Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 131

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 131

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As a local leader of the Democracy Dr. John- son is well known. During the campaign of 1884 he served as chairman of the Democratic county central committee. In the fall of 1897 he was elected coroner of Conejos County, which position he has since filled satisfactorily. In local affairs

he has been active and has given his support to measures for the benefit of the people. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of its blue lodge.

₹ EORGE HAMMOND. As a representative business man of Rocky Ford, Mr. Hammond is well known throughout Otero County He is the proprietor of a store, in which he car- ries a full line of grain and alfalfa seed, and in addition to this business he is an extensive dealer in live stock. Interested in real estate, he has a business house which he rents. As a busi- ness man he has been proved to be energetic, capable and efficient, and the prosperity he has gained is the result of these qualities, backed by sound judgment.

In Columbia County, Wis., Mr. Hammond was born August 26, 1852, and there he was reared upon a farm, receiving such advantages as the neighboring schools offered. When he was twenty years of age, in 1872, he came to Colo- rado. His first location was Central City, where he engaged in mining. Afterward he remained at Georgetown until 1877, and then went to Lead- ville. He was in the latter camp at the time of its great "boom," when, lured thither by the discovery of gold in large quantities, thousands flocked to the camp. He met with success in his mining ventures there.

Leaving Leadville in 1880, Mr. Hammond went to Elk Mountains, where he spent three years in the mines. Afterward he engaged in prospecting in the Ouray country, thence went to the Ute reservation in Delta, being there when the Indians were removed. He engaged in the livery business at that point, but after one year left Delta and went to Salida. After one and one-half years spent in the meat business in Salida, he returned to Delta and began in the grain business. This he conducted until he came to Rocky Ford in 1887. His first business ven- ture in this village was as a grocer, and for five years he carried on trade in that line. On sell- ing that business he began to deal in seed and grain, which line of trade he has since carried on successfully. He has given his attention wholly to business matters, and has not been active in politics or public affairs, although he discharges in the fullest manner his duties as a loyal citizen. In the casting of his ballot he favors Republican principles.

6. F. Eldridge M. S.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

DWARD F. ELDRIDGE, M. D., who has Journal of the American Medical Association, Feb- resided in Grand Junction since 1890, has ruary 25, 1888, and afterward appeared in the Medical Science, eliciting very favorable comments from the medical fraternity generally. His pro- fessional knowledge has been enlarged by a study of methods employed in hospitals in Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France and England, through all of which countries he has traveled extensively. built up an extensive practice in that city, giving especial attention to surgery. His office is provided with laboratory, consulting and oper- ating rooms, and with every modern equipment of the medical profession. In the science to which much of his active life has been devoted he has gained a success that is complete and gratify- ing, and speaks much for his ability and perse- verance.

A son of William F. and Vesta (Ketchum) Eldridge, the subject of this article was born in Ketchumville, Tioga County, N. Y., December 28, 1855. He was educated in the Weston (Mass.) high school and the New York State Normal at Cortland. Under Albert E. Miller, M. D., he began the study of medicine in Boston, Mass., in 1876, and afterward attended Dart- mouth Medical College, from which he graduated November 15, 1881. Opening an office in Han- over street, Boston, Mass., he remained there for two years, after which he spent seven years in New London, Wis. Loss of health compelled him to leave his home in the east, where he had built up a large practice and made many warm friends. Seeking the genial climate of Colorado, he came to Grand Junction, and, as soon as able, he began to practice his profession, which, with restored health, has shown a constant increase until now his time and strength are often taxed to their utmost in attending to his practice.

In 1887 Dr. Eldridge was secretary and treas- urer of the Northwestern Wisconsin Medical As- sociation, to which he still belongs. In 1888 he was city physician of New London; surgeon for the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad, 1889; and surgeon for the Green Bay, Winona & Minnesota Railway, 1888-89. During his resi- dence in New London he was alderman in 1885 and 1886 and mayor in 1888. He served as dele- gate from the Wisconsin State Medical Society to the Ninth International Medical Congress, at Washington, D. C., in 1887; also as delegate from the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the American Medical Association to the Tenth Inter- national Medical Congress, at Berlin, Germany, in 1890. He is connected both with the Amer- ican Medical Association and the American Pub- lic Health Association. An article on the "Use of Water in the Treatment of Renal and Hepatic Diseases," read before the Northwestern Medical Association, January 10, 1888, was printed in the

June 1, 1882, Dr. Eldridge married Miss Jen- nie E. McClary, of Syracuse, N. Y. They have two daughters and one son: Mary C., Jennie E. and Edward F., the two latter being twins. Mrs. Eldridge is a daughter of George H. and Lucy A. (Benton) McClary, of Syracuse, her father being descended from a long line of Scotch ancestry. Fraternally the doctor is a prominent Mason, having attained the rank of Knight Templar, and is also a Shriner, being a member of El Jebel Temple, Denver. He is past Eminent Com- mander of Temple Commandery.

Recreation is a necessity with all active minds. The doctor has found his greatest recreation in literature. Not only has he been a wide and thoughtful reader, but he has written much that is choice and interesting. He might well be. called the "poet laureate" of Colorado, for he has chronicled in verse many of the incidents in the history of the state and has become well known among its people. A number of his poems have been set to music, in which form they have gained added prominence. In 1898 he published, in at- tractive booklet form, for distribution among his friends, two poems, one of which, "The Doctor's Reverie," was a chapter of his own life; while the other, "Alkazar, the Moorish Alchemist," depicted a Spanish romance of the sixteenth cen- tury. A volume entitled "Songs from the Rock- ies," containing about one hundred poems from his pen, is now almost ready for the press. He is also completing a novel, the title of which is the "Sinbad Mines, A Tale of the Rockies," upon which he has spent the greater part of six years. One of his poems, "Colorado," is so appropriate to the present work that we insert it herewith in full:

Colorado, the Gem of the Rockies, In its setting of silver and gold; The home of both winter and summer, And climates from torrid to cold. With mountains, and valleys, and rivers, And mines of most fabulous wealth; With sunshine and soft, balmy breezes Which bring a perfection of health.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Thy mountains-the dream of the miner, In their ledges are treasures untold, Rare gems, for the decking of beauty, Great veins of bright silver and gold; The birthplace of pure crystal fountains Which sing as they dance on their way, The wild notes of Nature's own music, As with the soft breezes they play.

Thy valleys are like unto Eden, Fair flowers and orchards abound, And fruits, all the rarest in flavor, Are bending their boughs to the ground. Where beautiful homes deck the landscape, And great busy cities have grown- On the site of the Indian's wigwam, Which he left with a sad, weary moan.

Where all are contented and happy And each finds the task to his taste, Where labor is richly requited-

Whate'er be the calling that's traced. Where he who is heart-sick and weary And nearly cast down with despair, May come, and soon win a fortune, As well as the rich millionaire.

For the wealth locked up in the mountains And hid in our most fertile soil,

Is the prize of him who may win it By diligent, pains-taking toil; As Nature is wonderfully lavish In all that pertains to her wealth,

Where homes may be had for the asking, And sickness gives place to good health.

But e'en should he fail to gain riches There are yet many pleasures in life- Among the wild beauties of Nature- Away from all harassing strife. Where the eye may feast upon pictures Which outrival the old masters' skill; And the ear is filled with soft music- Of birds, and the wild mountain rill.

Where Nature is fresh from its Maker And grand in its heauty, sublime; Where God is as near to His children As He was in the far olden time. Where His glory is seen in the heavens, And His love in the valley below; His beauty in sunshine and shower, And His care in the breezes which blow.

Grand Junction, Colo., January 29th, 1895.

ENRY HUNTER, a successful practicing attorney of Walsenburg, and a resident of this city since February, 1893, was born in Bond County, Ill., June 2, 1864, a son of David F. and Nancy I. (Plant) Hunter. His paternal grandfather, James Hunter, who was a native of the Carolinas, removed from there to eastern Tennessee, and thence went to Illinois in 1825, becoming a pioneer of Bond County. He and

his wife were the first to associate with the Cum- berland Presbyterian denomination in Illinois, and through their efforts was organized Mount Gilead Church, two miles west of Greenville. His wife's father, Samuel McAdow, was a native of Scotland, and on emigrating to the United States settled in Dixon County, Tenn. He was one of the three men who seceded from the old Presbyterian Church and at his house the Cum- berland Presbyterian denomination was founded.

At the age of seventeen David F. Hunter be- gan to teach school, which occupation he follow- ed for fifteen years. Afterward he engaged in the mercantile business at Van Burensburg, Ill., for one year, later being similarly engaged at Ramsey, Il1., for six years. In 1872 he came to Colorado, settling at Denver, where he engaged in the hay and grain business, but in April of the following year he moved to Pueblo. Later he settled in the Greenhorn district, at what is now known as Rye, and here he still resides, engaged in farming and stock-raising. While he always maintained an interest in public affairs, he has never been an office seeker. In 1861 he was a delegate to the convention that nominated George B. McClelland for president.

When our subject was a boy of eight years he was brought to Colorado, and here he has since resided. When his father bought a ranch he be- gan to help him in its supervision, and until he was twenty-two years of age much of his time was spent in the saddle. Afterward he assisted in carrying the mail from Pueblo to Rye. Three years later he entered the law office of L. B. Gib- son, of Pueblo, where he continued to study un- til he was admitted to the Colorado bar, August 28, 1890. The same year he opened an office in Pueblo, but soon removed to Walsenburg, where he now resides. He has been the Democratic candidate for the legislature and succeeded in polling a larger vote for his party than usual. For two years he held the position of city attor- ney, and also served as deputy district attorney for the third judicial district for three years. In April, 1898, he was again chosen to serve in the latter position, which he later resigned.

Since the construction of the Union Pacific, Denver & Gulf Railroad to Walsenburg, Mr. Hunter has been local attorney for the road. In municipal affairs he takes an active part, uphold- ing all measures that will benefit the town and promote the prosperity of the people. Frater- nally he is connected with the Ancient Order

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Foresters of America, the Woodmen of the mers, who was a native of England, came to World, and Diamond Lodge No. 49, K. P., America under King George, and received from him a grant of land on the James River in Vir- ginia. With him came his brother, Luther. At a later date he sailed the first American man-of- war ever on the Pacific waters. in which he is past chancellor, and has served as a delegate to the grand lodge. January 23, 1895, he married Minnie, daughter of H. G. Wycoff, of Walsenburg. They have two chil- dren, Charles H. and Thomas W.

OHN C. SUMMERS, who has carried on a large business as a cement sidewalk con- tractor in Pueblo since 1888, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, August 23, 1834, a son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Summers. His father, who was born, reared and married in Lancaster County, Pa., moved to Shelby County, Ohio, in 1828, when that country was new and its nearest supply town was Dayton. Establish- ing his home on a raw tract of land, he improved a farm. In 1841 he sold out and removed to In- diana, settling in Dekalb County, where he spent the remainder of his life. During the war of 1812 he volunteered in the service, and our sub- ject has in his possession the powder horn used while in service. When news reached him of the threatened attack on Baltimore he was plowing in the field, but he left his team and plow there and hastened to join the men marching to aid in the defense of thecity. He remained for some months at the front, being discharged when the war closed. A Democrat in politics, he served as justice of the peace and might have had other offices had he so desired. He was interested in church work and contributed toward religious enterprises. His death occurred July 3, 1873, at eighty years of age.

The grandfather of our subject, George Sum- mers, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and in an early day settled in Indiana, but later removed to Ohio, where he died (in Shelby County ) at the age of seventy. He had served in the Revolu- tionary war. One of his brothers, Elisha, who was a chaplain in the colonial army, afterward settled in Kentucky, where he was prominent in the Baptist ministry; during the war of 1812 he again entered the service of his country. The great-grandfather of our subject, Henry Sum- mers, was born on the James River in Virginia, and when young accompanied his parents to Philadelphia, Pa., where he became a wealthy shipping merchant. During the Revolution he entered the army and, under General Washing- ton, experienced all the horrors of a winter at Valley Forge. His father, Capt. George Sum-

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Robert Smith, came to America from Scotland and died at seventy-nine years of age. His daughter, Mrs. Summers, was born in Pennsyl- vania, and died in Indiana at seventy-nine years of age. She was a faithful member of the Pres- byterian Church. Of her eight children, all but one are still living. Our subject received a com- mon-school education. When fifteen years of age he began to learn the carpenter's trade in northern Indiana, where he remained for two years at his chosen occupation. In 1854 he went to California, via the ocean route, and engaged in mining and prospecting and afterwards was in the British possessions for some years, but in 1859 turned his attention to the raising of vege- tables, in which he engaged for five years. On selling out that business he went to Idaho, and afterward engaged in freighting from Walla Walla on the Columbia River in Washington Territory to Boise Basin, four hundred miles away. During the year that he continued freight- ing he was in constant danger from the Indians. Finally, from San Francisco, he took passage for home, via the Panama route. In 1864 he resumed the work of a farmer, stockman and real-estate dealer, making his home with his parents in Indiana until they died.

In February, 1881, Mr. Summers went to Arizona and Old Mexico on a prospecting tour, looking for a cattle country. During the same year he located in Pueblo, where he worked at his trade. Returning to California in 1884, he remained one year, prospecting and putting up machinery for mines. Again, in 1866, he went to California, where he erected two hydraulic plants for mines. In 1887 he went to Los Ange- les, where he became a contractor for cement sidewalks. On account of his family's health, in 1888 he thought it best to return to Pueblo, and here he has since engaged in contracting.

During his long life on the plains Mr. Sum- mers became well acquainted with Captain Jack, of the Modoc Indians, also many of the famous scouts of early days. He had many exciting ex- periences with the Indians and more than once his life was in danger at their hands. At one

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

time Scar-faced Charley, a bad Indian, came very near killing him, but he escaped, almost miracu- lously. In spite of his active life, with all its hardships and exposures, he is still in the enjoy- ment of health, and can do as much in a day as most men. In politics he has always been loyal to the Democratic party, and fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons. January 10, 1869, Mr. Summers married Matilda A. Fair, of Dekalb County, Ind. They have three sons: James Ellis, a railroad man now employed on the Santa Fe; Alies Treat, who is a member of the engi- neering corps of the Second Colorado Regiment, now in Honolulu; and Jesse B., a machinist, with the Iron city shops of Pueblo. Mrs. Sum- mers is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a contributor to its works.

C EROME E. HARRINGTON, deceased, for- merly one of the leading ranchmen and cattle- raisers of Park County, was born in Niagara County, N. Y., August 15, 1835, a son of Daniel and Martha (Honeywell) Harrington. He was one of seven children, three of whom survive, viz .: R. M., a ranchman of Nebraska; Andrew J., proprietor of a hotel in Canada; and Mrs. Baker, of Albion, N.Y. The father was born and reared in Boston, Mass., and at the age of fifteen years began to earn his own way in the world. Going to Canada with others he settled with them on the banks of the Ottawa River, and there engaged in the lumbering business. On the outbreak of the war of 1812, his sympathy with his home country caused him to get into trouble with the government and he was thrown into jail and his goods confiscated. Making his escape he went to Shelby, N. Y., where he secured work in a flouring mill. Thence he went to Somerset, Ni- agara County, N. Y., and settled on a tract of unimproved land, where he set himself to the task of clearing from the wild forest a good farm. Under his constant care the place became an im- proved and valuable one. There he continued to reside until his death.

Shortly after he was sixteen years of age our subject began to support himself. For three years he worked on farms in Michigan and New York. With his accumulated earnings he re- turned home, gave the money to his father and entered high school to finish his education. When twenty-one years of age he went back to Michi- gan and resumed farm work. In the spring of 1858 he turned his face further westward, and

after a season's work in Illinois he drove a team across the plains to Colorado, arriving in Denver June 25, 1859. Going to Mountain City he re. mained a few days, when he went to Russell Gulch and engaged in mining. The only time he ever worked on a salary since coming to Colo- rado was for five days at Russell Gulch. In the fall he returned east and spent the winter at Coun- cil Bluffs, returning to the mountains in the spring and remaining at Russell Gulch during the summer. The next fall he proceeded to Clear Creek County, and soon afterward placed the first stake in Trail River. With a party of other men he went to North Park and spent the winter engaged in hunting. While there the seven men were snowed in and almost starved to death. Mr. Harrington was the only man in the party able to shoot a deer, and his marksmanship alone saved the little band from starvation. Going back to Russell Gulch the next spring, he after- ward sold his claim there and went to the claim on Trail River, where he remained until fall. His next location was on Bear Creek, where he spent the winter hunting, and in the spring took up a ranch of four hundred and eighty acres ac- quired by purchase.

In 1864 Mr. Harrington purchased the old water mill at Evergreen and embarked in the lumber business, in which he was prosperous. Afterward he built a mill further up the creek, and continued to manufacture lumber for ten years, during which time he hauled lumber to Central City, Georgetown and Denver. He also hauled many loads to Cheyenne when the con- struction of that city was beginning, and for this he received as high as $120 per thousand feet. In 1876 he sold his Bear Creek ranch and cattle interests and came to Park County, settling seven miles below Hartsel, on the South Platte. Here he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land. Three other parties also entered a homestead for him, making his ranch one of six hundred and forty acres. His business ability enabled him to push forward successfully, where another might have failed. From year to year he added to his possessions until at the time of his death his ranch comprised nearly seven thousand acres, and his cattle ranged over the hills for miles in every direction. With one exception he was the largest rancher and cattleman in Park County.

During his residence in Jefferson County, in 1876, Mr. Harrington was elected county com-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

missioner of Jefferson County on the Democratic ticket. After removing to Park County he was frequently tendered the nomination for commis- sioner, but always declined the honor, preferring to devote himself to his private business affairs. In July, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss V. A. Spinney, who was born in Maine and came to Colorado in 1871. They were the par- ents of three children, namely: Jerome E., who assists in the management of the extensive ranch interests; Adelia, who is a student in Colorado College at Colorado Springs; and Ralph, who is attending the high school in Colorado Springs.

Mr. Harrington died at Colorado Springs Jan- uary 20, 1899, at the age of sixty-three years, five months and five days. His death removed one of the most prominent and successful of the Colorado pioneers of 1859.

OSEPH PETERSON. It is said that biog- raphy yields to no other subject in point of interest and profit, and it is especially inter- esting to note the progress that has been made along various lines of business by those of foreign birth who have sought homes in America-the readiness with which they adapt themselves to the different methods and customs of America, recognize the advantages offered and utilize the opportunities which the new world affords. Mr. Peterson is a native of Sweden, who has met with well-deserved success on this side of the Atlantic, and is to-day one of the most successful stockmen of Pueblo County, his ranch being near Rye. During a portion of the time he has resided in Pueblo. In 1892 he built a house in the city and lived there for a time to educate his children.

He was born in Halmstead, Sweden, Septem- ber 29, 1845, and was reared on a farm, his father being an extensive agriculturist of that country. He early became familiar with every department of farm work, and obtained his literary education in the home school. He was twenty-three years of age when he came to the United States, and first located in Elk County, Pa., east of the Alle- gheny Mountains, where he worked in the lumber woods and in a saw mill until 1873. Having a brother in Holt County, Mo., he decided to come west, and in that year took up his residence upon his present ranch in Pueblo County, Colo. For a short time he conducted a store near his ranch, and was also engaged in the freighting business all over the west for several years, but in 1882 he located permanently upon his ranch and has

since given his attention wholly to general farm- ing and stock-raising. He has often had as high as one hundred head of stock upon his place at one time, and that branch of his business has proved quite profitable. He also cuts consider- able hay. He has a well-improved place, all under fence; a good orchard has been set out, and substantial buildings erected. He also owns some valuable property in Pueblo, which brings him a good rent.

August 25, 1875, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Peterson, a sister of John Peterson, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. They have two sons, very bright young men: Wilkins O., who is now attending the state university in Boulder; and Scott Roscoe, who is assistant bookkeeper in the Western Na- tional Bank of Pueblo. In his political affiliation Mr. Peterson is a Republican, and he has most efficiently filled the offices of road overseer and school director for some years.

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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 131

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