USA > Utah > Men of affairs in the state of Utah (biographies) > Part 3
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Mr. Cutler is considered one of the best informed men of the intermountain west, upon the manufacture of beet sugar, and his experience in this field, together with his sound business judgment, has been largely responsible for the great success of the beet sugar industry in Utah, Idaho and neighboring states. Mr. Cut- ler has been called to Washington a number of times within the last few years to to discuss tariff problems and their relation to western industries, with national leaders in the government.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
1
GUSTAVE HILMER BACKMAN.
ORN in Göteborg, Sweden, a son of Samuel C. and Anna J. Anderson Backman, Gustave Hilmer Backman gained his early education in the common schools of Sweden, and completed his education after his immi- gration to Utah. He attended the old University of Deseret, the predecessor of the University of Utah, from 1883 to 1886, and was graduated in the latter year.
He had made his home in Salt Lake City from 1877, and could see that the future was bright with promise, and determined to remain here. He engaged in the practice of law, and being deeply interested in politics, took an active part in the campaigns of the Republican party.
He was deputy city recorder from 1886 to 1892, and was city recorder from 1892 to 1895, serving another term from 1897 to 1899. He was also private secretary to Congressman William 11. King in 1899 and 1900. He was admitted to the bar in 1899, and practiced law with excellent success. He made a specialty of land titles, and took up abstracting as a part of his professional work.
His abstracting practice grew steadily and he has devoted virtually all of his time to that business for several years.
Mr. Backman is married, his wife having been Miss Grace Pollard. The sons and daughters are: Gustave P. Backman, 22 years of age; LeGrand Backman. 20 years of age; Milton, 16 years of age: Lucille, 14; Ralph, 10; Edna, seven, and Harold, five years of age.
Mr. Backman is a member of the Woodmen of the World. and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a Progressive in polities. He is an enthusiastic member of the Commercial ('Inb of Salt Lake City.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
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DR. SAMUEL G. PAUL
UNICIPAL government today is not the simple prob- lem it was a generation ago. The complexities of modern life, the entrance of science into the govern- ment of the city today, and particularly in the matter of public health and hygiene, has brought into exist- ence branches of city work before unknown.
The responsibilities of the health department have grown with the increase of work in that line, and today Salt Lake City has a health commissionership which is the work of a specialist.
Dr. Samuel G. Paul is well fitted by training and special medical education for the position of city health commissioner. For one thing, Dr. Paul is a native of Utah, having been born in Salt Lake City on Christmas day, 1876. Utah is proud of her sons, and he has made a record in the medical profession that is a credit to his native state.
His parents are Samuel Paul and Mrs. Florence A. Paul, both highly respected residents of the state. After receiving the graded school education afforded in Salt Lake, Dr. Paul went east and entered the University of Pennsylvania, at Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania, and during the years 1897 to 1901 lie pursued his medical studies, being graduated the latter year and taking up the profession of medicine as a life work.
Dr. Paul is a member of the Salt Lake Commercial Club and also belongs to the Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity.
Dr. Paul has made a success in building up a large private practice as a physician, and has also been honored with public office. He was appointed assistant health commissioner of Salt Lake City by Mayor Bransford in 1906, and in 1910 was ap- pointed to the still more responsible position of city health com- missioner by the same mayor. Dr. Paul is married, his wife having been Miss Ella Napier.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
WILLIAM SPRY
ILLIAM SPRY, governor of Utah, was born January 11, 1864, at Windsor, England. He left his native land when 11 years of age, coming to Utah, where he has lived since. He had what the ordinary boy of his time enjoyed-a common school education. He started to work at the age of 13 years as a stable boy and later took up railroad work, beginning as a section hand. Afterward he worked as a striker in a blacksmith shop. He next entered the hide and wool business and at 21 years of age went into the southern states as a missionary for the Mormon church, where he labored for six years, during the last four having charge of the Southern States mission, a territory including everything south of the Mason and Dixon line.
In 1890 he married Mary Alice Wrathall, a year before his release from the mission field, whereupon he returned to Salt Lake City in 1891 and was connected with Z. C. M. I. He located at Tooele in 1893 and engaged in farming and stock raising with success. He entered polities in 1894, being elected county col- lector of Tooele county that year, and holding that position until the office was abolished by the legislature.
In the fall of 1902 he was elected a member of the legis- lature from Tooele county and in 1904 became state chairman for the Republican party. In March, 1905, he was appointed on the state land board and became its president, a position he held until February 15, 1906, when he took charge of the United States marshal's office for the district of Utah, having been ap- pointed by President Roosevelt in January of that year. He was elected governor of Utah in November, 1908, for the term of January, 1909, to January, 1913, and re-elected November, 1912, for the term closing January, 1917.
He is a member of the Alta, Commercial and Country clubs. He is president of the Intermountain Life Insurance company, president of the Farmers and Stockgrowers bank, and a director in the Consolidated Wagon & Machine company, Utah State Na- tional bank, American Fuel company and other corporations.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
JUDGE GEORGE G. ARMSTRONG
EEKING an enlarged field for usefulness, George G. Armstrong, judge of the Third Judicial District court, a month or so before this book went to press announced his candidacy for United States senator from Utah to succeed Senator George Sutherland in the halls of Congress. Judge Armstrong has been prominent in Republican party circles for many years, and his advice has been sought in the political councils of war. Friends had been urging him for some time to announce himself in the senatorial race, and he finally yielded to their importunities.
George G. Armstrong was born in Wisconsin July 16, 1868, being the son of Dr. Leroy Grant Armstrong and Sarah Dell Bond-Armstrong. Following attendance at the high school, young Armstrong attended the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 1891 with the degree of B. L., and in 1893, LL.B.
Looking abont for a field to practice, the attention of the young attorney was attracted to Utah, and in 1893 he came to this state. His practice grew to successful dimensions, and a number of years ago the voters honored him by electing him district judge.
Judge Armstrong was married to Miss Mae A. Eckart. He is a member of the following fraternal orders: Masons, Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen and Sons of Veterans. He also is a member of the University and Pan-Hellenic clubs.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
O
L. B. M'CORNICK
ERE and there in the history of a city or state some firm or business establishment of early days becomes associated with the community and so closely linked with its progress that the name of the state and the corporation are intertwined in the hearts of the resi- dents. And as the commonwealth takes on larger re- sponsibilities and its cities develop the firm of early days grows with the state. The name of that firm becomes a standard for the community. To belong to it is an honor.
In this manner the banking firm of McCornick & Co. has grown with the city of Salt Lake and the state of Utah. Its record is one which shows the growth and development of the commonwealth of the intermountain region. Its present pros- perity and soundness are but indications of the strength of the state and its future greatness.
Lewis Bell McCornick, the subject of this brief sketch, is vice-president of the firm of McCornick & Company, Bankers.
His father's name is William S. McCornick, his mother hav- ing been Mrs. Hannah Keogh McCornick.
Mr. McCornick is a native son of Utah, Salt Lake City being his birthplace. He was born in 1880. He received a good edu- cation from the graded schools of Salt Lake and then attended Harvard university, being graduated from that institution in 1902, after four years of creditable work.
He is married, his wife's maiden name having been Miss Stella Salisbury. They have two children, Margaret Blaine, 7 years of age, and William S., 4 years of age.
Mr. McCornick belongs to the Alta and University club and to other social organizations of the city. Politically he is a Re- publican, being a staunch believer in the policies of that party.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
AQUILA NEBEKER 1173308
ERHAPS no man in the state has had a more diversi- fied career than Aquila Nebeker, United States mar- shal for Utah. Mr. Nebeker was born in Salt Lake City June 17, 1859. John Nebeker, the father, was of German ancestry and claimed Delaware as his native state. Lnrena Fitzgerald Nebeker, the mother, was of Irish ancestry and was born in Pennsylvania. Young Nebeker attended the public schools of Salt Lake and then en- tered the University of Deseret, now University of Utah, from which he was gradnated in 1875.
The study of law was forced on Mr. Nebeker when the peo- ple of Rich county elected him county attorney. He served the term with credit. In addition to being a lawyer, Mr. Nebeker during his picturesque career, has been surveyor, assaver, miner, millman, smelterman, farmer, stock raiser and legislator. He served a term as county surveyor of Rich county, was elected representative to the legislature, represented his senatorial dis- trict for two terms, during which time he was president of the senate. He was also member of the Constitutional Convention.
During the boom days at Silver Reef, Mr. Nebeker had an assay laboratory there. He has the distinction of having built the first mill in southern Utah. At present Mr. Nebeker owns a large farm near Laketown, Rich county, on the southern shore of Bear lake. Special attention is being devoted to raising thor- oughbred Shorthorns. Mr. Nebeker and sons have a fine herd of 200 registered cattle.
Mr. Nebeker was married to Miss Hortense Haight and to them were born eight children, six of whom are living. They are: Lnrena, Aquila C., Shirley, Delbert, Hazelton, and Chris- topher Stokes Nebeker. The family home is at 1055 East Sec- ond South street.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
CLARENCE EDWARD GROESBECK
NE of the most important firms of Utah is the Utah Power & Light company, of which Clarence Edward Groesbeck is vice-president and general manager. Mr. Groesbeck was born at Frankfort, Illinois, July 24, 1876. His mother was Rose Hennessy-Groesbeck, and his father Edward C. Groesbeck. After attend- ing the public schools of Illinois and a preparatory school, Mr. Groesbeck entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1894. He was graduated with honors in 1898.
In 1914 Mr. Groesbeck came to Salt Lake City, where he has since resided, in a large sense guiding the destinies of the Utah Power & Light company and the Utah Light & Traction company.
Mr. Groesbeck is married, his wife's maiden name having been Miss Alice H. Ball. They have no children. Mr. Groes- beck is not a member of any fraternal orders, though he is a member of several of Salt Lake City's most exclusive organiza- tions, among which is the Alta club. In addition he is a member of the Union League club of Chicago, Country club of San Diego, California, Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, University of Michigan club and the New York City club. He is not affiliated with any particular political party.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
JAMES PHILLIPS GARDNER.
MONG the prominent institutions of Utah which have aided materially in the development of Salt Lake City, is the firm of Gardner and Adams, known from one end of the State to the other as one of the most reliable mercantile establishments in the west. Of this substantial business enterprise James Phillips Gardner is a member.
Mr. Gardner has been a resident of Salt Lake for a quarter of a century and during his residence here has contributed most effectually to the development of the city and the state, both morally and financially. The success which Mr. Gardner has made marks him as one of the leading business men of Salt Lake. He is a self-made man and has won his wealth and position by the exercise of his own personal ability. His financial business has brought him into close relations with a great number of persons throughout the state and his genial and courteous manner has made him one of the most popular men of Utah.
In political life Mr. Gardner is a staunch Republican, al- ways taking an active interest in the party's welfare.
James Phillips Gardner was born July 30, 1863, at Whiles- town, New York. He was a son of Elizabeth Phillips Gardner and James S. Gardner. His ancestors came from England, set- tled at Higham, Massachusetts, in 1650. His ancestors served in the Revolutionary war.
Mr. Gardner's business is not confined strictly to the mer- cantile line, as he is deeply interested in ranching and the min- ing industry. His education was acquired in the public schools of Whilestown, after which he took a course at the Whilestown Seminary. He first appeared in Salt Lake in 1888 and has been a resident of Utah since that time. Mr. Gardner is a highly es- teemed member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Alta, and Commer- cial clubs of Salt Lake City. He also belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
BERNARD JOSEPH STEWART.
LEADER of the Salt Lake bar, B. J. Stewart's prac- tice and reputation also are nation wide. He is one of the few Utah lawyers who has successfully ap- peared before the Supreme Court at Washington of which bar he is a member and to tell in detail the story of his many legal fights and successes would require a book and not the page of one. Born in Utah, January 13, 1873, he is the type of man that is a credit to the state. His parents, Isaac M. Stewart and Elizabeth White Stewart, were pioneers, his mother being English born but his father of good American stock descended from a revolutionary ancestor.
Mr. Stewart was graduated from the University of Utah and from the famous Michigan University-leaving the latter to en- ter the practice of his chosen profession in 1900. His rise was rapid and today he is entitled to practice in Utah, Idaho, Michi- gan and Federal courts of the entire nation.
Mr. Stewart also is interested in cattle and sheep growing and has large interests all over the intermountain country. He is a member of many corporations including the Stewart Hard- ing Sheep Company, the Stewart Ranch, the Daynes-Beebe Mu- sie Co., the Crystal Lime Cement Co., and the Utah Coal and Supply Company. Also he is active in the Commercial Club.
He was married to Leonora M. Cannon and has three surviv- ing children.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
LINCOLN G. KELLY
ORKING in the position of state auditor with the idea of getting more uniform and better systems of ac- counting in all the counties of the state and a uni- form system of reporting, Lincoln Grant Kelly is more than filling that office. Mr. Kelly has made a careful study of taxation and revenue laws, and hopes to secure amendments to taxation laws at the next session of the legislature. During his term of office much improvement has been made in the methods of handling public revenue in various counties of the state.
His career began without special advantages and has been marked by a steady and persistent development. Mr. Kelly was born at Fillmore, Utah, January 23, 1885. His parents were John Kelly and Mrs. Margaret Melville Kelly. His father came to Utah as a handcart pioneer and became prominent in Millard county.
Mr. Kelly received his education in the Fillmore public school and high school and later at the University of Utah; spending the years 1902 and 1903 there as well as attending sev- eral summer schools. He completed a correspondence school course in law while teaching. He pursued a three years' course in higher accounting and auditing with the Alexander Hamilton institute, receiving its diploma. He was granted a state cer- tificate in 1904 and taught school in the public schools of Orange- ville for three years and principal of the schools at Aurora, Sevier county, Utah, for one year.
Mr. Kelly took a law course while working as deputy state auditor from 1909 to 1911, and was graduated with the degree of LL.B. He was admitted to the state bar in May, 1910. He is an expert auditor and accountant.
At a meeting in Denver September 8, 1911, he was elected secretary of the National Association of State Auditors and Controllers.
Mr. Kelly is married, his wife being formerly Miss Jennie Reid. They have one child, Lincoln Spry Kelly, two years of age. The family home is at 1012 Blaine avenue, Salt Lake City.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
DR. ARCHIBALD ANGUS KERR
REPRESENTATIVE of the medical profession who is not excelled in Utah or the western states, either professionally or socially; a man who is beloved by all his fellow men who have had the pleasure of form- ing his acquaintance, is Dr. Archibald Angus Kerr. In cases of sickness or distress, he can be relied upon, whether it may be by day or by night, whether stormy or pleas- ant weather. And last but not least, he is one of the few who never, in cases of distress, gives a first thought to his business from a monetary standpoint He loves his profession; he has the confidence of his patients, and he is a diligent student.
Dr. Kerr, son of Catherine MeKenzie and Norman McLeod Kerr, was born in Harrington, Ontario, Canada, in 1869. His early school days were spent in the city of his birth, and from the time he was old enough to think for himself his one desire was to be a physician. As a consequence, as soon as the oppor- tunity came he became a student at Rush Medical college, Chi- cago. He remained there from 1893 to 1896, graduating in May, 1896.
After the completion of his course, he acted in the capacity of house surgeon at the Chicago Polyclinic hospital for one year. He has followed the profession of physician and surgeon since his graduation. He came to Utah in 1897. He was married while in the east to Margaret Rose Robertson. Two children have been born to them: Margaret Merlyn, 8 years of age, and Catherine Marie, 4 months of age. In fraternal circles he is very popular, being a member of the Masonic order of this city. He is also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, having been raised to that point in this city. He is an active member of the local Commercial club, a prominent surgeon and in con- nection with Judge Mercy hospital, and a member of the West- ern Surgical association.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
BRIGHAM F. GRANT
UBLIC office is a public trust." This saying is car- . ried out in the case of some officials. In no other case more remarkably so than in that of Brigham F. Grant, chief of police of Salt Lake City, a reformer with a mission-that of the uplifting of public and private morals.
His work in Utah's capital has resulted in the eradication of the restricted district, and a strict enforcement of the saloon ordinances and elimination of gambling.
Chief Grant was born in Salt Lake City on October 17, 1856. His father was Jedediah M. Grant, a native of New York state. The elder Grant came west in the early days and became the first mayor of Salt Lake City and was also speaker in the first terri- torial legislature. He was mayor until he died, December 1, 1856. He came to Salt Lake City on October 1, 1847, as captain of one of the companies of fifty. Chief Grant's mother was Mrs. Marriett Kesler Grant, of the pioneer type of motherhood, which has done so much for this state. Chief Grant received his early education at the common schools of this city, and later in the '60s attended the University of Deseret, now the University of Utah.
He is married, his wife having been Miss Annie Schluter, a native of Bellevue, Ill. They have six children: Fred W., Jed- ediah, Eugene, Hazel, Heber and Debora. One daughter, Lula Belle, is dead.
In politics Chief Grant is a Republican. In business he is interested in mining and ranching, and is a member of the fol- lowing corporations : Director of the Heber J. Grant company, Utah Implement company, Utah-Wyoming Oil company and others. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of the Wasatch lodge No. 1, A. F. & A. M. His home address is 515 Third avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
WILLIAM MONTAGUE FERRY
ILLIAM MONTAGUE FERRY, one of the most pop- ular young financiers of the state, was born at Grand Haven, Michigan, March 12, 1871. His parents were Edward P. and Clara V. White Ferry. He gained his early education in the Michigan public schools, and later was graduated from Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan. This was merely a preparation for his subsequent education, which was gained at the State School of Mines, Golden, Colorado.
Mr. Ferry received his degree in 1891, and came to Salt Lake City in 1898. His wife was formerly Miss Ednah Truman, and there are two sons, William Montague Ferry, Jr., and San- ford Truman Ferry. They were born October 4, 1898.
"Mont" Ferry, as he is known to his friends, is a Repub- lican in national politics. He was for one term of four years a member of the city council of Salt Lake City, elected on the American ticket in 1905, and was chairman of the finance com- mittee. He was afterward elected to the state senate on the Republican ticket, beginning his term in 1912. During his term in the senate Mr. Ferry was an earnest advocate of bills de- signed to relieve the aged indigent; to provide for orphaned and destitute children; to protect children from unjust labor condi- tions, and to provide adequate wages and proper working condi- tions for women.
He is a director in Walker Brothers' bank; is vice-president of the Utah Savings and Trust company, Salt Lake City; a di- rector in the Silver King Coalition Mines company, and in the Mason Valley Mines company of Nevada.
He has traveled extensively, and has a wide circle of ac- quaintances and friends throughout Utah, and enjoys an unusual degree of popularity, and the confidence of all of his friends. His home is at 453 East South Temple street, Salt Lake City.
Mr. Ferry was elected mayor of Salt Lake City November 2, 1915, for a period of four years.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
R. J. ARMSTRONG
N CONNECTION with western business enterprises and as a strong advocate of clean sport, R. J. Arm- strong has made hosts of friends throughout Utah since he located in this state, in 1904. His mother, Salome Jones Armstrong, was born at Calais, Maine, in 1839. His father, James J. Armstrong, was born at Liverpool, England, in 1835. When fourteen years of age he shipped aboard a merchant vessel running from Africa to the United States. After following for a long period the foundry business, he came west in 1870. The couple's golden wedding anniversary was celebrated in Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Armstrong was born August 17, 1874, at Calais, Maine. For several years he has held the position of western representa- tive of the American Laundry Machinery company. His success with the company is evidenced by the great amount of that con- cern's output which has been placed in Utah and other middle western states.
Whenever a sporting club needs an honest and trustworthy man for position such as referee or judge, Mr. Armstrong has always been ready to do his share and do it conscientiously. For several years he was acknowledged to be the champion broncho buster, and was noted for his feats at roping and riding. He is an active member of the Commercial Club of Salt Lake City and was at one time chairman of the athletic committee of that organization. The greater part of his education was gained at the public schools of Greeley, Colorado.
Men of Affairs in The State of Utah
JAMES J. KAVANAUGH
NTERING the railroad field at the age of 19 years, as an office boy in the offices of the Illinois Central rail- road at Chicago, James J. Kavanaugh has advanced steadily in that business until now he has a position with a wide range of responsibilities. Mr. Kava- nangh was born in Chicago March 25, 1883. He is a son of Katheryn Kelly Kavanangh and John Kavanaugh. He attended the Franklyn school, Chicago, and later was graduated from the North Division High school in the same city. Imme- diately afterward he entered the Illinois Central offices. He remained several years, learning the details of the railroad busi- ness, and was then made city freight agent. He transferred to the Missouri Pacific, and was city freight agent with that road until 1907, when he was advanced to the position of traveling freight agent, at Atlanta, Georgia. His next change was when he became commercial agent for the Missouri Pacific-Iron Moun- tain lines at Monroe, Louisiana.
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