Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 148

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 148

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Educated in public schools, our subject began to work for a livelihood when he was thirteen years of age. He was with C. N. Nelson in the sawmill and Inmber business until 1863. When the Civil war broke out he determined to enlist. As his family objected, he ran away from home three times, finally succeeding in securing his acceptance in the army. He was a youth of sev- enteen when he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh New York Cavalry. On being mustered ont at Albany, N. Y., in October, 1865, he returned to Burlington and continned in the sawmill there until 1866, after which he learned the machinist's trade with Edwards & Stevens. For twelve years he was in the employ of Nicholas & Co., in Burlington. Then, going to Chicago, he was employed by the Northwestern Horse Nail Com- pany. Soon, however, he went back to Burling- ton, where he was engaged with B. S. Nichols for four years; then engaged in the grocery business for five years. On selling out, in 1881, he came to Colorado and settled in Georgetown, but after two months came to Leadville, where he has since made his home.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. McCarty was an

alderman in Burlington in 1880, and in 1896 he served as a delegate to the Chicago convention. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Grand Army of the Republic. In religion he is a Roman Catho- lic. He was married in 1871 to Catherine Corri- gan, of Clinton County, N. Y. They became the parents of twelve children, but three are de- ceased. Those living are: Edward, manager of the McCarty & Moore Shoe Company; Thomas, who is learning the machinist's trade with his father; William, Henry, Catherine, Mary, An- nie, Laura and Esther.

C AMES PRINGLE, who is engaged in min- ing and prospecting in Rosita, Custer Coun- ty, was born in Scotland in 1838, a son of William and Janet (Crozier) Pringle, the former a stock-raiser and farmer hy occupation. He re- mained on the home farm during boyhood and obtained his education in the local schools. When nineteen years of age he came to America, and after spending a short time in New York state and Ontario, in 1857 he went to California, with the intention of mining for gold. This oc- cupation he has since followed. He was fairly successful in California and continued there until the spring of 1864, when the mines of eastern Oregon, Idaho and Montana attracted his at- tention. He visited these several territories and mined in different places, mainly in important gulches.

In 1870 Mr. Pringle came to Colorado and was one of the early prospectors in the San Juan coun- try. In 1872 he came to Rosita and was one of the first to develop the mineral resources of this camp. In time he met with success and became one of the most prosperous miners of this section, but owing to the present depreciation of silver, and the closing of many of the silver mines here, he has of late years spent his summers in other places, being for several summers in the British possessions north of Idaho. The summer of 1898 he spent in the Klondike, but to avoid the severe winter of that region he returned to Colorado in the fall. His party took the first pack animals into a new section of the country, and some of the men remained in that locality for the winter. While they struck some good indications, they were not what he considered sufficiently good to pay for enduring the hardships of the country.

In politics Mr. Pringle is an ardent silver Democrat, and is firmly convinced that bimetall-

1103

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ism would be the safeguard of the country and secure the only prosperity to the west. Twice he has been selected to serve as town trustee. He is interested in the welfare of Rosita, which, since it was started, he has made his permanent home, although often in other mining regions of the country. In 1884 he married Ellen Swan- son, of Rosita. Four children were born of their union, two of whom are living, James and Jessie.

ILLIAM G. LUCKETT. Since coming to Lake City in 1877, Mr. Luckett has been interested in mining. This, however, has not been his principal business. A year after he came here he bought from George W. Perkins the establishment of which he has since been the pro- prietor and in which he carries a full line of fur- niture, carpets, queensware and glassware. In 1885 he opened a branch store at Montrose, which he carried on for a year. He also estab- lished and for six years conducted a store in Ouray, but now concentrates his attention upon his business house in Lake City.

A son of Josiah and Mary (Graham) Luckett, natives of Virginia, the subject of this sketch was born in Loudoun County, that state, and descended from ancestors that came from Devon- shire, England. Josiah Luckett was a well-to- do planter and slave owner before the war. Dur- ing the boyhood days of his son, our subject, he removed from Loudoun County, Va., to Fred- erick County, Md., and remained there for twelve years, then returned to Hamilton, Loudoun Coun- ty, where he died in April, 1897. In his family there were four children, viz .: I.uther C., who died in Virginia; William G .; Edgar M., who holds a responsible position with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company at Ogden, Utah; and Bettie, who resides with her mother in Virginia.

The education of our subject was obtained in the Union School near Jefferson, Frederick County, Md., and at a private school conducted by W. H. Hilleary, of Petersville, Md. In 1868 he came to the west, stopping, however, for one season in Cass County, Ill., then going to Kan- sas, where he established a lumber business at the Sac and Fox agency in Ottawa County. In 1870 he came to Colorado. For one year he was employed as a clerk in Denver, for a similar period was in the employ of a lumber company, then for three years was bookkeeper for G. A. Newton, a lumber merchant of Pueblo. In 1877 he came to Lake City and engaged in prospect-

ing and mining, in which he is still interested, al- though since 1878 his attention has been mainly given to his business. He takes an active part in local affairs, and has assisted in promoting progressive projects. In politics he is Demo- cratic. In 1895, 1896 and 1897 he served as county commissioner. His interest in public af- fairs is one of the commendable traits of his char- acter. Hemay always be relied upon to assist in movements for the benefit of the people and the progress of his town and county.

HARLES E. DICKINSON, mayor of Lead- ville, and vice-president and treasurer of the Williams Lumber Company, was born in St. Joseph County, Mich., in 1856, a son of Charles and Josephine (Rogers) Dickinson, natives re- spectively of Rutland, Vt., and Ohio. His father, who was a member of a pioneer family of Ver- mont, removed from that state to Michigan in early life and settled in St. Joseph County, where he cleared and improved a large tract of land. Agriculture formed his life occupation and re- warded his efforts with a fair degree of success. In religion he was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics adhered to Re- publican principles. His death occurred when he was eighty. His wife, who was a farmer's daughter, and a woman of gentle character and great industry, is now living in Michigan. Of their family, George cultivates a farm in Illinois; he was for three years a soldier in the Union army in the Civil war, serving in the Eleventh Michigan Infantry; Densmore is a lumber mer- chant in Wisconsin; Eva is the wife of T. D. Cutler, a merchant in Michigan; Frank is a lum- ber merchant in Victor, Colo .; Emma is the wife of Irving Melville, an attorney of Durango, Colo .; William is a partner of his brother Frank in the Victor Lumber Company.

The education of our subject was obtained in common schools and the high school of Center- ville, Mich. At twenty years of age he started out in the world for himself, and for some years carried on a lumber business in Wisconsin, spend- ing three years at Beaver Dam. In the spring of 1880 he settled in Leadville, Colo., where he has since, with the exception of two years, made his home. For years he has been connected with the Williams Lumber Company, prior to which he engaged in the lumber business alone. De- cember 1, 1892, he was made secretary and treas- urer of the Williams Lumber Company, of which,

1104

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

in 1894, he was elected vice-president, and is now vice-president and treasurer of the company, the stock of which is largely controlled and owned by himself and the president, William H. Beman.

In 1894 Mr. Dickinson married Elizabeth Den- man, of Colorado, by whom he has one daugh- ter. In politics he believes thoroughly in Re- publican principles. In 1897 he was elected mayor of Leadville and served for one term. In 1890 and 1892 he was a member of the city council. In these positions he was instrumental in promoting enterprises for the benefit of the city and the de- velopment of local resources. In Masonry he is connected with the blue lodge and shrine. He is absorbed in his extensive business interests and has no desire to occupy public office, but, intelli- gently posted in the affairs of the day, is ever ready to assist in local improvements and con- tribute to projects of known value.

A. S. LITTLE, treasurer of Eagle County, and for years an influential business man of Eagle County, was born in 1847 in the province of Ontario, Canada, about seventy miles from Niagara Falls. He was a son of William and Jane (Scott) Little, natives respectively of Scotland and England. His paternal grand- father, Andrew Little, removed to Canada in middle life and engaged in farming in Ontario, in which province he died at the age of ninety years. The maternal grandfather, Adam Scott, emi- grated from Scotland (after a short sojourn in England) to Canada, where he settled upon un- improved land and cleared and cultivated a farm.

William Little was born in Scotland, but was brought to America when young. In youth he learned the tailor's trade, but did not follow it to any extent, giving his attention to farm pnr- suits. For several years he served as assessor for his district. He was reared in the faith of the Scotch Presbyterian Church and always adhered strictly to its teachings. At the time of his death he was about eighty years of age. His wife is still living and resides on the old homestead in Brant Connty. Of their children two are de- ceased; Andrew cultivates the home place; John is engaged in the stock business in Nevada; James is connected with the New York Life Insurance Company; William and Byron are veterinary sur- geons and stock-dealers in Manitoba; Agnes is the wife of William Curry, a farmer in Canada; Jane lives with her mother; Elizabeth is the wife of John Steele, a farmer in Canada; Ellen married

Alexander Christie, of Boston; and Belle is the wife of John Archibald, master mechanic of the Grand Trunk Railroad at Stratford, Ontario, Canada.

In the schools of his native town, Paris, and in Toronto, our subject acquired his education. At fourteen he became clerk in a general store, where he remained for eight years, and afterward en- gaged in clerical work for four years. In 1872 he came to the states, settling in Indiana, where he carried on a lumber and commission business. Three years later he returned to Canada and turned his attention to the grain business. In 1878 he came to Colorado, where he prospected for two years, and afterward was employed in Martin's lumber office in Denver for six years. The year 1891 found him in Eagle Connty, where he has since resided, carrying on a general mer- cantile business. He has taken an active part in the work of the Democratic party, and of late years has been intimately identified with the Peo- ple's party. To the office of county treasurer he was elected in 1897, and he has since devoted himself to the conscientious discharge of his du- ties in this responsible position. He is also in- terested in various mines in this section. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Basalt Lodge No. 83. His marriage took place in 1872 and united him with Mary J. Horr, of Dubuque, Iowa, by whom he has two daughters, Harriet H. and Isabelle M.

B ENJAMIN F. CUNNINGHAM, M. D., city physician of Cripple Creek, and a gen- eral practitioner of this place, has resided here since October of 1895, and during this time has made many friends. The practice that he has built up is a growing one, and his reputation is that of a rising young physician, whose pros- pects for future success may be judged by his devotion to his profession and the diligent study that he gives to its developments. He is identi- fied with the Cripple Creek Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

Gloucester, Mass., Dr. Cunningham's native town, was the scene of his early educational ef- forts. There he studied in the grammar and high schools. Afterward he took the regular course of study in Tufts College in Massachusetts, which he entered in the fall of 1887, and from which he graduated in the spring of 1891. His medical education was obtained in the medical

W. R. HEAD.

1107

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

department of Harvard College, where he took the regular three years' course, graduating in 1894. The knowledge there acquired in theory was given a practical basis by his study and practice in a hospital in Boston.

Upon coming west, Dr. Cunningham spent a short time in Denver, but did not engage actively in practice there. In October, 1895, he estab- lished his office and home in Cripple Creek, and here he has since engaged in continuous practice. The energy he displays in his chosen profession speaks well for his success in it. He is a Demo- crat in politics and upon the regular party ticket was elected city physician in 1898. In fraternal relations he is a member of White Cloud Lodge No. 55, I. O. R. M., of Cripple Creek. By his marriage to Miss Clara Shaw, a native of Wood- stock, New Brunswick, he has two sons, Au- gustus F. and John W.

R. HEAD, who is one of the most ex- tensive and prominent ranchmen of Park , County, was born in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Il1., November 28, 1842, a son of Norval and Sarah (Moore) Head. He was one of seven children, of whom two besides himself are still living: Norval, Jr., who owns and operates a ranch in North Dakota; and Sarah, wife of New- ton Wilson, of Sanford, Colo. The father, a native of Howard County, Mo., there grew to manhood, married, and engaged in teaming and farming. When a young man he became a preacher in the Mormon Church. In1 1841 he re- moved to the Mormon settlement at Nauvoo, I11., where he participated in the eventful history of his church up to the time of the killing of the Mormon leader, Joseph Smith, at Carthage. Afterward he established his home in Iowa, set- tling in Council Bluffs and continuing to reside there until his death, which occurred in 1851. The following year our subject's mother took her family to Utah, where she died two years later.

Left an orphan while still a boy, our subject was taken into the home of his maternal grand- parents, and there he remained until he started out for himself at fifteen years of age. Going to Camp Floyd, lie began to work driving teams in the employ of the government. In the spring of 1858 he went to Fort Bridger and became night herder of cattle for the government. From there, in August, he started for Denver, arriving in that city early in October of the same year (1858). The prospects of discovering gold,

which had appeared so promising before and had lured him and his two companions to the moun- tain regions of Colorado, did not seem so brilliant when he came face to face with actual conditions; so they continued their journey into Nebraska. Stopping at Liberty Farm, he worked during the haying season. Afterward he went to work for the Hockady & McGraw Stage Company, with whom he remained until after the massacre by the Indians on the Little Blue. Afterward he went to Fort Kearney, and drove a stage for Ben Holliday. At one time he was the only driver on the route from Fort Kearney to Julesburg. The Indian depredations had been so disastrous that the other drivers had either been killed or had refused to make the trips. During his work in this position he had many thrilling experien- ces, but escaped unhurt.

Buying an outfit, in 1866 our subject began freighting from Nebraska City in the government employ. In 1866 he took a contract to get out ties for the Union Pacific Railroad, and made his headquarters at Fort McPherson. In the spring of 1867 he went to Fort Laramie and took a con- tract to furnish wood for the government post there. With his wagons loaded with hard tack, during the summer of the same year he freighted to Fort Phil Kearney. On his return he loaded his wagon at Julesburg and freighted to Denver, where he sold his outfit. In the spring of 1868 he settled on Bear Creek and began farming. The next year he bought what was known as the old New York ranch on the Georgetown road, and there he had a stage house. When the stage line was taken off, in the fall of 1872, he sold the ranch and went to Bradford Junction, where he carried on a general store for two years and later engaged in farming. In the fall of 1875 he re- moved to Morrison, where he ran a peddler's wagon. During the building of the South Park Railroad, in 1878, he took a contract to furnish ties for the company, and in the fall of the same year he invested in a livery outfit and started in the livery business along the line of the railroad during its building, while at the same time his wife had charge of a bakery and restaurant.

Settling upon a ranch at Jefferson, Park County, in 1879, Mr. Head has since engaged in raising hay. His ranch has increased to one thousand acres and the town plot of Jefferson, some forty acres, is also his property. He is the largest raiser and cutter of hay in South Park. A prominent citizen, he was in 1889 elected

1108

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

county commissioner and served for one term, fill- ing the office with fidelity. In him the silver cause has a strong advocate, and he has done much for the promotion of its interests. Frater- nally he is a member of Queen City Lodge No. 56, I. O. O. F.

March 10, 1867, Mr. Head married Miss Christie Campbell, of Beatrice, Neb. To this marriage ten children were born, four of whom are living, namely: Lena B., a graduate of Ash- land College in Denver; Mabel, who is studying music under private tutors and is preparing her- self for a course in the manual training school in Denver; Archie and Ethel. The family reside on the ranch during the summer months, while in the winter they make their home at No. 3140 Franklin street, Denver.

OHN M. DIXON. An excellent example of the sturdy perseverance and unceasing in- dustry characteristic of Colorado pioneers was given in the life of Mr. Dixon, who was among the large number of those gold-seekers that crossed the plains in the early days of the mining excitement in Colorado. For a time he engaged in freighting from Colorado Springs to California Gulch, but his attention was prin- cipally given to mining. He was one of the dis- coverers of the Leadville mining district, where he remained until 1867. In after years he fre- quently laughed heartily over the fact that he discarded high-grade silver without knowing its value, as his ambition was bent on finding the yellow metal.

A native of Virginia, Mr. Dixon was born Au- gust 5, 1832, a son of Ebenezer and Harriet (Mc- Cowin) Dixon. He was one of ten children, four of whom survive, viz .: Elizabeth, widow of Henry Mitchell, of Sumner County, Kan .; Anna, widow of Henry Whisman, of Monterey County, Cal .; Polk, a farmer of Jackson County, Mo .; and Mathew, who lives in San Jose, Cal. The par- ents were natives of Virginia and members of old families of that state. Ebenezer Dixon was born October 15, 1779, and was married August 7, 1823, in Kanawha County, Va., by Rev. Will- iam McCommis, to Harriet McCowin, who was born March 16, 1807, and died February 5, 1894. After his marriage he settled in the lumbering district and for some time rafted logs down the Kanawha River. In the spring of 1838, accom- panied by his family, he went to Missouri and settled in Jackson County, where he cleared a

farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. In that county he continued to reside until his death, which occurred March 22, 1884.

The early years of our subject's life were de- voted to farm work. Upon the discovery of gold in Pike's Peak he came to Colorado and for some years devoted his time principally to mining. On his return to Missouri in 1867, he shortly after- ward married, being united, December 24 of that year, with Miss Hannah L., daughter of Samuel Kimsey, a native of Alabama, but for years a farmer of Missouri. After his marriage our subject settled upon a farm which he purchased. He continued successfully engaged in farming for some years. But he had not forgotten his pio- neer experiences in Colorado and his inclinations constantly attracted him toward this state. Fi- nally he and his wife determined to settle here permanently. They sold their Missouri farm in 1878 and in April, 1879, started for Colorado. At Kinsley, Kan., they outfitted for the trip, and with their two children and a brother of Mrs. Dixon, made the trip in sixteen days, bringing with them twenty-five head of mules and horses. They arrived on the South Platte, thirteen miles south of Fairplay, on the 26th of June. Here Mr. Dixon purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, built a log cabin and began ranch life. His cabin was not a comfortable home, for it had no floor and was without chinking in the cracks of the logs; but in the fall he finished it, so that it was more comfortable during the winter. From time to time he added to the property until finally his ranch numbered eight hundred and forty acres, upon which he engaged in raising stock. At the time of his death, which occurred June 1, 1891, he was among the most prosperous farmers of Park County. In all of his work he had the assistance and co-operation of his wife, to whose efficient aid not a little of his success was due. They reared two daughters to womanhood. The older, Emily Harriet, is the wife of Henry L. Guiraud, member of an influential family of Park County. The younger, Martha Auna, is the wife of James W. Rich, who is engaged in ranching in this county.

2 URIE O. LACEY, M. D., of Lake City, was born in Pope County, Ill., March 11, 1865, a son of Dr. Royal R. and Anna A. (Eison) Lacey. His father, a native of Connecticut, was reared in Ohio and graduated from the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, after which he

TIMOTHY BORDEN.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

moved west to Illinois, and for forty years en- gaged in the practice of medicine in Pope and Hardin Counties. Now, however, he makes his home in Carbondale, Jackson County, where he is living to some extent retired, although he still acts as professional adviser for a number of fam- ilies whose physician he has been for years and who have been reluctant to give up his services. He has always followed the eclectic school of medicine, to which our subject also adheres. In local affairs, as well as in his profession, he has been influential and prominent, and for two terms, during the '8os, he represented his district in the state legislature.

The only child of his parents, our subject was in boyhood given excellent educational advan- tages. In 1885 he graduated with honors from the Southern Illinois Normal School. He had previously gained a considerable knowledge of medicine by study with his father, and upon con- cluding his literary studies he entered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, of which his father was a graduate. There he completed the regular course in 1887, and was given the degree of M. D. Returning to Illinois, he began to practice with his father at Elizabethtown, Hardin County, where he continued until 1891. Coming to Colo- rado during the latter year, he had been at Mont- rose for a short time only when he was offered the position of physician and surgeon at the Ute and Ulay mines, owned by Posey and Crawford, of Lake City. Accepting the position, he came to this place, where he continued connected with the mines for five years, and meanwhile built up a general practice.

While he is a Republican in national issues, Dr. Lacy believes that the question of free trade or protection, a gold or silver standard, has but little to do with local affairs, and therefore, in town and county elections, he votes for the man whom he deems best qualified to represent the people in office. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His at- tention is closely given to his profession, and he has no interest in outside matters except in pros- pecting and mining, in which he has to some ex- tent engaged.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 148

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