Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 7

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 7

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Shortly after his graduation Dr. Grant opened an office in Nebraska, near Sioux City, Iowa, but in 1872 removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he continued for a number of years, and while there held the office of president of tlie Scott County Medical Society. He was also president of the Iowa and Illinois Central District Medical Association. In 1885 the surgeon-general of the United States army appointed him post surgeon at the Rock Island arsenal, and he held the po- sition until 1888, when he resigned on account of going to Europe. On his return from abroad, in December, 1889, he came to Denver, where he has an office in the Mack building. In addition to his general practice he is one of the surgeons to St. Joseph's hospital and president of the staff, and is also surgeon to the Rock Island Railroad here. The various professional organizations- the American Academy of Railway Surgeons, American, State and Denver and Arapahoe County Medical Societies-number him among their members. All discoveries in therapeutics, all improvements in surgery, and, in fact, every development made in the profession, receives his

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

thoughtful attention and study. Himself one of the foremost members of the medical fraternity, his articles concerning professional work and the treatment of disease frequently appear in medical journals and are valuable additions to the profes- sional literature.

The residence of Dr. Grant is at No. 930 Pennsylvania avenue. He was married in Franklin, Tenn., to Miss Mary A. Moseley, who was born in that state and died in Davenport, Iowa, leaving two children, William W., Jr., and James. In Denver he was a second time married, his wife being Miss Nanny Green, daughter of the late Judge James Green, of Cul- peper C. H., Va.

ON. JOB ADAMS COOPER, governor of Colorado, 1889-91, was born near Green- ville, Bond County, Ill., and is a son of Charles and Maria (Hadley) Cooper, members of old English families. His father, who was born at Maidstone, County Kent, England, forty miles south of London, was a son of Thomas Cooper, a paper manufacturer of Kent County, who came to the United States late in life and died at Yolo, Cal., when eighty-nine years of age. Charles was one of a large family of children who eventu- ally came to America. He was educated at Maid- stone and at the age of fifteen crossed the ocean on a sailing vessel, settling in Newark, N. J., where he learned the carriage manufacturer's trade. At the age of twenty-two he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in the lum- ber business. It was there that he married Miss Hadley. Removing to Illinois in 1840, he be- came a pioneer of Bond County, where he im- proved a valuable farm and continued to reside until his death, in 1865, at the age of fifty-nine years. Fraternally a Mason, he was active in the work of his order. He was a firm supporter of Democratic tenets. During the war he was loyal to the Union and assisted in raising troops for the Federal service. His wife died at fifty- nine years of age, and of their seven children, five of whom reached maturity, only two are living, Thomas Cooper, of Morgan County, Colo., and Job Adams Cooper.

The last-named was educated at Knox College, Galesburg, Ill., from which institution he was graduated in 1865, with the degree of A. B. Three years later the degree of A. M. was con-

ferred upon him by his alma mater. While a student in Knox College, in May, 1864, he en- listed, with many other students, in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illinois Infan- try, Capt. B.M. Veatch, and served until mustered out in the latter part of the same year. He was stationed near Memphis when the Confederate general, Forest, made his memorable raid.

In Galesburg, Ill., September 17, 1867, Mr. Cooper married Miss Jane O. Barnes, daughter of Rev. Romulus E. Barnes, one of the early Congregational home missionaries of Illinois. She, too, is identified with that denomination and has done much work of a benevolent nature. She was educated in Rockford Seminary in Illinois, and is a lady whose culture makes her a valuable acquisition in the most select social circles. The four children that comprise the family are named as follows: Olivia D., wife of Edwin S. Kassler; Mary Louise, Mrs. Lucius S. Storrs, of St. Paul, Minn .; Charles J., a graduate of Knox College, class of 1897, and now engaged in the real-estate business in Denver; and Genevieve P., a gradu- ate of Ogontz School, near Philadelphia.

On completing his literary studies at Galesburg, Mr. Cooper began to read law with Judge S. P. Moore, at Greenville, and in 1867 he was ad- mitted to the bar, after which he opened an office for practice in Greenville. In 1868 he was elected circuit clerk and recorder of Bond County, which position he continued to fill until he resigned, on coming to Denver in 1872. He arrived in this city May 14, and was admitted to practice at the bar here September 1, 1872. Forming a partnership with A. C. Phelps, as Phelps & Cooper, he gave his attention closely to his law practice. Afterward, for about two years, he was interested in a fire insurance agency, but retired from the insurance business in order to accept a position with the German Bank (later the Ger- man National Bank of Denver).

During the early years of his residence in the west, he was interested in the stock business, buying cattle in Texas and feeding them on Colorado ranches. Sometimes he shipped as many as two trains full of cattle a day from Brush, on the Burlington Railroad. The advent of set- tlers, however, caused him to retire from the. business.

During the years that followed he became known as a keen, discriminating financier and

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

public-spirited man. His circle of acquaintances increased, and his influence waxed constantly greater. The esteem in which he was held and the prominence which he had attained made the choice of his name by the Republicans for the gubernatorial chair a most happy selection. He was elected by a majority of ten thousand (which was considered large at that time) over his Democratic opponent, Thomas M. Patterson, of the Rocky Mountain News. He took the oath of office January 1, 1889, succeeding Gover- nor Adams at the expiration of the latter's first term. He had never been a partisan politician, and, although always a stanch supporter of the Republican party, he had not actively identified himself with party matters; however, he was well known throughout the state as a successful, honest, progressive and efficient business man, and it was the desire of the party to have such a man fill the executive chair.

On his retirement from the office of governor, he accepted the position of president of the National Bank of Commerce, and this he filled successfully and ably until 1897, when he resigned; since then he has devoted his attention to the management of his large and valuable property interests in this state and to mining at Cripple Creek as a member of the Tornado Gold Mining Company. In 1868 he erected, on the corner of Grant and Colfax, the elegant residence where he has since (and especially during his term as governor) entertained with a lavish and genial hospitality. In 1891 he began the erection of the substantial block known as the Cooper building, which is situated on the corner of Seventeenth and Curtis streets, and which, in its interior finish, is surpassed by no block in the state.

During Governor Cooper's term the superstruct- ure of the magnificent state capitol approached completion. He has been a member of the state board of capitol managers for six years, and yet holds that position. During his term the state also made a notable advance in mining, stock-rais- ing and commerce. The commonwealth reached the climax of its development and attained a pros- perity never before enjoyed, and indeed, dreamed of by few. The World's Fair preparations were being made while he was at the head of the gov- ernment, and he took an active part in arranging for a representation of Colorado at the Fair that would do justice to the industries of the state.

As an executive official he was conservative in judgment, never hasty in his decisions, but firm in carrying out any given course of action when once decided upon. He possessed a sagacity sound, well defined and trustworthy and was a man of profound foresight. Having made a study of constitutional law, he was well versed in the principles of wise statesmanship and public policy, and was admirably fitted to stand at the head of the greatest state in the mountain regions of the west.

ON. JOHN L. ROUTT. The last territoria and the first state governor of Colorado, also governor in 1891-93, enjoys the distinction of being the only one who has three times filled the gubernatorial chair of the state, and but two other governors have served more than a single term. Coming to Colorado prior to its admission as a state, he has from that time been closely identified with its history and has contributed to its progress. The development of the common- wealth has been ever near to his heart, its mining and stock-raising industries he has promoted in many important ways, while its commercial in- terests have been given an impetus through his executive ability and tireless energy.

In view of the close connection of Governor Routt with the business and political history of the state, considerable mention should be made of his life and public career. Whatever success he has achieved is the result of his unaided efforts, for he started out in the world with but a limited education, wholly destitute of money and also lacking influential friends. Money, friends and prominence have come to him, as the result of the honorable and efficient manner in which he has conducted business and his genial qualities as a man and friend.

The Routt family came from Wales to America. Daniel, a son of the founder of the family in this country, was born in Virginia and became a pioneer of Kentucky, settling in the woods three miles from Booneville, where he died at the age of eighty-five years. John, son of Daniel and father of our subject, was born in Clark County, Ky., and engaged in farming in Caldwell County, where he died at the age of thirty-four. During the war of 1812 he was a member of Captain Long's company.

The marriage of John Routt united him with

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Martha Haggard, who was born in Clark County, of Welsh descent. Her father, David Hag- gard, was born in Virginia and at the age of seventeen enlisted in the American army, where he served until the close of the Revolution. Later he removed to Kentucky and became a very early settler of Clark County, where he located very soon after the arrival of Daniel Boone. In after years he cultivated a farm in Trigg County, Ky., from which place he re- moved to Illinois and spent his last days with relatives in Bloomington, dying there at the age of eighty years. About 1835 our subject's mother, who had in the meantime married Henry New- ton of Kentucky, took her family to Illinois and for two years resided in Hancock County, next removed to McDonough County, and later settled in McLean County, where she died at seventy-seven years; Mr. Newton died at the age of eighty-five years. Her family consisted of two sons and two daughters, of whom two survive: John L., and Mrs. Elizabeth Newton, of McLean County.

The life which this narrative sketches began in Caldwell County, Ky., April 25, 1826. Early orphaned by his father's death, the boy was taken to Illinois by his mother and attended the public schools there. Although his educational advantages were meagre, he supplemented them by reading night and morning and at all spare moments. At the age of fourteen he began to earn his own livelihood. He learned the trades of machinist, architect and builder in Blooming- ton, where he secured steady employment, and also held the position of alderman of Bloomington and sheriff of McLean County. The latter position he resigned in order to enter the army soon after the opening of the war. In 1862 he raised Company E, of the Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry, which was mustered in at Bloomington with himself as captain. The regiment served in Missouri and Arkansas in 1862-63, under command of General Herron, and took part in several closely contested engagements. In the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., he narrowly escaped death, for three times bullets passed through his clothing. In the spring of 1863 he became quartermaster of an expedition organized near Rolla, Mo., to march upon Little Rock. Soon afterward the regiment joined General Grant at Vicksburg, where they remained until the fall of

that city. While at Vicksburg General Grant gave an order to the commanding general to . have a large amount of ammunition removed the following day from Chickasaw Bayou, eighteen miles away, by noon. This was considered im- possible, but was accomplished by Quartermaster Routt, which so pleased General Grant that he wrote John L. Routt's name in his note book. Years afterwards General Grant met Mr. Routt in Chicago and, remembering the name, a friend- ship began that lasted through life. In the fall of 1880 General Grant spent four weeks in the company of Governor Routt in the mountains of Colorado, and these are the most memorable four weeks in the governor's recollection. The next movement was to Port Hudson, Miss., thence to Brownsville, Tex., where Captain Routt was ap- pointed to duty as chief quartermaster of the army of the frontier on the Rio Grande, with the rank of colonel. He was ordered to New Orleans after the defeat of General Banks in 1864 and was then stationed at Baton Rouge in charge of the outfitting depot until he was mustered out of service September 20, 1865. He was a personal friend of President Lincoln, whom he warmly admired for his depth of character and breadth of mind.

Returning to Bloomington, Colonel Routt un- expectedly found himself the Republican candi- date for county treasurer. He was elected and served for two terms, but declined further renomination! During his administration an elegant courthouse was built and other improve- ments were made, in all of which his careful handling and wise disbursement of money was apparent. At the close of his second term, in November, 1869, he went to Washington as chief clerk to the second assistant postmaster-general under President Grant. During his services in that capacity a controversy arose in regard to the United States marshal for the southern district of Illinois, and he, without his knowledge, was appointed by President Grant to that position. In 1870 he took the census of his district, com- prising seventy-two counties.

In the fall of 1871 Colonel Routt received a telegram from President Grant, offering him the appointment of second assistant postmaster-gen- eral. He accepted the position, resigning as marshal, and the following day started for Washington, In this office he had charge of the

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

couveyauce of the whole United States mail, making contracts with railway, steamboat and stage lines, to the amount of about $20,000,000 per annum. While holding the position, a vacancy occurred in the governor's chair in the territory of Colorado by the resignation of Ed- ward M. McCook, and in February, 1875, General Grant appointed him governor. When he came to Colorado, Deuver was a city of less than five thousand inhabitants and the entire territory was thinly populated. Early in March he entered upon his duties, which were of a most responsible nature, owing to the fact that the Republican party was divided by dissension. The constitutional convention framed the con- stitution which was adopted July 4, 1876. The first state election was held in October of the same year. While he was not a candidate, he was unanimously nominated by his party and was elected for a term of two years, the first governor of the new state.

The inauguration of plans connected with the adoption of a state government necessarily in- volved many difficulties. The national govern- ment withdrew its protection and the state had to adopt plans for meeting its bills and maintain- ing its credit. The state warrants started off at seventy-five per cent and increased during his term until they commanded a premium of one per cent. As president of the state land board, the governor did much to secure for the state some of the best lands under grant of congress, and also organized the work of the board.

On his retirement from the position of chief executive, Governor Routt engaged in the cattle business and in mining at Leadville, meantime making his home in Denver. The succeeding years passed by, unmarked by special events, until his nomination, in 1890, for the office he had so efficiently filled in former years. He took the chair in January, 1891, and served until 1893. At the time of his inauguration the lower house was in a state of confusion, owing to the two speakers being elected by the two factions be- tween whom there seemed little hope of producing amity. About the same time a United States senator was to be elected, a subject that always brought contention. In spite of these adverse circumstances, the governor succeeded in bring- ing order out of chaos and his administration

proved as successful as those during the early days of Colorado's history.

When the bill providing for the erection of a new capitol was passed, Governor Routt was made a member of the board of managers and served until the spring of 1897, when he resigned. The building, in the erection of which he was so deeply interested, is an architectural triumph and may well be a source of pride and satisfaction to the five trustees forming the board of managers. It is constructed of granite, quarried in Gunnison County, this state. The framework is of steel, which makes the structure most substantial. The location is also unexceptionable, Capitol Hill commanding a fine view of the surrounding country.

In 1894 Governor Routt was elected mayor of Denver and served for one term. He was a delegate to the Republican national convention at Cincinnati, when Rutherford B. Hayes was nominated for president; also the convention of 1880 in Chicago, when he was one of three hundred and six men comprising the Graut dele- gation; the convention of 1884, when Blaine was nominated; and that of 1888, wheu General Har- rison was made the Republican nominee. In 1884 he was chairman of the state central com- mittee and at one time served as a member of the national committee. He came within four votes of being chosen United States senator from Colorado. Fraternally he is connected with the Loyal Legion and the Knight Templar Masons, and he is a member of Lincoln Post, G. A. R. He owns a commodious and beautiful home in Denver and a fine ranch of two thousand acres near Fort Col- lins, Colo.

While in Bloomington Mr. Routt was married to Miss Esther A. Woodson, who was born in Springfield and died in Washington. The chil- dren born of this union are: Minnie, Mrs. Charles Hartzell, who died in Denver; Mrs. Birdie M. Bryan, of Denver; Frank, who is engaged in mining at Cripple Creek; John H., of Denver; and Mrs. Emma Butler, also of this city. The second marriage of Governor Routt united him with Miss Eliza Pickrell, of Springfield, I11., and they are the parents of a daughter, Lila Elkin Routt.

In the public career of Governor Routt, perhaps one of his most striking characteristics

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

is his devotion to the interests of the state. Even those who were his political opponents never denied his patriotic interest in the common- wealth. Every trust reposed in him was faith- fully discharged, and it was always his endeavor to conserve the welfare of the state. He has striven to preserve the public lands transmitted to the state by congress in the enabling act, so that schools and public improvements may be benefited thereby. Himself a miner and stock- raiser, he is in thorough sympathy with the men who follow these occupations.

Personally he is a man of sound common sense and force of will, in physique strongly built and showing powers of endurance. He is a man of sympathetic heart, benevolent nature, large in- tellect, executive force, and with the tact so essential to the success of a public man.

G ON. JAMES BENTON GRANT. The his- tory of any city or state is best told in the lives of its people. Especially is this the case when its citizens are men of enterprise, breadth of intellect and sagacity of judgment, men whose influence is felt not only by those of the same generation, but reaches into the far dis- tant future, affecting generations yet to come. Some men advance the welfare of their com- munities by their business acumen, some assist in shaping the destiny of the state and nation; and others, in still different lines, promote the high- est prosperity of the people.

The influence of ex-Governor Grant has been felt both in commerce and in public affairs. As the chief executive of this state, he labored to enhance every interest, to increase the importance of every industry. As a business man he has worked not alone to secure personal success, but to aid in public-spirited and progressive enter- prises whereby other business men may also be benefited. Especially in Denver is his influence felt. In 1882, five years after he came to Colo- rado, he settled in Denver, the company of which he is vice-president, the Omaha and Grant Smelt- ing and Refining Company, having removed its headquarters here. In addition to his connection with this company, he is interested in a number of mining companies and is vice-president of the

Denver National Bank, in the organization of which he took an active part.

The Grant family is of Scotch origin. The great-grandfather of Governor Grant, James Grant, emigrated from Scotland to North Caro- lina, where he was a planter. Prior to coming to this country he and two brothers, Captain Patrick and William Grant, had taken part in the battle of Colodin. Descendants of James and William are in America to-day, so that the family name is being perpetuated here. Hon. James Grant, a son of the original settler, was a planter in North Carolina and one of the most influential public men of that state, at the time of his death holding the office of comptroller of the state.

Thomas McDonough Grant, M. D., son of Hon. James Grant, was born in North Carolina, and graduated in medicine from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and the Medical College of Charleston, S. C., after which he began to practice in Alabama on the Chattahoot- chie River and also operated a plantation there. He died on his homestead at the age of sixty-six years. His wife was Mary Jane Benton, daugh- ter of Jamies Benton, who was a planter in North Carolina and died in early manhood. After her father's death she was taken into the home of an uncle, Col. Jack Crowell, a prominent man and the first member of congress from Alabama, also for a time Indian agent for the Seminoles. The Crowell family removed to Alabama from North Carolina, whither they had come from England. The family name was originally Crom- well, but there was so much prejudice among the people against this name that they dropped the "m" after coming to America and afterward were known by the present name. The Benton family was also of English extraction, closely re- lated to both the Grants and Crowells. Dr. Grant had four sisters and three brothers. One of the brothers is Judge James Grant, of Daven- port, Iowa. Another, William A., died in Mont- gomery, Ala .; and the third, Lieut. Gough Grant, was an officer in the United States navy for eight- een years, but is now retired.

After the death of Dr. Grant his wife removed to Davenport, where she died at the age of sixty- two years. She was the mother of seven chil- dren, of whom six are living, namely: Mrs. Eliz- abeth Ragland, of Denver; Sarah, wife of Charles Whitaker, of Davenport, Iowa; Dr. W. W .;

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

James Benton; D. C., of Scott County, Iowa; and Whitaker M., an attorney in Oklahoma. James Benton Grant was born on a plantation near Columbus, in Russell County, Ala., Jan- uary 2, 1848. His boyhood was spent on a plantation in that county. His father taught him to make every kind of farm implement and its practical use in the cultivation of corn, cotton and farm produce. He also learned woodcraft and the use of the axe in felling trees and splitting rails. Thus he laid the foundation for a strong mental and physical development. Though he alternated school work with farming, yet before the age of fifteen he had read Virgil and had commenced to read Sallust. As he was growing toward manhood the dark clouds of war fell upon the nation and when he was but seventeen, Jan- ulary 2, 1865, he enlisted in the Confederate army as a member of Waddell's battalion, in which he remained until the close of the war brought the disbandment of the troops, and he returned home in April, 1865.

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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 7

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