USA > Utah > Men of affairs in the state of Utah (biographies) > Part 22
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Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
MAURICE K. PARSONS.
AURICE K. PARSONS, one of the most widely known livestock men of Utah, was born at Worth- ington, Utah, June 24, 1847, and came to Salt Lake City in 1872.
He was a son of Maurice and Sibrina King Parsons, and has been engaged in the ranching and livestock business during virtually his whole life.
Mr. Parsons attended Otterburn University at Westerville, Ohio, in 1863, but did not remain to graduate with his class. His wife, now dead, was Harriet M. Rose Parsons. The sons and daughters are Arthur P. Parsons, Edward C. Parsons and Elsie Andrew.
Mr. Parsons is a member of the Alta Club, Masonic Lodge, and Country Club, Salt Lake City; and the Stock Mens Club, Denver.
Among the corporations in which he is interested are the Keystone Land and Cattle Company, the Hillside Land and Cattle Company and the Utah-Colorado Cattle and Improve- ment Company.
With such solid and substantial interests, and with his mind centered upon the steady and natural development of these in- terests, without the disturbing element of speculation, Mr. Par- sons is distinguished for his constructive and conservative ideas, and his preference for the more permanent if less spec- tacular lines of endeavor.
Mr. Parsons gives no personal attention to politics, save to exercise his franchise as a citizen, but is deeply interested in constructive and civic improvement and development. He has a beautiful and comfortable home in Salt Lake City.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
THOMAS HOBDAY.
HAT the circulation of blood is to the human body, the water system of a city is to its population. When the blood stops, the body dies. When the water supply of a city is shut off, the city dies.
Salt Lake City has one of the best water sys- tems in the country. Immense reservoirs far up in mountains, fed by the icy streams that originate among the snow- banks on the loftiest peaks, conserve the water which courses through miles of conduits and pipes to every portion of the city ; and save on the rare occasions when nature plays pranks, there is always plenty.
Thomas Hobday, now superintendent of city parks, inaugu- rated and installed the first units of the present elaborate water works system of Salt Lake City. He was superintendent of water works four years, and during that period took the first steps to- ward giving Salt Lake City an abundant and unfailing water supply. He also was a member of the city council four years, and in that period worked with earnestness and zeal for public improvements of every kind that stood for permanency and a better city.
Mr. Hobday is a native of West Virginia. He is a Republi- can and is married. He came to Salt Lake City in July, 1905, and engaged in the florist business. He has followed that busi- ness at various times since when not engaged in public service. Mr. Hobday is an enthusiastic member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is one of the most firm believers in the present stability and future greatness of Salt Lake City and Utah. His home is at 515 South Tenth East Street.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
ATHA T. WILLIAMS.
D ERSONAL courage and unerring judgment, with the ability to read human nature at a glance and read it correctly, are attributes that are essential to the suc- cessful peace officer. These attributes are possessed by Atha T. Williams, who was the first marshal in Bingham Canyon, and who for seven years was a deputy in the office of the sheriff of Salt Lake county.
Mr. Williams was born in Butler county, Kentucky, June 28, 1867. His parents were Dr. W. H. and Elizabeth Williams. Reared in the Kentucky mountains, he became an expert horse- Inan and an unerring shot with rifle and pistol in his boyhood. His father was a native Virginian, and still practices medicine at FrankIn, Ky. His mother was born in Tennessee.
Graduating from the High school at Auburn, Ky., in 1882, Mr. Williams remained in the southland several years, and then came to Utah in 1892. He married Miss Selma Williams, who, though their names were the same were not related. They have four sons and daughters: Atha, 16 years of age; Elizabeth, 15 years of age; Harold, 8 years of age; and Catherine, 5 years of age. The family home is 168 G Street, Salt Lake City.
Mr. Williams is president of the Citizens Coal and Supply Company; and is a stockholder in the Citizens State Bank. He is superintendent of various mining properties in the state, and is farming 400 acres of choice land in Cache county. He is a member of no fraternal order, nor is he a member of any club.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
EDMUND ROSS LEIS.
IIEN Edmund Ross Leis was eighteen years of age he entered the railroad service with the Santa Fe system at Albuquerque, New Mexico, as a freight handler. Today he is a general agent for the Atchi- son, Topeka & Santa Fe railway system, at Salt Lake City, Utah. Territory, under his jurisdiction, Utah, Idaho, Nevada and Montana, covering both freight and passenger departments.
Mr. Leis was born December 12, 1882 at Lawrence, Kansas. His parents were George Leis and Lillian Ross-Leis. He is a grandson and namesake of Edmund Gibson Ross, former United States Senator from Kansas, who voted against the impeach- ment of President Johnson. Senator Ross was one of the in- corporators and a director of the Santa Fe system, and was gov- ernor of New Mexico under President Cleveland's administra- tion.
Mr. Leis attained his preliminary education at Lawrence, Kansas; Colorado Springs and Maniton, later attending the Kansas State University, after which time he entered railroad service at Albuquerque, N. M., as freight handler, followed by clerical positions on that system. Was also with the Wells- Fargo Express Company for a short period.
Later he became traveling representative for the Kansas City Journal. He re-entered the service of the Santa Fe system in 1904 as traveling agent for the station advertising depart- ment, with headquarters at Chicago. His service since that time has been as follows: Traveling freight and passenger agent, Santa Barbara, Cal., April 9, 1909 to March 31, 1910; passenger agent, Kansas City, Mo., April 1 to June 25, 1910; traveling freight and passenger agent, Salt Lake City. June 25, 1910 to May 30, 1912; general agent at Salt Lake City, from June 1, 1912 to date.
Mr. Leis is not married. IIe is a member of Salina, Kansas lodge No. 718 B. P. O. Elks; and the Utah society, Sons of the American Revolution; the Salt Lake City Transportation Club; the Commercial Club of Salt Lake and the Weber Club of Ogden.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
FREDERICK STEIGMEYER.
LTHOUGH Frederick Steigmeyer is an attorney of note in his adopted state of Utah, his most noted relative on his paternal side was the late Nicholas Senn, the Chicago surgeon, one of the most widely known of America's medical experts.
Mr. Steigmeyer was born in Ohio January 16, 1875. He came of Americanlineage, his father being Frederick Steigmeyer, Sr., and his mother Mrs. Caroline Van Buren Grey Steigmeyer. On his maternal side his most noted relative was President Martin Van Buren. By descent, Mr. Steigmeyer is Swiss on his paternal side and Dutch and English on the ma- ternal side.
As an attorney he specializes in the law of corporate invest- ments, estates, irrigation, power and financing. Politically he is a Democrat.
He is a member of many corporations, among which are the Utah Rivers Investment Co., Utah Securities Corporation, Monepa Mining Co., Utah Power & Light Co., Triple Links Min- ing & Milling Co., Phoenix Construction Co., Silver King Exten- sion Mining Co., and others.
Mr. Steigmeyer is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Knight Templar. He considers that the biggest work he ever did which was of interest to the whole community, was when he acted as chairman of the Charities Endowment committee, which investigates the worthiness of all charity organizations and charity projects.
As a loyal Utahn Mr. Steigmeyer is an active member of the Salt Lake Commercial Club. He is a graduate of the Uni- versity of Chicago of the class of 1897 coming to Salt Lake City four years later. He is married, his wife's maiden name having been Miss Lu Ree Dyer. They had an only child, a son, who died.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
EDWARD O. HOWARD.
ASHIER and director of one of the best known and most substantial banking institutions in the middle western states, and a man who is socially and polit- ically, as well as financially influential throughout Utah, is Edward O. Howard. Through his zeal and integrity and his great desire to assist in matters whereby his associates, as well as the public may be benefitted, he has won an everlasting place in the hearts of his hosts of friends. Edward O. Howard, who is a member of the well-known banking firm of Walker Brothers, Bankers, was born in Owasco, New York, and is the son of Oscar and Cornelia A. Howard, botlı of whom are well known in New York state. His education was received during his attendance at the public schools and the high school at Shawateles, New York. Mr. Howard came to Utah in 1890. His ability as an expert accountant and his ambition and integrity soon placed him in positions of trust. Shortly after his arrival here he became the husband of Miss Annie Payne. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have one daughter, Miss Margery M. How- ard, seventeen years of age.
Although Mr. Howard has never become associated with fra- ternal organizations of any nature, he is well known and highly respected in political and club circles. At the present time he is a member of the Alta club and an associate member of the Uni- versity club. He is also a member of the Country club of Salt Lake, and has been for the past three years a member of the board of governors of the Commercial club, and an active and energetic worker in all matters pertaining to the betterment of conditions generally throughout the state. His political faith and tendencies have always been centered in the Republican party, and when a campaign is in progress, or when any problem con- fronts the people of the state, in which he may be of assistance or aid, Mr. Howard can always be found in the front rank.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
RODNEY T. BADGER.
T HE record of various families is followed almost as closely today as they were in the olden time. Pride in- family achievement has its true place, and in Europe; the sons of a family look back upon the deeds of their ancestors and emulate them under the circumstances and conditions of modern life. Even so in America, where democratie conditions prevail, the pride in family record, helps win many a business battle. And the saying, "Blood will tell," in many cases is proven by the sons of American uncrowned kings.
Badger Brothers is as well-known a family name as any in Salt Lake City and Utah. Rodney Taylor Badger, one of the brothers whose names are linked in the business and financial records of this State, was born in Salt Lake City, October 8, 1872. His father was Rodney C. Badger and his mother Mrs. Harriet Ann (Taylor) Badger.
After receiving the early education of the graded schools of this city, Mr. Badger entered the University of Utah, where he received an excellent collegiate training. He soon took up the profession of banking and has achieved brilliant success.
He is cashier of the Utah State National bank, treasurer of the Heber J. Grant company, and also a member of the following corporations: The Citizen's State Bank of Bingham, Utah; the Midvale State Bank; the Bountiful State Bank and the Sugar Banking Company, besides several other corporations.
Mr. Badger belong's to the Alta Club, the Salt Lake Commer- cial Club, the Country Club and the Salt Lake Tennis Club.
He is married, his wife's maiden name having been Miss Har- riet Moore. They have four children: Harry, 20 years of age; Esther, 18 years of age; John M., 16 years of age, and Robert, six years of age.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
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REED SMOOT.
S SENIOR United States Senator trom Utah, Reed a Smoot of Provo ocenpies a peculiarly commanding po- sition in affairs in Utah. Senator Smoot was born in Salt Lake City, Jan. 10, 1862. His father was Abram Owen Smoot, and his mother Anne K. Morrison Smoot. Senator Smoot attended the University of Utah and Brigham Young University, graduating from the latter school. Mrs. Smoot was formerly Miss Alpha Eldredge, and she and Senator Shoot are parents of the following children : Harold R., Chloe Smoot Carton, Harlow E., Annie K. Smoot Rebentisch, Zella Esther and Ernest W. Smoot.
Senator Smoot is engaged in banking and many other com- mercial and industrial enterprises. He has taken a prominent part in the general movement to develop and foster the growth of manufacturing and other industries in the state. He is a director of various corporations, including the Z. C. M. I., Deseret Na- tional bank. Provo Commercial and Savings bank, several mining companies and many other corporations.
Senator Smoot entered the United States senate March 5, 1903. A historic but losing fight was made by antagonistic forces to prevent him from taking his seat, on account of his official position in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Senator Smoot is a Republican, and has made a national rep- utation because of his firm grasp on governmental affairs, par- tienlarly the tariff question.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
DR. ROBERT R. HAMPTON.
D R. ROBERT R. HAMPTON is a native son of Utah. He was born in Box Elder County, Utah, May 19, 1875. Dr. Hampton has a right to be proud of his Utah genealogy. His mother, Adelaide Grant Hamp- ton, came to this state in 1850, while his father, Ben- jamin Hampton, came here in 1852, they thus being among the early settlers. In addition to this, his father crossed the plains seventeen times before the railroads came into the county and was also a pioneer in the mining business in this state.
After receiving the common school education Dr. Hamp- ton took up his medical studies, entering the medical department of the University of Illinois and studying there from 1894 to 1900, being gradnated the latter year. He then entered upon his profession career.
He is a member of the Nn Sigma Nu fraternity and of Argenta lodge, A. F. and A. M., this city, and also belongs to the Salt Lake Commercial Club.
Dr. Hampton limits his practice to cases involving eye, ear, nose and throat, being a specialist along those lines. He is a member of the county and state medical societies. He was resi- dent physician of the Illinois State Charitable Eye and Ear In- firmary. Then he spent four years in general practice as physic- ian for the Montezuma Lead Company, located at Santa Bar- bara, Chihuahua, Mexico. The following year he devoted to study in Europe in eye, ear, nose and throat work, following this with work in Chicago. He is now oenlist to St. Mark's hos- pital, Salt Lake City.
Dr. Hampton is married, his wife having been Miss Mar- garet E. Howat. They have two children, Jane Grant, 10 years of age; and Robert R., Jr., one year of age. Dr. Hampton be- longs to no political party.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utall
SQUIRE COOP.
5 E SERVES his God who serves his people well," is an old Spanish proverb. Squire Coop has served his peo- ple well by bringing to them an opportunity to hear and love the world's best music. When he gave to the peo- ple of Utah the great public presentations of the classi- cal oratorios, he earned a place in Utah's hall of fame. Squire Coop is a native of Leeds, England. He came to the United States in his childhood, and attended the public schools of Ogden. He devoleped early a strong musical sense. Evan Ste- phens, when he organized the children's chorus discovered Squire Coop's musical ability, and began his preliminary instruction. L. D. Edwards fostered the spark, and the late Anton Pedersen helped fan that spark to flame. There were other teachers, to all of whom credit is due. Then he went to the New England Con- servatory of Music at Boston, and studied two years with Busoni
for piano, and with other teachers for voice. He conducted the Og- den Tabernacle choir and the Ogden Eisteddfod chorus. He super- vised the music of the Ogden public schools for ten years. He went to Berlin from 1900 to 1902, studying with Godowsky. In 1903 he was in Paris. He returned to Utah and became profes- sor of music at the University of Utah, the first to occupy that chair.
Then he produced the great series of oratorios for which the State owes him gratitude. There was Beethoven's "Mount of Olives," in 1911; Haydn's "Creation," in 1912; and Handel's "Messiah." in 1913, repeating "Creation" for the National Edu- cation Association in that year. These performances were most important as phases of social life and were done for the whole publie as a part of his work in the University department of music. His greatest forte is conducting orchestral and choral work. He was organizer with Herbert Salinger, and was pianist for the Salt Lake Quintet. He is a member of the Weber Club, Ogden: Commercial ('Inh and Timpanogas Club, Salt Lake.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
JAMES HENRY MAYS.
J AMESS HENRY MAYS is descended of a family of Tennessee mountaineers who were loyal to the Union in the Civil War though they lived in a Confederate state. He is of Scotch-Irish and English descent, which accounts in a measure for his own persistence and success in spite of adversity. His parents were John and Harriett Mays. He was born in Hamblin County, eastern Tennessee June 29, 1868.
Mr. Mays encountered unusual hardships in his boyhood but surmounted all of these, and was admitted to the Univers- ity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, studying from 1893 to 1896. In 1895 he received the degree of Doctor of Laws, and in 1896, the degree of Master of Laws.
Mr. Mays' wife was Sarah Elizabeth Randels. They have four sons and a daughter; Arthur 20 years, Harold 18 years, Leland 16 years, Dudley 11 years and Ethel 9 years of age.
Mr. Mays is a Progressive, and was elected by the Utah Pro- gressive party in 1914 for congress. He is a member of the Salt Lake Commercial Club ; and of the Bonneville Club.
Mr. Mays worked his way through the schools of Emporia, Kan., and the University of Michigan, by laboring in lead and zine mines and by teaching school. It is natural that he should have turned to mining upon his arrival in Utah in April, 1903, and asociated with a number of other men he has developed the ('astle Valley coal properties employing hundrels of men. He fought the railroad and fuel trust through the Interstate Com- merce Commission and won an outlet for his coal. He is presi- dent and director of the Castle Valley Coal Company, though a lawyer by profession. In his early manhood he was a dis- tinguished debater, winning the interscholastic debates for Ann Arbor against eight other colleges. He is one of the most forceful and logical political speakers in the state. His home is at 749 Elizabeth Street, Salt Lake City.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
WM. H. KING.
ERTAIN names seem to stand for communities. They are so closely identified with city or state, that to men- tion one is to think instantly of the other. Salt Lake City Utah, is almost synonymous with the name of Judge William H. King. He is typically a Utahn. Born at Fillmore, Utah, he is "a native son." His parents were William H. King and Mrs. Josephine King, both most estimable persons. Judge King received his early educa- tion in the common schools of this district. Then he entered the University of Utah and later attended the law school of the University of Michigan. He was graduated from that latter institution in 1888 and immediately took up the work of attor- ney-at-law. He began his law practice in Salt Lake City and carly showed indications of his ability in his chosen profession.
In politics he has been one of the most active citizens of this community. He has served as state legislator for three terms and was judge of the state supreme court besides being con- gressman from this district.
Politically he is a Democrat of "the old school" and is an ardent admirer of President Woodrow Wilson.
Judge King is married. He is a member of the Alta and of the Country Clubs of Salt Lake City, and takes an active part in the social life of the city.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
FRANK N. CAMERON.
A S president of the Cameron Coal Company and a di- rector in the Utah Savings & Trust Company, Frank N. Cameron of Salt Lake City finds ample employment for the business hours of six days in each week. Mr. Cameron is a native of the Keystone state, where he was born in 1871. He gained his education in the com- mon schools of Arnot, the town of his birth, and in the general school system of Pennsylvania. His parents were Roxana and James R. Cameron.
He visited Utah in 1902, while searching for a field for per- manent enterprise and a city of permanent residence. The charm of Salt Lake City so appealed to him upon his first sight of the capital, that he remained to investigate the opportunities of- fered to those who would put their shoulder to the wheel of prog- ress.
The opportunities for growth and development appeared so great to him that he decided to look no further, but located in this city for permanency.
Engaging in the coal business. he found it profitable, and has built up a successful business in that line. Opportunities for other financial enterprises were often presented to his atten- tion, and he ultimately associated himself with the Utah Sav- ings & Trust Company, taking a place on its directorate.
Mr. Cameron is a Republican, and is a Mason, having at- tained the thirty-second degree in that fraternity. He is a mem- ber of the Commercial club, and his counsel is often sought by the other members of that organization, in matters looking to the commercial development of the city.
Mr. Cameron is married and has one child, a daughter, Myra, 11 years of age.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
WALTER CLAUDE OREM.
ALTER CLAUDE OREM comes of the school of self- made men. He is a son of Martha A. Leabo Orem and Albert J. Orem, and was born in Lay County, Mo., May 23, 1875. Both his father and his mother were of English ancestry, the forbears of his father having come to America in the Mhyflower. Mr. Orem was educated in the public schools, and never attained a college de- gree. His school days were spent in Kansas City, and he came to Salt Lake in 1890. His wife was formerly Miss Mabel G. G. Emery, and there are five children, three sons and two daughters.
Mr. Orem is a member of no fraternal order but is a mem- ber of and deeply interested in the work of Immanuel Baptist church. He is also a director of Westminister College, Salt Lake. He is a member of the Alta and Commercial Clubs, the Electric and Transportation Clubs and the Rotary Club of Salt Lake and of the Commercial Club of Reno, Nevada.
Mining and railroads have occupied his attention since his residence in Utah and he is closely identified with many large and snecessful projects. He is a member of the following cor- porations: A. J. Orem & Co., the Inter-Urban Construction company ; the Nevada Copper Belt Railroad Company; the Ne- vada Douglas Copper Company ; the Salt Lake & Utah Railroad Company ; and the Reading Mercantile and Transportation Com- pany. He is also a director in the Continental National Bank, Salt Lake; he is a director in the Lyon County Bank, Yerington, Nevada, and a director in the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, Salt Lake. His latest project is the construction of the Salt Lake & Utah railroad, an electric interurban line connect- ing Salt Lake with the rich and prosperous towns in Utah County.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
ANDREW H. CHRISTENSEN.
N A CITY and state developing as rapidly as Salt I Lake City and Utah, the contractor finds a rich field for endeavor. Among those who have made a brilliant snc- cess in this field of work is Andrew H. Christensen of this city. Mr. Christensen was born at Gunnison, Utah, May 18, 1863. Among the contracting firms of the state, perhaps none is better or more widely known than is the Utah Construction company. It is doing more than the largest advertisement that could be made up, in all likelihood, to proclaim the merits and advantages of this state to the world.
Mr. Christensen came to Salt Lake City in 1900. His ability and sterling business worth have helped him in winning a high position in the world of commercial activity. He is manager of the Utah Construction company, and is doing his part in build- ing up the center of the mountain empire.
He shows the truth of the old saying, "Blood will tell," his parents, Herman K. Christensen and Mrs. Anna C. Poulson Christensen being sterling characters.
He is married, his wife's maiden name having been Miss Olive L. Derbidge. They have two children: Andrew Lee, nine years of age; and Allen Derbidge, six years of age.
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