Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 2

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1530

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territory supplied rations. The company served but two weeks. In 1865 he went east for his wife and child, whom he had left in Bloomfield when starting for Colorado. He crossed the plains on this trip, both ways with a mule team, the westward journey covering forty-two days' time from St. Joseph, Mo., to Central City. This was during Indian troubles, and emigrants had to travel in large companies, hence slowly.

In 1868 he accepted the principalship of the Central City public schools, where he remained until 1873 and then resigned to take the office of territorial superintendent of public instruction to which he had been appointed by Governor Elbert to fill a vacancy. In 1874 he was again appointed by Governor Elbert, for a full term (two years), and was reappointed by Governor Routt. When Colorado was admitted to the Union, August 1, 1876, he was filling this office, and by provision of the statute he retained it until Janu- ary 1, 1877, thus making him the last territorial and the first state superintendent of public instruc- tion. Returning to Central City, he resumed his work as principal, and remained in the position for ten years, meanwhile serving as mayor of the city in 1882 and 1883, and also as county superin- tendent of schools for Gilpin County. In 1878 he was elected, on the Republican ticket, regent of the State University for a term of six years. He was therefore at one and the same time principal of the schools, county superintendent, mayor of the city and state regent. In 1887 he resigned as principal in Central City to accept the presidency of the Colorado State University at Boulder, which was tendered him, unsolicited, by the board of regents. This position he ably filled for four and one-half years, returning to Denver in January, 1892. While president of the university the honorary degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by Iowa Wesleyan University. Several buildings were added to the univer- sity during his incumbency, among them the Hale Scientific building, named in his honor after his resignation had been tendered. Thus, after forty years of almost continuous service in educational work, he retired from active duty.

While superintendent of public instruction, Mr. Hale organized the State Teachers' Associa- tion, of which he was the first president in 1875, and again president in 1883. He is a member of

In 1864 he formed one of a cavalry company of home guards organized under Capt. Sam Browne for the purpose of defense against an anticipated attack by Indians. Each man furnished his own horse and equipments; the the National Educational Association and has

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

been a frequent and valued contributor to educa- tional journals of the country. While in Central City he was president of the Mining Exchange, and in 1894-95 was president of the Charity Or- ganization Society of Denver. In the Knights of Honor he is grand chaplain of the grand lodge. In former years he was a Republican, but since 1894 has been independent in his political views. During all the years of his connection with the history of Colorado he has been interested in its growth and active in furthering its development, and he has contributed his quota to the advance- ment of its influence and resources.

The only son of our subject is Gen. Irving Hale, who was born in North Bloomfield, N. Y., August 28, 1861, came with his parents to Colo- rado in 1865, and lived in Central City until 1873, when he came to Denver. He graduated from the East Denver high school in 1877, at the head of its first graduating class, and then went back to Central City, where he remained until 1880. The next four years were spent at West Point Military Academy, where he graduated in 1884, with the highest honors ever attained there by any graduate. In 1887 he married Miss Mary King, daughter of Col. W. R. King, of the United States engineering corps. They have four children, William King, John Huntington, Dorothy and Marjory. He resigned from the army in 1889. In the war with Spain (1898) he was commissioned colonel of the first regiment of the Colorado National Guard and with his command, volunteered for two years' service in the United States army, and left Denver for the Philippine Islands May 17, 1898.

ON. JOHN F. SHAFROTH, M. C. The character of a city is the character of its citizens. The character of the city of Denver may be judged in a measure from the names of its leading public men, who have become closely identified with its interests by long residence and have contributed to the ex- tension of its interests. Few of its citizens are better known throughout the entire nation than Mr. Shafroth, and certainly none has a more en- viable reputation for breadth of intellect and up- rightness of life. To write of his career is to write, in part, a history of Colorado during a similar period, for his name has been associated

with all the leading measures for the benefit of the state and the development of its industries.

The life of Congressman Shafroth began in Fayette, Howard .County, Mo., June 9, 1854. His father, John, who was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, was the son of a hotelkeeper who took part in the French wars under Napoleon, but died at an early age. Orphaned at twelve years, John Shafroth had few advantages in his youth. When a young man he came to America and in 1839 settled in Booneville, Mo. The following year he married Miss Annis Aule, a native of Frankfort, Germany, and an orphan who came to America with two sisters. After his marriage he engaged in the general mercantile business until his death, in 1866. Thirty years afterward his wife passed away in Fayette, where she had lived for fifty-six years, having come there at the age of twenty. She was the mother of six children, five now living, of whom John F. is the youngest.

The education of our subject was begun in the public schools, continued in Central College and finished in the University of Michigan, where he studied from 1872 to 1875, graduating with the degree of B. S. He then studied law with Samuel C. Major, of Fayette, and was there ad- mitted to the bar in August, 1876, after which he formed a partnership with his former preceptor under the title of Major & Shafroth. Upon the election of Mr. Major to the state senate, the business of the firm fell upon the junior member. In 1879 he came to Colorado, reaching Denver on the Ist of October, and soon afterward forming a partnership with Andrew W. Brazee, ex-judge of the supreme court. Two years later this con- nection was dissolved, and the firm of Stallcup, Lnthe & Shafroth formed. Soon afterward Mr. Luthe was elected district attorney and Mr. Shafroth became prosecuting attorney. The latter, in 1887, was elected city attorney of Den- ver upon the Republican ticket, was re-elected two years later, serving until the spring of 1891. Meantime the senior member of his firm was ap- pointed a judge of the supreme court, and in 1888 he formed another partnership, becoming a member of the firm of Rogers & Shafroth.

In the fall of 1894 Mr. Shafroth was nominated on the Republican ticket as member of congress from the first congressional district of Colorado, and was elected by a majority of thirteen thou-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sand and five hundred. At the expiration of his term, in 1896, he was re-elected on the silver Republican ticket by a majority of fifty-eight thousand. During both terms in congress he has been a member of the committees on public lands and the irrigation of arid lands. The numerous bills introduced by him have been largely in the interests of his constituents, and among those that passed perhaps the most important was that providing for the opening of forestry reserves to mining, exploration and the location of mining claims. He introduced and was largely instru- mental in securing the passage of bills providing for water reservoir sites at Colorado Springs, Leadville and Sugar Loaf; also for the protecting of the forests from fire.

Always an active Republican, Mr. Shafroth favored the readjustment of the currency of the nation and the placing of silver upon its proper standard. He was one of the party of seven sen- ators and five congressmen who issued a paper calling for the organization of the silver Repub- lican party and a meeting of its supporters in Chicago. He believes prosperity will never come, in fullest measure, to the great west until the present financial policy of the government is altered. That he is sustained in this belief by his constituents is shown by the largely increased majority he received at his last election.

In matters pertaining to the improvement of Denver Mr. Shafroth has always been interested. While city attorney he succeeded in securing from the supreme court a reversal of the decision rendered by the same court in the past, and under this new decision abutting property cau be as- sessed and taxed for street improvements, a measure that has been most helpful to the city. He also began a case against all the railroads here to compel them to construct a viaduct over Nineteenth street. This was defeated before the district court, but when taken to the supreme court the latter body held that the railroads were compelled to construct, at their own cost, a via- duct over streets rendered useless to the general public by their use for railroad purposes. This decision has not yet been made effective, but will be in time.

In Fayette, Mo., October 26, 1881, Mr. Shaf- roth married Virginia F. Morrison, who was born there, is a graduate of Howard Female Col- lege and in religious belief is connected with the

Baptist Church. Her father, John L. Morrison, a prominent business man of Fayette, at one time was sheriff of Howard County and later warden of the state penitentiary. Her grandfather, Al- fred Morrison, settled in Fayette about 1824 and became a man of prominence in public affairs. He was elected state treasurer and filled the posi- tion for four years; also held other offices of responsibility. Mr. Shafroth has four sons, John, Jr., Morrison, George and William.

T .- REV. JOHN FRANKLIN SPALDING, D. D. The life of this distinguished bishop began in Belgrade, Kennebec County, Me., August 25, 1828. He is a member of an old and patriotic family that has been identified with the history of America since an early period of its settlement. In 1619 two brothers, Edmond and Edward, came to this country from Lincolnshire, England, the former settling in Maryland and the latter in Virginia. However, in 1627 he went to Massachusetts and settled at Braintree, but later he and his son, Col. John Spalding, with others, incorporated the town of Chelms- ford. Col. John, who gained his title by service in King Philip's war, had a son Joseph, whose son, Lieut. John, was an officer in the Revolu- tion, while a brother of Lieut. John, Hon. Simeon Spalding, was a member of Washington's staff and a prominent statesman of Massachu- setts. Jesse, son of Lieut. John, was born in Chelmsford, where he engaged in farming until his death. He was a young man at the time of the Revolution and enlisted in the American service.

John, son of Jesse and father of Bishop Spald- ing, was born in Chelmsford, but removed to Maine and improved a tract of land lying on the Kennebec River. He was selectman of Belgrade and a man of prominence in his locality. His death occurred when he was quite advanced in years. His first wife, who died in early woman- hood, bore the maiden name of Lydia Coombs, and was born at Vinalhaven, Me. Her father, Sylvanus, who was a shipbuilder and farmer there, was the son of a Revolutionary soldier, who removed from Massachusetts to Maine and entered land around Coombs Neck. He married a daughter of James Stinson, also a soldier in the Revolution and a member of a Massachusetts

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

family. John Spalding had four children by his first marriage, of whom three are living, John Franklin being the eldest. By his second mar- riage he had two children, one now living.

Having fitted himself for college at Camden, Kent's Hill (Me.) Wesleyan Seminary and North Yarmouth Academy, the subject of this sketch entered Bowdoin College in 1849 and graduated in 1853 with the degree of A. B., later receiving the degrees of A. M. and D. D. from his alma mater. Afterward he taught school, being principal of East Pittston (Me.) Academy for one term, and preceptor of Dennys- ville Academy in the winter and spring terms of 1854. In October of that year he entered the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, New York City, from which he graduated June 24, 1857. July 8 he was ordained deacon of St. Stephen's Church, Port- land, Me., and August 1 was appointed mission- ary to St. James Church, Oldtown, Me .; July 14, 1858, ordained priest by Bishop Burgess in Christ Church, Gardiner, Me .; August 1, 1859, appointed rector of St. George's Church, Lee, Mass .; November 1, 1860, became assistant min- ister of Grace Church, Providence, R. I., of which Bishop Clark was the rector; November 1, 1861, dissolved his connection with that church and April 1, 1862, became rector of St. Paul's Church in Erie, Pa., where he remained for twelve years and of which his son, Rev. Frank Spalding, is now the rector.

In 1865 he commenced the erection of a church edifice of stone, built in the early English style of architecture, and with a seating capacity of eight hundred. This magnificent building cost $65,000. During the same year he was elected a member of the Board of Missions of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church for Western Pennsylvania and was subsequently re-elected every third year for the diocese of Pittsburg. In 1866 he organ- ized St. John's Church of Erie and the following year built a church that cost $5,000. In 1868 he was a member of the general convention of the Episcopal Church, meeting in New York. The next year he organized the Church of the Cross and Crown in Erie, and built a church that seated three hundred. In October, 1871, he was a member of the general convention that met in Baltimore, and the next year he built Trinity Chapel in Erie.

September 28, 1873, he was unanimously elected and December 31 was consecrated bishop of Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico, as suc- cessor to the late Bishop Randall. He reached Denver February 27, 1874, and at once entered upon the duties of his large diocese. Railroads were few and far apart in those days, and the bishop was obliged to do much of his visiting on horseback or by stage over rough mountain roads. The labor was enormous, but his courage was equal to the responsibility. Soon the number of communicants was greatly increased. New churches and chapels were built, parsonages were erected and parishes were organized. The work grew to such an extent that in 1881 New Mexico was separated, and in 1887 Wyoming was formed into another diocese. He built the Wolfe School for girls and Jarvis Hall, a military academy for boys; also Matthews' Hall Theological School, of all of which he is the president. He also wasin- strumental in the erection of St. Luke's Hospital and the Home for Consumptives.

In Erie Bishop Spalding married Lavinia Spencer, who was born there and received an ex- cellent education. She was a daughter of Judah C. Spencer, a native of Connecticut and a de- scendant of Revolutionary ancestors. She is a lady of sweet disposition and noble character, a fitting companion for her husband in all his re- sponsible undertakings. They are the parents of five children, of whom Frank is a graduate of Princeton and rector at Erie, Pa .; William, also a graduate of Princeton, is engaged in business in Denver; Elizabeth and Sarah were given splendid advantages, the latter being a Vassar graduate; and John Edward died in Erie.

Three times Bishop Spalding has gone to Eu- rope to attend great meetings of bishops in London, and twice, in 1878 and 1888, he also visited the continent, but the last time, in 1897, his visit was limited to England. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by both Bowdoin and Trinity Colleges, the latter of Hartford, Conn. He is a fluent writer and has published a number of books, among them the "Church and Apostolic Ministry " (1886); "The Best Mode of Working a Parish " (used in the Syra- cuse (N. Y.) Theological Seminary); "Jesus Christ, the Proof of Christianity " (1889), and many pamphlets and short articles. In length of

UM Jelen

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

time of service he is next to the oldest bishop west of the Mississippi. He is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, was its first president, and served for two years; is also identified with the New York Society of Colonial Wars and the Colorado Society, having been a charter member of the latter and its president for two years.

The life of Bishop Spalding has been a busy and active one. Nor is there any noticeable diminution of his activity now, although his twenty-five years of service in his present position certainly entitle him to a lightening of labor, should he so desire. By all who know him, whether or not they are identified with his de- nomination, he is recognized as a man of scholarly attainments and great executive ability, and is respected and admired for his kindness to the poor, his great heart that is open to every de- served appeal for assistance, and his noble char- acter that has stood the fiery crucible of hardships and has come unscathed through every trial.

ON. HENRY MOORE TELLER. In its entire history as a state, it is doubtful if Colorado has given, to assist in framing the laws of the nation, any citizen who has attained a fame equal to that of Senator Teller. His name is indelibly written upon the annals of his state and his country. Through his long and brilliant career as United States senator he has not only retained the friendship of his political supporters, but has won the admiration even of those whose opinions upon political subjects are diametrically opposed to his own. He stands now, near the climax of his career, as he has always stood, for what he believes to be true and right, for what he believes will promote the national welfare. To these principles he would remain stanch and true, though it cost him defeat for the highest position within the gift of the people, for he is a man of fearless courage and values integrity more than position, honor more than office.

A publication of the nature of this should justly devote considerable space to the life and works of such a man. In this resumé it will be our effort to give an account of his ancestry, in order that the reader may understand the quali- ties that have come by inheritance; also a sketch of the career that has been so remarkable in amount of good accomplished for the people of

the state and nation. From the presentation of his biography may be gleaned lessons worthy of emulation by all, and especially by the young man, starting out in the world, with every possi- bility before him if he but have the courage to do and dare.

The founder of the Teller family in America was William, a native of Holland, born in 1620. In 1639 he came to New York and settled at Fort Orange, where the king of Holland had appointed him trustee of a tract of land. In 1664 he moved to New York, where his remaining years were passed. By his marriage to Mary Douchen he had a son, William (2d), whose son, William (3d), was the father of William (4th), and the latter had a son, Isaac Teller, M. D., a prominent physician of New York, having an office on the corner of Chambers street and Broadway. Dur- ing the Revolution he volunteered as a surgeon in the colonial army and died while in active serv- ice. By his marriage to Rebecca Remsen, who was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., of Dutch parent- age, he had a son, Remsen Teller, who was born about 1769 and resided at Schenectady, N.Y. He married Catherine McDonald, of Ballston Spa, N. Y., daughter of David McDonald and Sarah (DuBois) McDonald, the latter a daughter of Col. Louis DuBois, of Ulster County, N. Y., who was a colonel in the Revolutionary war. Remsen Teller and his wife had a son, John, who was born in Schenectady, N. Y., February 15, 1800, and married Charlotte Moore, who was born in Vermont in 1808 and is now living in Illinois. John Teller located on a farm in Alle- gany County, N. Y., but later he removed to Girard, Erie County, Pa., and after ten years there, itt 1862 he settled in Morrison, Whiteside County, Il1., where he died in 1879. His wife was a daughter of Willard Moore, who was born in Vermont, removed thence to Ballston Spa, N. Y., from there went to Allegany County abont 1821, and in 1840 settled in Rochester, the same state.

Upon his father's farm in Allegany County the subject of this review was born May 23, 1830. The years of his boyhood and youth passed un- eventfully in farm work and study. Hisindomit- able perseverance was apparent at an early age. Knowing his parents would be unable to give him- the advantages he desired he set himself reso- lutely to work to secure them for himself, and by

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

teaching school earned the money necessary for member of the committee on privileges and elec- the prosecution of his academic studies. On the tions and was sent to Florida to investigate the alleged frauds in the election of 1876. In 1878 he was made chairman of a special committee to investigate alleged election frauds in southern states, his report of which was most thorough. As chairman of the committee on civil service and retrenchment he rendered efficient service. completion of the academic course he entered the law office of Judge Martin Grover, under whose preceptorship he acquired an accurate knowledge of the law. He was admitted to the bar January 5, 1858, at Binghamton, N. Y. Coming as far west as Morrison, Whiteside County, Ill., he engaged in active general practice until his re- moval to Colorado.

During his residence there gold was discovered in Pike's Peak and thousands of men crossed the plains, joining the army of gold-seekers in the mountains of Colorado. Other lines of activity sprang into existence with the birth and develop- ment of bustling towns from the primitive min- ing camps. He was among those whose attention was called to the opening offered men of energy and determination in this part of the country. He determined to come west, and in April, 1861, made the long and tedious overland trip to the mountains. He opened an office at Central City, then the chief center of population and mining in the territory. Three years later he was joined by his brother, Willard, and the firm of H. M. & W. Teller was established. In 1865 he drew up the charter for the Colorado Central Railroad and presented it to the territorial legislature. As he was the originator of the railroad and its most enthusiastic promoter, he was selected as the president of the company and for five years held that position, his excellent management placing the concern upon a sound financial basis. During the Indian troubles in 1863 he was appointed major-general of militia by Governor Evans and held the office for two years, then resigned.

Senator Teller was reared in the Democratic faith, but when the Republican party was organ- ized he found himself in sympathy with its prin- ciples and therefore joined its ranks. Soon after coming to Colorado he began to participate actively in politics, and in 1876, when Colorado was admitted to the union, he and Mr. Chaffee were elected its first representatives in the United States senate. He drew the term of three months, and on its expiration was elected for a full term of six years, 1877 to 1883. His record in the senate is a part of history, and his acceptable service in behalf of his constituents has led to his re-election at every election since 1876. Shortly after he entered the senate he was made a

In 1882 Senator Teller was chosen secretary of the interior in President Arthur's cabinet and he served in that responsible position until the ex- piration of the presidential term, March 3, 1885. The following day he took his seat in the senate, having been elected to succeed Hon. Nathaniel P. Hill. In 1891 he was re-elected for the term ending in March, 1897, and at the latter time was again the people's choice for the position. He has served as chairman of the committees on pensions, patents, mines and mining, and as a member of the committees on claims, railroads, judiciary, appropriations and public lands. On all questions relating to public lands he is con- sidered an authority.

Perhaps in no way is Senator Teller better . known than for his championship of the free coinage of silver. He is a stanch advocate of the restoration of bimetallism, believing that the act of 1873 demonetizing silver has proved prej- udicial to the welfare of the nation, and especi- ally injurious to the interests of Colorado. Be- lieving that the prosperity of the working people can never be subserved until silver is restored to its proper standard and the currency issue is honestly and fairly settled, he has given much of his thought and time in late years to this matter. His labors in the interests of free coinage in the senate of 1893 are too recent to need especial mention. On his return to Colorado at the ex- piration of that session, the people, appreciating what he had done in their behalf, accorded him a most hearty welcome and demonstration. It was said at the time that the reception was the most brilliant ever given anyone in the state. But, grand as it was, the reception given him in 1896, after the famous St. Louis national convention, eclipsed every previous affair of the kind. In the national convention of his party in 1896 he had stood firmly for the free coinage of the white metal, which he desired to be made a plank in the party platform. The majority were against him, and, feeling that his party had turned its back

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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 2

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