his present prosperous business, extend- ing throughout the entire State. While living in Iowa he served as Alderman in Iowa City and
Marshalltown. He was elected a member of the Denver School Board in 1876, and again in 1879, and is its present Treasurer. He is now a mem- ber of the Board of County Commissioners of Arap- ahoe County, to which office he was elected in 1878. He is Treasurer of the Workingmen's Building and Loan Association of Denver, and of Germania Lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F. These are an indication of the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. Mr. Kuner was mar- ried in his native country, in 1844, to Miss Barbetta Hechelman. Of his five children four are mar- ried, while the youngest, Rudolph A., is a partner of his father.
F. A. KEENER.
Mr. Keener came to Denver from Illinois in 1874, bringing capital for investment in real estate, and has identified himself with the inter- ests of the city, adding much to its growth by erecting several residences which are an ornament to the city. He was born in Gettysburg, Adams Co., Penn., September 17, 1827. When ten years of age, he removed with his father to Naples, Scott Co., Ill., where he received a com- mon-school education, and, at the age of twenty- one, engaged in the pork and grain business in company with his brother, T. C. Keener, known as the firm of T. & F. Keener, having branches at Jacksonville and Meredosia, Morgan County. In the spring of 1874, he came to Denver, and operated in real estate in the interest of the firm in this city and other places in the State. In 1878, he became permanently located in Denver, and has continued to operate largely in real estate since that time. He was married, January 1, 1847, to the daughter of Nathan and Maria Pike, of Scott County, Ill.
JOHN D. KLINE, M. D.
Dr. Kline was born in Columbia, S. C., August 21, 1843. He received his early education in a private school. At the age of fifteen, he removed to Columbia, Maury Co., Tenn., and entered Jackson College, from which he graduated in
Houmato
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1862. Soon afterward, he enlisted in the First Tennessee Cavalry of the Confederate army, and served as ordnance officer until promoted to the rank of captain of artillery. After the war, he began the study of medicine in Nashville, Tenn., and afterward spent one year in study at Balti- more, Md. Removing to Meridian, Miss., he spent several years in study and the practice of medicine. In 1868, he removed to New Orleans and entered the College of Physicians and Sur- geons of that city, from which he graduated in 1870. Returning to Meridian, Miss., he settled in the practice of his profession. In July, 1878, he removed to Hot Springs, Ark., and resided there until May, 1879, when he came to Denver, and has since been engaged in a lucrative practice. He was married, in the State of Mississippi, March 2, 1868, to the daughter of the late Ben- jamin Ivy, of Mobile, Ala.
I. H. KASTOR.
Mr. Kastor was born in Redwitz, Province of Ba- varia, Germany, December 5, 1835. He remained there until 1850, when he came to the United States and attended private school in New York City one year. He then went to Louisiana, but, finding the South unsuited to his taste, returned to New York City and accepted a position in au importing house. He continued clerking there until September, 1856, when he removed to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and spent two years clerking in a wholesale house. Leaving that city, he located in Leavenworth, Kan., and embarked in the cloth- ing business, in which he continued until 1864, when he came to Denver and engaged in the cloth- ing business in company with his brother-in-law. In 1869, he bought out his partner and remained in business until 1875, when he sold out, and soon afterward sailed with his family to Europe, and traveled in Germany, France and England. Re- turning to the United States, he arrived in Denver August 27, 1877, and was engaged in the real- estate business one year, after which he re-opened his clothing establishment at his present location,
where he has since continued with good success. He was married in Leavenworth, Kan., October 28, 1859.
WHARTON J. KINSEY.
The history of W. J. Kinsey and the business of which he is the head, furnishes a good illustra- tion of the spirit of enterprise which pervades and characterizes the whole Western country, and an example of honorable success, seldom equaled in so short a time. Beginning in a small way in 1866, he has kept pace with the demands of the rapidly growing agricultural interests, has contributed to the success and comfort of the farmers of the State by the introduction of the latest and hest improve- ments in labor-saving machinery, and has increased his business, during the past ten years, from $5,000 to over $250,000 per annum. His trade extends throughout the entire State of Colorado, and, through his numerous agencies into New Mexico and Wyoming Territories. Besides handling a general line of agricultural implements, he is the sole agent for Colorado of B. D. Buford & Co.'s Rock Island plows, J. I. Case & Co.'s thrashing machines, P. K. Dederick & Co.'s perpetual hay- presses, J. W. Stodard & Co.'s Triumph drill and Tiger sulky hay-rakes, the Bain wagons, and Wal- ter A. Wood & Co.'s mowers, reapers and self- binding harvesters, which he has continued to handle ever since his start in business in Denver. Mr. Kinsey was born August 23, 1842, in Mercer County, Ill., removing with his parents, at the age of twelve years, to Gencseo, Henry Co., Ill., where his father was afterward one of the Kinsey Bros. Plow Manufacturing Company. Mr. Kinsey, as a boy, manifested a decided taste for mechanics, and preferred the workshop to the schoolroom, spend- most of his time in the former. Entering the United States volunteer service, at the beginning of the rebellion, he served till the fall of 1862. Returning to Illinois, he remained through the win- ter, and the following spring came to Colorado, and took a contract to furnish the poles for the Western Union Telegraph line from Central City to about a hundred miles below Denver. In 1866, he
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established the business for which his tastes, train- ing and former experience so thoroughly qualified him, and in which he has been so eminently success- ful. No more untiring, thorough, hard-working busi- ness man can be found in Colorado than Mr. Kinsey. Early and late he is to be found at his office or extensive warehouse, giving his personal attention to every detail of his immense business. He is enterprising and sagacious, liberal-hearted and open- handed, frank and cordial in manner, and social in disposition. Although performing an amount of labor which would break down a man of less hardy constitution, his habit of application to business does not prevent him from finding time to mingle in the enjoyment of social life ; and in society, as well as in his home and business, he is hailed as a genial comrade and the prince of good fellows.
ROBERT KIRKPATRICK.
This gentleman was born in Massillon, Stark Co., Ohio, October 9, 1832, and is of English and Scotch parentage. At an early age, adhering to the old English custom, he was apprenticed for seven years to the jeweler's trade, and theu studied law one year in the office of F. M. Keith, in his native town, but believing the watch and jewelry business more suited to his taste, he embarked in that business in company with A. C. Benedict at 28 Broadway, New York City, and at the end of three years, returned to Massillon, Ohio. Mr. Kirk- patrick was married in Canton, Ohio, to Miss Hattie Trump, daughter of P. P. Trump, a prom- inent banker of that city. In 1875, he purchased the right of manufacturing the mallcable and wrought-iron fencing for Colorado, since which time he has resided in Denver, devoting himself exclusively to business, in which he has attained a large patronage.
REV. JAMES D. KERR.
The Pastor of the Seventeenth Street Presbyte- rian Church of this city, Rev. James D. Kerr, who has endeared himself to the members of his church by his faithful ministration, was born in
Washington County, Penn., November 28, 1839, and graduated at Washington College, Penn., in the class of 1859. After two years spent in teach- ing in the South, be returned to Pennsylvania and entered the Theological Seminary in Allegheny City, graduating in April, 1864. He soon after- ward accepted a call to the pastorate of the Farm- ington Presbyterian Church in Sangamon County, III., where he remained over six years, where he married Miss Sarah A. Lyman, of that county. After this charge terminated, he removed to Ne- braska City, Neb., and became Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, remaining seven years. He then accepted a call to his present charge, and entered upon his pastoral duties in February, 1878. Mr. Kerr is one of the most genial of men, and to his consistent life and Christian example, is due much of his ministerial success.
GEORGE J. KINDEL.
Mr. Kindel was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 2, 1852. He was educated in the public schools, and, at the age of sixteen, began an apprenticeship to the upholstering trade. After spending four years in learning his trade, he accepted a position in the firm of Michell & Rennsburg. In 1877, he came to Denver and followed his trade one year, and then removed to Leadville. He soon, how- ever, returned to Denver, and embarked in the furniture and upholstering business, manufacturing mattresses and lounges, which he has since con- tinued, and is now doing a prosperous business.
JOHN KIEFER.
John Kiefer was born in the city of Buffalo, N. Y., August 4, 1848. He received a common- school education, and, at fifteen years of age, com- menced working at the trade of plumbing and gas- fitting. Mr. Kiefer served a long apprenticeship in this business, being engaged in it in Buffalo for ten years. In the fall of 1872, he came to Den- ver and obtained a position with Miller & Co., with whom he remained one year. At the expi- ration of this time, Mr. Kiefer formed a co-
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partnership with S. C. Brown, this firm continu- ing at the present time, and being, in their line of plumbing, steam and gas-fitting, one of the most prominent and reliable houses in the city, keeping a full assortment of all the fixtures connected there- with.
EDWARD KERSTENS.
Edward Kerstens was born in Toenning, Ger- many, May 12, 1833. After receiving an aca- demic education, he was engaged in the grocery business in his native country until the year 1855, when he started for New York. After remaining a short time in New York City, he went to Livo- nia, in Western New York, where he was engaged in storekeeping until 1861. From Livonia, he went to Rochester, N. Y., where he was engaged for one year in the wool business. In the fall of 1862, he left Rochester for Buffalo, N. Y., and there engaged in the wholesale paper business, where he remained until 1874. He then removed to Denver, Colo., where he engaged in the same business, forming a partnership with his nephew, Edward Peters; they confined themselves exclu- sively to the wholesale trade, which is one of the largest in the State.
HON. WILLIAM A. H. LOVELAND.
Few men are so well known in Colorado as the subject of this sketch. Still fewer have a wider personal popularity and warmer friendships. Pos- sessed of an adventurous nature, a sagacious mind and a bold, intrepid spirit, he has literally carved his way to fame and fortune in the wilderness. An avant courier in the tide of fortune-seekers who were attracted to the gold-fields twenty years ago, he has lived through all the changes and vicissitudes of two decades of a generation which has seen an empire rise from the desert; and among the most prominent of those who fash- ioned its present and made possible its brilliant future, is Colorado indebted to Mr. Loveland for her splendid development and magnificent achieve- ments in material improvement. He was the founder of her mountain railroad system. His
genius perceived and his energies directed its accomplishment, and his perseverance and business enterprise have done perhaps more to develop the mineral resources of the State than all other influ- ences combined. As a railroad magnate, politi- cian, citizen and legislator, his purposes have been bold, far-reaching and sagacious, and he has had the courage and the genius to win success. A man of splendid intellect and indomitable energy, his one ambition has been to make Colorado a great and prosperous community. Naturally, he has won for himself both fame and fortune. Born in Barnstable, Mass., May 30, 1826, Mr. Loveland is in the fifty-fourth year of his age. Of medium height and splendid physique, his weight of years sits lightly upon him. His strongly- marked features and calm, resolute face indicate a disposition which no opposition can subdue. Inheriting from his rugged ancestors elasticity of thought and vigor of mind, he was fortunate in having these qualities supplemented with Western views and liberal ideas. His parents removing to Illinois while Mr. Loveland was yet a youth, he may be considered in instinct and habit a Western man. Among the first of the volunteer soldiery of Illinois, although but a boy in years, he served through the Mexican war, and was severely wounded at Chapultepec. Returning to his home in Illinois, he, within a year, emigrated to Califor- nia, where he remained five years. Then return- ing to Illinois, he resumed his mercantile business until his removal to Colorado in 1859. Arriving here, he settled in Golden, and soon became one of the most extensive and enterprising merchants in the West. In 1863, he obtained the right of way and built a wagon road up Clear Creek Cañon. It was the germ of his future railroad enterprises. Engineers pronounced a railroad through those gloomy gorges an impossibility. But the man knew his future, and, four years later, the railroad became a reality. Since 1876, Mr. Loveland has been President of the Colorado Central Railroad and its branches. His administrative ability has been conspicuously manifested, and he justly ranks
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among the ablest railroad men in the West. As a politician he has not been without success. He was Chairman of the Convention which met to form a provisional government, and was for many years a member of the Territorial Council. He was the Democratic candidate for Governor in 1878, and has twice received the vote of his party in the Legislature for the United States Senate. Two years ago, he became proprietor by purchase of the Rocky Mountain News, the oldest journal in the State, and has since conducted it with that marked ability which has distinguished all of his business enterprises. Mr. Loveland is also one of the bonanza kings of Colorado, being the princi- pal proprietor in the celebrated " Fanny Barret mine," which is believed to be the largest and richest mineral deposit in the State. Such, in brief, is the career of one of the most conspicuous public characters in the West. He has filled honorably and well every position in life, and has before him many years of usefulness and distin- guished public service.
C. C. LATHROP, A. M., M. D.
Dr. Lathrop is a son of Hon. Charles C. Lathrop and Elizabeth Nichols, and was born in New Orleans, La. At the opening of the war in 1861, he removed to the North, and entered Princeton College, New Jersey, from which insti- tution he received the degrees of A. B. and A. M., after which he studied medicine at Bellevue Medical College, and served in Bellevue and Charity Hospitals of New York City. He also practiced at the Jersey City Hospital and Hudson County Lunatic Asylum. He commenced prac- tice in New York, but was compelled, on account of failing health, to remove to Colorado. Arriving in Denver in October, 1876, he began the prac- tice of medicine, and has been successful in establishing a lucrative practice. He is a member of the Denver Medical Association, in which he served as Secretary in 1877; is also a member of the Colorado State Medical Society, of which he was Secretary in 1877; and, in 1878, was
made permanent Secretary. He has read and published several articles on medical topics in the New Jersey Academy of Medicine, New York medical societies, and the Colorado Medical Society.
WILBUR C. LOTHROP.
Mr. Lothrop is a man whose high sense of public and personal honor, with his careful and industrious business habits, has won for him a place among the prominent men of Colorado. He is one of her pioneers, whose public spirit and generous disposition cause him to aspire to some- thing more noble than mere personal gain, and hence render him a most valuable citizen. He was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, September 25, 1845. He made preparation and entered Ken- yon College at Gambier, Ohio, for the purpose of thoroughly educating himself; but, before he had completed his course, the rebellion came on, and assistance which he was getting from his brother, then living in New Orleans, was thereby cut off, and he was, therefore, compelled to leave college and engage in something to make a livelihood. For the first two years, he was engaged in book- keeping and clerking in his native town; but, in the spring of 1865, he came to Denver, and at once received the appointment of Chief Clerk in the United States Collector's office. In the fall of 1869, he was elected County Superintendent of Schools, without opposition, and, in 1870, was appointed Territorial Superintendent of Public Instruction, and re-appointed in 1872. He held that position until 1873, when he resigned and engaged in the mercantile business in this city, and continued in this until 1875, when he was elected County Clerk and Recorder by a majority of only 7 votes, but, in 1877, he was re-elected by a majority of 875; and was again re-elected in 1879 by a majority of 1,346, which was the largest majority ever polled for any Arapahoe County official. This, surely, speaks very com- mendably of Mr. Lothrop as a public officer. In 1873, during his absence from the Territory, and without his knowledge, he was elected a member
William medley, D.D.V.
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of the Board of Education, and served in that capacity for three years, during which time he did much toward building up the present school system of this city. He is a man of sterling integrity, and his generous disposition and pleasing ways make friends of all his associates.
WOLFE LONDONER.
This gentleman, well known throughout the entire Rocky Mountain region as one of the lead- ing merchants of Colorado, was born in the city of New York in 1839. His father being a wealthy merchant, he had in his youth all the advantages which wealth can bring, but being even then of a restless and adventurous disposition, when about thirteen years of age, he left home and, boarding a California-bound steamship, made his way to the Pacific Coast. Arriving in San Francisco, he found employment in a hotel at $125 a month and his board, and soon afterward was engaged by a celebrated auctioneer to sell goods at auction three hours every evening, receiving a salary of $200 a month. At this he continued until he had saved enough money to open a grocery business of his own. After remaining in California about four years, at the anxious solicitation of his parents, he returned to New York and engaged in business with his father. About 1856, his father removed to Dubuque, Iowa, where he opened a large store, in charge of which he placed his eldest son, Wolfe assuming charge of a branch store a few miles in the country. They did a very prosperous busi- ness until the panic of 1857-58, when they were obliged to succumb to the pressure of the times. The father, taking the remnant of their goods, went to St. Louis, hoping in that city to retrieve their shattered fortunes. Wolfe was left in charge of the family to await the receipt of funds from St. Louis for the purpose of taking them down the Mississippi. After a short time he received $20, and being heartily tired of his life of enforced inactivity in Dubuque, without waiting for further remittances, he determined to attempt the removal to St. Louis at once-not an easy
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