Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 159

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 159

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The education of our subject was obtained in district schools, the Brooklyn Polytechnic School, and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He graduated in civil engineering with the class of 1876, after which he was employed on the Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He came to Colorado in the early part of 1879 and has since become familiar with mining, in its every detail. He has never identified himself with politics, but keeps well posted in the same and gives his ballot to Republican candidates. During the year of his settlement in Gilman he married Anna Stroehle, who was born in Rock Island, Ill., but has made her home in Colorado since she was a small child. Two children bless the union, Walter C. and Helen L.

A LFRED H. SMITH, one of the best known and most popular stockmen of Pueblo County, his ranch being fourteen miles west of the city of Pueblo, on St. Charles Creek, was born in Independence, Mo., near Kansas City, in 1856, and is a son of Nathan and Eliza (Woodruff) Smith, the latter a daughter of Dr. Woodruff, of Meadville, Pa. The father spent his early life in Independence, Mo., where he was extensively en- gaged in the manufacture of wagons, and made the first narrow gauge wagon ever constructed in that state. During the Civil war he enlisted int the state militia, becoming a member of Company E, Second Battalion Missouri Cavalry, under Captain Nugent, and while fighting General Price's army he was killed in the battle at Inde- pendence, August 15, 1862. His wife died in 1865.

At the early age of nine years our subject was left an orphan. He had accompanied the family on their removal to Lawrence, Kan., where after the death of his parents he lived with different people, working during the summer months and attending school through the winter season. He made his home at that place from 1859 until 1870, and served a two years' apprenticeship at the printer's trade with an older brother who was engaged in the newspaper business, but he never followed that occupation after he left Lawrence, as it was too confining for his active disposition.

In 1870 Mr. Smith came to Colorado and first lo- cated in Black Hawk, where he was engaged in mining for nine years. During the great excitement at Leadville, in 1879, he went to that place, where he followed freighting principally. The follow- ing year he located in Gunnison County, where he was again interested in mining until 1885, and then spent three years in Pueblo. His min- ing experience was not very profitable, and as the result of the same he has only two gold rings, the gold for which was taken from his own mines. One of these he gave to his wife, while he lias kept the other. In 1888 he embarked in the stock business on Greenhorn creek, and has found this far more profitable. In 1890 he pur- chased his present ranch, which is justly con- sidered one of the most beautiful places in the county, and it is often visited by people from Pueblo and other places who come here on their vacations or camping trips. It nestles down at the foot hills on the beautiful stream known as the St. Charles creek, in sight of picturesque mountains and lovely groves, and good hunting and fishing add to its other attractions. This is one of the oldest places in the locality, having been taken up from the government in 1860, and one hundred and forty-five acres are under ditch, are highly cultivated and well improved with good fences and buildings, including a pleasant residence and large barns. Mr. Smith raises con- siderable fruit and also has a good apiary, but gives the greater part of his time and attention to the stock business, in which he has been re- markably successful. He has one pasture of five thousand acres, and at present is putting in shape another of twenty-six thousand acres. He raises a large amount of alfalfa.

In July, 1885, Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage with Miss M. Emma Johnson, who was born not far from Dayton, Ohio, and is a daugh- ter of Dr. Johnson, a physician of that state for many years. She is a thorough business woman, and much of the success that has come to them is due to her good management and sound judg- ment. They have twin daughters, Fay and Fern, now eleven years of age, who are the delight of the parents' hearts. They are very attractive girls, who look alike, dress alike and have ponies alike.

Politically Mr. Smith is an ardent Republican, and in 1896 supported William Mckinley for the presidency. He served as water commissioner of his district from 1890 until 1895, and has been

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deputy assessor for several years. Fraternally heis a member of the Woodmen of the World. He is very pleasant, makes friends easily, and is fa- miliarly known as Fred Smith by a large circle of acquaintances.

F EORGE REX BUCKMAN, of Colorado Springs, is a representative of an old and honored family of Pennsylvania, whose various generations have been intimately asso- ciated with the development of the state. His father, Albert Buckman, who was a son of Phineas Buckman, a farmer of Bucks County, was born near Philadelphia, and spent his entire life within a radius of fifty miles from the place of his birth. He married Miss Emily Rex, daughter of George Rex, Jr., and granddaughter of George Rex, Sr., who traced his lineage to Germany. Her father, who was born in the vicinity of Philadelphia, started the town of Willow Grove, on the famous old York road, and there he continued to live the life of a country gentleman of leisure and cultured tastes, known for miles around as one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of the town.

The subject of this sketch and his brother, Harry Sterling Buckman (the latter a successful lumber manufacturer in New Mexico), were the only children of their parents. The former was born at Willow Grove, November 26, 1853, and in youth was given every advantage which the excellent schools of Philadelphia afforded. From an early age he evinced considerable mechanical ability, and in the spring of 1871 he entered the employ of William Sellers & Co., large machine tool builders, with whom he learned the ma- chinist's trade in every department. He remained in the same house until the fall of 1878, but the confinement incident to his work seriously im- paired his health and a change of climate and occupation was rendered necessary.

At that time Colorado was beginning to attract public attention by reason of its climatic influence as a remedial agent. Hoping that the change might benefit him Mr. Buckman came to Colo- rado Springs in the latter part of 1878, and here for a number of years he gave his attention to the recuperation of his health and the enjoyment of the delightful climate and scenic beauties of the mountain regions. In the course of a few years he became interested in the cattle business, owning ranches in the northeastern part of Wyoming. When the Chamber of Commerce

was organized, in 1890, he became its secretary, and his work in this position proved most able and acceptable to all. Undoubtedly it was largely due to his energy, ability and pleasing address that this organization obtained the prominent position it now holds. Accepting an invitation to associate himself with the firm of William P. Bonbright & Co., he resigned the secretaryship which he had so ably filled and in which he had found work most congenial to him. He has since been actively engaged in the brokerage and banking business and through his progressive spirit and rare judgment has promoted its in- terests. He is also interested in various mining companies.

A noticeable characteristic of Mr. Buckman is his literary ability. Soon after coming to Colorado he commenced to write articles for eastern papers, journals and magazines, these bearing usually upon the climatic advantages and landscape wonders of the great west. Added to the fact that he is a fluent writer are his broad knowledge of history and his keen discrimination regarding current events. While his articles were exclu- sively literary, yet they proved to be of the greatest value in advertising the advantages of the Springs as a health and pleasure resort. Among the numerous books and pamphlets from his pen bearing on the climatic advantages and scenic charms of the Pike's Peak region, special mention should be made of the elegant work entitled "Colorado Springs and its Famous Scenic Environs," which ran through two large editions and found readers in almost every part of the world.

Concerning Mr. Buckman, the following, from "Facts," in 1898, may be appropriately quoted: "He is foremost in all public movements for the good of the town, and a man of that degree of prominence almost always excites the envious dislike of some people, but I have never found man or woman, resident of the Springs, speak of him in any words but those of admiration and affection. He has made himself a slave to the interests of the town and with all his oppor- tunities, both here and in Cripple Creek, I doubt if he has gathered a decent competency for him- self. This beautiful city is his wife, family, fortuue,-his very life. His name is more in- timately associated with Colorado Springs in the minds of outside barbarians of the east and Europe than is that of Helen Hunt Jackson or General Palmer, and very justly so. When in

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the fullness of time he is taken from us, I bespeak a monument for him that will show to all others our affection for him and the inscription on it should embody the fact that he is remembered with love for his devotion to the interests of our city."

During the past twelve years Mr. Buckman has been secretary of the El Paso Club and has also served as a member of its board of governors. He is fond of club life and a favorite in society, which by nature and acquired knowledge he is admirably qualified to adorn. In the organiza- tion of the Colorado Springs Golf Club he took an active part, and has since been one of its members. Identified with the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, he has officiated as a member of its vestry. He has rendered acceptable service as a member of the boards on charitable institu- tions, and library and free reading room. His interest in politics is that of the private citizen only, and, while he votes the Republican ticket, no display of partisan spirit has ever been apparent in his life, but, on the contrary, he has cast his influence in behalf of every progressive . measure for the benefit of the community and has given generously of his time and means to aid projects for the advancement of his city and state.

WILSON GARDNER is the owner and occupant of a ranch situated on Long Branch, fourteen miles southwest of Hugo, in Lin- coln County. Here he has made his home since he came to Colorado in 1881. While he gives some attention to general farming, he has made a special feature of the stock industry, and has been very successful in the raising ofsheep. He devotes himself closely to his personal affairs, and has never identified himself with public matters, although he is a stanch Republican and always supports his party ticket.

In Palermo, the capital of the island of Sicily, in the Mediterranean Sea, the subject of this sketch was born in 1853. Three generations of his family have been identified with the history of that island. His grandfather, Benjamin Gard- ner, was appointed United States consul to Sicily many years ago and, removing to that island, there spent his remaining years, occupying the office of consul until his death. The father of our subject, Edward E. Gardner, was born in Boston, Mass., and resided in Palermo from early childhood until his death at forty-seven years. When a boy he was sent back to Boston to obtain

his education. On his return to Palermo he opened a mercantile store, which he conducted until his death. In business he was very suc- cessful. He was a man of liberal, generous dis- position, and in religion was identified with the Episcopal Church. He married Martha Thomas, who was born in London, England, and was a daughter of Edward E. B. Thomas, a native of Wales, and for years the British consul to Sicily. Her death occurred in Florence, Italy, when she was sixty-three years of age.

The family of which our subject was a member consisted of seven sons and six daughters. Of these Benjamin and Edward were merchants in Palermo; Robert Shaw died in boyhood; Beaumont is engaged in business in Sicily; Wal- ter makes his home in South Africa; Charlotte, who is the Baroness Bordanaro, lives in Sicily. Mrs. Martha Rose is a resident of London; Annie is unmarried and makes her home in Florence, Italy; Lizzie is the wife of M. Rose, of Sicily; and Sophia also lives in Sicily. The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Eng- land, and upon completing his education entered his brother's office, where he spent ten years. In 1871 he came to the United States and for some time was employed in an office in New York, but finally went to Wyoming and embarked in the stock business. From there in 1881 he came to Colorado.

In 1884 Mr. Gardner was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Perry, daughter of Alex- ander and Lavinia Perry, and a member of the family to which belonged the illustrious hero of the naval battle on Lake Erie during the war of 1812. She was born in 1853 and has resided in Colorado since 1884. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are Josephine and Lillie.

C AMES B. CUNNINGHAM, the lumber merchant of Victor, is one of the early set- tlers of this camp, having come here in 1893, when the place had less than six houses in it. Beginning business on a small scale, by persever- ance and sound judgment he has built up a large trade in lumber and building material, and is now the leading man in his line in the district.

In New Brunswick, Canada, where Bradford G. Cunningham was engaged in agricultural pur- suits, his son, the subject of this sketch, was born June 21, 1850, and there the rudiments of his education were obtained. Afterward he com- pleted his studies in Maine. He engaged in farm-

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ing in his native province until the spring of 1880, at which time he came to Colorado and embarked in the lumber business at Leadville. From there, in 1893, he came to Victor, where he has since remained. At first he was vice- president, and later president of the Williams Lumber Company in Leadville, and after coming to Victor he started in business alone, his trade for a time being mostly confined to building ma- terial. The first lumber that he furnished was for the construction of the shaft house for the noted Independence mine. From that time on he steadily increased his business, until the sales now average about $150,000 annually, the largest part of which is for the mining trade. In 1894 he erected a sawmill and a framer for manufac- turing mining timber, and this he operates.

Politically, as a Republican, Mr. Cunningham has been quite active in local affairs; however, he has never allowed his name to be used in con- nection with any political office, preferring to de- vote himself exclusively to business affairs. · He has assisted materially in the development of the mining interests of this locality, though his as- sistance has been more in the line of finances than active participation in the work. He is a stockholder in several mines, and from his shares has received fair dividends. Fraternally he is connected with the Victor lodges of Masons and Knights of Pythias. In June, 1887, he married Emma Dailey, who was born in Maine, but at the time of their marriage was living in Leadville. They are the parents of three children, Vesta, Murray and Elva.

M RS. LOTTIE GRAHAM, proprietor of the Gardner House in Las Animas, was born in Ross County, Ohio, a daughter of Christian and Hannah (Heir) Hess, natives of Germany. Soon after their marriage her parents came to America and settled in Ross County, Ohio, where Mr. Hess bought land and spent a number of years. However, on account of the settlement of a large number of colored people in the county, he removed to Illinois and rented property in McDonough County. Later he re- moved to Nebraska, settling near Grand Island in 1866. A year later he went to Buchanan County, Mo., where he engaged in farming for eighteen years. Going from there to Coolidge, Kan., he made his home with a daughter.

When her parents removed to Missouri from Nebraska, our subject went to Omaha, and there

was united in marriage, May 21, 1869, in the Lutheran Church on Dodge street, by Rev. Mr. Kuhns, with James Gardner, who was born near Manchester, England, and was a son of Thomas Gardner. His mother died when he was about seventeen and soon afterward he came to Amer- ica. At the opening of the Civil war he enlisted as a private, but received promotion for meritor- ious action, and was honorably discharge at the close of three years. Prior to entering the army, he had been engaged with an uncle in the mann- facture of prints, at Providence, R. I., and after he left the service he was for some time in the employ of the government. After his marriage he remained in Omaha for two years and then went further west as a workman on the Santa Fe Railroad, Mrs. Gardner at the same time going to her father's home in Missouri, where she re- mained for ten months. She and her oldest son crossed the bridge over the Arkansas River on the first train that ever crossed it. They joined Mr. Gardner at Granada, which was the terminus of the Santa Fe road. For ten years he worked for H. S. Hawley & Co. there, being thus em- ployed at the time of his death, October 4, 1882. He left three children, the oldest of whom, T. J., is engaged in the lumber business in Las Animas. The second son, Edward Hess Gardner, who was born May 3, 1874, in what is now Prowers County, Colo., was the first graduate of Las Animas high school and received a three years' scholarship in Denver University, but did not avail himself of it. Hannah Lillian Gardner, the youngest of the family, was born in Granada, Prowers County.

In December, 1883, Mrs. Gardner came to Las Animas, where for five years she kept a private boarding house. In June, 1888, she commenced the building of the present hotel, into which she moved in August, 1888. May 29, 1889, she was united in marriage with Millard F. Graham, of Las Animas, who was born in Lexington, Mo., December 15, 1856. He was first married, in his native city, to Mary Gordon, by whom one child was born, Gordon Wentworth Graham, who was born June 8, 1883, at Lexington, Mo., and has made his home there since his mother's death, when he was sixteen months old. Mr. Graham came to Colorado in March, 1886, and settled in Las Animas, where he followed the tinner's trade in the employ of Rhodes Brothers. After his marriage he started a tinshop, having at the time only $22 worth of goods, but he built up a large business and at the time of his death, September

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29, 1898, had a valuable stock. In 1894 he erected a substantial business block. Politically he was independent. He became identified with the Baptist Church and was made a deacon in the spring of 1899. He possessed a splendid bass voice, which won hin considerable promi- nence as a singer, and, with the assistance of the band, he always arranged the musical program at the commencement exercises of Las Animas high school.

During her long life on the frontier, Mrs. Graham had many hardships to undergo and many obstacles to overcome. It was difficult to obtain the very necessities of life; its comforts were not expected. For three years the only meat she had in her house was buffalo meat. While she was living in Granada, the Indians frequently became troublesome, and at one time they drove all of the women into a stone build- ing. Mrs. Graham, with her oldest child, was among the others, and expected every moment to be massacred, but their lives were spared. At another time the schoolteacher refused to teach any longer, as she feared an attack by the Indians. On another occasion Mr. Gardner was kept up all night in order to make coffins for the victims killed by the Indians in an attack on the whites. After all of those years of hardship and trial, Mrs. Graham is in a position to enjoy the comforts that now surround her and the privileges of residence in a town where church and school advantages can be had and where she can also enjoy the pleasure of association with people of culture and refinement.

B ELA M. HUGHES. The Hughes family was represented among the early settlers of Virginia and some of its members took part in the Revolution. Andrew S. Hughes was for some years a resident of Kentucky, but removed from there to Missouri and became a pioneer of Clay County, where he engaged in the practice of law. His son, Bela M., was born in Nicholas County, Ky., a nephew of ex. Governor Metcalf of that state. He was admitted to the bar in Missouri, where he practiced for years. In early days he went to St. Joseph, Mo., and later located in Atchison, Kan. With his cousin, Benjamin Holliday, and others he started the overland stage line between Atchison, Denver and Salt Lake, and this he was connected with for some years as president and attorney. In 1864 he came to Denver, where he entered upon the

practice of his profession. He was one of the most active promoters of the Denver Pacific Rail- road between Denver and Cheyenne and was the first president of the company. While in Mis- souri he was general of the state militia, and he is usually called by that title. A Democrat in politics, he was a member of the first state senate of Colorado. He is still living in Denver, which he has seen grow from a small and unimportant village to a commercial, railroad, mining and stock-raising center, the metropolis of the great Rocky Mountain region.

ARRY A. LEE was appointed commissioner of mines for the state of Colorado May 11, 1895, by Governor Albert W. McIntire. The Bureau of Mines of the state of Colorado was created by an act of legislature, approved March 30, 1895. Owing to the financial distress of the state, the status of the office was soon attacked and the State Board of Equalization recommended that the state auditor suspend pay ments of appro- priation provided by the legislature. Through legal advice sought, it became clear to Mr. Lee that the establishment and maintenance of the office was commanded by the constitution of the state. Acting upon this theory, mandamus proceedings were had by the commissioner of mines against the state auditor in the district court. The decision was in favor of the bureau and was later affirmed by the supreme court of the state. Both courts decided "that the office was created in pursuance of a constitutional man- date," and that its status was the same as any other state office. Mr. Lee is well equipped for the duties of his office and his interest and zeal are evidenced by the progress made, having, among other things, made one of the finest min- eral collections in the west.

The father of our subject, E. A. Lee, M. D., was born and reared in Ohio, graduated from Rush Medical College at Chicago, and during the Civil war served four years as surgeon in an Illi- nois regiment, with the rank of major. After the close of the war he located at Du Quoin, Il1., and followed his profession for several years. On account of asthma, necessitating change of cli- mate, California and other places were visited and settlement finally made in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1875. After several years' residence, another change became necessary and he removed to Fort Collins, Colo., and is still practicing his profession at that place.

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Born in Sparta, Ill., our subject was there reared and educated in the Du Quoin high school, com- pleting the junior studies in the Illinois Industrial University at Champaign, Ill. He was self sup- porting from an early age, having learned the trade of printer (which was dropped on account of health) and later the trade of machinist. In 1877 he began mining at Joplin, Mo., and in 1879 came to Colorado. In 1880 he went to the Gun- nison country, and has since that time followed mining in its various branches, settling at Ouray, Colo., in 1887, which point he designates as "home." He married Teresa M. Killelea at Ottawa, Ill., and they have three children living.

12 AVID W. BRUNTON. Since becoming identified with the mining interests of Aspen in 1887, Mr. Brunton has been actively en- gaged in studying the geology of this most inter- esting field, and the economic value of his work has been so well recognized by the principal mine owners of the district, that he is now man- ager of the Della S. Consolidated Mining Com- pany, the Alta Argent Mining Company, the Homestead Mining Company, the Free Silver Mining Company and the Cowenhoven M. T. & D. Tunnel Company. The latter is perhaps his greatest work, and is a double-track tunnel two miles and a-quarter in length, which was driven the entire distance without an accident, and taps all the mines on the Smuggler mountain side of the district. This tunnel furnishes trans- portation and drainage to mines from which nearly half the output of Aspen is derived, and has been the principal factor in reducing the cost of production and enabling the mine owners to work their properties at a profit, despite the con- tinnous decline in the price of silver. Mr. Brun- ton is a most persistent advocate of the advanta- ges of electric transmission of power, and has done perhaps more than anyone else to increase the use of electricity in all the departments of mining. His work in this direction, as well as in the field of economic geology, has brought him into special prominence, and lie is now consult- ing engineer to some of the largest companies, both in the United States and Canada.

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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 159

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