Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 36

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 36

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In politics Mr. Johnson votes the Republican ticket. Heis identified with the Business Men's Club, and takes an active interest in every plan calculated to promote the growth and progress of Pueblo. He was married in Colorado Springs to Miss Mamie Wright, who was born in Tunkhan- nock, Pa., and by whom he has two children, Dorothy and Frederick H.

UBBARD W. REED, superintendent of the Virginius and Revenue Tunnel Mines, and one of the well-known mine operators of Ouray, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., December

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30, 1849, a son of Charles and Sophia W. (Clark) Reed, natives respectively of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. His father established the Architectural iron works of New York City and was one of the first to utilize iron work in build- ing. Though a graduate of West Point, his life was devoted to business affairs instead of military achievements. His last years were spent in Mas- sachusetts, where he died. He was a son of Dan- iel Reed, who spent his life in Massachusetts. Preceding him in ancestral line was John Reed, who was connected with the early history of New England and represented the county of Plymouth in congress during Washington's administration. John Reed was a son of a minister of the Congre- gational Church in Massachusetts.

When nine years of age our subject was taken to Massachusetts, where his education was largely acquired. In 1870 he graduated from Dart- mouth College. On starting out for himself he went to the northwest and was employed as civil engineer, running the preliminary surveys of the Northern Pacific Railroad in Minnesota, Dakota and Montana. He engaged in surveying from Duluth to Montana until 1873. In 1875 he came to Colorado, spending a short time in Pueblo, then engaging in mining and prospecting in La Plata and San Juan Counties, and in 1876 began to operate near Onray, at the same time giving some attention to engineering.

In 1880 Mr. Reed took charge of the Virginius mine, which was then merely a prospect and indi- cated little of its future value. Under his super- vision the mine was equipped with modern ma- chinery and became one of the best-known mines in the state. In 1885 electricity was first used for lighting. and later as a substitute for steam it hoisting and pumping in this mine, the Virginius being the first mine in the United states to suc- cessfully use electric power for pumping.

In 1888 he accepted the management of the Revenue Tunnel, seven miles from Ouray, at an altitude of ten thousand feet; in it, as in the Vir- ginius, electricity is used for light and as a mo- tive power. The tunnel is one and one-half miles in length and cut the Virginius vein three thou- sand feet below the surface. The Caroline Min- ing Company, by whom the mine is owned, em- ploys six hundred men. Besides his connection with this company, Mr. Reed is a member of the Hector Mining Company, the Glacier Mining Company and several other mining companies, which he assisted in incorporating. In the build-

ing of the Beaumont hotel at Ouray he took an active part and was one of the incorporators of the company having the enterprise in charge. He surveyed the Bear Creek toll road, and built the road to the mines. In national politics he is a Democrat, but in local affairs is independent. His wife is Annie L., daughter of John Borden, of New York.

GEORGE W. PHILLIPS, M. D., who, in point of years of professional service is the oldest physician in La Junta, was born in ₹ North Adams, Mass., November 5, 1821, a son of Rufus and Mary (Cole) Phillips. His father, Rufus, was a son of Rufus Phillips, Sr., who was a native of Rhode Island, of English extraction, aud served in the Revolutionary war, afterward engaging in farm pursuits, dying at the age of ninety-one. Rufus, Jr., was born in North Adams, Mass., and in 1841 removed to Aurora, Kane County, Il1., later going to Dixon, the same state, where he died at sixty-six years. His wife was born in Berkshire County, Mass., and died in Illinois at eighty-four years. There were two sons in the family, of whom the elder, Almon, died at fifty years of age.

When our subject was twenty years of age he accompanied the family to Illinois. The follow- ing year he began to read medicine with Dr. E. W. Richards, of St. Charles, Ill., and later at- tended the first course of medical lectures that Rush Medical College ever gave, also took two courses in the Indiana Medical College at Lafay- ette, where he graduated in 1846. One year was spent in Rochester, Ill., and four years in Dodgeville, Wis., engaged in practice. He then went, overland, to California and settled in Ne- vada City, where he remained for three years. Later he spent one year in San Francisco. Re- turning east, he practiced in Dixon, Il1., for eighteen years, building up a splendid patronage and becoming widely known as a skillful physi- cian.

From Illinois Dr. Phillips went to Independ- ence, Kan., and engaged in practice for five years. In 1877 he came to Colorado and settled at Las Animas, twenty miles east of La Junta, but in 1884 came to this place (then containing only a few houses) and here he has since been in continuous practice. In 1862 he accepted a position as surgeon with the Seventeenth Illinois" Infantry, but after eight months resigned his commission. In 1864 he was for five months

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with the One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois In- fantry at Perryville, Stone River and other points. With his activity in professional work he has also maintained an interest in politics and is a stanch Republican. He holds membership in Kilpatrick Post No. 41, G. A. R., of La Junta. In religion he and his family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he serves as a trustee.

In Dodgeville, Wis., December 20, 1848, Dr. Phillips married Miss Martha Jordan. Four children were born of their union, but one died in infancy. Three are living: George D., who is engaged in fruit-growing in Otero County; Rufus; and Minnie, wife of George R. Buckey, of La Junta.

R UFUS PHILLIPS, cashier of the First National Bank of La Junta, was born in Dixon, Ill., July 6, 1859. At the age of twelve years he accompanied his father to Inde- pendence, Kan., and for five years attended the schools of that town. He then came with the family to Las Animas, where he embarked in the cattle business with his brother and father, and for some time herded cattle on the range. After one year he and his brother took their herd to Kansas. For two years he herded cattle in summer and taught during the winter months, having charge of a district school.

Purchasing a ranch near Las Animas, in part- nership with his father and brother, after several years Mr. Phillips bought their interests, and has since been the sole owner. In 1879 he be- came a clerk in a store in Las Animas. In the spring of 1881 he came to La Junta and was em- ployed as clerk until 1882, when he received the appointment of postmaster. Four years were spent in that office, after which he bought a stock of drugs and engaged in the drug business. In 1886 he became cashier in the private bank of J. C. Jones, but this business was closed out after a few years. In 1889 he organized the Bank of La Junta, which was succeeded, the next year, by the Bank of Eastern Colorado; and that in turn, the following year, was merged into the First National Bank. Of each of these he was cashier.

On the 14th of January, 1889, I. P. Anderson, a desperado, who was known to have killed a postmaster in Texas while robbing a postoffice, entered the Bank of La Junta, and, Mr. Phillips being unprotected, he succeeded in getting $4,000

in cash from the vault. With this he at once fled. Mr. Phillips, knowing there was a horse tied to a post near the bank, hastily looked up his Winchester and jumping on the horse, bare- backed and bare-headed, pursued the robber for eighteen miles, and probably would have caught him, had it not been that a confederate furnished the fleeing robber with a fresh horse about six miles from town, and the man, on reaching the Purgatoire River, eighteen miles south of La Junta, plunged into the rough timbered country and was lost. However, he was afterward cap- tured and convicted.

Fraternally Mr. Phillips is connected with Euclid Lodge No. 64, A. F. & A. M., of La Junta. He is secretary of the Otero County Building and Loan Association of this place. In religion he is a Baptist. By his marriage to Miss Mary E. Norton, who was a teacher of Tallula, Ill., he has three sons and one daughter: Clare M., Martha E., Rufus, Jr., and Robert F.

ILLIAM SHARPLESS JACKSON. Dur- ing the long period of his residence in Colo- rado Springs Mr. Jackson has been identi- fied with many of its most important enterprises and interests, and is recognized as one of its pro- gressive and liberal-spirited citizens. He is a member of a family whose lineage can be traced back to 1646, in Lancashire, England. In 1725 Isaac Jackson emigrated to this country from Ire- land. Representing the sixth generation in de- scent from him, William Sharpless Jackson was born, near Kenneth Square, Chester County, Pa., January 16, 1836, a son of Caleb H. and Mary Ann (Gause) Jackson, the latter also of old Quaker stock. He was educated at Greenwood Dell and Eaton academies. In youth he learned the machinist's trade, and after leaving school he was employed as confidential clerk by the man with whom he had learned his trade.

For six years Mr. Jackson was engaged in the car-building and lumber business at Latrobe, Pa., after which he accepted the position of treasurer of the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad. Upon the organization of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Company in 1871, he was chosen its secretary and treasurer, and afterward became vice-president, which position he resigned in 1876. Since 1873 he has been interested in the El Paso County Bank and since 1876 has owned a majority interest in the concern, of which he is the cashier. This bauk is the oldest financial

HELEN HUNT JACKSON.

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institution in El Paso County and has steadily · and it will be "a joy forever" as succeeding genera- tions will panse to read, reflect and admire.

maintained its position as one of the leading banks of the state, this being largely due to the ability and judgment of Mr. Jackson, who is known as one of the safest and most conservative bankers in the west.

In 1884 Mr. Jackson was appointed receiver of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad and during the next two years he displayed unusual ability as an organizer and executive officer. His suc- cess in the position was so conspicuous that he was publicly noticed as a model receiver by a prominent New York judge. When two years had elapsed, he was able to turn the road over to the re-organized company, with a greatly im- proved roadway, a complete equipment, one million dollars in the treasury, and an able and efficient management to control. His magnifi- cent service was recognized by his election as president of the road, but after one year the pres- sure of private business affairs led him to resign. From the establishment of Colorado College he has been a member of its board of trustees and 110 one rejoices more in its success than does he. Both in business and socially, he has a host of warm personal friends, who esteem him for his noble qualities and upright character.

Iu 1875 Mr. Jackson married Helen Hunt, "H. H ," who died in 1885. Three years later he married her niece, Helen Banfield, and they have had seven children, the youngest of whom died in December, 1898. Politically he is in sympathy with Republican principles. He is a member of many of the prominent clubs in this city, Denver and Pueblo.

ELEN HUNT JACKSON. Of the illustri- ous women who have made Colorado their home, there is none who has achieved the literary success or gained the world-wide fame of Helen Hunt Jackson. Colorado justly holds in reverence the memory of this gifted daughter. As she was, she will be long remembered, and especially by the people of Colorado Springs, where for so long she made her liome. She left her impress upon the literature of the times. In song and story tributes will be paid to her memory; but the influence of her mind in mould- ing thought, in creating a new type of fiction, and in awakening an interest in the red men of the west, cannot be measured by any tributes; it · is as measureless as the soul and as immortal as time itself. Her life was "a thing of beauty,"

Helen Maria Fiske was born at Amherst, Mass., October 18, 1831, the daughter of Nathan Wiley and Deborah (Vinal) Fiske, natives of Mas- sachusetts. Her father was a graduate and a tu- tor of Dartmouth College, and afterward became professor of languages in Amherst College, from which chair he was transferred to that of phi- losophy in the same institution. A man of great talent and versatile ability, he was no less suc- cessful as a Congregational minister than as an instructor in philosophy or mathematics or the classics, and he was also an anthor, publishing a translation of Eschenburg's "Manual of Clas- sical Literature," and a few books for children. He died May 27, 1847. His wife was also a woman of literary ability, and her "Letters from a Cat" were afterward edited and published by her daughter. Her death occurred February 19, 1844. Her two sons died in boyhood, and the two daughters were Helen aud Anne, the latter the wife of Everett C. Banfield, at one time so- licitor of the treasury department in Washington, and now a resident of Wolfboro, N. H.

From descriptions given by Helen Hunt in after years, it may be judged that she was a bright, frolicsome child, full of fun and humor, with a sunny temperment that remained one of her charms throughout life. In St. Nicholas Magazine of October, 1880, she described what she called "The Naughtiest Day of My Life," when, in company with another little girl, she ran away from home, walking to Hadley, a dis- tance of four miles from home. When the chil- dren were missed the entire village joined in a search for them, and they were finally found by two of the college professors. These words were written by Mrs. Fiske in her diary at the close of that anxious day: "Helen walked in at a quarter before ten at night, as rosy and smiling as pos- sible, and saying in her brightest tone, 'Oh, mother, I've had a perfectly splendid time!' "

Her education was acquired mainly in the Ipswich (Mass.) female seminary and a private school in New York City. October 28, 1852, she became the wife of Capt. (afterward Major) Edward Hunt, United States Army, whose brother, Hon. Washington Hunt, was at that time governor of New York. He was a man of scientific attainments and especially gifted in en- gineering. His duties as a military officer obliged him to make frequent changes from one post to

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another, and in these frequent migrations his wife bore a part, gaining through residence at differ- ent posts, and contact with various forms of civili- zations, an accurate knowledge of human nature and life under varied conditions.

Major Hunt was killed in Brooklyn, N. Y., October 2, 1863, while experimenting with a "sea miner," an invention of his own for firing pro- jectiles under the water. His first-born son, Murray, died at Tarrytown, N. Y., in August, 1854, when eleven months old. The second son, Warren Horsford, was a child of won- derful mental precocity, combined with a sweet disposition and attractive appearance. He was the idol of his mother's heart and his death left her heart-broken. He died suddenly, of diphthe- ria, at West Roxbury, Mass., April 13, 1865. For months after his death she held herself aloof from the society even of her nearest friends. When finally she appeared among them she was outwardly smiling and unchanged, but, in her heart, there was still that awful feeling of deso- lation and loss. When lonely at heart, her thoughts found vent in poetry. Hitherto she had shown no special talent for literature, but on go- ing to live at Newport, she was thrown among a literary class of people and became interested in the same line. The only poems she had previ- ously written were some that appeared in the Boston Press and Post when she was a girl, and they evinced no remarkable talent. But it has ever been found true that the heart, in season of affliction, throws the sweetest music into the soul; deep bereavement evokes from the soul's sad harp the most enduring melodies. She published some poems and later made her first attempt in prose, the now familiar signature "H. H." having first appeared in connection with a poem, "Tryst," in the Notion, April 12, 1866. Continuing her literary work, she soon became widely known. From November, 1868, to February, 1870, she traveled in Europe. In May, 1872, she visited California, and the winter of 1873-74 spent in Colorado.

At her sister's home in Wolfboro, N. H., in October, 1875, Helen Hunt became the wife of William Sharpless Jackson, of Colorado Springs. From that time until her death she made this beautiful city her home and found in the fine views of canons, mountains, springs and valleys, the inspiration for much of her writing. Her subsequent years were busy ones. In 1876 she published "Bits of Talk for Young Folks,"

"Bits of Talk about Home Matters;" in 1878 "Bits of Travel at Home"; in 1879, "The Story of Boone"; 1881, Mammy Tittleback's Stories"; "Hetty's Strange History", and "Mercy Phil- brick's Choice", published in the No-name se- ries by Roberts Brothers, Boston; 1884, "Cats of Connorloa"; 1878, "Nelly's Silver Mine"; 1882, "The Training of Children", "A Century of Dishonor," and the most famous of all, "Ra- monå", which first appeared as a serial in the Christian Union in 1884, and during the same year was issued in book form. As may be inferred from the work "Ramona, " the author was deeply interested in the Indians, and made a careful study of their customs, peculiarities and possi- bilities, and interested herself in securing for them an amelioration of their unfortunate con- ditions.

The illness which resulted in the death of Mrs. Jackson dated from a severe fracture of a limb, in June, 1884. Afterward a cancerous affection developed, which baffled the skill of physicians. In spite of protracted illness, her sweet, sunny disposition never deserted her, and she passed tranquilly into rest August 12, 1885. The body was brought from San Francisco, where she died, to Colorado Springs and given a burial place in accordance with her request, a spot near the sum - mit of Cheyenne Mountain, where she had often sat and dreamed and wrote. The constant visit- ing of her mountain resting place by throngs of visitors led Mr. Jackson, some years afterward, to remove her body to his lot in the city cemetery, where now lies all that is mortal and earthly of the once vivacious and brilliant Helen Hunt Jackson.

] OHN C. MC KENNA. The New York Tun- nel and Mining Company, of which Mr. Mc- Kenna is superintendent, was incorporated in November, 1895, with a capital stock of one million and two hundred and fifty thousand shares, its officers being J. J. McCarty, president; Jolını Bridge, vice-president; J. W. Campbell, secretary and treasurer; and R. T. Fahey, as- sistant secretary. The tunnel which the com- pany owns was located by Mr. McKenna and a Mr. Kelley in 1892, and is situated at the head of Squaw Gulch, near Anaconda. Reaching into the heart of Bull Hill, it has now attained a depth of fourteen hundred feet, all of the work having been done by hand, under the direct supervision of Mr. Kenna, who was the prime mover in the

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organization of the company. The tunnel runs directly under one of his claims on Bull Hill. Already $25,000 has been expended by the com- pany in the building of the tunnel, the value of which will be very great.

In Albany, N. Y., our subject was born Sep- tember 9, 1850, a son of James and Catherine (Coleman) McKenna; there he passed his boy- hood days. When thirteen years of age his mother died, leaving him and two sisters younger ' than himself and with no means save such as he could provide, his father at that time being a soldier during the war of the Rebellion. In 1866 he became an apprentice to the carpenter's trade. He went to Milwaukee, Wis., in October, 1876, and from there, in May, 1877, proceeded west to Denver, Colo., but remained in the latter city only a short time. He walked all the way from La Veta to Lake City, where he prospected for about three weeks. Afterward he began pros- pecting in Georgetown, then went to Silver Plume, where he worked at the carpenter's trade and also engaged in mining for two years. Going to Leadville in 1879, he worked at his trade and mined. With his provisions packed on a hand sled, in April, 1880, he went to Aspen. In that camp he located some claims and spent six years, but did not meet with any great success. In 1887 he went to Colorado Springs, where he be- gan contracting and building, continuing there until he came to the Cripple Creek district in 1892. He and his wife have located five claims here, namely: the Mountain Tiger, Unexpected, 77-92, the Corning and the Agnes. He owns the Late Acquisition, upon which the town of Anaconda is built. He also owns and has lo- cated other claims.

The marriage of Mr. McKenna, September i8, 1888, united him with Margaret McAuliff, who was born in Corning, 'N. Y., and came to Colo- rado with some friends in 1881, settling in Den- ver. She drove the stake on two of their claims and one of them is named in honor of her native town. Politically Mr. McKenna is independent in local affairs, but in national affairs usually gives his support to the Democratic party. He was one of the first trustees of the town of Anaconda, and a year after the town was estab- lished, in 1894, he was elected town clerk. He is entitled to the greatest commendation for the success he has gained. In spite of the fact that . he was orphaned in early life, and left with the care of the family devolving upon him, he lias

steadily and constantly labored, first at his trade of a carpenter and later at mining, and in the latter occupation he has achieved a prosperity of which he is eminently worthy.

ON. THOMAS H. STRATTON. As a leader in public affairs, Mr. Stratton is well known not only in the vicinity of his home, but throughout the state. In November, 1896, he was elected to represent the twentieth district, comprising Chaffee and Park Counties, in the state senate, and served in the eleventh general assembly. Two years later he was elected to the same office in the 28th Senatorial District, on the fusion ticket, by a large majority, and is the present incumbent of the office. It is conceded by all that the district has never had a more judicious or public-spirited representative in the senate than he, for he has shown in his official relations the same good judgment and ability manifested in his private business affairs. A man of strong convictions, when once con- vinced of the justice of a cause, he has devoted himself to it with all the energy characteristic of him, and in this way he has been instrumental in securing the passage of a number of important measures.

Now a citizen of Lake George, Park County, Mr. Stratton was born in Cooper County, Mo., January 7, 1858, a son of Thomas L. and Pauline (Donald) Stratton. He was one of six children, of whom five are now living, namely: Mary, wife of J. D. Stark, who is the present warden of the Missouri state penitentiary; Elizabeth, widow of M. E. Murphy, of Bates County, Mo .; John C., a prominent farmer of Cooper County, Mo .; Pauline, who resides in Jefferson City, Mo .; and Thomas H. The Stratton family was founded in Vir- ginia about 1610, the first representatives in this country settling in Bedford County. The Don- ald family were old settlers of Roanoke County, Va., and their old homestead stood five miles from the natural bridge.

Born in Virginia in 1796, Thomas L. Stratton in his young days followed the river and filled every office on his steamboat, having been cap- tain for some years prior to his retirement. While still a comparatively young man, he re- tired from his command of a boat, and turned his attention to other matters. For two terms he served as sheriff of Roanoke County. In 1857 he removed to Cooper County, Mo., taking with him more than thirty slaves, and settling upon a

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farm. There he continued to reside up to his death, which occurred in 1863. His wife was, like himself, a native of Virginia and died in Missouri.

The education of our subject was acquired principally in the Missouri State University at Columbia. In 1879, the year after his gradua- tion, he came to Colorado and embarked in the cattle business in Park County. In connection with his own cattle interests he was for six years superintendent of the 76 ranch. In 1889 he disposed of his herd and retired from the stock business. Afterward, for one and one-half years, he acted as bookkeeper for G. W. Frost, a hay and grain dealer at Florissant. Following this he removed to Lake George and bought an in- terest in the Lake George Ice Company, of which he was the manager for four years. In 1891 he began to invest in Cripple Creek mining prop- erty, and still holds extensive interests in that famous camp.

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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 36

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