History of Salt Lake City, Part 127

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company
Number of Pages: 1194

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Men who, from the standpoint of intellectual strength alone would have been accounted his equal in every respect, have been compelled to differ with him as to what was his duty in this or that crisis, and it would have been as difficult to change their base at that time as it would be now to persuade them to admit that they were the progenitors of schemes long since dead of unfitness. What was it, then, which gave this man such breadth of comparison, such impartial and cosmopol- itan comprehension ? What was it which always caused him to move slowly when others advised dashing impetuosity ?

Simply, common sense-that quality of which the average agitator knows nothing-that cautious foresight which bids you "look before you leap."

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

When men at the foot of fortune's ladder, and who are too often at the bottom of everything through the force of gravitation, become desperate and recklessly advocate "anything for a change," it is well that others, who ocenpy a more elevated position, should be allowed to say a word in moderation, and in such instances calm judgment seems to be given only to those entrusted with vast interests, the care of which has developed qualities unknown to the blatant advocate of revo- lution.

When the countenance of solid men is withheld from certain schemes, and the fact becomes apparent that whatever endorsement is given is under protest, such schemes lose force, and either recoil upon their creators or die of vacuity.

Such men as Walker Brothers are as much of a necessity in the political weal of Utali, as the free air and pure water are to physical life. Their influence has naturally been toward conservatism. Radical and revengeful projects could never be endorsed by men whose interests were as extended as those controlled by the subject of our sketch, and it should never be forgotten that the wise utter- ances of a few clear-headed ones, chief among whom was Mr. Joseph R. Walker, have quietly averted dangers unknown of and unheard of by many of the plodding citizens of this mountain region.

Always independent, never vacillating, this gentleman his walked steadily to a line of con- duct which does him honor, and which as surely as the rising of the sun will continue until the few self-sufficient ones who " strut their brief hour upon the stage " awaiting admiration, are lost in the vastness of their own appreciation. The great public well knows the character of Mr. Walker ; the better elements of our community know his worth, and his influence is far beyond what he him- self comprehends, so that the near future must demand his services in positions to which his am- bition would never lead him. We congratulate Utah on the possession of such men as Mr. J. R. Walker, and we feel proud that our representatives come from such stock. We have asked the attention of the chief magistrate to his peculiar fitness for gubernatorial honors, and we have never swerved in our faith that fitting recognition will be made of the eminent services of this gentleman.

When the proper times comes, we believe we shall have the pleasure of greeting Utah's most eminent citizen, GOVERNOR JOSEPHI R. WALKER.

" For ever the right comes uppermost, And ever is justice done."

DAVID F. WALKER.

In the establishing of the firm of the Walker Brothers David Frederick Walker was, as we have seen for many years shoulder to shoulder with his brothers in all the activities and business aspira- tions of their house ; but the time came when a revolution was wrought in his life which has led him apart from his brothers into another sphere and retyped his character end purposes. The cause was Jus carnest and fearless investigation of the subject of another life, resulting in an extraordinary exper- ience that his brought to him a knowledge of immortality, to his mind beyond all doubt and given him a familiar association with beings of another world. This experience was probably superinduced by the death of his wife, about ten years ago, and her often visitation to him since. With such ex- periences as these, Mr. Walker was not the man to shrink from the responsibility of declaring the truth to his friends or hesitating to take up the mission of his intellectual and spiritual new birth. Ile was still the business man, but business for the mere accumulation of money had lost it charms ; and the aspiration daily grew in his soul to devote the future of his life to help the human family in their spiritual and social welfare. The recent dissolution of the Walker Brothers' original union has given him the fair opportunity to design and perfect his plans, and Utah will be the place of his operations. With his vast wealth, and his great persistency in carrying out his purposes, Mr. D. F. Walker has the opportunity and power to take his place in our local history as the social bene- factor of Utah. Several years ago he sent a fragment of his writing, but not his name to a lady in

Far num-

David J. Walker

D. F. WALKER.

Brooklyn, who gave what is styled psychometric readings of character. He further hid himself by having the reply addressed to the l'. O. box of a friend. The reply duly came; and it is so true a description of his character, and so like D. F. Walker's literal biograph of the last few years that it may be embodied in this sketch as a suggestive personal page :

"417 SUMMER AVE., BROOKLYN, N. Y., Aug. 10th, 1883.

"PROPHETIC AND PSYCHOMETRIC READING OF THE PERSON TO WHOM THIS IS ADDRESSED.

"Brought en rapport, or pyschometric sympathy with this gentleman through the subtle emanations of his writing, I find a nervous, singuine temperament, with great decision of character and will power, and a person of marked individuality, in many respects. One who acts, speaks and thinks for himself and never stands still but by nature is intuitive and progressive. In religious and emo- tional sentiment, is enthusiastic and zealous, and whatever he enters into he puts his whole energy and soul into it, and is very persistent in all he undertakes. Naturally very active and susceptible, he has made his way through life thus far in a sort of independent way, carrying out his own plans and method of doing things. Being very susceptible and receptive through his emotional and sympa- thetic nature, he is easily approached through that avenue. He is in some respects self made and individualized and has had a varied experience.

It appears to me that carly in manhood he began to assume hisindividuality and was attracted to conditions and surroundings, out of curiosity and zealous enthusiasm, which did not meet with the entire approval and encouragement of his personal friends and kin, yet there was an experience before him and he must have his own way, so he mipped out his own way. He seems to be one who is destined to a charmed life and he has been very successful in business and financial opera- tions, where many others would have failed. He has a certain amount of confidence in himself, to- gether with a certain amount of executive ability and good judgment, which enables him to succeed in whatever he undertakes. He is by nature conscientions and actuated by his highest and best impulses

Experience has been a great teacher to him, and his practical observation and intuition has enabled him to make many discoveries in human nature of practical benefit. He seems to have labored in a certain fixed line of purpose and association for a period of years and met with many valuable experiences ; but in the course of his mental and moral discipline, he became unfolded and devel- oped in the higher attributes of his spiritual nature, to change his views and system of things, and I discover a marked change and a departure from his previous course and experience, and that which seemed agreeable and pleasant to him in his former life became distasteful and repugnant, and a conflict of moral and religious sentiment and feeling ensued, and I am forcibly impressed that he took a decided position and remained firm to his highest convictions.

" Means and influence, however, helped to sustain him in his new relations, whereas without both, he would have met with greater opposition and trouble. His present surroundings, as far as business and finances are concerned, seem to be very successful and auspicious of every result de- sired, and there is an atmosphere of more or less independence, yet in a physical and mental sense I seem to be conscious of a feeling of disquietude and restlessness, a void unsatisfied and a longing for a change of some nature more agrecable and satisfactory. There is a much needed change of scene and surroundings for this person, and a desire on his part to accomplish a purpose or plan which present demands upon his time and attention precludes the possibility of doing-there seems to be a certain restraint and restriction upon his movements and inclinations altogether distasteful to him, and he environed with circumstances and conditions over which he has no seeming control at present, but changes are in store for him by which he will exercise more freedom and enjoy morc real personal liberty. I can see him approached by a proposition and inducement to retire from his present business position and left to make his own conditions in keeping with his inclination and aspirations.

" I see before him a trip across the ocean and a visit to foreign lands, and his interest enlisted in a new enterprise, which will occupy his attention and time in a very agreeable manner. He will travel for a while extensively, and cover a great deal of ground in this country as well as abroad. He will be interested in some humanitarian work and system which will give him notoriety and popularity in a certain degree. There are many novel experiences in store for him, and he will lead truly a charmed life; but he will be obliged to get rid of certain old conditions and influences in order to feel free and happy. It is impressed upon me that he is greatly interested in some par- ticular work or book upon some subject he is quite familiar with, but his views and habits have been

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

changed in connection with it. 1 may be mistaken, yet I feel to write as I am impressed to do. I sce a very active and useful future before him, and I would advise him to act upon his highest con- victions under all circumstances, and heed his own personal impressions. Many novel experiences are in store for him, and this Fall and Winter will disclose to him many changes. He should look well to his health, and seek a change of climate occasionally. I see disturbances of a conflicting nature around him, and he does not feel at ease; but there will be a change for the better, and he will be glad to entertain the proposition which will be made him. He will never want for worldly means and comforts and he will suffer more from a social sense and through affliction in his family and among his friends than from any business disparagements or disappointinents. The coming year will be eventful of many important changes for him and those associated with him. Here the veil or curtain of the future falls, and no more is given me to disclose. I therefore submit the reading to his criticism and investigation, and with every wish for his welfare and happiness, I am,

" Very respectfully, " MRS. M. A. GRIDLEY."

Mr. 1). F. Walker is among the most prominent of the art patrons of our city. At his home in this city are a number of pictures, an accumulation of years of careful and kindly purchase, yet chosen with a distinct view of promoting the development of art at home, while beautifying at the same time his own walls. True, not a few of the works have been painted away from here by artists not at all identified with the West, but these are specimens of the best work of America's best artists and also some from the eminent painters of Europe.

In getting together the works that adorn his home, Mr. Walker has thoughtfully directed his purchases to the encouragement of originality and individual talent among our local painters ; in so doing, he has shown a purpose uncommon among picture buyers here or elsewhere; yet it is this course that alone will foster worthy attainments in art. Mr. Walker has shown in his labor of col- lection an appreciation of local talent and originality, and he has been ever ready with an open hand to reward the legitimate pursuit of excellence. There is scarcely a Utah artist-high or low-who has not received encouragement from him. Mr. D. F. Walker's art gatherings began with the pur- chase, many years ago, of an autumn-river subject by a painter named Boyde, and his art collection has increased until he now possessess about one hundred pictures, many of them from the hands of our local artists, but crowned with a choice selection from master painters of Europe and America.

As intimated at the opening of this sketch, in the remaining periods of David FF. Walker's life- and his age is scarcely beyond its prime-we may expect to see plans and purposes in their fruition which are already in a state of incubation, for the endowment of some institution, to foster and make blessed the closing days of our poor but worthy citizens ; such a consummation to his life- work would be a listing monument to the name and memory of David Frederick Walker.

BENJAMIN G. RAYBOULD.

Benjamin G. Raybould, whose name for so many years has been so closely associated with the Walker Brothers, as their confidential aid, was born in Birmingham, England, October 29th, 1839. He is the son of Charles and Caroline Grundy Raybould. The family emigrated to America in 1859, landing in Boston. Here young Raybould worked for a while at his trade-an engraver- and subsequently at New York. Two years after his landing in America, he started west for Utah, which was the place of his original destination. In 1861 there were four very large trains sent from Uth to bring on the emigrants. Those trains consisted each of from 50 to 100 wagons, under the command of Captain Ira Eldredge, Captain Joseph Horn, Captain John R. Murdock and Captain Rollins. Eldredge's train led the van, and in his company was young Raybould and his affianced lady. (Elizabeth l'ame) to whom he was married November 30, 1863.

BENJAMIN G. RAYBOULD.

His first experience in Salt Lake City was the necessity of work. At that date no branch of art had been established, and there were no patrons to encourage it in all Utah sufficient to give half a dozen artists of every class their daily bread. The house and decorative painter was the only worker, that approached the art class, who could find employment to provide for the wants of home. It is true Professor Ballo had taught band musie, and the day was approaching when an orchestral conductor-C. J. Thomas-was to be employed in the Salt Lake Theatre ; but, when Mr. Raybould arrived in Salt Lake City, there was no more a sphere for him as an engraver than there was for this writer-as an author-who crossed the plains with him, in Captain Horn's com- pany, which followed Eldredge's train and nightly camped near it. Engraver and author alike found no congenial sphere, nor even the barest employment in their professions, twenty-five years ago.

But the native pluck and self-reliance of Benjamin Raybould stood by him in good earnest, the several succeeding years ; while, from time to time, he reconstructed and reconsidered his life work and purposes, at each step decdidely advancing his social grade. At the time of his arrival in the city, Brigham Young, by the management of Clawson and Caine, was building the Salt Lake Theatre. On this building Mr. Raybould sought employ ; and, having had no training or exper- ience in either branch of the builders' trade, the skilled engraver became, for awhile, the common laborer. He carried the hod in building the theatre and, though at first the labor punished him se- verely, he stuck to it until finished. After this, in the spring of 1862, he dug ditches, hauled wood, and performed other like work. In May of this year he went to the frontiers, in Captain Horn's train, to bring on the poor, returning to the city early in October of that year.

After he came back from the frontiers, Mr. Raybould apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade for a year, to William Salisbury, at that time a well known Salt Lake builder. This was an advance a step beyond the laborer towards his former social grade ; but his native ambition pushed him above the mere trade level and another step was made in the summer of 1864.

Mr. Ray'bould at this date was engaged by T. B. H. Stenhouse as his assistant postmaster. At a later period he went into the Daily Telegraph office, in the same employ, to assist Thomas G. Webber as a bookkeeper. Webber is a first class business manager and accountant, and under him Raybould obtained an insight into the science and practice of bookkeeping, and to it he de- voted his surplus time in study and practice, to render himself efficient for a clerical position in a first class mercantile establishment.

At the very juncture when Mr. Raybould felt himself fully qualified to take sneh a position, to- wards the close of the year 1865, the Walker Brothers advertised for just such a man. Mr. Ray- bould answered them and obtained the situation, and engaged in their employ on the Ist of Jan- uary, 1866. His first balance sheets were highly satisfactory to the firm, and he at once became es- tablished in their favor as an efficient business aid. From that day to the present (over twenty years) he has risen by his merit, ability, untiring industry and trustworthiness, until the name of Benjamin G. Riybould is known, as chief assistant of the Walker Brothers, in all the principal eities of America and Europe, where the name of Walkers is as familiar as that of any bankers in the West. He has been their business manager, cashier and credit man, and is now the cashier and one of the directors of the Union National Bank. Ever since the incorporation of the Ahee Gold and Silver Mining

Company, Mr. Raybould has been its secretary, and he is also one of its directors. Besides these his miscellaneous positions and trusts in the settlement of estates and business may be mentioned. On the failure of Nounnan, Orr & Co., in 1870, he was assignee in the settlement of that business, and he has been administrator and executor of numerous estates of deceased persons. He was president of the Salt Lake Tribune Publishing Company, when Godbe, Lawrence and Chislett were chief directors, and it was he who transferred that paper over into the hands of the Prescott & Company's management. He is now a director, and the secretary and treasurer of Ogden City Electric Light Company ; director and treasurer of the Salt Lake Power, Light and Heating Com- pany : director and treasurer of the Walker Brothers Company ; vice-president and director of the Kentucky Liquor Company, and vice-president of the Conklin Sampling works. The foregoing is properly mentioned to show the extensive and numerous enterprises and concerns of the Walkers, over which J. R. Walker has presided, with Benjamin G. Raybould as the chief and trusted servant of his house.

Among our citizens Mr. Raybould is esteemed an influential and a prominent man ; and, though not classed among the capitalists of the country, his close and extensive association and management, for the last twenty years, in connection with Walker Brothers, of some of the largest enterprises and financial transactions of our Territory and adjacent Territories, have made him a

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

power in the estimation of the financiers and business men of the West. He is a gentleman of ir- reproachable moral character and integrity, he is liberal in his ideas yet decidedly a conservative so- ciety man ; he is of an intellectual and artistic turn of mind and is altogether a min of culture. "Self-made" is a mark of distinction to which Benjamin G. Raybould is eminently entitled.

CALEB W. WEST.

Caleb Walton West, the present Governor of Utah, was born on the 25th, day of May, 1844. at Cynthina, Harrison County, Kentucky. His father's name was Andrew Jackson West, which name signifies that grandfather West was a Jackson Democrat ; his mother's name was Citharine Murphy. They were both natives of Harrison County, Kentucky. His father's family were Ameri- cin born for several generations. His grandfather Murphy came from Ireland to America, where he married Milinda Remington, of old Virginian stock. Father West was a hotel keeper ; in politics he was a Henry Clay Whig, but his grandfather was a Democrat, as is his grandson, our Governor.

After attending primary schools in his native town, Caleb W. West, at the age of fourteen. went to Millersburg, Bourbon County, Kentucky, to finish his education at the Collegiate Institute of that town, conducted by Dr. George L. Savage.

The war between the North and the South broke out when he was in the seventeenth year of his age ; and at the very onset he entered into the action, taking part in the raising of the first com- piny organized in his county for the Confederate service. He was elected orderly serge.int of this company, which with other companies were the first troops to leive the State. At the onset they went to Nashville, thence to Lynchburg, and from there to Harper's Ferry, where Col. Thom is J. Jackson, afterwards known as the famous Lieut .- General Stonewall Jackson, was in commind. Young West served over a year in the Army of Northern Virginia. He was next in Gen. Jos. E. Johnson's army, and with that General started from Winchester to join General Beauregard at the battle of Manassas. His regiment had embarked on the train when an order was made for the Fourth Alabama Regiment to take its place ; and West's regiment was left at Piedmont, and did not take part in the battle. He was with Gen. Jos. E. Johnson's army at Fairfax Court House and Cen- treville, and his company was part of the force that marched from Centreville and was engaged in the battle of Drainesville under the command of the celebrated cavalry general, J. E. B Stewart. West's company suffered a loss of seventeen killed and wounded. They went into Winter Quar- ters with Johnson's army ; next marched from Winter Quarters to Orange Court House and thence to the Peninsula to meet the advance of MeClellan's army on Richmond.

Early in the summer of 1863, the time of his company having expired, the men were discharged at Richmond; but young West, with enthusiasm, desired to continue in the service. Ile went south. and, meeting General Morgan at Montgomery, Alabama, joined his command and proceeded to Chattanooga, where he was mustered in as a private in Company E of the regiment that was com- manded by General Basil W. Duke. When General Morgan organized his brigade, West w.as detached from his company and became a member of the advance guard and served with it until the invasion of Kentucky by Kirby Smith's army, when West was appointed a Lieutenant by Gen Mor- gan and assigned to Company I, in Duke's regiment. He served with this command until they in- vaded Indiana and Ohio, and until he was surrendered, with the command, by Gen. Morgan, near Silienville, Ohio, in July, 1863. He was carried to Campchase military prison, where he remained until October, 1863, when he was transferred, with a number of other officers, to Johnson Island military prison, set apart exclusively for officers. There he remained a prisoner until the 11th day of June, 1865.

On his release, the war being over, he returned to his native State, and in September, 1865. he became deputy circuit court clerk and resumed his study of law, which had been interrupted by his entering the army. He continued in that position until the latter part of December, 1866, when having obtained his law license, he began the practice of the law early in 1867.

In June, 1877, Ciles W. West married Nannie Frazer, eldest daughter of Dr. Hubbard Frazer.

ARTHUR L. THOMAS.

a native of his county. By her he has a son, Caleb Frazer West, born July 31st, 1871. His wife died in May, 1882.

Returning to his public life we note that he was appointed county attorney to fill a vacancy. and was re-elected to the same office, and at the expiration of his term was elected judge of his county, which position he afterwards resigned to confine his attention to the practice of the law. He was a candidate before his party convention for the nomination as chancellor of his district, in 1880. His friends claimed that he was fairly entitled to the nomination but he yielded and was not a ean- didate. His name was placed before the State convention as a candidate for Lieut .- Governor of his native State in the last convention, in 1884; and though he had not been before the people until his name was brought before the convention, and while there were six or seven other candidates he was the contending one for the election.

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History of Salt Lake City, Part 127

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company
Number of Pages: 1194