USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 20
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RESIDENCE OF ROBERT W. HALE
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to Thermopolis and at the same time was company physician for the Crosby coal mines and the Wyoming Sulphur Company, besides doing much work both in Thermopolis and the surrounding country. While thus engaged he had found time to make frequent visits to his parents and to the post-graduate schools of the eastern cities. He has never been a candidate for office, although frequently declining nominations when offered them by his friends. He has been closely identified with Thermopolis and has invested extensively in its real estate. He owns a splendid residence and an interest in a business house, besides much residence property.
Dr. Hale has identified himself with the Modern Woodmen Camp, the Knights of Pythias and with Malta Lodge, No. 17, A. F. & A. M., at Thermopolis. He has taken the degrees of the York Rite and of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a democrat and, true to the religious faith of his ancestors, he believes in the doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which his parents were members before the Civil war. He has enjoyed the honor of appearing before various select audiences to deliver addresses upon a number of questions. At the present time he is a member of the county board of selection and draft, is a member of the state medical board of sanitation, is health officer for Hot Springs county and was by appointment the first county physician. He is a mem- ber and president of the State Medical Committee of National Defense and was appointed by Governor Kendrick on the state board of medical examiners. At Douglas on the 9th of May, 1917, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a physician in his state was given to Dr. Hale when he was chosen president of the Wyoming State Medical Society, an honor fully merited by reason of his personal worth and marked professional attainments.
OVE H. PETERSON.
Ove H. Peterson is proprietor of the Rawlins Music House, a dealer in pianos and high grade phonographs, specializing in the Edison line. His busi- ness has shown a constant development and steady growth and his is today one of the leading music houses in this section of the state. Thoroughly familiar with everything that has to do with the trade, Mr. Peterson has closely studied the wishes of the public and his enterprising methods have brought to him a substantial patronage.
A native of Denmark, he was born in Copenhagen, August 15, 1883. a son of the late I. H. Peterson, who was a native of Denmark, where he engaged in merchandising. He continued his residence in Copenhagen until called to his final rest, passing away in 1901, when he had reached the age of sixty years. He was a very successful merchant and took an active part in public affairs, being recognized as a man of considerable influence in national politics. He married Ann Margaret Hanson, a native of Denmark. She became the mother of five children.
Ove H. Peterson, who was the third in order of birth, pursued his education in the national schools of Denmark and under private instructors in leading cities of Germany. He specialized in the study of instrumental music and was graduated with high honors in piano. During his residence of four years in Germany he was also studying the German system of mercantile and busi- ness pursuits and on the expiration of that period he returned to Denmark. where he entered his father's store, there remaining for a year. The oppor- tunities of the new world, however, attracted him and, crossing the Atlantic to the United States, he arrived in New York city in June, 1901. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast, however, but made his way direct to Rawlins, where he had relatives and friends living, his primary inducement to making Raw- lins his choice of a place of residence being that an uncle was a resident of this city. On his arrival he secured employment with the firm of Hugus &
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Company, proprietors of the leading general merchandise establishment of the city, the predecessors of the Ferguson Mercantile Company. Mr. Peterson re- mained with that house for a year and from 1901 until 1907 he was traveling over the United States, also spending eight months of that period abroad, visit- ing his old home, also London, Paris and Berlin. Upon his return to America he again took up his abode in Rawlins and became identified with his uncle, Jin Hanson, in the stock raising business, the latter being one of the most extensive sheep, cattle and horse raisers in this section. Mr. Peterson re- mained with his uncle as private secretary until 1914, when he established his present business, in which he has since been continuously and successfully en- gaged. This was the first exclusive music house established in Carbon county, if not in western Wyoming, and his trade covers the entire western part of the state. Not only does he handle pianos of high grade manufacture but also the Edison Diamond Disc phonograph and has an Edison laboratory, being a licensed representative of those interests in this section of the country. He is also engaged in teaching music and has organized the Rawlins High School Band. In a word he is one of the most prominent figures in musical circles in this city and has done much to develop musical taste and promote the standards of musical education in this section.
On the 7th of June, 1916, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage in Colo- rado Springs, Colorado, to Miss Lois Derby Wallace, a native of Omaha, Nebras- ka, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Wallace, prominent people of Den- ver. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have become the parents of a daughter. Ruth H., who was born in Rawlins, July 20, 1917.
Mr. Peterson maintains an independent course in politics but has become a recognized factor in connection with public interests and social activities in Rawlins. He is a member of the Lutheran church and his influence is always on the side of those interests which have cultural value and lift the individual from the drudgery of everyday business life, thus broadening his interests and augmenting his powers. While Mr. Peterson was most liberally educated ere he left Europe, he had attained comparatively little financial standing when he came to the new world and sought the business opportunities here offered in order that he might advance in that way. His progress is due to his own efforts and perseverance. He is more than satisfied with Wyoming as a place of residence, believing that the state has a great future, and he is contributing in substantial measure to the upbuilding and development of Rawlins, his ef- forts constituting a valuable contribution to those interests which must ever prove a balance to commercial activity if a well rounded development is to result.
J. D. LE BAR.
J. D. Le Bar, owner of the Le Bar Garage at Douglas, where he is handling the Ford car, was born in Pennsylvania in 1882, a son of Hiram and Eliza- beth Le Bar. He began his education at the usual age as a pupil in the public schools of the Keystone state and after attending high school spent one year in a military academy and one year in college. He is a graduate of the Lafay- ette Military Academy and with liberal education as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties he entered upon his business career. In young manhood he was associated with Austin Nichols & Company, wholesale grocers of New York, and eventually he removed westward to Idaho, where for three years he was engaged in mining. He then came to Wyoming, settling at Douglas, and between the years 1908 and 1911 gave his attention to the con- tracting business. In the latter year he established his garage and that his business has grown to be one of extensive proportions is indicated in the fact that he today employs twelve men, most of whom are skilled mechanicians and
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are thus able to care for his constantly growing trade. He is likewise the agent in Converse county for the Ford car and his annual sales reach a large figure. His business affairs have been carefully and intelligently directed and his sound judgment and keen sagacity have brought to him deserved success.
Mr. Le Bar is a Mason and also an Elk. He belongs to the Commercial Club and is interested in all that has to do with the welfare and progress of his city and the extension of its trade relations. He has never been an office seeker but is much interested in the state and its development, and his cooperation can at all times be counted upon to further any plan or measure for the upbuilding of his city or the promotion of the welfare of the state.
SAMUEL CORSON.
Samuel Corson has long been prominently identified with business, political and fraternal interests in Wyoming and since the 'Sos has made his home in Cheyenne, where he is now living retired from business save for the supervision which he gives to his invested interests. This freedom from business cares allows him leisure for activities along other lines and he has been a most active cooperant factor in many movements which have to do with the public welfare and with the advancement of fraternal interests.
He was born in Girvan, Scotland, June 16, 1857, a son of the Rev. William and Aitcheson ( Dobbie) Corson. The father was a clergyman of the Estab- lished Church and Samuel Corson was reared amid the environment of a cul- tured home. His education was begun in the schools of his native town and he afterward attended the Dumbarton Academy of Scotland. Subsequently he became a clerk for the firm of John Orr Ewing & Company, cotton manufac- turers of Glasgow, with whom he remained for eight years, thus making his initial step in the business world. He was afterward connected with Handasyde Dick & Company, an East India mercantile house, for two years and came to the United States in 1883. when a young man of twenty-six. He located first in Kansas City, where he occupied a clerical position with the Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad for a brief period. He then removed to Cheyenne, where he entered the employ of the Union Mercantile Company, becoming a stockholder and sec- retary and treasurer, and in that connection he continued for a quarter of a century, being thus closely associated with the commercial interests of the city. His enterprise and progressiveness contributed much to the development and growth of the business, which became one of the most profitable mercantile interests in Cheyenne. As he prospered in his undertakings Mr. Corson made extensive and wise investment in interests which are now bringing to him a substantial financial return and enable him to live practically retired from busi- ness, giving his attention only to the supervision of his personal investments.
In March, 1888, Mr. Corson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Gray. returning to Scotland for his bride, and to them were born the following chil- dren : William A., who is now second lieutenant in the Three Hundred and Fourth Field Artillery, serving in France; Samuel, Jr., who is now a junior in the Cheyenne high school and a sergeant in the cadet corps; and Mary Gray, who died at the age of six years on April 8, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Corson hold membership in the Presbyterian church, in which he has served as session clerk and as elder for many years. They take an active interest in the church work and cooperate heartily in all of its plans for reaching and uplifting mankind.
Mr. Corson turns to fishing and hunting for recreation. He is a man of social nature and has become a most prominent member of the Masonic fraternity in Wyoming, being one of the few residents of the state upon whom has been conferred the honorary thirty-third degree. He is a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Wyoming, A. F. & A. M., and a past high priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Wyoming, and a past grand commander of
Samuel Carson
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the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, of Wyoming. Since January 1, 1914, he has been secretary of the Scottish Rite bodies in Masonry.
His political activity has been actuated by an earnest desire to uphold the best interests of city and state. He served for three years as a member of the city council of Cheyenne and in 1900 he became county commissioner. In 1895 he was elected to the state legislature and served for one term as a member of the lower house, while for two terms he represented his district in the state senate. He was an active working member on the floor of the house, did important com- mittee service and was connected with much constructive legislation looking to the development of the state and the safeguarding of its interests. Throughout his entire life he has never been content to choose the second best but has held to the highest standards, his aid and influence being always on the side of those activities which make for progress and improvement in the affairs of men.
LAURENCE E. ENGSTRUM.
Laurence E. Engstrum, a jeweler engaged in business in Evanston, where his enterprise and progressive spirit are bringing to him a substantial measure of success, was born November 12, 1891, in the city in which he still resides. His father, Victor A. Engstrum, was a native of Sweden and came to America with his parents when five years of age, the family home being established in Omaha, Nebraska, where Mr. Engstrum was reared and educated. He entered upon an apprenticeship as a coppersmith and after thoroughly acquainting himself with the business, in 1873 removed to Wyoming, establishing his home in Evanston among the first settlers. Here he entered the employ of the Union Pacific Rail- way Company, working in the shops as a coppersmith and occupying that position until 1878. He then took up an apprenticeship under W. H. Parpe, who was the pioneer jeweler of the city, having opened his store in 1875, and this store he operated until his death, when Mr. Engstrum fell heir to the business and continued successfully in the jewelry trade until his demise, which occurred in 1914, when he had reached the age of fifty-six years. In early manhood he married Miss Charlesphene Hammer, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, and a representative of one of the pioneer families of that state and of Wyoming, her parents having settled in Uinta county, Wyoming, in 1869 or 1870. Mrs. Engstrum was reared and educated in Evanston and in this city her marriage was celebrated. She still makes her home in Evanston, where she has a very wide acquaintance and is held in the highest esteem by all who know her. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, of whom the following are yet living: Beulah, who is the wife of W. X. Osborne, a mining engineer of Phoenix, Arizona : Beatrice, the wife of H. P. Cummock, whose home is in Los Angeles, California ; Laurence E., of this review ; and Dorothy Sybil.
Laurence E. Engstrum is indebted to the public school system of Evanston for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He started out to earn his own living when a youth of seventeen years and entered upon an apprentice- ship to the jeweler's trade under the direction of his father, who gave him thorough and systematic training in the work, so that he gained a comprehensive knowledge of the business. He also attended the Winter School of Watch- making and Engraving at Chicago, Illinois, and thus supplemented his early training and experience. He was graduated from that institution in 1914 and upon his father's death he succeeded to the ownership of the jewelry store in Evanston, which he has since continuously and successfully conducted. It is not only the pioneer establishment of this kind in the city but is today the leading jewelry store of this section of the state. Mr. Engstrum carries a large and well selected line of jewelry and precious stones and is capable of doing the most efficient repair work. His business methods are thoroughly reliable Vol. II-10
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and progressive and his close application and earnest desire to please his patrons have been the salient features in the development of his growing trade.
On the 22d of February, 1915, Mr. Engstrum was united in marriage to Miss Mary Frances Kirtland, a native of Michigan and a daughter of James and Annie ( Sales) Kirtland.
In politics Mr. Engstrum has always maintained an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. Fraternally he is identi- fied with . Evanston Lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M., and is a worthy exemplar of the teachings of the craft. His entire life has been passed in Evanston and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance, showing him to be a man of genuine worth whose life record will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
DAVID V. BELL.
David V. Bell is occupying a position requiring marked executive force and administrative ability. being superintendent of the Union Pacific Railway's water companies, in which connection he directs the efforts and activities of about forty workmen. In retrospect one may see him a poor boy, struggling to gain a foot- hold in the business world. From his initial step, however, he has steadily pro- gressed owing to his individual efforts, fidelity, earnestness and strong purpose, and today his position is an important one, ranking him with the representative business men of Wyoming. He makes his home at Rock Springs and from that point directs the important interests under his supervision.
He was born June 14, 1863, near Elizabeth Furnace. in Blair county, Penn- sylvania, and was the eldest in a family of nine children, eight of whom are still living. Their parents were John Pierce and Agnes (Greenland) Bell, who were also natives of the Keystone state. The Bell family was founded in Pennsylvania at an early period in its development, the progenitor of the family in America arriving in Pennsylvania during the early part of the seventeenth century, at which time he took up his abode in what is now Blair county. John Pierce Bell was a successful farmer and during the early excitement following the discovery of gold in Colorado he made his way to that state. He was born in 1835 and had reached the age of seventy-six years when death called him. His wife was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and represented one of the old families of the state of English lineage. She died in the year 1887, at the age of forty- five years.
David V. Bell acquired a public school education, attending the schools in Antis township. Blair county. Pennsylvania, and the high school at Huntingdon, from which he was graduated in 1880. After completing his course there he started out to earn his own livelihood, his first employment being that of a clerk in a general store at Elizabeth Furnace. This line of work was not to his liking, however, and a little later he entered the employ of John Whitehead & Company in engineering lines at Elizabeth Furnace. He served a three years' apprentice- ship as an engineer and in mechanical work and afterward followed his trade there until July, 1883. when he came to the west, attracted by the opportunities of this great and growing section of the country. It was in that vear that he made his way to Fort Steele. Wyoming, where he spent the winter and then removed to Rawlins and later to Oil City. In the latter place he went with the first steam drilling outfit for oil in the state. He was employed by the old Central Association in drilling oil wells, remaining in that service during 1884 and 1885. He was also active in the Seminole mining country in 1885. and from 1886 until 1880 he was engaged in well drilling and in mining pursuits in this state. In 1880 he returned to Rawlins, where he became an employe of the Union Pacific Railway Company in well drilling. He has since heen connected with the company, covering a period of twenty-nine years-a fact indicative
DAVID V. BELL
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of'his capability, his faithfulness and of the confidence reposed in him. He has drilled oil wells in Albany, Carbon, Lincoln, Uinta, Johnson and in fact two-thirds of the counties in the state, and has thus been most actively and helpfully con- nected with the development of the oil industry, which is today one of the impor- tant sources of wealth in Wyoming. He was likewise one of the organizers and stockholders of the Wyoming Supply Company of Rawlins. He is today super- intendent of the Union Pacific Railway's water companies, comprising the Rat- tlesnake Creek Water Company, the Green River Water Works Company and the Union Pacific Water Company, in which connection he has charge of forty workmen. He is thoroughly familiar with various phases of mechanical life and engineering projects, and his pronounced ability has enabled him to advance step by step until he now occupies a position of leadership in his chosen field of labor.
Mr. Bell has been married twice. On the Ioth of June, 1881, in Tyrone, Pennsylvania, he wedded Miss Anna Kelley, a native of the Keystone state and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah G. Kelley, who were early settlers of Penn- sylvania. Mrs. Bell passed away March 21, 1882, at Barre Forge, Pennsylvania, when but twenty years of age, at the time of the birth of her son, David V., Jr. On the 18th of September, 1893, in Rawlins, Mr. Bell was again married, his second union being with Miss Mamie Morrison, a native of Pennsylvanla and a daughter of Roselle and Saralı (Bell) Morrison, the former now deceased. The mother is a representative of an old Pennsylvania family of Butler county, that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Bell have been born eight children: Orin R., who was born at Mountain Home, Idaho, August 22, 1894; Carl Simpson, whose birth occurred at Rawlins, Wyoming, January 1, 1897; Agnes, who is now attending the State University ; Dorothy ; Elizabethi; and Edna, Ada and Margaret, the last three born in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Mr. Bell was made a Mason, January 18, 1891, in Rawlins, Wyoming, and since that time he has taken the degrees not only of the lodge but also of the chapter, the commandery and the Mystic Shrine. His life is an exemplification of the faith and practices of the Masonic fraternity, which is based upon a recog- nition of the brotherhood of mankind. He is a man of many sterling qualities, possessed of ability in a business way, displaying fidelity to every cause which he espouses and to all of the duties of life. He holds friendship inviolable and by reason of his personal traits, his cordiality and his sincerity he has won a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
W. D. CURTIS.
W. D. Curtis is the leading produce broker of the state of Wyoming and is accounted one of the most progressive residents of the city of Laramie. In a word, he is a typical western man, alert, energetic and progressive, display- ing those sterling traits which have ever been a dominant factor in the rapid and substantial upbuilding of this section of the country. Mr. Curtis is a native of Kansas, his birth having occurred in Paoli on the 28th of August, 1886. He is a son of C. N. and Rosa Curtis, who were also natives of the Sunflower state, whence they removed to Leadville, Colorado, where the mother still lives.
WV. D. Curtis, who was the only child of their marriage, attended the schools of Leadville. Colorado, after which he learned the business of assaying. He continued in Leadville for a time as an assayer and then turned his attention to the produce commission business, in which he was actively engaged in I.eadville for nine years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Cripple Creek, Colorado, where he continued in the same line of business for a year. He next came to Laramie as manager for the Lawrence-Hennesy Fruit Company, conducting their interests in Laramie until 1914, when he decided
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to embark in business on his own account and did so. He has met with a substantial measure of success during the intervening period, for he had already become widely known, and soon secured a liberal patronage. He is today re- garded as one of the most prominent and successful brokers in this section of the west and is the only broker in his line in Wyoming and the state's only member of the Fruit Jobbers' Association of America. In business affairs his judginent is sound, his discrimination keen and his enterprise unfaltering. What- ever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion, for his energy and enterprise allow him to brook no obstacles that can be overcome by per- sistent and earnest effort.
On the 10th of May, 1905, Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Tracey, of Denver, Colorado, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Tracey, now living in Longmont, that state. Mrs. Curtis holds membership in the Metho- dist Episcopal church and they are well known socially.
In politics Mr. Curtis maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks and has taken the Royal Arch degree in Masonry, being also a member of the consistory and a Shriner. He is a very active, valued and prominent member of the chamber of commerce and is now serving on its executive committee. He does everything in his power to promote the welfare, growth and progress of the city, to extend its trade relations and to advance its improvements along all civic lines. He is indeed a stalwart champion of the west, its opportunities and its possibilities and his study of the situation enables him to speak with authority upon the question. He is a man pos- sessed of many sterling qualities and characteristics. Self-made in every respect, his advancement is attributable entirely to his individual efforts. He stands for nothing but honest dealing and through straightforward business methods and unfailing enterprise he has built up a large and profitable produce brokerage business, selling only to the wholesale trade.
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