Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 130

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 130

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In politics Mr. Love is a silver Republican. For some years he was president of the school board, and for several terms he served as a mem- ber of the council of Colorado City. In religion he is an attendant upon the Methodist Episcopal Church. The El Paso County Pioneers' Society numbers him among its prominent members. He was married in Pueblo to Miss Sarah MacFarland, who was born in Jay, Essex County, N. Y., and came to Colorado in January, 1872. They are the parents of two daughters, Mary M., a gradu- ate of Wesleyan University in Nebraska, and Allie Maude, who was educated in Colorado College. Mrs. Love is a daughter of Michael and Margaret (Quinn) MacFarland, natives of the north of Ireland, and for many years residents of New York, where they died. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812. In his family there were six children, of whom three sons and Mrs. Love now survive.

ON. J. MARTIN WETZEL, county judge of Conejos County, came to Alamosa in May, 1881, and formed a connection with Judge C. D. Hayt, with whom he remained for two years. He then opened a real-estate, collec- tion and law office, in which lines, as well as in mining, he has since continued. Active in the Republican party, he has identified himself intimately with local affairs during the entire period of his residence in Alamosa. For a number of years he served as justice of the peace and magistrate. In 1895 he was elected county judge, and this office he has since filled with efficiency and intelligence. The cause of education has in him a firm friend, for, from his own experience, he realizes its benefits. As secretary of the school board, which position he has held for eight years, he has been instrumental in promoting the wel- fare of the local schools.

A son of John and Susan A. (Shafer) Wetzel, the subject of this sketch was born in Perry County, Pa., in 1840. In 1852 he accompanied his parents to Ohio, and from there went with

them to Iowa, where his father died at the age of sixty-one; he had followed farming and was also a skilled mechanic. The widowed mother is now living in Iowa, and is eighty-eight years of age. Our subject is the third of eight children. He spent his youth principally in Ohio and Iowa. In 1862 he crossed the plains with an ox-team, go- ing to the Powder River in Oregon, and from there to Idaho in the fall of the same year. Becoming interested in mining and the stock business, he remained there until the summer of 1866. He then went to Helena, Mont., and opened a mer- cantile store, but in the fall of 1867 removed to Fort Benton, Mont., and engaged in merchandis- ing. In the fall of 1868 he was elected county judge of Choteau County, which office he filled for one term. From there he went to Butte City and engaged in the drug business until 1880, at the same time buying and selling real estate, platting additions to the city, and carrying on a mercan- tile trade.

After a visit in the east in 1880, Judge Wetzel came to Alamosa, Colo., in May, 1881, hoping that the healthful climate might be of benefit to his family. He was married in 1876 to Mary E., daughter of Burton R. Ham, of Kansas City, Mo. Three children were born to their union: Hattie A., who is the wife of W. W. Blake; Budd O. and Ella Agnes. He has always been a public-spirited and progressive citizen, one whose desire is to advance the resources and pros- perity of his community. Personally, he has always been a student, and after coming west into the mountain districts he gained a thorough knowledge of German, which he found would be of benefit to him in his work. Fraternally he is connected with Alamosa Lodge No. 96, K.P., and Sierra Blanca Lodge No. 21, Uniform Rank, K.P.

EORGE JACKSON, of Pueblo, was born and reared in Canada, and received his education in the schools of that country. At an early age he went to sea with his father, who was a sea captain during the most of his active life. For a number of years he led the advent- urous life of a sailor, after which he went to New York and secured employment in that city. In 1879 he came west to Colorado and for a time made Central City and Denver his headquarters.

In 1886 he came to Pueblo, where he opened a cigar and liquor store in the old Pueblo hotel, but later moved to Main street, where he now has a branch house. He carries on a wholesale

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business at No. 317 South Union avenue, where he has a large business, giving employment to eleven hands. He represents the American Brewery Company, of St. Louis, also Coors' Golden Brewery, of Golden, Colo., and acts as agent for other large wholesale firms of the country. Since coming to Pueblo he married Miss Anna Sutton, of this city.

Politically he is a Democrat, and on that ticket he was elected alderman in Bessemer, now a part of Pueblo. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks, Red Men and Masons. Associated with him in business, as manager, is his brother, Harry B., who spent some time at sea in boy- hood, later resided in Boston and New York, and came west in 1890, since which time he has made Pueblo his home.

G EORGE LANNON, proprietor of the Pueblo foundry, machine shop and boiler works, is at the head of one of the leading industries of Pueblo and one that is also among the largest of its kind in the state of . Colorado. The plant is located at the foot of Santa Fe avenue and comprises a number of large buildings, among them the foundry, pattern shop, forge, machine shop and boiler shop. Among the products of the foundry are ten-ton castings. A number of pumping engines have been manufactured here. The products of the factory are sold throughout the entire western country and in Old Mexico, and are considered equal and even superior to the best manufactures of a similar kind in the east.

The subject of this sketch, to whose energy and determination the success of the works is due, was born in New Hartford, N. Y., in June, 1844, a son of John and Rebecca (Johnson) Lannon. His father, who was a native of Pittsburg, Pa., was for years employed as foreman in a cotton factory in the east, but is now making his home with our subject. He married Miss Johnson, who was born in New Hartford, N. Y., and died in Troy, that state. Her father, Rev. John Johnson, came from the North of Ireland to New York state, where he held pastorates in Baptist churches until his death. John and Rebecca Lannon were the parents of five sons and one daughter who attained years of maturity, and those now living reside in Pueblo. The sons are George, John M., F. P. (an alderman), and Charles A., who is foreman and machinist with his brother.

At Schuylerville, Saratoga County, N. Y., the

subject of this sketch served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade, which he afterwards fol- lowed in different states, and in Cuba from 1867 to 1869, his special work being the putting up of machinery on plantations. In 1875 he went to Clinton, Iowa, in the employ of the Northwestern Railroad. In 1880 he came to Pueblo, and bought the old foundry, which he enlarged ma- terially, and here he started in the general foundry and machine business, making a specialty of smelter and mining machinery, and castings for the Denver & Rio Grande, and the Denver, Rio Grande & Western roads. He is a very efficient and capable business man, and the success of these works is due entirely to his intelligence and business judgment. He has little time for public affairs, and, aside from voting the Republican ticket, does not take any part in politics. Soci- ally he holds membership in the Minnequa Club. He was united in marriage, in Pueblo, with Miss Mary A. Robinson, who was born in North Adams, Mass., but has resided in this city since girlhood.

ARLETON M. MC GUIRE, M. D., a lead- ing physician of Walsenburg, has a large private practice, in addition to which he is local surgeon for the Denver & Rio Grande Rail- road, the Victor Coal and Coke Company, and the Sunshine Fuel Company, and is also county physician and member of the board of the United States pension examiners for Huerfano County. Interested in every organization for the advance- ment of the medical science, he has identified himself with the American Medical Society and the International Association of Railway Sur- geons.

The son of Josiah and Elizabeth J. (Axley) McGuire, of Iowa, the subject of this article was born in Lewisburg, that state, in 1863. He re- ceived his literary education in the public schools and an academy and university. The study of medicine he began in his native town and later entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he graduated in 1891. Returning to Iowa, he opened an office in Seymour, and engaged in practice there for three years. From that place, in 1894, he came to Walsenburg, where he has since built up a valuable practice and established a reputation as a skillful and successful physician. As his assistant in all of his professional work he has his wife, who is a woman of more than ordin- ary talent and herself a successful physician.

GEORGE L. WALKER.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

She took up the study of medicine in Iowa, and afterward carried on the regular study of the Woman's Medical College of Chicago, from which she graduated in 1891, five years after her marriage. She was in maidenhood Eva M. Caldwell, and is a daughter of James and Mariam (Downs) Caldwell, of Iowa. Both husband and wife are devoted to the medical science, and by study and examination of all improvements in therapeutics, have kept thoroughly abreast of the times in every respect.

Fraternally our subject is connected with Huerfano Lodge of Masons, Walsenburg Chapter, R. A. M., and Oriental Commandery No. 18, K. T. He and his wife are actively identified (the latter Worthy Matron) with Naomi Chapter of the Eastern Star and have passed the various chairs. He is also a member of the Woodmen of the World. An advocate of Republican princi- ples, he has stood by his party, voting the ticket in every local, state and national election. Such plans as he believes will conduce to the prosperity of his town and the welfare of the people, receive his cordial assistance, and he has shown himself to be a progressive, public-spirited citizen and a valuable acquisition to the professional fraternity of Huerfano County.

EORGE L. WALKER. South of the beau- tiful divide pines, about fourteen miles northeast of Colorado Springs, lies the ranch of which Mr. Walker is the manager. Its location, according to survey, is section 26, township 38, range 65 west, in El Paso County. The passer-by is attracted by the beauty of the location. Twelve miles away are the Rocky Mountains, which tower upward toward the sky, with Pike's Peak, the highest of all the ranges, overlooking the others, as a mother her children. The majesty of the view is uplifting, and those who view the scene with an artist's eye are charmed and awed by its grandeur.

Near Troy, Lincoln County, Mo., December 8, 1855, our subject was born to Daniel H. and Palmyra (Craig) Walker. When he was about two years of age his father died, leaving him, the third, among four children. His mother married again, and he was six when she moved to Cal- houn County, Ill., where he remained with her until he was about fifteen. On beginning in life for himself he worked by the month on a farm. For five years he was employed as a farm hand, being in Missouri during part of that time. In

1876 he came to Colorado, where he worked in sawmills in different parts of the state for five years. When he came to this state he had about $125 that he had saved, and during the five en- suing years he laid up about $800.

Returning to Illinois in 1881 Mr. Walker spent nine months there. In 1882 he came back to Colorado and began to deal in horses, buying and selling in Colorado Springs. In this busi- ness he continued for six years, and with the money thus gained he made investments in prop- erty in Colorado Springs. January 30, 1889, in that city, he married Mrs. Ruby (Boulware) Jennings, who was born in Virginia, a daughter of Thomas H. and Jane Boulware. One year after his marriage Mr. Walker removed to his present home, where he has leased eighteen hun- dred acres. The beauty of the location of his home and its attractiveness for visitors led him in 1891 to open a boarding house, which he has since conducted, and he has gained a wide repu- tation for the excellent care given boarders. In politics he has always been a Democrat, in which faith he was reared. He is interested in educa- tional matters, and has served as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is connected, as a charter member, with the Knights of Pythias, at Falcon.

HARLES J. HALLETT, county coroner of El Paso County, is a member of a family whose first representatives in America, two brothers, came from Barnstable, England, in 1637, and settled, one on Long Island, and the other, Andrew, in Massachusetts. He is a son of Henry Watson and Antoinette L. (Webster) Hallett, the latter a daughter of Sheldon Web- ster, a lineal descendant of Daniel Webster. Of the father mention is made on another page. Our subject was born in Springfield, Mass., July 30, 1862. In 1880 he came to Colorado Springs and began in the undertaking business with his father and uncle, continuing with them until 1882. He then formed the Leadville Undertaking Company and opened an undertaking business in Leadville, where he remained until 1884. Then, for two years, he was with H. W. Hallett & Co., in Kansas City, Mo., after which he was with the Grand Valley Ranch and Cattle Company in Garfield County and also engaged in the stock business for himself.

In March, 1892, Mr. Hallett located the Hallett mine and organized the Hallett & Hamburg

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Gold Mining Company, of which he was presi- dent from the start, and which was organized with a capital stock of $200,000. The company owns two claims on Battle Mountain and was incorpo- rated in 1895. In 1893 he again embarked in the undertaking business, this time opening a store in Cripple Creek, under the firm title of Hallett & Baker. In the summer of 1898 he disposed of that business and returned to Colorado Springs. In the fall of 1897 he was nominated, on the fusion ticket, for county coroner and was elected, taking office January 1, 1898. Politically a sil- ver Republican, he has served as a member of the county committee and the executive committee of the same. He is a man of great business energy, and while in Cripple Creek assisted in improving the town by building up a fine business property.

Fraternally Mr. Hallett is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Cripple Creek and the Knights of Pythias in Kansas City. In religion he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. November 24, 1897, in Cripple Creek, he married Miss Martha Scott Miles, a niece of Gen. Nelson Miles, U. S. A. She was born in Tyrone, Pa., and is a daughter of Caleb Henry Miles, of Pennsylvania.

MMIT I. THOMPSON, county superin- tendent of schools of Lincoln County, is one of the popular officials of the county. The efficient manner in which he has promoted the educational interests and advanced the welfare of the schools here has won for him the regard of all. He is a young man, and is therefore well posted concerning the latest and most approved methods of teaching, while at the same time he has the advantage gained by a study of the methods employed by teachers in former genera- tions. He came to Lincoln County in 1895, im- mediately after graduating, and has since been engaged either as teacher or officer, his work in both lines having been satisfactory.

Near Geneseo, Henry County, Il1., the subject of this sketch was born in 1874. His father, Henry L. Thompson, was a native of New York state and in early life removed to Illinois, where he followed the carpenter's trade, in connection with farm pursuits. He is now engaged in the management of a stock farm in South Dakota. Politically he favors the Republican party, and in religion is a Congregationalist. His wife was Kate, daughter of E. K. Decker, owner of a large farm in Hancock County, Ill., where she was

born. Our. subject has three brothers and one sister, namely: Charles H., who is employed as express messenger on the Rock Island Railroad at Pueblo, Colo .; Nellie C., a school teacher in South Dakota; George W., a stockman in Fre- mont County, Colo .; and Milo E., who is with his parents.

In the schools of Henry County, Il1., our sub- ject acquired his primary education. He accom- panied his parents to South Dakota, and for a time was a pupil in the public schools there. Later he was a student in Cotner University, at Lincoln, Neb., and finally graduated from the Bennett Academy, southeast of Lincoln, in 1895. His education had been most thorough, and since his graduation he has added thereto by a thought- ful study of current events. On coming to Lin- coln County he secured a position as teacher. In the fall of 1897 he was elected to his present position as county superintendent. He is inter- ested in public affairs and always advocates Re- publican principles. In religion he is a member of the Christian Church, which his wife also attends.

The marriage of Mr. Thompson took place in 1897 and united him with Clara Belle Field, who was born in Papillion, Neb., and received an ex- cellent education in that city. She is a daughter of Thomas W. Field, formerly a farmer in Ne- braska, but now deceased. The family of which she is a member consists of three sons and four daughters. Joseph O., the eldest of these, is a printer in Brokenbow, Neb .; Charles J. is em- ployed by the Rock Island Railroad Company; Thomas W. lives in Omaha, Neb .; Eliza J. is the wife of William Calloway, of Papillion, Neb .; Mary Ann married Martin Boaz, and resides at Fort Scott, Kan .; and Hannah Maria is the wife of James Pfaffly, of Berthune, Colo.

LIVER JACOBS, a prominent ranchman of Pueblo County, came to Colorado in the spring of 1860 and shortly afterward settled on the ranch where he has since made his home. The property lies near Nyburg, on the north side of the Arkansas River, along the line of the Mis- souri Pacific and Santa Fe Railroads. Upon the land may be seen large numbers of cattle and horses, for Mr. Jacobs has made a specialty of stock-raising. There are also fruit orchards in good bearing condition and the usual ranch build- ings, all of which improvements he has made personally.

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In common with other pioneers of Colorado Mr. Jacobs suffered the hardships and privations incident to frontier life. He belongs to the large class which came from the east to Colorado in early days and assisted in developing the re- sources which nature had bestowed upon it. Comforts there were none, and even the very ne- cessities of existence it was difficult to obtain. To add to the sufferings of the pioneers the In- dians were troublesome, and Mr. Jacobs, among others, was obliged to fortify himself against them. Little by little improvements were made, new settlers arrived, the Indians retreated to more westernly haunts, and finally, in 1870, the Santa Fe road was completed through this coun- try, thus forming a connecting link with other sections of country, aud from that time onward progress was steady.

The father of our subject was Jacob Jacobs, who was born in Pennsylvania, a descendant of an old family in that state. His life was devoted to farming and the lumber business, in which he continued until he died at fifty years of age. He married Nancy Baker, who was born in Pennsyl- vania and died there at forty-five years of age. They were the parents of eight sons and six daughters, but Oliver alone survives. He was born in Franklin, Venango County, Pa., January 10, 1835, and at thirteen years of age he went to Illinois, where for five years he engaged in farm- ing. He then spent one summer in Minnesota, from which state he returned to Illinois, thence went to Kansas, aud in the spring of 1860 came to Colorado, where he has since resided. For thirty years (for he has never married) he made his home with the family of Senator Chilcott, who was his warm personal friend. While he has never taken an active part in politics he is a firm friend of the Republican party and always votes for its men and measures.

ON. CLARENCE CLARK HAMLIN, ex- state senator of Wyoming and now engaged in the practice of law in Colorado Springs, as a member of the firm of Gunnell & Hamlin, was born in Manchester, Iowa, January 7, 1868, a son of Henry F. and Harriet (Clark) Hamlin. His paternal grandfather, Fayette B. Hamlin, who was a member of an old Pennsylvania family and was born in that state, removed to Belvidere, Ill., where he was engaged in the practice of law; his last days, however, were spent in Iowa. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Oratio

D. Clark, a native of New York state and a blacksmith by trade. He removed to Iowa and became a farmer and blacksmith at Belvidere, but afterward went to Iowa, where he resided upon a farm. He was a descendant of an old family of New England, some of whose representatives participated in the Revolution.

Henry F. Hamlin, who was born in Southport, Pa., grew to manhood in Illinois, and engaged in the mercantile business at Manchester, Iowa, where he is still living. His wife died in Iowa. They were the parents of three children, one of whom is deceased. Their son, Charles F., is register of the United States land office at Gun- nison, Colo. Our subject attended the Man- chester public school when a boy. In 1885 he went to Des Moines, Iowa, and engaged in busi- ness there for a time, but afterward took up the study of law. In 1888, going to Evanston, Wyo., he continued his studies under his uncle, now United States senator, C. D. Clark. In 1890 he graduated from the law department of the Uni- versity of Iowa at Iowa City, receiving the de- gree of LL. B. He at once opened an office at Rock Springs, Wyo., and began the practice of law.

On the Republican ticket, in 1892, Mr. Ham- lin was nominated for state senator from Sweet- water County. He was elected by a fair majority and served in the session of 1893, where he was chairman of the judiciary committee. In 1894 he was again elected to the senate and served as a member of the third session, where he was chairman of the judiciary committee. From the governor he received an appointment to revise the laws of the state and with the commission of which he was a member, rendered satisfactory work, completing the duty assigned them. While in the senate he supported United States Senators Clark and Warren. Resigning his seat in the senate in 1896, he formed his present partner- ship and entered upon the practice of law in Colorado Springs. He is a member of the State Bar Association, and socially is identified with the El Paso and Country Clubs. He was made a Mason in the blue lodge at Rock Springs, and afterward became a member of the chapter and commandery at Green River. In politics he has from boyhood been a firm, pronounced Republi- can. In 1896 he was elected a delegate to the national convention at St. Louis. He gives his aid to all public measures having for their object the promotion of the welfare of the people .: He

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keeps pace with the current history of the world, and has strong feeling upon public questions, especially such as affect the future progress of our country. In November, 1898, he married Miss Seddie, daughter of Judge A. T. Gunnell, his law partner.

12 RYDEN JOHNSON, M. D., residing at Antonito, Conejos County, came to this village in 1881 to accept the position of division surgeon for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad at this point, and at the same time he entered upon the general practice of his profes- sion, which he has since conducted successfully. He is now local surgeon for the railroad, which position he has filled for years. As a member of the Colorado Medical Society he takes a warm interest in all matters pertaining to professional work throughout the state.

Dr. Johnson was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., in 1850, a son of Rev. A. L. and Susan (Dryden) Johnson. His father, now living in Fort Worth, Tex., has been a minister in the Christian Church for more than fifty years, his pastorates having been in different parts of the south, principally in Tennessee, Kentucky and Texas. By his marriage to Miss Dryden, a native of Christian County, Ky., he had six chil- dren, namely: Dryden; Frank M., who is a pro- fessor in the University of Nebraska; Robert G., an attorney of Fort Worth, Tex .; Maude, widow of William Henry, of Hopkinsville, Ky .; Eliza- beth and Lena.

Reared in northern Tennessee and Kentucky, the education of our subject was mainly obtained in his father's private school and the University of Kentucky. In 1878 he graduated in medicine from the University of the City of New York, after which he spent a year as interne in Bellevue Hospital. October 1, 1879, found him in Denver, Colo., where he practiced for eighteen months; from that city he came to Antonito, one year after the town had been started. He has made medicine his life study and has attained a fair degree of success in his chosen profession. In 1887 he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Richerson, of Franklin County, Va.

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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 130

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