Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 141

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 141

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OHN E. SMITH is one of the influential mine operators of the Cripple Creek district and re- sides in Anaconda. No one has done more than he to develop the mining interests of the district, and he also has important interests in other parts of the state. He is now operating the Ida B., Jennie Sample, Haboe and Rosamond mines, which are good producers. Besides his mining properties he is the owner of the Palace block and has a large interest in the Masonic block in Cripple Creek.

March 15, 1854, Mr. Smith was born in Logan County, Ky., and there his early life was spent on a farm. At eighteen years of age he started out for himself and drifted through the south, working at any occupation that offered a liveli- hood. He finally became a cowboy near Waco, Tex., where he remained for three years. Next he spent a short time in Kansas City, Mo. In the fall of 1876 he came to Colorado and for five months worked on a ranch near Pueblo. His next location was in Georgetown, Colo., where he engaged in mining for a year. In the spring of 1878 he was among the first at Leadville, where he continued as a miner until 1882. In all his transactions he has been strictly honest and has observed the teaching of the Golden Rule. When he was a poor man, in Leadville, he was once offered $25,000 if he would " salt " a mine, but indignantly spurned the proposal, preferring to remain poor in he could not obtain riches hon- estly.

In 1882 Mr. Smith went to Independence, Colo., where he prospected and mined. He was at Aspen, Silver Cliff and Red Cliff at the time of the "booms" in these various camps. Both in Leadville and in Aspen he met with success. In 1890 he removed to Colorado Springs, where he opened the Cryolite mines, remaining there for a year or more. In the spring of 1892 he came to the Cripple Creek district, where he has since made his home. For about sixty days he pros- pected the camp as a professional prospector. He then bought the Moose mine for $1,000. This he developed and a year later sold for $80,000. Since that time he has probably spent more money in developing mines than any other man in the district. Some of the mines that he owns have proved unprofitable, but on the other hand some have brought him large returns. During the first year of his residence in the district he made his home in Eclipse, since which time he has re- sided in Anaconda. He is a self-made man. The success that he has gained is due to his persever- ance. No matter how adverse his "luck" he never gave up, but worked with a persistence that justly earned him his present prosperity. In the midst of his success he has been very generous. Many a poor miner owes his start to him. More than one discouraged man has been helped by him to a position where he might earn a liveli -. hood. He is well known as a friend to the labor- ing man. The fact that for years he worked pa- tiently, persistently and yet unsuccessfully makes him sympathetic with those who have met with discouragements. His character is one that com- mands respect and wins admiration. He has never taken an active part in politics and has not identified himself with any political party. In addition to his mining interests he owns a large drug store in Durango, Colo., and gives some attention to this business, in which he actively engaged when a young man.

In June, 1893, he married Miss Jettie Finn, of Colorado City. They have one daughter, Elsie Alice.

RANCIS I. MESTON. Born in Boston, Oc- tober 26, 1864. Birthplace adjoining Hollis street Church, the pulpit of Rev. Starr King and other noted divines. Paternal ancestry from Scotland, the Mestons of Midmar and Aberdeen- shire. Descended on his mother's side from Rev. John Robinson, the pastor of the Pilgrims at Leyden. Lineage on this side from the Emmons,

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Wendell and Bulfinch families, the strain of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Wendell Phillips and Charles Wendell Bulfinch, the designer of the capitol at Washington.

Graduated from Dwight School in Boston, valedictorian of class. Completed education in English High School, Boston. In 1881 em- ployed in banking-house of George William Ballou & Co. January 1, 1883, became trust clerk of American Loan & Trust Company, Bos- ton. Resigned in May, 1885, and embarked in investment business on his own account. Officer and director in several corporations engaged in western enterprises. Moved to Pueblo, Colo., in 1891, still maintaining an office in Boston.

Promoted numerons enterprises leading to con- struction of Mechanics' building, Meston-Olmes building, Pueblo Dry Goods building, Whitcomb building, Pope building, King warehouse, Gray warehouse, Ye Market Place, Club building for R. W. & A. C. Silver Grill Navajo Sani- tarium, etc., etc. Organized the Citizens' Com- mittee and its president, as well as president chamber of commerce. Unified the electrical interests of Pueblo; launched the Park and Im- provement Society; secured site for city park; built residence in 1893; advocate of street paving, and pressed it into consideration; organized Cal- edonia Land Company, and started erection unique and modern dwellings in north section of city to develop Dundee addition of over four hundred lots; advocate united water-system, gravity-sup- ply and clear and pure water. Candidate for lieu- tenant-governor Colorado 1894. Married in 1888 by Rev. Phillips Brooks, D. D., to Alice B. Dean; has had six children, three girls and a boy now living.

Member of Silver State Lodge No. 95, A. F. & A. M .; the Ancient Order of United Work- men; Woodmen of the World; Minnequa Tribe No. 17, I. O. R. M. Member Minnequa Club, Rover Wheel and Athletic Club and other organ- izations.

NTON MEHRLICH, a worthy German- American citizen of Cripple Creek, occupied the position of register of the United States - land office at Central City from 1890 to 1894. He was appointed to the post by President Harrison and served to the satisfaction of everyone con- cerned until President Cleveland in 1894 consoli- dated the office with the one at Denver. He has always taken great interest in the proper educa-

tion of the young and for one term served as sec- retary of the school board at Black Hawk, Gilpin County. In politics he is a Republican. In 1881 he joined the Knights of Pythias of Black Hawk and afterward passed the chairs in Black Hawk Lodge No. 4, being master of finance at the time of his removal from the town. On six occasions he represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state. He became identified with the Masonic Order here and served as senior deacon of Black Hawk Lodge No. 11, A. F. & A. M. When in Central City he was several times made president of the Rocky Mountain Turn Verein.

The birth of Mr. Mehrlich took place in Bava- ria, Germany, June 4, 1854. His father, John Mehrlich, who was a native of the same locality as himself, held a government position as chief forester for fourteen years, his death putting an end to his service. His widow is still living on the old homestead. She was Genevieve Bachman, daughter of John Bachman, a farmer, and was born in the town where our subject's birth oc- curred. Besides this son, she had but one other, Philip, who is now a professor in a school in Ger- many.

When he was five years of age our subject was taken by his parents to the town where his father acted as chief forester. When he had reached a suitable age he became a student in the gymna- sium and at seventeen he graduated from a col- lege. He then took up forestry, and for a year and a-half was instructed by his father. In December 1872, he sailed from Belgium for the United States. After the ship had been on the ocean for a few days, it sprung a leak, and caused considerable anxiety on the part of the passengers, who were finally transferred to another ship at Queenstown. After arriving at the ship's destination, Halifax, our subject proceeded to Huron County, Mich., and secured employment as clerk in the general store owned by J. C. Likin & Co. Subsequently he was for two years a clerk in the drug store of John Mullerweiss. He was quick to learn and readily won the good opinion of all with whom he had business dealings.

Twenty-one years ago Mr. Mehrlich came to Colorado. For a few months he was at Animas Forks, San Juan County, after which he held a position as clerk in the Pennsylvania house, of Denver, for three years. For some six months he was employed by the firm of Conrad & Co., of Leadville, and in 1880 came to Black Hawk. For nine years he was manager of a liquor store. In

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1890 he was appointed register of the United States land office at Central City, and upon re- tiring from the office, in 1894, he purchased the drug store formerly owned by J. H. Reid. In the spring of 1898 he disposed of the business to S. V. Newell, and later in the same year he removed to Cripple Creek.

While in Denver, Mr. Mehrlich married Miss Antoinette Wise, a native of Hanover, Germany. Their two children are: Harry C., who is the pres- ent manager of the Black Hawk Pharmacy; and Helen A., wife of Charles Stout, also of Black Hawk.

DWARD H. TAYLOR. There is in the business world only one class of men who can successfully overcome the many hard- ships to be met, and that is the man of intelli- gence, possessing energy, perseverance and in- dustry. To this class belongs Mr. Taylor, who is engaged in the building business in Ouray. Com- ing to this city in 1886, he afterward had the con- tract for the building of the Beaumont hotel and for many of the business buildings and private residences of the place, his business in this line exceeding that of any other contractor.

The birth of Mr. Taylor occurred in Wisconsin in 1852, his parents being Edward G. and Han- nah M. (Evans) Taylor. His father, who was a native of England, settled in Wisconsin in 1836 with two brothers and there engaged in carpen- tering. He now makes his home in Milwaukee, where he owns considerable real estate.

After completing his education in the Milwau- kee schools, our subject engaged in teaching. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father and uncles, and for several years followed that occupation in Milwaukee. In 1879 he accompa- nied a Chicago contractor to Colorado, where his first work was on the Windsor hotel, in Denver. When the town of Gunnison had just been started, in 1880, he went there, and soon had a large business in his chosen line, furnishing em- ployment to many assistants and during the boom building an average of one house a day. He built over two hundred houses in and around Gunni- son. Leaving that place in 1883, he moved to Grand Junction, then a new town, where he built many of the first houses in the town. After a trip east in 1884, he settled at Juanita, Hot Springs, where he built a bath house and hotel. The following year he went to Dallas, Ouray County, where he had charge of practically the

entire building of the town. Two years were spent in that place, and in 1886 he came to Ouray. In addition to contracting and building he has engaged in the lumber business at Gunnison and Ouray, and opened two sawmills in Gunnison County. He has also been interested in mining.

Upon the Democratic ticket Mr. Taylor was chosen to serve as mayor of Ouray in 1896 and 1897. During his term of office he devoted con- siderable attention to the improvement of the cem- etery, upon which he expended considerable money and then turned the property over to the town. He was also active in remodeling the present water system, and in educational matters, too, took a warm interest. As mayor, he proved himself to be a man of public spirit, ever ready to help the people, and thoroughly in sympathy with progressive plans. In 1882 he married Miss Eva Furman, of Gunnison. He is identified with the Maccabees, Ancient Order of United Work- men and fraternal and labor unions.

ANS JOHANNSEN came from Germany to the United States in 1867, hoping that this country might offer him better advan- tages than were possible in his native land. In this hope he has not been disappointed. He is now one of the substantial citizens of Conejos County, where he owns a large grain and stock ranch on the Rio Grande River. His specialty has been the raising of cattle, and in this de- partment of agriculture he has been quite success- ful. Altogether, he owns fourteen hundred and eighty acres on the river bottom, where he has made his home since 1877. In 1890 he erected one of the finest brick houses in the valley, and in it he has since resided. He is also the owner of real estate in Alamosa. In the organization of the Centennial Ditch Company he was a promi- nent factor, and he has since held the office of president of the company.

Our subject is a son of Hans G. and Catharine (Buttenshon) Johannsen, natives of Germany. In Holstein, where he was born in October, 1846, he received a common-school education. At the age of sixteen he began an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, at which he served for four years. When twenty-one years of age he crossed the ocean to America, landing in New York City, where he followed his trade for two years. In 1869 he went west as far as Omaha, Neb., and there was employed as a carpenter until 1870. During the latter year he came to Denver, Colo.,

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where he engaged in contracting and building, remaining in or near that city until he came to the San Luis Valley in 1877.

Here Mr. Johannsen bought a tract of land and later took up additional land, upon which he has carried on an extensive business as a stockman, raising a sufficient amount of hay to feed his cattle. He has worked industriously and with satisfactory results, for he is now one of the successful farmers and stockmen of the county, and by the various improvements made, his place has become valuable. He has never connected himself with any political organization, but has been independent, casting his vote for the best man, irrespective of party. In all local affairs, especially such as pertain to stock interests, he is deeply interested, and as a citizen, he has proved himself to be loyal to his adopted country and devoted to the welfare of his immediate locality.

ILLIAM B. MANDEVILLE, D. D. S., of Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, was born in Austin, Minn., January 11, 1868, a son of William T. and Mary A. (Davidson) Mandeville, natives respectively of New York and Illinois. He received a high school educa- tion in Austin, Minn., after which he attended Carleton College at Northfield, and in this way acquired a broad and thorough education, which fitted him for the responsibilities of life. In 1887 he entered the dental department of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, where he took the complete course of study and graduated in 1890 with the degree of D. D. S.

The practice of his profession Dr. Mandeville commenced in Waverly, Iowa, but he remained there for a few months only. In September, 1890, he came to Colorado and settled in Monte Vista, where he soon became known as an ener- getic and capable young professional man. He is widely known throughout Rio Grande County and has acquired a reputation for skill and effi- ciency. In 1896 he built an office building of four rooms in Monte Vista, and this he has since occupied. He is the only dentist in the village, and has been so successful since coming here that he has gained a merited reputation for skill. He is a member of the Colorado State Dental Society.

All plans looking toward the development of local resources receive Dr. Mandeville's sympa- thy and aid. In politics he is a Democrat, and fraternally is connected with Solon Lodge No.

46, K. P., at Monte Vista, of which he is past chancellor. January 3, 1893, he married Lida C. Carton, daughter of John A. Carton, of Ack- ley, Iowa. They have two children: William A. and Adella.

r HARLES H. ROWLEY, proprietor of the O. K. livery stables at Ouray, embarked in this business in 1895, at which time he opened his present barns on Main street. Since then he has established an increasing and profita- ble trade in livery, besides which he is engaged in freighting and packing. He is the owner of considerable real estate, as well as a number of mining prospects. In local affairs he maintains an interest, and when representing his ward in the city council, has given his support to all measures for the benefit of the place. In national issues he supports Populist candidates and prin- ciples.

Born in St. Joseph County, Mich., in 1855, our subject is a son of Austin S. and Eleanor (Wade) Rowley, natives respectively of New York state and England. His father, who was a farmer and stock-raiser, removed from the east to Michigan about 1830 and settled in the wilds of St. Joseph County, where from an unimproved waste of land he evolved a finely improved farm. The remainder of his life was spent on his home place, where he died at seventy-four years. His wife also died in that county. They were the parents of eight children, of whom our subject was fifth in order of birth. He was reared in his native county, where his summers were devoted to farm work, and the winter months to attend- ance at school. In 1875 he came west as far as Kansas, settling near Kinsley, where he engaged in farming for four years. Afterward he was em- ployed as salesman for L. Cahill & Co., manu- facturers of machines, a well-known firm of Kal- amazoo, Mich. He traveled on the road as com- mercial representative until his removal to Colo- rado in 1887.

Coming at once to Ouray, Mr. Rowley accepted a position as foreman for John Ashenfelter in the transportation business. Later he was interested in the concentrating of milling ore, and engaged in that business until 1895, when he opened his livery barn. A man of good business ability, he has secured a fair degree of success, although he started for himself without capital. He is a mem- ber of the Fraternal Union of America, the Wood- men of the World, and the Ancient. Order of

H.R. le carpenter

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

United Workmen. In 1883 he was united in marriage with Kate Ashenfelter, a sister of John Ashenfelter, of this city. One child blesses their union, a daughter, Bessie.

ORACE RAYMOND CARPENTER, who came to Victor in the spring of 1895, has since engaged in civil engineering, mining and the real-estate business, and has been con- nected with several companies in the develop- ment of mines. At this writing he holds the po- sition of chief engineer of the Canon City and Cripple Creek electric road, and is also employed as chief engineer of the Proctor electric road be- tween the same points. Both in the building of residences and business houses he has been iden- tified with the improvement of Victor and has contributed to its growth. In the spring of 1898 he was elected on the Democratic ticket alder- man from the second ward, and has since ren- dered efficient service in behalf of the city's in- terests.

Of English descent, Mr. Carpenter was born in Chenango County, N. Y., a son of Daniel A. and Sarah (Williams) Carpenter, of New York and Connecticut respectively. His father, who was a merchant, was a prominent member of the Republican party, and during the war served as county sheriff, but never consented to accept any other office. Of his five children two daughters are deceased. The three sons are: Daniel A., an attorney on Wall street, New York; Horace R .; and Samuel Frank, business manager of a daily paper at Carbondale, Pa. Our subject was edu- cated primarily in an academy at Afton, N. Y., and Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Pa., grad- uating from the latter in 1879. The next year he graduated from Williston Seminary at East- hampton, Mass. In 1883 he graduated in the scientific course from Yale College at New Ha- ven, Conn.

Coming west in the summer of 1883, Mr. Car- penter was with the Union Pacific engineering corps until 1890, engaged in construction work. In the latter year he went to Tacoma, Wash., where he was engaged with the company in dredging and piling. In November, 1890, he became locating engineer for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company. While with that company, in the fall of 1891, he was appointed one of the three engineers selected by the con- tractors and the officials of the Rio Grande South- ern to settle the differences between the two par-

ties. The three engineers made an entirely new estimate, and their decision settled the suit of $175,000, which had been started by the con- tractors. He remained with the Rio Grande until the fall of 1893. Meantime he located and built the Crested Butte branch into the coal fields of Gunnison County. In the summer of 1892 he located the Rio Grande Southern claim through the cliff dwellers' country, and through the San Juan Valley into Arizona. In the spring of 1894 he assisted in locating and building the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad. Having acquired property in Victor, he came to this place in the spring of 1895, and has since engaged in making engineering reports and doing general engineer- ing work. A Mason in fraternal relations, he is connected with Oriental Lodge No. 87, A. F. & A. M., of Denver, and Denver Chapter No. 2, R. A. M. September 14, 1898, he was united in marriage with Sarah Alliene Mercer, formerly of Chicago, but more recently a teacher in this dis- trict.

AMES MC NEEN, proprietor and owner of the leading lumber yard of La Junta, also a dealer in paints, glass and all building material, was born in Oshkosh, Wis., November 29, 1851. He was reared on a farm near Oshkosh and received his education in public schools. At the age of eighteen he left home and went to Yankton, S. Dak., and there he remained for eighteen months. He then removed to Nebraska and for five years cultivated a rented farm, meet- ing with only fair success in the undertaking.

In 1875 Mr. McNeen started for the Black Hills, but stopped for a time at the Cheyenne Agency, and did not reach the Black Hills until the following year. There he secured employ- ment in a sawmill near Deadwood, where he remained for two and one-half years. With a desire to see something of the west he came to Colorado, and was so pleased with business pros- pects here that he decided to remain. Locating in Pueblo, he was given charge of large sawmills in that locality and continued in the sawmilling business until 1884.

Coming to La Junta at that time Mr. McNeen started a lumber yard on a small scale, but by degrees he enlarged the business, which has now assumed large proportions, and is the leading industry of its kind for miles around. In 1892 he built the largest brickyard in the Arkansas Valley, east of Pueblo. Here he has large kilns,

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which have a capacity for about five millions per annum. With his wife, formerly Mary J. Pheas- ant, of Beatrice, and their children, Helen A. and Gertrude, Mr. McNeen has established a pleas- ant liome in La Junta.

Until the campaign of 1896 Mr. McNeen was identified with the Republican party, but he is now affiliated with the silver branch of the old party, and in 1898 was a delegate to its state con- vention. When Otero County was organized and its first officers appointed, he was chosen one of the county commissioners in 1889, and at other times was chosen to fill different positions of trust, but of recent years has declined office, pre- ferring to give his time wholly to business affairs. He is a member of Euclid Lodge No. 64, A. F. & A. M., of La Junta. In the organization of the Otero County Building and Loan Association, in this place, he took a part, and he has aided other local enterprises for the benefit of the town. With his wife, he holds membership in the Baptist Church, of which he is a trustee.

- RANK E. SHERIDAN, one of the most influential residents of Rio Blanco County, is its present representative in the state legis- lature, where his recognized ability has won for him considerable prominence. For the past few years much of his time has been given to his legislative labors, but he still maintains a gen- eral supervision of his ranch on the White River, one mile from Meeker, where he has made his home since 1883. This is one of the best ranch properties in the county. It is divided by the river, which furnishes an abundance of irrigation for the four hundred or more acres of land. The large barns, substantial frame residence, excel- lent system of fencing, and various other improve- ments bespeak the energy and thrift of the owner. Stock-raising is his specialty, and on his place may be seen large numbers of cattle and horses.

Born in Canada in 1858, Mr. Sheridan is a son of James and Margaret (Crotty) Sheridan, na- tives respectively of Ireland and Canada. His father was but a child when taken by his parents to Canada and there he engaged in farming and mining, afterward becoming prominent in local affairs and serving as mayor of his town. He died in 1873. In his family there were seven sons and three daughters. Thomas is a farmer in New Hampshire, as is also William; Michael is engaged in the hotel business in Vermont; James is a miller in New Hampshire, where John

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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 141

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