Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 188

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 188

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In the summers of 1868 and 1869 Mr. Rich had charge of a mine at Washington Gulch. In 1870 he contracted and built the river road lead- ing from Pine Creek. In the summer of 1871 he mined on the west bank of Cash Creek. In the fall of 1871 he finished the section of the river road from Granite to Lake City. Afterward he went to California Gulch and worked in the Printer Boy Mine. In the spring of 1872 he went down near Salida, where ten years before he had discovered a copper mine, and there for eighteen months he worked the mine. A severe attack of pneumonia incapacitated him from working in the mine. In the fall of 1873 he returned to Cash Creek and took charge of the night shift on the placer mine, while his wife carried on a dairy. Here he spent the summers until 1877, the in- tervening winters being spent in the valleys. In 1877 he and his wife went to the Black Hills, starting in March and returning in July, $140 in debt. From the Ist of August until October he was employed on the Weston Pass toll road, and then came down to his present location at the mouth of the pass and began gathering logs for the building known as Platte station, in the em- ploy of the St. Louis Company. In 1878, 1879 and 1880, he had charge of the toll road and transfer business here and carried on the stage hotel. In 1880 the toll road was abandoned. He then purchased from the company three hundred and twenty acres of land and all the buildings, and soon afterward purchased four hundred and

sixty-eight head of cattle, with which he engaged in the cattle business. Later he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres and pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres, making his ranch a section in extent. In 1881 he began to invest in and develop mining property in Weston Pass, and in the following years he spent many thousands of dollars in the development of the mineral re- sources of this district.

January 2, 1865, Mr. Rich married Miss Loretta Shields, a native of Davenport, Iowa, and a daughter of Richard and Nancy (McGuire) Shields. Her father, a native of County Tip- perary, Ireland, came to this country in time to vote for President Jackson. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. In 1859 he crossed the plains with ox-teams, in company with Dave and Will Stout, brothers of Pink Stout, one of the founders of Denver. His wife, on account of her discovery of gold in Nevada Gulch, was the only woman awarded the privilege of voting in the mining camps of those early days. She was of Scotch parentage, was born in Nova Scotia, and is now making her home in Cripple Creek. Mr. Shields was one of the typical pioneer miners of Colorado. He owned the richest claim in Nevada Gulch, and his wife panned the first gold ever taken out of this gulch. During the summer of the discovery he took out $30,000 in gold. He had valuable mining property in Gilpin County. While he made much money from mines, he de- voted it to the development of other mining prop- erty, and in that way assisted largely in the de- veloping of the state's mineral resources. Dur- ing the Civil war he enlisted at Central City and for a short time served as recruiting officer, after which he was honorably discharged. His death occurred in Leadville in 1893, when he was ninety- five years of age. This is especially remarkable when it is considered that on starting for Colo- rado he was so ill that he had to be carried to the wagon and it was supposed by everyone that consumption would soon terminate his life.

In all of Mr. Rich's enterprises he has received the cordial co-operation of his wife, who has been a most efficient counselor and helpmate. They became the parents of two sons, the elder of whom, Nathaniel A., was born October 18, 1865, and died January 14, 1883. The younger, James W., was born September 19, 1867, and is now engaged in mining at Weston Pass.

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ILLIAM R. SMETHERS, former super- intendent of schools of Las Animas County and a successful educator, has made Trin- idad his home since 1894. He is of southern birth and parentage. His father, Philip Smethers, was born in Tennessee and from there removed to In- diana about 1850, settling upon a farm where he spent the remaining years of his life. He was a man of great energy and force of character, and had he been spared to old age, would undoubt- edly have attained wealth; but he died in 1863, when forty-two years of age. By his marriage to Catherine Welty, of Tennessee, he had three children: John, of Indiana; William R., who was born in eastern Tennessee in 1845; and Barbara, who is the wife of Thomas Steele, a prosperous farmer of Kansas. The mother still occupies the old Indiana homestead.

In 1863 our subject enlisted in Company E, Eighth Indiana Cavalry, and served until the close of the war under Major-General Kilpatrick, assigned to the army of the Cumberland. He took part in the siege of Atlanta, and during the southern campaign was in skirmishes or engage- ments almost daily, but was never wounded. He accompanied Sherman on his march through Georgia to the sea, and was mustered out at Dur- ham Station, in North Carolina, in 1865.

Returning home, Mr. Smethers resumed his studies in the high school. After graduating he commenced to teach, in which occupation he con- tinued in Indiana until 1886, meantime becoming known as a successful instructor and well-in- formed man. On coming to Colorado he accepted a position as principal of the public schools of Starkville, where he remained for eight years. In 1893, upon the Republican ticket, he was elected county superintendent of the public schools and the following year moved to Trinidad. His administration of the office was of such a nature as to reflect credit upon his own abilities, and materially advance the welfare of the schools. Having the advantage of years of successful ex- perience as a teacher, he was especially qualified to understand the needs of schools and the diffi- culties with which teachers have to contend. It has been his aim to keep posted concerning the latest improvements in the educational world, and, with this object in view, he has been a close student of educational journals and literature. He has also kept himself informed concerning the world's advance along every line of thought and discovery,

In 1875 Mr. Smethers married Miss Kate B. Barrett, daughter of a prominent physician in Franklin County, Ind. She is a lady of ability and in girlhood had excellent school advantages. Both in Indiana and Colorado she has engaged in teaching, and for eight years was employed in the schools of Starkville, of which Mr. Smethers was principal. They are the parents of one child, Gertrude M., who was deputy superintendent of public schools during her father's term of four years. Fraternally Mr. Smethers is connected with Las Animas Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M., and he is also a member of Canby Post, G. A. R.

OSE BENDICTO MARTINEZ, whose stock ranch is situated in Archuleta County, was born in Taos County, N.M., in 1853. The first nineteen years of his life were passed on a ranch in New Mexico. When he started out for him- self he had no money, and his present prosperous circumstances are due to his energy and persever- ance. In 1874 he settled in La Plata County, Colo., and engaged in farming and stock-raising near Durango, also freighted from that city to the mines. The year 1879 found him in Archu- leta County, where he homesteaded a quarter- section of land northwest of Pagosa Springs, and upon that place he engaged in farming and stock- raising. In 1884 he rented the ranch and re- turned to Durango, where he remained at his former homestead until 1893. During that year he disposed of his interests in La Plata County and returned to Archuleta County, settling on his former ranch, and also buying another quarter- section near. He is now the owner of three hun- dred and twenty acres in one ranch, and here he is engaged in the breeding of sheep, cattle and horses. At times he has as many as twenty- seven thousand sheep in his herd.

Since coming to this county Mr. Martinez has been active in the local Republican party. In 1886 he was elected county commissioner and two years later was elected for a term of three years, during which time he acted as chairman of the board. When Archuleta was cut off from Conejos in 1885, he was instrumental in securing the division. For five years he was chairman of the county Republican committee. He is an active member of the Farmers' Alliance, the Order of the Golden Chain at Durango, and Pagosa Camp No. 412, Woodmen of the World.

The marriage of Mr. Martinez, in 1870, united him with Marie L. Valdez. They have eight

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children, all of whom have been given good English educations, and the older daughter, Jennie, is a successful teacher in the Durango schools. The oldest son, Joseph T., is a grad- uate of the Jesuit College in Denver. The sons are energetic ranchmen and have been dealing in stock with success. The total landed posses- sions of the family aggregate eleven hundred and twenty acres, divided into seven ranches, the whole forming a valuable property.

YNN S. ATKINSON, one of the rising young business men of Colorado Springs, has been familiar with contracting and building from a very early age, and under the instruction of his father gained a thorough knowl- edge of the business which he now successfully follows. For some time he was in partnership with his father, and during that period he made all estimates and managed the finances. Among the contracts filled by the firm were those for the State School for Deaf and Blind, the State Normal School at Greeley, the Alta Vista Hotel, Ronse block, Aurora (Neb.) courthouse, Fullerton (Neb.) courthouse, Lancaster (Mo.) courthouse, DeGraff building in Colorado Springs, Catholic Church here, high school and a business block at Pocotello, Idaho, and Columbia school in Colo- rado Springs. Upon the different jobs as many as one hundred and fifty men were given employ- ment.

The history of the Atkinson family is presented in the sketch of George W. Atkinson, our sub- ject's father, upon another page. Lynn S. was born in Freeport, Armstrong County, Pa., Decem- ber 2, 1864, and received a public school educa- tion. In 1882 he removed with his parents to Beatrice, Neb., where he attended the high school, graduating in 1884. Meantime, however, he had gained a thorough knowledge of the mason and bricklayer's trade and was drawing good wages for his work. In 1885 he entered the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where he was a student for a year, his intention being to complete the regular course, but he became interested in con- tracting and decided to leave college. In 1886 he went to California and for a year worked in Los Angeles, San Diego and Pasadena. In 1887 he came to Colorado Springs, where lie became a member of the firm of G. W. Atkinson & Sons, but in 1893 the partnership was dissolved, and for a few years he was a partner of his brother,

W. W. Since 1897 he has been alone. He has his office at No. 1532 East Kiowa street.

In Kokomo, Ind., Mr. Atkinson married Miss Mary Marks, who was born in Urbana, Ill., a daughter of J. O. Marks, who was engaged in the agricultural implement business at Kokomo. Mr. Atkinson has one son, Lynn S., Jr. In poli- tics he is a Republican. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America, Tejon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Chapter No. 6, R. A. M., P. P. Commandery No. 6, K. T., and El Jebel Temple, N. M. S., of Denver.

NESTOR ORTIZ resides in the village of Ortiz, Conejos County, of which he was the founder and which is named in his honor. He was born in New Mexico in 1843 and contin- ued to reside there until 1871, at which time he removed to the San Luis Valley. Settling in Conejos County, he built up the little town of Ortiz, where, in 1874, he opened a general store, and this business he has since successfully con- ducted. He is also the owner of a ranch of five hundred acres, where he raises sheep, cattle and horses. Not only is he one of the largest stock dealers in the county, but he is also extensively engaged in the buying and selling of wool.

When the postoffice was established at Ortiz, our subject was made postmaster in 1891 and this position he has since filled. He is a strong Re- publican in political belief, and for some time served as county commissioner, but has usually refused nomination for public offices. However, he is deeply interested in everything that bears upon the local welfare and is the leader of his community in all public-spirited enterprises. In addition to his other interests he carries on a real- estate and loan business. He is said by many to be the wealthiest man in Conejos County, and certainly it is true that he lias met with unusual success in all of his undertakings.

REDERICK ORTIZ is engaged in the mer- cantile business at Ortiz, Conejos County. In 1882 he came from New Mexico, where he was born, to Colorado, joining his brother, who was a business man of Ortiz. Here, in 1885, he embarked in business for himself, and is now the proprietor of the next to the largest general store in the town. Besides this he is the owner of a ranch of five hundred acres in Conejos County, upon which he is engaged in stock-raising. On his place he keeps about fifty horses and four

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thousand sheep, and makes a specialty of sheep- raising. He is also interested in the mercantile business in New Mexico.

A believer in the policy of the Republican party, Mr. Ortiz supports its candidates by his vote and lends his influence to all beneficial ob- jects. He has erected a number of buildings in his town, among them being the neat residence which he occupies. In 1885 he was united in mar- riage with Maria Antonia Salazar, and they are the parents of five children.

OSWELL P. SHOEMAKER is intimately connected with the ranching interests of Park County, where he owns eight hundred acres of land and devotes his attention to cattle- raising and haying. He is a man of progressive ideas, of more than ordinary intelligence, and possesses a nature which for genial kindness is unexcelled. By reason of his personal qualities, he is one of the successful ranchmen of the county.

Mr. Shoemaker and his brother, Samuel F., are the only survivors of the eight children comprising the family of Asa and Elizabeth (Blodgett) Shoemaker. His father was born and reared in Elmira, N. Y., and there married Miss Blodgett, a native of Connecticut. About 1829 he removed to Ohio and settled on the state road near Harrisburg. From there, in 1852, he removed to Indiana and settled near Columbia City, where he engaged in lumbering and timber- ing, and was also extensively interested in trad- ing with the Indians., His death occurred shortly after his removal to Indiana. At that time the children were small, our subject, who was born in Ohio March 20, 1849, being then four years of age. The mother kept the family together until she passed away, nine years later. Our subject was then taken into the home of a sister, with whom he remained for two years, and while there he attended the public schools. Later he joined his oldest brother in Iowa and spent one season in that state.

The fall of 1864 found Mr. Shoemaker in Den- ver, Colo. He secured employment at sawmill work, for which he was fitted by his experience with engines in his boyhood. As he grew older and stronger, he began work as sawyer, and for fifteen years followed that business through New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado. He has seen much of the growth of the west, through which he has traveled extensively. During the building

boom in Leadville he was employed in that town. In the latter part of the '6os he was in Denver when that city was building so rapidly; he was near Cheyenne and Fort Russell, Wyo., during the building of these places, as well as Elizabeth- town, N. M., during its boom days.

In 1872 he settled on the South Platte River, fifteen miles south of Fairplay. From that time until 1885 he was closely connected in his ranch- ing interests and sawmill business with that sturdy pioneer, J. D. Parmelee, and the latter's son. In 1879 they retired from the sawmill busi- ness and afterward conducted a shingle, lath and planing mill in Leadville, cutting timber from the principal streets of that city, which they made into shingles. Since 1885 Mr. Shoemaker has given his attention to raising cattle and the haying business. He is a friend of the public- school system and for many years has been a member of the school board.

In 1876 Mr. Shoemaker married Miss Emma Adeline, daughter of J. D. Parmelee. Five chil- dren were born of their union, three of whom are living, Anna Maud, Ralph Parmelee and Bertha Adeline.

OHN RADFORD, who resides twelve miles south of Fairplay and owns important ranch- ing interests in Park County, was born in Somersetshire, England, October 16, 1834, a son of Francis and Jane (Smith) Radford. He and his sister, Louisa, widow of Thomas Day, and a resident of Somersetshire, are the only survivors of a family of ten children. His father, who spent his entire life in Somersetshire, was a sub- stantial farmer and a highly esteemed man. .

Acquiring his education in common schools and spending his leisure hours on the home farm, our subject grew to manhood. For years he assisted his father in the cultivation of the estate. At twenty-seven years of age he rented one hundred and fifty acres and began to farm independently. For seven years he cultivated the same place, after which he rented a farm of three hundred and fifty acres. He prospered until 1878, when he met with a series of reverses, and gave up the farm, afterward buying and selling cattle and en- gaging in various enterprises.

In 1885 Mr. Radford came to America, landing in New York on the 14th of February of that year. From there he went to Milwaukee, where he visited a brother for a week. He then pro- ceeded to Colorado, and settled in Park County

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near his present home. Here he has since given his attention to cattle-raising. His ranch is one of four hundred and eighty acres, while he rents twelve hundred acres of additional land, over which his cattle range.

The first marriage of Mr. Radford united him with Miss Salina Lovelace, by whom he had two children: Francis W., who has a profitable cleri- cal position in London, England; and John E., a ranchman of Park County, Colo. His second marriage took place in 1867 and united him with Miss Ellen Harman, by whom he has four chil- dren, namely: Henry M., who is foreman of the Hock Hocking mine; Emeline E., wife of Will- iam Hill, of Fairplay; Rosalie E., Mrs. Joseph Clugston; and May E., at home. All of the sons and the two eldest daughters were educated in London, England, and were given excellent advantages, it being the desire of their father that they might be fitted for responsible and honor- able positions in the business and social world.

) HARLES G. VOLZ, the owner of a ranch of six hundred and forty acres situated near Jefferson, Park County, was born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, August 27, 1852, a son of Philip and Rosina (Kern) Volz. Of nine children originally comprising the parental family, only three besides himself are now living. His father was a native of Baden, Germany, born in 1818, and in 1837 emigrated to the United States, set- tling in Cincinnati, where he remained until his death fifty-three years later. Some time during the '4os he established a dairy, which he con- ducted until 1864. Afterward he engaged in the grocery business until about 1888, when he re- tired from active labors.

Until twenty-three years of age our subject re- mained beneath the parental roof. When a young man he came to Colorado. With a determina- tion to succeed, he followed any occupation that afforded an honest livelihood. During his first summer here he worked in Denver, Caribou, and at Georgia Gulch. Late in the fall he went into Platte Canon, where he worked on the South Park Railroad, then in course of construction. During the latter part of November he returned to Denver, from which city he proceeded to the foot hills near Morrison and there found employ- ment on a ranch. In May of the following year he went to Summit County, and spent much of the summer at Georgia Gulch, but in August began to work on the Colorado Central Railroad

near Fort Collins. After a short time he went back to Denver, bought a team and began haul- ing lumber on the divide. In May, 1878, he came to Park County and took up a portion of his present ranch, five miles west of Jefferson. A month later he began freighting from Morrison; later he was similarly engaged from Pine Grove to Leadville and intermediate points. Returning to his ranch in the spring of 1879, he made a number of improvements preparatory to irriga- tion. His next place of work was Leadville, and later he sank a tunnel in Tarryall, also gave con- siderable attention to prospecting. In the spring of 1880 he returned to his ranch and has since devoted himself to its cultivation and improve- ment.

Miss Sophia Cook, a native of Ripley County, Ind., became the wife of Mr. Volz May 1, 1883, and two children bless their union, Magdalene R. and Louisa M. In fraternal relations Mr. Volz is identified with Como Lodge No. 17, A. O. U. W., and Lincoln Legion No. 22, Select Knights of the Kansas Division.

C. JOHNSTON, a well-known citizen of Colorado Springs, came to this city . in 1891 and engaged in the real-estate, building and contracting business, as a member of the firm of Johnston & McClintock. Since that time he has built ninety dwellings, either on contracts for others, or for himself to be placed on sale. Besides the residences erected by him, he has had contracts for many large public build- ings, among them the Temple Theater, Unitarian Church, Country Club and the girl's hall at the School for the Education of the Deaf and Blind. He has also carried on a loan and insurance business.

Our subject's father, Andrew Johnston, was born in Scotland, and in early life emigrated to the United States, settling in Meigs County, Ohio, and later going to Cleveland, where he bought and sold real estate. At the opening of the Civil war he raised a company of which he was made captain and which became a part of the Forty- fourth Ohio Infantry. After having served for a short time he was raised to the rank of major in recognition of his meritorious service. At Gettys- burg he was in command of a regiment on the right wing of the army and was ordered to take a battery belonging to the enemy. He and his men made a heroic assault, but in the attempt every one of the men perished. He was then

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forty-eight years of age. His wife, Mary (Clark) Johnston, who was born in Ohio, of Scotch de- scent, is still living and makes her home at Clin- ton, Iowa. They were the parents of five sons and one daughter, as follows: James, who was a member of the regiment his father commanded and was killed at Gettysburg; George, Andrew, Frank, W. C., and Mrs. Ross, of Clinton, Iowa.

The subject of this sketch was born in Cleve- land, Ohio, August 24, 1861. After the death of his father, his mother returned to Meigs Coun- ty, and there he attended the public schools. In 1872 he accompanied the family to Iowa, settling near Dubuque, where he was apprenticed to the cooper's trade. At the expiration of three years, upon finishing his trade, he went to Minneapolis, where he worked at the trade and also attended the high school. After two years he went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he attended school. Later he was with the Morris Bridge Company, of Youngtown, Ohio, and assisted in the con- struction of bridges in their western division. He was with this company for eight years, the last three years being their traveling contract agent, during which time he traveled over the entire west, with the exception of California. At the time he made his first trip to Colorado he visited Leadville, then in the height of its "boom." For one year he was engaged as fore- man of construction of bridges between Colorado Springs and Leadville for the bridge company, during the construction of the Colorado Midland Railroad. While filling this position he received injuries that caused him to resign. He went to Omaha, where he recuperated, and from there in 1891 removed to Colorado Springs. While in Iowa he was identified with the Sons of Veterans. He is an active member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church and the Young Men's Christian Association. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

C OHN A. FARNSWORTH, M. D., who is a rising and skillful physician and surgeon residing in Fort Morgan, was born near To- ronto, Canada, on the 4th of July, 1869, being a son of J. H. and Mary J. (Anderson ) Farnsworth, of whom mention is made in the sketch of J. B. Farnsworth, presented elsewhere. The common schools afforded our subject a fair education, which was increased by his habits of careful read- ing and study. Much of his time was given to the management of the stock interests on his

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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 188

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