Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 138

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 138

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EORGE L. KEENER, superintendent and a stockholder of the Mary Mckinney Min- ing Company at Anaconda, was born at Lockhaven, Clinton County, Pa., July 28, 1862. When he was a child his parents removed to Northumberland County, Pa., and there he at- tended local schools and became familiar with farm work. At sixteen years of age he accom- panied his parents to Clay County, Kan., where he assisted in farm work for two years, and then entered the State Agricultural College at Man- hattan, Kan., where he took the regular two years' course. Later he was a student in the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Ill., from which he graduated in the spring of 1884.

Returning to Kansas Mr. Keener secured a position as cashier of the Bank of Wayne, remain- ing there for eight years. His next business connection was as owner and manager of a flour mill at Lane, Kan. In the spring of 1892 he leased the mill and came to Colorado, where he began prospecting in the then new camp of Crip- ple Creek. At that time he made two locations, the Mary H. and Jewell mines, on Straub Moun- tain south of Victor, but these did not prove profitable and after eighteen months he abandoned them. He then bought a controlling interest in the Nuggett Mining and Milling Company prop- erty on Raven Hill, near the Mary Mckinney and Elkton mines. This proved to be valuable property, and he has since continued as president and general manager of the company operating

the same. He is also president and general man- ager of the Sunset Consolidated Mining Company on Battle and Squaw Mountains, which mine, though undeveloped, occupies a good location and is promising. He is secretary and treasurer of the Autumn Belle Gold Mining Company that owns property on Squaw, Mineral Hill and Cow Mountain. He is also interested in many small claims. The Mary Mckinney Mining Company, of which he is now superintendent, has recently put in about $45,000 in improvements, and has proved a most profitable enterprise for the eight men connected with it.

By his marriage to Ida E. May, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Conn) May, residents of Marengo, Iowa, Mr. Keener has two children: George H. and Annis May. He is active in the Republican party, but has never accepted official positions. Fraternally he is connected with Lane Lodge No. 339, A. F. & A. M., at Lane, Kan., and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias at the same place.

ILLIAM F. NEUMANN, who is engaged in farming in El Paso County, resides two miles north of Falcon, on section 31, town- ship 12, range 64 west. On coming here in 1884 he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, entered a timber claim for another quarter- section and later bought forty acres, making the acreage of his place three hundred and sixty. This property he has placed under cultivation, improved it with buildings, and now has a valu- able farm. Recently he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which makes his property hold- ings extensive and important.

Mr. Neumann was born in Prussia June 22, 1836, a son of Martin F. and Mary (Weyer) Neumann. He was born and reared on a farm and received a common school education, attend- ing school until he was fourteen, when, in ac- cordance with the German custom, he was ap- prenticed to a trade. He served three years at the miller's trade and for his services was paid $50, out of which he had to clothe himself. For a time he worked as a journeyman. While still in the old country he was married, in 1859, his wife being Miss Henrietta Gruenhagen, and of their union was born a son, Richard, who is living in Prussia, and is a miller by occupation. The wife and mother died in 1864, and two years later Mr. Neumann was again married, being united with Miss Johanna Schoenfeldt. Five children

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were born unto them, namely: Otto, who was born in Prussia and is now engaged in farming in El Paso County, owning two hundred and forty acres; Wilhelm, who was born in Prussia and is a farmer of El Paso County; Emil, also a native of Prussia, who married Jane McCarty and has one child; Eliza, who was born in Cook County, Ill .; and Carl, whose birth occurred on the present family homestead.

In 1872 Mr. Neumann came to America. For a time he lived in Jefferson County, Wis., and later made his home at Washington Heights, Cook County, Ill., meantime engaging in any occupation that furnished a livelihood. In 1873 he crossed the plains to Colorado, where for eleven years he engaged in herding sheep, and then turned his attention to farming, set- tling upon his present homestead. He was reared in the Lutheran faith and inclines toward the doctrines of that church. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a loyal citizen of his adopted country, and is interested in plans for public im- provements. Always a hardworking man, he justly deserves the prosperity that has come to him of late years.

C OHN K. MILLER, the discoverer and loca- tor of the Pharmacist mine, is a resident of Colorado Springs, to which city he came in 1886. He is a son of James D. and Anna (Har- din) Miller, natives respectively of Uniontown, Fayette County, Pa., and Butler County, Ohio, and a grandson of William Miller and James Hardin. His paternal grandfather, who was of German descent, removed from Maryland to Fay- ette County, Pa., where he spent his remaining years upon a farm. James D. Miller was a young man when he went to Ohio and settled on a farm near Hamilton, Butler County, where he mar- ried a farmer's daughter. About 1867 he left the farm and embarked in the grain business at Ox- ford, later removing to Eaton, Ohio, where he continued in the grain trade until his health failed. The last year of his life was spent with our subject at Colorado Springs, where he died at sixty years of age. His wife died in 1867. They were the parents of three children: John K., who was born near Hamilton, Ohio, November 27, 1859; Ada, who is married and lives in Eaton, Ohio; and James W., who is engaged in the mining business and lives in Colorado Springs.

At the age of seventeen our subject began the study of pharmacy in a store in Eaton. He took

a course of lectures in the Cincinnati Pharma- ceutical College, after which he entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, and completed his studies there, graduating in 1882, with the degree of Ph. G. He began in business for him- self at Eaton, where he had charge of a pharmacy for three years. In 1886 he came to Colorado Springs and with his brother carried on a drug store at No. 107 South Tejon street, but this es- tablishment they sold in 1893, in order to give their entire attention to their mining interests.

In July, 1891, Mr. Miller became interested in Cripple Creek mines. He first located the Phar- macist on Bull Hill, and at once began its devel- opment. In October he found some paying ore in the vein and formed the Pharmacist Mining Company, of which he was the first president. In 1892-93 the company paid out $84,000 in div- idends. In 1894 he sold out all of his stock, since which time he has engaged in developing other mines. He is largely interested in the Fa- vorite Gold Mining Company, which owns a mine on Bull Hill and of which he is secretary, treasurer and general manager. He is interested in other valuable mining properties. From 1894 to the present time he has been engaged in the brokerage business.

The marriage of Mr. Miller, in Ohio, united him with Miss Clara Young, of Eaton, that state. They and their children, Ralph and Justin, re- side at No. 1319 North Nevada avenue, where he built a comfortable home. Fraternally he is con- nected with El Paso Lodge No. 13,A. F. & A. M., Colorado Consistory, and is a thirty-second de- gree Mason. In the Knights of Pythias he is past grand chancellor, having served in 1892 as the head of this organization. He belongs to Jabal Aali Temple No. 76, D. O. K. K. (of which he is royal vizier), Myrtle Lodge No. 34, K. P., and Colorado Consistory, A. A. S. R. In former years he was a member of the State Pharmaceu- tical Association. Politically he casts his vote in favor of the principles of the Republican party.

ICHOLAS K. TROUT, assessor of San Mi- guel County and town treasurer of Telluride, came to this city in 1884, shortly after his arrival in Colorado, and two years after the town was started. Here he engaged in mining and milling. During 1889-90 he was employed as bookkeeper for the United States Gold Placer Mining Company. In 1891 he took a post-grad- uate course in the University of Virginia, return-

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ing to Colorado in 1892, since which time he has been interested in mining and milling at Telluride. On the People's party ticket, in 1895, he was elected assessor of San Miguel County, and two years later was re-elected to the office. In Octo- ber, 1897, he was appointed town treasurer to fill an unexpired term, and was regularly elected to the office in April of the ensuing year.

Born in Staunton, Va., in 1860, our subject is a son of Nicholas K. and Matilda K. (Stribling) Trout, both natives of the Old Dominion. His father, who was an able attorney of Staunton, was a man of much influence and prominence. Several times he was elected to the state legisla- ture, and he served as county clerk and as mayor of Staunton for twenty-three years. He died in 1875, when fifty-seven years of age. Fraternally he was influential in the lodge of Odd Fellows, in which he held the office of noble grand. His wife died in 1893. Of their eight children five are living, our subject being the youngest of the family. He was educated in public schools and the state university. In 1878 he came to Colo- rado, settling in Custer County, where for several years he was interested in mining and cattle-deal- ing. After his return to Virginia he took charge of the M. & M. Steamship line at Savannah, Ga., having gone to the latter city from his old home in Staunton. For a year or more he was in full charge of the Savannah wharf. In 1884 he came to Colorado the second time, and has since en- gaged in milling and mining at Telluride. In the affairs of the town and county he has given his influence to the advancement of worthy proj- ects and the development of local resources. He is a member of the Chippewa Tribe, I. O. R. M., in which since 1896 he has been chief of records and wampum.

HOMAS I. BRISCOE, ex-county judge of Chaffee County, came to this locality before Chaffee had been cut off from Lake County, and has since been closely identified with local history and advancement. Though an attorney by profession, since living in Colorado he has given his attention principally to mining, and now owns interests in a number of claims. From 1884 to 1886 he served as under sheriff of the county under J. L. Sallie, and in the fall of 1895 was elected county judge, which office he held three years.

Near Martinsburg, Pike County, I11., the subject of this sketch was born August 27, 1845. In 1854,

he accompanied his parents to Texas, but after a short time the family returned to Pike County, where the father died in August, 1855. From that time until he was seventeen, our subject re- mained with his mother on the home farm, but when she married again he started out for him- self. During the summer months he worked for farmers, while in the winter he attended country schools. In the fall of 1868 he began to teach a district school, and in the spring of the next year turned his attention to the tilling of the soil. After two years spent in teaching and farming he entered the scientific department of McKendree College at Lebanon, Il1., where he graduated in June, 1873, second among a class of fifteen. Re- turning home he taught school and cultivated a- farm. In the fall of 1874 he entered the law de- partment of the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in March, 1876. In the fall of that year he entered the law office of Matthews, Wike & Higbee, of Pittsfield, I11., with whom he remained for eighteen months.

Coming to Colorado in April, 1878, Mr. Bris- coe located in the Chalk Creek mining district, in what is now Chaffee County. There he re- mained until 1895, engaged in mining, and he was one of the first to build a house in the town of St. Elmo. In the fall of 1879 he was elected county commissioner, being one of the first to serve in this capacity after the organization of the county, and he continued in the office until Jan- nary, 1883. During his time of service he was chairman of the board and had the responsibility of the erection of the courthouse and jail. While filling the office of commissioner he resided at St. Elmo, and, as it was necessary for him to make frequent trips to Buena Vista during the construction of the buildings, his salary for the last year as county commissioner ($500) was ex- hausted by the Ist of July, on account of the extra expense resulting from his many visits to the county-seat in looking after the construction of the buildings. He continued to perform his duty at his own expense and without further pay, to the end of the year. In recognition of his fidelity to the public interests and his self sacrifice, the citizens of Chaffee County presented him with a fine gold watch, containing, on the inner case, the following inscription: "Presented to T. I. Briscoe by the citizens of Chaffee County. We honor an honest man. January, 1883." In 1881 he was made mayor of St. Elmo, in which position he served for two terms. In politics he has always

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been an adherent of the Republican party. He is married, having been united, July 21, 1895, with Miss Minnie Oliver, of Pittsfield, Il1. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Buena Vista, and is master of Mount Prince- ton Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M., is also, with his wife, connected with the Eastern Star. The Pacific Circle, Woodmen of the World, has his name upon its roster of members. While his headquarters are in Buena Vista, the county-seat, much of his time is spent in St. Elmo, where he owns valuable interests. He is a man of intel- ligence, and possesses the determination of pur- pose and will power so essential to success in any occupation.

J. MCNUTT, county judge of San Juan County, was born in Albany, N. Y., August 16, 1841, a son of James and Adaline (Waite) McNutt, both natives of New England and descendants of old Puritan ancestry that were, on her side, of English stock, and on his, of Scotch-Irish lineage. The family consisted of four children who attained mature years. Of these, Frances Adaline is the wife of Prof. L. F. Gardner, who is connected with Eastman's Busi- ness College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y .; Sarah J. and Julia G. are prominent physicans of New York City, and are connected with the Woman's College and Bellevue Hospital of that city.

The first twelve years of our subject's life were spent upon a farm. He then accompanied the family to Albany, where he attended the New York State Normal School. Shortly afterward, in 1859, he made the long voyage, via the Isth- mus, to California, where he engaged in mining two years. In 1861 he enlisted, at Placerville, Cal., in Company H, Fifth California Infantry, and took part in the frontier service under Col. George H. Bowie and General Carleton. For more than three years he continued in the serv- ice, during which time he had some dangerous and trying experiences, in long marches, privations, fights with Indians, etc. He was mustered out at El Paso, Tex., in November, 1864.

Going to Kansas, Mr. McNutt spent three years on the frontier of that state and Nebraska, where he engaged in freighting and also worked as a carpenter for the government. Returning to his old home in 1867, he remained there until 1870, and then returned west, settling at Eureka, Colo., where he and his friend, George Howard (the founder of Howardsville, San Juan County),

were the first settlers. In 1873-74 he took an active part in endeavoring to secure the organi- zation of La Plata County and was one of a com- mittee of six appointed to go to Denver and push the passage of the bill through the legislature. In the fall of 1875 he was elected a member of the last territorial legislature, and during his term he introduced the bill providing for the organiza- tion of San Juan County by the division of La Plata County.

For twenty-five years mining has been Mr. McNutt's principal occupation. In 1874 he lo- cated Sunnyside mine, although three years be- fore an attempt had been made in that direction. He also located Poughkeepsie and No Name mines, and at present is connected with the Wash- ington and Poughkeepsie Nos. 1 and 2 mines. Through all the years of his activity as miner he continued to make his home in Eureka. In the political life of the county he has been interested, his influence being cast for the success of Repub- lican principles. He has served as county com- missioner, and in 1898 was elected county judge. Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., of Durango, has num- bered him among its members, and he also assisted in the organization of, and suggested the name for, the Jim Bowie Post, at Creede, of which he is past commander. In 1880 he married Lilla Carson, of New York, by whom he has two daughters, Anna C. and Sarah A.

EORGE W. HUNT, a pioneer of Cripple Creek, built the third business house at this camp in the fall of 1891, and soon afterward established the business which he has since suc- cessfully conducted. He is one of the leading business men of the district, and has a large trade in coal, feed, hay, grain and flour. Ener- getic and determined, he has, from a small be- ginning, built up a trade that is profitable and growing.

In his native county of Delaware, N. Y., Mr. Hunt spent the first twelve years of his life. He then accompanied the family to Cayuga County, the same state, where he was reared upon a farm and educated in local schools. When twenty-four years of age, in the fall of 1885, he came west to Colorado, his principal reason for making this change being the hope that the western climate and mountain air would build up his failing health. For two years he remained in Colorado Springs, and was so greatly benefited in health that he determined to locate

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permanently in the state. Establishing himself on a ranch twenty miles north of Cripple Creek he engaged in cattle ranching for some years, after which he disposed of his ranch and came to Cripple Creek, his present home.

The marriage of Mr. Hunt united him with Miss Loa Long, of El Paso County, Colo., daughter of David P. Long, who was a pioneer ranchman of that locality. They are the parents of three children, namely: Nina, Neva and Leo S. D. The political affiliations of Mr. Hunt are with the Silver Republican party. He is a public-spirited citizen and favors all measures tending to benefit his town. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World.

ATRICK J. RYAN. The Mary Mckinney Mining Company, of which Mr. Ryan is one of the owners, directors and developers, owns one of the best mining properties in the entire Cripple Creek district, including thirty- four acres in one body adjoining the Anaconda properties, which lie in the richest mining section of the entire district or state. They have four shafts that they lease, and have made improve- ments on the Republic costing $45,000 when completed, thus making the property among the most complete in the camp.

The life of Mr. Ryan furnishes a striking ex- ample of success in spite of adverse surroundings. He was born at Great Bend, Susquehanna Coun- ty, Pa., August 23, 1853, and in early childhood was taken by his parents to New Orleans. When he was eight years of age his father died and as he was the oldest of five children, whose mother was poor, he was obliged to work at an age when most boys are in school. He began selling newspapers on the streets of New Orleans, which work he continued for some time. In 1864 the family removed to Caledonia, Minn., where he worked on a farm for several years, re- ceiving his board and $40 per year. His next employment was that of night clerk in the Ash- ley hotel at Bloomington, Il1. At Pontiac, Ill., where he remained for two and one-half years, he began work as baggage master on the Chicago & Alton Railroad. After three months with that road there he was transferred to a similar position at Fulton, Mo., where he remained for two years. During this time he familiarized himself with telegraphy. For five years he acted as agent and telegraph operator at Cedar City,

Mo., and was then transferred back to Fulton as agent, where he remained two and one-half years.

Poor health obliged Mr. Ryan to seek a change of climate. In May, 1887, he came to Colorado. For six months he was agent at Buena Vista for the Colorado Midland Railroad. His next lo- cation was at Florissant, where he remained as agent until August, 1896. During the entire time he was there he invested every dollar of his savings in prospecting, and in 1890 he made the first public assay of ore that was made in the dis- trict. In 1896 he resigned as agent in order to devote his entire attention to his mining interests, although, for six months after coming here he served as agent for the Midland Terminal Rail- road. In partnership with Frank F. Castello, he located the American Girl, May Queen, Dead Horse, Mayflower, Le-Clair and Mary Mckinney No. 2, afterward consolidating them with the Re- public, now owned by the Mary Mckinney Mining Company, comprising eight men, and having five shafts that are producing. The deepest of the shafts is two hundred and eighty feet. Mr. Ryan also owns an interest in the Monitor mine in Poverty Gulch. In his mining operations he has been remarkably successful, but his success has not made him less genial, companionable and industrious than in former days. He is as clear- minded and level-headed as he has always been, and prosperity has not in the least injured him, as it sometimes does those who meet with un- ustal success.

By his marriage to Miss Mary Keller, daughter of Jacob Keller, a well-known resident of Cedar City, Mo., Mr. Ryan has two children, Nellie, a student in the St. Salistcas Academy at Canon City, Colo., and Frank. Politically he is a Democrat and takes an active part in local affairs. In religion he is a Roman Catholic. Fraternally he is connected with Pike's Peak Lodge No. 38, I. O. O. F., of Colorado Springs.

Y EORGE MAHR, manager of the clothing store of B. M. Mahr at Telluride, was born in Grant County, Wis., in 1857, a son of Andrew and Kate (Roser) Mahr, both natives of Germany. His father, who was an early settler of Platteville, Wis., engaged in farming pursuits and also followed the cooper's trade, being in active business life there for about fifty years; but now, at eighty-four years of age, he is living, retired from business cares, on his old homestead,

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being, in spite of his advanced years, a well- preserved and robust man. Of his four sons, John and Joseph are at home, and Andrew R. is engaged in the real-estate business in Telluride. George, who was second in order of birth, was reared in Grant County, where he attended the common schools. At seventeen years of age he went to San Francisco, Cal., where he engaged in the shoe business, remaining until 1879. He then came to Colorado and opened a boot and shoe store in Central City; afterward was pro- moter, vice-president and general manager of the Mahr Merchandise and Manufacturing Com- pany, which carried a full line of general mer- chandise, at Black Hawk, Colo.

In the spring of 1882 Mr. Mahr removed to Durango and engaged in business until 1885. He opened a boot and shoe store here May 13, 1887, and engaged in the manufacture and sale of foot- wear for men, women and children. Since then he has added a stock of men's furnishings, cloth- ing, etc., and at present has the largest stock of clothing and furnishing goods in the city. In 1892, in association with his brother, A. K., he erected a building on Main street, and here he has since carried on business. In addition to this building he owns an interest in the Sheridan block and is the owner of numerous other build- ings and real-estate here; of all of this property he is the sole manager.

The political views of Mr. Mahr bring him into affiliation with the Democratic party, and he always gives his support to the regular party ticket. As a member of the city council he has been instrumental in advancing local inter- ests, while as a private citizen and as a business man he has also been helpful in promoting the city's prosperity. May 22, 1883, he was united in marriage with Belle M. Farmer, daughter of J. J. and Mary J. Farmer, Meadville, Pa. They have four children, George J., Zitta P., Cecil B. and Ruth F. Various fraternal organizations receive the interested support of Mr. Mahr. He is a member of Telluride Lodge No. 103, I. O. O. F .; Bridal Vail Lodge No. 80, K. P., in which he has served as master of exchequer since 1894; and is also connected with the Ladies' Society of the same order. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. For the success he has secured in business, due credit should be given him. He was only seventeen years of age when he started for the Pacific coast, determined to achieve success, notwithstanding his lack of

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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 138

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