Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 122

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 122

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

teen. In the meantime the family had located in Pueblo in 1873, and here he joined them in 1878. On starting out in life for himself he engaged in the insurance business for three years, but for the past twelve years has been connected with the Newton Lumber Company, first as bookkeeper, but when the company was incorporated in 1893 he was made secretary, treasurer and general manager, having charge of two yards in Pueblo. He is a progressive, energetic business man of known reliability, and of a very social and genial nature. He belongs to several societies, includ- ing the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. Politically he is identified with the Democracy, but has never cared for official honors. He was married August 28, 1890, to Miss Irene M. Paul, a daughter of Dr. Paul, of Pueblo, and they have one daughter, Helen Catherine. Their home has become the center of a cultured society circle.

DWIN MC LEARN, a prosperous merchant of Rifle, Garfield County, came to this vil- lage in 1892 and established the mercantile business which he has since conducted. He is one of the principal business men of this town, which is situated on the Colorado Midland and Denver & Rio Grande Railways, at an altitude of five thousand and four hundred feet. In his store he employs a number of clerks, whose efficiency and energy add to the popularity of the establishment. Besides this business, which is constantly increasing, he operates a lumber yard, and is the owner of a large ranch near town.

LISHA M. SAUNDERS, who has owned and superintended a stock ranch near Ny- burg, Pueblo County, since 1890, came to this state in 1871 in company with his parents and settled in this county, where a large part of his life has since been passed. He was born in North Carolina, in the village of Hayesville, in 1860, and was almost eleven years of age when he came to Colorado with his father, Elisha, a farmer and veteran of the Confederate army. The first home of the family was established in Pueblo County, but after a time removal was made to Routt County, where the father died, August 12, 1888. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Barnett, was a daughter of John Barnett; she was born in North Carolina and is now residing with our subject. Of the three sons

and two daughters comprising the parental family, George lives in Pueblo; Andrew J. is a stockman in Routt County; Dorcas Louisa is the wife of George H. Puntenney, of Arkansas; and Naomi married Ethan Chilcott.

When a youth of sixteen our subject started out in the world for himself, and from that time he has not only been self-supporting, but has accumulated a valuable property. He has always been interested in the stock business, and on his ranch may be seen some fine stock. After re- maining in Routt County for three years he returned to Pueblo County and bought his present property in 1890. The most of the improvements on the place have been made by himself, but the residence was here when he bought the land. He has kept the land under cultivation, raising feed for his stock and also some products for the market. In 1886 he married Cora A. Young, of Jackson County, Mo., who was orphaned at an early age. Their children are: Roger M., Earl, Lloyd, Patrick Henry, and an infant daughter unnamed.

OHN ROGERS. The county of San Juan contains among its residents no one who takes a warmer interest in its progress or aids in a higher degree the development of its mining resources than he whose name introduces this sketch. During the years that he has made his home here he has been instrumental in pro- moting the prosperity of his home town, Silver- ton, and has favored measures for the benefit of his fellow-citizens. The high regard in which he is held by the people was shown, in November, 1897, when he was elected, by a good majority, to hold the responsible position of high sheriff of San Juan County.

The Rogers family is of English extraction. The subject of this sketch was born in England December 31, 1845, and his parents, John and Elizabeth Rogers, were also natives of that country. When he was a boy he accompanied his parents to America and settled with them in Illinois. The years of youth he passed upon a farm in Jo Daviess County, where he early learned the habits of industry and perseverance that stood him in good stead in later years. His education was such as the common schools afforded, and, although not broad, was thorough.

Upon coming to Colorado in 1874, Mr. Rogers settled in Silverton, San Juan County, where he has since made his home. During the interven-

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ing years he has engaged in prospecting and mining, and has met with some reverses and some successes, experiencing the usual ups and downs of a miner's life. In the main, however, he has been prospered and has met with favor- able results in the development of mining inter- ests. He has always been interested in public affairs. At all times he has been true to the principles of the Democratic party. Public- spirited and progressive, he bears a part in all measures which tend to advance the welfare of the community. As a school director he was instrumental in promoting the interests of the public schools. He also held the office of assessor, by appointment, and since 1897 has served as sheriff, which position he fills efficiently. Frater- nally a Mason, he has for six terms been master of San Juan Lodge No. 33, A. F. & A. M., of Silverton. He is also connected with the Home Forum, of which at this writing he is president.

The marriage of Mr. Rogers was solemnized in Benton County, Iowa, April 2, 1874, and united him with Jennie E. Porter, a native of Peekskill, N. Y., and a daughter of R. L. and Elizabeth Porter. Three children were born of their union. Clara, who was born in January, 1878, and died at the age of six years; Harry, born in April, 1882; and Frank, born in November, 1884.

ILLIAM M. PARRISH, M. D., who is a well-known and successful physician and surgeon of Monte Vista, Rio Grande Coun- ty, was born in Greencastle, Ind., December 17, 1844, a son of Abel and Betsheba (Rush) Par- rish, the former a native of North Carolina. The paternal grandfather, Barney Parrish, was the son of an Englishman, and the grandmother, whose maiden name was Letitia Rouk, was also of English extraction. Upon completing his lit- erary studies our subject commenced the study of medicine at Osceola, Iowa, with Dr. Sherrick, under whose preceptorship he remained for eight- een months, when Dr. Sherrick died. Later he carried on his studies under Drs. Howard and Goslin, of Oregon, Mo.

In 1870 Dr. Parrish began the practice of medi- cine at Newpoint, Holt County, Mo., and there he built up an extensive practice, remaining until 1888. During his residence in that place, Sep- tember 6, 1877, he married Alice L., daughter of John Patterson, who had removed from Ohio to Holt County, Mo. In their family are three liv- ing children: Opal, Meredith and Walden. Ethel

died when five years old. The year 1888 found Dr. Parrish opening an office in Pagosa Springs, Colo. He engaged in practice there until 1896, when he came to Monte Vista, and here he has since conducted a general practice. During his residence in Pagosa Springs he engaged in the drug business in addition to his profession, and was also interested in ranching and stock-raising.

Politically, some years ago Dr. Parrish trans- ferred his allegiance from the Democracy to the People's party, whose views he has since sup- ported. As an elder and trustee in the Christian Church and superintendent of the Sunday-school he has been very active and successful in religious work. In fraternal relations he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

AMES T. WHITELAW, attorney-at-law, of Silverton, San Juan County, was born in Brownsville, Tenn., May 23, 1845, a son of Dr. H. O. and Eliza M. (Taylor) Whitelaw, na- tives of Virginia. His father, who graduated from the Philadelphia Medical College, spent his active professional life in Brownsville, where he died in 1869. A stanch Union man, much of his property was lost during the war.

At fifteen years of age the subject of this sketch entered the freshman class of Spring Creek Col- lege in Madison County, Tenn., and from there went to Lebanon, Ill., where he carried on his studies in McKendree University, and still later was a student in the St. Louis City University. Upon completing his literary studies he went to Kansas, and carried on the study of law in the office of the district judge at Hutchinson. After his admission to the bar he opened an office at Medicine Lodge, where he engaged in practice until 1881, and afterward for ten years practiced in Dodge City.

During 1891 Mr. Whitelaw came to Silverton, where he has since established a reputation as a reliable attorney and counselor. He has filled the office of city attorney here, and has given close attention to professional work. In political views he is a stanch believer in Democratic prin- ciples. The party of free trade and free silver is the party of his choice. While living in Dodge City, in 1890, he was the Democratic nominee for district judge, and, notwithstanding the fact that the district was largely Republican, he was de- feated by only forty-three votes. In 1884 he re- ceived the nomination, on the Democratic ticket,

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for the state senate, and made an excellent show- ing at the election. He was a candidate for dis- trict judge of the sixth judicial district in 1894, and after a three days' session, in which he was the leading candidate, the convention adjourned without making a nomination.

Mr. Whitelaw was a charter member of St. Bernard Lodge No. 22, of Fort Dodge, Kan., in which his membership still continues. In com- mon with most of the citizens of the San Juan district he has mining interests, and owns a num- ber of fair prospects. His first marriage, April 3, 1868, united him with Julia Arthur, of Lake Spring, Mo. They became the parents of three children, namely: Elizabeth, wife of Harry Hub- bard, a conductor on the Santa Fe Railroad, with headquarters in Dodge City, Kan .; Cariolanus, deceased; and Harold, of Silverton. Mrs. Julia Whitelaw died October 22, 1883. The second marriage of Mr. Whitelaw was solemnized Jan- uary 8, 1890, and united him with Emma War- ren, of Dodge City.

2 OBERT M. RIDGWAY, superintendent of the second and third divisions of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad at Salida, has held his present position since February, 1883, and has the reputation of most thoroughly under- standing his business. Under his immediate supervision he has one thousand miles of track and from twelve to fifteen hundred men, but, while the place is one of great responsibility, he has filled it to the entire satisfaction of the com- pany officials, and has become known as one of the best trackmen in the United States. His at- tention is so closely given to business matters that he allows himself little time for recreation or participation in public affairs. However, he in- dulges his fondness for a good horse and owns two that are especially fine, Don S., record 2:18, and Metzger, record 2:14. He is also interested in raising trout and has ten large ponds and four smaller ones, stocked with not less than one hun- dred and twenty-five thousand fish, having about fifty acres of spawning ground, while two men are constantly employed to oversee this work.

The Ridgway family is of English extraction, but has been in America for many generations. John E. Ridgway, our subject's father, was born in Warren County, N. J., and was a carpenter by trade, which he followed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. An only son, and with but one

sister, he had been given exceptional opportunities when a boy, and was a well-informed man. In religion he was a Baptist. By his marriage to Mahala Wise, of Pennsylvania, he had five sons and four daughters, six of whom are living. Our subject, who was next to the oldest, was born in New Jersey, September 13, 1835. He was edu- cated in Pennsylvania common schools and was obliged to walk six miles each day to and from the old log building where school was held. His first occupation was the making of school slates, which work he followed at Delaware Water Gap. When nearly twenty-one years of age a railroad was built to that point and he secured employ- ment on it. Since then he has continuously en- gaged in railroading, and has gained an ex- perience remarkable in that line. His first work was the grading of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. In 1856 he was sent to the mouth of Newark Bay, Staten Island Sound, where he was employed in the laying of track as foreman of construction. This work consumed one year. On its completion he returned to the road with which he had previously been con- nected, and there he continued until the out- break of the war. When the government ad- vertised for trackmen, he was one of the first to respond, and for three and one-half years he re- mained with Sherman's army. He built the last bridges after Johnston's surrender, for the purpose of getting in the captured supplies, which were conveyed from Hillsboro, N. C., to Wil- mington, and shipped north by water. In this work he encountered many dangers and had a number of perilous experiences. At one time food became so scarce that the rations were re- duced to one-fourth of their usual amount.

After the close of the Civil war Mr. Ridgway built the second track from Lehigh Summit to Stroudsburgh. In 1866 his superior in the war, Gen. W. W. Wright (who was next in rank to Sherman) was appointed superintendent of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, then one hundred miles long, and he sent for Mr. Ridgway to come west. This he did in the fall of 1866, and was made roadmaster. For twelve years he remained with the company, meantime having charge of the track, bridges and building. Afterward for three years he was with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad as general roadmaster of all their lines, In January, 1881, he came to Colorado as general roadmaster of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, and one year later he was transferred to the

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superintendency of the San Juan division. In February, 1883, he was transferred to the position he has since so efficiently filled.

Politically Mr. Ridgway is a stanch Republi- can, but has avoided connection with public affairs. March 1, 1858, in Philadelphia, he mar- ried Sarah Schimell, by whom he has seven children. The eldest, Arvilla, is the wife of Al- fred Paul, of Salida; A. C. is superintendent of the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad; J. How- ard is roadmaster on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad; Harry has charge of the Mexican Cen- tral shops as master mechanic; Arthur is assistant civil engineer on the Denver & Rio Grande road; Hattie and Lottie, the youngest of the family, are with their parents,

EWETT PALMER, sheriff of Archuleta coun- ty, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1853, being a son of Ira Palmer, a native of New York state. When he was one year old he was taken by his parents to Wisconsin, where he was reared, his education being begun in common schools in that state. When he was fourteen years of age he came to Colorado, and for sixteen years remained in or near Denver, engaged in ranching and the stock business during most of the time. From Denver he went to Duraugo, where he pre-empted a quarter-section of land, eighteen miles east of the town, and engaged in stock-raising and agricultural pursuits.

Coming to Pagosa Springs in 1890, Mr. Palmer opened a mercantile store, which he con- ducted for three years, and in conjunction with it he carried on a general livery stable. In 1893 he sold his mercantile business, but continued pro- prietor of the livery barn until 1897, when he sold out. He owns a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres six miles south of Pagosa, where he deals in stock (mostly cattle) for the markets. He was interested in the incorporation of Pagosa Springs and has been a warm supporter of all measures for its growth.

Political matters receive Mr. Palmer's atten- tion, and he favors Democratic principles. For four years he was deputy under Sheriffs Kern and Garvin, and practically had entire charge of the office. In 1894 he was elected high sheriff and afterward was re-elected, now serving his second term. Several times he has been chosen to serve upon the board of school directors, and for two terms he held the position of town trustee. He is an active member of Pagosa Camp No.

412, Woodmen of the World. By his marriage in 1880 to Estella Patton, he has seven children: Harvey, Madison, Levi, Millie, Effie, Jewett, Jr., and Jesse.

EORGE RIEDEL, the most extensive dealer in general merchandise at Antonito, Cone- jos County, and also the proprietor of a branch store at Conejos, was born in Rostack, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, in 1833. He remained in his native land until thirty-nine years of age, when, hoping thereby to better his condition, he came to the United States. His first location was in Ellis County, Kan., where he was employed on the Union Pacific Railroad, and later he was with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company.

It was in 1879 that Mr. Riedel first saw Anto- nito, then a small Mexican settlement. He had very little money, and what he had was at once invested in a stock of confectionery and pea- nuts. Thus he began his business life in Conejos County. Rapidly the stock was increased, and in a few years he found himself the proprietor of the largest general mercantile establishment in the San Luis Valley, all of which was brought about by his energy and business judgment. In 1891 his store, stock and fixtures were destroyed by fire, inflicting upon him a loss of $4,500, with no insurance. Many a one would have grown discouraged by such misfortune, but not he. The same year he erected an adobe building 192×45 feet, and soon he was ready to resume business, with a more complete line of merchan- dise than before. His stock now occupies a space of 133×45 feet, and is said to be the largest estab- lishment of its kind in the valley. In addition, with William H. Barlow as a partner, he oper- ates a branch store at Conejos, under the firm title of George Riedel & Co.

In common with the majority of the people in the valley, Mr. Riedel is interested in ranching. He is the proprietor of a fine ranch of six hundred and forty acres, from which he cuts about three hundred and fifty tons of alfalfa. Besides his store building, he owns a number of dwelling houses in Antonito, and it is probable that he has done more than any other citizen toward the building up of the town. His success is largely due to his energy and superior ability as a finan- cier, as well as to his straightforward business principles. He uses good judgment in buying goods, and has made it his uniform custom to

ROBERT GRANT.

MRS. ROBERT GRANT.

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buy in car-load lots, discounting all bills; as he buys cheap, his customers have the advantage of this, and he is able to make a fair profit, even when selling at a low price.

By his marriage to Dora Schultz, Mr. Riedel has four children: Frieda, wife of William H. Barlow, of Conejos; Lute, Bernhard and Lizzie.

OBERT GRANT. The title of generals of finance has been aptly bestowed upon those men who, marshalling the peaceful hosts of industry, conquer new realms of commerce and widen the reach of business activity. Of this class the subject of this sketch is a notable repre- sentative, his financial operations assuming breadth and scope, which indicate the deter- mination, persistence, sound judgment and power of combination which distinguish the born leader of men. Coming to Pueblo County in moderate circumstances, he has made his way to the front rank in business affairs, and this success is made still more emphatic by the broad and generous interest that he shows in all that concerns good citizenship.

Mr. Grant was born October 29, 1841, at Mor- ris, Grundy County, Ill., on the Rock Island Railroad, sixty miles west of Chicago. His father, Colquhoun Grant, was a native of Edin- burg, Scotland, and probably belonged to the same family as Gen. U. S. Grant, as their an- cestors came from the same section in Scotland. Prior to 1861 he followed farming and stock- raising in Illinois, but later successfully engaged in the practice of law and served as judge of Grundy County, that state, for several years. In his family were three sons, besides our subject, who entered the Union army during the Civil war. William was a member of General Banks' staff, and is now a practicing attorney in New Orleans; Peter served through the war, and now follows farming in Missouri; and Walter S., also one of the boys in blue, came to Pueblo, Colo., in 1880, was chief clerk for our subject eight years, and later engaged in the wholesale meat business in Pueblo until his death.

ninth Illinois Infantry, and served four months under Col. James Tucker, being honorably dis- charged in the spring of 1863. He had studied law in his father's office with the intention of fol- lowing the legal profession, but the war inter- fered with these plans, and when mustered out he came to Colorado, locating near the present town of Boone, Pueblo County, May 10, 1863. His neighbors were John Ross, George Gilbert and B. F. Kidwell, all of whom settled in the same section about that time, and are represented else- where in this volume. Denver was then the closest railway point; Pueblo was only a small trading station; and it was twenty years before the Santa Fe and Missouri Pacific Railroads were built. Great changes have since taken place, and now on all sides are seen fine farms, supplied with plenty of water from the Arkansas River, which traverses this section.

Mr. Grant remained upon his ranch, engaged in farming and stock-raising, until 1871, when he removed to Pueblo, where he was interested in the wholesale meat business for sixteen years, shipping the first car load of dressed beef to Chi- cago ever sent from Pueblo County. He was very successful in this, as in other enterprises with which he has been connected, and after selling out gave his attention for a few years to the care of his real estate in the town and county. He now makes his home upon his ranch, twelve miles east of Pueblo, where he has sixteen hundred acres of valuable land, nearly all improved. His ranch is a part of the old Fort Reynolds' reservation. Through the place runs the Bes- simer ditch, which is one of the largest in this section of the state, and has done more to build up Pueblo County than any other one enterprise, although it is only seven years old. Mr. Grant was one of the promoters of the ditch, has always been officially connected with the company, and is now serving as its president. He has another farm of four hundred acres on the north bank of the Arkansas River, that stream running between the two places. He hasan elegant residence, sur- rounded by fine orchards, shrubs and ornamental trees, making it one of the most attractive homes of the locality. He is one of the largest stock raisers in the county, or, in fact, this section of the state, and has for the past fifteen years been president of the Southern Colorado Stock Grow- ers' Protective Association. For several years he was a director in the Stock Growers' National

Reared on the home farm, Robert Grant re- ceived his education in the district schools of his native county, which he attended only during the winter months, but he made the most of his ad- vantages and studied at home in the evenings. At the age of seventeen he was qualified for teaching, and for one year taught a school near his old home. In 1862 he enlisted in the Sixty- Bank, and when it was consolidated with the

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American National Bank, under the name of the 1849, until his death, at the age of sixty years. Mercantile National Bank, he was made vice- Our subject was educated primarily in public schools, and the information there obtained was supplemented by a course in the State Normal at Kirksville. Upon completing his literary studies he engaged in teaching school and at the same time read law under Judge Schofield, at Memphis, Mo. president of the latter, which position he still holds, his time and attention being divided between the bank and his large ranches. He usually has about six to seven hundred head of cattle on hand. At one time he had as high as two thou- sand head. He raises on the ranch sufficient corn, oats and hay to feed his stock, besides selling large quantities of hay annually.

On the 24th of January, 1875, Mr. Grant was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Josephine Waggoner, who was born in Shelby County, Ill., and is a daughter of Stephen M. Waggoner, a farmer, who moved to Pueblo at an early day and engaged in the stock business, but now lives near Flora Vista, N. M., forty miles from Du- rango, Colo. Mrs. Grant is a lady of culture and refinement, and presides with gracious dignity over their beautiful home. She was educated in Pueblo, as she came with her parents to this state when a child of ten years, and for some time they lived on the St. Charles River, where she at- tended school. Our subject and his wife had a family of ten children, namely: Gertrude M., who died at the age of eighteen years; Edwin; Margaret and Lois, who are attending the high school in Pueblo; Lawrence Colquhoun; Wallace Stewart; Wilbur E .; Jenny; Donald, who died in infancy; and Edna, at home. The sons were educated in Pueblo, and assist their father upon the ranch.

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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 122

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