USA > Utah > Men of affairs in the state of Utah (biographies) > Part 21
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Professor Widtsoe was born at Namsos, Norway, December 12, 1877. His father was John Andreas Widtsoe, and his mother Anna K. Gaarden Widtsoe. He came to Utah in 1883, at the age of six years and attended the Agricultural College of Utah at Logan from 1894 to 1897. He was graduated in 1897 from that college, and in 1903 he went to Harvard University for a two years' course, receiving his degree in 1905.
Professor Widtsoe has followed the teaching profession dur- ing all the years of his manhood. He was the active head of the Latter-day Saints' University, which in the school year of 1914 bad 620 pupils in the High school department; 333 in the busi- ness training department ; 97 in the missionary class: 242 in the night school; and 25 in the salesmanship class, a total of 1,317 pupils. He went to the University of Utah, at the er 1 of the school year 1915.
Professor Widtsoe is a member of the Modern Languages Association. He is married to Rose Homer Widtsoe. and they have two children : Karine H., eight years of age, and Rosetta, five years of age. Professor Widtsoe's home is in Salt Lake City, but his reputation as an educator is statewide, and is rec- ognized throughout the country.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
JESSE CARL OLSON.
SALESMAN of unusual ability who has been connect- ed with many of the best and most widely known business concerns in the west ; a man who, although not old in years is rich in experience and who makes numberless friends is Jesse Carl Olsen, who has lived in Salt Lake City the greater part of his life. His business ability in connection with every enterprise with which he has become connected has gained the confidence of his business and social associates. Mr. Olsen, was born June 23, 1880 in Des Moines, Iowa. His father has for years been the local representative of the Anheuser Busch Brewing Company of St. Louis, Mo. As a salesman and a man well known and pop- ular his father is without a peer. The son follows in the foot- steps of his father. Mr. Olsen, Sr., is a native of Aalsburg, Den- mark. He came to this country when but a boy and immediately entered on a prosperous business career.
Jesse Carl Olsen's parents are Jennie Olsen and George Olsen. Like his father he is now a representative of the An- heuser Busch Brewing Association, one of the largest institutions of its kind in the world. His education was acquired in Des Moines. His collegiative training was gained at the Lincoln Normal School. From that institution he was graduated in 1898, having attended there from 1896 to 1898, inclusive.
As a member of the Elks, the Moose and the Eagles he is known as the same genial man and the same booster as he is known by his other friends throughout the state.
He is an originator of ideas and when it is up to him to assist in any undertaking he quickly gives his services. Previous to his connection with his father in his present business Mr. Olsen was employed by the Oregon Short Line Railroad Com- pany, by Armour and Company and by the National Bank of the Republic of Salt Lake City.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
CHARLES H. REILLEY.
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HARLES H. REILLEY is a native of Providence, Rhode Island, and was born in 1862. He came to Salt Lake in 1883, and was married to Miss Lil- lian Indge of Salt Lake. There are five children in the family.
Mr. Reilley has been active as a business man since 1892, when he opened the retail liquor store at State and First South Streets, from which site his growing business com- pelled him to move a few years ago, to his present large and attractive store building at 216 and 218 South State Street.
In addition to the wholesale and retail business of the Elk Liquor Company, Mr. Reilley handles the Salt Lake agency for the Lemp Brewing Company, handling that company's products, and distributing them.
There is also under his personal management and control, a large bottling works at Third West and Eighth South Streets, representing an investment of abont $40,000. A force of twenty- seven men is employed in this industrial plant. The majority of these are men of families.
Mr. Reilley, in addition to his business interests, is inter- ested in fraternal and benevolent organizations, and in semi- public organizations that tend to wide acquaintanceship, and to the building up of the community. He is popular and his coun- sel is often sought in the affairs of these organizations, which include the Salt Lake lodge No. 85, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Salt Lake Aerie No. 67, Fraternal Order of Eagles ; the Salt Lake local of the United Commercial Travelers ; and the Salt Lake Commercial Club. Mr. Reilley is an admirer and patron of clean sports and athletic events and enjoys a de- gree of popularity that makes him one of the best known men in the city.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
STANLEY COLLAMORE SEARS.
TANLEY COLLAMORE SEARS, consulting en- gineer, was born at Boston, Mass., February 20, 1877. His father was Edward Shailer Sears, and his mother Isabel (Waggoner) Sears. The family in America dates from 1630 when the first Sears from England settled at Yarmouth, Mass.
Mr. Sears was educated at Boston, finishing at the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology, in June, 1901, with the degree of bachelor of science in the department of mining. He was with the Pennsylvania Steel Company, at Steelton, from 1901 to 1903. He went to Mexico in 1903, remaining there until driven ont a short time ago by political revolutions.
Mr. Sears came to Utah in July, 1912, as general manager for the Utah-Apex Mining Company at Bingham Canyon, sec- ond largest lead-silver producer in Utah. During his adminis- tration the company has reached the most successful point in its career. Mr. Sears was married October 5, 1913 to Mrs. Rob- ert Holmes Officer, formerly Marion Early Simmons, of Salt Lake.
Mr. Sears is a member of several professional societies in- eluding the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the Insti- tute Mexicano de Minas y Metallurgia. He is a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, and the following clubs : University Club of Mexico; Parral Foreign, Mexico; University and Country Clubs, Salt Lake; and Technology Club, Boston.
During his years in Mexico Mr. Sears was first with the V'alerdena Mining and Smelting Company, a subsidiary of the American Smelters Securities Company, at the Terneras prop- etry of the San Lorenzo group; being engineer, draftsman, chief engineer, and superintendent in order. In 1908 he became su- perintendnt of the Benito Juarez Mines Company ; superintend- ent for Descubridoro M. & S. Co .; and Durango Central Rail- road ; technical manager Mexico Consolidated M. & S. Co .; and consulting engineer for the F. Stallworth y Hermano banking house, operating the high grade silver mines at San Pedro de Quanacevi. in the Sierra Madre region of western Durango.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
LEWIS LARSON.
MONG Utah's well known attorneys is Lewis Larson of Manti. Mr. Larson was born in that city on An- gust 7, 1873, his parents being Niels and Mrs. Anna Hansen Larson. They were both former residents of Copenhagen, Denmark, and his ancestors own vast estates there. His forbears came to New York in 1863 and came directly to Utah, settling at Manti.
Mr. Larson was graduated from the Manti high school and from there went to Brigham Young University, attending that institution from 1889 to 1893 and taking up the study of law after graduation in the Utah University, at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He received his degree from the Uni- versity of Michigan in 1901 and in that same year took up his permanent residence at Manti and engaged in the practice of law.
Mr. Larson is married, his wife having formerly been Miss Verna Funk, who was born of a well known Manti family. They have two children, Lewis Leland, 13 years of age; and Dean Me- Kinley, 11 years of age.
Although devoted to his profession Mr. Larson finds time for social recreation. He is a member of two lodges, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a member of the Manti Commercial Club and the Manti Gun Chb; being a member of the board of the Commercial Club and an of- ficer in the latter organization.
Mr. Larson has been honored by his fellow citizens with public office, having been county attorney for four years, 1904 to 1908. He is prominent in Progressive party polities and was nominated by that party at the last election for office of county attorney. He is quite prominent today in Sanpete county political affairs, and enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens throughout that entire section of the state.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
DeLOSSE CALAIN PERKINS.
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eLOSSE CALAIN PERKINS was born on a farm in Warren County, Illinois, on June 28, 1871. His father, Thomas Benton Perkins, was born in War- ren County on October 9, 1845. His mother was Mrs. Sarah Davis Perkins.
The greater part of his early life Mr. Perkins spent on a farm. His parents gained their education at Abing- don College near Carthage, Illinois, and Mr. Perkins received his education in the schools and universities of Nebraska.
He came to Utah in the spring of 1908 in which state he con- tinned the line of business in which he has been engaged for the last twenty-five years, that of insurance and building and loan. At the present time he is treasurer of the Utah State Building & Loan Association, a firm that he was largely instrumental in incorporating on October 15, 1909.
Mr. Perkins as well as his father, is a lifelong Democrat having been active in politics in Nebraska and Utah for the past twenty-five years. Neither he nor his father held political offices.
He is a member of the Royal Highlanders in Nebraska and an active member of the Elks lodge in that state, as well as be- longing to the Commercial Club in Salt Lake City. He is a great believer in the future of this city and state.
He married M. Maude Briggs on November 29, 1894, at Beatrice, Neb., his bride having been for some time a teacher in the public schools of Nebraska and widely known among the members of that profession. Mrs. Perkins is an enthusiast in art and has exhibited her work at the Nebraska exhibitions as well as in Utah, most of her work being oil and water colors.
Four children have graced this union : Dorothy Harriet Per- kins, seventeen years of age: Beth Katherine Perkins, fifteen years of age; Paul Kendall Perkins, thirteen years of age; and Eleanor Alice Perkins, nine vears of age.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
HEBER S. HICKS.
EBER C. HICKS, a native of Utah, received his ed- ucation in his native state and also in the middle west. Ile is now settled in Provo, being vice-presi- dent of the Provo Post Publishing Company.
Mr. Hicks' parents were John T. R. Hicks and Mis. Anna B. Hicks. He was born at Salt Lake City October 20, 1882 and later removed to Provo, Utah. His father was of English descent and his mother of Swiss.
He studied in the Salt Lake school of law in the year 1897 and later at L. D. S. University, taking a course of law in that institution. He later went to the Lincoln-Jefferson University at Chicago.
Mr. Hicks then returned to Utah.
In addition to his editorial duties, he is a special corres- pondent. He has extensive interests in the business world, be- ing secretary of the Grutli Mining Company, secretary of the Hannibal Consolidated Mining Company and is also an active member of the Utah Newspaper Men's Association, and the Provo Commercial Club.
For several years he has been Provo correspondent for the Herald-Republican of Salt Lake. He taught school for one year in Tooele county, Utah, and was with the Deseret News for two years. It was in 1907 that he first came to Provo, and he has been closely identified with the Post of that city for years.
He is a Republican and a stannch adherent of the principles of that party as set forth by former President Wm. H. Taft.
He is married, his wife having been Miss Flora Ridge. They have one son, John Ridge Hicks.
As publisher, editor and correspondent, Mr. Hicks is pos- sibly one of the best informed men upon matters relating to Utah's history and development, to be found in the state.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
GEO. LEOPOLD SMART.
MONG the many thousands of British-born subjects who have come to America to make their home is George Leopold Smith, specialist in gynecology. Dr. Smart was born in Boltonsburo, Somersetshire, England. His parents were H. B. Smart and Eliza- beth Winsor Smart. In 1865 he emigrated from England, settling in Utah the same year.
Dr. Smart was graduated from the Ohio Medical Institute of Cincinnati in 1889. He began the practice of medicine at Provo, Utah, the same year and was appointed health officer of that city in 1892, a position he held for two years. In the fall of 1893 he returned to Cincinnati for a post-graduate course, study- ing obstetrics and gynecology under Thad A. Reamy and E. Gustav Zinke. He was appointed chief assistant surgeon to the German Protestant Hospital for Women under Dr. Zinke. He came to Salt Lake City in 1906.
Dr. Smart is married, his wife's maiden name having been Emma Stoltz. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.
Dr. Smart, being a believer in the educative influence of art, began advocating its adoption in the public schools, and was instrumental in the establishment of the art gallery which is now a part of the public schools of Springville, Utah.
He has had wide experience. Returning to Provo in 1894 he joined an expedition sent the following year to southern Utah for geological, ornithological and botanical investigations by the Brigham Young University. He located in Springville in 1896 where, at the request of the mayor and city council, he accepted the position of health officer for the district. He was one of the organizers and became the first president of the Society of Health Officers of Utah. He also with six other physicians, or- ganized the Utah County Medical society, holding the chair of president of this body for one year.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
HARRY PRESTON SMITH.
MONG Utahns who hail from Iowa is Harry Preston Smith.
His parents, Wm. I. Smith and Mrs. Sarah Crouch Smith, were well known residents of Sey- mour, Iowa. He was born June 6, 1882, at Seymour.
After receiving the common school education, he entered the Iowa state colleg at Ames, Iowa. He was there from 1889 to 1903, but sickness prevented graduation.
After leaving college he came west to Denver, Colo., secur- ing there a position as draughtsman in one of the leading archi- tect's offices. He remained there a few months, after which he accepted a position as assistant draughtsman with the J. P. Paulson Manufacturing Company of the same city. This firm manufactures bank, office, bar and store fixtures. During this time Mr. Smith took a special course in designing and later be- came head designer for the J. P. Paulson Company.
In the fall of 1908 he was sent to Salt Lake City to take charge of the designing and estimating department of the local branch of the J. P. Paulson Company, which was consolidated with the Brunswick-Balke Collender Co., in 1910. Two years later the company discontinued manufacturing in Salt Lake City. At the same time the concern made Mr. Smith a flattering offer as general superintendent of its factory at San Francisco. How_ ever, believing in the future of Salt Lake City and knowing the possibilities in the manufacture of store fixtures in this territory, he refused the offer. He then organized the American Fixture Company on April 13, 1912 associating himself with men who had held responsible positions in the factory of the Brunswick- Balke Collender Company.
The firm is making arrangements for a factory building. Mr. Smith is president and manager of the American Fixture Co., Inc. He is married, his wife's maiden name having been Miss Dorothy Dwyer.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
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JOHN D. GILES.
NATIVE son of Utah, proud of his nativity and of his state, is John Giles. Mr. Giles has made for him- self a large place in the business world. He is head of the Utah agency force of the Beneficial Life Insur- ance Company, and also is educational director for the same big concern.
Before he became identified with the insurance business Mr. Giles was for seven years at the head of the largest advertising organization in the intermountain region. He was one of the pioneers in the Utah advertising business, assisting in the or- ganzation of the Giles Company, of which he still is president.
When the Salt Lake Ad Club was organized in 1907, Mr. Giles was elected secretary and served fonr terms of one year each. He then was honored by his associates who elected him to the presideney.
Mr. Giles has been an ardent and active member of the Salt Lake Commercial Club for five years and has served effectively on several important committees, including the governing eom- mittee of the Publicity Bureau.
Mr. Giles' success is typical of the west. He started on a modest seale and by hard work reached a favored position in the business world. Ilis wife formerly was Miss Una Pratt, grand- daughter of Parley P. Pratt, famous in the early history of Utah. They have three children, a girl and two boys. Mr. Giles' grand- parents came to Utalı from Wales, in the late '50's. The grand- father, Thomas D. Giles, was a blind harpist and was known widely throughout the west. Other members of the family, in- elnding Henry E. Giles, father of John D. Giles, have been prom- inent in music circles in Utah from the early days. The Giles family home is at 156 Fourth Avenne, this eity.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
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NICHOLAS BYHOWER.
S superintendent of parks and public property in Salt Lake City, Nicholas Byhower demonstrated the great value to a city, of a man specially trained for his work. Mr. Byhower is a native of Holland, a son of Anna and Matheus Byhower. He was born March 27, 1864, of a family of gardeners. There are five brothers, all of whom are practical gardeners.
Mr. Byhower began his practical training as a professional gardener, when he was twelve years of age, as a fruit grower, florist, nurseryman and forester. Landscape gardening is his special forte. He has engaged in this profession in Holland, Germany and Belgium, learning the secrets of the profession in these countries before coming to America.
He attended the Horticultural School at Wayeningen, Hol- land, and Baumschule, at Bonn, Germany, from 1870 to 1880. He came to Utah in 1900. He has married twice, his first wife having died. Her name was Lizzie Luthowder. His second wife's maiden name was Bertha Steinke. He has one son by his first wife, William Karl Byhower, 16 years of age, a student in the Salt Lake High school.
Mr. Byhower is a member of the Woodman of the World; of the Association of Park Superintendents of America; and is former secretary of the Salt Lake Horticultural Society. He is also a horticultural inspector. He is a Republican, with pro- gressive tendencies.
It has fallen to Mr. Byhower's lot to install the public play- grounds in the city ; and aside from this, supervise the pruning of the city's trees in all parks, playgrounds and other public property. He is an expert botanist and an expert in the matter of discovery and treatment of plant diseases. His whole time is devoted to his work for the city and he has no other source of revenue. His home is at 1783 Park Street, Salt Lake City. He retired from the department late in 1914.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
WILLIAM J. SEELY.
life long Republican, a descendant of one of the best known Utah pioneers and a young lawyer of already recognized ability, his friends predict for W. J. Seely a certain rise in legal and political circles. At present he holds the responsible position in the ad- ministration of Governor Spry as special deputy Stale auditor.
Mr. Seely's ancestry is notable. The first scion came to Massachusetts Bay colony with the "Winthrop fleet." Like- wise his grandfather was one of the first Utah pioneers, arriv- ing in the valley in 1847, when it was yet within Mexican terri- tory. His father, Justus W. Seely, was among the first Amer- icans born in Salt Lake City. His birth is registered as June 25, 1850.
William J. Seely's maternal grandfather also was a pioneer. The subject of the sketch was born at Mt. Pleasant, June 3, 1875, and was educated at both Brigham Young University and the University of Utah and was admitted to the bar June 24, 1914.
Between his attendance at the Provo school and his legal studies Mr. Seely entered and rose to a commanding position in the business world. He was a member of the last two sessions of the Utah legislature and speaker of the house during the last session. During the last three and one-half years he has been deputy in the office of the state auditor, holding the posi- tion of special traveling auditor during the past two and one- half years. In 1909 and 1910 he was county recorder of Emery county. For six years prior to that time Mr. Seely was a mem- ber of the town board of Castledale, and a member of the school board for nine years. He is a heavy stockholder in the Castle- dale Co-operative institution and in the Electric Power and Milling Company of that city. His farm of 140 acres at Castle- dale is regarded as a notable one, even in that agricultural sec- tion.
Mr. Seely was married to Incy M. Barton. There are three children, Margaret E., Drucilla and Luscia.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
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DAVID MOORE LINDSAY.
AVID MOORE LINDSAY was born March 29, 1862 He is the elder son of the late George Lindsay, County Antrim, Ireland; and Bessie, daughter of John Moore, J. P. Moore Lodge, County Down. The famly went from Scotland to Ireland in 1642.
Educated privately and at the Royal Academ- ical institution, Belfast, he entered the Queen's College, Belfast, 1880; and the University of Edinburgh, 1881. While a student at the Infirmary in the latter city, he was for three years under the late Dr. Joseph Bell,-the original Sherlock Holmes. Dr. Lindsay was medical and surgical resident of the Whitworth hospital, Drumcondra, Dublin; and attended the Ophthalmic hos- pital there in 1886. He obtained the diploma of the Royal Col- lege of Surgeons, Ireland, 1886; of the Rotunda, 1887, and of the Royal College of Physicians, 1888. As surgeon of the "Aurora" of Dundee, he crossed Baffin's Bay in company with the Greely Relief Expedition. In the service of the African Royal Mail Co., he visited Sierra Leone and Nigeria. He also visited South America and India. He was appointed clinical assistant of Royal Ophthalmic hospital, London; and of Sir Morell MacKen- zie's Throat hospital, 1893. He studied under Professors Stoerk and Politzer in Vienna, 1893-1894 and was elected a mem. ber of the Laryngological Society of London, 1894; Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, 1903; and F. R. G. S., London, 1904.
He was appointed Ophthalmic Surgeon of St. Mark's hos- pital, 1897; of the Rio Grande Western Ry., 1898; and of the Utah Fuel Co. in 1903. Appointed by the chairman of the com- mittee on conservation of vision of the American Medical As- sociation, to the charge of the Burean in Utah, 1913. He is the author of "A Voyage to the Arctic in the Whaler Aurora," 1911, and "Campfire Reminiscences," 1912. (Dana Estes & Co., Boston.) He is a member of Sports Club. St. James Square, London; Tennis, Alta and Country Chibs, Salt Lake.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
EDWARD H. O'BRIEN.
O
NE of Salt Lake City's well known business men, Edward H. O'Brien, is a typical self-made man.
Born in the east Mr. O'Brien came to Utah's capitol only three years ago. He has built up a prosperous trade in coal. He is enthusiastic about the possibilities in the intermountain region, and can show newcomers from personal experience, what a deter- mined and resourceful commercial man can accomplish in the west.
Mr. O'Brien was born at Shawmut, Elk county, Pennsyl- vania, March 11, 1870. He came of Irish stock, his father being Patrick O'Brien and his mother Rose Brennan O'Brien.
He attended the Northern Illinois Normal Institute at Dixon, Ill., being graduated in 1893 with a good record. Mr. ()'Brien is unmarried. He is a Democrat and is a staunch worker for that party.
He is prominent in club life being a member of the Elks Lodge, the Knights of Columbus and also of the Commercial Club. He believes that every business man who has prospered in Utah should work for the betterment of his state and city.
Mr. O'Brien is president of the Citizens Coal Company, with offices in the Walker Bank building. The concern is doing a big business, which is in large part due to the excellent busi- ness judgment and ability shown by Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. O'Brien is a Utah "booster." He is well acquainted with the business and commercial field of the city and state and is looked up to as one of the leading business men of this com- munity.
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