USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 37
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In his eighty-eighth year, hale and vigorous, with a keen appreciation for a fishing or hunting excursion, in which it has been his custom for many years to indulge with success that bespeaks skill in both. Mr. Ivinson yet spends many pleasant hours in the pursuit of those things which are of interest to him. His
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has been notably the career of a successful man. He overcame difficulties and obstacles by unfaltering perseverance and unabating energy and step by step he advanced until he attained a position of wealth. The most envious could not grudge him his success, so worthily was it won and so honorably has it been used. While his success in a business way should encourage others, showing what may be accomplished through individual effort, as he started out in life empty- handed, his high sense of personal honor, his integrity and fidelity to obligations to others should serve also as an inspiration to his fellowmen. The world is better for his having lived and the love which is entertained for him throughout Wyoming is but the logical result of his upright life and his brotherly spirit.
MATT MUIR.
For more than a third of a century Matt Muir has been a resident of Wyo- ming. He is now living retired at Rock Springs, enjoying the success which has come to him as the merited reward of his labors and judicious investments. There is particular satisfaction in reverting to his life history, since his mind bears the impress of the historic annals of the state from the early pioneer days, and, from the fact that he has ever been a loyal son of the republic and has attained to a position of distinctive prominence in the thriving little city in which he has so long made his home. Thirty-seven years have passed since he arrived in Wyoming and cast in his lot with its pioneers. People of the pres- ent period can scarcely realize the struggles and dangers which attended the early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civilization, the hardships endured, the difficulties overcome. These tales of the early days read almost like a romance to those who have known only modern prosperity and conveniences. To the pioneer of the early days, far removed from the privileges and conveniences of the older east, the struggle for exis- tence was often a stern and hard one and these men and women must have possessed indomitable energy and sterling worth of character as well as marked physical courage when they thus voluntarily selected such a life and success- fully fought the battles under such circumstances as prevailed in the west. Mr. Muir was long connected with the development of the coal resources of the state and his activities along that line eventually brought to him the success which enabled him to live retired and yet enjoy all the comforts and conveniences that go to make life worth the living.
He was born in Allegany county, Maryland, April 15. 1856, and is a son of John and Mary (Craig) Muir, who were natives of Scotland. They came to America in the early '50s, settling in Pennsylvania. The voyage to the new world was made on one of the old-time sailing vessels and later they became residents of Allegany county, Maryland, where the father engaged in coal mining, spend- ing his last days in that locality, where he passed away after a residence there of forty-nine years. His wife also died in the same county in March, 1915, at the notable old age of ninety-six years. In their family were nine children, of whom Matt Muir was the fifth in order of birth. His brothers and sisters who are still living are: Mrs. Jennie Bradburn and William Muir, both of whom are residing in Allegany county, Maryland ; Mrs. H. H. Atkinson, also living in that county ; and Robert and David, both of whom reside in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
In his boyhood Matt Muir attended the country schools of his native county and after his textbooks were put aside worked in the coal mines of Maryland and was thus employed until he left home at the age of twenty years. He made his way direct to Chevenne, Wyoming, and for several years was employed on the ranch of Carl Lefler. He was afterward in the employ of Rose Brothers, ranchmen of Cheyenne, and still later went to Carbon county, where he worked in the coal mines. He was also engaged in coal mining in Rock Springs and his time was thus passed until 1878. In 1879 he went to Leadville, Colorado, where
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he was employed until 1880, when he returned to Rock Springs and again took up the work of mining coal here. He opened up and operated several fine coal mines, his activities constituting an important factor in the development of the natural resources of the state in this connection. He then sold out to the Union Pacific & Central Coal & Coke Company. For twenty-five years he had been a factor in the coal trade and his spirit of enterprise had been a valuable element in the work of improvement in the coal fields. During the early period of his residence in Sweetwater county Mr. Muir resided a few miles from the town of Rock Springs and many times he could have killed elk and antelope from his doorway-a fact indicative of the unsettled condition of the country. He has lived to witness many changes as the work of progress and improvement has been carried steadily forward. He is now living retired, having recently sold out his last coal mine.
On the 22d of September, 1881, Mr. Muir was married to Miss Christina Shea, a daughter of Peter and Katherine (Gehan) Shea, representatives of a well known family of Maryland. Mr. Shea was a railroad conductor at an early day and laid some of the first rails on the line of railroad built to Balti- more, Maryland. To Mr. and Mrs. Muir were born nine children, three of whom have passed away: Effie, who died at Rock Springs at the age of seven- teen years; Ike, who died in 1908 at the age of nineteen years; and Mrs. Nellie Harris, who died in 1913, leaving two children, Mattie Muir and Christina Muir. both of whom were born in Rock Springs. The other members of the Muir fam- ily are: Carrie, who was born at Rock Springs in January, 1883, and is now the wife of William Reid, a resident of Ogden, Utah; John, who was born in Rock Springs in 1884; Peter, born July 4, 1887, and now married to Emma Wiggins, by whom he has one child, Peter Muir, Jr .; Mrs. Mary Craig Rossen, who was born in Rock Springs in 1889: Matt, Jr., born in Rock Springs in January, 1894. and who married Miss Emily Lundgren, of Laramie, by whom he has one child, Robert Matthew, born in Laramie in November, 1917; and Christina, who was born in Rock Springs in 1899 and is attending school.
Mr. Muir belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Loyal Order of Moose. He has been called upon to serve in several local offices, filling the position of county assessor, to which he was first elected in 1890, and afterward was reelected. He has also been water commis- sioner. His activities have long been a factor in the development and progress of his section of the state. He was among the few courageous frontiersmen who dared to locate within the borders of Wyoming while the work of progress and improvement yet remained in the future and when there was little promise of early development. In the years which have since followed he has not only witnessed a most wonderful transformation but has largely aided in the labors that have changed this section from a wild tract of land into a splendid commonwealth. Ile is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest which is the merited reward of a long and honorable business career.
HARRY JOSEPH DEVINE.
Harry Joseph Devine, devoting his attention to the practice of law in Douglas, with a large clientage that has connected him with much important litigation heard in the courts of his district, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the 6th of April, 1886, a son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Higgins) Devine. The mother is now deceased, but the father survives. In their family were three sons and a daughter, Harry J. being the youngest child.
After mastering the elementary branches of learning he continued his studies in the preparatory department of Marquette College at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and won the Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation from Marquette Col- lege. He then entered upon the study of law at Georgetown University in
HARRY J. DEVINE
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Washington, D. C., and was graduated with the class of 1909. Having thus qualified for the practice of law, he entered upon the active work of the profession in connection with the firm of Quarles, Spence & Quarles at Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, doing investigation work for them for two and a half years and thus gaining broad and valuable experience in connection with a firm that ranks very high at the Wisconsin bar. In 1913 he arrived in Douglas after a year's residence at Glenrock, Wyoming. He has now made his home at Douglas for about five years and within that period has become well established as an able attorney, his success resulting from the efficiency which he has displayed in handling his cases and in meeting the attacks of the opposing counsel. He is also the owner of the Record, Abstract & Title Company.
On the 29th of August, 1916, Mr. Devine was united in marriage to Miss Anna Elizabeth Wallace and they have a son, Harry Joseph, Jr. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Devine is connected with the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken the third degree. He is fond of outdoor life and is much interested in the national game of baseball. In politics he is a republican and is thoroughly conversant with the leading questions and issues of the day, recognizing at all times the duties and obliga- tions as well as the privileges of citizenship. He is a trustee and the secretary of the high school board and is a stalwart champion of the cause of public education. In fact, he stands for all that has to do with progress and improve- ment along the lines which work for the benefit of the individual and the community at large, and in all public connections he is actuated by a marked devotion to the general good.
T. BLAKE KENNEDY.
T. Blake Kennedy, of the firm of Matson & Kennedy, long active and prom- inent members of the Cheyenne bar, was born in Commerce, Oakland county, Michigan, on the 4th of April, 1874, a son of Thomas B. and Mary ( Blake ) Kennedy, both of whom have now passed away. He was the youngest child in a family of five sons and three daughters.
In the public schools he began his education, which was continued in a col- lege course at Franklin College of New Athens, Ohio, where he won the Bachelor of Arts degree. He then went east to Syracuse, New York, for the study of law and was graduated with the class of 1897. He located for practice in Syracuse, entering into partnership with one of his classmates, R. N. Matson, organizing the firm of Matson & Kennedy, which relation has been continued to the present time save for a brief period when Judge Matson was upon the bench. They re- mained in Syracuse from 1898 until 1901 and then sought the opportunities of the growing west, becoming residents of Cheyenne. The record of the firm is certainly unique. From the beginning of their law practice they have been associates, their interests having always been closely allied. They are now largely specializing in oil litigation and for this purpose maintain an office in Casper. They are especially well qualified for corporation practice and their business in this direction is extensive and important. For a period of ten years Mr. Ken- nedy was referee in bankruptcy for the state of Wyoming, serving in that important position from 1903 to 1913.
On the 8th of February, 1006. Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Miss Anna H. Lyons. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Cheyenne Lodge, No. I. A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and he is also grand master of the grand lodge at the present time. He has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and has crossed the sands of the desert with the nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In the Elks lodge he is a past exalted ruler and he is identi- fied with the Order of the Eastern Star and with the Woodmen of the World.
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His membership relations likewise extend to the Industrial Club. He is fond of outdoor sports and particularly of golf.
His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served his party in the capacity of a county chairman, and as secretary and vice chairman of the state central committee, but he has never sought or held political office. His attention on the whole has been given to his professional interests, which have constantly developed in volume and importance. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the state, both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of a personal character which impresses itself upon a community. His colleagues and contemporaries manifest the highest consideration for him as a colleague owing to his integrity, dignity, impartiality and the strong common sense which has marked his character both as a lawyer and as a man.
FRED C. SHUMAKER.
Fred C. Shumaker is a partner in the firm of Shumaker & Markley, agents for the Ford cars at Laramie. He was born in Fullerton, Nebraska, April I. 1885, a son of A. M. and Josephine ( Newman) Shumaker. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and in early life removed westward to Nebraska, settling in Fullerton, which was then a frontier town. There he engaged in the cattle business and afterward in merchandising, becoming one of the representative and progressive business men of that locality. During the period of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business and personal considerations and in response to the country's call for troops went to the front, serving in defense of the Union throughout the entire period of the war and throughout his entire life he mani- fested the same spirit of loyalty to his country that he displayed when he fol- lowed the stars and stripes on southern battlefields. He died in 1909 and his widow is still living in Fremont, Nebraska. They were the parents of four children, of whom Fred C. is the eldest. The others are : Floyd N., who is now a captain of the Royal Flying Corps of London, England ; E. C., who is a well known banker of Mead, Nebraska ; and Josephine, who is living in Fremont, Nebraska.
In his boyhood days Fred C. Shumaker attended the schools of his native city and continued his education at the University of Nebraska. Subsequently he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he entered the State University in 1902. He devoted two years to the study of law and medicine there but decided that lie preferred a commercial rather than a professional career and accepted a position as traveling salesman in connection with the introduction of automobiles, type- writers, and stocks and bonds. He represented various firms and developed sales- manship of a high order. At length he determined to take up his abode in Laramie and here opened a Ford agency, since which time he has engaged in the sale of the Ford cars, being now senior partner in the firm of Shumaker & Markley. They have developed a business of extensive and gratifying propor- tions, selling many cars, and today they are numbered among the most successful of the automobile dealers of Wyoming.
In June, 1906, Mr. Shumaker was united in marriage to Miss Lucille Lee, of Silver Creek, Nebraska, who passed away at Palm Beach, Florida, in 1912. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Lee, residents of Silver Creek, Nebraska. her father being a well known cattleman there. In 1914, in Columbus, Nebraska, Mr. Shumaker was married to Miss Grace Hill, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. L. V. Hill.
Fraternally Mr. Shumaker is connected with the Masons and with the Elks, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church. He is today well known in Laramie as a progressive and enterprising business man, ready to meet any emergency or embrace any legitimate opportunity that will extend his trade relations. He has the high regard of his brethren of the
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fraternities with which he is connected, the respect of those with whom he has had business relations and the friendship of those whom he meets in social cir- cles.
J. M. RUMSEY.
While a resident of Rawlins, J. M. Rumsey in his activities has been by no means limited to the confines of the city. His interests have covered in large measure the chief industries and business enterprises of the state and have been important features in the progress and prosperity of Wyoming. He is now the president of the Stock Growers National Bank, of Rawlins, but is identified as well, in large measure, with various other corporate interests which have to do with the progress of the state and its substantial advancement.
He was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, March 4, 1862, a son of J. M. and Harriet A. (Gaffey) Rumsey. His father was a well known tutor, preparing pupils for Princeton University. In his later years he became a prominent wholesale drygoods merchant of Portsmouth, Ohio.
J. M. Rumsey pursued his education in public and private schools of his native state and entered upon his business career as a bill clerk, and advanced to assistant credit man with the Reid-Murdoch Company of Chicago, where he remained from 1875 to 1883. The lure of the west, however, caught him, and in 1884 he became a resident of Rawlins, where he accepted the position of cashier and confidential man with the J. W. Hugus Company, which was engaged in the banking business that eventually developed into the First National Bank in 1909. From the period of his arrival here, Mr. Rumsey has been closely, prominently, and helpfully associated with the banking interests of his city. In 1907 he organized and became president of the Stock Growers National Bank of Rawlins, and since 1910 he has been president of the First State Bank of Baggs, Wyoming. He is also identified prominently with the sheep and cattle industry of the state, and since 1910 has operated extensively under the name of the Carbon County Sheep & Cattle Company.
He is also president of the Knox-Tanner Saddlery Company, a director of the Baggs (Wyoming) Investment Company, a director of the American Bank- ers Insurance Company of Chicago, president of the Saratoga Hot Springs Company, president and a director of the Carbon County Wool Growers Asso- ciation, a director of the Mid-West Real Estate & Mortgage Bond Company of Chicago, Illinois, a director of the American Petroleum Company of Wyoming, and a factor in the successful development and conduct of other interests which have had much to do with promoting the prosperity of the state. He is a forceful and resourceful business man, possessing sound judgment and keen discrimination, and readily discriminates between the essential and nonessen- tial factors in every business situation. His high standing in business circles is indicated by the fact that he was president of the Wyoming Bankers Associa- tion in 1914-15 and at the same time was president of the Wool Growers Asso- ciation of Wyoming.
On the 16th of April, 1890, in Springfield, Ohio, Mr. Rumsey was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. C. Ramsey, a daughter of Dr. Josiah Ramsey and Emma (Gower) Ramsey of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Rumsey have become the parents of two children: Jean Harriet, born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1892; and Elizabeth M. born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1896. The elder daughter is a gradu- ate of Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York, and on the 9th of June, 1917, she became the wife of Claude M. Thompson, a graduate of Purdue University of Indiana, the wedding being celebrated in St. Mark's church in Denver, Colo- rado. Mr. Thompson is also a graduate of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University of the class of 1910, having completed the civil engineering course, and is now superintendent of construction with the Union Pacific Railway Company, his efforts in that direction covering the territory from Cheyenne to
J. M. RUMSEY
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Kansas City, Missouri. He is recognized as one of the most efficient engineers in the Union Pacific service, as stated in a letter written by the president of that road.
The younger daughter, Elizabeth M., is a graduate of Miss Emma Willard's School for Girls, at Troy, New York, a school that was endowed by Mrs. Rus- sell Sage. She completed the course at the head of her class and was recog- nized as one of the brightest students that had ever attended that school. She was also graduated with high honors from the William Currier School of Expression in Boston, Massachusetts. She possesses natural talent as an actress and has been offered many remunerative positions to appear before the foot- lights, but has always declined, preferring to remain in the attractive home of her parents in Rawlins. She is now pursuing a course in bookkeeping and shorthand at Denver, so as to be of assistance to her father in the conduct of his business affairs.
Mr. Rumsey is a prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, and he was grand master in 1903. He was also grand commander of the Knights Templar Commandery of Wyoming in 1890 and is past eminent commander of Ivanhoe Commandery, K. T., and served as the chief officer in 1896. He is likewise a past high priest of Wyoming Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M., of Rawlins, and is a life member of Rawlins Lodge, No. 609, of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Rumsey is today one of the wealthy men of Wyoming, occupying a most prominent position in business and banking circles. His start in life was a modest one, although he had as a basis a broad college training. Readily recognizing the opportunities which have come to him and utilizing them with discrimination, he has gained a place among the strongest factors in the man- agement of interests which have not only had to do with the development of his private fortune but with the progress of the state.
JOHN H. CAMERON.
John H. Cameron, filling the position of postmaster at Evanston, was born December 14. 1858, in Nova Scotia, a son of the late Roderick Cameron, who was a native of that country and of Scotch descent. The father was a successful farmer and continued to devote his life to agricultural pursuits until his labors were ended in death in 1869, when he was sixty-six years of age. He married Susan McDonald, a native of Nova Scotia and of Scotch lineage. She, too, has passed away. her death occurring in 1886, when she was sixty-eight years of age.
John H. Cameron was the tenth in order of birth in a family of eleven chil- dren. He is indebted to the public school system of his native country for his educational opportunities. His early life was spent upon the home farm and he soon became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. When a youth of fifteen years he started out to earn his own livelihood and was then apprenticed to learn the carriage builder's trade, which he followed for about four decades. He first came to the United States in 1873, settling at Providence, Rhode Island, where he continued to make his home until 1883, when he removed westward with Salt Lake City, Utah, as his destination. There he followed his trade until he came to Wyoming, settling in Evanston. He entered the carriage and wagon making business on his own account, becoming a pioneer in that line, and he continued to successfully conduct the business until 1913. In March, 1914, he assumed the duties of postmaster, which position he has since continuously and capably filled.
On the 23d of November. 1887, Mr. Cameron was married in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Miss Mary A. Scholes, a native of Salt Lake and a daughter of George and Mary (Spencer ) Scholes, both of whom have passed away. Her father was
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one of the pioneers of Utah of 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Camerton have become the parents of a daughter, Marguerite S., who was born in Salt Lake City, August 14, 1891.
Mr. Cameron votes with the democratic party and has given his support thereto since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has taken an active interest in politics and in civic affairs and in 1897 entered upon the duties of treasurer of Uinta county, which position he filled for a two years' term. He was also a member of the city council of Evanston for twelve years and while in office did everything in his power to advance the welfare of his city, to bring about needed reforms and improvements and to uphold high civic standards. His life has ever been actuated by honorable principles and worthy motives and has been directed in accordance with the teachings of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a most consistent member, serving at the present time as one of the elders of the church. His record is proof of the fact that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously, for though he started out in life a poor boy, he has worked his way upward and yet has never deviated from those principles which govern strict and unswerving integrity.
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