USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 3
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He was born near Monmouth, Illinois, on the 7th of August, 1867, a son of George D. and Margery ( Pollock) Carpenter. The father was a Kentuckian by birth, while the mother was a native of Ohio. George D. Carpenter removed to Indian Territory, where he passed the remainder of his days. His family numbered two sons and two daughters.
J. Ross Carpenter, who was the third in order of birth, acquired his education in the public schools of Illinois and of southern Kansas and also in Monmouth College of Monmouth, Illinois, while later he became a law student in the National University at Lebanon, Ohio. Returning to the west, he engaged in ranching. in western Kansas from 1887 until 1901 and in the following year he turned his attention to the land business and to live stock raising, making his headquarters at Des Moines, Iowa. There he continued until 1906 and during that period he also engaged extensively in handling timber lands in both the north and south. In 1906 he removed from Des Moines to Wyoming, taking up his abode near Burns. In 1905 the Federal Land Company was organized and in 1909 the Live Stock Company was formed. Of both of these companies
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J. Ross Carpenter has been president and general manager since their organiza- tion. The Federal Land Company acquired one hundred and forty-six thousand acres of land, which they sold to settlers, thus bringing many people to Wyoming and greatly advancing the permanent development of the state. This company founded the towns of Burns and of Carpenter and has ever put forth effective effort to promote the welfare and upbuilding of the district in which it has operated. Mr. Carpenter takes a special interest in the breeding of shorthorn cattle and of Percheron horses, and his business interests in that direction have become extensive and important, contributing much to the improvement of the grade of stock raised in the state. In 1910 he removed to Cheyenne, where his home has since been maintained.
On the 15th of September, 1887, Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Russell, a daughter of the Rev. W. H. Russell, of Henderson county, Illinois. Their children are: Arthur R., who is engaged in business with his father; Minnie, the wife of Captain Frank G. Clark of the United States Army, by whom she has one child, Frank G., Jr .; and Betty, born in May, 1907, who is now a pupil in the public school at Cheyenne.
In his political views Mr. Carpenter has always been a democrat and from 1911 until 1915 he served as a member of the Wyoming state senate, during which period he was connected with much constructive legislation having to do with the advancement of various material interests of the state. Since 1910 he has been a member of the national democratic congressional committee from Wyoming and he was chairman of the democratic county central committee of Laramie county from 1914 until 1916. He has served as secretary of the state board of farm commissioners and he is interested in all that has to do with the upbuilding of the region in which he makes his home. He belongs to the Industrial Club and at all times he can be counted upon to further any plan or project for the general good. His purposes will bear close investigation and his actions always measure up to high standards.
JUSTICE WILLIS VAN DEVANTER.
One of those who have reflected honor upon the state of Wyoming is Willis Van Devanter, justice of the supreme court of the United States. He was born at Marion, Indiana, on the 17th of April, 1859, and is a son of Hon. Isaac and Violetto Maria (Spencer) Van Devanter. His father was for many years a distinguished and successful lawyer in Indiana.
Justice Van Devanter received his education in the public schools of his native town and in Asbury (now De Pauw) University and in the law school of Cincinnati College, graduating from the latter with the class of 1881. He re- ceived the degree of LL. D. from his alma mater (De Pauw University) in IQII.
Justice Van Devanter practiced his profession at Marion, Indiana, from 1881 until 1884, associated with his father and Hon. John W. Lacey, afterward chief justice of the supreme court of Wyoming. Attracted by the opportunities of the west, he came to Cheyenne in July, 1884, and at once entered upon active practice and has ever since made his home in the state save as his official duties have temporarily taken him elsewhere. It was he who, in 1886, drafted the bill under which the capitol building in Cheyenne was erected, the University at Laramie started and other state institutions established. His practice in Wyo- ming was very extensive, taking him into every county. At that time many of the county seats were remote from railroads, so that he was often required to make long journeys by stage coach. He was associated in practice from 1887 until 1889 with Hon. Charles N. Potter, now chief justice of the supreme court of Wyoming, and from 1891 until 1897 with Hon. John W. Lacey.
It was but natural that a man of his capacity, learning, ability and public
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spirit should be called upon for public service. In 1886 Justice Van Devanter was appointed by the governor of the state as a member of the commission which prepared and published the Revised Statutes of 1887. In the latter year he was made city attorney of Cheyenne and in 1888 was elected a member of the terri- torial house of representatives, acting as chairman of the judiciary committee. In August, 1889, President Harrison appointed him chief justice of the supreme court of Wyoming, in which office he served until statehood. While chief justice of the territory he was the trial judge of the first judicial district, embracing the counties of Laramie, Crook, Converse and Weston as they then existed. He presided at the first term of court ever held in Weston county and at that term presided at the trial of a man who was convicted for shooting Hon. Frank W. Mondell, then mayor of Newcastle and now representative in congress. At the first state election he became chief justice of the supreme court of the state but soon afterward resigned to resume the active practice of the law.
Justice Van Devanter has always been a keen and intelligent observer of the things taking place in the world. His outlook has always been broad. He has appreciated and understood the tendencies of his time. He took an active interest in political affairs. He served as chairman of the republican state com- mittee from 1892 until 1895, was a delegate to the national republican conven- tion and a member of the republican national committee in 1896. He became assistant attorney general of the United States and was assigned to the interior department, thus serving from 1897 until 1903. In the latter year he became United States circuit judge for the eighth circuit and remained upon that bench for seven years. In December, 1910, he was appointed associate justice of the supreme court of the United States by President Taft and took his seat in that court on the 3d of January.
On the ioth of October, 1883, Justice Van Devanter was united in marriage to Miss Dollie Burhans, a daughter of Winslow Paige and Rachel Ann (Dor- man ) Burhans, of Ionia, Michigan. They have two sons, Isaac and Winslow. who are now serving as officers in the war with Germany. Justice Van Devanter is a man of marked personal characteristics who has the faculty of placing any- one in his presence at ease. The simplicity and beauty of his daily life, as seen in his home and family relations, constitute an even balance to his splendid judicial ability and characteristics.
CHARLES G. KENDALL.
One of the best known and most popular residents of Sweetwater county, Wyoming, is Charles G. Kendall, of Rock Springs, who is a member of the state senate and is also an active factor in commercial circles of his city, being president and manager of the National Clothing Company, a business which he has developed to large and gratifying proportions and which receives the patronage of the best class of citizens in this section of the state.
Charles G. Kendall is a native of Wisconsin. He was born April 13, 1877. a son of Nelson and Agnes Kendall, who were also natives of the Badger state. the former of Irish descent, while the latter was of German lineage. They remained residents of Wisconsin during their entire lives. The father followed the occupation of farming, devoting his attention always to that pursuit save during the period of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused by the attempt to overthrow the Union and he joined the army, serving with a Wis- consin regiment at the front during the period of hostilities between the north and the south. He died in the year 1889 and is still survived by his wife, who is a resident of Wisconsin. In their family were eight children: Mrs. Max Brown; Rev. William Kendall; Frederick; Otto, who is now with the United States Navy ; Bertha ; Mrs. Josephine Miller ; and Mrs. Leona Smelser.
Charles G. Kendall was the fourth in order of birth of this family and in Vol. II-2
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his boyhood days he attended the public schools of his native state. He started out in the business world at an early age, being employed along mercantile lines at Richland Center, Wisconsin, where he continued to work until 1898, when the Spanish-American war was inaugurated and he responded to the country's call for troops to render military aid. He became a member of Company A of the Fifteenth Infantry of the United States Volunteers and served throughout the entire period of the war, after which he received an honorable discharge. He then sought the opportunities of the west, making his way to Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he secured a position with the Union Pacific Coal Company in the store department. He was thus employed for five years and at the end of that time he secured a position with Beeman & Neuber Mercantile Company, with whom he continued for ten years. In March, 1914, he bought out the National Clothing Company and has since conducted the business, having one of the well equipped men's clothing establishments of Sweetwater county. He carries a large line of ready-to-wear clothing and haberdashery, and his trade has reached gratifying proportions. His store is well stocked and his business methods are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
On the 26th of March, 1898, Mr. Kendall was united in marriage to Miss Annie Roberts, of Rock Springs, and they have two children. Leona, who was born in Rock Springs in 1900, is now attending school in Los Angeles, Cali- fornia, where she was graduated from the high school. The son, Darwin Kendall, born in Rock Springs in October, 1906, is also in school in Los Angeles. Mr. Kendall has established his family in a most attractive home in that city in order to give his children excellent educational opportunities amid pleasant surroundings.
Fraternally Mr. Kendall is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and for many years has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also numbered with the Knights of The Maccabees and is loyal to the teachings of these different organizations and the purposes on which they are based. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has been an active worker in its ranks, doing everything in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. For eight years he filled the office of city treasurer of Rock Springs, his reelection being proof of his fidelity to duty and the con- fidence reposed in him by the public. He was then called upon for still more important political service, being elected to the senate, in 1915. As a member of the senate he has given careful and thoughtful consideration to all the vital questions which come up for settlement. He stands loyally for whatever he believes to be for the best interests of the community and the commonwealth at large and he does not hesitate to oppose any measure which he believes to be detrimental to the general welfare. In his public service he has subordinated personal ambition and self-aggrandizement to the general good and has placed the public welfare before partisanship.
HON. HUGH L. PATTON.
On the records of official service in Natrona county appears the name of Hon. Hugh L. Patton, who is filling the position of sheriff and who has occupied many other places of public honor and trust, at one time representing his district in the legislature.
He was born in Detroit, Michigan, July 20, 1861, a son of Thomas and Agnes (Woodburn) Patton. The father was a native of Ireland, while the mother was born in Ohio, in which state they were married. They afterward removed to Michigan, where the father spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1864. His widow survived him for a very extended period and passed away
Hayh.h Putter
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in Kansas in 1909. They were the parents of four children, two of whom are living.
After the death of his father Hugh L. Patton lived with his grandfather until he was ten years of age, at which time he and his mother removed to Iowa, where he largely acquired his education in the common schools. In 1878, when a youth of seventeen years, he went to New Mexico, where he remained until 1882. He then went to the territory of Washington and in 1883 he arrived in Buffalo, Wyoming, having since lived in this state. In 1889 he removed to Casper, where he now makes his home, and with the development and progress of the city he has been closely, actively and helpfully associated. He was the first city marshal of Casper, occupying that position for a year, and again was called upon to aid in preserving public peace and order, being elected county sheriff in 1894 for a four years' term. He served until 1898 and then resigned in order to aid his country, which had become involved in war with Spain. He went to the front as a first lieutenant of Company K of the Second Volunteer Cavalry, with which he was connected for six months. On the expiration of that period he returned to Casper and in 1908 his fellow townsmen called upon him to represent them in the state legislature, where he served for one term. In 1912 he was appointed United States marshal of Wyoming. He made a most creditable record during his two years' incumbency in that office and in the fall of 1914 he was again chosen for the position of sheriff, in which capacity he is now serving, having for a third time been called to this office, the duties of which he has ever discharged with promptness and fidelity. He has also served as a member of the city council and has exercised his official prerogatives in support of many well devised plans and measures for the city's improvement and the upholding of civic standards. He has always voted with the republican party, being an untiring worker in its ranks because of his firm belief in its principles as factors in good government. Aside from his official duties Mr. Patton is well known as a business man, being extensively interested in the sheep and cattle industry in Wyoming. His landed possessions are large and important and along these lines he is contributing in substantial measure to the material devel- opment of the state.
In 1891 Mr. Patton was united in marriage to Miss Belle Stroud, who was born in Nebraska, and they have become parents of two daughters: Laura, who died at the age of thirteen years; and Irma, who is a graduate of the Casper high school and is now a college student in Washington, D. C. Mrs. Patton and her daughter are members of the Episcopal church.
Fraternally Mr. Patton is an Elk, an Odd Fellow and a Mason and in the last named organization he has taken the degrees of both lodge and chapter. He exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. He is today widely known as one of the prominent public figures in Natrona county, his activities having much to do with shaping its history and directing its policy. He is actuated in all that he does by a marked public spirit and Casper numbers him among her most valued residents.
PETER GORDON, JR.
Peter Gordon, Jr., who is serving for the second term as mayor of Kem- merer. was born in Elginshire, Scotland, on the 6th of October, 1871. His father, Peter Gordon, was also a native of the land of hills and heather and in the year 1872 he sailed with his family for the new world. For a few years he resided in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, and then removed to Canada, whence he eventually came to Wyoming, arriving in this state in 1885. He first located in that section of Uinta county which eventually became Lincoln county and there he was connected with railroad interests, being active along that line
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of business until 1888. He then turned his attention to merchandising, in which he was actively engaged for a number of years, and is now living retired, enjoy- ing a rest which he richly merits and well deserves. He still makes his home in Kemmerer and has reached the age of seventy-four years, but his wife passed away at Fossil, Wyoming, in June, 1898. In their family were five children, James, Mrs. Maggie Watson, Mrs. Elsie Collipriest and Mrs. Annie Hanak.
The youngest of the family is Peter Gordon of this review, who in his boy- hood days attended the public schools of Ontario, Canada, until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he came with his parents to Wyoming. In this state he entered railroad service and later embarked in business with his father at Fossil, where he continued for some time in mercantile lines. He arrived in Kemmerer in 1902 and established a retail liquor business, which he has since successfully conducted.
On the 19th of December, 1892, at American Falls, Idaho, Mr. Gordon was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Robinson, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Robinson of that place. They have become parents of nine children, five of whom are living: Marie, who was born in Pocatello, Idaho, in 1897, and is a graduate of the high school of Kemmerer; Josephine, who was born in Pocatello in 1899 and is now a second year pupil in the high school; Thelma, who was born in Kemmerer, in 1905; James, born in McCammon, Idaho, in 1903; and Agnes, born in Kemmerer in 1908.
Mr. Gordon has been quite active in community affairs and is serving as vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, heartily cooperating in its plans and purposes for the upbuilding of the city and the extension and improvement of its trade conditions and relations. For five years hie filled the office of city clerk and was then elected mayor of Kemmerer, in which position he made so credit- able a record that he was reelected and is now serving for the second term. He stands very high in business and political circles and is known as a representa- tive citizen, alert to every interest that tends to advance the welfare and pro- mote the growth of his municipality.
JOSEPH R. SULLIVAN.
Joseph R. Sullivan has engaged in the practice of law in Laramie since 1910 but has been an active representative of the bar in Wyoming since 1908, follow- ing his admission to the bar subsequent to his graduation from law school. He was born in O'Neill, Nebraska, June 20, 1880, a son of James and Johanna (Dunn) Sullivan, both of whom were natives of Ireland and came to America in childhood, settling first in Michigan, where they were reared and married. They afterward removed to Nebraska, becoming pioneer settlers of O'Neill, Holt county. They made the trip overland to that state and the father became a very active factor in the upbuilding and development of the section in which he settled, being regarded as one of its most respected and valued citizens. He died in Holt county in 1904, but is still survived by his widow, who yet makes her home in O'Neill.
Joseph R. Sullivan, who was the seventh in order of birth in a family of ten children, attended the schools of O'Neill and was graduated from the high school. Desiring to enter upon a professional career, he then became a student in the Creighton University at Omaha, Nebraska, in which he pursued his more specifically literary course, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1904. He then entered upon the study of law and was graduated from the law department in 1908. He located for practice in Casper, Wyoming, where he remained during 1908 and then removed to Cheyenne, continuing as a member of the bar of that city for eighteen months. In 1910 he arrived in Laramie, where he opened an office, and in the intervening period he has steadily advanced until he now occu- pies a position of leadership among the attorneys of Wyoming. In connection
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with his law practice he is a director of the Laramie-Albany Mutual Building Association.
On the 29th of November, 1909, in Omaha, Nebraska, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Amy Burn, a daughter of Bernard and Anna Burn, who were early residents of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have become the parents of three children: Joseph, who was born in Laramie in 1911; John, in 1913: and Bernard, in 1915. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church.
In politics Mr. Sullivan is a democrat and served as a member of the house of representatives during the twelfth general assembly. He has been prosecut- ing attorney since 1916 and is recognized as one of the active democratic leaders of Albany county and of the state. He has done splendid work in the legisla- ture, in which he is now serving for the second term, giving thoughtful and earnest consideration to all the vital questions which have come up for settle- ment. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is one of the directors, and there is no plan or movement for the benefit of the city which does not receive his endorsement and cooperation.
HON. WILLIAM HELMU'S HOLLIDAY.
No biography such as this work defines in its essential limitations can serve to offer fit memorial to the achievements of William Helmus Holliday, who through the period of his residence in Wyoming, covering a half century, has been most closely associated with the commercial and political development of the state and with many important events which have figured prominently in connection with its annals. Strong and purposeful, forceful and resourceful, Mr. Holliday has directed his efforts along lines which have contributed not alone to individual success but also to the welfare and development of his state.
He was born in Green township, Hamilton county, Ohio, May 21, 1843, a son of Eli and Annetta (Bogart) Holliday. The father was also a native of Green township, Hamilton county, while the mother was born on Long Island. This Holliday family was among the early settlers of that section of Ohio, the first of them to locate there being John Holliday, the grandfather of William H. Holliday. The family floated down the Ohio river on a flatboat-a common means of travel in that period, making the trip in 1810, in which year they took up their abode in Hamilton county. They disembarked at Cincinnati and he took up land on what was known as the Symmes Purchase. Eli Holli- day emigrated westward from Ohio in 1858, accompanied by his family, and settled in Douglas county, Illinois. In 1863 he removed to Jackson county, that state, and subsequently became a pioneer settler of Wyoming, where his death occurred in 1868. His widow long survived him and passed away in Laramie in 1893.
They were parents of a family of six children, of whom William H. Holli- day was the second in order of birth. He spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native state and then accompanied his parents on their removal west- ward. He remained under the parental roof until 1865, when he left the family home, then in Jackson county, Illinois, and started for Colorado. He spent about two years in the Rocky mountains, in the vicinity of Denver, and in Sep- tember, 1867, joined a sawmill outfit going to what is now Albany county, Wyoming, an outfit owned by the firm of Mason & Allen, of Fort Collins, Colo- rado, and to be used in getting out lumber to aid in the building of Fort Russell. The sawmill was located a few miles south of Sherman, on Dale creek. This work of Mr. Holliday marked the beginning of his connection with the lumber business, which in 1870 he entered on his own account as a lumber manu- facturer, remaining in the vicinity of Sherman until 1873. when he took up his residence in Laramie, where he has since resided. He is prominently known
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as one of the foremost business men in the state along the line to which his activity has led. He is now the president of the W. H. Holliday Company, in which connection he has developed one of the foremost manufacturing, build- ing and merchandising interests in Wyoming. This company, from a modest beginning, has had a remarkable growth, due to capable management and an extremely high standard of commercial integrity that has always been main- tained. The activities of Mr. Holliday in other fields have also contributed to industrial and commercial progress, constituting large elements in the upbuilding of city and commonwealth. He has bent his efforts to administrative direction and executive control and has carefully guided the destinies of various business projects, avoiding all unwarranted risks which lead to failure and carefully utilizing those qualities which safeguard every business undertaking.
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