Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 189

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 189

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father's ranch in Colorado, and it was not until he was about twenty-three that the way was opened for him to commence the study of medi- cine. For some time he .carried on his studies under private preceptorship. In 1894 he matricu- lated in the medical department of the Denver University, where he took the regular course of studies for two years. The senior studies he took in the State University of Colorado, from which he graduated both in allopathy and homeopathy.

Upon completing his medical education, Dr. Farnsworth went to Gilpin County, where he opened an office and began to practice his profes- sion at Apex .. Some six months later, in Febru- ary, 1898, he removed to Fort Morgan, and es- tablished his present growing and important practice. While he has been here for a compara- tively short time only, he has already met with success, and is known as a progressive physician. In his practice he is thoroughly up-to-date, and it is his ambition to keep abreast of the times in the rapid advancement and development of the medi- cal profession. Politically he is a believer in Re- publican principles, and fraternally holds mem- bership in Fort Morgan Camp No. 192, Woodmen of the World, June 16, 1898, he married Miss Mary J. Dace, daughter of J. M. Dace, a pioneer of Colorado and a business man of Denver.

ON. JAMES CASTELLO, a pioneer of Colo- rado, was born and reared upon a farm in Pennsylvania and in early manhood re- moved to Missouri, settling near St. Louis, and becoming interested in the mercantile business. Later he engaged in lead mining at Mineral Point, Wis., and vicinity. He was married in Wisconsin in 1838 to Catherine Hughes, a native of Ohio and in girlhood a resident of Illinois. In 1846 he returned to St. Louis, where he engaged in farming near the city. A man of prominence in his community, he was elected sheriff in 1857 and at other times held various local positions.

During the summer of 1858 one of Mr. Cas- tello's sons had come to Colorado, and in 1860 he crossed the plains, intending to settle in the west. Going to Nevadaville, he engaged in inin- ing for one year, after which he was similarly in- terested in Fairplay, Park County. At the same time he carried on a hotel business there until 1868. His family had joined him in 1863. In 1870 he removed to El Paso County, where he founded the town of Florissant, named in honor of his former home town in Missouri. There he

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started the first store, which he conducted in con- nection with ranching.

For one term, during his residence in Park County, Mr. Castello served as county judge. In 1865 he was a member of the first state senate of Colorado, which met in Golden in December of that year, and then adjourned to meet in Denver. However, the proceedings of the convention were not ratified by President Johnson, and hence were rendered null. In 1868, when the United States land office was established at Fairplay for the district now included in Leadville, he was ap- pointed by President Johnson receiver for the same and continued in that capacity until 1872. His death occurred May 18, 1878. His wife died in Florissant, Colo., October 27, 1898, in the eightieth year of her age. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom attained mature years, viz .: Charles, who died in Missouri in 1893; Joseph, who is engaged in mining in Rico, Colo .; John, a stockman of Florissant; Lucy, Mrs. George W. Barrett, of Park County, Colo .; Julia, Mrs. W. H. Berry, also of Park County; and Frank F., who resides in Colorado Springs and is president of the Mary Mckinney Mining Com- pany.

AMES P. CURRY, vice-president and a di- rector of the State Bank of Fort Morgan, and an extensive ranchman and sheep-raiser of Morgan County, was born in Valparaiso, Ind., July 22, 1855, a son of J. G. and Elizabeth (Hesser) Curry. He was one of five children, all but one of whom are living. John W. is engaged in the mer- cantile business at Trent, Tex., of which town he is the postmaster; Julia R. is the widow of Ran- dolph Trinkle, of Denver, Colo .; and Fannie J. is the widow of William Kinnie, of Valparaiso, Ind.

A native of Ohio, born in 1820, our subject's father removed to Indiana in early manhood and settled upon a farm near Valparaiso, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1886. During the Civil war he served his country as a soldier, showing his patriotism during those try- ing times. He was a man of intelligence and high moral character, and had many friends in and around Valparaiso. When our subject was seventeen years of age he began to work for a neighboring stock-raiser, with whom he con- tinued for two years, and then came to Colorado. In May, 1875, he arrived in what is now Elbert County, and there he was employed on a stock ranch for two and one-half years. With the

money saved during this time he bought a ranch and embarked in stock-raising for himself. As the years passed by he was prospered; and while his residence has changed occasionally, he has continued his stock on the same range. Since 1882 he has made Morgan County liis home. Here he has ten hundred and forty acres of ranch property and is the largest individual sheep- grower in the entire county.

When the State Bank of Fort Morgan wasorgan- ized, he became one of the largest stockholders, and was made a director in the institution. Two years later he was chosen vice-president of the institution, which position he has since filled. His success has truly been remarkable. When he came to Colorado he had no means, nor did he have any friends in the state. In spite of poverty, obstacles and hardships, he worked his way steadily forward until he is now ranked among the wealthiest men of northeastern Colo- rado, where his stock and ranch interests are ex- ceedingly large and valuable. He has given his attention so completely to his personal interests that he has had no leisure to participate in public affairs. However, be discharges his duty as a citizen and supports men and measures that he believes will assist in the development of the state. From 1893 to 1896 he held the office of county commissioner, in which position he was enabled to materially promote local enterprises. His political affiliations have always been with the Republican party, which he believes to be the party of progress. Every project for the benefit of the people receives his hearty sympathy and active co-operation. To those less fortunate than himself he has been kind and generous, and more than one has reason to remember him with gratitude. Fraternally he is connected with Oasis Lodge No. 67, A. F. & A. M., and Akron Commandery, K. T.

The marriage of Mr. Curry in 1884, united him with Miss Alma Herrendoerfer, a native of Minnesota. They are the parents of two daugh- ters, namely: Flora G., who was born February 28, 1887; and Vera M., February 29, 1892.

INGLEY S. WOOD. The family represent- ed by this well-known citizen of Leadville has been identified with American history from a very early period of colonial settlement and its members have heen people of great pa- triotism and personal energy. In a very early day they crossed the ocean to Massachusetts, and

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in that new and undeveloped country sought to establish homes. In the affairs of Plymouth col- ony they were active and influential. Henry Wood (from whom our subject represents the seventh generation in descent) was married to Abigail Jenney April 28, 1644, as shown by the records of the Plymouth colony. Miss Jenney was a daughter of John Jenney, who came from England in the company of the "Ann and little James," in June, 1623, and his name ap- pears in Governor Bradford's list of early set- tlers. John Jenney was an assistant governor of Plymouth colony and occupied a place on the ju- dicial bench with William Bradford, Miles Stan- dish and John Alden. Henry Wood was a mem- ber of the grand inquest of the colony from 1648 to the year of his death, 1670. Numerous men- tion of both Mr. Jenney and Mr. Wood appears in the colony records.

That branch of the family through which the subject of this article is descended lived on and near the original grants of land made by the col- ony on Namasakett Creek, afterward known as Middleborough, Plymouth County, Mass. From that place, early in the nineteenth century, Syl- vanus Wood, our subject's father, removed to Ohio, and there became a physician, practicing at Cadiz. He married Amanda Tingley, of Cadiz, who descended from Palmer Tingley, who came to America in the ship "Planter," in 1635, and served as a soldier in the Pequod war. His name is recorded in Sargent's Dictionary of Early Set- tlers of New England. Six generations of the Tingley family resided in Massachusetts and New Jersey. Several members, including Jeremiah Tingley, Mrs. Wood's grandfather (born 1755, died 1803), took part in the Revolutionary war, as found on the records of the adjutant-general's office of New Jersey. William Tingley, father of Mrs. Wood, migrated from the east to Ohio early in the nineteenth century, and was after- ward a resident of Cadiz.

On a farm called "The Moccasin," owned by Dr. Sylvanus Wood, the subject of this sketch was born January 20, 1845. His early childhood years were passed on this farm, in Guernsey County, Ohio, and in the village of Cadiz. At the age of fifteen he entered Allegheny College at Meadville, Pa., where he carried on his studies for two years, and then left the institution in order to enter the pay department of the United States army. He continued in the government service until the close of the Civil war. Afterward he

engaged in the banking business in Ohio and later in Illinois, where he remained until 1876. From that time until 1880 he was assistant state auditor of Illinois and secretary of the State Board of Equalization.

Early in 1880, mining investments which he had made in Colorado demanded his attention, and he established himself in Leadville, in which place he has since had his business office. From 1880 to 1885 he was general manager of the Little Chief, Big Pittsburg and Silver Cord Mines. Since the latter year he has given his attention exclusively to his personal mining interests. He is a member of the board of directors of the Car- bonate National Bank of Leadville and the board of trustees of the Colorado State School of Mines at Golden. In 1869 he married Leonora Chesnut, of Springfield, Ill. They have three sons and three daughters: Tingley C., Leonard E., Ben- ton G., Kathryn B., Leonora C. and Lilian M.

ON. JAMES DOYLE, ex-mayor of Victor and one of its most extensive mine owners - and operators, has made a wonderful record in the development of this most marvelous camp. His discovery of the immensely rich Portland mine, named after his birthplace, Portland, Me., gave an incentive heretofore unexampled to the development of the mining resources of this dis- trict. So intimately is his name associated with the growth and progress of this camp that, as one of the old residents well said, "As long as Victor is known, the name of James Doyle will be re- membered."

A descendant of a family for generations asso- ciated with the history of Massachusetts and Maine, Mr. Doyle was born August 20, 1868. He had no broader educational advantages than those furnished by the public schools of Port- land. At an early age he began to earn his live- lihood, and proved to be so energetic and perse- vering that a successful future was predicted for him. For a time he was connected with a coal company in Maine, but in 1887 he came to Colo- rado. For three years he followed carpentering in Colorado Springs. In 1890 the city council elected him superintendent of irrigation for the city.

The first time that Mr. Doyle visited the pres- ent site of Victor was in December, 1891, when he located at what was known as Stratton's camp and prospected on Battle Mountain, in this im- mediate vicinity and into Fremont County. Fol-

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lowing up the rich float which he found, January 22, 1892, he made a location where the Portland mine now is. However, this did not give imme- diate returns, as the reports of expert miner- alogists and mining men had been so unfavor- able regarding this locality that it was difficult to get any one to place confidence in its future. Even after he had an assay made in Colorado Springs, which showed a value of over one hundred and thirty ounces, he was unsuccessful in an attempt to borrow some money for food, and was obliged to tramp back to the camp hun- gry. But he was positive as to the great value of his discovery and did not grow discouraged, in spite of hardships. When it came to be realized that his find was a great one, his troubles were greater than before, though of a different nature. People flocked in, and he was overwhelmed with law snits, but he never gave up; in connection with W. S. Stratton, of the Independence mine, he fought the claims that were advanced to harass them.

During the great strike that occurred in 1892 the Portland was the only mine that was kept in operation in this section, and to this fact is due the result he finally attained, as the mine paid fully $1,000 a day, which gave sufficient funds to carry on the litigation made necessary. The com- bination finally formed known as the Portland Gold Mining Company, which was incorporated at Council Bluffs, Iowa, included Messrs. Doyle, Stratton, Burns and Harnan. The mine has proved to be more valuable than any other in the camp.

Among the other properties which Mr. Doyle has developed in the camp may be mentioned the Uinta tunnel, which he drove twenty-two hun- dred feet into Battle Mountain, and on the devel- opment of which he expended over $100,000; also the Santa Rita, on Squaw Mountain, of which company he is president; the Home Run, the Reform and the Benny, all of which he made shippers. He is also interested in Boulder Coun- ty, where he has some promising property.

Politically a Democrat from youth, in 1894 Mr. Doyle was his party's candidate for the state sen- ate. In 1896 he was elected mayor of Victor and two years later was again elected, this time by acclamation, which will give some idea of the esteem in which he is lield. He has always had at heart the welfare of the city and has been most helpful to its enterprises. The original plant of water works was not satisfactory by any means,

and it became necessary to replace the pipes. The bonds issued for the purpose were a load that it seemed impossible to dispose of, but when he heard of the predicament he immediately fur- nished money enough to do the work, thus plac- ing the credit of the city on a solid foundation and furnishing the start to prosperity that has since been maintained. The water works are of the gravity system, with eight and a-half miles of heavy cast-iron pipe, and furnish a pressure of one hundred and ten pounds at any place in the city. The supply is from a storage reservoir, built at a cost of almost $30,000. December 13, 1898, Mr. Doyle introduced a bill in the house of rep- resentatives granting the city of Victor certain lands for water reservoirs, by which means they will have sufficient supply for all time.

Fraternally Mr. Doyle is connected with Mount Pisgah Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Cripple Creek, and Victor Lodge, B. P. O. E. His beautiful residence in Denver is presided over by his wife, whom he married December 6, 1894, and who was Miss Daphne Belle Sutton, a native of Louis- ville, Ky. The wealth which has rewarded Mr. Doyle's efforts, though it has brought him many responsibilities, has not rendered him less ap- proachable, nor changed his genial, companion- able and kind-hearted disposition. Now, as.in the days when he was poor, he is ever sympa- thetic, helpful and kind. The needy have in him a friend, and many a poor boy looks up to him as his benefactor. By rich and poor alike, he is respected as a man of ability, honor and integrity.

EWITT C. PATTERSON. Throughout Colorado it is a noticeable fact that many of the men who have been most successful in mining and in ranching, and who are wielding the greatest influence of any citizens of the state, are men quite young in years. To this class be- longs the subject of our sketch, who is engaged in ranching in Logan County, and is meeting with an increasing and encouraging success in his efforts. Born December 15, 1874, he is scarcely yet in the prime of life, and the pros- perity he has so far attained may be taken as an index of greater success in future years.

The entire life of Mr. Patterson has been spent in Colorado. He was born in Longmont more than a year after the arrival in this state of his parents, Robert J. and Frances (Wray) Patterson, of whom extended mention is made in this vol- ume. He was given such advantages as common

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schools afforded, but as he was quick to learn, he acquired a broad education. He was a student in both the Berthoud and the Sterling high schools. His eighteenth year was spent away from home, and was devoted partly to farm work and partly to attendance at school. Returning home, he remained with his parents until he was twenty-one, and then began in the world for himself.

After riding on the range for six months, Mr. Patterson purchased his present ranch, four and one-half miles northeast of Sterling, and there he embarked in general farming and stock-rising. During the winter months he gives considerable time to feeding stock for other parties. He has never identified himself closely with public af- fairs, although he would make an excellent offi- cial, should he care to accept local positions. He votes for the candidates of the silver Republican party. December 25, 1898, he married Mary E., daughter of Simeon F. and Elmira (Murry) Lent. She was born in Faribault County, Minn., and in 1896 came to Colorado with her father, who is engaged in ranching six miles northeast of Sterling, in Logan County.

G JEORGE W. GILL. During the year 1895 Mr. Gill purchased a farm two and one-half miles north of Atwood in Logan County, and here he afterward resided, engaging in the stock business, and at the same time carrying on general farm pursuits. One of the respected citizens of his locality, he gave his aid to all measures for the benefit of his community, espe- cially to such as promote the general prosperity and mutual welfare. His death, March 6, 1899, was a loss to his friends and the citizenship of the county.

The birth of our subject occurred in Vinton County, Ohio, February 18, 1835, and he was one of the ten children of Joseph and Margaret (Dunkle) Gill. His father, a native of West Virginia, born about 1795, in early manhood mi- grated to Ohio and settled in Vinton County, where he purchased a farm and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. His death occurred there when he was sixty-one years of age. He was a sincere Christian and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After settling in Ohio he married Miss Dunkle, who was born in Pennsyl- vania.

July 25, 1861, our subject enlisted in Con- pany K, Fortieth Illinois Infantry, and served

his country faithfully during the dark days of the war. Among the engagements in which he took part were those at Shiloh, Vicksburg, siege of Atlanta, Missionary Ridge and Sherman's march to the sea. He was mustered out of the service July 24, 1865, at Springfield, Il1. After- ward he always maintained an interest in the Grand Army of the Republic and enjoyed meet- ing with veterans of the war. March 4, 1866, he married Mrs. Lucinda (Coe) Lake, a native of Virginia, where her father, Sanford Coe, was an influential farmer, and her first husband, James Lake, was also a farmer there. She was the' mother of two children by Mr. Lake, of whom the older, Charles L. Lake, is deputy county treasurer of Logan County, Colo .; and the younger, Harvey Lake, is engaged in the mer- cantile business at Atwood.

After his marriage Mr. Gill engaged in oper- ating a rented farm. In 1872 he removed to Ne- braska and took up a homestead in Clay County, of which he was among the earliest settlers. He was successfully engaged in farming there and continued to make that county his home until 1895, when he crossed the line into Colorado, pur- chasing the ranch where his family now make their home. However, he still continued to hold his Nebraska farm, which he leased. In politics he was from youth a stalwart believer in Repub- lican. principles, and always voted the ticket of his party. He became the father of four chil- dren, namely: Addie, wife of Wilder Jones, a stockman of Logan County; Samuel, who is en- gaged in farming in Lane County, Kan .; Frank and Ernest, who reside in Logan County.

RANK E. BAKER, postmaster of Fort Mor- gan, and a general contractor, was born in Auburn, Ind., October 14, 1853, a son of George R. and Hannah A. (Hicks) Baker. He was one of seven children, the most prominent of whom was Abner S., now deceased, of whom mention is made elsewhere. Five of the family are living, viz .: Elizabeth, wife of J. Max Clark, editor of the Greeley Tribune, and a member of the state legislature; Edwin E., a civil engineer residing in Greeley; Lyman C., editor of the Fort Morgan Times; Frank E .; and Kate M., wife of W. H. Clatworthy, of Fort Morgan.

The father of this family was born in New York state November 5, 1816. When he was ten years of age his parents removed to Huron County, Ohio, where he grew. to manhood and married.

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. Shortly after his marriage he moved to Crawford County, where he cleared and improved a tract of forest land. From there, in 1844, he went to De Kalb County, Ind., and embarked in the mer- cantile business, which he continued until 1855. Hethen sold his interests in the business and town removed his family to Sauk County, Wis. During the early years of his residence in that county he devoted himself to farming, but after- ward he became agent for the Northwestern Mu- tual Life Insurance Company. In 1883 he came with his wife to Fort Morgan, to spend his remain- ing days among his children, who had preceded him to Colorado some years. He took up three hundred and twenty acres of land, a portion of which afterward became the town site of Fort Morgan, the other portion of the town covering land belonging to his son, Abner S. Here he continued to reside until his death in 1893. His wife is still living, and, though now over eighty- three years of age, is quite robust and hearty. She makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. W. H. Clatworthy.

April 15, 1873, the subject of this sketch arrived in Greeley, Colo. There he spent four years with his brother, Abner S., engaged in farming and stock-raising. Returning to Wis- consin, in January, 1877, he began to work at bridge building on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, which work occupied the principal part of his time until 1880. In the fall of the latter year he was united in marriage with Miss Mar- tha L. Luce, a native of Baraboo, Wis., and a daughter of Joseph C. Luce, who was a veteran of the Civil war and a prominent fariner of Bara- boo. After his marriage, Mr. Baker worked at coopering until August, 1881, at which time he determined to return to Colorado. The 1st of Sep- tember found him again in Greeley, where he took charge of a crew of men for his brother, Abner S., who had a contract on the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific Railroad, as well as a con- tract on the Denver & New Orleans, now a part of the Union Pacific, Denver & Gulf system. Upon the completion of the contract, he superin- tended construction work, under his brother, on the Ogilvey ditch, east of Greeley; the Platte and Beaver ditches, and the Fort Morgan ditch, and later he had under his supervision the building of the head gates, flumes and dams of these ditches. During this time he was also largely interested in bridge building. In 1896 he was the contractor and builder of the state bridge at

Orchard. In 1882 he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres three miles east of Fort Morgan, and later purchased one hundred and sixty acres adjoining. In 1884 he removed to his ranch, where he built one of the most substantial houses in the section, and began the improvement of the property, now conceded to be one of the finest ranches in the county. While improving his ranch, he also engaged in the cattle business and carried out contracts for building. In 1884 he established the first lumber yard in Fort Mor- gan and was largely instrumental in the building up of the new town.

To Mr. and Mrs. Baker were born two daugh- ters: Bessie L., born March 17,1883; and Alice E., October 11, 1887. They also have charge of the only living son of Abner S. Baker, Jr., a bright boy born November 11, 1888, and named for his father. Fraternally Mr. Baker is connected with Oasis Lodge No. 67, A. F. & A. M., and Fort Morgan Camp No. 193, Woodmen of the World. He was appointed to the office of postmaster March 30, 1898, by fourth assistant postmaster- general, J. L. Bristow, and took possession of the office on the Ist of May. This position he is filling efficiently, discharging its duties with the same energy and faithfulness noticeable of him in every sphere of activity.

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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 189

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