USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 21
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His record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do, and when effort is based upon honorable principles.
GEORGE P. HARVEY.
George P. Harvey, who is actively engaged in the real estate and insurance business as senior partner of the firm of Harvey & Harper, is also prominent in community affairs, serving at the present writing as chairman of the board of county commissioners of Uinta county. He makes his home in Evanston, where he has lived for twelve years or more.
He was born in Villisca, Montgomery county, Iowa, May 19, 1867, and is a son of William and Agnes (McCulloch) Harvey, both of whom came to America from Scotland and were early pioneers of Iowa. Mr. Harvey fol- lowed railroad building and spent his remaining days in Iowa, where he passed away in 1867 at the age of thirty-three years. His widow long survived and died at Fort Bridger, Wyoming, at the age of seventy-three years. She had re- moved westward to this state in 1886 and continued to make her home within its borders until called to her final rest twenty-three years later. In the family were five children : W. H., now a resident of Carter, Wyoming; R. B., living at Mountainview, Wyoming; Mrs. Belle Marchesseault, of Montana; George P .; and Mrs. Ethel Hamilton, of Robertson, Wyoming.
George P. Harvey attended the common schools of Iowa and was a youth of sixteen years when he came to Wyoming, after which he was employed near Cody on the Carter ranch, working as a cowboy for several years. He subse- quently took up his abode at Fort Bridger, Wyoming, where he engaged in the live stock business on his own account, there remaining until 1903, when he dis-
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posed of his interests in that connection and turned his attention to merchandising in Carter, where he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his store and stock of goods and removed to Evanston, since which time he has been identified with a number of the important business enterprises of the city. In 1914 he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the manage- ment of the business of the Overhead Lumber Company and was thus engaged until February 1, 1918, when he severed that connection and embarked in the real estate and insurance business as a member of the firm of Harvey & Harper. the junior partner being his son-in-law. They specialize in the handling of ranch and live stock property and are meeting with well merited success in their undertakings.
At Fort Bridger, on the 30th of April, 1895, Mr. Harvey was united in mar- riage to Miss Hattie Hendrie, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Hendrie, who were pioneer people of this state. Two children have been born of this mar- riage: Nellie, who was born in 1907 and is now attending school in Evanston ; and Mrs. Dora Harper, the elder daughter, who was born at Fort Bridger in 1896. She, too, was pupil in the public schools of Evanston, where she still makes her home. By her marriage she has become the mother of one child, Marjorie Harper.
In his political views Mr. Harvey is a stalwart democrat and has been a recognized leader in the ranks of his party in Uinta county. He served as county clerk for four years, from 1910 until 1914, and at the present writing, in 1918. is chairman of the board of county commissioners. He has also been a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. Fraternally he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, loyal to the teachings of these organizations, and he is equally true to his professions as a member of the Pres- byterian church. He has worked his way upward entirely through his own ef- forts and is a self-made man who has depended upon his individual labors since reaching the age of thirteen years. Step by step he has progressed until he is now at the head of a successful business enterprise and he is well known among the prominent and representative citizens of his section of the state.
ROBERT E. FITCH.
The memory of Robert E. Fitch forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present in Wyoming, where he settled in pioneer times. Through the intervening period he has taken an active and helpful part in pro- moting the work of progress and development in many ways and he is now well known in business circles in Laramie as a dealer in real estate and insurance.
He was born in Walton, Delaware county, New York, September 16, 1843, a son of Cyrenus and Isabella (Graham) Fitch, the former a native of Con- necticut, while the latter was born in Scotland. The father removed to the state of New York, where he engaged in business along mechanical lines to the time of his death. In the family were six children, of whom Robert E. was the youngest.
In boyhood days he attended school in the village of Walton, New York, and afterward in Plainfield, Illinois. He was left an orphan by the death of his parents when but nine years of age and he then went to work for an uncle, James R. Graham, who was a resident of Plainfield. A year or two later he joined an emigrant train en route for the west, crossing the Mississippi river at Comanche. Illinois, on a rope ferry. He made the trip in company with his uncle and eventually they reached Tama county, Iowa, where they located on govern- ment land. Mr. Fitch remained with the uncle for eight years and experienced the hardships and privations of pioneer life in that state, aiding in the arduous task of developing a new farm. Following the outbreak of the Civil war his
Robert G. Fitch, Jr.
Robert G. Fitch. THREE GENERATIONS
Robert E. Fitch.
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patriotic spirit was aroused and he joined the army, enlisting with the boys in blue of Company G, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, with which he served for three years. He participated in the battle of Shiloh and while at the front was captured and was sent to Libby Prison, where he remained for eight months, suffering all the hardships of southern prison life. At length he received his discharge but he reenlisted, joining the One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois Infantry, with which he continued until the end of the war, making a most creditable record by his bravery on the field of battle and his unfaltering loyalty to the cause which he espoused. When the country no longer needed his military aid he returned to his old home in Tama county, Iowa, remaining there and in Belle Plaine, Iowa, for three years. Feeling the need of better educational advantages than he had thus far received, he then entered the State University at Iowa City, where he spent five years in study, being graduated with the class of June, 1872, having completed the literary course and also won the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy and Master of Arts. Thus splendidly qualified by liberal intellectual training for life's practical and responsible duties, he came to Wyoming, taking up his abode in Laramie in the fall of 1872. For ten years he had charge of the public schools of the city as superintendent and did much to develop the school system upon a safe and substantial basis, contributing in marked measure to the advancement of educational standards and to the benefit of the curriculum. He next took up ranching and sheep raising, in which he continued successfully for six years, when his health failed and forced him to abandon that occupation. He then turned his attention to the real estate, insurance and loan business, in which he has continued from 1889 till the present time. The same spirit of persistency, determination, ready adaptability and close application which characterized him in other relations has won for him success in his present field and he is today one of the prominent real estate men of Laramie, thoroughly conversant with the property upon the market and correct in its valuation. He has promoted many important sales and is one of the leading real estate men of Laramie.
On the IIth of August, 1874, in La Grange, Missouri, Mr. Fitch was united in marriage to Miss Lida Eaton, a daughter of the Rev. Edwin and Martha (Austin) Eaton, the former a Baptist clergyman who was a chaplain in the United States navy. Mrs. Fitch was born in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, a graduate of the University of Iowa, having completed her course there in the same year in which Mr. Fitch was graduated. She was a member of the Laramie school board at the time of her death. They became the parents of two children, E. E. and Robert G. Fitch. The latter, who is assistant cashier of the Albany County National Bank, married Miss Willie V. Downey, of Laramie, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Downey, who were pioneers of this state. They have become parents of three children : Virginia D., Robert G., Jr., and Dorothy. The elder son is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Fitch died February 6, 1918, in Laramie, her death causing great sorrow to her immediate family and calling forth sincere regret among her many friends.
Mr. Fitch has always given his political allegiance to the republican party, of which he is a stalwart advocate, and he served as state senator during the first and second sessions of the general assembly of Wyoming in 1890 and in 1892. He proved a valued member of the upper house through his support of many progressive measures which have been of benefit to the state and he was identified with much constructive legislation during those periods. He has also been justice and police judge of Laramie for six years, was county coroner for eight years and has held other local offices. He is a member of the Congregational church and is serving also as president of the board of trustees of the Baptist church and has done much to further their interests and upbuilding in many ways. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has filled all the chairs of the lodge, including that of master. He likewise holds membership with the Grand Army post and belongs to Phi Kappa Psi, a Greek letter fraternity. He also is a member of Wyoming Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Mr. Fitch stands very high in public regard. He has been identified with
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those phases of life which have figured most prominently in connection with Wyoming's development and progress-its ranching interests, its educational sys- tem, its public offices, its fraternal organizations and its churches. In a word, his aid and influence have ever been given on the side of progress and advance- ment and he stands for those things which work for the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community.
GEORGE EWER, JR.
George Ewer, Jr., was the builder of the first brick building on the east side of Main street in Evanston and from the earliest period of his connection with the city has been an important factor in furthering those projects which have had to do with its substantial upbuilding and improvement. He is now pro- prietor and editor of the Wyoming Times and is a well known representative of journalistic interests in the state.
He was born in Birmingham, England, January 15, 1870, and is a son of George and Jane ( Neal ) Ewer, who are likewise natives of England, where they remained until 1877 and then severed the ties that bound them to their native land. Crossing the Atlantic, they first took up their abode at Morgan, Utah, where the father was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. Later he engaged in work at the painter's trade and at an early period in the development of Evanston there took up his abode and followed his trade, being long connected with painting in the city. Since 1902, however, he has lived retired and he has now reached the age of seventy-five years. His wife is eighty-one years of age. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are yet living: Mrs. Mary Schopp, of Evanston; Mrs. C. B. Cater, of Salt Lake City; George, Jr., of this review; and Mrs. Frank Brown, also living in Evanston.
George Ewer, Jr., was but seven years of age when his parents crossed the Atlantic and after acquiring a public school education in the city in which he now makes his home he began work in the postoffice under E. S. Hallock. who was postmaster of the city and also principal of the school. For a year Mr. Ewer was thus employed, after which he secured a position with the Coopera- tive Grocery Company and later was connected with the Beckwith, Quinn Gro- cery Company and spent eight years in that way. He was then engaged as an apprentice in the printing business with Wilson Dillon on the Evanston News, and at the end of that time became one of the proprietors of the People's Store of North Evanston under the firm name of Kirby & Ewer. Subsequently he was connected with J. F. Loudin, formerly of Lander, on the News Register. He afterward entered the employ of William Shaffer on the Cinta Herald, at Evanston, and later was with the Wyoming Press, of which G. A. McArthur was editor. Eventually he bought out the Press and continued the publication of the paper alone for eight years or until 1910, when he sold the business and plant to J. T. Booth and purchased the Wyoming Times from J. U. Allard. He has since owned and edited this paper, which is a six-column quarto weekly, published on Thursdays. It has an extensive circulation and, in connection therewith, an excellent job printing business is carried on. The plant is thor- oughly modern in every particular, having the latest style presses and equip- ment, and the business has reached substantial and gratifying proportions.
On the 12th of March, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ewer and Miss Mary P. Cain, a daughter of John and Annie Cain and a native of eastern Indiana. They have become parents of seven children. Esther Annie, who was born in Evanston, was graduated from the public schools and is the wife of James W. Palmer, of Evanston, by whom she has two children, Elmer James and Warren Palmer, Jr. George W., born in Evanston, and Elmer C., born in Evanston, are both graduates of the high school. Benjamin F., Bernard H. and
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Zelma N., all born in Evanston, are attending school. Eleene M. completes the family.
In his political views Mr. Ewer is a stalwart republican, giving loyal sup- port to the party and doing all in his power to promote its success. Fraternally he is a Master Mason and he is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Ewer manifests a most progressive spirit in all that he undertakes and his devotion to the general wel- fare is a recognized feature of his career. As previously stated, he built the first brick building on the east side of Main street in Evanston. This was in 1907. He also built the present substantial business block in which he is pub- lishing his paper, utilizing the second floor as his printing office, while the lower story is occupied by stores. He is sole owner of these two buildings, which occupy a quarter of a block, and he also. owns other valuable rental property, residences and business blocks. His new home, costing a substantial fortune, is one of the nice residences of Evanston. From his judicious investments in real estate he secures a gratifying annual income.
JOHN DWIGHT WOODRUFF.
John Dwight Woodruff, grower of sheep and cattle and also interested in real estate, mines and oil, making his home at Shoshoni, was born in the state of New York, December 20, 1846, a son of John and Lucinda (Dimick) Wood- ruff, who removed to Illinois, where they spent their remaining days. They had a family of eight children, of whom four are now living.
John Dwight Woodruff crossed the plains in 1862. He left Belvidere, Illinois, with a four-horse team early in the spring and arrived at Denver, which was then a small place, on the 4th of July. He remained in Colorado until the spring of 1867 and then went to Fort Laramie. From there he traveled to the South Paer gold fields and in the spring of 1868 he joined the Big Horn expedition and eventually reached Bozeman, Montana, in the fall of that year. He spent several years in prospecting, in trapping and in acting as guide. He then followed the stampede to the Black Hills in the spring of 1875 and he acted as guide for the Sheridan military expedition from Fort Washakie to the Little Big Horn. The next year he guided the Captain Mix military expedition from Fort Washakie to Fort Custer. In the summer of 1878 he located on Owl creek with the first herd of cattle that was taken to the Big Horn basin. He also built the first house in the basin and there continued cattle raising until 1882, when he closed out cattle and in 1883 engaged in the sheep business on an extensive scale.
In the spring of 1883 Mr. Woodruff was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Doty, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and they became the parents of three sons: Dwight J., who is now engaged in the garage business in Shoshoni; and Fred D. and Leon, both of whom have passed away.
Mr. Woodruff gives his political endorsement to the republican party and he served as a member of the state senate of Wyoming for Fremont county during the first and third sessions. He has occupied several minor political positions, the duties of which he has intelligently discharged. In Masonry he has attained high rank, having taken all of the intermediate degrees from the lodge up to the Shrine. He has filled most of the chairs in the order and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit upon which the craft rests. One of the first settlers of what is now Wyoming, there is no phase of its history with which he is not familiar. The history of the early development of Wyoming would be incomplete without his record, for from the earliest founding of the town of Lander and the earlier development of Fremont county he has been a prominent factor in its substantial growth and improvement. When Wyoming was cut off from the advantages and comforts of the east by the long, hot stretches of sand and the high mountains he made his way across the plains, braving all the trials and hardships of pioneer
B. D. Hoodmal.
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life in order to make a home in this state, rich in its resources yet unclaimed from the dominion of the red men. Tales of heroism have been the theme of song and story throughout the ages, and the bravery of the man on the battlefields has stirred the souls of men through all times. . All honor to such a one, and yet his heroism is no greater or his daring more pronounced than that of the honored pioneers of the west.
FRANK LESLIE CRIE, D. D. S.
Dentistry is unique among the professions. In most lines of professional activity one must be thoroughly trained in a science, but in dentistry one must have not only broad scientific knowledge but must also possess mechanical skill and ingenuity to perform the multitudinous delicate duties which occur in con- section with the care and preservation of the teeth. Well qualified for the work that devolves upon him in this connection, Dr. Frank Leslie Crie, of Rock Springs, has won the liberal support of the public and the hearty endorsement of professional colleagues and contemporaries. He is among the men to whom the opportunities of the great and growing west have proved irresistible. Al- most the width of the continent separates him from his birthplace, for he is a native of Maine, having been born in Criehaven on the 17th of July, 1862.
His father, Robert F. Crie, was likewise a native of the Pine Tree state, where his ancestors, who were of Scotch lineage, settled at a very early day. The founder of the family in America came to the new world with the troops of King George at the time of the Revolutionary war and served in the English navy, being discharged at Castine, Maine, after the war was over. Pleased with the new world and its opportunities as he became acquainted with them, he decided to remain and thus the family was planted on the soil of the new world. Robert F. Crie became connected with the fishing industry in Maine, thus following a pursuit to which his ancestors gave their attention. He lived and died in the Pine Tree state. His birth occurred on Matinicus island and during much of his life he resided on the island of Criehaven. He wedded Harriett A. Hall, a native of Appleton, Maine, and also a representative of one of the old families of that state of English lineage, the ancestral line being traced back to Ebenezer Hall, who was killed by the Indians during the period of the Revolutionary war when on Matinicus island. He. too, was identified with the fishing industry. Mrs. Crie, the mother of the Doctor, reached the very ad- vanced age of eighty-eight years on the 30th of October, 1917, and stil! makes her home in Criehaven, Maine.
Dr. Crie was one of a family of five children, being fourth in order of birth. His early education was acquired in private schools on his native island, his youthful days being spent amid the environment of a fishing village, so that he early became familiar with various phases of seafaring life. He did not desire to continue in the occupation to which his ancestors had given their attention but became imbued with the ambition to enter upon a professional career and with that end in view matriculated in the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery at Baltimore, Maryland, from which he was graduated with the D. D. S. degree in 1897. He had been but seventeen years of age when he started out to provide for his own support and as there was little choice of employment at the place of his nativity he, too, took up the fishing business, which he fol- lowed until 1884, when laudable ambition prompted him to further his educa- tion by pursuing a commercial course in the Rockland Business College. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper with the firm of R. Fred Crie & Com- pany at Rockland, Maine, remaining there for a period of two years. He after- ward spent one year in Florida in an orange grove and on the expiration of that period removed to Burt county, Nebraska. where he was engaged in farm work for a year. He afterward spent two years as a student in a dental office
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in Oakland, Nebraska, receiving instruction from Dr. A. T. Withers, and while acting as his assistant he determined upon dentistry as a life work. Thus im- proving each opportunity that came to him, he gradually reached the point where he became interested in a professional line and at that time he entered the college at Baltimore, from which he was graduated, as previously stated.
Dr. Crie began practice at Ainsworth, Nebraska, where he continued suc- cessfully for a year. He afterward located at various points in the west but eventually took up his abode in Rock Springs on the 20th of June, 1907. Since then he has continuously practiced in Rock Springs and he displays marked ability in general dental work and in dental surgery. He has a well appointed office equipped with the latest improved facilities to aid in the care of the teeth and his practice has reached extensive proportions. His work is in keeping with the most advanced and scientific methods of the profession and constant study and investigation keep him thoroughly informed concerning the progressive steps made by the members of the dental fraternity.
On the 17th of February, 1892, Dr. Crie was married in Ainsworth, Ne- braska, to Miss Madge M. Remy, a native of Indiana and a daughter of the late William H. and Anna Matilda (Essex) Remy. They were representatives of an old Indiana family, the father of Irish, Welsh and French descent, while the mother was of Pennsylvania Dutch and English lineage. Dr. and Mrs. Crie have become parents of two children, a son and a daughter: Robert R., who was born in Pender, Nebraska, December 23, 1892; and Frank Marie, who is the wife of Percy R. Candlin. She was born in Rockland, Maine, August 31, 1895, and is now a resident of Kersey, Colorado.
Dr. Crie and his wife are members of the Methodist church and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. They occupy an envi- able social position and the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Dr. Crie belongs to the Colorado State Dental Association, the Wyoming State Dental Association and the National Dental Association. He made his own way through college and thus displayed the elemental strength of his character. He attributes much of his success to the assistance and encour- agement of his wife. His individual efforts, however, have enabled him to over- come obstacles and difficulties and to make steady advance in a calling where success is the direct reward of individual merit.
WILLIAM F. HAMILTON.
Important business projects have been promoted and controlled by William 'F. Hamilton, now one of the prominent ranch men living at Douglas. He was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1850, a son of William R. and Annie (Hamilton) Hamilton, who although of the same name were not related. The father was a farmer, real estate man and foundryman, devoting his life to those various pursuits. Both parents have passed away.
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