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 28
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Mr. Schenck always took an active part in athletics, and especially in rowing and seulling. His many handsome rowing medals were stolen in 1908. Ile is a Knight Tem- plar, thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Ma- son, and a Shriner; is a member of the Den- ver Club, Denver Athletic Club; Minnequa Club, Pueblo; Military Order of the Loyal Legion ; Colorado Society, Archaeological In- stitute of America (executive board, and former treasurer) ; Colorado Traffic Club, and other leading societies and organiza- tions, including the First Unitarian Society of Denver, of which he is a trustee and presi- dent of the board. Mr. Schenek first came to Colorado in September, 1885.
He married, September 8, 1875, at Belvi- dere, Illinois, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Albert and Elizabeth Ellis Stone, who, at an early day, had removed from Sharon, Massachusetts, to Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Sehenek are both prominent in the church and social life of the eity, and to them have been born the following children: Julia (Mrs. S. B. Foote, Denver Colorado) ; Mar- tha, graduate of Wellesley College; Charles, deceased; Paul Albert, graduate of Cornell University ; Gertrude (Mrs. H. W. Hoekbanm of Greeley), who was a student at the Na- tional Park Seminary, Washington, D. C., and is a graduate of the State Normal School, Greeley, Colorado; and Harriet, de- eeased.
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JULIUS CALDEEN GUNTER
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JULIUS CALDEEN GUNTER.
G UNTER, JULIUS CALDEEN, lawyer, born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, October 31, 1858, is the son of Thomas Monticue and Marcella (Jackson) Gunter, of distin- guished southern lineage. His father, Thomas M. Gunter, was born in Middle Ten- nessee, September 18, 1826, received a classi- cal education, and was graduated from Irv- ing College in 1850. He then studied law and entered upon the practice of his pro- fession in Fayetteville, Ark., in 1853, and soon became eminent at the bar, and a polit- ical leader in his state. He served in the confederate army, and was colonel of the Thirteenth Arkansas Volunteers, making the record of a brave and gallant officer. At the close of the civil war, Colonel Gunter re- sumed the practice of the law, in Fayette- ville. He was a distinguished orator of that state, having taken a prominent part in the proceedings of the state convention of 1861, of which he was a member. From 1866 to 1868, he was prosecuting attorney, bringing into display that forensic ability which so distinguished him later in the halls of con- gress.
Colonel Gunter was elected to congress, successfully contesting the seat of W. W. Wilshire, in the Forty-third Congress, re- ceiving his seat June 16, 1874. Colonel Gunter was a democrat, and was re-elected to the Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh congresses, ably repre- senting his district in northwestern Arkan- sas, for ten years in the national house of representatives.
Julius C. Gunter, the son, through his mother, Marcella Jackson, is descended from the illustrious McCreary family of Kentucky. She died in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 1859. He was graduated from the University of Virginia, taking the classical course. He then entered the law department, but before graduating therefrom, he was compelled to discontinue his legal studies, owing to ill health. In 1880, he came to Colorado, and,
with restored health, applied for examina- tion, and was admitted to the bar in Sep- tember, 1881. He entered upon the practice of the law in Trinidad, which for several years was his Colorado residence. He be- came judge of the Third Judicial District of Colorado, in January, 1889, for a term of
six years. Judge Gunter then resumed and continued his law practice until appointed hy Governor J. B. Orman a member of the Colorado State Court of Appeals. Later, upon the union of this court with the su- preme bench, Judge Gunter became a mem- ber of the Colorado Supreme Court, and after filling this position with honor to him- self and the state, he resumed the practice of the law, and also conducting the several successful business enterprises in which he is interested. As a judge, he was fearless. as he was just, and throughout the state and the west he ranks pre-eminent as a lawyer and a jurist and a gentleman of the highest personal integrity.
In the state campaign of 1910, Chief Jus- tice Steele, who had been re-nominated by the democrats for that office, died before election, and a bitter political feud in the party was developed, as to who should be placed on the ticket to fill this vacancy in the nomination. Judge Gunter was unani- mously selected and his name placed on the democratic state ticket for the supreme court. This political fend and split in his party caused the defeat of Judge Gunter and most of the democratic state ticket. Under the peculiar conditions that came up which brought defeat, Judge Gunter made a splen- did campaign, and came out of the fight with au honorable career untarnished, and he still remains a political leader in the fore- front of his party.
Judge Gunter married, in Trinidad, April 30, 1884, Miss Elizabeth, the accomplished daughter of S. T. and Anna (Bryan) Brown of that city, but they now make Denver their home.
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FRANK NEWTON BRIGGS
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FRANK NEWTON BRIGGS.
B RIGGS FRANK NEWTON, banker and financier, was born at Wilton Junction, Muscatine county, Iowa, September 21, 1859, the son of Elija Clark and Rachael J. (Byers) Briggs. His father was born in Vermont in 1831 and died at Wilton June- tion, Iowa, in 1861. His mother was the daughter of Moses and Mary (Branden- burg) Byers. Honorable Wm. N. Byers, a pioneer of Denver and the founder of the Rocky Mountain News, was his uncle.
Mr. Briggs received his only education in the public schools of Iowa, being early compelled to devote nearly all of his time to wage earning in order to help support a widowed mother with her other three child- ren. He worked on the farms around Wash- ington, Iowa, during several summers and in 1879 he was offered a position in the Den- ver postoffice at $500 per year. He was then nineteen years of age and having never re- ceived more than $11 or $12 per month, this seemed a very liberal salary and he imme- diately accepted the position. He was com- pelled to borrow $70 from friends to buy his railroad ticket and equipment for the trip to Denver, and reached here on April 30, 1879.
He early displayed an abundance of energy and determination, traits of charac- ter in a young man that always give promise of success and honors, and the way young Briggs grappled with difficulties offers a striking example to the younger generation of what may be achieved by the application of these desirable traits.
In 1883 he resigned his position in the Denver postoffice where, at that time, he was Chief of City Distribution and Superintend- ent of Letter Carriers, and went over into Grand county, Colorado, where he soon estab- lished himself in a general merchandise busi- ness in partnership with his cousin, Frank S. Byers.
Mr. Briggs was appointed postmaster at Hot Sulphur Springs and in 1886 he was elected County Judge of Grand county and served for a full term. From 1896 to 1902 he was the editor and proprietor of the Vic- tor Daily Record at Victor, Colorado. This was during the boom days of Cripple Creek District, and he was one of the most promi- nent factors in the business and political life of the district during those exciting days.
Mr. Briggs served as chairman of the
Silver Republican Party and the Republican Party of Teller County for several years and was prominent in state politics during that time, since when he has taken no dis- tinctively active part in politics.
In 1902 he sold the Victor Record and established himself in the banking business in Grand county, just ahead of the advent of the Moffat Railroad. He acquired all of the right-of-way for the railroad through Grand county and acted as its financial and confidential agent for several years. He established the Bank of Grand County, the Bank of Kremmling, and the Fraser Valley Bank. These were the first banks ever or- ganized in Grand county. He acted as cash- ier of the Bank of Grand County for several years and was later elected president.
May 1, 1908, Mr. Briggs was elected to the cashiership of the Interstate Savings Bank, and moved to Denver. The growth of the bank was so marked and its pros- perity was so satisfactory to the stockholders that he was elected president in January, 1911.
In 1909, Mr. Briggs organized the first bank in Englewood, Colorado, and called it the Arapahoe State Bank. This was con- verted into the First National Bank of Engle- wood in December, 1910, and he was elected president, building up a strong financial in- stitution.
Every enterprise in which Mr. Briggs has been actively identified has had wonderful prosperity and financial success. No obsta- eles were too great for him to overcome in the performance of his duties, no matter under what auspices.
Mr. Briggs is a member of Union Lodge No. 7, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and also of Colorado Chapter No. 29, Royal Arch Masons. He is a member of the Colo- rado Traffic Club and also the Central Pres- byterian Church.
He is well known in social, as well as business circles, being of a genial, sociable nature, and is among the strongest and most loyal "boosters" of Denver and Colo- rado and has ever been ready with funds and otherwise, to assist in any cause to further the interests of both.
Mr. Briggs was married in 1888 at Wash- ington, Iowa, to Miss Nannie Eyestone. Her father was W. J. Eyestone, now dead. They have no children.
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DAVID DUFF SEERIE
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DAVID DUFF SEERIE.
SEERIE, DAVID DUFF, contractor, manu- facturer, born in Scotland, March 11, 1862, is the son of Edward (now 72 years of age), and Margaret (Duff) Seerie, who has reached the age of 69 years. He was educated in the common schools of Scotland, and coming to Denver in 1880, worked at his trade as a stone cutter. From a small beginning, Mr. Seerie has worked up a large business, until he has become not only one of the leading business men of Colorado, but also of the entire middle west. Thrift, energy, backed faith in himself and good executive ability, together with a quick insight into the future and possibilities of Colorado, were all utilized by him, in reaching his well deserved success.
After obtaining a start, he became associated in 1885, with William F. Geddis in the con- tracting business under the firm name of Geddis & Seerie. His partner, also one of the prominent men of the state, and with whom he has been associated for many years, has, with Mr. Seerie, been engaged in some of the largest and most important construc- tion work in the west. The firm soon es- tablished a reputation that stands second to none, and obtained many large and responsi- ble contracts. So successful was the firm that later they confined their operations only to large contracts.
They built the Cheesman Dam, for the Denver Water Company. This dam, with the exception of the new Roosevelt dam, is the largest in the world. It contains the large Denver water supply, and in its con- struction, may well be considered one of the wonders of the west. Engineers from all parts of the world, have favorably commented on its massive structure, solidity and safety of construction, as a gigantic piece of work that has been well and substantially built.
This feat alone is sufficient to establish for them a lasting and permanent reputation of the highest character. They also constructed the large Pathfinder Dam in Wyoming.
A lasting monument to the well deserved reputation of Geddis & Seerie is the State
Capitol Building, which they constructed, the most imposing structure in Denver or the Rocky Mountain region. To their list of building achievements, must also be added the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver. Branch- ing out into other fields, they built the Omaha Post Office.
There followed a period of dull times after the financial depression of a few years ago, and large contracts, which they only desired to take, being scarce, contract work in this section was discontinued, and here they have branched into a new line and avenue of em- ployment in building up the Denver Sewer Pipe & Clay Company of which they are the owners. This is one of the largest plants in the west, and the same success has followed them in this newer enterprise. The firm manufactures brick and sewer pipe, and their plant has developed into a vast enterprise that covers twenty-five acres and employs 270 men, one of the largest payrolls in Denver, being as it is, one of the leading manufacturing establishments in the city.
Mr. Seerie now, has no outside interests, is public spirited, and is a booster, which, in fact, he has been since he came to Denver in 1880, for the faith he then had in the future and resources of Colorado, has been a promi- nent feature of his own success.
Mr. Seerie was the last sheriff of old Arapahoe county, filling the office with ability and carrying into it the good common sense methods he had used in private business. He was a member of the Board of Public Works for two years. He is a 32nd degree Mason; Knight Templar; Past Potentate El Jebel Temple, Mystic Shrine; Elk; Odd Fellow; and a member of the Denver Club, Overland Club, Country Club, and the Denver Athletic Club.
He married in 1887, Margaret Price, born in Iowa City, Iowa, and an early resident of Boulder, the ceremony being performed in the Methodist Church, 14th and Lawrence Sts., Denver, Colorado. She died in 1906. They had no children.
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MAXIMILIAN KUNER.
K UNER, MAXIMILIAN, for many years president of the Kuner Piekle Com- pany, has been the grand old man in the business world of Denver and Colorado. At
"Max" Kuner has occupied a prominent place. His genins for organization, as evi- deneed in his own business, is recognized by his fellow citizens and demands upon his
MAXIMILIAN KUNER
the age of eighty-seven he still devotes a good part of each working day to the multi- farious duties of the important industry hc has developed and now, as always, he is ever ready to take off his eoat and go to work for the common good of the city of his adop- tion.
In every enterprise of a public character
time and energy naturally follow.
The Colorado Manufacturers' Associa- tion, organized in 1906, is the growth of "Max" Kuner's brain. The prime object of this organization is to furnish mutual pro- tection and assistance to the shippers of the state. Mr. Kuner had felt the burden of un- just freight rates and with characteristic
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vigor and wisdom he set about to secure re- dress of the evils from which he was suf- fering.
The plans proposed at the meeting of shippers, who assembled in response to the call signed by Mr. Kuner, C. D. Griffith and others, were immediately adopted and the Manufacturers' Association sprang into be- ing. This organization, though only five years old, is easily the most influential as- sociation of business men in the state. Through their agency millions of dollars' worth of merchandise is routed over the dif- ferent roads of Colorado every year.
The story of "Max" Kuner's life is a ro- mance of struggle, disappointment, adver- sity and finally successful achievement. It is a page whereon is written the evidence that unconquerable spirit and sturdy deter- mination will win their reward, just as sure- ly as water runs down hill.
Maximilian Kuner was born December 4, 1824, at Lindau, Bavaria, son of Rudolph and Mary (Von Schelhorn) Kuner. His father died at Marshalltown, Iowa. At the age of 23 he came to this country in com- pany with four brothers and landed at New Orleans. After varying vicissitudes he final- ly settled at Vicksburg and began work at his trade of watchmaking.
In a few years he had acquired a profit- able business. He was prosperous and hap- py in the new country. Then came the civil conflict that divided north and south and in one day Mr. Kuner saw the results of thirty years of untiring industry swept away. The siege of Vicksburg left him practically pen- niless.
After the war he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, engaging in the pickle business, and was instrumental in his brother, J. C. Kuner, beginning the same kind of business in Denver. He reached the city in 1886 and then at the age of sixty-two, when most men are beginning to settle down to the peace and quiet of an advancing old age, he took in renewed draughts of the fountain of youth, and began the foundations of another fortune and of a more successful career than he had yet enjoyed.
In 1872, J. C. Kuner, a brother, had started the Kuner Pickle Company in Den- ver. When "Max" Kuner became connect- ed with the business in 1886 it was organized into a corporation with a capitalization of sixty thousand dollars. Two years later, J. C. Kuner retired from business and "Max" Kuner became president and general mana- ger.
Under his capable direction the business increased rapidly. The capital stock was increased in 1893 to one hundred thousand dollars and greater territory was added to the area already covered.
At the present time the Kuner Pickle Company does an annual business of over four hundred thousand dollars, and supplies the trade in all the western states, agents traveling for the house in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, New Mexico and Texas. The principal factory is located at Denver, with branch factories at Brighton, Platts- ville and Greeley.
The business has an annual payroll of eighty thousand dollars and furnishes em- ployment for one hundred persons and there are about one thousand depending upon the industry for support. Thus from a small be- ginning has been built up under "Max" Kuner's energy and straight business meth- ods one of the leading organizations in the industry in this country.
The principal products of manufacture are pickles, tomato catsups, baked beans aud various condiments. Besides providing em- ployment for a goodly number the firm ex- pends large sums of money yearly among the farmers and vegetable raisers of the state, from whom the materials are pur- chased.
Mr. Kuner is the type of splendid citizen- ship which constitutes a city's real great- ness. Any movement making for the ad- vancement of Denver or Colorado has had his enthusiastic support. He is an active member of the Denver Chamber of Com- merce, serving for many years on the board of directors. He was one of the organizers of the Colorado Manufacturers' Association and the Traffic Club. Mr. Kuner has also at- tained a high degree in Masonic circles.
Mr. Kuner was married at New Orleans. November 11, 1856, to Susan Rectanaus, of New Orleans. His home life has been an ideal one, and without doubt has been an in- spiration for the success he has enjoyed. Now, after a lifetime of conscientious effort, not the least of his blessings is the sight of his children and their children's children growing up about him.
Five daughters were born to Mr. Kuner. There are seven grandchildren, all boys, and four great grandchildren, all girls. Mr. Kuner's daughters are Mrs. L. E. Wether- bee of Brighton, Mrs. E. Meyer, Mrs. L. W. Waters, Miss Katherine Kuner and Miss Mary Kuner. His grandson, Karl Kuner Meyer, is associated with him in business.
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ADOLPH HERMAN JOSEPH COORS
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ADOLPH HERMAN JOSEPH COORS.
OORS, ADOLPH HERMAN JOSEPH, April, 1872, he was employed as a gardener C
born at Barmen, Rhein provinz, Prussia, February 4, 1847, is the son of Johann Joseph and Helena (Hein) Coors. His father, a trade miller, was born February 25, 1816, at Brakel, Westphalia, Prussia, and died November 24, 1862, at Dortmund. His mother, Helena Hein, born November 20, 1816, at Barmen, died April 2, 1862, at Dort- mund, Westphalia, Prussia.
Mr. Coors was educated in the public schools at Barmen and Dortmund. He was apprenticed in the book and stationery store of Andrea & Company, Ruhrort, Prussia, from November, 1860, until June 4, 1862.
Mr. Coors then became interested in the work of the brewers, in which line he later became a prominent manufacturer. From July 1, 1862, until May, 1867, he was with Heinrich Wenker, brewer, Dortmund, as clerk and apprentice the first three years, and then worked there as a brewer until May, 1867. During the following year he traveled through Germany, working at his trade in Cassel, Berlin and Uelzen. Emigrat- ing from Hamburg, he settled in Chicago the latter part of May, 1868. During that summer he worked at his trade in that city ; and the winter following was employed with pick and shovel on the Chicago Canal, and later as fireman. He worked as an appren- tice bricklayer and stonecutter during the next spring and summer.
Mr. Coors then returned to the brewery business, and from August 11, 1869, until January 22, 1872, was brewery foreman at Naperville, Illinois. Coming to Denver in
for about a month. In June he started in the bottling business, continuing in the same until October, 1873. Mr. Coors then re- moved to Golden, Colorado, where he es- tablished a brewery, with Jacob Schueler as a partner. After the purchase of a site, a small building was erected. Succeeding in business the plant was gradually enlarged until it became one of the largest and best equipped in the state. In 1880 Mr. Coors purchased his partner's interest, continuing the business and making still further ad- ditions and improvements. In July, 1909, he admitted his son, Adolph, Jr., as a part- ner.
From the successful merchant and busi- ness man, he, with increase of wealth, began to invest also in other enterprises, and in time became one of the most prosperous men in the commercial history of Colorado. He is now also especially interested in the United States Portland Cement Company, of which he is the president, the concern owning and operating extensive works at Concrete, Colorado.
Mr. Coors is one of that fine type of Ger- mans who have become prominent in the history of Colorado. He married April 12, 1879, Louise Magdalena Weber, born July 28, 1861, whose parents still reside in Den- ver. Mr. and Mrs. Coors have six children : Louise Magdalena, born March 2, 1880; Auguste Marie, born December 26, 1881; Adolph Joseph, born January 12, 1884; Bertha Clara, born June 24, 1886. Grover Cleveland, born October 20, 1888; Herman Frederick, born July 20, 1890.
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FREDERICK FREDOLIN NEEF
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FREDERICK FREDOLIN NEEF.
NEEF, FREDERICK FREDOLIN, brewer, son of Rudolph and Paulina (Ambruster) Neef, was born at Wolfach in the Black Forest, Baden, Germany, March 6, 1847. His grandfather, Louis Neef for many years engaged in the meat business in Baden, was a captain in the army, served with Na- poleon in his Moscow campaign, and was severely wounded during his military career. His son, Rudolph (1821-1884) was one of the most prominent business men of his section, being an extensive dealer in real estate, cattle and horses, and for several years was mayor of Wolfach. His wife, Paulina, born in 1826, died in 1880. He married twice, and died at the age of 65. He was the originator of the Kiefernadeln oil (the original St. Jacob's Oil) which he manufactured from certain pine tree needles, from which St. Jacob's oil has been produced, the two being alike, ex- cept that the American product has coal for its principal ingredient.
His son, Frederick Neef was educated in the common schools of Wolfach, and the gymnasium, and after coming to the United States, attended the night school of the Mound City Commercial College, St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Neef speaks, reads and writes English, German, French, Italian and Span- ish. At the age of 17, he became a clerk in the Credit Lyonaise, at Lyons, France, one of the largest banking firms of that country. Later he was a traveling salesman and then assistant manager for a house in Lyons, car- rying on an extensive raw silk business, their
annual trade being from 15,000,000 francs to 25,000,000 francs.
Mr. Neef came to the United States in 1871, settling in St. Louis. His uncle, Fredo- lin Neef, who immigrated to this country in 1848, a union soldier in the civil war and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, died in Denver in 1903, having made his home with Max Neef for a number of years.
On his arrival in 1871 in St. Louis, he was engaged for a year by a wholesale wall paper firm, and later was bookkeeper and salesman for a large wholesale house in Omaha, and came to Denver in 1873. With his brother, Maximilian, the firm of Fred Neef & Brother was established, and in 1891, purchased the Western Brewery, changing the name to the Neef Brothers Brewery, an extensive estab- lishment, that has built up a large trade throughout the west. He started in Denver with a capital of $300, and in a few years was conducting a business involving hundreds of thousands of dollars. In addition to the brewery, Mr. Neef has other extensive in- terests and has become one of the wealthy men of the state, through his energy, pluck, and perseverance. He is a man of fine ex- ecutive ability.
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