Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 13

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 13

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Mr. Orman has attained the thirty-second de- gree in masonry, and is one of the prominent members of the order in Colorado. Politically he is active in the Democratic party. For some time he was a member of the city council of Pueblo. In 1880, and again in 1882, he was elected a representative to the third general as- sembly. In the session of 1883, when a United. States senator was elected, he became the unani- mous choice of the Democratic minority for the short term for this position. On joint ballot there were only twenty-two Democratic votes. Not only did he receive these, but at different times he received from two to five Republican votes. On one ballot he received twenty-seven votes, which lacked but three of the number nec- essary for an election. The Democratic nomina- tion for governor was offered him, both in 1888 and 1890, but was refused on both occasions. In 1892 he was appointed a delegate to the Demo- cratic national convention. In the spring of 1897 he was elected mayor of Pueblo, in which office, as in every position he has filled, the service he has rendered in behalf of the people has been able and constant.

September 27, 1877, Mr. Orman was united in marriage with Nellie, daughter of William P. Martin, of Pueblo. Two children were born of their union: Frederick B., who is a student in Princeton University; and Edna A., who died at two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Orman are mem- bers of the Episcopal Church of Pueblo.

For many years Mr. Orman has been a promi- nent figure in the city of Pueblo, active and es- teemed alike in its financial, political and social

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

circles. In his elegant home, surrounded by all the luxuries of modern life, he and his wife en- tertain with cordial hospitality the many friends who frequently congregate within its spacious walls.

OLORADO COLLEGE. On a plateau at the base of the Pike's Peak range and com- manding a fine view of the mountains and foothills, stands one of the most widely known educational institutions of the west. The history of Colorado College extends back to 1874, when, during the period while Colorado was still a ter- ritory, and before any other institution for higher education had been established within its borders, a college was begun upon a broad, Christian foun- dation in Colorado Springs. The authorized an- nouncement for that year contains the following words:

"It is the purpose of the trustees to build a col- lege in which liberal studies may be pursued un- der positive Christian influences. . The col- lege is under uo ecclesiastical or political control. Members of different churches are on its board of trustees. . The character which is most de- sired for this college is that of thorough scholar- ship and fervent piety, each assisting the other, and neither ever offered as a compensation for the defects of the other."

The events of the first fourteen years of patient labor and self-sacrifice need not be recalled, but those were days when foundations were being laid. The material and intellectual expansion of the present is only an expression in stones and mortar and students' faces of what a few pro- phetic souls in those hard years prayed and planned for.

The second epoch of the college began with the coming of President Slocum in the fall of 1888. Since that time the growth has been steady and rapid. The one building which then looked so lonesome on the fifty acres of campus has multi- plied to eleven, large and small. Where there were no dormitories are now to be seen three, these crowded to their full capacity. Instead of occupying a single room in the one building, the library has a home of its own, a building worthy to be the center of the varied life of the institu- tion. Instead of the stoves and lamps which used to vex teachers and students alike in the one recitation building of a decade ago, a central heating and electric plant furnishes warmth and light to every building on the campus. The ath-

letic life of the college, instead of being compelled to shift for itself without any possibility for scien- tific training and without any field of its own for sports, now finds its home in the small but well- planned gymnasium, and its playground in the athletic field, by far the finest in the state. The property of the college, instead of aggregating, as it did then, the paltry sum of about $75,000, now reaches nearly to the million mark, about $350,000 being in the endowment funds. Its ex- penses, instead of being in all about $7,000, have increased to about $40,000; while the students and faculty which the college has gathered here, spend, besides, thousands of dollars every year through various channels in the community.

The catalogue issued nine years ago has a list of eight members of the faculty. Of these Pro- fessor Marden was in the east, busy with the financial work of the institution; Professor Hend- rickson was expected to begin work the follow- ing fall, being at that time a student in Berlin; Mademoiselle Graf had but just taken up the work in modern languages. President Slocum, Pro- fessors Sheldon, Loud and Strieby, and Miss Wickard, had been the working force through- out the year, and there were so few students in the advanced classes that President Slocum had not held a recitation or delivered a lecture during the year. Professor Strieby had all the science work, which is now divided among four hard- worked teachers. The working faculty of five has increased to one of thirty-two, of whom twen- ty-four are in the college department. A few years ago it was not an easy thing to get men of the best quality and training to take positions in the institution. Now, through most of the year, the applications average three or four every day, and the college could easily secure a number of fully trained men for any position left vacant.

Ten years ago there were about twenty-five students in the college and academy, and not one regular college student. There was almost no college life and almost no college spirit. No one reached the graduating class. But all this has changed. There have been about four hun- dred students enrolled this year. The classes in some departments number more than sixty. Ir- regularity in classes is becoming rapidly less, until now it is incidental rather than the rule. The great majority of the students are working for de- grees. The graduating classes are steadily grow- ing. Already the company of graduates is becom- ing an appreciable power in the life of the college.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

All this development could not go on without a great increase in the intensity of college spirit within the institution itself. That has grown steadily within the last ten years, but especially during the last two or three years. Class spirit could not exist where there were no classes; now every class has its peculiar individuality, organi- zation and achievements. The college traditions are fast crystallizing under this infinence. Ath- letics-child and parent alike of college enthusi- asm-has worked marvels. A few years ago the college stood no chance of success with any other college team in the state; it was repeatedly beaten in every form of sport by younger local teams. This year the college is pre-eminent in baseball, and has the satisfaction of knowing that it has the best football eleven in the state. The institution not only has won its place within the boundaries of this state itself, but has attracted attention from withont. The debate last spring with the University of Nebraska was an evidence of the estimation in which it is held by those whose opinion is most worth having.

The development has been most rapid and in- tense during the year which has just closed. There is no need to do more than enumerate the steps of the progress. The dedication of Ticknor Hall, the installing of the electric plant, the success of the glee club, the opening of the ath- letic field and the winning of the baseball cham- pionship, the debate with the University of Ne- braska, the graduation of the largest class in the history of the institution, the net addition of five and of one hundred to the student body, the rec- ord of the football team, the preparations for the erection of the Perkins Memorial Hall for the use of the departments of music and art, these are alike the effects, and in their turn the new causes of the steadily intensifying life of the college.

The college is provided with the various de- partments of a first class educational center. The department of philosophy, in charge of Dr. Slo- cum, assisted by Dr. Lancaster, includes work in logic, psychology, comparative religions, history of philosophy and ethics. A number of electives are also offered. Special lectures are given by the president in the four higher branches, and a series of lectures on "Brain Anatomy," "Locali- zation,""The Neuron,""Psychology of Speech," and "Hypnotism" are given by Drs. Eskridge, Freeman and Pershing, of Denver.

The department of geology and biology con-

tains a fine collection of geological, mineralogical and paleontological specimens, as well as twelve compound microscopes, a sledge-microtome, etc.

The department of physics contains four col- lege classes, two pursuing laboratory courses, and a third confining itself to the study of the text. The first Roentgen pictures in the state were taken here.

In the department of chemistry, besides the usual work of study and experiment, much at- tention has been given to the application of chemistry to the arts.

The department of mathematics and astronomy is thoroughly organized, as are all the other de- partments.

There are nine courses in the department of history and political science, two of which are strictly historical courses.

The department of English aims at the train- ing of the powers of expression, and the creating of an intelligent interest in English and Ameri- can literature by familiarity with the best read- ing matter of the ages.

In the classical and Latin scientific courses, four years of preparatory Latin are required; in the scientific course but two years; full college courses are provided in Latin and Greek.

In German six courses are offered, and in French five courses, while in the Spanish depart- ment there are two.

Systematic instruction has been given in voice culture, declamation and oratory.

Two university extension courses were inau- gurated in March, 1894. For 1898-99 three courses of six lectures each have been planned.

Classes in drawing and painting work daily in the studio, and exhibitions of studies are given from time to time.

The faculty in the music department is the finest that can be secured, and includes instruct- ors of broad culture and training and wide repu- tation.

ILLIAM F. SLOCUM, A.B., B.D., LL. D., president of Colorado College, is a descend- ant of ancestors who were prominently identified with the history of New England in an early period in the history of our country. The Slocum family was founded in Rhode Island in an early day and its members were of the Quaker faith. Later generations removed to Massachu- setts, where Dr. Slocum was born. His grand- father, Oliver E. Slocum, was a man of promi-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

nence in the western part of the state; he mar- ameliorating the conditions of existence among ried Miss Polly Mills, daughter of Cephas Mills, 'the laborers in the factories there was largely the a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and a direct descendant of Governor Bradford, of Massachu- setts. During colonial times the Mills family were very influential.

Judge William F. Slocum, the doctor's father, was born in Grafton, Worcester County, Mass., where in early manhood he was an attorney. Removing from there to Boston he engaged in practice in that city and also served as a jurist for some years, being noted, on the bench, as at the bar, for his impartiality of attitude, vigor of mind and breadth of knowledge. Alike in politi- cal, professional and religious matters, he was a leader of thought in Massachusetts, and his opinions are still frequently qnoted as of recog- nized authority. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons. In 1896, when seventy-seven years of age, he was killed in a railroad accident. He was a brother-in-law of Hon. D. A. DePew, chief justice of the supreme court of New Jersey.

The marriage of Judge Slocum united him with Margaret Tinker, who was born in Tolland, Mass., and whose father, Edward Tinker, was a manu- facturer in that town. The founder of the Tinker family in America was John Tinker, of England, who crossed the ocean in the historic "May- flower." From that time onward the family bore an active part in the development of New Eng- land and in the colonial wars and the Revolution its representatives bore all the hardships that fell to the lot of soldiers and patriots. Judge and Mrs. Slocum were the parents of four sons, one of whom, H. O., died at twenty-one years of age. Another, Winfield S., is a leading attorney of Boston and city attorney of Newton, Mass .; while Edward T., also an attorney, is a judge on the bench in western Massachusetts and resides in Pittsfield.

Of the four sons, the third was William Fred- erick Slocum, the subject of this review. He was educated in Amherst College and soon after his graduation received an appointment that sent him to Europe and gave him excellent advantages for post-graduate work. By an investigation of the political and social issues of Germany, he be- came familiar with questions of vital importance to the welfare of the age. On his return to the United States he entered Andover Theological Seminary, where he continned until graduation, and afterward accepted a pastorate in Amesbury, Mass. The important part that he took in

result of his careful study of economics, both in this country and abroad. Later, while acting as pastor of the First Congregational Church of Baltimore, Md., he was intimately identified with the formation of the Charity Organization Society and the Evangelical Alliance. In that city, too, he continued his studies in philosophy and politi- cal economy at Johns Hopkins University.

In the year 1888 the trustees of Colorado Col- lege offered Dr. Slocum the presidency of the institution. In accepting the position he began his work with the ardor and determination char- acteristic of him in every enterprise. The finances of the college were at that time in a deplorable condition. There were seven instructors, twenty- eight students in the college and academy, and the annual expense was about $8,500. The effect of his enthusiasm and excellent judgment soon be- came apparent. The faculty was enlarged, the courses reorganized, and Cutler Academy was incorporated as an associated preparatory school, in which students are trained, not alone for Colo- rado College, but for all of the leading institu- tions of the country. Within the next two years $100,000 was given for an endowment fund, donated entirely by citizens of Colorado. In 1889 Hagerman Hall was built, the Woman's Educa- tional Society was organized and the erection of Montgomery Hall begun. The following year the Colorado College Scientific Society was founded, and the first number of the college paper, Colorado College Studies, issued.

As the college grew in numbers, there became evident the possession of the college spirit, and an esprit de corps among students, so essential to success in any educational institution. In time the college took a prominent place in inter-colle- giate athletics, and won the championship in base ball and track athletics. The general finan- cial depression did not affect, disastrously, the attendance, which showed a constant increase. Simultaneously with this growth was an enlarge- ment of equipment and facilities. The gymna- sium was built through the efforts of the students; the library building was donated by the late N. P. Coburn, and the observatory by Henry R. Wolcott, of Denver. In 1897 Ticknor Hall was completed, as a second dwelling house for young ladies, and was the gift of a donor who insisted that his name remain unknown, though his gift amounted to $23,000. Another important

Swing Lowlet

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

movement has been the consolidation of Tillotson Academy with Cutler Academy.

Without doubt the most important work ac- complished by Dr. Slocum as president was the securing of an endowment fund of $200,000, rendered possible by the offer of the great educa- tional philanthropist, D. K. Pearsons, of Chicago, to present to the college the sum of $50,000 pro- vided $150,000 in addition could be raised. The success of this great project is due very largely to the energy and indomitable perseverance of Dr. Slocum, who labored arduously and unceasingly in order to secure the consummation of this end so important to the future of the college. From the summer of 1892, when Dr. Pearsons made his offer, until the dawn of the year 1897, the movement was kept constantly before the public, and finally the last dollar necessary was pledged. Afterward additional gifts were received, which increased the pledges to $5,000 more than Dr. Pearsons' offer made obligatory. Fully one-half of $150,000 raised came from the east, mainly from Massachusetts, a state that has always been a friend to education; but the people of Colorado were also liberal, especially when it is remem- bered that those were years of great depression. Senator Hill started a movement in Denver by subscribing $5,000, and other citizens seconded his efforts, while the people of Colorado Springs, from first to last, did all within their power to secure what they recognized would make of their college one of the greatest educational centres of the west, and their donations were large, to the point of self-sacrifice.

In the west, as in the east, Dr. Slocum has been a friend to all efforts looking to the eleva- tion of the laboring classes and the systematic relief of the poor. The Organized Charities of Denver was the result of an address by him, and to his influence largely was due the organization of the state board of charities and correction, and the board of pardons. He took part in the legis- lation concerning the penal and reformatory institutions of Colorado, and, as chairman of the state board of charities, has led in penal and re- formatory measures. He continued a member of the state board of pardons until 1896, when he resigned. While he is not a politician, on account of his prominence in public affairs, he was urged by the Republican party of his state, in 1894, to allow his name to be used as candidate for gov- ernor, but he declined, preferring to devote him- self entirely to his chosen work. Invitations to

accept the presidency of Illinois University at Champaign and Oberlin (Ohio) College were also refused, for a similar reason. He is a member of the State and National Educational Associa- tions, and, for the latter, arranged an important part of the exhibit for the Trans-Mississippi Ex- position at Omaha in 1898. The following degrees have been conferred upon him: A. B., by Amherst College in 1874; B. D., Andover Seminary, 1878; LL. D., Amherst College in 1893, and LL. D. by the University of Nebraska in 1894. In addition to his work as president of the college and pro- fessor of philosophy, he has been a frequent con- tributor to the journals of the day and his articles have had a direct and important bearing upon educational, religious and philosophical subjects. He is identified with, and an officer of, the First Congregational Church of Colorado Springs. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolu- tion, president of the Colorado branch of the So- ciety of Colonial Wars, president of the Colorado branch of the New England Society, a charter member of the University Club, and a member of the D. K. E., of Amherst.

In Saco, Me., Dr. Slocum married Miss Mary G. Montgomery, who was born in New York state and educated in New England. She is prominent in social circles and state regent of the Colorado Society of the Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution. Her father, William Mont- gomery, was a native of Scotland, and for many years a resident of Maine, where he engaged in the manufacture of cotton. Her mother was a member of the Goodale family, of New England, and an aunt of Prof. G. L. Goodale, botanist at Harvard.

ON. IRVING HOWBERT. The various successful interests with which Mr. Howbert is identified indicate his versatile abilities, and his prominence in business and political af- fairs is a striking evidence of the confidence and esteem of the people, not only of his own lo- cality, but of the state. Having been a resident of Colorado from his boyhood days, and develop- ing in his early manhood unusual business ability, it was but natural that he should become interested in many of the principal industries of the state. In mining, banking, manufacturing and other enterprises that have aided in building up the state he has been one of the most promi- nent factors, and withi hardly an exception, his business efforts have been successful.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

The Howbert family is of German extraction, and has been identified with American history since colonial days. George Howbert was a planter and slave owner in the Shenandoah Val- ley of Virginia. His son, Jacob, was born in that valley, removed to Salen, Roanoke County, Va., and engaged in farming. From Virginia he removed to Coshocton County, Ohio, and thence to Bartholomew County, Ind., where he died at an advanced age. During the war of 1812 he enlisted in the army, but the war ended before he was called into service.

William, son of Jacob, and father of Irving Howbert, was born in Salem, Roanoke County, Va., and passed his early manhood in that state, Ohio and Indiana. In 1852 he removed to Iowa and entered the Methodist Episcopal ministry. He continued in Iowa until 1860, when he crossed the plains to Colorado, having been assigned to missionary work in the southern part of the then territory. After three years of indefatigable labor, failing health forced him to relinquish his work. He had previously located his family at Colorado City, and there he began the improve- ment of his property. He died in 1871. His wife, Martha Marshall, was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and died in Colorado City in 1863. She was a descendant of a branch of the family to which belonged Chief Justice Marshall. Her father, Robert Marshall, was born in Pennsylva- nia. The children of William and Martha How- bert were six in number, and all are still living, viz .: Irving; Edgar, who at the present writing is clerk of the district court of El Paso County; F. W., who is United States collector of internal revenue for the district of Colorado and Wyoming; C. W., general manager of the Anchoria-Leland Mining and Milling Company; Irene and Alice, of Colorado Springs.

The subject of this article was born in Colum- bus, Ind., and received most of his education in the schools of southwestern Iowa. He was four- teen years of age when he accompanied his father to Colorado, making the trip overland with ox- teams via Plattsmouth and the Platte River, and arriving in Denver in June, 1860, after a journey of thirty days. In the fall of the same year he returned to Iowa, but the spring of 1861 found him again on the road west, with his father and family. In 1862 the family settled in Colorado City, where subsequently, for a time, he attended the academy. In August, 1864, he enlisted in

Company G, of the Third Colorado Cavalry, and served with his regiment until the beginning of the year 1865, meantime taking part in the battle of Sand Creek. In 1865 he accompanied the family to Clarinda, Iowa, where for a time he at- tended high school. On his return to Colorado in 1866 he secured employment at any occupa- tion he could find, and for a year or more fol- lowed freighting, herding cattle, farming and clerking at different times. In 1869 he was elected clerk of El Paso County and served by re- election for five consecutive terms, four of which times he was elected without opposition. Re- · fusing a re-election, he resigned on election day of 1879, in order to give his entire attention to the position of cashier of the First National Bank of Colorado Springs, to which he had been elected in 1878. Two years later he was made president of the institution, in which ca- pacity he served with the greatest efficiency for ten years, when he resigned on account of injury to his health, caused by close confinement to business. Since then he has held the office of vice-president, and still takes an active part in the management of the bank. When he became connected with the bank as cashier in January, 1878, it was in a failing condition, but within two years, through his good management, the institution was placed in excellent financial shape, and it has continued to grow from that date until it is now one of the strongest banks in the state.

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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 13

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