Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 113

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1530

USA > Colorado > Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present > Part 113

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in Victor. After the fire they built the Fairley- Lampman block in Cripple Creek, which they still own.

Since the start of the Cripple Creek camp, Mr. Fairley has been interested in mining. He owns the Mohican mine on Battle Mountain, which he is developing, and the Black Bell group on Beacon Hill, and is also interested in the Mutual Mining and Milling Company. In matters per- taining to the welfare of Colorado Springs he has taken a deep interest. He organized the Ex- change National Bank and was its first vice-presi- dent. For six years he was an active worker upon the board of education, and for six years he served as city treasurer. Some time during the '8os he was interested in the organization of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he was the second vice-president and has since been a director continuously, with the exception of two years. He is now its president. In politics a stanch Republican, at this writing he is chairman of the county central committee of his party.

Mr. Fairley is a descendant of a Welsh family that was represented among the early settlers of Virginia. His grandfather, Joseph Fairley, was born in Virginia, and became a pioneer in Ohio, where he reared his family on a farm. In 1835 he went to Mercer County, Mo., settling near the present site of Princeton, and there he died when about seventy years of age. Cornelius P. Fairley, our subject's father, was born near Zanesville, Ohio, and was a farmer. Early in 1861, at the first call for volunteers, he enlisted in the Missouri militia, and after six months entered Company B, Twenty-seventh Missouri Infantry, with which he served until after the siege of Vicksburg. On account of poor health he was discharged in November, 1863, and died on the 9th of that month, from the results of exposure and hard- ships. He was sent home from Vicksburg to die, and lived but a short time after his return. A man of valor, he won merited distinction in the siege of Vicksburg, by running up to the breast- works of the Confederates and placing the Ameri- can flag there. At the time of his death he was forty-three years of age. In religion he was a member of the Christian Church. His wife, who was Malinda J. Lindsey, was born near Nash- ville, Tenn., daughter of Archibald Lindsey, a native of Virginia, who settled in Tennessee, but later removed to Mercer County, Mo. His father, Eli Lindsey, also removed from Virginia to Ten- nessee. Mrs. Fairley is now living in Colorado

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Springs and is sixty-eight years of age. Of her five children, three are living, D. B., A. L. and C. W.

The subject of this sketch was born near Princeton, Mo., October 1, 1850, and was reared on a farm, attending the public school and Prince- ton business college. He engaged in the lumber business in Princeton and Trenton, Mo., until 1878, when he came to Colorado, and has since made the Springs his home. He was married in: Chillicothe, Mo., to Miss Laura Shook, who was born in that state, and is a daughter of John Shook, a member of the Missouri state militia and a soldier in the Civil war. Mrs. Fairley is a member of the Christian Church. Of her mar- riage, a son, Fred C., was born; he is a graduate of the high school and is now attending a busi- ness college in Chicago. While living in Prince- ton Mr. Fairley was made a Mason and also took the Royal Arch degree there. He was a charter member of Pike's Peak Commandery No. 6, K. T., at Colorado Springs.

Mr. Fairley's financial standing is of the highest order. As a business man he is prompt and energetic, noted for his keen perception, his ready grasp and apprehension of the real points at issue, and the correctness of his deci- sions. The growth and prosperity of his busi- ness are commensurate with the energy and ability of the owner, who merits the substantial suc- cess he has so deservedly achieved.

AMUEL TAYLOR, the well-known and popular postmaster of Avondale, Pueblo County, Colo., is an important factor in business circles and his popularity is well de- served, for in him are embraced the character- istics of an unbending integrity, unabated en- ergy and industry that never flags. He is a leading merchant of the village, and as a public- spirited citizen is thoroughly interested in what- ever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the community.

Mr. Taylor was born in England, but his early life was spent in Canada. His education was obtained in the schools of England. At the age of eighteen he removed to Toronto and from there started west to British Columbia and worked on the survey and construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad through the Rockies for two years. For some time he traveled through different portions of the United States, following public construction work entirely, and eight years

ago came to Colorado. He has been foreman for the Colorado Land and Water Company, and from 1890 to 1895 superintended part of the con- struction of their fine ditch. He is now agent for the McHarg ranch, which includes Avondale and comprises two thousand acres of valuable land under the Bessemer ditch. He established his store at Avondale three years ago and now car- ries a large and well-selected stock of general merchandise to meet the demands of his con- stantly increasing trade. Besides his property he owns a ranch.

In 1892 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Annie Bostrick, a native of Michigan, and they have three children. The Republican party has always found in Mr. Taylor a stanch supporter of its principles, and he has most ac- ceptably filled the offices of postmaster and jus- tice of the peace at Avondale. In all possible ways he has aided in building up this section of the county, and his support is given to all enter- prises which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit. He is therefore recognized as one of the valued and useful citizens of the com- munity, and his career has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence of all.

M ORTON STRAIN. The business interests of Lamar, Prowers County, have a worthy representative in the subject of this sketch, who is engaged here as a dealer in seeds, grain, coal and feed. He has been especially active in securing for the town improvements that will pro- mote its growth and secure the welfare of its in- habitants. Notable among these improvements may be mentioned the mill, which he was instru- mental in having erected in 1892. With other citizens, in 1898 he put in an electric light plant, which has secured for the town the advan- tages of well-lighted streets; and with others he has been interested in the erection and manage- ment of what is the best hotel in the state, outside of the large cities.

Mr. Strain was born in Lawrence County, Ind., June 24, 1860, and is a son of Robert M. and Ann E. (Meek) Strain. His father, who was a native of Ohio and a miller by trade, engaged in operating both a flour and saw mill, in addition to which he operated a farm. The boyhood years of our subject were devoted to milling and farm work, and to the ordinary branches taught in common schools. At the age of twenty-one, in 1881, he went to Newton, Kan., where for two

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years he worked by the month. Next, going to Meade County, Kan., he took up land, which he improved and after two years sold. He came to Lamar about the time the town was laid out, in 1886. The following year he embarked in the theless finds time for attendance upon social functions and is a welcome guest in select circles of the city. Various fraternal organizations number him among their members. He is vice- chancellor of Pueblo Lodge No. 52, K. P., and transfer business, which he finally merged into · is also connected with Minnequa Lodge No. 53, I. O. O. F .; Lincoln Encampment No. 28, I. O. O. F .; Camp No. 2, Woodmen of the World, and South Pueblo Lodge No. 31, A. F. & A. M.

his present business, although he still continues as a transfer agent. His first investment in real estate here was made in 1887. The first building that he erected was a warehouse, and afterward he assisted in building other blocks, one of which he still owns.

In Lamar, in April, 1893, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Strain to Miss Luella Morehouse,. who was born in Plymouth, Ind. They have one child, Corinne, who was born in Lamar in March, 1895. While not a politician, Mr. Strain is a pronounced Republican, in the faith of which party he was reared. He has held office as alder- man, and, had he so desired, would have been elected to other local offices of trust and honor. Fraternally he was made a Mason some years ago and is now actively identified with the blue lodge and charter at Lamar.

ARRY W. SPICER, D. D. S., who is one of the rising young dentists of Pueblo and is building up a valuable practice in his chosen profession in this city, was born near Monmouth, Ill., May 25, 1875. The first ten years of his life were passed in that part of the country, and his education was largely obtained in its schools. When he was about eleven years old he went to Kansas; four years later he came to Colorado and settled in Colorado Springs with other members of his family. There he was a student in the high school for some time.

Having determined to enter the dental profes- sion, at the age of seventeen years our subject began to study dentistry. At first he read in the office of Drs. Chamberlain, of Colorado Springs, under whose preceptorship he gained a thorough knowledge of the rudiments of the profession. After a time he became a student in the Kansas City Dental College. He graduated in 1896, when a little less than twenty-one years of age. On the 4th of March, the same year, he began to practice his profession in Colorado Springs, but a few months later, on the Ist of September, he came to Pueblo and opened an office, where he has since engaged in a continuous practice.

While the attention of Dr. Spicer has been con- centrated mainly upon his profession, he never-

SAMUEL S. MADDOX, general manager of the Leibhardt wholesale produce and com- mission house, of Pueblo, is a member of a southern family that, on coming to America, took root in Virginia. Later generations remained in the Old Dominion, but in 1836 Nicholas, our subject's father, went southwest to Texas and settled in Grayson County, near Sherman. There the remaining years of his life were spent. He was a hard-working, energetic man, but, like all southerners, suffered seriously by reason of the Civil war. He gave three of his sons to serve the Confederacy, these being W. S. W., B. F. and J. W., and doubtless the remain- ing five sons would have gone to the front also had it not been for their youth. At this writing three of the sons are influential attorneys in Texas and three are prosperously engaged in the mercantile business.

On the home farm near Sherman, Tex., the subject of this sketch was born in 1853. He grew to manhood on the home place and received an excellent education in the college at Bonham, from which he graduated in 1874. For twelve years afterward he engaged in the cattle business in Texas, where, in common with other stock- men, he had his seasons of encouragement and times of business depression. In 1887 he came to Colorado, where for some years he was con- nected with J. C. Coulson & Co., wholesale commission merchants of Trinidad. In 1893 he came to Pueblo and opened a wholesale commis- sion house as a branch of that in Trinidad, and another branch house was established in Cripple Creek, but afterward the business was discontin- ued, and since 1896 he has been engaged as gen- eral manager for Leibhardt & Co.

Iu 1882 Mr. Maddox was united in marriage with Miss Bessie Coulson, of Colorado, and by her he has one child, a daughter, Willis Galard. In national issues he is a Democrat, but in local matters does not keep within party lines, preferr- ing to give his support to the man best qualified,

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irrespective of his political views. While in Texas he became a charter member of Lodge No. 19, K. P., at Henrietta. He is intelligently con- versant with current events, and by his reading keeps posted concerning international develop- ments. Devoted to the welfare of the city which is his home he favors all plans to advance its welfare and promote its commercial growth.

OKAN MALCOLM WADHAMS, a farmer of Bent County, has resided on section 35, township 22, range 52 west, since 1894, but for two years he operated the land as a renter, and in 1896 bought the ninety acres that com- prise his homestead. Here he has a substantial stone dwelling-house, all the necessary farm build- ings, and the other improvements so essential to the successful management of a farm in Colorado. Though born and reared in Sweden, he is in- tensely loyal to the United States and is devoted to the welfare of our national institutions. Es- pecially is he interested in matters affecting the prosperity of his county, and he does all within his power to promote local interests.

The son of Swan and Helena Christina (Vet- terholm) Johnson, the subject of this sketch was born near Svenarum, Sweden, on Christmas day of 1853. He received a common school education in his native land, and grew to manhood upon a farm. In the various removals made by his par- ents he accompanied them, sharing their hard- ships and assisting in their support. When he was about twenty years of age he came to Amer- ica, spending fourteen days upon a steamer that encountered severe storms, but finally landed the passengers in New York. From there he pro- ceeded to Andover, Ill., where for four years he was employed as a farm laborer.

In Ontario Township, Knox County, Ill., July 14, 1879, Mr. Wadhams married Miss Christine Fredericks, who was born there, a daughter of Karl Johan and Inga Charlotte Fredericks. Her parents and all of her brothers and sisters were born in Sweden, whence they emigrated to America in 1857, settling in Knox County. She spent her girlhood years in that county and received a fair education in the country schools.

Until 1888 Mr. Wadhams continued to farm in Illinois, but did not purchase property there. From that state he brought his family to Colo- rado and settled near Julesburg, where he took up a homestead and a timber claim. During the seven years he remained on that farm he raised

only two crops. Finally deciding that there was no hope of success in that locality, he removed in 1894 to the Bent County farm he has since oc- cupied. During his residence in Sedgwick County he was twice elected to the office of county asses- sor, on the Republican ticket, and held the posi- tion for two terms. He was reared in the Luth- eran faith and has always inclined toward that church.

Mr. and Mrs. Wadhams became the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living. The four eldest were born in Knox County, Ill., the next two in Sedgwick County, Colo., and the two youngest in Bent County. They are named as follows: Helena Charlotte, whose birth occurred in 1880; Anna Cecilia, who was born October 22, 1881; Karl Wilhelm, August 26, 1885; John Frederick, November 7, 1887; Ernest Clarence, February 8, 1890; Lawrence Gustav, July 9, 1892; Sven Milton, April 13, 1896; and Dora Margaret Christine, June 29, 1898.

M ILTON UTT is a leading representative of the agricultural and business interests of Pueblo County, where he is now engaged in farming and stock-raising, but for a quarter of a century he was also interested in merchandising in this state. A native of Ohio, he was born in Scioto County in 1827, and is a son of Jacob Utt, a river man, who ran the first steamboat on the Ohio River. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Jemima Crull, was of German descent. When our subject was five years old the family removed by boat down the Ohio and up the Missis- sippi Rivers to Illinois, where he was reared on a farm and continued to make his home until 1842. He then went to Missouri and later lived for some time in Kansas, whence he came to Colorado in 1862, settling in Russell Gulch near Central City. After living in this state for two years he returned to Kansas, but not being satisfied there, he again came to Colorado during the construction of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, this time locating at La Veta, where he engaged in mercantile busi- ness. From there he removed to Alamosa, and on selling out his interests in that place came to Pueblo, where he invested $12,000 in property. After living in that city four or five years he be- came interested in the stock business on St. Charles River, and now owns and operates a fine ranch on Greenhorn River, where he also carries on stock-raising with good success.

In 1848 Mr. Utt married Miss E. S. Spaulding,

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who was born near the birthplace of our subject in Scioto County, Ohio. They became the parents of four sons, namely: Millard J., a railroad man living in Kansas; David M., a railroad man resi- ding in Omaha, Neb .; Frank, who is engaged in the livery business in Pueblo; and Fred S., at home.

In early life Mr. Utt was an old-line Whig and is now a supporter of the Republican party at na- tional and state elections, but at local elections, where no issue is involved, he votes for the man whom he believes best qualified to fill the office, regardless of party ties. Being a great student, he is well informed on the leading topics and questions of the day, as well as current literature. He was a soldier of the Mexican war, and his du- ties of citizenship have always been most faith- fully and conscientiously discharged. He has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years, and he has the re- spect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, either in business or social life.

JOHN IFINGER, judge of Park County, has been a resident of Colorado since 1872, and, after a few months in Pueblo, he came to Fairplay in the spring of 1873. The Mount Bross silver excitement was then at its height and hundreds of miners were hastening to Park County. At the present site of Alma he began to work, following the shoemaker's trade there until 1875. In that year the Democrats placed him in nomination for sheriff, and, although the county was strongly Republican, he was elected by a handsome majority. For three successive terms he filled the office, being elected by an in- creased majority each succeeding term. After the expiration of the third term, in the summer of 1883, he had charge of a party of surveyors in the western part of the state, which work en- gaged his attention until cold weather began. He then returned to Alma and engaged at the shoemaker's trade, which he followed until his election as county judge in 1889. He was the Democratic nominee and received a good ma- jority. So pleased were the people with his serv- ices that at the expiration of his term he was again chosen to the office, and in 1898 he was re-elected, being now in the office for the third term.

In Bastrop County, Tex., Judge Ifinger was born November 6, 1837, a son of Nicholas and Agnes (Ricker) Ifinger. He was one of six chil-

dren and the third among four still living. Of these, Joseph is a prominent contractor in St. Louis, Mo .; Anthony was the second-born; and Mrs. Anna Shulty lives in St. Louis. His father was born in the dukedom of Nassau, Germany, i11 1800, and was reared to farm duties. Some four years after his marriage he emigrated to America and settled in Texas, where he was a pioneer. In 1849 he removed to St. Louis, where he spent the closing years of his life, retired from active cares, and enjoying the fruits of past years of toil.

The educational opportunities of our subject were quite limited. After working at various occupations when he was a boy, he chose for his trade shoe-making and served an apprenticeship of five years, after which he worked as a journey- man. At the close of the war he acquired a trading boat and took a trip to the south, which occupied some two years. On his return north he spent a short time in Sangamon County, Ill., working at his trade. Thence he moved to Marshall, Mo., where he spent two years, and from there he came to Colorado. His life has been a busy and useful one. As an official he has been trustworthy and able, and has won many friends, not only among the members of his own party, but others as well. He is active in the ranks of Masonry and is allied with Doric Lodge No. 25, A. F. & A. M.

Judge Ifinger's wife is a talented and popular lady and has been active in charitable work, as well as in society. She was in maidenhood Miss Emeline A. George, and was first married to Jerome Curin. On the 31st of March, 1898, she became the wife of Judge Ifinger, in whose life and work her counsel and aimable disposition have proved encouraging and helpful.

HOMAS D. BRITTON, whose home is one mile south of Las Animas, and who is super- intendent of the poor farm of Bent County, was born in Clark County, Ind., June 25, 1845, a son of Isaac N. and Eleanor (Foutz) Britton. His father, who was a native of Jessamine Coun- ty, Ky., was a son of James Britton, who was born in Virginia, and a grandson of James Brit- ton, Sr., who was born in England, emigrated to Virginia during colonial days and there spent the remainder of his years. Born in 1806, Isaac N. Britton was sixteen years of age when he ac- companied his father to Indiana. He was a graduate of medicine in Louisville, Ky., and in

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addition to practicing his profession, also engaged in farming. In 1855 he removed to Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn., where he followed agricultural pursuits and also built up a good practice as a physician. It was his custom to spend his summers on his farm, and the winter months in the city.

Under the tuition of his father our subject re- ceived a fair education. At sixteen years of age he was very anxious to enlist in the army, but his father would not consent to it. Finally he determined to go anyway, and accordingly en- listed in Company I, First Minnesota Infantry, being a member of the first regiment that was sworn into service for three years, or during the war. He took part in the first battle of Bull Run. Soon afterward, at his father's request, he was sent home. In 1862 he again enlisted, this time in Company E, Second Minnesota Cavalry, which saw service in Indian fights. At the time of the Indian massacre, which commenced Au- gust 18, 1862, he was accepted in the state militia, where he served until December, and during the summer of the following year was an independent scout. December 1, 1863, he enlisted in the United States service, and was a member of Com- pany E, Second Minnesota Cavalry, remaining at the front until he was discharged, November 22, 1865. During the time that he was in the state militia he took part in the Indian fights at New Ulm, where eighty-four men fought their way into the town on Wednesday, and on Sunday there were but thirty-one left, and only thirteen who had not been hit, he being one of these "lucky" thirteen. He was in the second battle of Fort Ridgely, Wood Lake, and in various skirmishes. In the battle of Jim Creek, in North Dakota, he was wounded in the right leg. At Camp Release, in the fall of 1862, they captured four hundred and seventy-five Indian warriors, fifteen hundred non-combatants and ninety-two white women whom the Indians had imprisoned. These warrior prisoners were condemned to be hung, but were pardoned by President Lincoln, with the exception of thirty-eight, whom our subject saw hung on one scaffold.

After leaving the army Mr. Britton went to St. Joe, Mo., where he purchased land. In 1866 he married Miss Effie M. Reece, of Guilford, Nodaway County, Mo., by whom he has three children. In 1881 he removed from Nodaway County, Mo., where he had engaged in farming during most of the time since the fall of 1865.

Coming to Colorado he settled at Prowers Station, and secured employment on the Santa Fe Rail- road, where he remained for two years. He then came to Las Animas and opened a meat market, and has since been engaged in that business much of the time.

In 1864 Mr. Britton voted for Abraham Lincoln for president. He has always been stanch in his allegiance to the Republican party. Frequently he has been a delegate to party conventions, and in 1898 was a delegate to the state convention held in Denver. While living in Nodaway County, Mo., he served for six years as deputy sheriff, and at the same time was deputy United States marshal, to which latter office he was again appointed in 1877-78. Twice he was elected to serve as con- stable. Since coming to Colorado he has served as deputy sheriff, and in 1895 and 1897 was elected justice of the peace. He was a charter member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Richardson, and is now a member of the post at La Junta. In the lodge of the Odd Fellows he has filled all the chairs, and in 1898 represented it in the grand lodge. The spirit of patriotism that prompted him to go forth, while still a boy, to do battle for his country, still actuates him to remain true to the Union he helped to preserve. He is a progressive citizen and deserves the high regard in which he is held.

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Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 113

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1530

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1530