Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 149

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 149

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IMOTHY BORDEN. Of the residents of Park County few are better known and none more highly esteemed than the subject of this sketch, a pioneer of South Park. Coming here in the early days, he has lived to witness the develop-

ment oflocal resources and has himself contributed thereto. He has been especially helpful in pro- moting the stock business, to which much of his time has been given. Throughout the county "Uncle Tim" has a host of friends and well- wishers, and while his life is to some extent a lonely one, his wife being dead and he having no children, he has many friends whose kindness and affectionate devotion partially compensate for the loss of his wife.

The sketch of the Borden family appears in the biography of Olney A. Borden, our subject's brother and a prominent ranchman of Park County. Timothy Borden was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., September 27, 1826. He grew to man's estate on a farin and received common- school advantages. In 1849 he was united in marriage with Miss Adelia A. Williams, whom he had known from childhood, and who continued his faithful helpmate until she passed from earth, February 4, 1892.

Selling his interests in the east in 1858, Mr. Borden removed to Iowa and for three years culti- vated farm land in Clinton County. In the spring of 1861 he crossed the plains to Denver, where he arrived during the latter part of June. Going to the mountains, he settled in Gold Run Gulch in Summit County, where he bought several claims and mined very successfully. He remained there until the fall of 1866, when he sold his mining property and settled on his present ranch at Bordenville, which he had taken up one year be- fore. Since then he has given his attention to haying and cattle-raising, and his ranch now numbers sixteen hundred acres.

Local interests have always received consider- able attention from Mr. Borden. For five years he served as county commissioner of Park County. He is especially interested in educational matters, and for many years has been a member of the school board and has endeavored to promote the welfare of the schools of the district and county. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and with Doric Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Fair- play.

LMER W. HENDRICKS, member of the firm of Cantril & Hendricks, at Westcliffe,

- Custer County, was born in Denver, Colo., August 9, 1864, and is the only child of E. G. and Rhoda C. (Alumbaugh) Hendricks, the former a saddler and harnessmaker. Owing to the death of his father he was early in life thrown

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upon his own resources, and when less than ten years of age started out to work by the month. At thirteen years of age he began to work for his stepfather, Mr. Cantril, on the divide, and con- tinued in that capacity until he became a partner in the business at Westcliffe in January, 1898.

In 1888 Mr. Hendricks was made manager of the mill, and this position he continued to fill for five years. Owing to his stepfather's disability since 1893, the entire business has fallen largely into his hands, and his thorough experience in the sawmill business eminently qualifies him to conduct the work satisfactorily and in such a manner as to secure a profit. His entire life has been spent in Colorado, and he has resided in Westcliffe since the village was started, coming here with Mr. Cantril. He has always been in- terested in the growth and development of the town, and has contributed to its prosperity.

The Democratic party receives the allegiance of Mr. Hendricks. He has filled the offices of constable and justice of the peace, and is now serving his third term on the town board. Fra- ternally he is a member of Westcliffe Camp No. 309, Woodmen of the World, and Rosita Lodge No. 25, A. O. U. W. He was united in mar- riage November 1, 1885, with Loremena Ella, daughter of Hugh Morrow, of Querida, Custer County. They are the parents of four children: Clyde Earl, Hugh Burtral, Ethel Warren and Hazel Catherine.

12 ONALD THOMPSON MCLEOD, proprie- tor of the Occidental hotel at Lake City, was born in Nova Scotia in 1856, a son of John and Annie (McLeod) McLeod, natives of the highlands of Scotland. He was named in honor of his maternal grandfather, Donald Thomp- son McLeod. When eighteen years of age John McLeod emigrated from Scotland to Canada and settled near Whycocomah, a post-village in Nova Scotia. There was much in the ruggedness of the place to remind him of his native highlands. At the rear of the town high hills rose amphithea- tre-like, while in front stretched the waters of Whycocomah Bay. The town itself was a mere hamlet, with a few houses and stores. Amid these surroundings he began the life of a dairy far- mer, and in the same place he still resides, re- tired, at seventy-nine years of age. For many years he served as alderman of his town, but re- signed when advancing years rendered active la- bors impossible. In the Presbyterian Church he

was a deacon for fifteen years or more, and he has ever been strict in his adherence to the doctrines of that denomination. Of his children, John died in New Brunswick; Donald resides in Lake City; Maggie is the wife of John Campbell, a carpen- ter and farmer in Canada; Donald Thompson, onr subject, was fourth in order of birth; Peter con- tinues on the old homestead; Malcolm C. died at the home of our subject; Norman is engaged in mining at Lake City; and Murdoch died at the age of thirty, leaving a widow and two children, Annie and Murdoch, who live with their grand- father.

When a boy of thirteen years our subject began to learn the trade of a shipbuilder, but after two years at the occupation he became dissatisfied and abandoned it. He then went to Troy, N. Y., where he secured employment in the Troy iron works as a pattern maker, remaining there for three and one-half years. Afterward, for six months, he worked at bridge-building for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and then was made a bridge foreman on the same road. Later he en- gaged in bridge-building for the Canadian Pacific road as foreman in the Rocky Mountain district in Winnipeg, remaining in the same position for three years. Next he became foreman in pon- toon bridge-building for the Milwaukee & St. Paul road between McGregor and Prairie du Chien, which work occupied four months. His next move was to Colorado. Locating at Fair- play, he engaged in the building business for six months. Next he went to Leadville, where he was similarly engaged, also being interested in mining. For about four years he worked at mining construction. In 1886 he accepted a po- sition as foreman of bridge-building on the Colo- rado Midland road, between Leadville, Aspen, Glenwood Springs and Colorado Springs. Two years later he took a position with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company west from Salida, and with them he continued for one and a-half years, having charge of the construction of all of the bridge work on the road. His next position was with the Northern Pacific from Bozeman to Butte, Mont., where he had charge of the build- ing of section houses, tanks, etc.

In 1891 Mr. McLeod came to Lake City, where he bought a partnership with William Patterson in the Pueblo house. After three years he sold out to his partner and bought the Occidental, across the street from the other hotel. In Janu- ary, 1895, he returned on a visit to Nova Scotia,

JUDGE WILLIAM RATHMELL.

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and when he came back in April he began the management of the Occidental. January 21, 1897, the building was destroyed by fire, causing a loss of over $5,000 to him. Since February 14 of the same year he has conducted the house known as the Occidental, owned by Leon Le Fevre.

Politically Mr. McLeod is a Republican, which party he has represented as delegate to conven- tions. He is a member of Silver Star Lodge No. 27, I. O. O. F., is past master workman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, an officer in Nioga Tribe No. 57, I. O. R. M., and in 1897 a delegate to the convention of the state association at Manitou. January 28, 1892, he married Mary, daughter of Patrick White, a native of Ireland. Our subject has been interested in mining in this section, and now has an interest in the Alpine Gulch district mines, which has four lodes and has produced as much as $104 of gold per ton. These mines are called the Sky Mountain group, which produce gold, silver, copper and lead. These mines are owned by Mr. McLeod, together with Joseph Johnston and Edward W. Meyers, and they are being rapidly developed.

ILLIAM RATHMELL, county judge of Ouray County, has for a considerable pe- riod been connected with the educational interests of the county and is known as one of its most experienced and successful educators. In June, 1880, he came to Colorado, and, after a brief sojourn in Silverton, settled in Onray County, establishing his home in Ridgway, where he engaged in farming and mining for several years. In 1886 he became connected with public-school work, and is'now, in point of years of actual service, the oldest teacher in the county.

In Lawrence, Douglas County, Kan., Judge Rathmell was born in 1861, the only child of Will- iam and Mary Ann (Stimel) Ratlımell, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and who since 1859 have resided upon a farm in Kansas. William, Jr., was educated in common schools and Poole's College at Pleasant Hill, Mo., receiv- ing excellent advantages, and afterward adding to his college training by self-culture and read- ing. Shortly after the completion of his educa- tion he came to Colorado, where, as before stated, his work has been mainly along educational lines. However, he has also had some important min- ing interests at Ouray.

Mingling in the public life of the county, and

active in the People's party, in the fall of 1898 he became his party's candidate for county judge, to which office he was elected by a fair majority, and in which position he is proving himself to be trustworthy, able and judicious. On the organi- zation of the Merchants' and Farmers' Alliance he became one of its charter members and took an active interest in its work. He is a member of Centuride Lodge No. 100, K. P. In 1893 he was united in marriage with Miss Lottie Smith, daughter of J. N. Smith, one of Ouray County's pioneers. Mrs. Rathmell died in 1895, leaving one child, Mary Ellen.

RANK WELTY, a pioneer of Colorado, has been identified with the history of this state ever since its early territorial days, and has witnessed its growth and development. In 1894 he came to Cripple Creek, where he has since made his home. He is a member of the firm of Welty & Faulkner, who recently erected a large and substantial brick livery barn on the old Palace hotel, corner Bennett and Second streets.

The birth of Mr. Welty took place in Williams County, Ohio, December 15, 1849. When he was about five years of age he was taken by his parents to La Salle County, Ill., where his boy- hood days were spent and his education obtained. In May, 1861, he arrived in Denver, then a small frontier town. After a short time he proceeded to Summit County, where he remained during the summer months, engaging in mining and also keeping a boarding house. The winter of 1862-63 was spent below Canon City, and in the spring lie returned to Summit County. His next loca- tion was in Black Hawk, Gilpin County, from which point he returned to Denver for the winter. In the spring of 1865 he again returned to Sun- mit County, where he mined and also conducted a grocery and boarding house at Buffalo Flats. The following winter he spent in Illinois, and in the spring of 1866 returned with his family to El Paso County, settling two miles south of Monu- ment and being the fifth family to locate in that section. He engaged in ranching with his broth- ers, George and Alonzo. The latter's sketch, up- on another page, gives the record of the family and also a history of their first settlement in El- Paso County and their location in 1872 of the land where Cripple Creek now stands.

For many years Mr. Welty followed ranching, making a specialty of the cattle business. In 1894 he left the ranch and came to Cripple Creek.

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He and his brother, George, purchased an interest in a livery business, of their sister, Mrs. Faulkner, and after the death of George he and his sister bought the latter's interest. Mr. Welty owns some mining property in this district. Frater- nally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. While he is fairly active in local af- fairs, he has never cared for official positions and has never identified himself with any political party, being independent in his views. He mar- ried Miss Marion Bennett, daughter of Joseph Bennett and a niece of Hon. H. P. Bennett, who settled near Denver in 1862. They are the par- ents of one son, Roy, who resides at home.

ILLIAM F. ANDERSON, president of the Bank Building Association of Colo- rado Springs and president of the Jack Pot Mining Company of Cripple Creek, also a di- rector in the Anchoria-Leland Mining and Mill- ing Company, was born in Frederick County, Va., a member of an old family of that state. His father, Mason Anderson, was born in Cul- peper County and engaged in farming in Clarke County until his death, which occurred in 1878. He had married Jane Bayliss, a native of the Old Dominion, and daughter of Henry Bayliss, who was an ensign in the Revolutionary war and car- ried the flag at Bunker Hill, where he served with General Warren.

The eldest of five children, our subject was born September 13, 1826. He was educated in a primitive school building of logs, where the method of instruction was scarcely superior to the building itself; and after completing the district school studies he attended Wickliffe Academy in Clarke County. From the age of fourteen until twenty he clerked in a general store in Winchester, Va. In 1848, by stage and steamer, he came west, landing in St. Louis after a voyage of ten days from Pittsburg. He set- tled in the former city, which then had only about thirty-five thousand inhabitants. He at once embarked in business, becoming a member of the firm of Wiggins & Anderson, wholesale dry- goods and grocery merchants. In 1849, when fire swept away twelve business blocks, his house escaped by reason of having iron shutters, but some years later he was less fortunate and was burned out. At the close of the Civil war he sold out his interest in the business, and after- ward sold goods along the Santa Fe trail and also

in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Iowa. For some years he was engaged in business as a wholesale commission inan and financial broker in St. Louis. In 1883 he came to Colorado Springs, and two years later bought the site of the present Bank block. In the spring of 1888 he organized the Bank Building Association, of which he has since been president and manager. Under his supervision was erected the Bank block, of four stories and basement, which was the first large block of importance built in the city, and still ranks as one of the best-equipped office build- ings here. He also erected the house where he now resides, at No. 1112 North Cascade avenue.

The marriage of Mr. Anderson took place in St. Louis and united him with Miss Fannie Stick- ney, who was born in that city. She was a daughter of Benjamin Stickney, a native of Mas- sachusetts, but for years a resident of St. Louis and proprietor of the Planters' hotel from its in- ception until his retirement from business. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of five chil- dren, viz .: Mrs. Josephine Pearson, of Colorado Springs; Fannie, wife of Dr. C. F. Gardiner, of Colorado Springs; Mrs. Jane Joy, of Cripple Creek; Marguerite, who is with her parents; and Amos, who is connected with the Anchoria-Leland Mining and Milling Company at Cripple Creek. Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Episcopal Church, to which, as to other worthy objects, Mr. Anderson is a liberal contributor. In his political views he is a pronounced Democrat, and always votes his party ticket. Fraternally he was con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.

OHN MAURER, a pioneer business man of Lake City, was born in Canton de Vand, Switzerland, February 27, 1851, a son of Jean and Marianne (Raymond) Maurer, the for- mer a manufacturer of linen. At the age of sixteen he left home and fatherland and crossed the ocean to America, proceeding west as far as Atchison, Kan., where he served an apprentice- ship of five years with the leading jeweler of that city, with whom he afterward formed a part- nership. Believing, however, that he would meet with greater success in Colorado, in March, 1877, he came to Lake City and established his present business. He carries a complete and well- selected stock of jewelry, having in his store a much higher grade of goods than is usually found in a city of this size. His skill as a work-

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man in his line is well known by his many cus- tomers. In the repairing of watches and the other delicate work in his line of business he has few equals.

Besides his jewelry business, Mr. Maurer hasen- gaged in mining. At one time he was interested in the Compromise mine, which was sold to the Golden Fleece. At this writing he is interested in the Neoga, Manhattan, Red Cloud, Engineer, Placer and other prospects. He has also been connected with local politics, and during the early period of his residence in Lake City was a mem- ber of the town council. From 1883 to 1889 he served as county commissioner, and was chair- man of the board. Since 1886 he has been treas- urer of the school board, and since 1892 he has served as city treasurer. In religion a Presbyte- rian, he has been an elder of the church since 1883, also served as church treasurer and has taken an active part in Sunday-school work. The congregation elected him, in 1893, as their dele- gate to the general assembly at Washington, D. C.

All enterprises having for their object the pro- motion of local interests receive the unqualified endorsement of Mr. Maurer. He has been in- terested in real estate, and has erected a residence and the store building which he still owns. He is also the owner of other property here. During the existence of the board of trade, as a member of that body he aided materially in securing the right of way for the railroad when it was ex- tended to this place. For a quarter of a century he has been a member of the Odd Fellows. He is now a past grand of silver Star Lodge No. 27, is a P. C. P. of Golden Rule Encampment No. 12, and member of Deborah Lodge of Rebekahs No. 18, and is grand guardian of the grand lodge for the present year. His interest in the order has, continued during the long period of his connection with it.

December 30, 1876, Mr. Maurer married Flora E. Blood, by whom he has five children: Eva, Anna, John F., Myrtle and Frederick.

EORGE L. WRIGHT, who is engaged in mining and the real-estate business at Ou- ray, was born in Canada July 24, 1847, the day that Salt Lake City was founded by the Mor- mons under the leadership of Brigham Young. His parents, George L. and Frances (Thorpe) Wright, were born and reared in Dublin, Ireland, and after their marriage emigrated to Canada in 1832, afterward continuing to reside in that could-

try, where they died, the father when sixty- seven years of age. Of their large family two sons, C. W. and J. W., are engaged in the real- estate business in San Francisco, Cal .; Alfred is a business man of New York City; and Gabriel, of Chicago.

At eighteen years of age our subject came to the states, and for two years was employed in the coast survey of Lake Superior. After a short visit at his old home, in 1868, he went to Michi- gan, where he spent two years in the Lake Supe- rior copper mines. From there he went to Coun- cil Bluffs, Iowa, where he carried on a general mercantile business for two years. Going thence to Cheyenne he took a government contract to supply hay to Fort Russell and Camp Carlin, at which work he was engaged for two years. In the spring of 1874 he accompanied his brother, H. E., to Silverton, Colo. From that time on his brother was active in mining operations and business pursuits, and was a prominent and highly esteemed citizen, beloved by a large circle of friends; he died July 7, 1895, leaving a wife and child, who now make their home in Pueblo.

On coming to Silverton our subject engaged in mining with his brother until 1877, when he came to Ouray, which camp had been located the previous year. Since then he has been interested in prospecting and mining. In August, 1875, lie located the Wheel of Fortune, which gave this place its reputation as a valuable mining camp, and which was sold to the governor of Pennsyl- vania, Hon. Henry M. Hoyt, in 1879. He was also one of those who located the United States Depository, which he assisted in developing and placing upon a profitable basis, and sold to St. Louis parties in 1887. In 1894 he became in- terested in the development of the Grizzly Bear, which he brought to a paying basis and sold in 1896 to George R. Hulbert. After the death of his brother he pursued the same line of business alone, and is now the sole owner of the Chief De- posit, and also interested in the Little Nora. In 1888, with his brother, he erected the Wright opera house of Ouray, and also built a brick busi- ness house on Third street and Fifth avenue. He also owns a comfortable and attractive residence, which is hospitably presided over by his wife, whom he married March 25, 1879, at Leadville, and who, prior to that time, was Leonora Mat- thews, her father, Oscar Matthews, being a resi- dent of Leadville.

At the time that Mr. Wright took up his per-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

manent residence in Ouray, the town had only three hundred inhabitants, and no attempt had been made to introduce modern improvements. He has lived to see it grow to a population of three thousand people, whose energy and pro- gressive spirit have resulted in the introduction of electric lights, a good water system, sewerage, and other developments of a material nature, while along the line of educational and religious growth a remarkable advance has also been made.

HARLES H. BRICKENSTEIN, county treasurer and clerk of the district court of Conejos County, was born in Illinois in 1860, and spent his early years principally in Pennsyl- vania and New York City, receiving an academic education at Nazareth, Pa. In 1878 he came to Colorado, settling in San Luis, Costilla County, and being employed by the United States Free- hold Land and Emigration Company. From there, in 1880, he came to Alamosa and opened a general store, which he conducted for nine years.

Upon his election as county treasurer, in 1889, Mr. Brickenstein removed to Conejos, the county seat. He was re-elected to the office in 1891, 1893, 1895 and 1897, and, under appointment from Judge Sumner, was made clerk of the dis- trict court. He is an active supporter of the Re- publican party and has been a local leader for some years. He gives his support to all meas- ures having for their object the benefit of the people or the development of the county. His entire time is given to the discharge of his official duties, and his life is a busy, active existence. As a citizen he has proved himself to be liberal, progressive and energetic. In February, 1899, he was appointed surveyor of customs for the port of Denver.

By his marriage to Miss Lucy McChesney, solemnized in 1881, Mr. Brickenstein has an only child, Albert. In his fraternal relations he is connected with Alamosa Lodge No. 44, A. F. & A. M. He and his family are esteemed by all who know them and are welcomed guests in the best circles of society in Conejos County.

LBERT SCHNEIDER has made his home upon a ranch near Nepesta, Pueblo County, since 1867. He is of foreign birth, but his duties as a citizen of his adopted country have ever been performed with a loyalty unsurpassed

by any native son of America, and when the na- tion was imperiled by the Civil war, he went to the defense of the Union and protected the Fed- eral cause on more than one southern battle field.

Mr. Schneider was born in Elling, Germany, in 1833, and was educated in the common schools of his native land. At the age of twenty-one he crossed the broad Atlantic and settled in New York City, where he was living when the war with the south broke out. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the Eighty-first New York Infantry, and was sent to the front. He participated in the seven days' battle under General Mcclellan, was present in the engagement before Richmond, and took part in the battles of Cold Harbor and the Wilderness. He was with Grant's army at the time of Lee's surrender, and remained in the service until the close of the war.

In 1866 Mr. Schneider came west and settled in South Park, Colorado, where he engaged in mining for one summer. Since 1867 he has made his home upon his present ranch in Pueblo, where in that year he took up land from the gov- ernment. His place comprises three hundred and twenty acres of fine land lying along the Ar- kansas River, on the line of the Santa Fe and the Missouri Pacific Railroads. Supplied with plenty of water and timber, and improved with sub- stantial buildings, it is to-day one of the most valuable places in its locality. The improve- ments on the place stand as monuments to the owner's thrift and energy, as the land was raw and unimproved when he settled here. He is successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising. The prosperity that has crowned his efforts in the new world is certainly well deserved, for he landed in New York, unable to speak a word of English, and with only one dollar in his pocket. In politics he is a Republican.

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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 149

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