USA > Colorado > Arapahoe County > History of the city of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado > Part 81
USA > Colorado > Denver County > Denver > History of the city of Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado > Part 81
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JACOB SCHERRER.
Mr. Scherrer has been closely identified with the history of Denver for the past ten years, and is regarded on all hands as one of her most substan- tial and worthy citizens. He is a solid matter-of- fact man, one who has fine business judgment, and since embarking in the live-stock business has attained, by energetic application to business and using to his advantage the great opportunities afforded in the West, a high degree of success and an ample fortune. Mr. Scherrer was born in Paris, France, February 8, 1838, and is a descendant of a German and French family. In 1847, he emi- grated to the United States with his parents, who settled in Washington County, Iowa. His father was a farmer, with whom he remained, devoting himself to the attainment of a practical knowledge of the various branches of agriculture, until the spring of 1859. He then engaged in freighting from the Missouri River to Colorado, Utah and Montana Territory, making his headquarters at Boulder City, Colo., near which place he owned a ranche, to the improvement and management of which a portion of his time was devoted, until
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1863. Disposing of his ranche, he continued freighting until 1868, having his headquarters at Denver. He then changed his line of business and embarked in the live-stock trade, becoming the owner of stock-yards at Denver, the first established for the purpose of supplying the beef market of the city. His attention was directed chiefly to raising cattle and improving his herds, in addition to which he entered largely into the business of butchering and furnishing beef for the Denver market, and the adjoining mountain towns, for which he purchased large numbers of cattle in addition to the supply from his own ranche. In January, 1879, he discontinued the business of butchering, and gave his entire attention to rais- ing and purchasing cattle for the market, with which he connected the sheep business, since which time he has entered largely into that branch of pastoral industry. Mr. Scherrer was married in Denver, January 19, 1871, to the daughter of Joseph Marion, of Denver, and has a family of five children.
MICHAEL SPANGLER.
Mr. Spangler, the present Sheriff of Arapahoe County, was born in Clark County, Ohio, Novem- ber 22, 1846. At the age of fifteen, he entered the army, accompanying his brother, who was a Captain of the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio In- fantry for about a year and a half, and then enlisted in the Eighth Ohio Cavalry, in which he served until mustered out in 1864. Returning to his native State, he entered Wittenburg College, at Springfield, at which institution he remained sev- eral years. After leaving college, he engaged in business until 1873, when he came to Denver. Here he engaged in the real-estate business, at first alone, but afterward as a member of the firm of Spangler & Bean. Mr. Spangler was Chairman of the Republican County Committee in 1878, and, in 1879, was elected on the Republican ticket Sheriff of Arapahoe Couuty. He was married at Osborn, Ohio, December 28, 1871, to Miss Jennie Bonberger.
E. K. SMITH.
Mr. Smith was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., February 16, 1838. He received a common- school education, and followed farming until twenty-seven years of age. At this time (1865), he engaged in the livery business in Adains, Jefferson Co., N. Y. After three years passed in this business, Mr. Smith obtained a position as commercial traveler for a paper house in Beloit, Wis., which he retained two years. In the spring of 1870, he came to Colorado, and for about a year was engaged in stock-raising. He was subsequently in the employ of the Golden Paper Company, of Golden. In August, 1871, Mr. Smith opened a paper store in Denver, and has since been engaged in this trade. He is also still engaged in stock-raising, giving especial atten- tion to the breeding of Shetland ponics, having quite a herd of them at this time. Mr. Smith is a prompt and reliable business man, and has an interest in developing Colorado's industries.
JOHN C. STALLCUP.
One of the most successful young lawyers of this city, and a man who has secured a large prac- tice by giving attention to his clients, is John C. Stallcup. He was born in Georgetown, Columbiana Co., Ohio, February 26, 1841, receiving his edu- cation in the High School of New Lisbon, Ohio, and in the Mount Union College. He then began the study of law with his father, M. D. Stallcup, of New Lisbon. He was admitted to the bar August 20, 1864, and began practice in Alliance, Stark Co., Ohio, remaining there until the fall of 1871, when, on account of failing health, he went to Jefferson, Tex. Here he was prominent, both in his profession and politics. In the fall of 1873, he returned again to Alliance, remaining there as long as his health would allow, and in the spring of 1877, by the advice of physicians, came to Den- ver, Colo., where he has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession. In the fall of 1878, he received the Democratic nomination for the State Senate, but was defeated with the rest of
J. W. Hacker ZU. 2.
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his ticket. Mr. Stalleup is a close student, and has established a reputation of being a careful pleader and good advocate.
REV. W. G. M. STONE.
Rev. W. G. M. Stone was born in Rising Sun, Ind., September 24, 1832. He received a scientific edu- cation, studying at Oberliu, Ohio, and Hillsdale, Mich. At the latter place, Mr. Stone began the study of theology, completing his studies there iu the fall of 1860, after which he entered the minis- try. His first charge was at Cheshire, Ohio, where he remained but one year. From there Mr. Stone removed to Vevay, Ind., where he remained until the winter of 1862-63. In June, 1861, he mar- ried Miss E. A. Van Duzen, of Racine, Wis. From Vevay, he was called to the pastorate of the Uuitarian Society in Berlin, Wis., where he remained about ten years. Mr. Stone came to Denver in the fall of 1872, and engaged in the work of the ministry. To his efforts the establishment of the Unitarian Church upon a sound and permanent footing, is mainly due. While Pastor of this society, their neat and commodious house of worship was erected. In the spring of 1875, Mr. Stone engaged in the book and station- ery business at Boulder, remaining there until May, 1879, when he purchased the stock of Rich- ardson & Co., a firm doing business on Larimer street, in this city, and opened a book store under the firm name of Stone & Co., which is known as one of the most reliable business houses in Denver, carrying a very full and complete stock in their line, which, as the demands of the cultivated and reading people of Denver and the State require, is constantly increased.
HENRY K. STEELE, M. D.
Dr. Steele is one of Denver's tricd and suc- cessful practitioners in medicine and surgery, and one of her esteemed and best citizens. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, April 1, 1825. He received a collegiate education at Centre College, Danville, Ky., graduating with the degree of B. A. In 1848, after an extended course in
medicine and surgery, he received the degree of M. D. from the University of New York ; and at once began the practice of his profession at Day- ton, Ohio, where he- remained until 1871. He then removed to Denver, Colo., and engaged in the active practice of medicine, in which he has since continued with marked success. In 1861, he was commissioned Surgeon of the Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which capacity he served for three years. He is now and has been for the past four years the Surgeon for the Kansas Pacific Railroad Company, and is also the Surgeon for the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad Company. Since 1851, he has been a member of the American Medical Association ; was elected Vice President of the Ohio State Medical Society in 1858, and an honorary member of the same in 1872. He is also a member of the Colorado State Medical Society, of which he was President for the year 1875. Dr. Steele possesses those characteristics of industry, perseverance and hon- esty of purpose which lead to success, and has used well the powers given him, and enjoys the respect and confidence of the entire community.
GEORGE C. SCHLEIER.
Mr. Schleier is oue of the enterprising pioneers of Colorado, who came at a very early date, and remained amid the hardships and disadvantages of froutier life, and have witnessed her development into a rich and prosperous State. Mr. Schleier was born in Baden, Germany, January 4, 1827. His parents emigrated to the United States when he was six years of age, and settled at Zanesville, Ohio, where young Schleier received a good com- mon-school education, after which, in 1843, he went to Cincinnati and took a business course in Bacon's Commercial College of that city. He then entered upon a clerkship in a hat house of that city, and also learned to manufacture silk hats. In 1850, he went to New York City, where he worked about one year in a silk-hat manufactory, after which he went to Milwaukee, Wis. Here he engaged in the hat business for himself, remaining
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fall of 1863, he enlisted in the First Colorado, serv- ing until October 5, 1865, in the mean time being promoted to the rank of Captain. He then served on the Denver police force until the fall of 1869, when he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and, in this capacity served for the next four years. From 1873 to 1875, he was exclusively engaged in the detective business on the Rocky Mountain detect- ive force, of which he has been a member from its organization. During the latter year, he was again appointed Deputy Sheriff, serving for another pe- riod of four years, resigning during the summer of 1879. Engaging in detective work in Leadville, he invested extensively and successfully in mining property, and remained there until January, 1880. Few men have done more toward bringing desper- ate and dangerous criminals to justice throughout the Rocky Mountains and mining districts, thus opening the way for honest and enterprising men to develop this grand industry unmolested. While engaged in his detective work, he has had many narrow escapes, capturing bold and reckless desperadoes, who, knowing that their capture meant death, would fight desperately for their lives. Those who have lived in Denver and Colo- rado for the past eighteen years know the hard- ships and dangers endured by Capt. Smith, and other members of the Rocky Mountain Detective Association, and universally regard him as one of the bravest and most useful citizens of the State.
WILLARD TELLER.
Brother and partner of Senator H. M. Teller, has become an eminent member of the bar in Colorado. He has the reputation of being one of the most careful pleaders and best advocates in the State. His standing is the very best, both in his profes- sion and among men, having a high sense of public and personal honor. He was born in Allegany County, N. Y., in 1835. His father, John Teller, was a farmer, and young Teller followed the same vocation until he was eighteen years of age. In 1852, he entered Alfred University, and subse- quently graduated at Rushford Academy, in 1856,
after which he took a classical course at Oberlin College, graduating in 1858. In the mean time, he had determined to study law, and at once entered an office in Angelica, N. Y., and was ad- mitted to the bar at Buffalo in November, 1859. He settled at Olean, N. Y., and began the practice of his profession, continning until the fall of 1861, when he removed to Morrison, Ill., and was in active practice of law up to the spring of 1864. He then removed to Central City, Colo., and formed a partnership with his brother, Hon. H. M. Teller, who already had a large practice. They were soon known as one of the leading law firms of Colorado. In 1878, Mr. Teller removed to Denver and opened an office in connection with their office at Central City, where they now have a large and remunerative practice. He has never aspired to, or held any office, but is a stanch Republican, and has been prominent as one of the leaders of his party. In stature, Mr. Teller is a medium-sized man, of pleasing address, but with a keen, stern eye, indicating a man of positive con- victions and determination.
HON. HENRY M. TELLER.
Hon. Henry M. Teller, one of the United States Senators of Colorado, and a member of one of the prominent law firms of Denver, has, for the past eighteen years, been known as one of Colorado's leading citizens. The mineral wealth, the salubri- ous climate, and the many other advantages Colo- rado offers, have been and are attracting men of infinenee, enterprise and wealth, so that, although the State is in its infancy, yet she may proudly boast of the intellect, public spirit and enterprise of her citizens ; henee, the mere fact of Mr. Teller being called upon to accept the highest office the people of his State could give him, is of itself an evidence of his superior ability. The State has honored him, and he does honor to the State. In politics, he is a stanch Republican ; but is re- garded as a man who is devoted to principle, and who pursues principles to their logical results. His ability is not so much of the showy kind, as
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it is of the solid. He is known as an honest man, an able man, a patriotic man, and a student of those principles relating to the best interests of his State and constituency. In his profession, he ranks high; has the reputation of being a careful pleader, and a good advocate. He is a man of medium size, easy address, and with a keen dark eye, indicating a careful scrutinizer and diligent student. He is now in the prime of life; was born in Allegany County, N. Y., May 23, 1830. By his own industry and perseverance, he re- ceived an academic education, by teaching and attending the academy alternately. After having attended Alfred University and Rushford Acad- emy, of New York, in this way, he then followed teaching exclusively for a short time, after which, in the spring of 1856, he entered upon the study of his profession in the law office of Judge Martin Grover, of Angelica, N. Y., and was admitted to the bar in January, 1858. He immediately turned his face westward, and located in White- side County, Ill., where he began the practice of law. He remained here until the spring of 1861, when the gilded accounts of Pike's Peak induced him to push across the Plains to Colorado. Lo- cating at Central City, he engaged in the practice of law. In 1863, he was appointed by Gov. Evans, Major General of the State Militia, which office he held for two years, and then resigned. In 1865, he organized the Colorado Central Railroad Company, drew its charter, and, for five years, was its President. He has been active in many business enterprises of the State, and especially those in and about Central City, and, like most enterprising citizens of Colorado, has been more or less engaged in mining.
In November, 1876, after Colorado had become a State, he and Mr. Chaffee were elected to repre- sent her in the United States Senate. As this was the first representation of this State in the Senate, it became necessary to determine which of them should hold the office for the long, and which for the short term. This was decided by lot. Upon the first drawing, Mr. Chaffee drew the
term of two years, and Mr Teller the blank term. Drawing again, he obtained the term of three months. He was then re-elected by his constitu- ents, which gave him the full term of six years. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Teller was a new man in that dignified body, representing a new State, he was, in a very short time, called into active duty by being placed on some very im- portant committees, the first being that of Privi- leges and Elections, a very important one at the time, owing to the fact that this committee was sent to Florida to investigate the alleged election frauds of 1876. He also participated in the dis- cussions and other business which came before the Senate, but especially did he oppose every measure prejudicial to the interests of his own State, and work hard for those favorable thereto. In 1878, he was appointed chairman of a special committee to investigate alleged election frauds in Southern States, and after a long and tedious investigation, he, as chairman of that committee, made an clab- orate and carefully prepared report. He was also appointed Chairman of the Committee on Civil Service and Retrenchment, and rendered efficient service. In short, his entire record in that body is one which reflects credit upon himself and his constituents, and of which they may well be proud. His party is largely indebted to him for its suc- cess in this State, as he has ever been one of the standard-bearers, participating in all of the cam- paigns. He has been associated for several years with his brother, Willard Teller, in the practice of law, and for the past two years they have been practicing in this city, where the firm is regarded as one of the strongest in the State. Senator Tel- ler is also a tried and faithful Mason; he has done as much, or more, than any other man in the State toward building up this ancient order in Colorado; he has traveled the checkered floor from an Entered Apprentice to a Thirty-third Degree, Scottish Rite Masons, and has been honored by his brothers of the Mystic Tie with many important offices ; he has gone from the West to the East, and while there, has taken many rough ashlars from
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the quarry of the world, who, after being tried and squared, if faithful to their charge, have be- come better men and better citizens than they were before. He was Grand Master of Colorado for seven years, and was the first Graod Commander of the Knights Templar of the State. But his zeal for the good old order has rewarded him with many tried and true friends, both at home and abroad. It may be said of Senator Teller that he is a man in the broadest sense of that term. In his home, he is domestic; in society, social; in his State, a good citizen; in business, enterpris- ing and prompt ; in his profession, a lawyer; and in politics, a leader-and the greatest compliment that can be paid to him is, that he has made himself what he is.
HON. HENRY C. THATCHER.
Hon. Henry C. Thatcher, late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Colorado, is a man whose learning, good judgment and sterling honesty have won for him a place among the distinguished men of Colorado. Upon the admission of this State into the Union, by the votes of her people, Mr. Thatcher was called upon to accept one of her most responsi- ble and honored positions. As this was the first State election, there had to be a full representation of Supreme Judges chosen, and the election re- sulted in the choice of Judges Wells, Elbert and Thatcher. The time each should remain on the bench was determined by lot, so that in the future one term should expire and a new member be elected every three years. Judge Thatcher drew the term for three years, thus becoming the first Chief Justice of the State, Judges Elbert and Wells drawing the six and nine year terms respect- ively. On the 13th of January, 1880, Chief Justice Thatcher's term expired, and, declining a re-nomination, he left the position of dignity and honor pure as he found it, leaving behind him a record synonymous with justice and purity. He now returns to the practice of his profession, after three years of careful deliberation in the law ; a man yet in the prime and vigor of life. He was
born April 21, 1842, in Perry County, Penn., and after attending the public schools, pursued a course of study, and graduated, in the Class of 1864, at Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, Penn. He then selected the profession of law, and after pursuing his studies in Holidaysburg, Penn., for about a year, entered the Law Department of Albany University, and graduated with the degree of LL. B., in the summer of 1866. The following autumn, he came to Colorado, located at Pueblo, and began the practice of his profession, which he continned until his election to the Supreme bench. In January, 1868, he was appointed, by President Andrew Johnson, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, and discharged the duties of this office until May, 1869, when he resigned. He was also an active member of the Constitutional Convention during the winter of 1875 and 1876, rendering valuable service on a number of commit- tees. He was Chairman of the Committee on Legislature and Legislation, and a member of the Committees on Judiciary, Public and Private Cor- porations, and Congressional and Legislative Ap- portionments. Judge Thatcher has been identified with all the public enterprises in his part of the State, and his influence is always exerted toward developing the State and her institutions. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and to him that party owes much, as he has been one of her workers and leaders; but he is a man who adheres strictly to principle in matters relating to his State as well as to himself. Judge Thatcher is full six feet in height, of easy address, and with a bright blue eye ; he is a good converser, which, with his good nature and gener- ous disposition, wins for him the friendship and ad - miration of all who know him.
A. P. TAYLOR.
Mr. Taylor, senior member of the firm of A. P. Taylor & Co., was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, February 6, 1837. After receiving a com- mon school education, he learned the trade of a carriage and wagon-maker, at which he worked until he came to Denver in 1873, when he, with
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his partner, opened the extensive wagon, carriage and trimming establishment, at No. 245 Twenty- seventh street. This firm carries on all branches of wagon and carriage manufacturing and has one of the best establishments of the kind in the State. For honesty and integrity Mr. Taylor is widely known among the business men of Colo- rado.
HON. HORACE A. W. TABOR.
The life of the Lieutenant Governor of Colo- rado furnishes a striking illustration of the truth of the motto, " Labor omnia vincit," and of the old adage, " Providence helps those who help them- selves," as well as of the oft-quoted passage :
"There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune."
Born among the green hills of Vermont, and accustomed in early life to the rugged toil of a New England farm boy, he developed those traits of character which prepared him for his subse- quent life of labor on the frontier of Kansas and in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains, and to take at its flood the tide which led to fortune. He was born in Orleans County, Vt., November 26, 1830. In 1855, he emigrated to Kansas, and engaged in farming. As an active member of the Free Soil party, he participated in the exciting scenes which marked the period during the dark days of border-ruffianism. He was a member of the Topeka Legislature in 1857, which was dis- persed by Col. Sumner at the point of the bayo- net, by order of President Pieree. In 1859, he came to Colorado, and went at once to Clear Creek County. Spending the following winter in Denver, he located the next spring in California Gulch, where he was exclusively engaged in min- ing up to 1865. He then began merchandising, and followed it in connection with mining, from that time on, with varied success, until May 1, 1878. At that time, although he had not sue- ceeded in acquiring great wealth, he was far from poor, having accumulated a competency of some $35,000. During these years of his mercantile life in California Gulch, he was always the firm
friend of the miner and prospeetor; and it is said of him that he was ever ready to give them credit, however unfortunate may have been their sucees- sive ventures. In May, 1878, August Rische and George F. Hook, whom he had "grub-staked," made the discovery of the mine which has since become famous as the " Little Pittsburg," he being entitled by the agreement to one-third. Mr. Hook soon afterward disposed of his interest in the elaim to his partners, and Mr. Rische, in turn, sold out to the Hon. J. B. Chaffee and D. H. Moffat, Jr.
The Little Pittsburg Consolidated Mining Com- pauy was afterward organized on the Little Pitts- burg Group with a capital stock of $20,000,000, and one-fourth of the stock disposed of in New York City for $1,000,000 in cash, by Mr. Chaffee, in the short space of two weeks. The mines yield the Company a monthly dividend of $100,000, and show immense bodies of ore, sufficient to keep up uch dividends for many years to come. Gov. Tabor retained something over a fourth of the stock of the Company until September, 1879, when be sold out for $1,000,000 to Messrs Chaffee & Mof- fat, and purchased about one-half of the stock of the First National Bank of Denver, at the same time purchasing the Matchless mine at Leadville. He also owns a fourth interest in the mining property of Borden, Tabor & Co .. comprising five or six mines, and yielding $100,000 a month, with capac- ity for still larger dividends if desired. Of his mining property in the San Juan country, we men- tion the Alaska, Adelphi, Acapulco, and the Vie- tory mines, situated in Poughkeepsie Gulch, in all of which he is interested, besides which he is the sole owner of the Red Rogers and the Saxon. All these mines are in an advanced stage of develop- ment, and paying well, employing some forty men in operating them. He has also valuable mining property in Alpine. Although making such ex- tended investments in mines, with the result of in- spiring confidence in the mineral resources of Colo- rado, and attracting other capitalists to the new State, he has not confined his attention to mining
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