Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 185

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 185

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In 1865 he started for Colorado. From St. Joe, Mo., he drove an ox-team to Denver, arriving there in August of that year. He began work- ing in the mines at Russell Gulch, and when they were closed in the fall he went to South Boulder,

where he spent the winter. In April of the fol- lowing year he came to Elbert County and for two years he worked in a sawmill. The next few years were spent in farming near Kiowa Creek. He then went to California Gulch, taking with him three mules, and worked at setting out ties. After his return to Elbert County he worked in a sawmill for a year, and then took up a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres on Comanche Creek. He is now the owner of fourteen hun- dred acres of land, well stocked with Shorthorn cattle. Politically he is a firm supporter of the Democratic party, and in 1873 he was elected sheriff, serving two consecutive terms, and was elected treasurer of Elbert County in 1883-85-95 and 1897. He has also been a delegate to county and state conventions.

HARLES F. LUTIN, who has resided in Colorado since 1872, came to Logan County in 1882 and pre-empted land four miles south of Merino. At once he began the improvement of the place, with a view to engaging in the sheep business. He bought a small flock, from which he gradually established a large and profitable business. In 1887 he invested in a bunch of cattle and has since followed the cattle industry, to which he now devotes his entire attention, having disposed of his sheep interests in 1897. He has increased his land holdings until he now has one thousand acres of ranch land, all of which is under ditch. This property and his herd of cattle represent his judicious and coii- tinued efforts, and cause him to rank among the substantial men of the county.

Mr. Lutin was born in Avoca, Wis., February 1, 1853, a son of Lucas and Mary Lutin. He was one of seven children and the fourth among six now living, the others being Louis, a farmer and stockman of Cozad, Neb .; Mary, the widow of John Carswell and a resident of Dixon, Wis .; Lucas, a real-estate agent of Pueblo, Colo. ; John, a ranchman and cattle-raiser of Logan County; and Elizabeth, who is the wife of Arthur Ochs- ner, of Dixon, Wis. The father was born in Baden, Germany, in 1811, and was there reared and married, and engaged in farming. In 1851 he emigrated to America, settling at Avoca, Wis., where at that time few improvements had been made, the surrounding country being in its primitive wildness. He took up a claim and built a house, after which he cleared and culti- vated a farm. He continued to reside in the same

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township (though not on the same farm) until his death, which occurred in 1882. His wife, a na- tive of Baden, born about 1819, died when forty- two years of age.

When nineteen years of age our subject came to Colorado. He landed in Denver July 7, 1872, with thirty-five cents in his pocket. Two days later his brother returned to Denver from a freighting trip and with his assistance our sub- ject secured a team of mules and a wagon and engaged in freighting, · which occupation he fol- lowed for four years, freighting between Denver and various mining camps (Georgetown, Fair- play, Alma, Como, Montezuma, Breckenridge, etc.). In the spring of 1876 he went to Sidney, Cheyenne County, and from there freighted to the Black Hills and the Red Cloud agency during the next two years. The Indians were exceed- ingly troublesome and he was constantly harassed by them. In 1877 a party of red men drove off his stock, but he succeeded in getting them back. In the spring of 1878, when the South Park and the Rio Grande Railroads were building, he went to Como and Colorado Springs, and freighted from these points to Leadville. While still con- tinuing as a freighter, in the summer of 1880 he and a partner engaged in burning charcoal, secur- ing a contract to furnish three thousand bushels a day. They built extensive furnaces and for eighteen months made money rapidly. Mr. Lutin then sold out his interest to his partner and in 1882 came to Logan County, settling upon the ranch where he has since resided. He is suc- ceeding in the cattle business, to which his time and thought are closely given, and in this industry, the most prominent in northeastern Colorado, has acquired a reputation for soundness of judgment and thorough information.

RED W. ARENBERG, mayor of Salida, Chaffee County, was born near Milwaukee, Wis., in 1858, a son of Henry and Sophie (Byers) Arenberg, natives respectively of Ger- many and Milwaukee. His father, who came to America in youth, conducted a brewery and also engaged in the flour mill business and followed the cooper's trade. Our subject, who was next to the eldest of four children, was educated in public schools of Wisconsin, and attended even- ing school while learning the trade of blacksmith and wagonmaker. For a time he followed his trade at Hartford, Wis. At nineteen years of age he went to Minnesota, and there, and later in

Iowa and Omaha, Neb., engaged in work at his trade.

Coming to Colorado in November, 1877, Mr. Arenberg spent a short time at Colorado Springs. In 1880 he started for the mountains, but stopped at Maysville, where he remained for three and one-half years. Returning to Wisconsin, he worked at his trade there for eighteen months, when he disposed of his business and returned to Colorado, settling in Salida. With faith in the future of this then little town, he determined to establish his permanent home here, and the re- sult has proved the wisdom of his judgment. Soon after his arrival here he bought a small building, and here he has since carried on busi- ness, building up a good patronage and gaining a reputation for the high quality of his work. He gives his personal attention to the entire busi- ness, but employs three men to assist in the work.

Politically a Democrat, Mr. Arenberg was chosen on that ticket as a member of the town council, and in the spring of 1898 was elected mayor. He has done much for the benefit of the town, and has erected a number of buildings here. In mining affairs he has been interested and has contributed toward the development of the mines of Chaffee County. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Lodge No. 56, A. F. & A. M. September 24, 1880, he married Martha Monroe, of Lowell, Mass., and they have two children, Earl and Edna.

C OSHUA S. BROWN, county commissioner of Archuleta County, came to this county in 1883, and after a few years in Pagosa Springs, homesteaded and pre-empted on a half-section of land twelve miles southeast of the village. Set- tling upon that tract he embarked in the business of a stock-raiser, which he has since carried on in connection with general farm pursuits. In the raising of stock he has made a specialty of Shorthorn cattle.

A son of George and Elizabeth (Leach) Brown, the subject of this sketch was born in Mahaska County, Iowa, in 1862. He was educated in public schools and remained in Iowa until he was twenty-one years of age, when he came to Colo- rado and established his home in Archuleta Coun- ty. He has led an industrious life and, as a re- sult of his perseverance and energy, has become well-to-do, his possessions in stock and land bringing him in a fair income. He has not mar-

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ried, but has been content to keep "old bache- lor's hall."

The Republican party receives the allegiance of Mr. Brown. Since 1890 he has served as county commissioner, having first been appointed to fill a vacancy from July up to the fall of 1889, and was elected in 1892, 1895 and 1898. In this office he has been instrumental in promoting local enterprises and has worked for the advancement of the county. In public-spirited affairs he has been a prime mover. For four years he was a member of the state committee, and in his county has for a decade been a leader of the party. In fraternal relations he is connected with Pagosa Camp No. 412, Woodmen of the World.

A LMON BURNS is one of the honored pio- neers of Colorado, having made his home in this state since 1859. He formed an in- timate acquaintance with the hardships and pri- vations of frontier life, but as the result of his in- dustry and resolution he now has a fine ranch situated on Fountain Creek, about twelve miles from Pueblo, in Pueblo County. It is all in the creek bottom and is well watered and fertile.

Mr. Burns was born January 4, 1826, in New York state, where he was reared, and was edu- cated in the public schools. At the age of twen- ty years he went to Wisconsin, with his family, and later became a resident of Illinois. He had four brothers, but all are now deceased. Of his three sisters who are still living, one, Mrs. Charles F. McCarty, is a resident of Pueblo.

In 1859 our subject came to Colorado, where he engaged in mining and prospecting in the mountains for some years. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the First Colorado I11- fantry, and for four years was in active service, participating in many battles with the Indians, and being stationed in Mexico a part of the time. By his comrades it is said that he was a valiant soldier, always at his post of duty, and that he never was reprimanded for any misdemeanor.

At the close of the war Mr. Burns settled upon his present ranch in Pueblo County, and was not long in transforming the wild land into highly cultivated fields. During these years he has al- ways dealt in stock, and has made a specialty of raising fine horses and cattle, but his life of toil has told upon his constitution, and he is now hardly able to attend to his business affairs, being afflicted with rheumatism. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, is a

good neighbor, and stands high in the community where he has so long made his home. He is one of the few now living who settled in this state as early as 1859, and his name belongs on the roll of honored pioneers.

AMUEL H. GOLDSMITH is engaged in farming and stock-raising on the north side of the Arkansas River, three miles from Pueblo, where he has a valuable homestead, with good improvements and all the modern acces- sories of agriculture. Almost his entire life has been passed upon the place where he now resides, and he is therefore familiar with the methods of farming best adapted to the soil. He is a young inan of energy and application and is succeeding admirably in his work as a stock-raiser and gen- eral farmer.

On the farm which he now owns the subject of this sketch was born in 1866. He is a son of Henry Goldsmith, who was born on the Rhine River in Germany and in 1849 came to Colorado, settling in Denver. From there he removed to Pueblo County in 1861 and entered the land where he afterward resided. The place had no improvements whatever, but under his intel- ligent oversight the land was placed under culti- vation, a substantial house and barn were built, and other necessary improvements were made. He was not spared to enjoy the fruits of his labors, but died in 1872, while in middle age. His wife was born in the same place as himself and died on the home farm in Pueblo County in 1894. She left a son and daughter, the latter, Mrs. N. Weil, being now a resident of New Mexico.

Reared on the home farm, Mr. Goldsmith re- ceived his education here and in Denver. For some time he was engaged in business in Denver, but three years after the death of his mother, he re- turned to the homestead, where he now deals in stock and engages in raising various farm - products. He is a Republican in politics, and is now serving as deputy county assessor. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. He was married in 1895 and has one son, Ernest.

HARLES H. DEGRAFF. Farming and stock-raising have formed the chief occupa- tion of Mr. Degraff, and the energetic man- ner in which he has taken advantage of every method that would enhance the value of his prop-

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erty, proves him to be a man of excellent judg- ment and great enterprise. In 1887 he bought three hundred and twenty acres on section 30, township 16, range 65 west, near the city of Colo- rado Springs. Later, by additional purchase, he became the owner of ten hundred and twenty- seven acres. His present possessions have been accumulated since he came to this state, as at that time he had no capital.

Our subject was born in Woodstock, Ulster County, N. Y., August 13, 1861, a son of Ben- jamin and Eliza J. (Hardenburg) Degraff. He was reared on a farm and received a common school education. In 1881 he came to Colorado. For four years he worked in the employ of his uncle, David Degraff, after which he rented the latter's farm for a year. With the money he saved during these five years he invested in property, comprising a part of his present ranch.

In Columbia County, N. Y., March 3, 1886, Mr. Degraff married Miss Catharine Elting, who was born in that county. Two children, Clyde and Frank, bless this union. As a worthy repre- setitative of the farmers of El Paso County, Mr. Degraff is highly respected wherever known1. By a course of industry and good management he has laid the foundation of a very valuable prop- erty, and his land indicates to what good pur- pose he is laboring.

ON. JAMES F. GARDNER, of Castle Rock, Douglas County, was residing in Nebraska at the time of the discovery of gold in Pike's Peak. In company with William B. Beck and George M. Chilcott (who later represented Colo- rado in congress and in the United States senate) he spent two months on the road to Colorado, mak- ing the trip with an ox-team. He started west March 15, 1859, and on his arrival in the moun- tains engaged in prospecting until illness tem- porarily interrupted work of all kinds. In Nov- ember, 1859, he came to what is now Douglas County, and here he engaged in contracting for logging for a mill until August, 1864, when the mill was closed, on account of the Indian out- break. He was chosen commander of a military company that was organized, and through appli- cation to the governor, secured arıns for the men. A stockade of logs was built, in which the settlers remained from August to November.

While there Mr. Gardner was sent for by Colonel Shoup, of Denver, who made the proposi- tion that if he would enlist the men into a regi-

ment, such as preferred to go could do so, and the others could remain to guard their homes. Mr. Gardner enlisted the men and took them to Camp Wheeler, where they remained until December, serving one hundred days, with himself as com- missary sergeant. In December, 1864, on being mustered out, he returned on a visit to New York state, where he remained until July of the following year. He then came back to Cali- fornia ranch and bought the land, with the large hotel. The travel along the road was enormous, sometimes as many as one hundred teams going by in a single day. He was successful in the hotel business, which he followed until 1867. In the meantime he acted as agent for the Denver & Santa Fe Stage Company. In 1882 he received from President Arthur a commission as Indian commissioner for the confederated bands of Ute Indians, and was one of five who settled the In- dians on their reservation. The work was com- pleted in a year. In October, 1883, he was ap- pointed Indian agent with headquarters at the reservation in Utah, where he remained for three years.

Though reared a Democrat, Mr. Gardner early espoused the cause of the Republican party. In 1862, when Douglas County was organized, he was appointed the first county clerk and served for a year. In 1863 he was elected county treas- urer. At the expiration of his term he was elected to the territorial legislature and served for two years, after which he served one term as county treasurer. In 1872 he was again elected to the legislature, and in the fall of 1876 was chosen state senator, which position he filled for four years. From 1888 to 1892 he was again a member of the senate and in 1896 was elected to the lower house. During his service in the legis- lature he took part in the election of United States senators seven times. He also served as chairman of a number of important committees and as a member of others.

G ILBERT H. DOWNER, clerk of the district court for Prowers County and for some years past a resident of Lamar, holds a high place in the regard of those among whom he has made his home. The education which he obtained was largely acquired through his own exertions, for by his own industry and perseverance he defrayed his college expenses and secured a start in the world.

A son of T. C. and Margaret E. (Holmes)

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Downer, the subject of this sketch was born in Ohio County, W. Va., October 16, 1860. Until fourteen years of age he resided in Virginia and Ohio. In 1875 he accompanied the family to Buf- falo County, Neb., and settled upon a farm, where he made a heroic effort to clear and culti- vate a tract of land, but the plague of grasshop- pers proved too great an evil to be overcome. After a year he went to Page County, Iowa, and with his parents settled upon a farm, where he remained for ten years. In 1886 he came to Lamar, then just started. In a short time he proceeded to La Junta, where he obtained a posi- tion as cashier of the Bank of Commerce. From there in 1891 he went to Denver, and was en1- ployed by a real-estate firm in that city for one year.

At Hutchinson, Kan., April 7, 1892, Mr. Downer married Miss Josephine Stahl, a native of Ohio. Five children comprise their family, Bonita, Marguerite, May, Raymond and Marian. Since his marriage Mr. Downer has resided in Lamar, where, in 1895, he was appointed to the office he has since satisfactorily filled.

When he was a boy he had such advantages as the common schools afforded. Desirous of ac- quiring a more extended knowledge, he entered the high school at Shenandoah, Page County, Iowa, and continued there until shortly before the time for graduation. He then left school and entered the Western Normal College at Shenan- doah, where he took the regular course and re- mained for three years, graduating in 1886, as valedictorian of his class. In order to assist in the defraying of his college expenses he taught for two years, but the work was not congenial, and he gave it up for other enterprises. In fra- ternal relations he is connected with Lamar Camp No. 36, Woodmen of the World.'

DWARD A. THEOBOLD, member of the firm of Moon & Theobold, dealers in meats and market produce at Breckenridge, Sum- mit County, and a rising young business man of this city, was born in Honesdale, Wayne County, Pa., September 25, 1873, a son of Adam and Theresa (Vogel) Theobold. He was one of twelve children, all but three of whom are living. His father was a native of Germany, born in 1833, and in early manhood emigrated to the United States, settling in Honesdale, Pa., where he established and prosperously conducted a hardware business. After a long and active

business life he retired in 1896, disposing of his business interests, and since then he has, in leis- ure, and surrounded by every comfort, been en- joying the fruits of his many years of business activity.

Upon the completion of his education, at eight- een years of age, the subject of this sketch left home and began in the world for himself. He had no capital, but was so energetic, enterprising and determined that success could safely be pre- dicted of him. Coming to Colorado, he arrived in Denver April 10, 1891. In that city he se- cured employment with H. E. Potter, a market- man, but remained in that market for only thirty days. He accepted a position in Idaho Springs, where he was connected with a meat market for more than six months. From that place he came to Breckenridge and here he has since made his home. November 1, 1898, he formed a partner- ship with George E. Moon in the meat business, and began his business career as a member of this enterprising firm. He is one of the prom- ising young men of Breckenridge and has many friends among the people of this city.

EORGE FIEDLER, assessor of Summit County and since 1894 a resident of Breck- enridge, was born in Rochester, N. Y., June 21, 1855, a son of Moritz and Henrietta (Korn), Fiedler, natives of Germany. He was the eldest of eleven children, of whom nine besides himself are living, viz .: Mary, Emma, Caroline, Charles J., Henrietta, Anna, Frederick H., Theodore P. and Laura. The father, who was born in 1833, learned the trades of carpenter and cabinet-maker in his youth. In 1854 he emigrated to America and settled in Rochester, N. Y., where he fol- lowed his trade of carpenter, continuing to reside in that city until his death, in 1886. His wife, who was born in 1832, came to America on the same vessel with Mr. Fiedler and shortly after reaching this country was married to him. She is still living and occupies the old homestead in Rochester.

When thirteen years of age our subject began to earn his livelihood. At thirteen years of age he entered a paper mill in Rochester, where he worked hard, receiving in return a small salary. His earnings were contributed to the support of the family. After a year in the mill he became an employe of one of the shoe manufacturers of Rochester. During the ten years that followed he was employed much of the time in this line of

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work. With a desire to better his condition he decided to come west. In the spring of 1879 he went to Kansas, where he spent six months on a stock ranch in Coffey County. In the fall of the same year he came to Colorado. During the winter he was employed in the Union Pacific freight depot in Denver. From there, in the spring of 1880, he proceeded to Montezuma, where he began prospecting. The winter that followed he spent in Denver, returning in the spring to Montezuma, where he resumed pros- pecting and mining, and he has continued inter- ested in mining to the present time. From 1886 to 1890 he was engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Montezuma. In 1884 he was appointed assistant postmaster and afterward was given the position of postmaster, which he held until 1891. In 1894 he moved his place of residence from Montezuma to Breckenridge.

Interested in local affairs, Mr. Fiedler is a lead- ing representative of the Democratic party in his town. Upon the party ticket he has been elected to various offices. For two terms he was a mem- ber of the town board of Montezuma. For twelve years he has filled the position of notary public, and for many years he served as a member of the school board. During the fall of 1897 he received election to the office of assessor, which he has since filled to the satisfaction of the people. He is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of Amer- ica and is a loyal and law-abiding citizen of his country. About the time of his location in Breckenridge he was married, August 1, 1894, to Miss Delia Kostbahn, of Rochester, N. Y.

RANK EDBROOKE. The farm which is owned and operated by Mr. Edbrooke lies on section 22, township 22, range 50 west, - and is six miles northwest of the village of Cad- doa, Bent County. Since he established his home here in 1888 he has made many valuable im- provements. A portion of the property was se- cured by pre-emption, the remainder by pur- chase or as a homestead, and at the time of set- tling on the place no improvements whatever had been made. He now has water rights under the Fort Lyon ditch, and has erected the build- ings that are necessary for the proper conduct of the farm. In connection with the raising of farm products he has given considerable attention to stock, and has a fine herd of Polled-Angns thor- oughbred cattle, in the raising of which he has met with encouraging success.

The son of William and Sarah (Clarke) Ed- brooke, the subject of this sketch was born in Somersetshire, England, July 11, 1861. His boyhood years were uneventfully passed in his native shire, where he received such advantages as the common schools afforded. At the age of twenty-three, having resolved to seek a home in America, he crossed the ocean and after a voyage of ten days landed in New York. From there he went to Texas, where he was employed in the stock business for two years. He first saw Colo- rado in 1886, and here he has since made his home, believing that no state in the Union can surpass the Centennial state in wealth of unde- veloped resources. After having worked for two years in the employ of others, he took up a pre- emption and homestead and also bought some land, the whole comprising his present ranch. He is a hardworking man, with the perseverance that, combined with good judgment, almost in- variably brings the possessor success.

While Mr. Edbrooke has never identified him- self with public affairs and has never sought nor desired public office, he is nevertheless interested in all matters affecting the welfare of our coun- try, and especially such as pertain to the pros- perity of the farmers of southeastern Colorado. He gives his vote in support of the principles for which the Democratic party stands. In fraternal relations he is connected with Elder Lodge No. 11, I. O. O. F.

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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 185

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