Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 42

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 42

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Locating in Chicago, Colonel Brainerd em- barked in the lumber business under the firm title of Soper, Brainerd & Co., in which enterprise he was interested from 1865 to 1876. The firm en- gaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber and owned a mill, with a capacity of one hundred thousand feet a day, covering, with the adjoining yards, two blocks on Polk and Beach streets. Meantime, in 1873, he also became interested in the Brighton Smelting Works, of which he was manager, and in this way was aroused his first interest in and connection with mining. In 1876 he assisted in the organization of the Chicago and Colorado Mining and Milling Company, of which he was made president and manager. During the same year (which was the year of Colorado's admission as a state) he came west, for the pur- pose of developing the company's mining prop- erty in Ward district, Boulder County.

Camp Talcott (or, as it is often called, Brain- erd's Camp) is one of the large as well as one of the most completely developed properties in the state. Tunnels and mines have been opened on different parts of the property of eight hun- dred acres. The entire tract was patented by Colonel Brainerd as a stock ranch and was after- ward patented by discovering and developing mining claims, thus having a double patent on much of the land. The Colorado and Northwest- ern Railroad between Boulder and Ward passes the property, and at a convenient place Brainerd Station is located. The plant is undoubtedly the most modern in the state and is the first mining property to be operated by electricity in this part of Colorado.

In his travels through the mountains, Colonel Brainerd came across the natural lakes at the foot of Mount Audubon and at once saw the natural advantage for the water power. As early

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as 1884 he took the necessary steps to secure the water rights of the same, having in mind a way by which it could be utilized, as the path of the flume necessary to convey the water to Camp Tal- cott would come via the Utica mine. He succeed- ed in arousing the interest of the Utica Company by the aid of John S. Reid, then manager of the Utica, who heartily endorsed the project. Fin- ally the flume from the South St. Vrain, from the foot of the Snowy Range, to a point above Ward was constructed, with Mr. Reid as superintend- ent of construction of this upper flume. The flume is 2x21/2 feet in dimensions, and takes three hundred and fifty thousand feet of lumber; from the headwaters to the Pentstock it is taken through Ward in a pipe of seventy-five hundred feet, and here the Utica uses it. Up to this point it was jointly constructed by the Utica Company and the Chicago and Colorado Mining and Mill- ing Company, while the latter company alone constructed it to Camp Talcott from Utica by a flume 2x2 feet, one mile long, taking one hun- dred and fifty thousand feet of lumber. To manu- facture this lumber they put up their own sawmill in the mountains.

From the Pentstock above Camp Talcott, Colonel Brainerd calculated the dimensions and strength of the pipe necessary to carry it to the power house. It was here that his experience as machinist and locomotive builder proved most helpful, as did also his natural inventive genius, for there was no plant in existence of the type of his, and he was forced to rely upon his own brain and judgment. From the Pentstock it is taken down the hill in steel pipe, a distance of twenty-seven hundred feet, making seven hun- dred and forty feet perpendicular fall, thus get- ting a pressure of three hundred and twenty pounds to the square inch. Beginning at the top, the first twelve hundred feet is of sixteen inch pipe, No. 10 steel; the next seven hun- dred and fifty feet, fourteen inch pipe, No. 8 steel; and the last seven hundred and fifty feet, twelve inch, 3-16 steel; all double riveted flange joints. The pipe is fitted to the irregularities of the hill and anchored in bed rock. It was manu- factured in sheets in the east and brought to Denver, where it was bent and riveted into nine- teen foot lengths, and hauled from Boulder to Camp Talcott. In all there were sixty-five tons of steel pipe. The pipe is connected with the

four Leffel wheels, thirty-six inches in diameter, developing a maximum of twelve hundred horse power and a minimum of three hundred and fifty. A substantial stone power house, 40x28, has been built and equipped with a one hundred and twenty horse-power dynamo of the three phase system, with four hundred and forty volts capac- ity, with five hundred and forty revolutions a minute and energized by one of the wheels which has a capacity of one hundred and fifty horse- power. There is an air column construction of one hundred and twenty pounds' pressure that acts as an air cushion.

The construction of the pipe line and the devices for regulating the flow of water are very complete and efficiently accomplish the purpose for which they are designed. Power is transmitted to the different mines, viz .: three thousand feet to the Polar Star, where is a forty horse motor; forty- four hundred and forty feet to the Coy mine, where are a fifteen horse motor and skips; and to the Left Hand mine, fifteen hundred feet up a side hill. In each a most complete electric hoist has been equipped with the three phase system. An ingenious device for dumping buckets, the inven- tion of the foreman, is a great labor saver. When power is desired, telephone signals are given to the operator in the power house, who connects the circuit and the turning of the switch e11- ergizes the motor.

All of these properties at depths varying from seventy-five to one hundred and thirty feet show very large veins of iron sulphide, running from $10 to $500, with a fair average of about $40 ore. The veins range from five to ten feet in width. About twenty-five other properties are being equipped, having shafts of twenty feet deep. Ultimately many of these properties will be equipped with electric hoists. The plant in the power house was installed by the Mountain Elec- tric Company, and when its full capacity is utilized, the output from Camp Talcott will be no insignificant factor in the traffic offered the rail- road from Boulder to Ward.

Among the other mines that have been de- veloped is the Moltke, which is in shape for stic- sessful operation at any time. A complete telephone system, centering at the power house, connects all the mines, and also makes connection with the residence of Colonel Brainerd and other buildings on the camp. All of the buildings are

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modern and complete, and when it is observed that nearly all of the material for construction has been hauled from Boulder at a rate of $6 per ton, one can well imagine the energy and great amount of money it has taken to accomplish this gratifying result. All the plans are now com- pleted for building a switch from the Colorado and Northwestern Railroad to the power house, which will take about ten thousand feet of track, on account of the height of the road above Camp Talcott.

When Colonel Brainerd first came to Ward, there was considerable prospecting, but later it fell off considerably. He, however, continued his prospecting and found that he secured rich ore, so he continued the development and discoveries, and now has over sixty different claims. He has done more to bring Ward mining and mines to the front than anyone else, by the expenditure of enormous sums in the development of claims. The most of his claims were discovered directly by himself.

In Chicago, November 17, 1858, Colonel Brain- erd married Miss Amelia M. Gage, who was born in DeRuyter, Madison County, N. Y., a daughter of Eli A. and Mary (Judson) Gage, natives of DeRuyter and New Berlin. Mrs. Brainerd is a sister of Lyman J. Gage, present secretary of the treasury. Her grandfather, Justus Gage, was a pioneer of Madison County; his father came from England and settled in New England. Eli A. Gage was a merchant and manufacturer in De- Ruyter, subsequently removed to Rome, N. Y., whence in 1855 he removed to Chicago and embarked in the lumber business. He died in Evanston, Ill., in 1879. His wife was a daughter of Abel Judson, who was a sea-faring man. Colonel and Mrs. Brainerd have two children: Irving Gage, who is assistant superintendent of the mines; and Belle, who is Mrs. Emil Phillip- son, of New York City.

Fraternally Colonel Brainerd is a prominent Mason. He is a charter member of the Colorado Commandery of the Loyal Legion, of which he was commander in 1894-95. For years he was active in his support of the Republican party, but he is now independent in politics and votes for the man he deems best qualified to represent the people in office, regardless of political affiliations. Personally he is a man of fine physique, in whose countenance kindness, amiability and benevolence

glow. To all public enterprises of a helpful nature he is liberal and enterprising. He is exceedingly hospitable, and happy is the guest who comes beneath his roof.

While the colonel has continued in the stock business and raising full-blood cattle on his eight hundred acre ranch and farm in Nebraska, yet mining has been his principal business, and in it he has made his greatest success. Talcott Camp is located conveniently on the Left Hand Creek. The surrounding scenery is beautiful. Upon the side rise the mountains, delighting the eye with long glimpses of forests of spruce and pine, while the air of busy thrift and industry around the camp delight the eye of every practical miner.

OHN T. BOTTOM. Not alone through the high position which he occupies as an attor- ney-at-law, but also by reason of his promi- nence in the order of the Knights of Pythias, his attractive style as a writer and his eloquence as a speaker, Mr. Bottom has become well and favor- ably known to the people of Colorado. Upon establishing his home in Denver in 1889 he opened an office for the practice of the legal pro- fession, and in time became the possessor of a clientele that brought influence and financial suc- cess. Reared in the faith of the Democratic party and thoroughly devoted to its principles, here as in his former home he has taken an active part in promoting party success, in winning vic- tory for its men and measures. In 1891 he was made secretary of the Democratic central coni- mittee of Denver, and during the presidential campaign of 1892 he was made chairman of the county committee. Chosen by his party to act as their nominee in the congressional campaign of 1894, he held aloft the party standard in every part of the district, which, however, was too thoroughly Republican to make hope of election possible. When the stirring campaign of 1896 began, with its new questions and issues that broke the ranks of the old parties, he at once took the "stump" in behalf of the silver cause, and his eloquent, earnest addresses deepened the public sentiment in favor of a new standard of money. His opinions on this subject have not been formulated thoughtlessly; they are the re- sult of study and observation. His travels have taken him into sections of the country where once

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were thriving mining towns, now forlorn and de- serted; towns that once were astir with life and activity, but that were ruined by the act of con- gress in 1873 demonetizing silver, thus forcing the silver mines to shut down and hundreds of miners to be thrown out of employment. Nor is the question one of local interest only, for what affects the silver mines in the first instance will eventually affect the prosperity of the state and the welfare of the nation.

Mr. Bottom was born in St. Marys, W. Va., January 26, 1860, and was an infant when his parents, Dr. Montgomery and Lavinia (Harri- son) Bottom, removed to Breckenridge, Mo., where his father still practices medicine. His primary education was obtained in the public school there, and at the age of sixteen he entered Central College, at Fayette, Mo., continuing there for two years. His education was com- pleted in the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he graduated from the literary department in 1879 and from the law department in 1881. On being admitted to the bar he opened an office in Breckenridge, earning his first fee four days after graduation. The Democrats of Caldwell County nominated him in 1882 to represent the district in the legislature, but he was obliged to decline the nomination, as he was not old enough for constitutional requirements. Though not permitted to be a candidate he took an active part in the campaign, and did all within his power to promote party success. In 1884 he was nominated for prosecuting attorney, but was de- feated by one hundred and thirty-eight votes, the remainder of the ticket losing by seven hundred and fifty-seven votes. At the time of leaving Missouri, in 1889, he was chairman of the county Democratic committee, secretary of the Demo- cratic congressional committee and chairman of the senatorial committee.

In Quincy, Ill., May 15, 1884, Mr. Bottom married Miss Lethe M. Boyer, daughter of Noah and Ellen (McCullough) Boyer. They have an only child, a daughter, Monta.

Fraternally Mr. Bottom is identified with the Masons as a Knight Templar. He is, however, most prominent through his connection with the Knights of Pythias. He was first initiated into the order in Denver Lodge No. 41, in which he filled the offices of vice-chancellor and chancellor- commander. In 1893 he exemplified the new

ritual that had been adopted before representa- tives of all the lodges of the state. The next year he became a member of the Grand Lodge, and in 1895 was made chief tribune of the Grand Tribunal, in 1896 was honored by election as grand vice-chancellor, and in 1897 received the further honor of election as grand chancellor, his present office. The membership of the order in Colorado is about six thousand, and new mem- bers are constantly being added to the ranks. The lodges in the different parts of the state are frequently visited by the grand chancellor, wliose entertaining and eloquent speeches do much for the advancement of the cause. In a recent num- ber of The Pythian appears his address delivered at the eleventh anniversary of Myrtle Lodge No. 34. Colorado Springs, which is considered one of the best ever delivered upon the subject of the order, its principles, foundation and teach- ings. In it he traces the teachings of the order to the commands given to Moses on Mount Sinai. "Its corner stone is the solid granite rock of friendship. The columns on either side the en- trance are charity and benevolence. Our teaclı- ings embrace loyalty to country, devotion to its flag, observance of its laws, love of home, love of justice, mercy and fidelity one to another." Briefly sketching the immortal friendship of Damon and Pythias, he described how the read- ing of this story inspired Justus H. Rathbone to found the order that marches under the banner of Pythianism. "Thirty-four years ago Rath- bone breathed the breath of life in what is to-day America's greatest civic society. It was born in the city of Washington. The fame of the order was not long in spreading from the capitol on the historic Potomac. Like the tiny waves caused by throwing a pebble in the placid pool, its influ- ence was felt farther and farther, touching the rock-bound coast of Maine and reaching on the other side to the city by the Golden Gate. And now we have organized a lodge amid the gold- bearing icebergs of far-off Alaska. In every state and territory that protects and for protection looks to the tri-colored flag of the Union, you will find the blue, yellow and red banner of Pythianism. The banner of the stars and stripes stands for our country. The tri-colored banner of the order of Knights of Pythias stands for hu-' manity, it stands for all that is best in manliood and for all that is purest and loveliest in woman-

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hood. Long may it wave. The blue is emblem- atic of truth and expresses heaven itself. The yellow is a symbol of the great orb of day and portrays the faithfulness that should charac- terize our membership. The red symbolizes love and loyalty, and under a banner so expressive of lofty sentiments we should keep ourselves loyal to truth, faithful to our tenets and guide with love our lives to the end."

EORGE M. MCCLURE, president of the McClure-White Mercantile Company of Boulder and the Boulder Electric Light Company, is a member of a Vermont family that came originally from Scotland. His grandfather, Samuel McClure, accompanied his parents from Scotland to America, settling in Vermont, where he engaged in farm pursuits through the remain- der of his life. The father, H. B., was born in Middletown Springs, Rutland County, Vt., and became a millwright and wagon-maker, which trades he followed in his native state. Late in life he removed to Spenceport, N. Y., where he died at sixty-eight years of age. In religion he was a Baptist. His wife, Susan, daughter of Sylvanus Mallory, a soldier in the war of 1812 and a farmer of Vermont, was born in Connecti- cut and died in Spenceport, N. Y. She was a descendant of Puritan ancestors, who came to this country from England.

The family of H. B. and Susan McClure con- sists of six sons, all living, our subject being the only one now in Colorado, the others residing in Vermont. One brother, Charles, took part in the Civil war as a member of the Tenth Vermont Infantry. George M. was educated in the public schools of Middletown Springs, his native village. At the age of eighteen, in 1863, he went to Poult- ney, Rutland County, where he was employed by Jay J. Joslin, now of Denver. In the spring of 1873 he came to Colorado to assist in opening Joslin's dry-goods store, and in the fall of the same year he came to Boulder, opening a store here for Mr. Joslin, in connection with H. N. Bradley, now of Denver. Soon the firm of Brad- ley & McClure was established, and they began in business in March, 1874, at their present lo- cation, though occupying a room much smaller than the one now used.

Selling his interest in the Boulder store in 1887,

Mr. McClure became one of the proprietors of a store in Glenwood Springs, and remained there for three years, when he sold to his partner, Mr. Napier, and to Mr. McLean. Returning to Boul- der in 1890, he bought Mr. Bradley's interest in the Bradley-Wise Mercantile Company, and changed the title to the McClure-White Mercan- tile Company, of which he is president and man- ager, Mr. White vice-president, Mr. Davis sec- retary and H. B. McClure treasurer. The firm occupy three rooms, 75×125 feet in dimensions, with basement.

Mr. McClure is a director in the First National Bank. He was one of the original promoters of the Boulder National Bank about 1884, and was a director from the start until 1887. His estab- lishment is the largest in northern Colorado and contains a full line of goods of highest grade, for the best trade. The success that has come to him is due to his energy and determination. In 1894 he and H. N. Bradley opened a dry-goods business in Denver, on Sixteenth street, continu- ing it together until May, 1897, when he sold his interest to Mr. Bradley, the present proprietor.

The marriage of Mr. McClure took place in Middletown Springs, Vt., and united him with Edilda M. Burnham, daughter of Albert Burn- ham, a native of Maine and a blacksmith in Middletown Springs, where she was born. Her death occurred at Boulder in January, 1885. Her three children are: Harry B., who was edu- cated in the public schools and Rochester (N. Y.) Commercial College;George A., who was educated in the State University and is with the company; and Elizabeth M., who is a member of the uni- versity class of 1898.

Politically Mr. McClure is a Republican. Fra- ternally he is connected with Boulder Lodge No. 45, A. F. & A. M., Boulder Chapter No. 7, R. A. M., Mount Sinai Commandery No. 7, K.T., (of which he is a charter member and the present treasurer), and El Jebel Temple, N. M.S., of Denver.

EV. JOSEPH P. CARRIGAN. St. Patrick's parish, Denver, was established in 1881 by the venerable Bishop Machebeuf. Rev. M. J. Carmody said the first mass on the north side, and assembled the newly formed congregation for divine service in the old hose house on Fifteenth street. He was taken ill a few weeks

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afterwards and resigned his charge. Father Carmody was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Ahern, who changed the place of service to Platte street. During his time the present site of St. Patrick's was secured, the venerable old Bishop Machebeuf donating $1,000 towards the purchase of the five lots on which the church and school now stand. Rev. J. C. Ahern was succeeded shortly by Rev. Jeremiah Ahern.

From its very beginning St. Patrick's parish had a turbulent career. Misunderstandings there had been between pastors and people. Debts had accumulated, and, to add to the distress, the church just nearing completion was blown down by a terrific windstorm. It was a total loss on the congregation. Father John Quinn, of the Cathedral, managed the affairs of the parish for some time, however, residing on the north side. He was succeeded by Father Patrick Sheridan and Father James Conroy, both delicate priests, who came to Colorado in search of health. In the year 1883 Rev. Stephen Keegan took charge. During his pastorate the church was rebuilt and the school opened under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph. During the building of the church Father Keegan erected on the site of the present parish dwelling a frame church which he affec- tionately christened the "Shanty." It served its purpose well until the new church could be re- built. In 1885 Father Keegan left Colorado and took up his home in California, where a few years later he died.

The successor of Father Keegan was Father Carrigan, who found the new church with an incumbrance that remained from the building of the first church. Directing himself to the raising of the debt, within two years he had freed the congregation from the entire indebtedness. A year before he became pastor a school had been started, which he found feebly struggling for ex- istence. He remodeled the church, making it large enough to accommodate both the congre- gation and the school, and at once the latter took on new life. There are now two hundred and seventy pupils, taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and who, at graduation, are pre- pared to enter high school. An academic course is being projected and will soon open, in connec- tion with the convent, known as Sisters of St. Joseph Academy.

The church is situated on Bell avenue between

Fairview avenue and Wanless, but other property has been bought and in time a church will be erected on the corner of Clear Creek and Thirty- third avenue west. In the parish there are over three hundred and fifty families, to whose spiritual interests Father Carrigan ministers. His pastorate here has extended over a greater number of years than that of any other priest in Denver. In connection with the church, he has the usual societies, including the Sodality, Sacred Heart League, Holy Name and Young Ladies'.

In 1889 St. Patrick's parish extended over the whole of the north side, including a portion of East Denver, as far as the Union depot. Rev. T. J. Murphy, who was then assistant at St. Patrick's, assumed charge of what was known as the Highlands. Father Carrigan purchased the ground on which the present St. Dominic's Church now stands and formed the first parish out of St. Patrick's. The Dominican fathers now have a flourishing congregation in that beautiful portion of the north side. The next parish to be formed out of St. Patrick's was the Holy Family in the scattered portion of North Denver, surrounding the Jesuit college. The Holy Family have no church as yet, but the congregation hold divine service in the college chapel.

The Italian people having become very numer- ous in this portion of the city, he deemed it advisable that they should have a church of their own where they could hear the word of God and receive instruction in their native tongue. Ac- cordingly, in 1892, the Italian church was built within the limits of St. Patrick's parish.

Born and reared in Auburn, N. Y., Father Carrigan is the son of Patrick and Anna (Shields) Carrigan, natives of Ireland, who were married in England and came to America in 1848, For many years the former engaged in business in New York. During the war he responded to the draft, but was rejected on account of physical disability. Of their nine children, four are living, Joseph being the sole surviving son. He studied in the parochial and public schools of Auburn, then for two years was under a private tutor, and later took a classical course in St. Hyacinthe College, in Quebec, from which he graduated in 1878. A few months afterward he entered Troy Theological Seminary, where he spent four and one-half years in the study of

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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 42

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