Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 142

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 142

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is proprietor of bottling works; Charles is em- ployed in the Washburn mills in Minneapolis, Minn .; Ellen married Anthony Donahue, of Ver- mont; Mary is the wife of William Bagley, a hotelman in Vermont; and Margaret Ann died young.

With but a limited education, our subject was obliged early in life to become self-supporting. At sixteen he entered a sawmill in New Hamp- shire, and after five years there traveled for a few months in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1880 he came to Colorado and engaged in mining and milling in Gunnison County until 1883, when he settled on his present ranch in Rio Blanco County. This was then unimproved; no towns had been established for many miles, save such camps as formed the homes of Indians who still inhabited this region. He established the first lumber yard in Meeker and this he carried on for twelve years, selling out in 1898. For some time he hauled lumber from Rawlins, Wyo., one hundred and twenty-five miles distant.

In 1891 Mr. Sheridan married Miss Nellie Wash, of Mount Sterling, Ill., and they have two sons, James Wash and Francis Hamilton. In politics Mr. Sheridan is a silver Republican. While Rio Blanco was still a part of Garfield County he was appointed sheriff and later was elected to the office, serving for sixteen months. For one term he was county commissioner of Rio Blanco County. He has also served at mayor of Meeker, member of the school board, and in various minor offices. In 1896 he was nominated by the silver Republicans, endorsed by the Demo- crats, to represent this district in the legislature and was duly elected. In 1898 he was again nominated, but was not elected on account of being ruled off the regular silver Republican ticket. Fraternally he is a member of Glenwood Lodge of Odd Fellows, while in Masonry he is connected with the blue lodge and Shriners.

HARLES A. MERRIMAN, who is engaged in the practice of law in Alamosa, is well known throughout this portion of Colorado. He has been prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Denver Lodge No. 5, A. F. & A. M .; San Luis Valley Chapter No. 18, R. A. M .; Rio Grande Del Norte Commandery No. 15, K. T., and has taken the thirty-second degree, Ancient and Ac- cepted Scottish Rite, of Denver.

Mr. Merriman was born in Chesterville, Mor-

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row County, Ohio, in 1854, and is a son of James H. and Emily (Carey) Merriman. He spent his early life in and near Mount Vernon, Ohio, where his parents settled when he was a boy, and obtained his education in the public schools and academy of that town. On completing his education he began to teach school, and at the same time made his first study of law. In 1875 he matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in 1876. Returning to his home town, he began the practice of his profession, and soon became well known in law circles. For two terms (four years) he served as city solicitor of Mount Vernon. He continued there until 1888, when he came west to Colorado.

Locating in Monte Vista, Mr. Merriman prac- ticed there for seven years. During that time he was elected district attorney of the twelfth judicial district, which position he held for three years. As county attorney of Rio Grande Coun- ty, in which capacity he served for two years, he also gave satisfaction to all. In addition to these positions he was engaged as city attorney of Monte Vista, and was local attorney for the Travelers' Insurance Company. From Monte Vista he came to Alamosa in 1894, and has here continued his law practice.

In Mr. Merriman the town of Alamosa has an intelligent friend, who is ever alert to serve its best interests, and generous in his contributions towards movements tending to the general ad- vancement. In politics he is a pronounced Re- publican. As above mentioned, he is actively identified with the Masonic fraternity. In both the grand lodge and chapter he has been a prom- inent member and has served on important com- mittees. He is also connected with Alamosa Lodge No. 96, K. P., and Uniform Rank No. 21. His marriage, which took place in 1878, united him with Emma Cleghorn, of Ohio, by whom he has one daughter, Elizabeth.

TEPHEN R. FITZGARRALD, who came to Telluride in 1883, is, in point of years of active practice, the oldest attorney of this city and the county as well. Besides the practice of law, in which he has constantly and success- fully engaged, he has been interested in mining, and now owns some good prospects at Rico and Telluride. He is a stockholder aud director in the Bank of Telluride, a stockholder in the First National Bank, and secretary and a stockholder

of the Telluride Electric Light and Power Com- pany. For several years he held the offices of city and county attorney. In 1892 he was elected to the state legislature, where he took a leading part in important legislation, and served as a member of the judiciary and railroad committees. While in that body he was one of its leading mem- bers, and was actively instrumental in securing the passage of the deed of trust, redemption bill and other important measures that have proved helpful to the state.

In Center Point, Linn County, Iowa, our sub- ject was born in 1854, a son of George and Mi- randa (Holland) Fitzgarrald. He attended pub- lic schools and Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and in order to defray his expenses while in college he taught school. In 1877 he began to read law under Col. I. M. Preston & Son, of Cedar Rapids, and was admitted to the Iowa bar November 15, 1879. Meantime he spent the sum- mer of 1878 in Colorado at Leadville. In 1881 he again came to this state, and for two years en- gaged in practice at Ophir, San Miguel County, from which place he came to Telluride. Begin- ning without money he has, by sheer persistence and determination, worked his way forward to success, and attained a rank among the leading lawyers of southwestern Colorado. In 1885 he married Miss Letha McConnell, of Iowa, and they have one child, Letta Amelia.

Actively identified with the Masons, Mr. Fitz- garrald is a member of Telluride Lodge No. 56, .A. F. & A. M .; Telluride Chapter No. 28, R. A. M .; Ouray Commandery No. 16, K. T .; El Jebel Temple, N. M. S., of Denver, and has attained the thirty-second degree of Scottish Rite. His life has been a successful one. It furnishes an example of what may be accomplished by a young man of energy and determination, pro- vided he exercises good judgment and high prin- ciple. He has been favored with the esteem of his associates, the affection of friends, and the respect of acquaintances, and his power for good in his community has been great.

OHN E. WILLIAMS. Among the pioneers of ' 59 was the subject of this memoir, for- merly a prominent resident of Park County, but now deceased. He lived to witness wonder- ful transformations in Colorado. Once the home of the Indians and wild animals, it was changed, under intelligent direction, to the abode of pros- perous miners, ranchmen and business men, Not

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a little of its development was due to the energy of the pioneers, of whom he was one. While he did not reside continuously in Colorado from 1859 to the time of his death in 1887, yet he passed much of his active life here and became well ac- quainted, especially in South Park and vicinity. He was a man of much strength of character, and of a kind disposition, who, although he saw his share of trouble in life, always bore reverses cheerfully and was disposed to help others, rather than ask them to help him bear his burdens. His fellow-citizens ever found him sympathetic and generous where charity was needed, and in his family he was a devoted husband and indulgent father.

A son of Robert and Winifred (Edmunds) Will- iams, the subject of this sketch was one of eight children, three of whom survive: Robert, of Sa- betha, Kan .; Margaret, wife of Daniel Duff, of Curran, Kan .; and Hugh, whose home is in San Francisco, Cal. His parents were natives of the island of Anglesea, Wales, and the father was in early life a farmer, but afterward gave his atten- tion wholly to gardening. John E. Williams em- igrated to America at twenty years of age and for three years was employed in coal mines in Penn- sylvania, after which he spent one year in coal mines in southern Illinois; later was similarly en- gaged in Missouri for three years. In 1859 he came to Colorado, where for six months he worked in placer mines in Tarryall Gulch. Returning to Missouri, he spent six months, after which he came back to Tarryall and for seven years fol- lowed mining. Seven years were then spent in Helena, Mont., as a workman in placer mines. Next he went to New York, where he spent one year in the schools and then settled in Kansas, where for eight years he engaged in raising cattle and carrying on a farm. There, too, he met and married the estimable lady who survives him and who was long his efficient helpmate. In 1877 he migrated, with his family, to Colorado, and for five years engaged in freighting from Colorado Springs to Leadville. In 1882 he purchased a ranch on Tarryall Creek, four miles north of Puma City. This property comprises four hun- dred and forty acres and is one of the most de- sirable stock ranches on the creek. Here he en- gaged in haying and the cattle business until his death, August 18, 1887.

September 22, 1869, Mr. Williams married Mary, daughter of William and Dorothea (Zilter) Zitcher, She was born near Berlin, Germany,

April 22, 1849, and is the only survivor of three children. Her parents were born at the same place as herself. When a young man her father was proprietor of a stage line between different German towns, and later he engaged in farming, but he died in 1853, while still a young man. Three years afterward the mother, who had mar- ried Christopher Zimmerman, came with her husband and children to America, settling in 1856 in Kane County, Ill., twenty miles from Chicago. At the close of the war the family removed to Nemaha County, Kan., and there the mother died at seventy-three years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams became the parents of seven children, all but one of whom are living, viz .: Winnie, wife of Milford E. Derby, a prominent ranchman of Park County; William Robert, who has charge of the home ranch; Charles E .; Albert H., who carries the mail from Jefferson to Puma - City; Edmund D. and Victor L. All of the sons make their home with their mother.

P. O. KIMBALL, chairman of the board of county commissioners of Garfield County, came to this county in 1882 and settled on land bordering a creek that bears his name, Kim- ball, and that is a tributary to Roan Creek, in the southwestern part of the county. He has wit- nessed and aided in the transformation of the country from its primeval state to a settled com- munity, where may be seen valuable ranches and fine fruit farms. A pioneer of this locality, he maintains an interest in every enterprise for the development of the county, and since his election as county commissioner in 1895, he has been es- pecially helpful in the promotion of progressive projects.

The Kimball family was among the first to settle in Vermont and removed from there to New Hampshire. Stephen Kimball, a lawyer of New Hampshire, had a son, Joseph H., who was a farmer and mill owner in that state and later in Maine; he married Margaret Basdell, who was born in Maine, the daughter of a sea captain who traced his ancestry to England. During the Civil war several of her brothers took part in the Union army. Of her three children William H. is a stockman in Colorado; Miranda H. married H. A. B. Keyes, of New Hampshire. Our sub- ject was born in Andover, N. H., in 1846, and at twelve years of age accompanied his parents to Maine, where he continued to study in private

JOHN A. EWING.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

schools. At twenty-one years of age he started west, but stopped in Pennsylvania, where he en- gaged in the lumber business for three years. In 1871 he came to Colorado and settled in Middle Park, near the hot sulphur springs, where he embarked in the stock business. After remain- ing there for ten years he removed to his present ranch near Debeque, in the southwestern part of Garfield County.

In 1888 Mr. Kimball married Sallie Frazier, who was born in Arkansas. After the death of her father, which occurred when she was a child, the family moved to Colorado, and her mother is still living in this state. Various local offices within the gift of the Republican party, to which he belongs, have been held by Mr. Kimball, and in each of these he has given good service. He is a member of the blue lodge of Masonry. Through his energy and good management he has acquired a valuable property, notwithstand- ing the fact that he began with nothing and had many obstacles to overcome before he gained permanent success.

OHN A. EWING, one of the leading attor- neys of Leadville, was born in Kittanning, the county seat of Armstrong County, Pa., in 1857, a son of James H. and Eleanor (Rhea) Ewing, also natives of Pennsylvania. His pater- nal ancestors were among the earliest settlers of the Keystone state, where the family now has a large representation; while his maternal progeni- tors settled in New Jersey about two hundred and twenty years ago. His grandfather, John Ewing, was a prosperous farmer, and had many friends among the people of his section of Penn- sylvania.

A life-long resident of Kittanning, James H. Ewing served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war and was a patriotic citizen, alike in times of war and peace. For many years he served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Of his children we note the following: Rev. J. C. R. Ewing is at the head of Foreman College, at Lahore, India, an institution that is under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church; Ira C. is engaged in the real-estate business in Pittsburg; Rev. Arthur H. is a minister in the Presbyterian Church, now stationed at Lodianna, India; Rev. Joseph L. is pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Jamesburg, N. Y .; Robert M. is an attorney in Pittsburg, Pa .; W. H. is engaged in the hard-

ware business in a suburb of Pittsburg; and the only daughter, Mrs. J. A. Hawk, lives in Pitts- burg.

In Salisburg Academy and Washington and Jefferson College, the subject of this sketch re- ceived his literary education. He read law in the office of Gen. Harry White, of Indiana, Pa., and in 1880 was admitted to the bar, after which he opened an office for practice in that state. In 1882 he came to Colorado and has since carried on professional practice in Leadville. It is his highest ambition to be a good lawyer, and noth- ing is allowed to come between him and his pro- fession. Public position does not tempt nor social life allure him; his heart is in his chosen work, and he is happiest when deeply engaged in some law technicality or unraveling the intricacies of some important case. However, he does not evade any duty of a public-spirited citizen. He takes an active interest in party affairs and is a strong Republican, believing the principles of this party best calculated to promote the national welfare. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason. Besides his private practice he is re- tained as attorney for a number of banks, smelt- ers, mining companies, and other large corpora- tions, whose interests require the oversight of a man of keen judgment and broad professional knowledge.

SIDNEY M. DERBY. A position among the progressive business men and ranch owners of Park County is held by the subject of this sketch, who since 1896 has been proprietor of a grocery and meat market at Puma City. In his store he carries a full line of staple groceries, such as may be found in any first-class country establishment. In addition to the management of this business he devotes some attention to the supervision of his ranch interests, which are ex- tensive and important.

The birth of Mr. Derby occurred in Franklin County, Vt., March 13, 1859. Reference to his family history is made in the sketch of his brother, Milford E. Derby, which appears upon another page. He spent his boyhood years upon the home farm and acquired a common-school education. Upon attaining his majority he de- termined to seek his fortune in the west. The early part of May, 1880, found him in Colorado Springs, in the neighborhood of which city he prospected for two years. He also visited the mines of the Gunnison country and South Park.

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I11 1883 Mr. Derby took up a ranch near Bord- enville, in South Park, but this property he soon after sold, and began ranching near Puma City, in partnership with Mr. Wicks. This connection continued for seven years, during one year of which his brother, Milford E., was a partuer in the firm, but his interest was later bought by his brother. In the fall of 1892 our subject home- steaded his present ranch, one mile north of Puma City. Two years later he and Mr. Wicks dissolved partnership. He had previously re- moved to his ranch near Puma City, where he has since engaged in cattle-raising and feeding. From 1889 to 1896 he had charge of a meat mar- ket and a hay and grain business in Florissant, and when he sold these properties he established his store at Puma City.

January 16, 1884, Mr. Derby was united in marriage with Eleanor, daughter of Anson A. Allen. Five children were born of their union, namely: Edwin A., Walter S., Charles E., Charlotte M. and Eleanor C.

AWRENCE BONIS, who for many years has been engaged in ranching in South Park, was born in Ireland, August 2, 1839, a son of James and Bridget (McConnell) Bonis. Of a family of nine children, he and two others sur- vive. His older brother, Thomas, resides in Metuchen, N. J .; the younger brother, Michael, is engaged in ranching in South Park. His father was born, reared and married in Ireland, and settled on a farm in County Westmeath, where he continued to reside until the time of his death.

The education of our subject was very limited, for the family were poor and he was early obliged to support himself. For four years he was em- ployed on the Broadstone division of the Midland Railroad. In 1864 he crossed the ocean to America. From New York he proceeded to Chi- cago, where he arrived June 15 of that year. In that city he secured employment as hostler and general utility man. He spent four years with the same man; then, although his employer wished to retain him in his service, he decided to come west, where his opportunities would be greater. He arrived in South Park May 28, 1868, and at once began mining at Tarryall Gulch. However, after a short time he went across the range into Summit County, and until the latter part of October mined in Gold Run Gulch, returning to Tarryall in the fall, and

spending the winter here. In May he went to Buckskin Joe, and remained there until De- cember, when he returned to Tarryall to spend the winter.

March 10, 1870, Mr. Bonis came down into the Park and located his present ranch, sixteen miles below Jefferson, on Tarryall Creek. Re- turning to Tarryall Gulch, he spent some months there. In the fall of 1871 he came back to the land and built a cabin, to which he brought his wife. A portion of the summers of 1872 and 1873 he spent in Tarryall Gulch and Gold Run, and in the summer of 1874 he worked in Ameri- can Gulch in Summit County. After this he abandoned mining and devoted his attention to his cattle and haying interests. He owns a ranch of four hundred acres and besides has two hun- dred acres which since 1878 he has leased from the state. He is one of the substantial ranchmen of Park County. For many years he has served as secretary of the school board, and from 1883 to 1898 he served as a member of the election board.

The marriage of Mr. Bonis took place in Chi- cago on the 27th of January, 1867, and united him with Miss Rebecca Taylor, a native of Chil- well, Nottinghamshire, England. In 1865 she came to America with her parents, Samuel and Ann (Hall) Taylor, of whom mention is made else- where in this volume. Nine children were born to the union of our subject and wife. Seven of the number are now living, viz .: Julia A., wife Lew W. Robbins, whose sketch appears in this volume; James T., a ranchman residing in Lari- mer County, Colo .; Mary E., Mrs. Asa Robbins, who resides upon a ranch at Howbert; Isabelle, Harry E., Ellen and Rebecca Daisy, who are at home. The family are noted for their hospitality, and happy is the friend who has the good fortune to pass a few days beneath their roof.

c OHN ANGUS KENNEDY, who is engaged in the livery business at Victor, was born in Ontario, Canada, in June, 1856, a son of Angus and Margaret (McDonald) Kennedy, be- ing the youngest of their four children. His father, who was the grandson of a Scotchman, was born in Canada and there followed agricult- ural pursuits. When seventeen years of age our subject left home and went to Michigan, where he worked as a carpenter in the government em- ploy, assisting in the building of harbors. As a boy he had been prevented from attending school, and on starting out for himself he was unable

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even to write his own name, but he soon saw the imperative necessity of an education, and with the determination so characteristic of him, he set himself to work, and by studying nights in time he became well informed. Through close appli- cation and his unaided efforts he gained an edu- cation.

Attracted by the advantages offered in mining, Mr. Kennedy came to Colorado in 1881. For two years he mined at Monarch, after which he en- gaged in business there for six months, and then ran a dairy for one year. His next venture was in the livery business and ore hauling, in which he continued until 1889. Selling out his busi- ness he moved to Salida and started a livery business there, conducting what was known as the Monarch livery for five years, and meeting with gratifying success; but, owing to the increas- ing general use of the bicycle in that town, he moved his business to Victor in November, 1893. He was a pioneer of this camp. On coming here he bought, for $200, a lot on South Fourth street, and fifteen months later bought an adjoining lot, for which he paid $1,500. On these lots he made the necessary improvements and has since con- ducted a good business. At one time he kept seventy-five horses in his barns, but this large number is no longer needed, owing to the intro- duction of electric cars and suburban trains. Be- sides his livery business he has been interested in mining to some extent, although most of his time is given to his livery.

Reared in the Democratic faith, Mr. Kennedy has always affiliated with it, although his elec- tion in the spring of 1896 as a member of the council was upon the Populist ticket. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and fra- ternally is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Victor Lodge No. 95, K. P. In 1895 he erected a comfortable residence for his family, which consists of his wife and three children, Margaret, Donald and George Angus. His wife, whom he married February 3, 1886, bore the maiden name of Mary Kennedy, but was not related to him as far as known.

A LFRED T. EDMONDSON. The Platte ranch, of which Mr. Edmondson is the sole proprietor, lies three miles northwest of Garo, and is conceded to be one of the finest hay and stock ranches in Park County. With a total extent of over twenty-eight hundred acres, it fur- nishes ample facilities for the raising of hay (of

which three hundred or more tons are usually cut) and also for the ranging of stock, large num- bers of which may be seen grazing in the pas- tures. The situation of the land, near the foot of the mountains, prevents the stock from being ex- posed to the severe winds that might at times be noticed in a place less sheltered. The excellent condition of the property is largely due to the ef- forts of the owner, who for years has given his attention to its management.

A son of Alfred and Frances (Diggles) Ed- mondson, our subject was born in Liverpool, England, May 14, 1855, being the eldest of eleven children, nine of whom are now living. His father, a native of Keswick, Cumberland, Eng- land, born in 1819, was a member of one of the oldest and best-known families of Cumberland. Upon completing his education he went to Liver- pool and engaged in the banking business, which he continued for many years. Some time prior to his death he became a share and stock broker. He died September 4, 1892. His wife was born in Bolton, Lancashire, in 1830, and was a daugh- ter of Peter and Mary Diggles, who were descend- ants of families well known in business and social circles for generations back.

The education of our subject was largely ob- tained in the Royal Institute of Liverpool, under the tutelage of Prof. Dawson W. Turner. Upon leaving school he secured employment as clerk in a broker's office in Liverpool. He remained there for five years, after which he went to Bol- ton, Lancashire, to assume the management of a cotton mill belonging to his grandmother, Mrs. Diggles. In that position he continued until 1883, when the mill was destroyed by fire. He then decided to come to America. His decision, once made, was soon carried into execution. In the fall of the same year he shipped for the United States. Arriving here, he joined friends in Garo, Colo. In the spring of 1884 he returned to Eng- land on a visit, and in August again came to Colorado, at which time he purchased an interest in his present ranch. In 1898 he became the sole proprietor of the property, which he has since controlled.

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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 142

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