USA > Colorado > Arapahoe County > History of the city of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado > Part 73
USA > Colorado > Denver County > Denver > History of the city of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado > Part 73
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
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but an honorable ambition and determination to succeed, which have happily born abundant fruits of success. He was born in Oswego County, N. Y., in 1855. His father died when he was only four years old, leaving a fair estate, which, by the pru- dent management of the mother, sufficed for the family wants, and enabled the son to secure in his boyhood and youth the advantages of a good edu- cation. A course of studies at Falley Seminary, of Fulton, Oswego County, supplemented by further instruction at the State Normal School, of Oswego, were successively obtained, though not uninter- ruptedly, because he was early in life broken to work, both on the farm belonging to his father's estate, and in other occupations, compelling his absence from school, except in the winter months. Later on, he engaged for a few years in making and selling dairy products, and when the seasons for this business had passed, he taught school for a couple of winters, thus adding to his own store of knowledge, while preparing himself by these habits of industry for the main struggle of life. Mr. Parsons is now engaged in the fancy and staple grocery line, occupying a large establishment corner of Twenty-second and Larimer streets, in Denver, and has had the satisfaction of seeing his business more than double itself during the past year. Mr. Parsons is now in his twenty-fifth year, and unmarried, but possesses a happy home in the companionship of his mother and sister, who have become permanent residents of Denver since 1876. He is inclined to adopt liberal views in matters of religion and politics, though, in the latter respect, he has a leaning to the Republican party. With his energy and business capacity, his future career as a successful merchant would seem to be well assured.
DAVID W. POWERS.
David W. Powers, of Littleton, Colo., was born in Springfield, Vt., September 9, 1830. When about six years old, he was taken by his parents to Keysville, Ky. At fifteen, he went to Boston, Mass., where he found employment in a hotel and
restaurant. He remained in Boston until his re- moval to Colorado, in 1863. Like many of those who came to Colorado at that early day, his inten- tion was to return to the East after having made a fortune. His first business venture in his new home was to open the Tremont House in Denver. He afterward ran the Pacific House in the old Broadwell Block. In 1870, he removed to Little- ton, and since then has been engaged in dealing in cattle and various other kinds of business. He has been more or less interested in mining, and for the past year and a half, has been successfully engaged in business in Leadville, where he has im- portant mining interests. During his first sum- mer in Colorado, he crossed the Plains seven times during the exciting period of the Indian troubles. Mr. Powers was married, May 20, 1860, to Miss Sarah H. Osgood, of Blue Hill, Me., and has four children.
HON. WILLIAM PERRY.
This gentleman was born July 8, 1832, in Mon- treal, Canada. He spent his early life here, and attended the Old Jesuit School of St. Mary's, from which he graduated in 1850. The same year, he went to Paris, France, and pursued his studies two years. He returned to the United States late in the fall of 1852, and located in Columbus, Ga., where he begun the study of law with Mr. Mc- Dougal .. He was admitted to the bar in 1854, and practiced law one year, when he married and removed to Leavenworth, Kan., as one of the pio- neers, and resumed the practice of law there. He soon turned his attention to the political field, and hecame an active politieian in the Democratic party. In 1857, he was elected a member of the Legislature from Leavenworth, and was the leader of that delegation. He was elected the second time to the Legislature in 1858. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention of that State ; a most brilliant man, a ready debater, a good writer and speaker, and a practical politician. He remained in Leavenworth, Kao., until 1861, when he removed to Denver, Colo., and entered upon the practice of his profession with Judge
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G. W. Perkins; but during the same year he died suddenly, leaving a wife and two children, who still reside in this city.
RICHARD E. POWELL.
Richard E. Powell was born in Pennsylvania, in 1826, and, at an early age, learned the trade of a bricklayer and stonemason in Philadelphia. After spending three or four years in the New England States, he lived for a time in Ohio, Indi- ana and Kentucky, working at his trade. He came to Denver in April, 1879, and at once formed a partnership with Joseph McMahon in bricklay- ing and contracting. These gentlemen are at the corner of Larimer and Twentieth streets, and are reliable, energetic business men.
HON. EDWARD PISKO.
Among the foreign-born residents of Arapahoe County, there are few who can present a more inter- esting or successful record than the subject of this sketch. Edward Pisko was born in Rausnitz, Austria, in the year 1843. His parents were desirous of affording him, so far as their means would permit, the advantages of a liberal educa- tion. He was placed in the Latin School of Bruenn, where he received an academical course of instruction, and afterward entered the Com- mercial College of Vienna, where he acquired the theoretical knowledge of those business principles which have since assisted him so materially in his commercial career. Before reaching the age of manhood, he was employed as book-keeper in a wholesale house in Vienna, and remained in that capacity up to the year 1862, when he determined to leave his native land and cast his lot in the New World. Coming to the United States at the. breaking-out of the civil war, and without waiting to calculate the privations and dangers of a sol- dier's life, but simply obeying the impulses of his heart, he proved his loyalty to his adopted country, by enlisting as a private in the Forty-fifth New York Volunteers. Soon ordered to the front, his regiment passed through the terrible struggles of
Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, participating in many of the minor engagements that led up to those two decisive battles, and afterward formed part of Sherman's army in its memorable march to the sea. At the close of the war he, was hon- orably mustered out of the service at Nashville, Tenn., in the year 1865. Quickly adapting himself to the duties of a civil life, he secured a posi- tion as book-keeper in a wholesale house in Louis ville, Ky., residing in that city three years, when, yielding to the excitement which then ran high regarding the Far West, he followed the stream of travel to Wyoming Territory, engaging in a profit- able business in Cheyenne. During his residence there, his fellow-citizens invested him with his first political honors, sending him to the convention that nominated as candidate to the National Legis- lature Judge Jones, the first Republican Repre- sentative elected by the people of that Territory. Removing to Denver in 1871, Mr. Pisko entered upon his present mercantile career, which has since proved both extensive and profitable. He has again been honored by his fellow-citizens, who elected him by a decisive majority to represent Arapahoe County in the Lower branch of the Ter- ritorial Legislature, during the session of 1875-76. While a member of that body, Mr. Pisko was active in many of the most important measures presented for enactment, but it will suffice for the limits of this sketch to refer to the following bills with which he was more closely identified : As Chairman of the Committee on Education, he introduced the bill on compulsory education which passed the House but was subsequently defeated in the Senate. And as a member of the Finance Com- mittee, he originated and warmly championed to its passage in the House, a bill relieving property from taxation to the extent of any valid mortgages encum- bering it, which were also in another form subject to taxation. As neither of these measures became part of the law, it is unnecessary to comment upon the practical benefits involved in them, but it may not be inappropriate to record that the motives of those who labored with Mr. Pisko for the bills
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were unquestionably directed toward the ameliora- tion of the moral and social condition of their constituency. In the first political campaign con- ducted after the admission of Colorado into the Union, Mr. Pisko was prominent before the Republican Convention as candidate for the nom- ination of State Senator from Arapahoe County, but withdrew from the canvass to insure harmony in the choice of the party. Not seeking political preferment, but ever ready to render assistance to his party when his services were required, he has returned with pleasure to the pursuits of private life and to the care of his large business interests, which, during his public career, were necessarily very much neglected. Mr. Pisko has just entered the threshold of full manhood in years, is of medium stature, florid complexion, and has the general appearance of an educated and refined gentleman. He was married about a year ago to Miss Seraphine Eppstein, the accomplished daugh- ter of Mr. Max Eppstein, formerly a resident and highly respected citizen of St. Joseph, Mo., and now a merchant of Denver. Liberal in his views, active in the promotion of any cause wherein his sympathy or his sense of duty enlists his co-opera- tion, possessing an honorable record as a soldier, legislator and merchant, Mr. Pisko has merited the confidence which his fellow-citizens repose in him, and has deserved the success which has marked his career.
AUGUST PIRCH.
In the roll of mechanics who have made their homes in Colorado, and by their labor and skill are building up the fame of Denver, there will be found the name of August Pirch. A native of Prussia, where he was born in 1844, and received his early education, and the knowledge of his trade of blacksmith and wagon maker, he came to the United States when he was twenty-five years old, bringing with him hardy muscles and an active brain. After working about a year in Cincinnati, Ohio, he came to Colorado in 1870, but remained only a short time, going thence to Louisiana and
Texas, working in various portions of these States, until the breaking-out of the yellow fever drove him to St. Louis. Returning to Denver, he be- gan as a journeyman in his trade for a few years, and then opened his present shop, No. 841 Holladay street, where he conducts the business of blacksmithing, horseshoeing, wagon and carriage making, and repair work of every description. Mr. Pirch is now doing a very large business, which he has secured by prompt attention to work intrusted to him, and by the superior quality of his workmanship. That he is no ordinary me- chanic is evidenced by the improvements he has patented, and which will eventually give him a very high standing in the world of mechanical industries. He has patented and will soon begin the manufacture of the "Sulky Ditching and Sidehill Plow," introducing several important feat- ures, which are likely to command the attention of all persons using such an implement. He has also introduced a tool that may be generally adopted by the trade, which is termed the " Im- proved Blacksmith Wagon Making Combined Ma- chine," which may be used for the operation of a hammer, shears, swage, reciprocating saw, drill, punch and chisel, and for shrinking and bending tires. He obtained a patent for this useful article in January, 1878. Mr. Pirch was married in Colo- rado in 1872. He is identified with the progress of Denver, both in his business and in the posses- sion of real estate within her limits. He belongs to the Lutheran denomination, and is a Republi- can in politics. Scarcely twelve years in the United States, he has triumphed in that period over the usual obstacles that bar the progress of all foreigners to our language and customs, and may be regarded now not only as an American in his views, but a good and useful citizen of his adopted State.
HARLAN P. PARMELEE.
H. P. Parmelee, the present City Clerk of Den- ver, an officer whose qualifications and experience well fit him for the position he occupies, was born
Willard Leller
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in Du Page County, Ill., in June, 1841. He pre- pared for college at Easthampton, Mass., after which he entered Yale College, New Haven, Conn., and graduated from that institution in 1863. He then entered Harvard Law School, graduated in 1866, and began the practice of law in Chicago, Ill. Four years later, he removed to Decatur, Ill., remaining until December, 1872, when, on account of failing health, he came to Denver, and, a few months later, commenced preparing a set of abstract books from the Arapahoe County records. This preparatory work occupied about one year, after which he began the abstract business and continued the same until April, 1877. He was then elected to the office of City Clerk, and suc- cessively re-elected to the same office at the fall elections of 1877, '78 and '79. He still continues to discharge the duties of the office in an efficient manner.
WILLIAM B. PALMER.
Mr. Palmer was born in Austinville, Penn., August 5, 1844. When fourteen years of age, he removed to Ottawa, Ill., and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the beginning of the war, when he enlisted in Company K, Eleventh Illinois Regiment, for three month's service, after which he re-enlisted, November 11, in the Fifty- third Illinois Regiment. He was in the battles of Fort Donelson and Fort Henry, also the bat- tle of Shiloh and the siege and surrender of Vicks- burg. During the latter battle, his regiment was almost destroyed; out of 1,500 men, with which they entered the battle, only 263 remained at its close. He was commissioned Captain soon after re-enlisting and served during the war, having been engaged in many of the principal battles of the war. He was mustered out in Chicago Au- gust 29, 1865, and soon afterward came to Denver, Colo., where he engaged in the lumber business in company with his brother, Lester Palmer, and continued the same about ten years, when M. D. Clifford became a partner in the firm. In 1877, they dissolved partnership, and in the fall of the same year, he was elected County Commissioner
for Arapahoe County, and still remains a member of the Board. Early in 1878, he and his brother purchased a ranche about sixty miles from Denver, and have since that time been engaged extensively in the cattle business.
R. J. PIERSON.
This gentleman was born in the town of Jersey, Licking Co., Ohio, January 7, 1848. When he was ten years of age, his parents removed to Montezuma, Poweshiek Co., Iowa. He re- ceived an education in the public schools at that place, and, when about fifteen years of age, learned the printer's trade. He began his first business as a newspaper man in 1870, when he formed a partnership with John W. Cheshire, and began the publication of the Montezuma Standard. Six months afterward, he bought out the Montezuma Republican, and continued the same fourteen months, when he sold his interest to his partner, and removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where he started a job printing business. Six months later he con- solidated with the Iowa State Journal, a morning daily, and, about one year afterward, sold his in- terest to his partner, and again started a job office, which he continued until he removed to Denver. After his arrival in Denver, he followed his trade until October, 1877, when he formed a partnership with W. W. Whipple, establishing a legal and commercial printing business. He was married in April, 1873, at Victor, Iowa, to the daughter of the late Mr. Marshall, of Illinois.
ROBERT PARHAM.
Mr. Parham was born in Staunton, Augusta Co., Va., November 9, 1830. At the age of five years, he removed with his father to Philadelphia After graduating from the High School, of that city, he served a regular apprenticeship in the drug business, and then entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which he graduated in 1850. In the spring of 1851, he removed to St. Louis, Mo., and accepted a clerkship with E. S. Wheaton, a prominent druggist of that city,
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with whom he remained until 1854, when he em- barked in the drug business, in partnership with Samuel D. Hendal. In the spring of 1857, he sold out his interest to his partner, and removed to Emporia, Kan., where he erected a large steam saw and flouring mill combined, and operated the same until April, 1860, when he was elected Sher- iff of Lyon County. Having disposed of his mill, he entered upon the duties of that office and served until 1864. Removing to Leavenworth, Kan., he again embarked in the drug business, which he pursued very successfully until 1866. He then removed to Kansas City, and continued in the same business in company with August Bremart two years, after which he returned to Leavenworth and remained in business until 1877, when the business interests of that town became so paralyzed as to render it impracticable to remain. Removing his business to Kansas City, he contin- ned the same prosperously until 1879, when he sold out to James M. Love & Co., and coming to Denver, engaged in the drug trade, and has since established a lucrative business. He was married in Philadelphia, in June, 1860, to the sister of George H. Fryer, of Denver.
FRANK PALMER.
Mr. Palmer, who was one of Denver's most active and enterprising business men, and a man who endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact, by his sterling worth and honesty, was born in New York December 9, 1832. After receiving a good common school education, at nine- teen years of age he went to California, and engaged in mining for about three years, meeting with moderate success. He then returned home, but after remaining a short time, went to Des Moines, Iowa, and engaged for awhile in the real- estate business. He then went to Leavenworth, Kan., and remained until the spring of 1860, when he came to Denver. His business here, at first, was buying and selling gold from the mines, but he soon went into the banking business with Warren Hussey, under the firm name of Hussey
& Co., and opened banks in Denver and Central City. The firm was successful, and in 1866, Mr. Hussey went to Salt Lake, and Mr. Palmer remained in Denver, conducting the business until 1870; they then disposed of their business at Central, continuing their business in Denver one year longer. In 1872, Mr. Palmer organized the Denver City National Bank, becoming its Vice President. It was owing, in a great measure, to his good business judgment and activity that the organization prospered, and became one of the leading banks of the city. He married Miss Margaret Gray, of Central New York, April 5, 1866. He died December 3, 1877, after a linger- ing illness and nervous prostration, due to over- work and too close application to business. At the time of his death, he had accumulated au ample fortune, and had won for himself a name second to none and equaled by few, for commer- cial integrity, honorable enterprise, and well-de- served success.
/HON. WILLIAM H. PIERCE.
Born in Hudson, Summit Co., Ohio, January 18, 1838, William H. Pierce received a collegiate ed- ucation, graduating in the Class of 1858 from the " Western Reserve College," of which his father was President for twenty-five years. He then studied civil engineering and surveying, which profession he followed for a number of years. During the summer of 1861, he came to Denver and engaged in business. He enlisted in the Sec- ond Colorado Cavalry upon its organization, and was mustered out of service as First Lieutenant. He has been twice Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, during which time he was active in consolidating and building up that party in Colorado. He was a member of the School Board in Denver, from 1876 to 1879, one year of which time he acted as President, and was ever faithful to his trust. He is now Superintend- ent of the Boulder Coal Mines and proprietor of the City Transfer Company, of Denver, and one of the owners of the Denver Republican, which is
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very largely indebted to him for its success, as he has been active in its behalf. He is one of Den- ver's jovial good fellows, and a public spirited citizen.
HON. ALFRED C. PHELPS.
Alfred C. Phelps, a successful lawyer who has become well- known to the bar of Colorado, was born in Woodville, Miss., December 4, 1842, and at an early age removed with his parents to Granville, Ill. After receiving an academic edu- cation in Granville, he entered the United States Army in the fall of 1862, soon after the breaking- out of the war of the rebellion, enlisting in Com- pany F, of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. For bravery in the field, he was commissioned Second and First Lieutenant. He participated in the famous Vicksburg campaign, and was in active service most of the time during the war. In August, 1865, he was mustered out of the service, and immediately returned home, resumed his legal studies, and in January, 1867, was admitted to the bar in Illinois, and practiced his profession in that State for five years. During that time, he married Miss Clara Donell, of Green- ville, Ill. In May, 1872, he removed to Denver, where he immediately began the active practice of his profession, which he has since continued. He has been a member of the legal firm of Charles & Phelps, and is now a member of the firm of Bene- dict & Phelps. He was a member of the first State Legislature where he introduced the bill which provided for the selection of Presidential Electors, which was passed without a single amendment. In April, 1877, he was elected City Attorney, holding that office until the fall of 1878. Mr. Phelps, by industry, perseverance and fair dealing, has became prominent as an attorney, and honored as a citizen.
HENRY L. PITZER.
Mr. Pitzer was born in Hopkinsville, Ky., March 21, 1834. His parents, Claiborne and Sarah J. Pitzer, in 1836 removed to Macoupin County, Ill., where his father was for some years en-
gaged in farming, and in buying stock and driving to the St. Louis market. His father was one of the most industrious men among the early settlers of Macoupin County. His parents endured many hardships, and their financial affairs not being the best, they removed to Madison County, Iowa, in 1847, where they were more fortunate. From Madison County they removed to Mills County, in 1853. Here Henry left home, and was employed for three years in a dry-goods house. When the Pike's Peak gold excitement of 1860 was at its height, he was swept along with the tide, and ar- rived at Denver the 1st of June. His first three years were mostly devoted to prospecting, in which he had but little success. From 1863 to the sum- mer of 1864, he farmed, sold groceries, and was employed in the Quartermaster's office in Denver. In the summer of 1864, he entered the Third Col- orado Cavalry, and served through the Indian war, after which he resumed the grocery business, in which he has since been engaged, with varied suc- cess, mainly in Denver, but at one time at George- town, and also at the Breckenridge mining camp. He was married to Miss Mary Elder, of Johns- town, Penn., December 31, 1874. They have one son. His place of business is at 296 Holladay street. His past experience with the credit sys- tem being a disastrous one, he now confines him- self to a cash business.
THOMAS E. POOLE.
The junior member of the firm of G. W. Hus- elton & Co., manufacturers of laundry and toilet soaps, is Thomas E. Poole, a native of Dubuque, Iowa. He was born in 1840, and was educated in the public and private schools of that city, and at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa. His father, William Poole, was a pioneer of Dubuque, having emigrated from Pennsylvania by canal and steamboat, and settled in Dubuque in 1837, and has since been actively identified with the mining interests of that city. Mr. Poole was engaged in the hardware business in Dubuque for about fif- teen years, and removed, several years ago, to
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Toledo, Ohio, and thence to Kentland, Ind., where he is still interested in the hardware business. He became a permanent resident of Denver in June, 1879, and formed a partnership with George W. Huselton in the manufacture of laundry and toilet soaps, in which they are meeting the most gratifying success.
HON. THOMAS G. PUTNAM.
Prominent among the members of the Denver bar, is the above-mentioned gentleman. He was born in Fultonville, N. Y., January 24, 1840. After receiving an academic education, he began the study of law with the Hon. George F. Com- stock, at Syracuse, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar in 1861. Engaging in the practice of law, he achieved some notoriety in the profession, but in June, 1863, entered the army as a Captain in the Fifteenth New York Cavalry. He served as aide to Maj. Gen. Sigel during his campaign in West Virginia, and was in Gen. Sheridan's command, under Gen. Custer, during the latter part of 1864, and in the winter and spring of 1865. Soon after the fall of Richmond, he was appointed Major of his regiment; but, the war being practically ended, he declined the honor, and, at his own request, was mustered out of the service on the 4th day of July, 1865. From 1866 until 1870, he practiced law in West Virginia, serving during that time as Prosecuting Attorney of his district, and was twice elected to the House of Delegates. During his second term, he was the candidate of his party for Speaker of the House; but, owing to a coalition of the Liberal Republicans and the Democrats, he was defeated, and a Liberal elected in his stead. This was the turning-point in the politics of West Vir- ginia, as the State has since been Democratic. Mr. Putnam came to Denver in the spring of 1870, and associated himself with Gen. Samuel E. Browne in the practice of law, which he has continued up to the present time.
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