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 32
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Judge Gilmore attended the Philips- Andover Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and then entered Bowdoin College, where he was graduated in 1863, with the degree of A. B. In 1865, he received his LL. B. from the Albany Law School. In 1872, Bowdoin gave him an honorary A. M.
He began the practice of the law in 1865, at Richmond, Indiana, where he remained four months, and then removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he rose rapidly in his
profession, and made his residence until 1880. During a period of eight years, he was judge of the bankruptcy court, at that place, when the proceedings were conducted under the old practice. He also took a lead- ing part in politics, and in 1872, was a presi- dential elector in Iowa, on the republican tieket, in the Grant campaign.
In 1880, Judge Gilmore removed to Colo- rado, where he has since remained, in the successful practice of the law. He first located in Golden, but in March, 1882, he re- moved to Denver, which is still his residence. He formed a partnership with the Honorable Frank Tilford, the latter a democratic leader, who, later, became state senator. Their partnership lasted until the death of Senator Tilford. Judge Gilmore was a member of the house of the Colorado legislature in 1885, elected on the republican ticket, and was an active participant in the proceedings of that body. He has an extensive land law prac- tice, which he has made a specialty, and in this line ranks with the most eminent of his profession, not only in this state, but in the west. He is a member of the state and local bar associations. His investments at Glen Park, adjoining Palmer Lake, made him one of the founders of that delightful "Glen" and a favorite summer resort. In church and Sunday school work, he has exerted a wide influence for the good and the morals of the state. At Glen Park was established a chautauqua, where, since 1887, have been heard many of the best lecturers and plat- form speakers in the country, and in all this work he has been identified as a patron and founder.
Judge Gilmore married, first, at Leeds, Maine, in 1867, Miss Rosa Deane, who died in 1876. They had three children, of whom one daughter, who was married to William L. Knisell of Denver, survives. He married, second, in 1885, Miss Belle Wightman of Denver, and of this marriage were born three children: Hugh, who was graduated from Colorado College in 1910, with degree of A. B .; Faith, who has been a student at Colorado College and the University of Den- ver, and Roy Wightman.
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GEORGE LAWRENCE MCDERMOTT
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GEORGE LAWRENCE MCDERMOTT.
MCDERMOTT, GEORGE LAWRENCE, M. D., born in Neenah, Wisconsin, March 27, 1871, is of Irish parentage. His father, Daniel (born in Ireland, 1813, died February, 1910), married Ellen White, daughter of a merchant in Tipperary, Ire- land. He immigrated to America in 1830, living to the advanced age of ninety-seven, and the lady who became his wife came in 1840.
Dr. MeDermott had been an indefatigible worker, being thrown on his own efforts and self-reliance, and there was thus developed that energy and the laying of the foundation of his future success, as a self-made man. He utilized opportunities when they came, and when they did not come, he made them for himself. This has been a chief trait of Dr. MeDermott from early school days, in college, and later in the professional and business world.
He was educated in the public schools at Neenah, Wisconsin, and then the Rush Med- ical College, in Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1897. He then began the prac- tice of his profession in his native city, which he also followed for a time in Chi- cago. Early in his career, he became promi- nent as an instructor and teacher, in Chi- cago, and at the University of Illinois, teach- ing the senior medicine in the latter, 1902- 1908.
He then decided to come west and locate, and to the young physician, Colorado pre- sented a favorable outlook, affording oppor- tunities for investment, as well as the prac- tice of medicine. He first made a brief stay in Colorado Springs, then coming to Denver,
1908, where he has been eminently success- ful in his profession.
Dr. McDermott is a member of the Amer- ican Medical Association. He married, in Chicago, in 1899, Miss Eva Considine. They have three children: Evelyn, eleven years of age; George Lawrence, Jr., seven, and Clement E., one year of age.
Dr. MeDermott has also been fortunate in business and real estate investments. With a keen, practical insight, he has been both prosperous and successful in his real estate transactions, in buying, building and selling.
He also bought the Consumers Brewing Company, in August, 1910, which he at once placed on a good business footing, and or- ganized the Capitol Brewing Company in September, the same year, with a capital stock of $400,000, the doctor being made the president of the company, which position he still holds. Since taking over this brewery, the plant has been doubled. He has been treasurer of the Colorado Investment-Securi- ties Company, since its organization, early in 1911, and still continues his activity in real estate. He is the inventor of several electrical devices, and an internal combus- tion gas engine.
Dr. MeDermott is a great lover and ad- mirer of nature, and more especially the wild and rugged scenery of the west. Although known to close and intimate friends, it will be a surprise to the general public to learn that Dr. MeDermott is also a poet. He lately published a volume of poems, for private eir- culation among his friends, in which he de- scribed nature in Colorado, its mountains and scenery.
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ABRAM EMERSON MINIUM
ABRAM EMERSON MINIUM.
MINIUM, ABRAM EMERSON, mining, from that state to Ill., his father who had formerly been a shoemaker, opening a general mercantile store in Batavia. born in Batavia, Kane county, Ill., Feb. 23, 1862, is the son of Jacob John (1831-1901), and Ruth (Bower) Minium. Abram E. Minium received his education The family is Pennsylvania Dutch, coming in the public schools of his native town, and
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then entered the employ of the Newton Wagon Company of Batavia, as a blacksmith and later as a painter. For a time he was engaged in the painting contract business, which was followed by that of solicitor for life insurance. Believing that still greater opportunities were afforded in the West, he came to the Rocky Mountains, and for a time led a prospector's life. Although he found gold, yet he came upon what he considered better than a gold mine.
Mr. Minium does not claim to have been the original discoverer of asbestos in Wyo- ming, yet he more than all others is given the honor and credit of financing and developing the different propositions that were pre- sented. He is sometimes known as "Asbes- tos" Minium, because of his prominence in promoting and pushing this industry. In 1891 he came to Denver, which he has since made his headquarters, although much of his time has been spent in Wyoming. It was in 1897, that he located a part of the asbestos mining properties, one of which was discovered by his wife, which are now oper- ated by the company.
The International Asbestos Mills & Power Company was incorporated Sep. 17, 1909, under the laws of Wyo., with a capital stock of $5,000,000. At the present time (1911) the officers of the company are: A. E. Min- ium, president; Tony P. Michael, vice-pres- ident; Henry C. Beeler, E. M., consulting engineer and secretary; and, C. H. Parker, M. E., gen. mgr. of the mines and mills. The company owns outright the lands or controls the product of more than 80 per cent of all the proven and available asbestos lands in the Casper (Wyo.) Mountain district. Mr. Minium has made a special study of asbestos and its history, and prospected pracically every foot of these asbestos lands near Casper, in Natrona county, Wyo. His practical ex- perience in mining, together with executive ability, and his aggressive yet judicious and economic policy, eminently fit him for the position. Mr. Beeler, the consulting engi- neer, is a graduate of the Colorado State School of Mines and for eight years was the State Geologist of Wyoming. S. E. Colyer, secretary of the Northwestern Asbestos Mills Company, an affiliated company, and C. H. Parker, the general manager of the mills and mines, together with Prof. Beeler and others, have proven an able corps of asso- ciates with Mr. Minium, in pushing this ex- tensive asbestos enterprise.
The product is at present being manu- factured and sold, with orders from the far east. Three Denver firms that formerly bought the Canadian product, are now using only Wyoming asbestos. The International
Asbestos Mills & Power Company has leased the reduction plant of the Colorado Iron Works and is treating the ores as they come from the Wyoming properties. This effects a saving in freight, and the sand and crushed rock are utilized in the manufacture of as- bestos cement and plaster.
The Northwestern Asbestos Mills Com- pany, an affiliated company with the Inter- national, was organized under the laws of Wyoming, October 20, 1910, with a capital stock of $5,000,000, but each company has its own mines and mills. The plant at Denver, crushes and fiberizes the raw material, and in reality, four asbestos factories are now operated in this city.
The asbestos product has recently de- veloped an increased demand in the commer- cial world, entering largely into the useful arts, owing to its fibrous nature, its conserva- tion of heat, and protection against fire. A con- servative estimate places the fuel saving, re- sulting from its protection, at 25 per cent. The U. S. has led other countries for years in manufacturing asbestos goods, but until re- cently, almost all the raw asbestos thus used has been imported from Canada, where there are 19 quarries and mills, having a capacity of 8,500 tons of rock a day, and employing in summer, more than 3,000 persons. Yet, last year it was reported that Canada, the leading producer of all, was $3,500,000 short in supplying the demands of the U. S. It will thus be seen, that the asbestos industry of this country is in its infancy, and has a splen- did future. When that future shall develop with the working of the American mines and mills into a great industry, Abram E. Minium will be known and remembered as one of its founders. Success has already come to him, who was once the humble prospector in the Wyo. asbestos district, and the future is most promising.
Mr. Minium is vice-president of the National Institute of Laws, a business men's association at Kansas City, with branches in Chicago and New York.
He also has a genius for invention. A carding machine has been invented by him for fiberizing asbestos, and one of his ma- chines is now in active use at the Denver plant It treats asbestos formerly of too low grade to save, and this invention will increase the value of all the raw marerial from 10 to 20 per cent.
Mr. Minium is a life member of the Ameri- can Mining Congress, and of the Traffic Club, Denver. He married in Sep., 1895, at Kan- sas City, Mo., Miss Matilda Miller, of Prince- ton, Mo., the ceremony being performed by Bishop Quayle.
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GEORGE RANSOM SWALLOW
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GEORGE RANSOM SWALLOW.
S WALLOW, GEORGE RANSOM, farmer and retired banker, born August 29, 1839, in Green county, Illinois, was the son of Ran- som (1804-1845) and Sophia (Griswold) Swallow. His father was a farmer and mer- chant. His mother was from Vermont, and her mother was a Twitchell, whose father was one of the American patriots who fought at Bunker Hill. His colonial ancestors came from England and settled in Massachusetts, and his great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution. His name appears on the Bunker Hill monument. Removing from Dunstable, Massachusetts, to Vermont, Na- hamn Swallow was the first man to raise merino sheep in that state. Through his maternal line, the Griswolds, he had ances- tors in the Colonial Wars, and at Plattsburg. Some of his family also fought in the War of 1812.
In 1840 his father moved with his fam- ily to Manchester, Illinois, where he died, about four years later. At the age of four- teen, George R. Swallow began clerking in a drug store at Winchester, Illinois, his early education having been confined to the district schools. After fourteen months he became a clerk in the postoffice at Alton, where he was employed seven months. Then removing to Jerseyville, he became a bookkeeper in a store, mill and bank, nntil 1860. Going to Centralia, he started the Centralia Bank. He removed to Vincennes, Indiana, in March, 1861; and, in August following, he enlisted as a private in Captain Harris' Seventh Indiana Battery. Governor Morton, on October 4, that year, commissioned him Junior First Lieutenant in the same battery, and after the battle of Shiloh he was appointed captain of the bat- tery. Captain Swallow remained with the battery, which was attached to Buell's army, marching to Stevenson, Alabama, thence on the retrograde movement to Nashville and Louisville. He served on the advance made to drive General Bragg out of Kentucky, and was with General Rosecranz through south- ern Kentucky and northern Tennessee to Nashville. Then he went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, after which he was appointed chief of artillery, serving through Chicka- manga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Moun-
tain, and started with General Sherman on his march to the sea. On May 6, 1864, he was commissioned Major of the Tenth Indi- ana Cavalry. During the summer of 1864 his regiment engaged in guarding the rail- roads from Pulaski, Tennessee, to Decatur, Alabama. He was at the latter place with four companies, when it was attacked by General Hood on his way to Franklin and Nashville. On the second day of the fight at Nashville, Major Swallow was wounded. His command captured more prisoners than they had men on duty. A lieutenant colonel, two majors and several line officers of the regiment were also wounded in that fight. In 1865, as major in command of the regi- ment, he took part in the campaign against Mobile. He was promoted to lieutenant colo- nel and then colonel of this regiment and after performing garrison duty at Vicksburg until August 15, 1865, he returned to private life. His war record of rising from a pri- vate in the ranks to that of colonel tells its own story.
Returning to Jerseyville, Illinois, for six years (1866-1872), he was one of the pro- prietors of the banking house of Cross & Swallow. Selling his interest, in November, 1872, he came to Colorado in July, 1873, lo- cating at Trinidad, where in that same month he, with John W. Terry, organized the Las Animas County Bank, of Swallow & Terry, the first bank in the territory south of the Arkansas river.
In the fall of 1884 he was elected on the Republican ticket, as state treasurer of Colo- rado, serving the two-year term of 1885- 1886. During the two years of 1887-1888, he was operating in Denver real estate, and 1888-1891 was abroad; in 1892-1894, vice- president of the American National Bank of Denver; in 1894, president of the Denver Savings Bank, which position he held for ten years. Among other investments, he is now interested in several farms. He was recently appointed one of the appraisers in the estate of David H. Moffat.
Colonel Swallow married, at Jerseyville, Illinois, in 1866, Miss Hannah Virginia, daughter of Abijah Davis, of colonial an- cestry.
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FREDERICK GOWIE MOFFAT
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FREDERICK GOWIE MOFFAT.
M OFFAT, FREDERICK GOWIE, banker, son of Frederick W. and Mary ( Whit- ney) Moffat, was born in Albany, New York, June 19, 1861. His father, a banker, was born August 27, 1837, and died August 13, 1906. His mother is the daughter of Channey and Mary Whitney.
Mr. Moffat is of Seotch-Irish ancestry, that came to this country in the early days. The family is related to the ancient elans of Seotland, and linked with the legends, wars and heroie history of that country. Samuel Moffat, the American progenitor, came to the colonies, from Antrim in the North of Ireland, but the family originally emigrated from the town of Moffat, Scotland. He set- tled in Washingtonville, Orange county, New York, where his descendants have been prominent in the history of that section of the state, and back in colonial days, partici- pated in the American Revolution. Fred G. Moffat is also descended on the maternal side from the Gregg family, of Scotch-Irish an- eestry, one of whom, Captain Gregg, in the maternal line, was a patriot in the army of the American Revolution. In military, civil and private life the family has been dis- tinguished and became leaders in this eoun- try, as they had been in Scotland.
One of the most eminent of the American branch was David H. Moffat (q. v), Colorado pioneer, banker, and railroad builder, so well known in the upbuilding and development of the west. Mr. Moffat, the subject of this sketch, is one of the same family tree, being a nephew of the distinguished Colorado financier, who, for many years, was the presi-
dent of the First National Bank of Denver, and the promoter of the "Moffat Road, ' now building from Denver to Salt Lake City.
Fred. G. Moffat, as he is more commonly known in this state, eame to Denver March 10, 1890, and has since made it his residence, having been associated for ten years with his unele, David H. Moffat, in the First Na- tional. Early in life Mr. Moffat had planned a different career for himself. After having attended the public schools in Washington, D. C., he studied for the navy, and then be- eame a medical student in Columbia Medical College. For a short time he engaged in banking in Washington, D. C., and then came west. He became assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Denver, in Janu- ary, 1901; later he was appointed cashier, and in June, 1911, was made vice-president, which latter position he ocenpies at the pres- ent time. He is known and recognized as one of the leading financiers of the west, and his rise in banking eireles has been attained through energy, aptitude and financial abil- ity.
Mr. Moffat is a member of the Denver Club, Denver Athletic Club, Denver Country Club, and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. He married October 31, 1894, in Cincinnati, Miss Charlotte Grace Selden, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Keefer) Selden. Mrs. Moffat is of colonial ancestry and a grand-daughter of Colonel Samnel Selden, a distinguished officer in the Revo- lutionary army from Connectient. They have two children: Elizabeth W. and David H. Moffat.
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WILLIAM NASSAU WALKER BLAYNEY
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WILLIAM NASSAU WALKER BLAYNEY.
B LAYNEY, WILLIAM NASSAU WALKER, merchandise broker and financier, born in Dublin, Ireland, December 17, 1859, was the son of Thomas W. and Louisa Jane Blayney, and, at a tender age, came to this country with his parents. He was educated in the public schools of Chi- cago and Riverside, Illinois. Mr. Blayney began his business eareer, working as an office boy for Franklin McVeagh & Com- pany, Chicago, at a salary of three dollars a week, and was advanced by that firm to shipping clerk, private secretary and sales- man. His experience and rapid promotion in this extensive Chicago business house both fitted him for a higher sphere of commercial life, as well as showing his adaptability and skill in planning and executing the details of extensive organization. The mastery of detail, quick insight, and strong executive ability, combined with upright and square dealing, have been the marked traits of char- acter, that have made Mr. Blayney a suc- eessful business man.
This has been exemplified in his long service and connection with prominent busi- ness interests in this city. This phase of his commercial life is illustrated in the term of twenty-five years he has been the Denver representative of the Cudahy Packing Com- pany, one of the largest firms in the United States. In business he is shrewd, quick, far- sighted, which combined with the strictest integrity, has resulted in his long continued service with that company, and in holding their extensive trade in the West, and espe- eially in the Rocky Mountain region. He is also prominently identified with many local enterprises and institutions, including that of secretary, treasurer and manager of the Hallaek Investment Company, and vice- president of the Hallaek Lumber and Supply Company. Both these companies represent large invested interests, and an extensive
trade in the West, in which the sterling integrity of the late Mr. Erastus F. Hallack has been maintained in conducting and man- aging these affairs. Mr. Blayney is also president of the Coffin Packing and Provi- sion Company, president of the Market Com- pany and vice-president of the Denver Paek- ing and Provision Company. His long serv- ice with the Cudahys and these last named firms places Mr. Blayney in an enviable posi- tion as an expert and skilled manager in all lines pertaining to the packing and sup- ply business, in which he has won and has sustained his reputation for fair and honest dealing with the customers of these firms.
In all this varied experience, in which he has seenred the confidenee and trust of the public, there have been opened new avenues, in which his ability as a finaneier and an executive power have been called into requi- sition. In the re-organization of the First National Bank, Mr. Blayney was made one of its directors, a high compliment to his ability, which is well worthy the trust im- posed. Changes were made in the official list of the Denver Union Water Company, and here again the name of Mr. Blayney, as one of the most influential that could be suggested, was presented, and he was elected a director in that company. In his whole life, Mr. Blayney is a representative of that type of the young business mau who, by strict adherence to honesty, fair dealing, and by his own force of character, rises to emi- nence and high positions of honor and trust.
Mr. Blayney is fond of outdoor sports, hunting and shooting, and has been a mem- ber of the leading gun clubs. He is also a member of the Denver Club, Country Club, Denver ; Colorado Golf Club and the Denver Athletic Club.
He married in Denver, February 14, 1899, Miss Minnie G., daughter of Erastus F. Hallack (q. v.) and Kate G. Hallaek. They have two children; Dorothy and Helen.
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JOHN MONTGOMERY KUYKENDALL
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JOHN MONTGOMERY KUYKENDALL.
K UYKENDALL, JOHN MONTGOMERY, capitalist and organizer, was born in Platte county, state of Missouri, April 25, 1860, and is the son of William L. and Eliza A. (Montgomery) Kuykendall. His early ancestors came to this country from Holland some generations ago and his father, Wil- liam L. Kuykendall, was born in Missouri, December 13, 1835, is still living and is a ranchman by occupation. Mr. Kuykendall's great-grandfather was under Colonel Camp- bell during the Revolutionary war, and was killed at the battle of King's Mountain. His Grandfather Thompson, also fought in the Revolutionary war, and also took prominent part in wars with the Indians in the early Kentucky settlements. He was in St. Clair's defeat by Indians in Ohio, and was with Wayne the following year, when the Indians were badly whipped. Grandfather Kuyken- dall was county judge in both Clay and Platte counties, Missouri, and was the first sheriff and the first judge of probate elected in that state. He was also county treasurer. He raised a company for the Mexican war, but when ready to be mustered in, it was found that the state had already furnished more than its quota of troops.
Mr. Kuykendall's father was deputy clerk of the circuit court, when only seven- teen years of age. He was later county clerk and deputy clerk of the district court of Kansas-also judge of probate and county treasurer. He was city clerk of Cheyenne, and also twice a member of the legislature of Wyoming, and was the democratic mem- ber of the national committee of that party for eight years. He served as captain in the Confederate army for the greater part of four years, and has held other minor positions.
Mr. Kuykendall received his education in the Cheyenne public schools, and at Racine College, Wisconsin. At twelve years of age he was in the sheep business with his father. In 1875, he engaged in his first real busi- ness enterprise, with J. I. Case of Racine, Wisconsin, in the cattle business. In 1882, he organized the Wisconsin-Wyoming Land and Cattle Company, with capital stock of $145,000, and Mr. Kuykendall held the po-
sition of general manager. In 1885, he or- ganized a cattle company, which operated on the Medicine Bow, Carbon county, Wyo- ming, known as the J. M. Kuykendall Com- pany. He was president and general man- ager. In 1892 was launched the Columbia Coach Company, which operated during the World's Fair at Chicago, of which he was president and general manager.
In 1890, he formed the Denver Omnibus and Carriage Company, with a capital of $100,000, and in 1893, the Denver Omnibus and Cab Company, with a capital stock of $100,000. Mr. Kuykendall was president and general manager of both of these companies. In 1910, the Denver Omnibus and Cab Com- pany was reorganized under the laws of Wyoming, and the capital stock increased to $525,000.
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