Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 146

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 146

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The maternal grandfather of our subject, R.A. Bishop, was born in New York state, and en- gaged in the manufacture of crackers. Remov- ing to Iowa he enlisted in the regiment to which Thomas A. Daniels (our subject's other grand- father) belonged .. His father, who was a man of scholarly attainments and considerable emi- nence in literary circles, was captured by the British during the war of 1812, and held for some time in captivity. The Bishop family was rep- resented in Massachusetts in an early day, and mi- grated from there to New York. Our subject had two sisters and one brother: Minnie Blanche and Maude E., both of whom died at eighteen years; and Merton W., who died January 17, 1899. The latter was a musician in the Third Missouri (or Kansas City ) Regiment.

When ten years of age our subject accompanied his parents from West Union, Iowa, to Olathe, Kan. In the latter city he learned the printer's trade, which he followed for some time in Kan- sas. In 1879 he came to Colorado and for three years remained in Denver, following various oc- cupations. Afterward he prospected for some

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time in the vicinity of Leadville. In 1885 he was united in marriage with Miss Dora Risling, who was born in Germany, but was brought by her parents to America at the age of six weeks, settling in Johnstown, Pa., but later removing to Missouri and from there to Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Daniels have one son and three daughters: Alva, Maude, Minnie and Nina.

Politically Mr. Daniels favors the policy of the Republican party. On that ticket, in 1894 and 1895, he was elected county assessor, and in the spring of 1896 was chosen chief of police of Lead- ville. In the fall of 1897 he was elected sheriff of Lake County, and resigned the office of chief of police to accept that of sheriff. At the time of the great strike he was at the head of the police force of the city, a position that entailed great responsi- bility and constant danger. Fraternally he is connected with the Patriotic Order Sons of America, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and Woodmen of the World.

HARLES A. EDWARDS, who is a whole- sale commission merchant of Leadville, was born in Grant County, Wis., in 1872, a son of John and Ann (Hooper) Edwards, natives of England, but residents of the United States from early life. His father, who settled in Wisconsin, and engaged in the mining business, spent the remainder of his life in that state, dying there in 1888. In religion he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His widow still makes her home in Wisconsin. Of their five sons and four daughters, James died at the age of thir- ty-seven years; Thomas is a traveling salesman for the Struby-Estabrook Mercantile Company, of Denver, Colo .; John is engaged in the grocery business in Denver; Arthur is with our subject; Rosa married W. W. Williams; Lillie is the wife of Angus McFarland, and Mary married George Danforth, all of Rockford, Ill .; Lola is with her mother.

Wick, which he has since successfully conducted. While he had but very little capital when he em- barked in business, by industry, energy and the exercise of sound judgment in all dealings, he

has increased his business greatly and has secured a competency. His entire time is given to his business, and he has neither time nor inclination to mingle in public affairs. In politics he is in- dependent, voting for the man rather than the party. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. In 1896 he was united in marriage with Annie McGourlick, a native of Maryland, and they have one child.

AMES H. BAXTER, attorney, and register of the United States land office at Del Norte, Rio Grande County, Colo., was born in Abingdon, Jefferson County, Iowa, September 13, 1855, a son of William G. and Sarah A. (Fish) Baxter, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. His father, who after marriage re- moved to Iowa, became a well-known citizen and for eighteen years held the office of justice of the peace. Of the children comprising the family four are still living, James H. being the young- est. The others are: Lucretia A., wife of An- drew Harrison, of Hedrick, Iowa; George B., whose home is in Iowa; and Florence L., Mrs. John C. Halferty, of Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.

At the age of eighteen our subject began in life for himself, and since then he has made his own way in the world. In April, 1880, he was admitted to the bar, but did not begin practice immediately, teaching school in Iowa until 1888, when he settled in Colorado. Coming to Rio Grande County, he secured land and also taught school. In November, 1889, he was elected county judge, on the Republican ticket, and was afterward twice re-elected on the same ticket, serv- ing until July, 1898, when he resigned. May 19, 1898, he accepted the position as register of the United States land office at Del Norte, Colo., which he now holds. Besides this, he is the owner of eight hundred acres of good land, forming a valuable ranch, which he superintends. In the high school at Hazel Green the subject of this sketch obtained a fair education. At eighteen years of age he went to Milwaukee and from that city came to Colorado, first settling in Denver, then going to Aspen, and from there, in 1893, removing to Leadville. Here he purchased He has organized a school district in the locality where his ranch is situated, and has acted as secretary of the school board. As mayor and member of the town council of Del Norte, Colo., he was helpful in promoting the local welfare. He is active in his party and has been a con- the wholesale commission business of Edwards & · spicnous figure in various conventions both in Iowa and Colorado.

In November, 1887, Mr. Baxter married Lizzie M., daughter of James H. Collins, and they have one son. Fraternally our subject is past grand

JOB KESTER SWEET.

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of the Odd Fellows lodge, past master of Del Norte Lodge No. 29, A. F. & A. M., and a member of Alamosa Chapter, K. T., and also connected with Coronado Lodge, K. P.

JOB KESTER SWEET. As a worthy representative of the integrity and intelli- gence of the ranchmen of South Park, the subject of this article occupied no unimport- ant position. While his immediate object in removing to Colorado was the recovery of his health, he was so pleased with the country that after he again became strong and robust he had no desire to return east, preferring to remain iden- tified with the citizens of the Centennial state. By a course of industry, prudence and good man- agement, he became well-to-do financially, and the valuable estate which he left indicates in a marked degree to what good purpose he labored.

A native of New York state, born March 4, 1819, Mr. Sweet was a boy when he accompanied his parents to Pike County, Ill., and there he grew to manhood and married Miss Clementine Abrams, their marriage being solemnized March 18, 1840. Afterward he removed to Mason Coun- ty, Ill., where he spent a few years, later settling at Lewiston, Fulton County. He was a man of great mechanical skill, and at the same time pos- sessed business ability. He was proprietor and owner of a large tannery, and from the tanned skins he manufactured shoes, having charge of the shoe factory and tannery and machine shops. His business enterprises were extensive and in- portant. After his factories had been destroyed by fire he turned his attention to the mercantile business, in which he accumulated money rapidly, but the breaking out of the war forced him into bankruptcy. Afterward he engaged in the hotel business.

Hoping that change of climate would benefit his failing health, in 1872 Mr. Sweet came to Colorado. He was so pleased with the country that he de- cided to remain. Returning to Illinois he dis- posed of his property. Accompanied by his fam- ily and a number of friends and neighbors, in the spring of 1873 he came to this state to establish his permanent home. His first home was in Fremont County on Currant Creek, some thirty- nine miles above Canon City. There he regained his health by exercise in the fresh air and as a result of the invigorating climate. He engaged in the cattle business on that ranch until the spring of 1883, when he sold his stock and rauch

and removed to Park County, settling on the South Platte, thirteen miles south of Fairplay, on the main road from Denver and Colorado Springs to Leadville. Here he purchased a small ranch and some cattle, which he grazed on the range. As he prospered he added to his ranch until at his death his estate numbered eight hundred acres of fine meadow land.

His regard for the welfare of his community made Mr. Sweet a public-spirited citizen. He was a man of strong moral force and was honored and esteemed by his acquaintances. In all his circle of associates he was without an enemy; all united in respecting him for his manly qualities. For many years he was active in the blue lodge of Masonry. When he passed from earth, Sep- tember 14, 1893, it was felt that one of the ablest citizens of the county had been taken away, and he was mourned by all who knew him.

The lady who was for years the faithful help- mate of Mr. Sweet was born in New Jersey April 11, 1820, and in childhood accompanied his par- ents to Illinois, settling in Naples, where she grew to womanhood. She was a woman of a thousand, and possessed a most marked charac- ter and an amiable disposition. She was very largely instrumental in assisting her husband in the attainment of success. She passed away De- cember 12, 1896, leaving a daughter, Alice A., Mrs. Hodgdon, of whom mention is made in the following sketch.

OYDYCE HODGDON was born in the White Mountain district of New Hampshire, Octo- ber 9, 1846, and there the years.of his youth were passed. On reaching manhood he chose railroading for his occupation, which he contin- ued to follow for some years. October 9, 1872, he was united in marriage with Alice A., only child of J. K. Sweet, and a native of Mason Coun- ty, Ill. During the following year he removed to Colorado, bringing his wife with him, but after two years they returned to Illinois and he secured employment in an office in Chicago. In 1881 he came for the second time to Colorado, where he first engaged in railroading, but after- ward settled in Delta County, and during the re- maining years of his life he was connected with county work.

Mrs. Hodgdon was given every advantage when a girl. Evincing considerable musical tal- ent, her parents secured the best instructors for her in this art, and she acquired a finished mu-

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sical education under private German tutors in years of age. His wife also died there, and both Peoria, Ill. She was so fond of music and so are buried in the cemetery at Independence. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are living. successful in it that she turned her attention to the teaching of the art, and for ten years was en- gaged as an instructor. Besides being a capable musician she is also an excellent business mana- ger. After the death of her husband she contin- ned to reside in Delta Conuty, where she owned a fruit ranch; but the death of her mother made it advisable for her to come to her father's ranch in Park County, in order to take charge of its supervision. Since then she has managed the property with marked ability. She has not only made a cozy and attractive home, but has guarded well the interests of the ranch and has proved herself to be a capable business woman. She is the mother of two sons, Ralph Kester and Foy- dyce, the former of whom is married and has one child.

OHN ASHENFELTER, the well-known transportation dealer of Ouray, came to this city in 1886 and began in the packing busi- ness. Having no money with which to start in business, he secured eight small burros on credit, and in that way was enabled to begin for himself. After one winter he began to haul ore for the Virginia Mining Company. As time passed by his business increased, until he now has practi- cally the entire freighting and packing business in the county, and keeps about one hundred and fifty pack animals, besides a complete freighting outfit. He also deals in hay and grain, and has a general transfer business, which is the largest of its kind in this part of the state. During 1892 he purchased a tract of three hundred acres at Montrose, and has since planted twenty-seven hundred trees (winter apples, peaches, etc.), on the farm, which is one of the finest fruit ranches in this section of Colorado. He is also interested in the development of some good mining claims. In Ouray he owns a blacksmith shop, large barns, several buildings and lots, and a complete set of buildings for his business.

In Dauphin County, Pa., our subject was born in 1853, a son of Daniel and Caroline (Naylor) Ashenfelter, natives of Pennsylvania. His father, who for some years carried on farming in his na- tive locality, removed to Illinois about 1853, and for four years lived on a farm in that state. Five years were then spent in Wisconsin, after which he resided in Iowa for ten years, and finally set- tled in Kansas, where he died at seventy-two

Accompanying his parents in their various re- movals, our subject assisted in farm work during the summer months and attended school in the winter. When eighteen years of age he went to the Indian Territory and Texas, where he was employed in the government land survey, and for five years was engaged at work in that part of the country. In 1876 he took charge of the freighting ontfit of A. Reynolds & Co., at Camp Supply and Fort Elliott, and continned with the same company for eight years. Going to Las Vegas, N. M., in 1884, he began in the freight- ing business for himself, but he soon lost all he had invested in the venture, so that when he came to Colorado, in 1886, he had no money. He spent a short time in Gunnison, then came to . Ouray, where he has since built up an unusually large business. He gives his entire time to his varions interests, and, while he has served as a member of the city council, he found that it took too much of his time from business, and therefore prefers not to enter public life. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He and his wife, who was formerly Miss Lena Smith, of this city, have established a pleasant home, and number many friends among the people of Ouray city and county.

ENRY A. AVERY, judge of Hinsdale County, and since 1886 clerk of the district court, is one of the well-known citizens of Lake City. He was born in Huron County, Olio, December 8, 1847, and is a son of Luther and Susannah (Ford) Avery, natives respectively of Connecticut and Lincolnshire, England, the former of whom was a successful farmer and offi- cial of Huron County. The six children com- prising the family are all living, and, with the exception of Judge Avery, all reside in their na- tive county. Mary is the wife of Henry C. Rush- ton; George L., James O. and Edward W. are farmers; and Adaline is the wife of S. E. Bemis.

The early life of our subject was passed in his native county. In 1871 he came to Colorado, and after a few months in Denver, ill 1872 he set- tled in Pueblo, where he was employed as deputy postmaster until the spring of 1877. He then came to the mining camp of Lake City, where he opened a news and stationery store, and this he

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conducted until 1891. Meantime, in 1886, he became interested in the real-estate business, which he still conducts, and he also represents nine of the leading insurance companies of Amer- ica and Europe. During the entire period of his residence in Lake City he has been active in local affairs. Both as mayor and member of the town board he has been helpful in promoting local en- terprises. In 1892 he was elected county judge, and in 1895 was re-elected to the office, which he has filled with marked efficiency. The office of county clerk, as well as that of district clerk, he has also filled successfully. All movements for the benefit of his town and county have received his sympathy and co-operation, and he has al- ways been relied upon to promote them. During the several terms that he served as a member of the school board he was most useful in advancing the interests of the schools.

April 5, 1884, Judge Avery was united in mar- riage with Mary E., daughter of Thomas Wat- son, of Wilmington, Il1. In his family there are five children: Charles, William W., Harriet A., Charlotte and Helen.

HOMAS A. HOWES. The life of any man is of great benefit to the community in which he resides when all of his energies are directed toward advancing its interests and when he is honest and irreproachable in his deal- ings with his fellow-men. To this class Mr. Howes belongs. He is a general merchant of Eagle, and has been identified with all enter- prises of importance there, as well as with laud- able movements for the progress of Eagle County and the development of its resources.

The only child of T. H. Howes, M. D., and Anna (Atwell) Howes, natives of New York and Maryland, the subject of this sketch was born in Indiana in 1841. His father, who graduated from a medical college in Cincinnati, was the son of a pioneer physician of western New York, and was himself a pioneer in the profession in Indiana, where he died during the progress of the Civil war. His wife had died in 1852. Their son, our subject, was reared in Indiana. At twelve years of age he became errand boy in a general store at Rochester, Ind., where he remained until 1856. Afterward he was employed in a store at Logansport.

April 13, 1861, two days before the call was made for volunteers in the Union service, onr sub- ject enlisted in the Ninth Indiana Infantry under

Colonel Melroy. After three months at the front he was discharged. On the 31st of July of the same year he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry, in which he remained until the close of the war, meantime taking part in various engage- ments. After the siege and fall of Vicksburg he was commissioned first lieutenant, in recognition of meritorious conduct.

Returning to Indiana at the close of the war, Mr. Howes engaged in the general mercantile business in Carroll County, where he continued for many years, meeting with fair success. In 1892 he came to Eagle County, Colo., and estab- lished the general store which he has since con- ducted. In 1867 he married Miss Mary C. Dunkle, who was born in Indiana, daughter of Peter Dunkle, a business man in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Howes have three children, viz .: John P., who is engaged with his father in business; May, wife of Frank D. Butcher, who is connected with the Vandalia Railroad in Indiana; and June, wife of R. M. Johnston, who was formerly in the drug business at Logansport, Ind., and now re- sides in Palouse, Wash.

The political belief of Mr. Howes brings him into touch with the Republican party, and he al- ways supports the candidates of this organization. He is actively connected with the Masonic order and the Grand Army of the Republic. His at- tention, however, is principally given to his busi- ness interests. Through his long experience in merchandising, an experience that dates back to his boyhood, he is enabled to conduct his busi- ness affairs intelligently and successfully, and the Howes Mercantile and Supply Company is one of the flourishing concerns of Eagle County.

3 ILLIAM F. GREEN, president of the Gold Quartz Placer Mining and Milling Com- pany, a stockholder in the Hinsdale Elec- tric Light and Power Company, and fireman on the Lake City branch of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad under Engineer Ready, was born in Platte County, Mo., July 23, 1866, and is a son of William A. and Anna C. (Nicol) Green. His grandfather, Elisha Green, was a native of Ten- nessee, and became a pioneer of Platte County, Mo., having settled there when he was a boy. In time he attained a position among the promi- nent and wealthy citizens of the county, where he was associated with D. R. Atchison in business and was a large land and slave owner. William A. Green was a native of Platte County and spent

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his entire life there. His wife, who was born in Virginia, was a daughter of David Nicol, the lat- ter a farmer and blacksmith. They were the parents of two sons, William F., and Dr. David E., of Pleasanton, Kan.

In the common schools of Missouri our subject received his education. When eighteen years of age, in 1884, he came to Colorado, settling in Ouray County, where he remained for two years, following various occupations. In 1886 he se- cured employment as a fireman on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. His first run was between Gunnison and Grand Junction. Since then he has fired on other divisions of the road. In 1894 he settled in Lake City, and has since been fire- man on the Lake City branch. Since 1895 lie has been interested in mining and assisted in the organization of the Gold Quartz Placer Mining and Milling Company, with which he has since been connected. He has also assisted in the organization of the company organized to furnish electricity for power to different mines, particu- larly the Gold Quartz mine. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. Politi- cally he is independent.

OUIS KAFKA, proprietor of one of the large business houses of Lake City, was born in Prague, Austria, in March, 1845. The first fourteen years of his life were spent in his native country. Thinking he would be able to better his condition in the new world, he then crossed the ocean and settled in Baltimore, Md., where he had friends. During the three years that followed he spent considerable time in acquiring the English language and becoming familiar with the customs of the people. At sixteen years of age he entered a store as clerk, but soon entered the army as clerk in the sutler's department of the Twenty-first New York Infantry. At the battle of Winchester he was captured by the Confederates and taken to Libby prison, where he remained in confinement for eighteen months, until the close of the war. He experienced all the hardships of that famous prison, and felt that he was fortunate in escaping with his life.

After the war Mr. Kafka clerked in a store until 1869, when he came to Denver, Colo. There he was employed by W. B. Donald & Co., for two years. His next position was with Jacobs & Co., in Central City, with whom he continued for eight years in that town, and afterward for a year he had charge of a branch store for the firm at

Caribou. The year 1877 found him in Lake City, where he established the business which he has since conducted. In 1879 he erected his present store building, where he carries a full line of clothing, shoes, hats and caps, and men's furnish- ing goods. He has also given some attention to mining enterprises, and besides this, has property in town.

. Fraternally Mr. Kafka is a Mason. He belongs to Crystal Lake Lodge No. 45, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been treasurer for eight years. The Republican party receives his franchise in both local and national elections. For two years he served as a trustee of the town, and he lias also held the office of alderman.

LBERT D. MC KENZIE, who owns and occupies a ranch five miles from Eagle, and was formerly a member of the board of com- - missioners of Eagle County, was born in Essex County, N. Y., among the Adirondack Mountains, in 1847. His father, Mordecai Mckenzie, who was a farmer, died in 1853, and afterward the boy was given a home with his grandfather, Roderick Mckenzie, a native of Scotland, who served in the war of 1812 and taught school for some years, also carried on a farmi. One of his sons, whose name was the same as his own, served through the Civil war. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Prescott and was born in New York, where she died in 1878. She had five brothers, George, John, Luther, Joseph and Albert, three of whom fought on the Union side during the war. In her family there were three sons, of whom Sanford is a jeweler at Lake Placid, and Roderick lives at the same place. The oldest son, Sanford, took part in the Civil war as a member of a New York regiment.

At twenty years of age our subject started out for himself. He learned the jewelry trade, which he followed for some time, and he also acted as a guide to visitors to the Adirondack mountain region. On leaving New York he came to Colo- rado in 1885 and settled in Eagle County, pur- chasing property near Eagle, where he has since engaged in ranching. He has also been inter- ested in mines, and owns a number of houses in Eagle. In 1870 he married Miss Amy Paye, whose father was a farmer in New York and who had six brothers and five sisters, all in the east but one. Three of her brothers served in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Mckenzie have three daughters: Minnie, wife of George Wilkinson, a

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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 146

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