Portrait and biographical record of the state of Colorado, containing portraits and biographies of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 70

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 70

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Though not a politician, Mr. Miller is a man of firm convictions and always votes the Repub- lican ticket. Socially he belongs to the Denver Club and Denver Athletic Club. December 30, 1885, he married Eva C., daughter of Thomas H. and Angeline (Campbell) Baker. Her father, who was born in Vermont, removed to Kansas in early life and became very prominent in the public life of that state. For twelve years he was a mem- ber of the state legislature. From Kansas he re-

moved to Denver, where he became principal of a public school. Mr. and Mrs. Miller reside at No. 1336 Gaylord street, Denver. They have three sons, Walter Baker, Hugh Baker and David Baker.

Among mine operators in Colorado Mr. Miller is known as a successful operator of mines. His engineering skill is recognized by all who have had business relations with him, and his latest and perhaps most successful achievement (the development of the Commodore mines) has given him a deserved position among those who are foremost in mining skill and knowledge.

OL. LEWIS C. SKINNER, who won mer- ited distinction in the Civil war, has made Colorado Springs his home since June, 1878. He is of remote Scotch descent, but the family has been identified with New England history from an early period. His father, Samuel, who was born in Packersfield, N. H., January 18, 1797, was a farmer and lumberman at Nunda, N. Y., for many years, and afterward engaged in the manufacture of engines and machinery until 1860, when he sold out. In 1868 he retired from active business cares. During his closing years he spent some time in Chicago, but his death oc- curred in Brooklyn, Iowa, in 1876. For years he served as supervisor of the town of Nunda, and for two terms he was a member of the New York assembly. His wife, who was Luanna Satterlee, was born in Easton, N. Y., August 19, 1796, became his wife February 1, 1818, and died at Nnnda in 1859. They were the parents of four sons and one daughter, namely: Henry R., who died in Brooklyn, Iowa; Abbott J., who died in boyhood; Sylvia R., who lives in Mar- quette, Mich .; Lewis C .; and Nelson J., who was a member of a New York regiment in the Civil war, was captured by the Confederates and all trace of him lost by his relatives, although with- out doubt he died in prison.

Colonel Skinner was born in Nunda, Living- ston County, N. Y., June 4, 1833. He was edu- cated in public schools and Nunda Academy. His first employment was on the Genesee Valley canal, where he assisted his father, with whom he later became interested in the machine shop. In September, 1861, he volunteered in the defense of the Union. His name was enrolled as first lieutenant of Company A, One Hundred and Fourth New York Infantry, which was mustered into service at Geneseo. Later he was commis-

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sioned major. He took part in the battles of Cedar Mountain and Rappahannock Station, Va., the second battle of Bull Run, Va., South Moun- tain, Md., and Antietam. He was dismissed from the service for a year on the surgeon's cer- tificate that, unless he left the army, he would never recover from the effects of a broken leg re- ceived in March, 1862, while on duty. Soon after his return home in October, 1862, he re- ceived commissions as lieutenant-colonel and colo- nel respectively, but did not accept either of them. From October, 1862, until December, 1863, he was employed in the surveyor's depart- ment in the custom house in New York City as an inspector. In December, 1863, he was ap- pointed a major in the then invalid corps, and ordered to report for duty at Camp Douglas, Chicago. In June, 1864, he was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel of the Eighth Regiment Vet- eran Reserve Corps, and was assigned to duty at Camp Douglas, Chicago, where he remained until the close of the war. After all the prison- ers had been exchanged, in September, 1865, he was ordered with the regiment to Cairo, Ill., and had command of that post until December, when he was mustered out and ordered to report at the home office. In March, 1866, he was ordered to report to Major-General Howard at Charleston, S. C., and was assigned duty in the Freedman's Bureau, his districts being Orangeburg and Barn- well. July 9, 1866, upon his personal request, he was mustered out and honorably discharged. In October of the same year he received commis- sion as brevet colonel of United States Volunteers, in recognition of meritorious service.

Upon being discharged from the service, Colo- nel Skinner went to Chicago and engaged in the mercantile business, later becoming interested in real estate. In 1869, on account of his wife's health, he went to St. Paul, but the change did not prove beneficial, and in the spring of 1870 she died. He returned to Nunda, N. Y., and engaged in the grocery business until 1878, when he came to Colorado Springs, and since then he has engaged in the wool-growing business as a member of the firm of Skinner & Ashley. With his partner, H. I. Ashley, he established a ranch of eight hundred acres twenty miles east of Colo- rado Springs, with a vast range for his sheep. They have been among the large wool growers in the state, and have made a specialty of the merino sheep. Near Beaver City, Neb., they own a farm of four hundred acres, on which they

raise corn and alfalfa, and where they feed their lambs. The family residence in Colorado Springs is at No. 423 North Nevada avenue.

The first wife of Colonel Skinner was Delyra A. Tuthill, who was born in Vermont and died in St. Paul, Minn., in 1870. His second marriage took place in Nunda and united him with Miss Eliza A. Tuthill, who was born in Windham County, Vt. One child blesses this union, Dora D., who is a graduate of Cutler Academy.

Politically Colonel Skinner is a pronounced Republican. For one term he was county com- missioner of El Paso County, and for four years served as alderman from the third ward of Colo- rado Springs. While in Nunda he was made a Mason, and is now a member of El Paso Lodge No. 13, A. F. & A. M .; in Colorado Springs Chapter No. 6, R. A. M., he is past high priest; Pike's Peak Commandery No. 6, K. T., in which he is past eminent commander; Zabud Council No. 8, R. E. S. M., Colorado Springs (of which degree he was three times illustrious master while in the east); Colorado Consistory in Denver; and El Jebel Temple, N. M. S.

UKE CAHILL, who is engaged in the cattle business in Bent County, resides in Las Animas and owns a farm of two hundred acres adjoining the city, besides which he has eight ranches, aggregating two thousand acres of land, in this county. He was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, July 6, 1850, a son of Michael and Mar- garet (Delaney) Cahill. When he was very small his parents settled in London, Canada. His father died when the son was about thirteen years of age and the latter was then thrown upon his own resources. Going to Port Huron, Mich., he secured employment in a grocery store, where he remained about two years. When the war opened he was interested in the success of the Union and before it had closed, he offered his services, but was rejected on account of his youth. He then hired to the government as a teamster, and was ordered to drive from Nash- ville to Atlanta. He did so, reaching the latter city in time to take part in the battle there, and later he participated in the battle at Nashville. However, the exposure, hardships and irregular and scanty meals caused him to become ill, and after the battle at Nashville he was sent back to Michigan and discharged.

After a visit of a few weeks with his mother in London, Canada, our subject returned to Port

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Huron and from there went to Chicago, where he was employed in driving a mule team on a street car. Six months later he was promoted to be conductor. Nine months were spent in that capacity, after which he and others hired to go to Bolivar County, Miss., to grow corn and cotton on shares. The work, however, did not suit him, and in a few weeks he went to Mem- phis, where he hired to carry water to workmen on the section of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad. A strike took place and he with others stopped work. Going back to Chicago, in April, 1866, he enlisted in the United States army and was ordered to Fort Columbus, New York harbor. Thence he was sent to Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and assigned to Company A, Fifth United States Infantry, Lieut-Col. George Sykes commanding the regiment. His next assignment was to Fort Union, N. M., thence to Fort Summers on the Pecos River, where they were to guard all the Navajo Indian reservations, and this they did for eighteen months. As an escort to Gen. Tecum- seh Sherman he visited all the military posts in New Mexico and Arizona, the trip taking about three months. After the trip was over he returned to Fort Summers. Frequently he en- gaged with his company in skirmishes with Indians, particularly the Cheyennes, Arapahoes and Comanches, and once an arrow, shot by an Indian, went through his left wrist. More than once he was in imminent peril of his life, at times when the soldiers were surrounded by Indians. On a trip to Fort Stanton as an escort the soldiers were followed by over three thousand Indians and were penned up in Rock Canon, but managed to make their escape in the night.

Going to Fort Lyon, Colo., in the fall of 1867, Mr. Caliill saw this county for the first time. He spent the winter in a tent at the fort, his duty being to guard the overland mail from Fort Dodge, Kan., to Fort Lyon, for which purpose he had command of about twenty men. He continued in this capacity until the Kansas & Pacific Rail- road was built to Sheridan in 1868. Next, with a squad of twenty men, he was placed at Station No. 2, twenty-two miles northeast of Fort Lyon. In 1868-69 he accompanied General Carr to the Canadian River in the Indian Territory, where he remained until they met Custer and Sheridan. After camping for a month on the Cold Water River he was ordered to Fort Lyon for the win- ter. His company took part in breaking up the notorious Cole gang, many of whose members

were sent to the penitentiary at Canon City, while Cole himself was hanged by a mob in Pueblo. Mr. Cahill hauled twelve wagon loads of telegraph wire, the first used in the construc- tion of a line across Colorado, New Mexico and Old Mexico. This he delivered at Trinidad. On his return he attended the funeral of Kit Carson at Fort Lyon; this famous scout was first buried at Boggsville, three miles south of Las Animas, but his remains now lie at Taos, N. M. Among other scouts with whom Mr. Cahill was ac- quainted, we mention the names of William Cody (Buffalo Bill), William Haycock (Wild Bill), Charles Auttabee and his sons, Hosea and Mari- ano, also Jesse Nelson, who married into the Kit Carson family.

May 4, 1869, Mr. Cahill was honorably dis- charged from the army, at Fort Lyon, as first sergeant of Company A. His first work after this was in the employ of the Barlow-Sanderson Overland Mail and Express Company, with which he remained about one year, attending to the weighing of their grain and caring for their stock at Station No. 2. After a year he embarked in the cattle business with Col. Daniel Webster Van Horn and remained in the business for three years, when he sold to his partner. He was then elected county assessor, being the last to fill that office in the county while it was under terri- torial government. After the admission of Colo- rado as a state he was four times elected assessor, during all of which time he was engaged in the cattle business, having as partner Patrick H. McCarthy, an ordnance sergeant in the United States army. For two years he had a contract to furnish beef for four companies, U. S. A. He has had as many as three thousand head of cattle and large herds of horses.

The marriage of Mr. Cahill took place at Fort Lyon, September 21, 1876, and united him with Miss Nora McCarthy, who was a niece of his partner, and was born in County Clare, Ireland. He established his home in East Las Animas, which was the original county-seat and the whole site of which is on one of his ranches. In his' family there were nine children, but only four are living: Francis Joseph, Frances M., Mary E. and Luke Edward.

Reared to believe in the Democratic party, Mr. Cahill continued faithfully toits principles for some years. In 1864 he voted for George B. McClellan. At the election of 1884 he supported Grover Cleve- land. His sympathies are now with the People's

EDWIN LOBACH.

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party and he is a stanch silver advocate. For six years he served as county commissioner, had supervision of the erection of the court house during that time and did other work of an impor- tant character. At the time he was commission- er the county was one hundred and ninteen miles long and eighty-four miles wide, out of which territory six counties have since been cut off. During his service the iron bridge across the Arkansas was built. In religion he is of the Roman Catholic faith.

DWIN LOBACH, a prosperous agriculturist of Fremont County, is one of the pioneers to whose energy and foresight his county is indebted for its advancement. While as a suc- cessful farmer he has given close attention to his private affairs, he has not ignored that bond of common interest which should unite the people of every community, and has always stood ready to promote progress in every line of activity.

The Lobach family is among the oldest in Berks County, Pa., where for more than sixty years there has been a postoffice named Lobachs- ville. They were first represented in America more than one hundred and fifty years ago, when Peter Lobach crossed the ocean from Germany.

The following article, published in the Phila- delphia Ledger, will give an idea of the prominence of this pioneer family of Pennsylvania:

"Reading, Pa .- An unusual sale is announced to take place at Lobachsville, this county, next Saturday, when all the buildings and land in the entire town, together with some real estate with- in a mile of the place, will be offered at public auction. That section of the county was settled by the Lobach family about one hundred and fifty years ago. They became extensive land owners. They practically owned all the land in the village. The oldest members of the family have just died, and all the houses and lauds will now be owned by persons bearing different names. The last member of the Lobach family to die was Anna Lobach, an aged maiden lady. The pioneer member of the family in this country was Peter Lobach. There has been a postoffice at Lobachsville nearly sixty years. At a recent sale of personal property family heirlooms of the Lobachs two hundred years old were sold."

Samuel Lobach married Dina Biehl, member of a pioneer family of Pennsylvania. Both died while still young. They left a son, Edwin, who

was reared by an uncle in Union County, and learned the trade of saddler and harness-maker. In 1854 he went to California. He was a poor boy, and unable to pay his way by steamer or stage, so walked almost the entire distance, taking from the first of May until October to reach his destination. After four years in Cali- fornia he returned to Pennsylvania, and for a few months attended school. In the spring of 1859 he came to Colorado and for a short time mined in the gulch at Central City, after which he hauled freight for the government, going to Salt Lake, Fort Douglas and New Mexico during the war. In 1863 he was attacked by Indians and his stock stolen. Again, in the fall of 1867, when freighting with eighteen six-mule trains, he was shot at frequently by Indians and nine of his mules were shot. After the latter trip he abandoned freighting and secured work in the grading of the Union Pacific Railroad. Return- ing east, he worked on the Adirondack Railroad in New York. He then went to Jefferson, Tex., where he was employed on the Southern Pacific Railroad.

In 1870 Mr. Lobach came to Fremont County and started a stock ranch twelve miles east of the present site of Florence. Two years after his arrival the railroad was built through, and since then this section of country has prospered. Since the fall of 1870 he has resided on his present homestead, where he has been extensively en- gaged in stock-raising. He has had as many as two hundred head of horses at one time, and all have been of the best grades, one that he raised having made a record of 2:15. He is a lover of good horses, and says he believes he could not live without them around him. Not only is he fond of horses, but none knows better than he how to handle them. He also has full-blooded Berkshire hogs. With his son, he is conducting a dairy and keeps seventy-five Jersey and Holstein cows. In 1892 he built a two-story brick residence, con- taining the modern improvements, and at different times he has erected needed farm buildings. On his place he has a fruit orchard of sixteen acres, in the finest bearing condition. With six others he organized the first oil company here, and the first oil well was drilled on his property about 1880. Since that time he has been interested in the oil business, and now has six wells on his place. Those who are competent to judge state that his ranch is the finest in the county. That this is so may be attributed to his tireless, energy and

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determination of character. He has done con- siderable building in Florence and recently com- pleted a substantial two-story double brick block.

A lifelong Republican and active in public affairs, Mr. Lobach has served for two. terms as county commissioner and has frequently attended county and state conventions. For thirty years he has been a member of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 15, at Canon City. He has been generous in his contributions to religious enterprises and especially to the Christian Church, of which he has been a member for twenty-five years, and in which he has officiated as trustee and deacon. Besides his interest in real estate here he owns property in Denver and Pueblo, and is also a stockholder in mining companies in Cripple Creek. He came to this county before a single line of railroad had been built through it; now there are five lines running through his property, the most of which he donated to the railroad companies. In February, 1871, he married Nancy, daughter of Joseph Crouch, of Fremont County. They have two sons and five daughters, namely: Carrie A., wife of B. M. Robinson, of Florence; Mary Grace; Edwin, Jr., who assists his father in the management of the home farm; Josephine, Ulysses, Macie Fern and Nancy Irene.

Mr. Lobach was one of the very first settlers of Fremont County. He was preceded six months by James A. McCandless, and these two men deserve great praise for their labors in behalf of their community. It is the testimony of those who have known Mr. Lobach longest and most intimately that he is absolutely straightforward, honest and reliable in every transaction. Honor- able in all things, he has gained the esteem and confidence of the people, and has a host of warm personal friends who appreciate his sterling worth.

Y OBISON MALORY MOORE. From the time of his settlement, near the mouth of Purgatoire River, in 1860, until his death, in 1894, the life of Judge Moore was intimately connected with the development and growth of Bent County. When he crossed the plains and selected a claim here, the site of Las Animas was then a barren, unimproved tract of land. In fact, in the entire county there was no building except those erected at the forts. His home was the first improvement made in the county, and it con- sisted of a stockade, one hundred feet square, with rooms on the north and west side. Among

his contemporaries in the development of the Arkansas Valley were the renowned scout, Kit Carson; John W. Prowers, whose name has been conferred upon the county adjoining Bent on the east; Thomas O. Boggs, Col. A. G. Boone, Zan Hicklin and L. B. Maxwell, all of whom are remembered as men of indomitable energy and perseverance.

The Moore family descends directly from Sir John Moore, of Glasgow, Scotland. Robison M. Moore was born in New Haven, Huron County, Ohio, August 26, 1832, and was a son of W. B. V. Moore, a native of Catskill, Greene County, N. Y., who died in Luverne, Minn., October 24, 1880, in his seventy-sixth year. When our subject was very young he was be- reaved by his mother's death. At the age of four- teen he secured employment in his uncle's store at Frederick, Knox County, Ohio. Afterward he attended school at Ashland and Norwalk, and in 1853 completed the regular course of the Cleveland Commercial College. For two years he was employed at Niagara Falls by the Great Western Indian Company, after which he spent three years in Hastings, Minn., and then engaged in business in Kansas City, Mo.

While living in the latter city, he was married, April 3, 1860, to Miss Mary E. Bent, only daughter of Col. William Bent, in whose honor Bent County was named, and who was one of the pioneer Indian traders of the west. He was one of four brothers who, with Ceran St. Vrain, com- posed the firm of Bent, St. Vrain & Co., trappers and Indian traders, and who established a trading post on the Upper Arkansas in 1826. Mrs. Mary E. Moore died May 6, 1878, leaving six children, viz .: Ada, Bent, George, Nellie, Daisy and Agnes.

As before stated, the period of Mr. Moore's residence in Colorado dates from 1860. In 1862 he brought his wife and two children from Kan- sas City in an ambulance. Afterward he con- tinued to reside on his ranch in Bent County, with the exception of one winter in Taos, N. M., and a few months of 1865-66 in Kansas City. When Bent County was organized in March, 1870, he was appointed probate judge and county superintendent of schools. At the first election of officers thereafter, he was returned to these positions and served for a full second term. The first free school in the county was established un- der his administration, and he was elected presi- dent of the first school board. He was interested

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in local affairs and did all within his power to promote the advancement of the county. After retiring from office he gave his attention closely to the live-stock business, in which he accumu- lated a competency. He was a member of the state board of inspectors and for many years served as president of the Bent County Stock Growers' Association. In addition to these in- terests he contracted to deliver hay, wood and coal for the government at Fort Lyon, during the maintenance of that post. Upon the death of John W. Prowers, in 1884; he was appointed managing executor of the estate, to which he de- voted much time during the last eight years of his life. He also secured large tracts of land, the most of which adjoined his original claim, and here he carried on extensive farming operations and erected a commodious residence. January 18, 1886, he was a second time married, his wife being Miss Florida, daughter of Dr. H. Breiner, of Emporia, Kan. One child, Frances, was born of this union.

October 23, 1894, Judge Moore was returning in a buggy from Arlington, a town on the Mis- souri Pacific, north of Las Animas. When near the bridge north of town, his horses took fright, became unmanageable and ran away. He was thrown to the ground, alighting on his head and fracturing his skull. The injury proved fatal and at 2:30 in the afternoon he passed away. His death was a great shock to his family, who were devoted to him, and of whose interests he had ever been lovingly considerate. The people of the county, too, realized that one of their most public-spirited men had been taken from among them, and the expressions of sorrow and grief were universal. The Bent County Stock Growers' Association, of which he was then the president, passed resolutions of sympathy for his family, giving expression to their sense of his unfaltering devotion to the range stock interests of Colorado, and his possession of traits of char- acter that endeared him to his business associates and friends. Two days after his death he was buried in the beautiful Bent Cemetery, after ap- propriate private and public services had been held. His body was followed to its last resting place by those of the old settlers who survived him, by members of the bench and bar from every point in the valley, and by the host of per- sonal friends who had been drawn to him by his uprightness of life and kindess of heart.

The words of tribute uttered by the rector of

the Church of the Messiah upon the occasion of the last services over the dead, were echoed in the heart of everyone present: "Judge Moore was a man who in quietness went about the world. Show and conspicuousness, so attractive to most men, had no charm for him. But we all feel, as a state, as a town, as well as those who have known him in his home life, what a loss we have sustained in his removal from our midst on earth. He has tried to be a true man,-he has not failed. He leaves behind him a bright, beautiful example for all, and especially his own sons to follow. Do not, my friends, forget soon such a man. You to whom I speak can more easily than myself tell, if you so desired, as you have lived by his side for years, the many lessons for us all to learn from his life. Fail not, each one of you, to think, speak and live a better life from knowing and seeing this life now gone from earth to the spirit world."

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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 70

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