USA > New Mexico > History of New Mexico : its resources and people, Volume II > Part 2
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At the close of the war Major Whiting joined the staff of the New. York Herald, and was sent by that paper on a trip through New Mexico, Arizona and California. The Indian uprising of 1865-6 prevented the ful- fillment of his commission, and in 1866 he stopped in Santa Fé. In 1868 he located permanently in Albuquerque, where for about ten years he served as clerk of the district court. He has also filled the offices of probate clerk, county assessor, superintendent of schools, justice of the peace and United States commissioner, having occupied the latter office for more than thirty years. He organized G. K. Warren Post No. 5. G. A. R., and was its first commander. Though he was admitted to the bar in 1870, he has never practiced his profession.
A CIVIL WAR INCIDENT.
An interesting incident of the Civil war period in Old Albuquerque, which occurred during the time the Confederate troops occupied the town on their way to Santa Fé, was the burial of eight howitzers, or Napoleon guns, by the officers commanding. The Confederates placed them in the ground nearly opposite the present home of Major Whiting. The guns had been the property of the Federal government, but were captured by disloyal Texans at the outbreak of the war. Many years afterward their location was described to Major Whiting, who found them under about eighteen inches of earth, though the officers informed him that they had been buried several feet deep. Two of these historic guns are now in possession of the Grand Army post of Albuquerque. It is also worthy of note that General Longstreet, the distinguished officer of the Civil war, was serving as major and paymaster at Albuquerque at the outbreak of hostilities.
NEW ALBUQUERQUE.
In November, 1880, following the completion of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fé railroad to a point opposite the Old Town of Albuquerque, the site of the present city was surveyed and platted under the direction of the New Mexico Town Company. The first lots were purchased on the first of the month by Maden Brothers, and the second sale was made to Ullery & Zeigler.
Albuquerque was not regularly incorporated until 1885, and remained
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under town government until 1890. The first call for a mass meeting to discuss the incorporation of Albuquerque as a town was signed by H. B. Fergusson, J. H. Sullivan and Charles Etheridge. The gathering was held at Grant's Opera House, July 28, 1884, and the first mayor of the town was elected in the following year.
The officials of Albuquerque, while it was governed under the system of town government, were as follows :
Mayors .- 1885. Henry N. Jaffa : 1886, George Lail: 1887, William B. Childers; 1888, Arthur E. Walker; 1880, G. W. Meylert ; 1890, M. Mandell.
Recorders,-1885, Jesse M. Wheelock : 1886, E. W. Spencer; 1887, Edward Stras- burg ; 1888, M. P. Stamm; 1889, A. W. Kimball; 1890, H. Lockhart.
Trustees .- 1885, C. P. Jones, William McClellan, A. M. Whitcomb, Z. T. Phil- lips ; 1886, William Cook. A. Harschi, I. J. Sharick, J. K. Basye; 1887, A. E. Walker, William McLaughlin, G. S. Easterday, Felix Mandell: 1888, F. Lowenthal, J. C. Bald- ridge, G. W. Meylert, S. A. Hubbell; 1889, George C. Bowman ; J. C. Baldridge, W. M. McClellan. M. Mandell; 1890, J. A. Lee, Calvin Whiting, J. A. Johnson, O. W. Strong.
Attorneys .- 1885, Thomas F. Phelan; Whiteman & Smith : 1886, V. A. Greenleaf ; 1887, N. C. Collier : 1888, W. H. Whiteman; 1889, Bernard S. Rodey; 1890, N. C. Collier.
Treasurers .- 1885. N. C. Raff : 1886-90, Willard S. Strickler.
Marshals .- 1885. A. W. Marsh : 1886, Robert McGuire, William Hopkins; 1887, William Hopkins, W. C. Brown: 1888, Alexander Stevens; 1889, W. H. Hopkins; 1890, William Farr.
Police Judgc .- 1885, John Oaks : 1886, William C. Heacock; 1887-8, R. B. Myers ; 1889, C. D. Favor : 1890. J. H. Madden.
Health Officers .- 1885-6, J. H. Wroth, M. D .; 1888-9. A. E. Ealy, M. D .: 1890. John F. Pearce, M. D.
Surveyors .- 1885-6, W. F. Hill; 1889-90, E. W. Kilbourne.
Since the incorporation of the city the officers have been as fol- lows :
Mayors .- 1891, Joseph E. Saint ; 1892, Dr. G. S. Easterday ; 1893. Neill B. Field; 1894. John F. Luthy: 1895-6, J. C. Baldridge; 1897, Dr. Strickland Aubright : 1898, Frank W. Clancy ; 1899-1901, O. N. Marron ; 1902-3. Charles F. Myers; 1904-6, Frank McKee
Clerks .- 1891, R. W. Hopkins; 1892, W. T. McCreight : 1893, C. J. Ennis : 1894-6, William J. Dixon ; 1897, John S. Trimble; 1898-1901, C. W. Medler; 1902-6, Harry F. Lee.
Treasurers .- 1891. A. C. Briggs; 1802. Sigmund Grunsfeld; 1893, William C. Mehan : 1894-5, Frank McKee; 1896, S. M. Saltmarsh: 1897. Frank McKee; 1898, John S. Trimble : 1899, R. E. Putney ; 1900-3, L. H. Chamberlin; 1904-6, Harry E. Rogers.
Aldermen .- 1891, William Farr. Perfecto Armijo. John P. Kaster, George C. Bowman, A. J. Maloy, Thomas R. Gable, Charles F. Hunt, Lorion Miller ; 1892, Per- fecto Armijo, Don J. Rankin, George C. Bowman, Fred G. Pratt, Thomas R. Gable, Edward Medler, Lorion Miller, W. B. Childers: 1893. Don J. Rankin, Caesar Grande, Fred G. Pratt. Jacob Korber, Edward Medler. Jacob Schwartz, W. B. Childer. W. W. Hesselden : 1804. Caesar Grande, Dr. Strickland Aubright. Jacob Korber, Henry Brock- meier. Jacob Schwartz, Otto Dieckmann, A. Simpier, W. W. Hesselden, M. S. Otero; 1895, Dr. Strickland Arbright, E. S. Cummings, Henry Brockmeier, William Long, A. Simpier, N. E. Stevens, M. S. Otero. Alfred Grunsfeld : 1896, E. S. Cummings, H. A. Montfort. William Long, I. N. Horner. N. E. Stevens. M. S. Tierney, Alfied Gruns- feld, M. S. Otero; 1897, H. A. Montfort, E. S. Cummings, I. N. Horner, J. T. John- ston, M. S. Tierney, O. N. Marron, M. S. Otero, A Lombardo; 1808, E. S. Cum- mings. Samuel Neustadt. J. T. Johnston, William Kiehke, O. N. Marron, M. S. Tierney, A. Lombardo, Summers Burkhart: 1899, Samuel Neustadt, W. C. Leonard, William Kiehke, W. O. Hopping, M. S. Tierney, H. E. Rogers. Summers Burkhart, Frank McKee: 1900. W. C. Leonard, T. J. Wright. W. O. Hopping, J. S. Veaven, H. E. Rogers, B. A. Slevster. Frank McKee, Summers Burkhart. J. M. Moore; 1901, T. J. Wright, A. B. McMillan, J. S. Beaven, Edward B. Harsch, W. F. Powers, H.
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E. Rogers, Dr. George W. Harrison, Frank McKee; 1902, A. B. McMillen, Sigmund Grunsfeld, E. B. Harsch, J. S. Beven, H. E. Rogers, Jay A. Hubbs, Frank McKee, Dr. George W. Harrison; 1903, A. B. McMillen, Sigmund Grunsfeld, E. B. Harsch, J. S. Beaven, H. E. Rogers, Jay A. Hubbs, Frank McKee, Dr. George W. Harrison ; 1904-5, P. Hanley, H. Brockmeier, George P. Learnard, Thomas Isherwood, W. H. Gillenwater, T. N. Wilkerson, Louis Ilfeld, Dr. George W. Harrison.
City Attorneys .- 1891, E. W. Dobson; 1892, N. C. Collier ; 1893, Summers Burk- hart ; 1894-6, T. A. Finical ; 1897-8, William D. Lee; 1899-1901, Horton Moore; 1902-3, John H. Stingle; 1904-6, M. E. Hickey.
City Engineers .- 1891, W. O. Secor; 1892, Gordon D. Pearce: 1897, E. A. Pear- son ; 1898-1901, Pitt Ross; 1902, V. V. Clark, Pitt Ross; 1903-6, Pitt Ross.
Street Commissioners .- 1891, Thomas Ainsworth; 1892-4, George McGowan.
Marshals .- 1891, Charles Masten ; 1892, C. J. Stetson ; 1893, Edward Dodd; 1894, Edward Fluke, Fred Fornoff ; 1895-7, Fred Fornoff, Thomas McMillin; 1899-1906, Thomas McMillin.
Chiefs of Fire Department .- 1893-7, W. T. McCreight; 1898-1901, B. Ruppe; 1902, Jay A. Hubbs (acting), M. Nash: 1903, M. Nash; 1904-6, A. C. Burtless.
City Physicians .- 1896-8, Dr. J. R. Haynes ; 1899-1901, Dr. John F. Pearce; 1902-6, Dr. John W. Elder.
Police Judges .- 1896-1906, A. J. Crawford.
The new city is an enterprising, well built place; in fact, it has been claimed that its business blocks and residences are as fine as can be found in any city of its size in the world. It has a good trolley system, modern school houses in every ward, and a handsome high school building. The city completed a substantial gas plant a short time ago, taking the place of the old one erected in 1882, and still enjoys the distinction of being the only place in the Territory having such an institution. It was at first owned by E. S. Stover, Dr. G. W. Harrison, W. B. Childers and Judge Hazledine. Later it went into the hands of W. S. Strickler and R. T. Cable (formerly general manager of the Santa Fé Pacific railway). In 1895, it was taken over by A. A. Grant and owned by the Grant estate until the Albuquerque Gas, Electric Light & Power Company came into possession of it. As will be inferred, gas and electricity divide the field as illuminators.
Albuquerque has twelve churches and a Jewish synagogue, the latter being perhaps the most imposing religious edifice in the city. The Jewish community is unusually large and rich. The city has two daily and six weekly newspapers, two of the latter being published in Spanish. Its fine library building houses a good collection of books, the nucleus of which was presented by Joshua A. Raynolds, a rich banker, who owns numerous financial institutions throughout the Territory. The library is maintained by a special tax.
The banks of Albuquerque have deposits aggregating between $4,- 000,000 and $5,000,000. Its abundant facilities, in this respect, insure the easy handling of the large wool and live-stock trade tributary to the city. The Bank of Commerce is one of the leading financial institutions of the Southwest, its president, Solomon Luna, being accounted the richest and most progressive native in the Territory. He is the owner of at least 60,000 sheep and vast tracts of pasture land, besides controlling some of the most valuable water courses in this portion of New Mexico, thereby being in virtual control of the adjacent territory. He has 5,000 acres of land under irrigation and cultivation, is largely interested in the growing and manufacture of sugar beets, and is altogether a large figure in the
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agricultural, live-stock, industrial and commercial development of New Mexico.
The Santa Fé shops at Albuquerque employ about 700 men, and it has a large planing mill and box factory. The lumber for the latter comes from the Zuñi Mountains, where the controlling company had over 350,000 acres of timber, and much of its manufactured product is sent abroad. The average daily manufacture amounts to 2,000 sashi, 1,500 doors and five car loads of packing boxes, more than 1,000 men being on the pay-rolls. But the prosperity of Albuquerque is not founded on its manufactures; it depends for its growth upon the fertile valley of the Rio Grande, which is virtually tributarv to it.
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB OF ALBUQUERQUE.
This organization is composed of about 200 of the business men of the city and concentrates the enterprise and progressive spirit of the locality, being the champion, the godfather and usually the originator of the move- ments best calculated to develop the metropolis and the Territory. Its building is considered the finest in the city, being constructed of brick, with brown sandstone trimmings, embracing a dancing hall, reading rooms, card rooms and several bachelor suites. Needless to say, the club has a decided social side to it; but no public bar, or buffet, is attached to the establishment.
The Commercial Club was organized May 14, 1890, in the old San Felipe Hotel, and was incorporated on the 3Ist of that month. The articles of incorporation contained the names of Albert Eisemann, Joseph E. Saint, J. G. Albright, W. B. Childers, T. R. Gabel, John A. Lee, C. E. Crary, William C. Hazledine, J. C. Baldridge, Jesse M. Wheelock, Joshua S. Raynolds, J. E. Elder, G. W. Meylert and Neill B. Field. The first officers were: G. W. Meylert, president ; J. C. Baldridge, vice-president ; Jesse M. Wheelock, secretary; S. M. Folsom, treasurer; Joseph E. Saint, WV. B. Childers, D. B. Robinson, A. Grunsfeld and Solon E. Rose, direct- ors. Since the first year of its organization, its presidents have been as follows: 1891, W. B. Childers; 1892-3, George L. Brooks; 1894, W. C. Hadley; 1895-6, A. G. Wells; 1897-1903, O. N. Marron; 1904. Judge Benjamin S. Baker: 1905. Colonel Willard S. Hopewell; 1906, George L. Brooks. The fine building of the club was erected in 1892 at a cost (including the furnishings) of about $80,000.
HOTELS.
The Armijo House, for many years the leading hotel of Albuquerque, located at the corner of Railroad avenue and Third street, was built in 1880-I by Mariano Armijo. It was constructed of adobe and wood, and cost $25,000. The hotel was opened to the public in the spring of 1881 by W. Scott Moore, who gave a champagne supper to guests from Albu- querque, Santa Fé, Las Vegas, Denver and other cities. A short time afterward Ambrosio Amijo, father of Mariano, purchased the property and built the addition known as the Ambrosio Armijo hall. The proprie- tors of the hotel included Mr. Moore, P. B. Sherman, Colonel Hope, W. E. Talbott, G. H. Miles, Perfecto Armijo and Mrs. Henry Lockhart. This landmark was destroyed by fire February 10, 1897.
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The Albuquerque Hotel and Opera House Company was incorporated February II, 1882, with a capital of $100,000, to build a hotel and opera house. The building was erected by Edward Medler, the officers of the incorporated company being Franz Huning, president, and Frank W. Smith, vice-president.
The San Felipe Hotel, which stood at the corner of Fourth street and Gold Avenne, was erected in 1884, and in its day was one of the greatest hostelries in the Southwest. It was constructed of brick, stone and iron, three stories in height; was destroyed by fire in 1900 and part of the material of the burned building was used in the Elks Opera House, which was erected on its site.
The Alvarado, erected in 1901, is occupied by the Harvey system. It is located at the Santa Fe depot and is considered the finest railroad hotel in the United States. It is of the "mission style" of architecture.
The Albuquerque Fair Association was organized in 1880 by E. S. Stover, Major Harry R. Whiting and others. The first exhibition, held that year, was a modest affair. Year by year the institution has grown until it has now become the most important annual fair in either New Mexico or Arizona, comparing favorably with the fairs held in other more populous communities. Since the organization of the association an exposition has been held every year.
THE COUNTY IN GENERAL.
Prior to the organization of Mckinley and Sandoval counties, in 19CI and 1903, respectively, Bernalillo county extended from Santa Fé county to the Arizona line, a distance of 200 miles, and seventy-five miles from north to south. When those counties were set off, however, it was reduced to an area of 8,800 square miles, or about the size of San Miguel county. It has the largest population of any county in the Territory.
The principal agricultural valley is the Rio Grande, which is from one to four miles in width and every acre of it susceptible of cultivation. In the lower plane, formed almost entirely of alluvium, the great majority of the vineyards are located, where they can be easily irrigated by means of ditches; a fair yield is from two to three gallons of wine to a vine. With the vines eight feet apart each way, there would be 680 vines to the acre, or a yield, at the lowest estimate, of 1,360 gallons. Much atten- tion is also being given to the larger fruits, and though it is only about twenty years since the improved varieties of American fruits were intro- duced, the orchards are everywhere flourishing. Apples especially thrive on the uplands, and peaches, plums, cherries and apricots in the valleys. All the cereals grow well-wheat on the plains and corn on the bottom lands.
Cattle and sheep flourish on the gramma grass, which grows luxu- riantly on thousands of acres of land, under present conditions unfit for cultivation. The warm winters make it unnecessary to provide shelter or hay for feed. Near larger towns dairy farms pay a large profit, as milk, butter and. cheese are in great demand.
The Sandia mountains, one of the largest ranges in this part of the Territory, are fifteen miles east of Albuquerque, and are believed to be rich in gold and silver.
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HISTORY OF NEW MEXICO
The Otero family has been distinguished in both the early and modern history of New Mexico. The family was founded in America by Don Pedro Otero, who came from Spain to Mexico, then New Spain, late in the eighteenth century. Being attracted to the northern province by sto- ries of its opportunities, he made his wav to Santa Fé, where he married a Miss Alarid, a descendant of one of the prominent Spanish families of that day. Don Pedro had been finely educated in Spanish, and by reason of his intelligence and bearing soon won a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen. Removing to Valencia, in Valencia county, he engaged in the raising of sheep, cattle and horses, in which he was very success- ful. He possessed one of the finest ranches in the country and was widely known and highly respected.
Among his children was Vincente A. Otero, who took an active part in public affairs during the early days of the Mexico republic. Like his father, he devoted his life to stock-raising, becoming widely known, and spent his days in Valencia county. He married Gertrudes Chaves, a member of the prominent family of that name. In his family were six sons, Antonio J., Juan A., Manuel A., Manuel A. (2d), Pedro A. and Miguel A. The eldest. Antonio J. Otero, was a man of unusual mental training. He was highly educated in a private school by a Catholic priest named Martinez, and became one of the best authorities on local laws in Mexico, although not a practicing attorney. When General Kearny insti- tuted civil government in New Mexico during the year of American occu- pation in 1846. he named Mr. Otero as one of the three justices of the supreme court, assigning him to the work of judicial district with head- quarters at Albuquerque. He was the only native Mexican to be honored by appointment to the supreme bench, and his designation to this high office was due both to his eminence as a citizen and his understanding of the English speech, though he could not use the language in speaking. He was one of the leaders in the Whig party and afterward became a Republican. When the American forces occupied the Territory he gave his influence to their support, and so bitter did the feeling become among his friends, who were for the greater part strongly anti-American in their sympathies, that he was compelled to remain in hiding for some time to escape hanging at their hands. Others of the Otero family were also strongly American in their sympathies. Antonio J. Otero was the first to build a modern grist mill at Peralta, his home. In his large general merchandising establishment he had as a partner William Skinner, who came from St. Louis at an early dav.
One of Judge Otero's biographers has said of him: "Judge Otero was endowed by nature with fine intellectual powers, all of which were developed and strengthened by a discipline which enabled him to com- prehend readily and accurately the important questions demanding his attention in after years. From all that the writer can learn, Judge Otero was a cautious man, rarely giving expression to an opinion until. upon reflection, the matter under consideration was clearly and definitely fixed in his own mind. It seems strange to us of today that a man born and reared under the Spanish and Mexican governments, whose laws and customs were so different from our own; growing to manhood in a portion of the world at that time far removed from all the kindly influences of modern thought and civilization; resident of a territory whose inhabitants were
Endially Youup Miguel aching
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engaged six months in every year for a half a century in wars with hostile Indians, could so well fill his place upon the bench as did Judge Otero. While sitting as a member of the superior court he delivered the only opinion coming from that court which has been preserved, so far as the writer has been able to ascertain."
Judge Otero's brother, Juan A. Otero, was his partner in all his busi- ness undertakings. These brothers married sisters-two daughters of Francisco Xavier Chaves, one of the wealthiest of the native inhabitants of New Mexico. Manuel A. Otero, the third son of Don Pedro Otero, resided at Peralta, and was active in political undertakings, serving for some time as probate judge of Valencia county. The fourth son, Pedro A. Otero, died in young manhood. The fifth, and youngest, Miguel A. Otero, like the other sons. received a fine English education. For several years he was engaged in business in Kansas City, Missouri, but after the construction of the railroad into New Mexico he returned to the Terri- tory and conducted a general merchandising business for his former em- ployers in Kansas City. The later years of his life were spent in Las Vegas. where he was a member of the firm of Otero, Sellers & Co., one of the most important commercial houses in the southwest for many vears. In 1861 he served as secretary of the Territory, and represented New Mexico from 1856 until 1861.
Manuel R., son of Antonio T. Otero, was born at Peralta, May 22, 1841, and was educated in the St. Louis University. During the earlier years of his life he was engaged in ranching at Peralta. He served as probate clerk of Valencia county for eight vears, and also filled the offices of probate judge and deputy sheriff. In 1893 he removed to Albuquerque, which has since heen his home. He has been register of the United States land office at Santa Fe since 1808, and is now serving his third term. He was a prominent candidate of the Republican party for delegate to Congress in the convention held at Albuquerque in 1880. but he withdrew and gave his hearty support to the nominee, the Hon. Tranquilino Luna.
The Armijo family has furnished to New Mexico several men who have become noteworthy in its history. Colonel Juan Armijo, the dis- tinguished founder of the family in this country, a native of Spain, was an officer in the Spanish army. He came to Mexico in the last half of the eighteenth century. One of his sons, also named Juan, was born in New Mexico, and inherited from his father a portion of a large land grant at Albuquerque. He was one of the most prominent stock raisers in that part of the province for many years. Another son, General Manuel Armijo, was the last of the provincial governors of New Mexico, filling that position from the date of Governor Perez's assassination, in 1837. to the Mexican war. Don Juan Armijo married Rosalia Ortega, a member of another prominent family of the province. Their son. Don Juan Cris- tobal Armijo, was horn in Albuquerque in 1810 and spent his entire life in that town. He engaged in mercantile pursuits early in life and became one of the most successful business men of the Territory. He received a commission as colonel in the Mexican army, and in the years immediately preceding the Mexican war led his command against the Navajo Indians, invading their Territory and distinguishing himself by his valorous con- duct. During the Indian revolution of 1837 he fought bv the side of . Governor Perez, and during all the troublous period which marked the
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close of Mexican dominion in this Territory he was found valiantly de- fending the cause of his country. In private life he bore a reputation without blemish, all his transactions being characterized by integrity and honor. When the Mexican arms were defeated in the war of 1844-46, he became as patriotic an American citizen as he had been a Mexican citizen. He represented Bernalillo county in the first legislative assembly under the civil government in 1851, serving in the house, and was re-elected to the same body in 1852, serving in the second assembly; and was again elected to the seventhi assembly. During the Civil war he held a commis- sion, and, with the New Mexican militia, participated in the battle of Val Verde, defending Fort Craig while the regulars attacked the enemy in the field.
The house in which Colonel Armijo resided for many years, at Los Ranchos, or Los Griegos, about two miles north of Albuquerque, is still standing. He married Juana Chaves, and reared a family of seven chil- dren: Nestor, Nicholas T., Juan, Pedro, Manuela, who married Mariano Yrisarri of Los Ranchos, Feliciano, who married Tomas Gutierrez, and Justo R. All are deceased excepting Nestor, Justo R. and Mrs. Yrisarri.
Don Nestor Armijo, the eldest son, is one of the most widely known residents of the southern part of the Territory. He was born at Los Padillas, about eight miles south of Albuquerque, February 28, 1831. In 1841 he entered the St. Louis University, where he was a student for five years, returning to Albuquerque at the close of the Mexican war in 1846. In 1853 he made his first overland trip to California, following the Gila river trail to the Colorado, and thence crossing the Mojave desert. The year following he repeated the trip. In 1855 he made the journey across the plains to Westport (now Kansas City), where he made his first purchase of goods for general merchandising. For twenty years there- after he repeated these trips, going east in the spring and returning in August with a train of merchandise. He had his own teams, and brought with him wares for the stores he had established in Las Cruces and El Paso. In 1862 he established the first store of any importance in Las Cruces, which he conducted until 1868. In that year he visited Chi- huahua, Mexico, selling American goods by wholesale for a period of ten years. Since 1878 he has made his home in Las Cruces. In recent years he has been interested in the sheep and cattle business, principally in Mexico, in which he has been rewarded with financial success. He has also been identified with banking interests in this Territory. Though a man of public spirit, he has taken no active interest in politics, and has not sought nor held public office.
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