USA > Colorado > Sketches of Colorado: being an analytical summary and biographical history of the State of Colorado as portrayed in the lives of the pioneers, the founders, the builders, the statesmen, and the prominent and progressive citizens Vol. 1 > Part 22
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Williamette, thence to Olympia and Puget Sound country. There he formed a co- partnership with Roads and Peabody, and located and began the construction of a saw mill at the mouth of Whatcom river, empty- ing into Bellingham Bay, and for eight months engaged in the lumber business. Returning to San Francisco, he resumed the occupation of architect and builder, for three years, erecting some of the finest buildings of that period, including that of a bank, then the best structure in the city. Then going to Oroville and engaging in the building and the commission business, he accumulated $6,000 in six months. Returning to San Francisco again, he sailed in the clipper ship, "Golden Eagle," for Peru, South America, intending to go into business there. But his partner failing to arrive, he, after touring Lima and Calleo for 60 days, again sailed, taking voyage via Cape Horn for Hampton Roads, Va .; from there, visiting Baltimore, Phila- delphia, New York, Chicago, he returned to St. Louis, Missouri May 3, 1858, after an absence of five years. He took passage a few dayslater up the Missouri river to Sioux City. Then re- moving to Decatur, Nebraska, remaining about two years, making investments and build- ing a hotel. After heavy financial reverses, he removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, July 1, 1859. Leaving the latter place during the year with his wife and one child (James H. Brown, now a leading Denver lawyer), and all of his worldly goods, and crossing the plains with an ox team, he arrived in Denver June 10, 1860. Again he became the archi- tect, builder and carpenter. The first build- ing he erected in this city, was a structure on Cherry Creek used by the M. E. congre- gregation for a church until it was washed away by the flood of May 4, 1864. Two weeks before the flood he had removed to his pre-emption claim, taken up in 1863, a tract of land later known as Brown's addi- tion to the City of Denver, which later be- came the fashionable residence section of the city. Ten acres out of the heart of this tract Mr. Brown donated for a building site, where now stands the magnificent Colorado State Capitol Building. This ten acre tract is now worth about a million dollars, and the original pre-emption claim, about $25,000,000. The Brown Palace Hotel, erected by Mr. Brown on this old tract, 1889-1892, cost more than $1,600,000. This handsome structure, built of granite, brown sandstone, and onyx, is nine stories high, and was completed in time for the Knight Templar Triennial Conclave, held for the first time in Denver, August, 1892. In 1873, he built the beautiful mansion later
known as the "Tabor" residence, the finest in the city at that time.
In 1870 Mr. Brown became the owner of the Denver Tribune, which he sold in 1875, the paper being later absorbed by the Denver Republican. During his control of the Tri- bune, Mr. Brown was fearless in his editorial policy, denouncing wrongs as he saw them, whether emanating from those of either high or low degree. In this way he aroused op- position which caused him some trouble later, but with that grit and determination that always characterized his life, he triumphed over all obstacles. When Mr. Brown pur- chased the Tribune, it was a small paper, with poor equipment, and was published on a hand press. He erected a four storied build- ing for the paper, corner of 16th and Market, and purchased modern machinery and type. The Tribune then started upon that brilliant career which later brought to its staff Eugene Field, Bill Nye, and other writers of national reputation. In the corner room of the first floor of his Tribune building, he and Mr. C. D. Gurley also established a bank.
Mr. Brown was a charter member of the old Board of Trade. He was also a member of the company organized to build the first railroad to Denver-the Denver Pacific, be- tween Denver and Cheyenne; was associated with the interests that developed the present Denver City Tramway Company; assisted in establishing the Bank of Denver; and, gave the first $1,000 to found the Denver City library.
The builder and promoter of great enterprises, a liberal patron to public and private institutions, Henry C. Brown stands among the foremost in Colorado history, and as an empire builder for the entire west. He had the honor of being a real Son of the Revo- lution, his father Samuel, often being known as "Bunker Hill" Brown. He took a deep interest in the work of the Sons of the Revo- lution, of which he was a member, and kin- dred organizations.
Henry C. Brown married first, Anna L., daughter of John Inskepp, in 1841, at St. Clairsville, Ohio. She died Jan. 5, 1854, leaving issue of this marriage two children: Anna M. (wife of Hubert R. Green, of Den- ver), born May 3, 1842; and, Benjamin F. Brown, born in Dec., 1843.
He married second, Aug. 3, 1858, in De- catur, Neb., Jane Cory, daughter of the Rev. James Thompson, of Canandaigua, N. Y. They had three children: James Henry, (q. v.) born in St. Joseph, Mo. Sept. 3, 1859; Carrie Marcia (wife of Robert T. Cassell), born July 18, 1868, in Denver, Colo; and Sherman Thompson, born July 3, 1871 in Denver, and died Sept. 14, 1906.
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JESSE FLOYD WELBORN.
W ELBORN, JESSE FLOYD, president Colorado Fuel & Iron Co., was born March 9, 1870 at Ashland, Nebraska, son of John Wesley and Jennie Roberts Welborn. His father was a farmer and he grew up amid the wholesome surroundings of farm life. At the age of seventeen, equipped with a com- mon school education, he entered the state bank at Indianola, Nebraska, remaining there for three years, from 1887 until 1890.
In August of 1890, Mr. Welborn came to Colorado and entered the employ of the Colo- rado Fuel & Iron Company.
The growth of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company was rapid in the last decade of the nineteenth century, and as the organization
enlarged, Mr. Welborn grew and developed with it, advancing through regular stages to general sales agent in 1899.
Mr. Welborn worked directly under Mr. A. C. Cass, who was connected with the C. F. & I. Co., and waa so influentialin its de- velopment from 1888 to his death in 1903. On the death of Mr. Cass, Mr. Welborn suc- ceeded to his position of Vice-President in charge of sales and traffic and in 1907, was elected to the presidency to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Frank J. Hearne.
Mr. Welborn was married at Milwaukee in June, 1903. He has one son and one daughter. He is a member of the Denver Club and the Denver Country Club.
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WILLIAM BARTH
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WILLIAM BARTH.
BARTH, WILLIAM, capitalist, born in Dietz, Nassau, Germany, Dec. 8, 1829, is the son of George Barth and Mina Barth. He immigrated to the U. S. in 1850, arriving in New Orleans in a penniless condition. He soon found work at his trade as a shoemaker, the occupation he had followed in the old country. Owing to the climate, he was taken sick, and after spending several months in a hospital, he went up the river by boat to St. Louis, and then to Belleville, Ill. He re- moved to Glasgow, Mo. at the end of a year, with the hope of there finding an elder brother, Chas. Barth, who had preceeded him two years in coming to this country, and was killed by Indians on his way to California. At Glasgow, it was learned that his brother had followed the gold rush to California in 1850, from whence he never returned. Mr. Barth's next move took him from Glasgow to Bellville, Mo., where he engaged in the boot and shoe business with his brother, Moritz, who had also preceded him to the U. S. The civil war had now broken out, and the Barth Brothers being union men and op- posed to slavery, their sentiments were ob- noxious to the pro-slavery element that con- trolled in that part of Missouri. Whereupon, they decided to leave the state and migrate to the Rocky Mountain region. Crossing the Missouri river June 2, 1861, William Barth, with his brother Moritz, then started across the plains in an ox wagon. Arriving in Colo- rado, they went to California Gulch, then a placer mining region, where Leadville was later established. Here he remained a few months, returning to St. Louis in the fall, where he engaged in manufacturing nail boots for the Pike's Peak trade, and was soon there- after joined by his brother, Moritz. They continued in this business until 1862, when they again recrossed the plains, with two wagons, William going to Fairplay in Park county, and Moritz to Montgomery, at the head of the South Park.
William Barth later went to Ill., where he spent the winter, returning to Denver in May, 1863, a few days after the great fire of that year. Together with his brother, Mor- itz, he again resumed his boot and shoe busi-
ness in very narrow quarters on Blake street. Only a small space could be obtained between two buildings, which he roofed. The confines of the little shop were so close that William Barth could stand in the center and reach to the side walls. Building up a successful trade they removed to better and more com- modious quarters, No. 232 Fifteenth street, between Holladay (Market) and Blake. Here for many years they conducted a large store and prospered in business. William Barth was thrifty and enterprising. He then pre- dicted the splendid future that awaited Den- ver, and as rapidly as his means would permit, invested in real estate, engaged in banking, and promoted other enterprises that were successful and brought him wealth. William Barth became one of the principal stockholders when the City National Bank was organized in Denver; also a stockholder in the Bank of San Juan, at Del Norte, and in a bank at Cripple Creek, one at Alamosa, and another at Durango. He was vice-president of the City National Bank in Denver, and a di- rector in the San Juan Bank. Mr. Barth was one of the promoters of the Denver & South Park Railroad Company, of which he was a director and a heavy stockholder, also of the D.& N.O. Ry., and the C.C. Short Line, and put the first $10,000 in the Kansas Pacific. In 1867-68, he was a member of the Denver Board of Aldermen. He went abroad the year of the Vienna exposition with his family, traveling especially in Austria, Germany and Switzer- land.
In later years, Mr. Barth has greatly in- creased his real estate holdings in Denver, at the same time being prominently identified with other business enterprises. The large and imposing "Barth" block bears his name. His last important real estate transaction was the purchase of the Equitable building, estimated to be worth $1,250,000.
Mr. Barth married, first, in Parkeville, Mo., in May, 1858, Miss Anna Nell, who died in Denver, leaving two daughters.
He married ,second, in October, 1867, Miss Charlotte Kaempfer of Chicago, by whom he had one son, Charles J. Barth (q. v.)
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CHARLES HANSEN TOLL
CHARLES HANSEN TOLL.
TOLL, CHARLES HANSEN, Attorney General, Colorado, born in Onondaga county, New York, April 26, 1850, died in Denver, Colorado, December 4, 1901, was the son of Abel Hyde and Sarah E. (Miteh-
ell) Toll. His earliest American ancestor, in the paternal line, was Karel Hansen Toll, of Dutch stoek, who settled near Schienec- tady, New York. On his mother's side, the Mitehell family early settled in Connecticut,
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and was of English descent. His father, Abel H. Toll, a farmer, was also a native of Onondaga county, and when his son, Charles H., was still quite young removed to Bald- winsville, New York, near Syracuse. Here the latter attended the Baldwinsville Acad- emy, nntil 1867, when he entered the Munro Collegiate Institute, at Elbridge, New York. In 1868, he matriculated at Hamilton Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1872, with the degree of A. B. In connection with the regular enrriculum, he attended a course of law lectures, having previously decided to follow the legal profession. After study- ing law in the office of Senator Hiscock at Syracuse, he was admitted to the bar in that city, where for a short time he was engaged in practice, with gratifying results.
Mr. Toll came to Colorado in 1875, lo- cating in Del Norte. He rose rapidly in publie esteem and in 1876 was elected county judge of Rio Grande county, although but twenty-six years of age. In 1878, he was elected on the republican ticket, a member of the house of the Colorado General Assem- bly, of which he was one of the ablest mem- bers. He was active in assisting in the elec- tion of the Honorable N. P. Hill to the United States Senate and in advocating the enact- ment of salutary and sound legislation.
In 1879, Mr. Toll was appointed Assist- ant United States District Attorney. The ability that he had shown as a judge, legis- lator, and as assistant to the United States District Attorney, together with his high standing as a lawyer, rapidly brought his name into political prominence. The repub- lican state convention, in 1880, nominated him for Attorney General, and he was elected to that office, by a handsome ma- jority.
After this election, he removed to Den- ver, and made it his permanent residence during the rest of his life. Among the many important matters that required his official attention, was the litigation then pending, as to the title of the state to the Capitol build- ing site. In October, 1881, he argued this case, in the United States Supreme Court, in behalf of Colorado, and the title of the state thereto was confirmed. As the deci- sion rendered in this case perfected the title, the grounds of the present Capitol building will remain as a monument to his memory, in the victory that he won. He conducted his department in the state government not only with ability, but also with the strictest economy.
On retiring as Attorney General, he re- sumed the regular practice of the law, in which he represented some of the most im- portant business interests in the state. He made a specialty of corporation, mining, and commercial law, in which he was pre-eminent and successful. Among his clients were C. B. Kountze, Dennis Sheedy, and the Globe Smelter, the Enterprise Mining Company, and the Travelers Insurance Company. Mr. Toll was also very active in the formation of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. In addition to his ability as a lawyer, he was known both in the practice of the law, in business, and in private life, as a man of the highest honor and integrity.
In connection with the law, he was also engaged in mining and other enterprises, in which he was successful, in the San Juan, in Colorado, and in New Mexico. He was president of the Denver Land Company, and the Community Ditch Company, represent- ing important agricultural interests in the vicinity of Denver. He was a member of the Denver Club, and one of the charter members of the University Club, of which he was president in 1899-1900. College friendships and ties with him were strong and lasting, from the old days when he was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity at Hamilton to his later associations with uni- versity men in Denver. Being of a genial nature and an amiable companion, he was always readily approachable. This was one of the clements that brought him success. He had hardly been at Del Norte, Colorado, a year, before he was elected to office. He possessed that hearing and presence that at- tractd men to him, and the friendships made, he always held. Popular as an after dinner speaker, tactful and versatile as a toast- master, he was a charming guest or pleasing host. Although always the clear headed law- yer, and the shrewd and far-seeing man of business, he was sympathetic and generous.
Mr. Toll married at Denver, in 1880, Miss Katharine E. Wolcott, sister of the Honor- able Henry R. (q. v.) and the late Senator Edward O. Wolcott (q. v.). The four sons born to them are: Charles H. Toll, Jr., now Professor of Philosophy at Amherst College, and Ph. D., Freiburg, Germany ; Roger Wol- cott Toll, civil engineer, Denver Tramway Company; Henry Wolcott Toll, attended Harvard Law School, and now (1911) at Denver University ; and Oliver Wolcott Toll, twenty years of age, and now (1911) in his junior year at Williams College.
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JOHN LLOYD McNEIL
JOHN LLOYD McNEIL.
McNEIL, JOHN LLOYD, banker, born May 8,1847, in Owego, Tioga county, New York, is the son of Stephen and Mary C. (Goodsell) McNeil. His ancestors came from the ancient clans of the West High-
lands in Scotland. Torquille McNeil, the eommon ancestor, was the keeper of the Cas- tle Sween, before 1449. The American an- cestor, Archibald McNeil, came to Connecti- cut about 1745, and settled near Stamford.
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On the maternal side, Mr. MeNeil is de- scended from John Brownson, of England, who settled at Hartford in 1636, with Thomas Hooker, and removed to Farming- ton in 1641, where he was one of the "Seven Pillars of the Church" organized in 1652. His son, Samuel, was one of the first twelve settlers of New Milford, Connecticut ; was the first justice of the peace and judge of New Haven county, also a member of the Governor's Court; was the first deacon of the first church, and one of the most widely known men of his time.
Mr. McNeil's great-grandfather, Ser- geant Isaac Brownson of Connecticut (born 1758), was a private in Captain Bostwick's company, Colonel Charles Webb's regiment, 1775, reorganized in 1776, as the Nineteenth Continental Regiment ; marched from Bos- ton under Washington (via New London and vessels through the Sound) to New York, and served in that vicinity from April to the close of the year; was in the battles of White Plains, Trenton and Princeton. He was one of Bostwick's men who crossed the river to Trenton, on December 25, 1776.
Mr. McNeil was educated at the Owego Academy, and came to Denver May 1, 1870, and upon the advent of the Denver Pacific Railway, a few months later, became chief clerk and cashier in the freight office, af- fording him a wide acquaintance with Colo- rado business men. He entered the Colorado National Bank early in 1871, serving as pay- ing and receiving teller until January, 1876. At that time, he opened the Bank of San Juan at Del Norte, in company with Alvin B. Daniels, Junius F. and J. Sidney Brown, and William and Moritz Barth, under the firm name of Daniels, Brown & Company. The partnership was unlimited, and the firm was stronger financially than any bank or business house then operating in Colorado. The bank was later moved to Alamosa. A branch was established at Durango in 1880, now the First National Bank of that city, with Mr. McNeil as its vice-president. This bank has successfully withstood all panics, and is now recognized as one of the most reliable financial institutions in the state. While connected with the banks at Del Norte and Alamosa, Mr. McNeil began to make investments in the San Luis valley and the southwest, developing many inter- ests in that part of Colorado. In September, 1883, at the request of prominent business
men in Leadville, Mr. McNeil removed to that city, where he established the Carbon- ate Bank, which is still in successful oper- ation. The strain upon his nervous system being too severe at that altitude, Mr. McNeil resigned as president of the Carbonate Bank in 1887, and removed to Denver, where he became the representative of the Pennsyl- vania Lead Company of Pittsburgh, pur- chasing silver and other bullion to the extent of millions of dollars annually.
In 1888, he purchased an interest in the State National Bank, Denver, which was largely increased, until the panic of 1893, when, with five or more banks in this city, it closed, but soon after re-opened, went into voluntary liquidation and paid off its de- positors in full. He was president of the Denver Clearing House Association in 1891; was one of the organizers and a director in what is now the Globe Smelting Plant of the American Smelting and Refining Com- pany, and was one of the organizers and builders, and also the secretary of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad. In 1909, he or- ganized the Durango Trust Company, of which he is president.
Mr. McNeil married, September 2, 1879, Ella Agnes, daughter of John J. Y. Thomp- son, who was prominently identified with the early history of Western Pennsylvania. Wherever they have resided, Mr. and Mrs. McNeil have been actively identified in pro- moting the best conditions in church, civic and club affairs.
Mr. MeNeil is a Presbyterian. Although still engaged in business at Durango, he re- tains Denver as his residence. He is a mem- ber of the Denver Club, Denver Country Club, Denver Athletic Club. Durango Club, Rocky Mountain Club of New York, Colo- rado Society Sons of the Revolution (vice- president ), and was a founder and governor of the New York society; is a member of the Colorado Scientific Society, the Sons of Colorado and the San Juan Pioneers' Asso- ciation.
During forty years, Mr. McNeil has been connected with the banking interests of this state. Sterling integrity, good business judg- ment, combined with firmness and tact, are qualities that have enabled him to become a successful and prosperous business man. Personally, he is held in high esteem, his genial disposition making for him friends of all with whom he comes in contact.
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HENRY MYRON BLACKMER
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HENRY MYRON BLACKMER.
B LACKMER, HENRY MYRON, lawyer, born in Worcester, Mass., July 25, 1869, is the son of Francis T. (1840-1884) and Abbie E. (daughter of W. P. and Ann Daniels) Blackmer. His ancestors came to this country in the early days of the colonial per- iod. He is descended from Daniel Wilmont, 1643; James Robinson, 1620; and Aaron Stark.
After a high-school education in his na- tive city, he entered upon the study of the law, the profession followed by his father, and began the practice of the same in Colo- rado Springs, Colorado, in 1890. His legal ability was quickly recognized, and he became District Attorney for El Paso county, 1893-6.
Since 1904 he has been president of the Crip- ple Creek Central Railway Company, and on the death of David H. Moffat (q. v.) he suc- ceeded to the presidency of the International Trust Company of Denver. He resided for a time in New York City between 1900 and 1910.
Mr. Blackmer is a member of the Denver Club, and the Country Club, Denver; the El Paso Club and Cheyenne Country Club, Colorado Springs; also the Union League, Whist, and Automobile Club of America, City Lunch Club, N. Y.
Mr. Blackmer married Miss Lucy Carter. They have two children, Myron K and Mar- garet G.
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RODNEY CURTIS
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RODNEY CURTIS.
CURTIS, RODNEY, capitalist, born in Rodney Curtis was appointed to fill his place.
Maine, Broome county, New York, January 17, 1839, was the son of John (a farmer) and Bethia Curtis Monroe. His lin- eage is linked with distinguished families of the colonial period. Mr. Curtis is eighth in descent from Major Simon Willard (1605- 1776), who was one of the founders of Con- cord, Massachusetts; a deputy to the Gen- eral Court, 1636-1654; and an assistant, 1654- 1676. He commanded the expedition of the United Colonials against the Nyantics; led the heroic relief at the battle of Brookfield, and commanded a Middlesex regiment of Massachusetts troops in King Philip's War. Abel Curtis (1741-1829), of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, great-grandfather of Rodney Curtis, was a private in Captain Job Wood- bridge's company, Colonel John Brown's regiment, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, militia, July 8-26, 1777 ; was also at Ticonder- oga; served in Captain Ebenezer Cook's company, same regiment, September 22-Octo- ber 4, 1777, and in Captain Ezra Whittle- sey's company, same regiment, October 14-18, 1778. Mr. Curtis is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars and the Sons of the Revo- lution.
Rodney Curtis was educated in the local public schools, and at Susquehanna Semi- nary, Binghampton, New York, which was supplemented by a business course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College in Chicago. In 1859, he went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was engaged in the grain trade for about a year. In the spring of 1860, he, with his brother, C. M. Curtis, followed the Pike's Peak excitement, and came to Colo- rado. Soon after their arrival in the terri- tory they purchased a ranch near Denver, which they continued to farm, he also being interested in the grocery and drug business until 1864. At this time the pay clerk of the United States Mint in Denver was reported as having absconded with about $37,000, and
Mr. Curtis remained in the employment of the mint several years, being promoted to higher and more responsible positions during that service. In 1869, he was made chief clerk at the mint, and, January 7, 1876, he was commissioned melter and refiner by President Grant. Remaining with the mint until 1883, Mr. Curtis resigned to give his time and attention to his own affairs, hav- ing in the meantime become interested in real estate and other enterprises. In 1867, he, with Clarence J. Clark, laid out an addi- tion to the City of Denver, known as Curtis and Clark's Addition. In 1874, he and his partner built at Numbers1632-1638 Larimer street, one of the most substantial business blocks at that time in the city. It was sub- sequently occupied by the governor and other state officials, and was known as the "Capitol Building." Mr. Curtis became one of the promoters and organizers of the Den- ver Tramway Company in 1885. During his presidency, he devoted his principal time and attention to the interests of that com- pany. A hundred miles of good road was soon constructed and in successful operation, which later was extended, laying the founda- tion for the great tramway system of the present time. During his connection with the Tramway, Mr. Curtis was also promi- nently identified in promoting the general business interests of Denver, and his name was associated with many enterprises and improvements that have materially aided in making this city the commercial center of the Rocky Mountain region. Since his r .- tirement from active management in the Tramway, Mr. Curtis and his family have traveled extensively, but he still retains Denver as his home.
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