Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 16

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 16

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ON. FRANK BULKLEY. During the years of his identification with the mining interests of Colorado, Mr. Bulkley has established a wide acquaintance among the men who are connected with this industry in the state and he has also gained a reputation for accuracy of judgment in all matters pertaining to this occupation. A resident of Aspen since 1888, he is especially interested in mines in this region, and has acted as general manager of the Chloride Mine, Bushwhacker Mining Company, Park Regent Mining Company, Mollie Gibson Con- solidated Mining and Milling Company, and a number of smaller properties, and at this writing is manager of the Aspen Mining and Smelting Company. For some time he acted as general manager of the Grand River Coal and Coke Com- pany of Garfield County, with headquarters in Glenwood Springs. He is connected with and interested in mines in Lake, Summit and Pitkin Counties, and together with others operates the Bulkley and New York mines in Summit County, which produce rich ore. The estimation in which he is held in mining circles is shown by the fact that he was selected to serve as a director of the Colorado School of Mines at Golden, and by re- appointment is serving his second term.

The progenitor of the Bulkley family in Amer- ica was Peter Bulkley, who established the town of Concord, Conn., in 1636. Later representatives of the family took a prominent part in the nation's history. Some of the name took part in the Revolutionary war. Ex-Governor Bulkley, of Connecticut, was a member of one branch of the family. Judge G. T. Bulkley, our subject's grandfather, was born in Massachusetts and from

there, in 1835, removed to Michigan. He had previously engaged in farm pursuits, but after- ward engaged in merchandising and for some time acted as postmaster at Monroe, Mich., also as associate judge.

Gershom Bulkley, our subject's father, was born in Williamstown, Mass. For some time he was engaged in railroad building in Iowa, but later weut to Michigan, where he continued in the railroading business. In politics he was a Democrat, though not an active one. He took an interest in Masonry, in which he attained sev- eral degrees. In 1891 he came to Colorado, where he died the following year. His wife, Fidelia, a native of New York, was a daughter of Asa T. Groendycke, whose ancestors owned Staten Island at one time and were of Dutch ex- traction. He engaged in the mercantile business and in railroad building, and built the first rail- road in Iowa west of the Mississippi River. Our subject has a brother and sister, and lost one sister when she was sixteen. His brother, Fred G., is engaged in mining in Leadville, where he is manager of the Ibex Mining Company; the sister is the wife of Dr. J. C. Wood, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Born in Washington, Iowa, July 10, 1857, our subject received his early education in the com- mon schools and the University of Michigan. At twenty years of age he started out for himself, and for two years he followed civil engineering in Michigan. In 1879 he located in Leadville, Colo., where he was afterward connected with different mining properties, and from 1883 to 1888 acted as manager of the New Pittsburg Mining Company. He became a prominent Democrat in Leadville, and while there, in 1884, was elected to the state legislature, being the only Democrat on the ticket who was elected. The majority which he received showed the high esteem in which he was held. Subsequently he was nominated for mayor of Leadville and also sheriff of Lake County. Owing to pressure of business duties he was obliged to decline these nominations. In 1888 he resigned his position as general manager of the New Pittsburg Mining Company, in order to accept inducements offered him to take charge of mining interests in Aspen.

In 1885 Mr. Bulkley married Miss Luella Berg- stresser, daughter of Reuben Bergstresser, who . was at one time a merchant in Illinois, but later engaged in mining in Leadville. To their union have been born four children: Louise, Ronald F., Ralph G. and Eleanor.

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G EORGE NATHANIEL MARDEN. The life of Professor Marden has been insepar- ably identified with the history of Colorado College. Through all the years of its adversity and discouragements, he remained its stanch friend, never becoming disheartened even when others gave up hope, but by the force of his enthu- siasm inspiring them with renewed faith in the future of the institution. When the clouds were lifted and a new era dawned upon the college, no one rejoiced more than he, for in its prosperity he feels amply repaid for whatever of sacrifice he may have made in its interests and whatever of hardship he may have experienced in its behalf.

A resumé of the life and lineage of Professor Marden will show the elements that combined in the formation of his character. The family name has long had its roots in English soil, and it was early represented in New England by patriotic, sturdy men and women. During the Revolu- tionary war six of the name enlisted from New Hampshire, and several from Massachusetts. Daniel Marden, Sr., the professor's grandfather, was a ship carpenter at Newburyport, Mass., and Daniel, Jr., the father, was in early life a shoemaker and later a farmer at Concord, N. H., dying there at seventy-eight years of age. His wife was Clara Ferrin, daughter of Philip Ferrin, who was born in Vermont, and spent bis active years upon a farm in Concord, N. H. The daughter was a native of that city, and died there in 1887, at seventy-two years. She had two brothers who served in the Civil war and one son, Alfred L., who was a member of the Second New Hampshire Regiment.

Born in Concord, N. H., March 18, 1836, the subject of this sketch inherited the sturdy at- tributes that distinguish the New Englander. In boyhood he studied under Dr. Cyrus Richards, at Meriden, N. H., and afterward continued his studies during several years while teaching. For three years he was a student in the theological seminary at Bangor, and in 1862 was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational Church, after which he accepted the pastorate of the church at Boxboro, Mass. Subsequently, for seven months, he acted as agent for the United States Christian commission in Virginia. At the close of the war he went to Washington, D. C., where he labored in behalf of the freedman for eighteen months. Later he was for five years pastor of the old South Church at Farmington, Me., after which he spent a year in traveling in Europe

and the east, returning to the United States in 1876 and becoming pastor of the Union Church in South Weymouth, Mass. It was from that place that he came to Colorado Springs in 1881, to accept the chair of political economy and his- tory in Colorado College, and from that day to the present' he has been associated with the progress of this institution. October 16, 1862, he married Miss Sarah Hayford, of Bangor, Me., member of an old family of New England. They have one daughter, Jennie M., Mrs. George Soule, of Colorado Springs. The family are con- nected with the First Congregational Church of Colorado Springs.

The connection of Professor Marden with Colo- rado College can perhaps best be told in the words of his friend, Rev. Dr. James B. Gregg, a trustee of the college and pastor of the First Congregational Church of Colorado Springs, who has kindly prepared the following article for pub- lication in this work:

"April 9, 1881, Mr. Marden, at that time pas- tor of the Congregational Church in South Wey- inouth, Mass., was elected to the position of pro- fessor of history and political science, and prin- cipal of the preparatory department in Colorado College, an institution founded in 1874 at Colo- rado Springs, Colo. It was further provided that Mr. Marden should be the acting president of the college in the absence of the president. His work began in September, 1881. Three years later, in consequence of the disastrous fail- ure of extensive land speculations which had been entered upon in the hope of realizing large profits that would assist in the endowment and maintenance of the college (speculations, how- ever, with which Professor Marden was in no wise connected), the institution became loaded down with a debt of $150,000. Two land com- panies avowedly operating in the interests of the college had incurred a debt of more than $150,000 more.

"Looking back tothose days, it seems little less than a miracle that the college under these cir- cumstances did not close its doors and cease to exist. But it had a faculty characterized by rare constancy and devotion, and a board of trustees which contained in its ranks men of singular faith and hope. Above all, in this dire crisis, the man for the hour appeared in the person of Professor Marden, who gave himself with heroic courage to the work of soliciting funds in the east, to carry on the work of the institution until

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some plan could be devised to lift the crushing burden of its indebtedness and assure its con- tinuance.

"On this errand Professor Marden started for New England on Christmas eve, 1884. How un- pleasant and disheartening a task he had to face it is not difficult to conceive. The splendid heroism that illuminates the narratives of Dr. Kane and Nansen affords about the only adequate parallel that I can think of to the work done hy this unfaltering son of New Hampshire's granite hills. What he had to meet and to endure is best told in eloquent words of liis own, spoken seven- teen months later, on his return to Colorado: 'When I went east as your representative, the days were short, cold and dark. New England air was crisp and somewhat stinging with inter- rogation and exclamation points. I had often to rise and explain. Suspicion, prejudice and not a little of wholesome indignation and, what was worse, a frozen apathy in some high places, in- creased greatly tlie difficulties of a work which under the most favorable circumstances is not easy. One of the solid men of Boston said, "Mr. Marden has got the toughest job on his hands of any man I know." A large-hearted pastor con- fessed that he had so little hope that he hadn't courage enough to say "God bless you." One of my friends insisted that I was throwing myself away on the cause of Colorado College.' (Then this sentence, which marks the high-hearted and indomitable quality of the man) 'Well, I thought it was about as good a throw as I could make.'

"At the end of four months this gallant and tactful solicitor had received some $4,000. Then, with characteristic sagacity and shrewdness, while on the train to Newburyport on Decoration day, deeply meditating on the needs of the college and how to meet them most successfully, he devised the plan of finding one hundred persons who would each give $100 a year for five years, so providing for the institution an annual income of $10,000 a year for a-half decade, until it could get upon its feet. In thirty-four days he had placed twenty-six such shares, and in due time they were nearly all obtained.

"In this remarkable campaign Professor Mar- den exhibited faith, courage, patience, insight into human nature, skill and fertility in laying plans and ability in carrying them to a successful issue, which were the admiration of all who fol- lowed his career of conquest. He traveled thou- sands of miles. He made the acquaintance of

multitudes of generous men and women all the way from Maine to Michigan. He won their hearts by his gracious courtesy, their respect by his superb courage, their confidence by his con- scientious thrift and frugality, joined to his hard common sense and large wisdom. His addresses from pulpits and in lecture rooms awakened marked interest. Rev. John Lindsay Withrow, D. D., wrote from the Park Street Congregational Church of Boston to Dr. Storrs concerning Pro- fessor Marden: 'Up here we have learned that he is an exceptionally eloquent advocate of our work in the west. Of all we have had in Park street since I knew it, none made the impression that he did. He handled his great subject grandly.' Lyman Abbott wrote Henry Ward Beecher, urg- ing him to give Professor Marden a chance to speak in Plymouth Church, and saying. 'He has given me a better idea of the dimensions of the Mormon problem than I ever had before and of its true solution-education;' and when Professor Marden had spoken there, Dr. Abbott wrote again enthusiastically about his address. Dr. Gordon, of the Old South Church, speaks of one of his addresses as "Thorough, of great force, and im- pressively instructive.' One western college presi- dent wrote: 'I do not think the annals of the College Society show greater results for the same length of time.' Another wrote: 'I think you are securing more friends and future funds than any other officer of any other college.'

"In addition to his public addresses Professor Marden wrote considerably for the press. The most notable of these productions was an article contributed by request to the Christian Union February 21, 1884, and subsequently reprinted in pamphlet form, entitled "The Growth and Grip of Mormonism," which Dr. Lyman Abbott char- acterized, editorially, as the 'clearest account of the rise, development and present condition of Mormonism, and the secret of its power, that we have ever seen.' This article was so able aud attracted such wide attention that it may also be found reprinted in the proceedings of the national house of representatives, forty-eighth congress, first session (Rep't 1351 part 2). Professor Mar- den also contributed to a series of articles on "Our Western Colleges," published in the Ad- vance, one on Colorado College, which was pro- nounced the best of the series. In addition he made hundreds of visits and wrote thousands of letters to possible or actual benefactors of the college.

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"After a brief period of rest from his first suc- cessful campaign, in behalf of the college, Pro- fessor Marden returned to his task with redoubled hope and enthusiasm. It was apparent that in consequence of his labors the college was going to live. By the exceeding generosity of its early friends, who not only surrendered their claims against it, but poured fresh funds into its treasury, and by the help of many new friends who had been secured through his winsome personality and untiring efforts, the institution grew and prospered.

"In 1888 Mr. Marden rendered another signal service to Colorado in discovering, by his discern- ing and prescient eye, the right man to take the presidency of the college, in Rev. William F. Slocnt, at that time pastor of the First Con- gregational Church in Baltimore. Events have abundantly justified the wisdom of that choice. The institution at once entered upon a very re- markable career of steadily increasing prosperity. When President Slocum began his work, the number of students was very small. Ten years later there were two hundred students in the college, besides nearly a hundred more in the preparatory department. In that period, a presi- dent's house was bought, one hall for men and two for women, an observatory, a gymnasinm, and a library building were erected, and funds secured for a music and art building; an endow- ment fund of over $300,000 was secured and a faculty of over thirty instructors created, and both the college and the academy raised to a position among the foremost institutions of the kind in the country. In this great work those who knew what was going on behind the scenes are con- strained to say concerning Professor Marden, 'Magna pars fuit.' Not only in the most critical part of the history of the college, but for ten years thereafter, he largely contributed to the se- curing of the sinews of war. His efforts have al- ready resulted in placing more than $200,000 in the treasury of the college, and the end is not yet.

"When we reflect that 'Colorado is the key- stone of the Continental arch, with a position and resources that will always make it the em- pire state of the Rocky Mountains,' and that Colorado College is clearly destined to be to this vast region what Harvard has been to New Eng- land, the abiding importance of Professor Mar- den's work becomesapparent. He was the savior and to a large extent for many years the sus-

tainer of Colorado College. The words of Presi- dent Thwing in a private letter, written to Mr. Marden, were simple fact: 'You have brought forth life under the very ribs of death.' It is difficult to find words to express the honor and the praise which are due to this 'faithful serv- ant.' The words of the president of Colorado College, addressed in a private letter to Mr. Mar- den, constitute a fitting close to this sketch: ‘I believe in this college and nothing makes me believe in it more than you. Your faith is a constant inspiration to me.'''

AMES CLOPTON GATES. While the pe- riod of his residence in Hinsdale County has been comparatively brief, Mr. Gates has al- ready become well known among the people of this part of Colorado. On coming to this state, in February, 1898, he purchased the Lake City Times, a weekly newspaper, that was founded in 1891 by O. H. Knight, and that, under the vigor- ons policy which he has inaugurated, promises to become a prominent organ of the Democratic party. Himself an active Democrat, he wields an influence among the members of his party in this county. In November, 1898, he was elected justice of the peace, on the Democratic ticket, and January 10, 1899, he was appointed clerk of the district court by Judge Theron Stevens, and he has also served as depnty sheriff nnder J. W. Deck. At this writing he is chairman of the Democratic central committee.

The son of William Carey and Mary Booker (Michaels) Gates, the latter born and reared in Virginia, the former a native of Tennessee, our subject was born in Alton, Ill., June 25, 1870. He was educated in the Alton public schools and in Shurtleff College, a Baptist institution at Upper Alton, Il1., where he was a student for four years. His first employment was as freight brakeman on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, his headquarters being at Mattoon, Il1. He was promoted to be freight conductor in 1893, but soon afterward resigned his position with that company and entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, by whom he was soon made a local freight conductor. As president of the American Railway Union, he led the great strike in Roodhonse, Ill., in 1894. Afterward he did not apply for his former posi- tion again, but returned to the Cleveland, Cin- cinnati, Chicago & St. Louis road, and was soon made a passenger conductor. December 20, 1897,

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while walking through the freight yards, he in 1866, made Mr. Hagerman its manager. A slipped on the ice and was seriously injured. He then resolved never to enter the service of a rail- road company again. Thus terminated his ex- perience as a railroad man. While engaged in the occupation, he was a member of the Order of Railway Conductors and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. He is now identified with the Knights of Pythias and is grand sachem of the local tribe of Red Men. He has some mining interests, among which may be mentioned his connection with the Cracker Jack mine in Hins- dale County and the Piasa Bird Mining and Mill- ing Company in Saguache County. few years later he was made president of the company, and continued in that capacity until 1873, when he resigned. In company with a number of business men of Milwaukee he opened the iron mines in the Menominee district, in the northern peninsula of Michigan, and was elected president of the Menominee Mining Company, the largest organization of its kind in the state. He was the principal discoverer and became the principal owner of the Chapin mine, which was the largest producer of iron in the entire country, and which brought to its owners a large fortune. When, in 1883, the company sold its interest to the Cambria Iron Company for a large sum, he severed his connection with the iron mountains and went to Europe, in order that the change of scene might enable him to recuperate his health, which had been injured by the demands of a large business.

C AMES J. HAGERMAN, former president of the Colorado Midland Railway Company, and now president of the Pecos Valley & Northeastern Railway, is among the most suc- cessful and prominent citizens of Colorado Springs. Of Canadian birth, he is a descendant, in the third generation, from the founder of the family in America-a native of Hanover, Ger- many, who settled in Dutchess County, N. Y., and was engaged in agricultural pursuits on the shores of the Hudson River. During the Revolu- tionary war his sympathies were with the British government, and on that account he transferred his place of residence to Ontario, where he con- tinued a farmer until his death.

James P. Hagerman, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ontario, Canada, and removed from there to Michigan, settling near St. Clair, on the St. Clair River, where he pur- chased and improved a farm. Besides this, he had milling and other business interests. He continued to reside there until his death. His wife, Margaret Crawford, was born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch-Presbyterian descent, and, when a girl accompanied her parents to Canada, where much of her life was passed. Her death occurred in Colorado Springs in 1890. Of her three children only one survives, the subject of this sketch, who was born in Ontario in 1839. He was reared near St. Clair, Mich., and received his education in the University of Michigan at Ann Harbor, from which he graduated in 1861, with the degree of B. S.

The first employment secured by Mr. Hagerman was as purser on one of the Ward Line of steam- ers, from Buffalo to Chicago. He was a protege of Capt. E. B. Ward, a wealthy shipman, who, upon organizing the Milwaukee Iron Company

Returning to this country in 1884, Mr. Hager- man settled in Colorado Springs. He soon be- came interested in mining in Leadville and Aspen, and was the largest owner of the Mollie Gibson mine. The shaping of the policy that resulted in the building of the Colorado Midland Railroad was due to his wise business judgment and energy, and he was president of the con- pany at the time it was building from Colorado Springs to Aspen, and on to Glenwood. His large interests in other connections led him, in 1889, to resign the presidency of this road, and he was interested in and secured the sale of the road to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Rail- road Company.

About 1890 Mr. Hagerman became interested in the Pecos Valley of New Mexico, a section of country which he believed would prove most valuable by the securing of irrigation. He originated and became the head of large land and irrigation companies, and was also the pro- jector and builder of the Pecos Valley & North- eastern Railway, of which he is now president. To his energy and keen judgment is largely due the development of the resources of a valley formerly almost unknown, but now recognized as one of the most fertile valleys of the southwest. Besides his connection with the development of that valley, he is president of a number of min- ing companies, and at one time was president of the First National Bank of Colorado Springs, but his interest in other enterprises caused him to resign, in order that he might give them more

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thought and attention. For many years he has been a trustee of Colorado College, and his inter- est in this institution of learning is evinced by his gifts and contributions to various departments of the college.

One of the finest and largest business blocks in Colorado Springs is the Hagerman block, which was built by Mr. Hagerman in 1890 and is still owned by him. In this building he has his business office. His residence, on North Cascade avenue, is one of the finest in the city. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and as- sists in the various enterprises for the advance- ment of the city's business interests. While he votes the Republican ticket, he has never actively identified himself with public affairs, preferring to devote himself to his business. He is a mem- ber of the El Paso and Denver Clubs, the Uni- versity Club of New York and the Metropolitan Club of New York.

In Tecumseh, Mich., Mr. Hagerman married Miss Anna Osborne of that city. She is a daughter of Hon. William H. Osborne, a native of New York State and a pioneer farmer of Michigan ; he was in younger years quite active in public affairs and served with distinction in the state legislature, as well as in a number of local offices. He is still living in Tecumseh. Mr. and Mrs. Hagerman are the parents of two sons: Percy; and H. J., a graduate of Cornell and an attorney-at-law, who is now second secretary of the United States embassy in St. Petersburg,. Russia.

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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 16

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