Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 125

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 125

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

B ASIL M. SPALDING, manager of the La Junta Milling and Elevator Company, came to this city in 1892 to begin the duties of the position he has since held. The mill has a capacity of two hundred and fifty barrels a day, the product being flour of a fine grade; while the capacity of the elevator is seventy-five thon- sand bushels. Besides being manager, he is also a stockholder in the enterprise, and much of the success of the business is due to his sound judg- ment, great energy and business ability.

The boyhood days of our subject were spent in St. Louis, Mo., where he was born November 7, 1859, and where his father was a wholesale gro-

JOSEPH ROGERS.

923

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

cer. When he was ten years of age he was taken to a farm in Illinois and there he remained for three years, deriving benefit from the outdoor life and exercise. With the exception of those years he spent the first twenty-one years of his life in his native city. His education was re- ceived in private schools, Clark's Academy and the Jones Business College of St. Louis. At the age of eighteen he secured employment as weigher with a coal company, for whom he worked three years.

In the capacity of civil engineer Mr. Spalding first came west. He was connected with the Wyoming & Eastern Railroad, later assisted in the construction of the Denver & Rio Grande from Durango to Rico and from Mount Rose to Ouray. From 1881 until 1885 he was employed as civil engineer. Then, going to Denver, he se- cured work with the Flouring and Elevator Company, remaining in that city until 1892, when the company purchased the mill in La Junta and sent him here as manager of the busi- ness. He has been so devoted to business mat- ters that he has had little time for politics, in which, aside from casting a Democratic vote, he takes no part. He is now (1899) the nominee on the Business Men's ticket for the city council.

Fraternally Mr. Spalding is a member of La Junta Lodge No. 28, K. P., which he repre- sented in the grand lodge at Glenwood Springs, Colo. He gives his support to matters for the benefit of La Junta and Otero County, and is loyal to every local interest. While in Denver he was united in marriage with Miss Margret V. Walsh, of that city, and they have two children, John W. and Marion Rose.

OSEPH ROGERS, a pioneer ranchman of Park County, has been identified with the development of the great Rocky Mountain region ever since frontier days, and enjoys the distinction of having crossed the plains five times before a railroad was built west of the Missouri River. A native of Canada East, he was born in the county of Two Mountains March 18, 1843, a son of Joseph and Calestic (Alore) Rogers, and is the sole survivor of four children comprising the family. His father, also a native of the county of Two Mountains, was there married, engaged in farming and continued to reside until his death. He was a son of Joseph Rogers, who was born in England and in early life was a

sailor, taking part in various naval struggles in which England participated. When the French were emigrating to Canada in large numbers he shipped aboard a French vessel and crossed the ocean. While on board the ship he married a young French lady. Upon landing he went to the county of Two Mountains, where he settled down to a farmer's life.

When our subject was two years of age his mother died. He was then taken into the home of his grandmother, with whom he remained until sixteen years of age, receiving scarcely any education. Upon beginning to support himself he worked in the lumber woods of Canada. In 1862 he and his brother went to Platte County, Mo., where he spent the winter and worked for a farmer and distillery owner. In the spring of 1863 he started for Virginia City, Mont., having been employed as driver of a four-mule team in a train of sixty-five wagons. Another team was driven by his brother. They reached Virginia City June 19, 1863. There he secured employ- ment in mines, remaining until fall, when he returned to Leavenworth, Kan., and worked for farmers. In February, 1865, when a call was made for additional troops to serve in the Civil war, he and his brother enlisted in Company G, Sixteenth Regiment of Volunteer Cavalry of Kansas, and shouldered their guns for active service. They were sent to the frontier to fight the Indians. The campaign took them through the northwestern portion of the country. After many skirmishes they returned to Fort Leaven- worth, and in the fall of 1865 were mustered out of the service. December 27 of the same year he went to Shawneetown, Kan., where he spent the winter among the Shawnee Indians. In the spring of 1866 he returned to Leavenworth and secured employment with a ranchman, whose farm he assisted in clearing. With a wagon and a team of mules, in the spring of 1867 he once more started across the plains, arriving in Denver June 12, and trading his mules for two yoke of oxen. He and his brother, who had preceded him to Colorado by one year, joined their capital and purchased five additional yoke of oxen and two heavy wagons. With these they repaired to the mountains back of Golden, where they hauled logs to the mill and in payment therefor received one-half of the lumber sawed. In this way they secured about thirty-eight thousand feet of lumber.

When the railroad was built to Cheyenne, in

924

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the fall of 1867, the building boom began in that town. The brothers took their wagons and hauled lumber to Cheyenne, where they received $100 per thousand feet. Returning with their empty wagons, which had nothing but the run- ning gears, they would make their bed in the snow at night. When all of the lumber was sold they settled with each other. In the meantime our subject had bought his brother's share of the oxen and wagons, and with these he went up to Coal Creek. Turning his oxen out for the winter he began "baching" in a cabin. Later he went to Denver and bought some provisions. With both of his wagons loaded with coal and with his seven yoke of oxen he started for Den- ver. When he reached that city he found a pur- chaser for his freighting outfit and he sold the wagons and oxen. Going back to the cabin he got together the clothes he had left there, and with these he returned to Denver. Shortly after- ward he bought two teams of mules and a wagon and began to haul cord wood to Denver.

In the spring of 1868 Mr. Rogers went to Cheyenne and with his mules and a team of horses which he had bought he began to work on the Union Pacific Railroad. He was paid $6 per day a team. Soon he bought other teams and was doing a profitable business. At his sugges- tion his brother, then in Fairplay, went to Chey- enne and assisted him in his contracts. They were successful, and had the building enterprise continued longer would have made a fortune. The road being completed in May, 1869, they took their teams and all of their property and went to Cash Valley, Utah, where they sold their stock. Upon returning to Denver, they bought two ponies and with a load of provisions came to Park County. They drove with them three hun- dred head of cattle and with these began in the cattle · business. In the spring of 1870 they located on our subject's present ranch, four miles west of Howbert. During the year 1870 our sub- ject bought his brother's interest in the property. Since then he has become one of the large raisers of cattle and the largest sheep producer in the county.

November 13, 1873, Mr. Rogers married Miss Lucinda Alden, who is a lineal descendant of John Alden, of Puritan fame. By her he has had eight children. Those now living are: Henry E., a ranchman of Park County; George A. and Morton H., at home; and Inez M., wife of Martin Bender, of Park County. In fraternal relations

Mr. Rogers is connected with South Park Lodge of Odd Fellows and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

ILAS E. NEWCOMB. The accessions to the population of southern Colorado have not been wholly, or even principally, confined to the villages and mining camps. The adapta- bility of the land for stock-raising purposes has been demonstrated, and large numbers of men have come from the east and successfully engaged in agricultural operations here. Among this number mention belongs to Mr. Newcomb, of Conejos County. He is the owner of a home- stead of four hundred and ten acres, and also owns a ranch of one thousand acres two miles from La Jara, where he is engaged in feeding sheep, raising hogs and carrying on general farm pursuits.

Born in Richmond, Ill., in 1851, Mr. Newcomb is a son of Daniel Newcomb, a descendant of an old family of Massachusetts, the lineage being traced back to Andrew Newcomb, who was cap- tain of a vessel and came from England between 1620 and 1630, settling in Plymouth. One of the family, Hezekiah Newcomb, married a daughter of Governor Bradford and was prominent in Massachusetts. Our subject was educated in public schools and the Illinois State Normal. After teaching school for one year in that state, in 1871 he came to Colorado and settled in Pueblo County, where he taught for one year. In 1872 he settled near La Veta, Huerfano County, and cultivated land there for a year. The year 1873 found him at Del Norte, Rio Grande County, where for three years he carried on a general trade in merchandise, flour and feed, etc.

Coming to Conejos County in 1876 Mr. New- comb took up a homestead and pre-emption of one-half section and began to raise stock, later also engaging in raising cereals. On his place may be found about one thousand sheep and a' number of heads of Percheron draft horses, of which he makes a specialty. In order to secure proper irrigation for his land he took an active part in the organization of the Union Ditch Com- pany, of which he became secretary and a stock- holder, and assisted in the construction of the ditch.

In all matters pertaining to the advancement of society, education and politics, Mr. Newcomb' takes a keen and discriminating interest. He has always been a Republican, but now allies himself

925

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

with the silver branch of the party. For two terms, 1876-80, he held office as county superin- tendent of public schools. Deeply interested in educational matters, he has been instrumental in securing for his locality various improvements, and has been one of the leaders in educational work. In 1876 he organized school district No. 1, the first school district in Conejos County. As past chancellor he is connected with La Jara Lodge, K. P. '

The first marriage of Mr. Newcomb, in 1877, united him with Mary Russell, who died in 1884. In 1886 he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Watson, of Ohio. They are the parents of five children, named as follows: Gertrude May, George Daniel, Stella Emily, Silas E., Jr., and Bradford Watson, who was given Mrs. New- comb's family name and the name of Governor Bradford, of Massachusetts.

G EORGE W. SNIDER, the discoverer of the Cave of the Winds and the Grand Cavern at Manitou, was the next to the oldest son of Samuel and Alvira (Scranton) Snider, and was born in Ohio. He came to Colorado in 1879, and for a time was employed in Denver, later worked on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in the San Luis Valley, and then came to Mani- tou, where he has since resided. One day in Jan- uary, 1880, he and Charles Reinhart, a man of sixty years and a friend of Mr. Snider's father, made a tour of inspection in Williams' Canon, their object being to see if a suitable location could be found for a lime kiln. They walked along admiring the magnificent scenery, which constantly changed, presenting a varied pano- rama of nature unsurpassed in any part of the world. They spent some time in Pickett's Cave, where stalactites and stalagmites, under the light of the candle the men carried, sparkled like dia- monds. They finally retraced their steps, having planned to return to the cave the following week.

Before the second trip was made Mr. Snider called upon Mr. Hemenway, the owner of the land where the cave stood, and inquired the price of the property. He was told that it was $1,000. On his return from the ranch to town he met his brother, Horace W., and Charles Hunter, a fel- low-workman. When he told them of his pro- posed trip to Pickett's Cave the two decided to accompany him. On Monday the four men walked the short distance to the cave. On enter- ing and inspecting different parts of the second

room, Mr. Snider found a small tunnel he had not noticed before. Putting his candle near the hole the light flickered, which proved to him that there must be some channel beyond. By the aid of his tools he effected an entrance to the room, and there found a chimney, the roof of which was decomposed limestone. He worked for an hour with his chisel and hammer, and finally was able to push his way through. The sight that met his eyes was one of dazzling bril- liancy. Snow white stalactites and stalagmites crowded together so closely that the room looked like one mass of white, sparkling like diamonds. He called back to his companions, who at once joined him, and all gazed in breathless silence, awe inspired by the scene before them.

With Mr. Reinhart as partner, Mr. Snider pur- chased the property on which his great discovery was located. With his brother Horace he then commenced a systematic exploration of the va- rious rooms in the cave. Every turn revealed new beauties. One of the most striking of these was the frail, but beautiful, "Flowering Alabas- ter," which resembles a rare specimen of coral and is so perfect in shape that it equals the finest filigree work. Further on he discovered the "Bridal Chamber" and "Dante's Inferno." After wandering about in the cave for nearly a day they turned back to the entrance and finally reached home, exhausted by the excitement and hard work.

After the cave had been open several months it was named the Cave of the Winds. There are, however, no howling winds to render a visit un- pleasant, but instead a gentle breeze floats through the subterranean chambers, delighting the ear with its gentle murmur. A driveway has now been built through to the entrance, so that it is accessible to the most delicate invalid. They who visit this wonderful cave are unanimous in declar- ing it unsurpassed for loveliness and wonderful surprises. There the cathedral, concert hall, crystal palace and large balconies vie with one another in delighting the eye; but perhaps the most marvelous room is the "Bridal Chamber." In this beautiful room can be seen a bride and groom, the former dressed in a beautiful robe of dazzling whiteness. A number of spirals arise from the floor, as if representing the witnesses. On every hand are the rarest of gems and floral decorations, as if the gifts of loving friends.

Mr. Snider filed a claim on a part of section 31, adjoining the Cave of the Winds, and there

926

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

he and his wife made their home, in order to prove up the pre-emption. Here, through a for- tunate accident, he one day discovered a cave, and on investigating it he found a sheet of water three inches in depth. He had never before seen a lake in an underground cave. The scene was one of great beauty, for the stalactites were sparkling with the dew that rose from the lake and in turn reflected back their brilliancy upon the water. He determined to keep the secret of his discovery to himself until he had proved up his claim, but, unfortunately, in leaving the cave he forgot to take with him his pick and shovel. A few days later two men, in search of firewood, found the pick and shovel, which aroused their curiosity, and they at once investigated, the result being that they found the cave. They at once went to Mr. Reinhart and Mr. Snider and reported their discovery, but Mr. Snider claimed the discovery as his own, and to prove the truth of his assertion went at once to the cave. Mr. Reinhart, however, claimed that the new cave was on his section of land, and a dispute followed that was taken into the courts, occupying a num- ber of years. Before its close Mr. Reinhart died, and his daughter continued the case. After sev- eral appeals Mr. Snider lost it on some technical grounds. Mr. Snider sold to his mother the half interest he held in the Cave of the Winds, which she owns in conjunction with the heirs of Mr. Reinhart, Mr. Snider having done much to make the caves popular among visitors by his excellent management.

The writer acknowledges indebtedness in the compilation of this sketch to the history of Man- itou caves, by Percy Turner.

r HARLES R. OTTAWAY, one of the pio- neers of the San Luis Valley and a large property owner in Alamosa, was born in England in 1832. At the age of six years he was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled in Michigan. His educational op- portunities were exceedingly meager, but he was ambitious to learn, and often, when the day's work was ended, he sat up until late, studying by the light of the fire. At the age of twenty-two years he went to Nebraska, and engaged in carpenter- ing and such other occupations as promised an honest livelihood and were open to him. In August, 1854, he assisted in the erection of the first house built in Omaha.

In 1860 Mr. Ottaway came to Colorado. For six years he worked in freighting with mule- teams from the Missouri River to Denver, and at the same time he served as government wagon- master for Colonel Chivington, whose operations against the Indians and Texans are a part of history. In 1867 he went to Cheyenne, Wyo., which at that time had but one house. He as- sisted in the building up of the town and was engaged for one year in carpentering and build- ing. In the spring of 1868 he went to New Mexico, and for some time worked at freighting from Pueblo to the mining districts of New Mexico.

Removing to the San Luis Valley in 1875, Mr. Ottaway settled at Del Norte, but he continued freighting and teaming for some time. In 1878 he came to Alamosa, and here followed his trade for some years, after which he turned his atten- tion to the stock and dairy business, also began to sell ice and about the same time opened a livery stable, which is now his principal business, al- though he also takes important jobs at freight- ing. In 1888 he built a fine livery barn, and here he keeps a number of horses and other equip- ments of a livery business. On his place he has from six to twenty milch cows and supplies many of the town people with milk from his dairy. At this writing he has the contract for carrying the mail from Alamosa to Bowen. Though not act- ive in politics, he is firm in his allegiance to the Republican party, and was elected, on that ticket, one of the trustees of the town, serving for a year.

At Omaha, in 1858, Mr. Ottaway married Elizabeth J., daughter of Colonel Chivington, of Indian-war fame. They are the parents of seven children, namely: Frank M .; Emma, wife of Senator W. H. Adams; Jennie May, who mar- ried Dr. S. S. Craig, of Wisconsin; Mrs. E. H. Rushworth, a widow, living in Alamosa; Charles S., who makes his home in Canon City and is employed as a guard in the state penitentiary; Winnie and George. There are also four grand- children, Leonard C. and Ray W. Ottaway, Ed- ward O. Rushworth and Ridgnel S. Craig.

Among Mr. Ottaway's real-estate interests are a number of lots in Alamosa and ten houses, which herents. Notwithstanding the lack of early advantages, notwithstanding many hardships and obstacles, he has become successful, and is now one of the well-to-do citizens of his town. Its increase to its present population of

A. il Haut

929

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

fifteen hundred, and its many improvements are due not a little to his energy and tireless efforts. He has been a friend to the town and no one has rejoiced more in its growth than he.

AMUEL IRVING HALLETT. There is no name in the United States held in greater respect than that of Robert Fulton, the bril- liant engineer and inventor, whose crowning in- vention, that of the steamboat, entitles him to rank among the world's benefactors and marked an era in the progress of the human race. It will be of interest to know that Mr. Hallett, the successful mine operator of Aspen, is a great- grandson of this distinguished man. He has in- herited much of his ancestor's inventive genins, having patented a number of improvements in mining, sampling and concentrating machinery now in general use.

The father of our subject, Samuel Hallett, was a prominent banker in New York, and also took an active part in the building of railroads, own- ing and building the entire Kansas Pacific road. A financier of remarkable ability, he negotiated the sale of the first American railroad bonds in Europe. He was offered by President Lincoln the cabinet office of secretary of the treasury while he was\still a young man. When thirty- five years of åge he was assassinated at Wyan- dotte, Kan. His wife, Ann Eliza, was a dangh- ter of Mathew McDowell, who was the first white child born in western New York. The two living children of Samuel Hallett and his wife are Samuel Irving and Robert Leslie, the latter an artist in Chicago. Margaret Kellogg, de- ceased, married E. W. Crittenden, of New York City, a nephew of Gov. S. J. Tilden; Ellen mar- ried W. B. Stewart, a Wall street operator; she is also deceased.

In boyhood our subject traveled in Europe with his mother. On returning to the United States he attended the naval academy at An- napolis, Md. When fifteen years of age he em- barked in the Texas cattle business, which he followed for some years. While there he was a member of the Rifle Rangers of Texas. After- ward heengaged in mining in the Black Hills. In 1885 he came to Aspen, where he has since acted as superintendent and general manager of several mines, among them the Smuggler, with which he has been connected since 1886 as manager, and which is owned by one of the largest and most substantial companies in this part of the state.

The Smuggler mine is located at the base of Smuggler Mountain and almost within the city limits of Aspen. The south end line of the Smuggler is the north end line of the Mollie Gib- son mine. It is one of the great mines of Aspen, producing by far the largest tonnage of ore of any mine in Aspen, and has paid nearly $1,500,- 000 in dividends. In the year 1897 the Smug- gler, in connection with a number of other mines, caught on fire, and, it is said, had it not been for Mr. Hallett's heroic efforts, all the mines would have been destroyed, which would have ruined the town of Aspen, depending, as it does, upon the mines for its existence. Had Smug- gler Mountain burned the mines below the tun- nel would have been ruined, and Mr. Hallett and his men deserve great credit for the heroic and successful exertions they made to save the mines. The Smuggler's stock, which is very valuable, has never been placed on the market. The mine has produced more than $3,000,000 in silver alone; it has paid $1,500,000 in dividends, and is now paying over $10,000 a month, with extra dividends at times, much of this satisfactory result being due to the able management of the super- intendent.

Politically a Democrat, Mr. Hallett was his party's delegate to the national convention in Chicago that nominated W. J. Bryan. However, he is too deeply engaged with his mining inter- ests to take an active part in politics. In his community he stands high. He was married in 1876 to Julia Estelle Gilham, whose father was a steamboat captain on the Mississippi River.

C OSE E. SANCHEZ, postmaster and general merchant of San Pablo and county commis- sioner of Costilla County, was born in Santa Fe, N. M. He received his education in St. Michael College in that city. In 1879 he became a clerk in the employ of F. Meyer, of Costilla, N. M., with whom he remained in that village for ten years and Fort Garland, Colo., being promoted meanwhile from a clerkship to the man- ager of the store. Coming to San Pablo he formed a partnership in the mercantile business with his brother, Manuel A., which connection continued for seven years and each continued in business alone.

Mr. Sanchez carries in his store a full line of goods suited to the needs of the people, and he has built up an important trade, the people hav- ing realized, through his years of honest effort,

930

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

that he is a man of integrity as well as enterprise. Politically he is a believer in Republican princi- ples. For two years he served as deputy sheriff. In 1895 he was elected county commissioner and served a term of three years, retiring from office in January, 1899.

In 1884 Mr. Sanchez married Dora, daughter of Ferd Meyer, and they have one son, Willie F. Mr. Sanchez is one of the leaders among his peo- ple in Costilla County, and is especially promi- nent in the little village where he lives. In 1898 he was appointed postmaster of San Pablo by President Mckinley. Since 1890 he has been a member of the board of school directors. He has also held other offices of an important local na- ture, and in each position has rendered efficient service.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 125

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