Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 27

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 27

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Born in Hopkinton, Middlesex County, Mass., October 26, 1857, the subject of this sketch was

L. D. ESKRIDGE.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

only six months of age when his parents removed to Iowa Falls, Iowa, and in 1863 they went from there to Fostoria, Ohio, returning, however, to Iowa Falls in 1866. His education, begun in the public schools, was extended by a course of study in the Iowa State University at Iowa City. May 6, 1878, he started from Iowa Falls, in company with three other young men, with teams and supplies, for Colorado, arriving here on the 4th of July. Going direct to Alamosa, he obtained employment in an engineering corps as a surveyor for a projected road to Pagosa Springs. In No- vember he went to Canon City, where he resided the most of the time until 1886. Meantime he incorporated the Canon City Water Company and built the water works. In 1886 he took a position with the Colorado Coal and Iron Com- pany, the then leading company of the state, and had charge of all their business in Pitkin and Garfield Counties, opening coal mines and build- ing the Aspen and Western Railroad.

In 1885, in company with several other gentle- men, Mr. Johnson incorporated and founded the Florence Oil and Refining Company, of Florence, this being one of the first companies formed in the state to produce oil on a commercial scale. It still continues in business, and, with one other company, furnishes all the oil used in six states.

ORENZO D. ESKRIDGE, who is engaged in stock-raising on the La Jara River, in Conejos County, was born in Sussex Coun- ty, Del., in 1846, a son of Jeremiah and Martha (Marvel) Eskridge, and a nephew of Joshua H. Marvel, deceased, late governor of Delaware. He was one of nine children, of whom those liv- ing beside himself are J. T. Eskridge, M. D., a celebrated physician, residing in Denver; John H .; and Euphemia J., wife of Harry Erbsmehl. His father died in Delaware at eighty-five, and his mother in 1865, aged forty-four. Further reference to the family history may be had by reading the sketch of Dr. Eskridge, upon another page.

At the age of eighteen our subject enlisted in Company F, Two Hundred and Fifteenth Penn- sylvania Infantry, but served only for four months. In 1865 he went to Kansas City, Mo., where he engaged in the undertaking business with E. Stein, remaining there for three years. In 1868 he went to Kansas and carried on a luni- ber business, together with farming and stock- raising on a small scale. Selling out there in

1874, he came to Colorado and settled on the Conejos River, ten miles west of Conejos, and began stock-raising. From that ranch, in 1876, he removed to a homestead, where he took up land. Here he has since engaged in general ranching. He keeps six hundred head of cattle on his place at times, besides a number of horses. The ranch comprises seven hundred and fifty acres, and, as a member of the Town Company, he also owns one-fourth interest in twelve hun- dred and eighty acres. Besides raising stock, he has fields devoted to the raising of grain and hay. In 1887 he took an active part in the organization of the Mogota Ditch Company, of which he has since been treasurer, and he has also bought stock in other ditches.

Interested in public affairs and a stanch Demo- crat in politics, Mr. Eskridge has been prominent in town and county matters. In 1888 he was the Democratic candidate for the legislature. In former years he was identified with the Knights of Pythias and is now connected with Alamosa Lodge No. 44, A. F. & A. M. In 1873 he was united in marriage with Permielia S. Garrett, daughter of Manscil Garrett, now of Conejos County. They are the parents of two children, Bertha and James T.

ON. A. J. ABBOTT, attorney-at-law of Trinidad, was born in Ohio August 14, 1842, a son of Samuel and Rebecca (Miles) Abbott, natives of Ohio. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, spent his last years in re- tirement from active cares, and died at the home of his son, our subject, August 31, 1898, aged eighty years and six months. With this son the aged mother made her home until her death, which occurred February 4, 1898. Besides him there are two sons, C.W., of Pasadena, Cal., and J. M., of Seattle, Wash.

When the subject of this sketch was a boy of ten years he accompanied his parents to Cedar County, Iowa. His early life was passed upon a farm. His education, begun in public schools, was completed in the State University of Iowa, from which he graduated in the class of 1864. After completing his literary studies he began to read law under the direction of Judge James G. Day, judge of the southwest district of Iowa, and afterward chief justice of the supreme court of . Iowa. At the same time he endeavored to earn his own way by teaching school. For one year he taught in Council Bluffs, for five years was

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principal of the schools of Glenwood, Iowa, and lytical mind and wide legal knowledge, his judi- for three years held a principalship of schools in Newton, Kan.

In 1875 Mr. Abbott began the practice of law at Newton, but one year later he removed to Ster- ling, Kan., and there he continued for four years, during which time he filled the offices of super- intendent of public instruction and prosecuting attorney, residing at Lyons during his incum- bency of the latter office. His next location was. in Garden City, Kan., where he carried on a general law practice for five years. During that time he received an appointment from Gov. John A. Martin as judge of the twenty-seventh judicial district, to fill the office from the date of the or- ganization of the district to the first election. In the fall of 1887, on the Republican ticket, he was elected to this office for a term of four years, and in 1891 was re-elected for a term of the same length, making nine years of continuous service as judge.

Upon the expiration of his second term he re- moved to Trinidad and opened an office. Here he has since carried on a general law practice. In his new home, although taking an active in- terest in public matters, he has not aspired to po- litical honors, but has given his attention wholly to his profession, and is attaining distinction in the new field of effort. In 1898 he served as chairman of the county judicial convention, and during the same year presided over the third ju- dicial district convention. In politics he has been a lifelong Republican, loyal and true. In relig- ion he was reared in the faith of the Friends; he entertains the profoundest respect for Christi- anity, but subscribes to no creed. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Fraternal Aid Association and the Ancient Or- der of United Workmen.

June 8, 1865, Judge Abbott married Ruth, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Townsend) Darrington, a native of Ohio, her father having come to that state from Dublin, Ireland. Judge and Mrs. Abbott have seven children: George O., of Garden City, Kan .; Alice E., wife of Dr. W. E. Drisdale, of Martindale, Tex .; E. C., at- torney-at-law, located at Red River, N. M .; Ray- mond B., who is engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in the same town in New Mexico; Florence, who is her father's stenographer and typewriter; Albert J. and Frances J., who are school stu- dents. In his former home Judge Abbott made a most creditable record. Possessed of an ana-

cial administration was a wise and satisfactory one, and won for him the admiration of attorneys and respect of all. In educational matters he has always maintained an interest, and such are sure of his sympathy. In preparations for the World's Columbian Exposition he took a warm interest, and as a member of the state board for the pro- motion of this enterprise, was able to accomplish much for its welfare. He acted as a representa- tive of his district in the American Bar Associa-' tion convention, which met in Milwaukee, Wis. In fact, in all lines of effort worthy of aid, whether professional or judicial, educational or moral, his assistance may be relied upon, and his encour- agement counted as positive.

. LNEY A. BORDEN, an influential and prosperous ranchman of Park County, first arrived in South Park June 30, 1865, and from that day to this he has been intimately iden- tified with measures tending to advance the wel- fare of his section. In the fall of the same year he and his brother, Timothy, located their pres- ent ranches on Tarryall Creek, ten miles below Jefferson, and here began ranching. In 1867 he built a sawmill, operated by water power, and there he sawed lumber which he sold in neigh- boring villages. The money thus secured was invested in cattle. As his herds increased he added to his property holdings, until at this writ- ing he is the owner of a ranch of three thousand acres.

In Fairfield, Herkimer County, N. Y., the subject of this sketch was born March 11, 1831, a son of Olney and Elizabeth (Dodge) Borden. He was one of nine children, of whom the fol- lowing survive: Abigail, widow of Atwood A. Royce, of Liberty, Sullivan County, N. Y .; Timothy, a ranchman of Park County; Olney A .; and Van Buren, whose home is in Sullivan County, N. Y. The father, a native of Herkimer County, went to Sullivan County when a young man and learned the trade of a carpenter, but after a few years returned to Herkimer County, residing there for some time; in 1832 he went back to Sullivan County, and settled in the town of Rockland. Five years later he changed his residence to a farm between Jefferson and Calli- coon, where he resided until his death. For many years he served as supervisor of his dis- trict. He was a man much esteemed for his up- rightness and integrity.

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HON. J. A. J. VALDÉS.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Reared upon a farm and from an early age familiar with agricultural pursuits, our subject chose farming for his life occupation. Near the old homestead he purchased a farm and there began for himself, continuing on the same place until 1865. At that time his brother, Timothy, returned from Colorado on a visit, and his dis- cription of the far west was so glowing that Olney determined to seek his fortune in the Rocky Mountain region. He crossed the plains and after spending four days in Denver came to South Park. His brother owned placer mines at Gold Run and he crossed the range to that camp, where he worked for a short time, but in the fall returned to the Park, where he has since resided. He is popular among his fellow-citizens, who have repeatedly solicited him to permit his name to be placed in nomination for county commis- sioner, but he has invariably declined all offices except that of school director, in which capacity he has served for many years.

In 1858 Mr. Borden married Miss Julia Car- rier, of Sullivan County, N. Y., who died in 1864, the year before Mr. Borden came west. July 2, 1880, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary G. (Miller) Barlow, of Vevay, Ind. She had been previously married to Dr. H. A. Barlow, a prominent physician first in Mays- ville, Ky., and later in Vevay, Ind., finally re- moving to St. Louis, where the most important part of his professional life was spent. Dr. and Mrs. Barlow had four children, namely: Will- iam H., a prominent merchant of Conejos, Colo .; Edward N., who is at home with his mother; Mary A., wife of John F. Wallace, a ranchman and cattle-raiser residing at Bordenville, Park County; and Junietta G., who married Edward R. Marshall, a cattle dealer of Bordenville.

ON. J. A. J. VALDÉS, attorney-at-law, and a prominent citizen of Walsenburg, was born in Taos County, N. M., April 27, 1847. His father, J. M. J. Valdés being a stockman on the frontier, he grew to manhood without any advan- tages for an education. In the fall of 1861 he accompanied his father to San Pablo, Costilla County, Colo., where he attended school for three months, learning his native language, Spanish. In January, 1866, he spent one month with a profi- cient teacher acquiring the rudiments of the English language. In 1867 he came to Walsen- burg and spent that year in farming. The follow- ing year he was elected assessor of Huerfano

County by a good majority, and in 1869 was re- elected, without opposition. When, at the expi- ration of his second term, the position was again offered him, he declined. From 1868 to 1870 he taught private schools in Huerfano County.

In the fall of 1870 Mr. Valdés went to Pueblo, to take up the study of the English language. He made his home with Judge A. A. Bradford and attended school in a private institution conducted by Rev. Samuel Edwards, of the Episcopal Church, where at the same time he also taught a private class. While in Pueblo he availed himself of the opportunity to study law in Judge Bradford's library. Returning to Walsenburg in the spring of 1871, in the fall of that year he became one of ·the two Republican candidates for the legislature, but the fact that the ticket was split caused both candidates to be defeated. From the winter of 1871-1872 until 1877 he taught in the public schools of the county. In February, 1873, he married Silveria Salazar, of Las Animas County, Colo., and they established their home in Wal- senburg.

A second time nominated for the legislature, Mr. Valdés was elected in the fall of 1873 and served in the session of 1874, where he did much to promote the interests of the stockmen of the territory. He was the author of a bill prohibiting the injuring of animals, molesting sheep or sheep herders, and providing a penalty for the commis- sion of said offenses. He also introduced a bill for economy in the civil service, as applied to the fees and salaries of county officers, which bill passed in the house of representatives, but was defeated in the council of the senate. Both in 1880 and 1885 he served as census enumerator for the southern part of Huerfano County. He was elected county judge in 1881 and served one term. From 1884 to 1886 he was editor of the Anunciador, published in Trinidad, under the proprietorship of Dr. M. Beshoar. In 1885 and 1887 he was elected county clerk, and in 1886 was honored by election as mayor of Walsenburg, to which position he was again elected in 1892. In 1891 he made the race for district attorney, against Orlando Hitt, but, while gaining his own county by two hundred votes (which hitherto, as well as the district, had always been Democratic), he failed to gain the election by about two hun- dred votes. In 1897 he was elected city attorney, . and from 1893 to 1896 served as attorney for the bank of this city. He has been a prominent fac- tor in the political life of Huerfano County, and

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by service upon the central committee, by"stump- ing" the county, and in other ways has promoted the welfare of the Republican party, especially in the county of Huerfano. Since 1895, however, he has to some extent retired from politics, and is now giving his attention to his private law prac- tice. He has a magnificent library of law books, scientific works and other literature by the hest authors. His books are neatly arranged in cases, connected with his law office, which is located in his pleasant home in the suburbs of the city of Walsenburg.

By his first wife Mr. Valdés had three children: Maria Antonia, wife of Victor Medina; Fidel, who died in infancy; and Jesus Ruperto. Mrs. Val- dés died March 20, 1882. He was again married- July 29, 1882, his wife being Victoria Sanchez, by whom he had three children: Santiago, who died in infancy; Eloy and Magdalena. The sec- ond wife of Mr. Valdés died September 10, 1886, and he has since remained a widower. He was active in the organization of school district No. 4, the first in this part of the county, and, wherever he has resided, it has been his aim to promote the interests of the public schools. He is now the owner of four hundred acres of land in Las Animas County and one hundred and sixty acres in Huer- fano County, besides which he owns ten lots in Walsenburg and other personal property, consist- ing of cattle and horses, which he keeps at his ranch on the Apishapa, Las Animas County.

ALEB HARTWELL JOHNSON, deceased, who has left a most wonderful monument to his memory in the shape of the well-known and marvelous Geyser mine at Silver Cliff, Custer County, was born in Nahant, Mass., April 26, 1834. His education was received in common schools in Massachusetts. During the excite- ment caused by the discovery of gold in Colorado he came west in 1859. However, instead of stop- ping here, he proceeded to California, where he remained a short time. He then went to Wash- ington Territory, and to Oregon where he acted as express messenger for Wells, Fargo & Co., at Portland. After several years in that state he went to Idaho City, then Silver City, Idaho, and became manager of the Golden Chariot and War Eagle mines, and was also connected with the famous Poorman mine. Even when a young man his record was such as to give him a prominent place in the history of the country and he was counted one of the best-known men of his section,

As an Indian fighter he was renowned through- out the west, and was the leader in several of the wars with the savages, especially the second Ban- nock war. His valor as a soldier came to him by inheritance, as both the father and brother of his mother, Lucy (Keyes) Johnson, were officers in the Revolution and fought bravely in defense of . the colonies.

Upon coming from Idaho to Colorado, Mr. Johnson was employed by the Security Mining Company to examine the Geyser property. Hé came to Silver Cliff and after thoroughly investi- gating everything, decided that, while there was ore, it would require a large outlay of money to make a successful mine, and so reported to the company. Finding nothing would be done, he started for the Pacific coast, but was communi- cated with by wire, and asked to await the com- ing of the president of the company. The result of this interview was that he returned to Silver Cliff with the promise of practically unlimited capi- tal to develop the property. The name of the company was changed to the Geyser Mining Company, in the organization of which he was largely instrumental. He located the present shaft, which was commenced July 5, 1886, and . for about two thousand feet the shaft went through breccia, then for five hundred feet through black gneiss, which lay at an acute angle. The large, three-compartment shaft is perpendicular and has the distinction of being the largest, deepest and best-timbered shaft in the state. It has eight miles of drifts and levels, and is prac- tically a dry mine, as there is scarcely enough water in it for use in the boilers, a battery of seven of which is used. The hoisting plant has no equal in the state, and is built for handling the ore at a depth of forty-five hundred feet, while the shaft is now over twenty-five hundred feet. On the premises there is a mill that cost $200,000. The pumping, drilling and ventilating are all done by compressed air. At the twenty-four hundred foot level a drift has been run six hun- dred feet, in which at five hundred feet from the shaft, and over one-half mile beneath the surface, a well-defined true fissure vein of silver has been struck, running eighteen hundred ounces to the ton. Employment is furnished to about one hun- dred men. The mine runs high in silver and copper, with a very little gold.

Such, in brief, is the history of the Geyser mine, which was developed by the indomitable will and perseverance of its founder, Mr. John-

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son. With the confidence born of knowledge, he sank the shaft foot after foot through the differ- ent strata and in spite of every difficulty known to mining, he has gained success. Thousands upon thousands of dollars were spent in the de- velopment of the mine; but the wealthy company in Boston had the utmost confidence in the judg- ment, honesty aud ability of Mr. Johnson. That their confidence was not misplaced, his record as manager proved. He gave his attention so closely to his work that he had no time, even if he had possessed the inclination, to enter public life. He voted the Republican ticket, but never held any political office. He was a man of the strictest religious principles, and would not even visit the mine on Sunday, preferring, on that day, to at- tend church and enjoy the physical rest which the week's activities rendered most pleasant.

September 13, 1867, Mr. Johnson married Julia Connor, who was born in New York. They had only one child, Mary, who is the wife of William J. Elmendorf, the present superintendent of the mine. Mr. Johnson was a sufferer from Bright's disease of the kidneys, brought on by overwork, and from that disease he died in St. Luke's hos- pital in Denver, on the morning of November 21, 1897; his body was laid to rest in Fairmount cemetery, in Denver. His family received the sympathy of a host of friends, to whom his manly qualities had endeared him. Not only was he respected by the men under him, but he always had the confidence and good-will of the most prominent mine owners and business men. His record was that of a man who by his unaided efforts worked his way to a position of influence, overcoming all difficulties and surmounting all obstacles that opposed his progress.

ILLIAM JUDSON ELMENDORF, super- intendent of the Geyser mine at Silver Cliff, Custer County, was born in Jamaica, Queens County, N. Y., October 4, 1865, and is a descendant of an old Ulster County family, whose first representatives in America came from Hol- land about 1620 and settled in what is now New York City. He was the eldest of three children, the others being Margaret, wife of William O'Brien, of Aspen, one of the most prominent attorneys of Colorado, and James, who assists his brother in the Geyser mine. The parents, Will- iam S. and Martha (Rider) Elmendorf, were born in New York state, and are now residents of Colorado,

It was under his father, who is engaged in mining, that our subject obtained his first knowl- edge of this industry. He was educated prin- cipally in the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, where he took the regular scientific course. After completing his studies there, in 1882, he came west and was engaged in mining in Capital City and Mineral Point, and was also interested in a number of leases at Aspen. Having re- ceived an excellent education and being excep- tionally intelligent, he soon won a name for himself. When Mr. Johnson became too ill to look after the management of the Geyser mine, Mr. Elmendorf was sent for to come to Silver Cliff. He was appointed assistant superintend- ent and for six months prior to Mr. Johnson's death in 1897 had the entire practical charge of the work. Afterward he was appointed superin- tendent and has since carried on the work to the entire satisfaction of the company.

In his political views Mr. Elmendorf is in- clined to be independent, though with a strong bias toward the Republican party. Having been closely occupied with personal affairs, he has not identified himself with public affairs nor cared to hold official positions. February 2, 1892, he married Mary, only daughter of Caleb H. John- son, and they have two children, Hartwell John- son and Julia. Mr. Elmendorf is a man of high attainments and superior intelligence. In his business he ranks high and is a worthy successor to his talented father-in-law. He is familiar with mining in its every detail. While in Aspen he was connected with the noted Bonnybell-Durant mining suits, which involved $3,000,000 and he did all the expert assaying and analytical work for the Bonnybell Company in the suit which was held in the United States court at Denver. In matters relating to mining he is a recognized authority and his judgment is recog- nized as sound and trustworthy.

ON. DAVID M. CAMPBELL, attorney- general of Colorado. The life and character of Mr. Campbell, rising from a position of poverty to one of influence in spite of many dis- couragements and obstacles, proves the truth of Sir Walter Scott's statement: "The best part of a man's education is that which he gives him- self;" and emphasizes Gibbon's remark that every . man has two educations, one which is given him, and the other, and more important, that which he gives himself. When a boy Mr. Campbell

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had few opportunities to attend school, for his father, not realizing the importance of an educa- tion, put him to work upon the farm and in get- ting out timber while he was still very young. When he reached the age of twenty-one he found himself ready to start in the world, but without the knowledge or the training which study alone can give. However, with the determination ever characteristic of him, he began to remedy the defects of earlier days, and with the assistance of his wife, who had been a teacher, acquired a far better education than is secured by many a college student. His mind was endowed with no ambition more powerful than that of self-improvement, and the high position he now holds proves what it is in the power of man to accomplish, notwith- standing obstacles and hardships.

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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 27

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