USA > Colorado > Arapahoe County > History of the city of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado > Part 74
USA > Colorado > Denver County > Denver > History of the city of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado > Part 74
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HON. JOHN L. ROUTT.
Probably no other State in the Union, of like population with Colorado, and certainly no other
city of the size of Denver, can boast among its inhabitants so large a proportion of men of brains, energy, prominence, and national reputation. The richness of the mineral resources of the State, and the marvelous curative effects of its climate, have attracted hither, from all parts of the world, large numbers of men, eminent in literature, law, di- vinity, medicine and politics. Most of those men sent by the General Government to occupy impor- tant positions in the Territorial Government, and selected for their attainments, statesmanship and eminent services, enamored of the climate and the indefinable charm of life in this young and bustling city, have, when their terms of office expired, re- mained as permanent residents, instead of returning to the East. Among this class is the Hon. John L. Routt, the last Territorial, and the first State Governor of Colorado. He was born in 1826, in Caldwell County, Ky. While he was an infant his father died, and, after several years, his mother married again and emigrated to Illinois, when the future Governor was in his tenth year, soon after- ward locating in Bloomington, where he received an ordinary English education. Learning the trade of a builder and machinist, he continued that business until he was twenty-five years of age, when he began dealing in lands and town prop- erty, meeting with varied success. With the ex- ception of some minor offices his official life began with his election as Sheriff of McLean County, the second county in importance and population in Illinois. His firmness, decision of character and fearless spirit eminently fitted him for the discharge of the duties of this office. In 1862, he entered the United States military service as Captain of Company E, the color company of the Ninety-fourth Illinois Volunteers. The first year of his service was spent in Missouri aud Arkansas. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., one of the severest battles of the war, where he met with several narrow escapes, no less than three bullets passing through his clothing in one day. His regiment then joined Gen. Grant's forces before Vicksburg and remained
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there until after the fall of that city. They then spent a short time at Port Hudson, after which they proceeded to Texas, where they remained until after the defeat of Gen. Banks, and then returned to Baton Rouge. He served until the fall of 1865, and, on his return to Bloomington, unexpectedly found himself a candidate for Treas- urer of McLean County, for which position his fellow-citizens had nominated him during his ab- sence and without his knowledge. Being elected, he served with great credit for two terms, declining to become a candidate for a third term. He was then offered the position of Chief Clerk of the Bureau of the Second Assistant Postmaster General, which he accepted in November, 1869. He remained in Washington during the winter, and in the spring, President Grant, without soliei- tation on his part, in fact without his knowledge, nominated him as United States Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois, comprising seventy- two counties. He held that office during the taking of the ninth census, which he conducted in a thorough and efficient manner, and in the fall of 1871, President Grant, in recognition of the faith- ful manner in which he had performed his duties as Marshal, tendered him, by telegraph, the post of Second Assistant Postmaster General. This office he accepted, and the following day started for Wash- ington. In this position he had ample opportunity to display his rare executive ability, as in the capacity of Second Assistant Postmaster General he had charge of the conveyance of the whole United States mail, making contracts with railway, steamboat and stage lines, to the amount of nearly $20,000,000 per annum. He continued to act in that capacity until February, 1875, when Presi- dent Grant, who was a strong personal friend, tendered him the position of Governor of Colorado Territory. Immediately on reaching his field of labor, he began putting the machinery in motion to form a State Constitution, preparatory to the admis- sion of Colorado into the Union. He found the Republican party rent by dissensions, many of its leaders absent, and although taking no part in any
controversy, he went quietly to work to harmonize the various discordant clements and consolidate its ranks. Colorado was admitted by proclamation of the President August 1, 1876. and Gov. Routt was nominated by acclamation by the first Republican State Convention, for Governor of the new State. Being elected, he took his seat as the first State Governor on the 3d of November, 1876. The starting of the new State Government necessarily involved a great amount of labor, which kept him busily engaged for two years. With the beginning of the State, the responsibility of the General Government ceased; funds were needed to carry on the Government; the State warrants started off at 75 per cent, and during his term of office continued to appreciate until they commanded a premium of 1 per cent. Although the interest has been reduced to 8 per cent, they are now sell- ing at par, and when the tax now being levied shall have been collected, the State will be out of debt, presenting a case unparalleled by any other State in the Union. This is the result of wise legislation and the good management of the State Government, and is largely due to the wise provi- sions of the State Constitution, which Gov. Routt, although not a member of the Constitutional Con- vention, did much through his quiet influence to form. The Governor, as President of the State Land Board, did much to secure for the State some of the best lands under the grants of Con- gress, and also to organize the work of the Board. Absolutely declining to become a candidate for renomination, he retired from the gubernatorial chair with the respect and confidence of the pco- ple of the State, and a host of strong personal friends in both political parties.
Having devoted many years to the public service. to the sacrifice of his private interests, he went to work to accomplish something for himself, finan- cially. In this he displayed the same energy of purpose and inconquerable determination, which had characterized his public career, and his patient, persevering efforts have been rewarded with suc- cess, even beyond his most sanguine expectations.
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Engaging in mining operations in Leadville, he encountered all the obstacles, and passed through the various stages of buoyant hope, patient waiting, and deep despondeney, so well understood by the hardy miner. but kept on until abundant snecess crowned his labors, and he is now owner of three- fourths of the Morning Star and Waterloo, two of the richest mines in that marvelous district, deriv- ing therefrom an income which enables him to gratify his cultivated tastes, and contribute to the up-building of the city and State, for which he feels so strong an attachment. Having helped to form the State, and kept familiar with the various interests of Colorado, he is proud of her position among her sister States, and thoroughly in love with his Western home. In personal appearance, Gov. Routt is short, stout, strongly built, showing great physical strength and powers of endurance. His head is large and well shaped, features promi- nent, hair and eyes jet black. His principal characteristics are his rare, practical sense, sound judgment, unswerving integrity, and dogged deter- mination. His keen observation and power of analysis have kept him from making many errors iu his official life, to which his quick decision and prompt execution would otherwise render him liable. These qualities have made him, in every respect, a successful man, and as he is in full vigor, the future history of Colorado will, as in the past five years, retain him as one of her most prominent men.
REV. ST. CLAIR ROSS.
Rev. St. Clair Ross, son of James and Susanna (Barnhart) Ross, is one of the pioneer ministers of Colorado. His father was an early itinerant of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, and is said to have been a systematic, fluent and eloquent speaker. Three of his sons are ministers of the United Brethren Church. In 1849, St. Clair Ross, then in his twenty-fifth year, left Ohio, where he had been a farmer, and moved to Keithsburg, Mercer Co., Ill., where for a time he was Superintendent of a packing and grain- shipping establishment. He entered the ministry
of the United Brethren Church in 1858, and traveled the first year under the direction of the Presiding Elder, and was regularly licensed to preach according to the rules of his Church, at Blandonville. Ill., in September, 1859. Three years afterward, at their annual conference, he was ordained an Elder of the Church. He was one year Presiding Elder of the Illinois Conference but resigned that position to accept the appoint- ment as the first missionary to Colorado, and with his family came to Denver in October, 1869. He began his labors by organizing the first classes of his Church in Colorado, one on Ralston Creek, and another on the Platte River, fourteen miles below Denver. He had the entire supervision of the Church in Colorado until the organization of the Colorado Conference in 1872, when he was at once chosen Presiding Elder, which office he con- tinued to hold until 1875. He has never missed a meeting of the Annual Conference since he en- gaged in the profession, and has twice been the Legal Delegate to represent the Colorado Confer- ence in the General Conference, which meets every four years. Mr. Ross has been twice married ; the first time to Miss Lucy Davison, of Delaware County, Ohio; the second time to Miss Lizzie Watson, of Mercer County, Ill. Of a strong and robust constitu- tion, Mr. Ross is well calculated to endure the trials and hardships of a pioneer life, and seldom, if ever, has he failed in the discharge of his duties on account of ill health. During the twenty-one years of his ministerial life, lie has received more than one thousand members into his Church, and has been instrumental in the building of many churches and parsonages. He has ever been a zealous worker in the cause of Christianity, and takes a just pride in the present strength of the United Brethren Church in Colorado.
JOHN J. RIETHMANN.
Among the many hundreds of adventurous fortune-seekers, who left the comforts and even luxuries of their Eastern homes, on the first reports of the discovery of gold, and, at the very
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beginning of the Pike's Peak excitement, to follow the Goddess of Fortune across the almost boundless Plains and woo her favors beneath the very shadows of the Rocky Mountains, how varied have been their subsequent careers ! ' Some, discouraged and disheartened, retraced their steps with heavy hearts and lightened pockets, to resume the treadmill existence of the past. Others pressed on toward the setting sun, to build their homes beside the placid waters of the Pacific, while others still, remained to acquire fortunes and homes in the heart of the continent by the steady and quiet methods of agriculture and commerce. Among the last-named class is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Riethmann was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, November 20, 1838. At the age of ten years, he came with his parents to this country, locating in Indianapolis, Ind., where he received a public-school education, and, during the last few years of his residence there, was employed in the Bank of the Capitol. In the spring of 1858, the family removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and the same fall, he, with his brother, L. D. Riethmann, and another companion, started across the Plains with an ox team for the new gold fields. Reaching a point known as Rough and Ready, about two and a half miles down the Platte, they erected a cabin in which his brother spent the winter, he himself remaining but twelve days and returning to Coun- cil Bluffs, carrying the first mail-bag between here and the Missouri River. In March, 1859, he again came to Denver, and engaged in manu- facturing crackers, in which he continued until 1870. Since 1868, he has been engaged in the drug business, in which, as in his former business, he has been very successful. Having accumulated a fortune, he spends it freely in visiting various parts of the world, and giving his family the advantages of foreign travel, and the benefits of the best schools of Europe. He visited California in 1867, and, in 1870, he went to Europe, and spent a year among the scenes of his native land. In 1876, he again visited the Old World, spend- ing three years in traveling in Italy, Austria,
Germany, France, and England, his children remaining at school in France and Germany. He was the first President of the German Bank (now the German National Bank ) of this city, and resigned the position to go to Europe in 1876. With the exception of serving in the City Council, he has held no political offices. He has always been alive to the interests of the city, contributing to its upbuilding, and has seen it spring from almost nothing to one of the most beautiful cities on the continent. Mr. Riethmann was married in Indianapolis, February 3, 1863, to Miss Mag- dalena Filbeck, of that city, and has a family of four children-three sons and one daughter.
FREDERICK RIETHMANN.
Although still a young man, Mr. Riethmann was one of the first emigrants to Colorado, having come to the Territory with his parents in 1859. He was born in Switzerland County, Ind., November 8, 1852. When he was five years, of age his par- ents removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where they stayed two years, coming from there to Den- ver. Mr. Riethmann worked on his father's farm near Denver, receiving such education as could be derived from a country school, until 1879, when he was married to Miss Maggie Morris, and at once moved on his farm, near Island Station, in the northern part of the county. Mr. Riethmann is an industrious, steady young man, thoroughly familiar with farming and stock-raising, and is lay- ing the foundation of a substantial fortune.
JAMES W. RICHARDS.
James W. Richards was born March 4, 1839, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and, at an early day, removed with his parents to Wayne County, Ill. He received a common-school education and worked on a farm until he was about nineteen years of age, when he concluded to take Horace Greeley's advice and "go West and grow up with the coun- try." Therefore, in the summer of 1859, he boarded a train, propelled by ox teams, and crossed the Plains, by way of the Smoky Hill route, and
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in due time arrived in Denver. Like most of the other Colorado settlers, he commenced mining and followed it, at intervals, for about six years. He was not one of these who were lucky enough to strike a big bonanza, but he encountered the usual difficulties that are understood by those who are acquainted "with the ways of the mines." In 1865, he established a fast freight line between Denver and Central City, and continued in that business until 1872, and, the fall of this year, went into the wholesale flour and grain business with the Brown Bros., in which he has since continued, and has built up a business the sales of which have amounted to half a million dollars for the past year. He shipped the first car load of grain over the Kansas Pacific Railroad to Denver, and established the first line of transfer wagons in the city, which, perhaps, are the most convenient wagons for the purpose used in any city, and upon which he and W. J. Kinsey have a patent. Mr. Richards is not only identified as one of Colorado's leading business men, but he is also one of her model farmers. He owns and cultivates a farm two and a half miles west of Denver, which is said to be the best improved farm in the State. It has a bearing apple orchard on it which was one of the first set out in Colorado. He has also a fine grape arbor which has horne from two to three tons of the finest grapes in one season; but the principal product of his farm is wheat, of which he harvested 3,000 bushels during the last season. It may, indeed, be said of Mr. Richards, that he has "grown up with the country," as he came at an early day, and experienced many reverses, but he struggled manfully through them all, and at last has his reward.
HON. MERRICK A. ROGERS.
M. A. Rogers, attorney at law, was born in the vil- lage of Dexter, at the falls of the Black River, near Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., December 28, 1838. His father emigrating to Illinois in 1841, his early life was passed upon the farm in Jo Daviess County, attending the district school
after the age of twelve. At nineteen years of age, he entered a law office in Freeport, III., re- maining, however, but a short time. In the spring of 1860, he decided to try his fortune in the min- ing districts of the Rocky Mountains, and started at once, arriving in Denver on the 3d of June. He was engaged in mining until September, 1861, when he joined a company of volunteers then forming in Gilpin County, under Col. Fitz Henry Warren, from Burlington, Iowa, for the purpose of joining the First Iowa Cavalry. On arriving in Denver, however, they were mustered into service as Colorado troops, and for over two years were known as Capt. Backus' Independent Company of Cavalry. When the First Regiment of Colorado Infantry was mounted and transformed into a twelve- company cavalry regiment, they were assigned to it as Company L. He was engaged mainly in scouting service on the frontier in New Mexico, Texas and Indian Territory, holding the position of Quarter- master Sergeant of his company from the date of his enlistment until the discharge of his regiment in the spring of 1865. In July, 1867, he resumed the study of the law in the office of L. B. France, his present partner, and was admitted to practice in 1869. The following year, he was elected Pros- ecuting Attorney for two years for the then First Judicial District, and in 1872 was re-elected for another term of two years. Mr. Rogers has never been an aspirant for political honors, preferring to devote his entire attention to the duties of his pro- fession. In 1878, however, at the instigation and earnest solicitation of his legal brethren, who were desirous of abolishing the code of procedure under which they had practiced for the two years previous, he became a candidate for and was elected a member of the State Senate. They succeeding in the partial accomplishment of the desired ob- ject, making many and important amendments to the former code. While in the Senate, he made no effort to distinguish himself by the introduction of a multiplicity of bills, but rather pursued a conservative course in opposition to reckless and ill-advised legislation. Mr. Rogers was married, in
DR AVERY'S RESIDENCE 201ST. DENVER, COL.
RESIDENCE OF W. H. WALKER. DENVER. COL.
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May, 1867, to Miss Ellen A. Bedford of Jo Daviess County, Ill., and has two daughters.
J. O. REYNOLDS.
Mr. Reynolds was born in Enfield, Hartford Co., Conn., December 5, 1822. He remained there until he was fifteen years of age, when he became General Agent of the Boston & Maine and Eastern Railroads. He remained with those com- pauies several years, then became connected with the Fitchburg Railroad. After leaving that com- pany, and during the following fifteen years, he was General Agent, at different times, for the Grand Trunk, Vermont Central, Kennebec & Portland, and Old Colony Railroads. Then he was ap- pointed Inspector of the Washington Water Works. He was married in Portland, Me., De- cember 5, 1852. In 1857, having dissolved his connection with the railroad, he became traveling agent for the Hazard Powder Company, of Haz- ardville, Conn. He traveled for that Company five years, when he removed to Denver, Colo., and became general agent for the State of Colorado for the same Company and manager of their branch office located in Denver. He is also gen- eral agent for this State for the Du Pont Powder Company, of Wilmington, Del.
DR. B. W. ROGERS.
Dr. Rogers is one of the pioneer dentists of this city, who by his careful and scientific operations and his amiable disposition, has built up a practice that extends throughout the State. He was born in Buffalo, N. Y, April 17, 1842, and received an academic education. In 1860, he began the study of medicine, continuing for about two years and a half, when he decided to study dentistry instead, and for about three years pursued this study in a dental office, which he supplemented with a term in the New York Dental College, after which, in the fall of 1863, he went to Dubuque, Iowa, and began the practice of his chosen pro- fession. In the spring of 1867, his health became so impaired that he was compelled to leave there
and seek a more salubrious climate, in search of which he came to Denver and at once began the active practice of his profession, in which he has since continued. He makes a specialty of opera- ting, but all mechanical work is done under his supervision as well. Adjoining his residence on Arapahoe street he has built the finest dental office in the West, where he has every facil- ity and convenience adapted to the wants of his profession, with all the modern improve- ments. He married Miss Mary T., eldest daugh- ter of Hon. George Tritch of this city, in May, 1871, and has two bright little girls. He is a man with fine features, of easy address and has that happy faculty of making himself agreeable to those around him which wins their friendship at all times.
OSCAR ROOP.
Twenty years ago, Oscar Roop left his home in Toledo, where he was born and raised, and came to Colorado in 1460, in pursuit of the golden treasures which lay concealed in the Rocky Moun- tains. By hiring ont as a driver of au ox team from Leavenworth to Denver, his long journey across the Plains was attended with profit rather than expense; and, after a brief rest in Denver, he set out with his companions to Russell's Gulch, where he mincd with doubtful success for a short time, and then went to Idaho Springs. He spent the summer there, erecting a water stamp-mill for crushing quartz, and in the fall of 1861, returned to Denver, and was employed several months in the crection of the United States barracks, at Camp Weld. In 1862, he went to Montgomery, and assisted in the erection of quartz-mills, after which he returned to Iowa, and engaged in busi- ness with his uncle, at Oskaloosa. Six years were thus employed, when he removed from Iowa to Denver, with his family, in 1870, and has resided here continuously since that time. He was for two years engaged in the wholesale liquor trade in Denver, and afterward in the dairy business, in West Denver, in connection with dealing in horses, at Bailey's Corral, corner Sixteenth and Wazce
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streets, where he still has an office, and con- ducts an extensive business. He is associated with Stephen B. Leybonrne, under the firm name of Roop & Leybourne, his youthful companion across the Plains and through the mountains, and partner in all his business enterprises since they both left Ohio in 1860. Mr. Roop is now in his forty-third year; an adherent of the Episcopal denomination, a member of the Masonic Fraternity, in which he is a Knight Templar, and in political matters affiliates with the Democratic party. He was married, in 1864, to Miss Cedelia Church, of Oskaloosa, and had two children, the last of whom died but a short time ago in Denver. Mr. Roop is now in comfortable circumstances ; owns real estate in Denver, and is conducting an extensive business in the purchase and sale of horses.
L. L. REES.
Mr. Rees was born in South Wales in 1844. In his youth, he attended school for several years, and received a good elementary education. At the age of sixteen, he was entered as an apprentice at the carpenter trade, and after acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business, sought employment in London and Liverpool, working in each of those cities until he concluded to leave his native shores and go to the United States. He arrived in this country in 1866, and set to work in Newark, N. J., but in a few months moved to Chicago, and subsequently came to Denver in 1867. He was for several months employed in the building of Fort Russell, and for a considerable period was connected with the Central Pacific Railroad. In 1870, he went to California and assisted in the erection of Odd Fellows' Hall, in Sacramento, and then returned to Denver and entered upon the discharge of the duties of his present position, as foreman of work on bridges and water-tanks of the Denver Pacific Railroad. His frugal and indns- trious habits have enabled him tosecure a handsome competency which is partly invested in real estate, and includes the ownership and management of the St. Charles Hotel, in Denver. Mr. Recs was mar-
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