USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 39
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Mr. Mandel was married in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Mrs. Alexander, a widow, whose maiden name was Jennie Louise Campbell, born in Norfolk, Virginia, and he and his wife established their humble home, and as the years passed two daughters came to them. Katherine married William Lasher and still resides in Laramie, her home being at No. 412 Grand avenue. She has two sons: Philip Mandel, born November 30, 1902: and Ronald, born July 6, 1904. Margaret, now Mrs. Charles Hopkins, is located in Los Angeles, California, and has a daughter, Norrine. At length the wife and mother passed away, the death angel calling her while she was in Mercy Hospital at Denver.
A few years prior to his death Mr. Mandel gave up the life of a ranchman and spent the latter years in the city, passing away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lasher. He "was always cheerful, always contented, but never willing to say much about himself. 'I amount to so little that nobody will care,' he would say when asked to recount some of his experiences that they might be set down when the end came." This was the innate modesty of the man. He never felt that he had made much of a contribution to the world's work, but others recog-
PHILIP MANDEL
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nized what he had done as the pioneer settler of this section of the state. We again quote from the local paper, which said: "Mr. Mandel, although confined to the house for most of the time recently, had not been seriously ill, and yes- terday expressed the wish that he could go to his ranch home once again. He went to his room as usual yesterday, his daughter caring for his needs, and retired. This morning when she went to visit him, as is her wont the first thing after herself arising, she found him in the last sleep, death having come, pre- sumably, about midnight, the old man passing from life to death with never a struggle or a pain-just the being gathered to his fathers like a babe on its mother's breast. It was a shock for the daughter, of course, but her heart swelled as she gazed upon the peaceful face of her father, a smile of content resting on the dear features, his hands lying idly, his heart having ceased its beating as a clock will stop its ticking. The end had come and the life went out like the falling of the leaves from the trees, like the dropping of the petals from the rose. It was the end of one of the most remarkable lives this valley has ever seen marking the passing of our really oldest oldtimer. * *
* The passing of Philip Mandel marks the cutting down of the number of early comers who have made history momentously in this valley. He came when only the red man was a resident here and he lived to see the valley that was then a wilderness blossom as the rose-to see his lonely cabin of the pioneer days, set in the midst of soli- tude, now surrounded by prosperous ranches and enlivening scenes. N. K. Boswell and Edward Ivinson are here, R. E. Fitch and W. H. Holliday are left with us, and there be others that knew the land when it was new to all of them. It is with a feeling of sadness that we are to write 'finis' against the name of one of the first and one of the best known that made this the home of refinement, and happiness, and contentment, with no enemy of any man lurking behind the hill, ready to snuff out the life of those who have striven to reclaim the state."
He died October 22, 1917, at his residence in Laramie.
THOMAS A. READY.
Thomas A. Ready is manager and one of the proprietors of the Murphy- Ready Company of Rawlins, Wyoming, and of Fort Collins, Colorado. This company is extensively and successfully engaged in dealing in men's furnishing goods and clothing and has built up a trade at each center that is extensive and substantial.
Mr. Ready was born in Prince Edward Island, August 2, 1872, and is a son of Richard and Mary ( Condon) Ready, both of whom were natives of Prince Edward Island, where they were reared, educated and married. The father has followed farming as a life work and is still living at the place of his nativity. but the mother has passed away and was buried in Prince Edward Island. They had a family of six children, of whom Thomas A. is the third in order of birth. Two of the number are now deceased. The others are: Mrs. Joe Hughes, Millicent and James A., who are still living in Prince Edward Island.
In his boyhood days Thomas A. Ready attended the schools of his native isle, after which he became an apprentice to the tailor's trade, with which he became thoroughly familiar, mastering the business in every detail. He then followed the trade in his native country until 1891, when he resolved to try his fortune in the west and made his way to Rawlins, Wyoming. A year later he established himself in business on his own account and later developed his interests into the present business enterprise, conducted under the name of the Murphy-Ready Company. He is one of the prominent merchants of Rawlins and is at the head of one of the finest stores of the kind in the state. The business was established in 1894. Mr. Ready becoming the associate of P. J. Murphy, who is the active manager of the Fort Collins branch of the business. while Mr. Ready continues in control of the Rawlins establishment. Purchasing
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in large quantities, they are able to buy advantageously and their stores present all that is latest and best in workmanship and in style, both in clothing and haber- dashery.
Mr. Ready is a Catholic in religious faith, holding membership in St. Joseph's church at Rawlins, and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, which draws its membership only from the people of that faith. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and in 1916 he was chosen as a city trustee of Rawlins. He started out in business in a modest way, has worked upward without assistance and has now reached a position of prominence in commercial circles. He is a believer in Wyoming and its future and is glad to identify his interests with the state, feeling that the opportunities are limitless here. His course should suggest to young men the chances that are before them-chances that lie before any and that may be utilized with good results.
FRANK CROXFORD.
Frank Croxford, a wide-awake and alert business man of Evanston, acting as manager for the Reed Brothers Harness Company, was born in Pleasant Grove, Utah, April 5, 1884, a son of William and Hannah ( Lovesdale) Croxford, who were natives of England and came to America in middle life, following their marriage. The father engaged in the meat business and spent his last days in Utah, passing away at Pleasant Grove in 1906. The mother survives and is now living at Magna, Utah. Their family numbered two children, the younger being Blanchard Croxford.
Frank Croxford attended school in Utah, completing a high school course at Pleasant Grove, after which he removed to Uinta Basin and began work as an apprentice to the harnessmaking trade. He removed to Evanston in August, 1916, in order to take charge of the interests of the Reed Brothers Harness Company of Ogden, Utah. and now as manager is in control of one of the leading stores of this kind in western Wyoming. Mr. Croxford came to Evanston for the purpose of developing the business with a view to later pur- chasing it.
On the 8th of August, 1908, Mr. Croxford was married to Miss Minnie Taylor, a daughter of Alma and Celia Taylor, who were pioneer settlers of Uinta Basin but have now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Croxford have become the parents of three children: Vaughn, born in Uinta county in 1913: Owen, in 1914; and Reed, in December, 1916.
In politics Mr. Croxford is a democrat but has never been an aspirant for public office. He belongs to the Mormon church and is interested in all that has to do with the material and moral progress of his community. In a business way he has advanced steadily through his individual efforts, capably meeting his responsibilities and at all times improving the opportunities that have come to him. He has made for himself a creditable position in the commercial circles of Evanston.
FRANK X. CARRON.
Frank X. Carron, a civil and mining engineer who is now superintendent of Water Division No. 4, with headquarters at Rock Springs, was born in Towanda, Pennsylvania. September 1. 1884. a son of James and Annie ( Bennis) Carron, the former a native of Canada, while the latter was born in Pennsylvania. In young manhood the father removed to the Keystone state, where later he became buyer for a large hide and wool house at Towanda. Subsequently he removed to Newark, New Jersey, where he now resides with his daughter. His wife, who
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was reared, educated and married in Pennsylvania, passed away in 1892, at the age of thirty-nine years. In their family were seven children: Mrs. Nellie Cos- tello, who died in Towanda, Pennsylvania, in 1911; Robert E., who is a first lieutenant with the One Hundred and Forty-first Field Artillery, U. S. A., now stationed at Camp Mills, Ohio; Mrs. Florence Florshee, of Newark, New Jersey; James, who is now with the United States forces in France; Frank X., of this review ; and two who died in infancy.
Frank X. Carron was the fourth in order of birth in that family. In his boy- hood he attended the parochial schools of Towanda and following his graduation he entered upon preparation for the engineering profession, taking postgraduate work in St. Agnes Academy. He began the practice of his chosen profession in connection with the Lackawanna Coal Company of Pennsylvania, with which he was identified for four years. He afterward became superintendent of the Kan- awha Coal Company of Spring Hill, West Virginia, and a year later he became associated with C. P. Collins, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with whom he re- mained for five months. On the expiration of that period he removed to Colo- rado, where he was connected with irrigation engineering projects for a year. Removing to Kentucky, he followed railroad engineering for six months and then returned to Colorado, where he again spent two months. In 1909 he arrived in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he entered into business relations with the Union Pacific Coal Company, with which he was thus associated until June, 1917. He is now engaged in private practice as a civil and mining engineer and on the Ist of September, 1917, he was appointed superintendent of Water Division No. 4. He also is proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, a newly furnished commercial men's headquarters at Rock Springs, which is liberally patronized. He stands very high in professional circles, his long experience and close study making him a man of marked ability in his chosen field. He is enabled to speak with authority upon many involved and important engineering projects and his standing is fur- ther indicated in the fact that he belongs to the American Institute of Mining Engineers.
On the 2d of January, 1914, in Salt Lake City, Mr. Carron was united in marriage to Mrs. Clara (Kuske) Walling, a daughter of Charles and Julia Kuske, of Olivia, Minnesota. By a former marriage Mr. Carron had a daughter, Gladys, who was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1905 and is now attend- ing school in Rock Springs.
Fraternally Mr. Carron is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His is a most creditable career and one which indicates clearly what may be accomplished by determined effort and unfaltering perseverance on the part of the individual, for Mr. Carron worked his way upward entirely on his own account and studied by candle light while serving as an appren- tice with the Lackawanna Coal Company of Pennsylvania. Within four years " when with that company he had advanced to the superintendency and today he is prominently connected with engineering projects in the west, being engineer for a number of coal mining companies in Sweetwater county. He is one of the representative and honored residents of Rock Springs and his life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing that success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but is rather the outcome of clear judgment, experience and indefatigable energy.
LAURITZ MARTINUS SORENSEN.
A prominent figure in musical circles of Wyoming is Lauritz Martinus Soren- sen, who now makes his home in Lovell. He was born in Grenaa, Denmark, December 22, 1866, a son of Lars and Matilda ( Andersen ) Sorensen. The mother has passed away but the father is living in Utah at the venerable age of eighty- five years. He has been a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints since
LAURITZ M. SORENSEN
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1856 and has held a number of very responsible offices in the church, the duties of which he has performed with marked credit.
Lauritz M. Sorensen pursued his education in Copenhagen, Denmark, in Berlin, Germany, in Boston, Massachusetts, and in other cities of the United States, coming to this country when but a youth, before the emigration of his father and mother. For a while he had a very hard time of it, but he com- pleted courses in violin, band work and public school music and throughout his entire life he has devoted his attention to musical interests and to the art of teaching music and leading choirs, concerts and bands and he has conducted a number of opera companies, bands and choirs with success. In the spring of 1908 he started upon a trip through Europe which continued until the spring of 1910 and he had some most enjoyable experiences during that period. He was in charge of a choir of about ninety members and by reason of the attractive concerts which he gave was invited to dine with members of the royal family.
At Vernal, Utah, on the 8th of January, 1898, Professor Sorensen was united in marriage to Miss Dezzie McCurdy, a daughter of Albert and Christine ( Bon- ner) McCurdy. Her mother was born on the Atlantic ocean under the Stars and Stripes. To Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen have been born six children, a daughter and five sons, namely, Havana Matilda, Elmer Martinus, Lloyd Frederick, Clive Albert, Earl Christmas and Elmo Robert, but Elmer Martinus, the second in order of birth, is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and all of his life until his arrival in Wyoming has been devoted to music and to church work, but he is now serving for the fifth term as town treasurer and water commissioner in Lovell. Since his arrival in Wyoming he has organized a number of bands, one of which he conducted at the State Fair of Wyoming in 1917. His study along musical lines has been most broad and comprehensive and the development of his native powers and talents has brought him to the front rank among the leading musicians of the state. Through his connection with the art he has done much to advance musical tastes in Wyoming, his work being of the utmost value along those cultural lines which constitute a balance to the intense commercial activity of the present.
L. A. ZANE.
L. A. Zane, who is engaged in general merchandising at Basin, was born in Cass county, Michigan, February 24, 1861, a son of Isaiah and Martha ( Par- ker) Zane, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They removed to Michigan at an early period in the development of that state and there the mother passed away, but the father long survived, his death occurring in Basin. To them were born seven children, five of whom are yet living.
L. A. Zane was reared and educated in Michigan and in the fall of 1879 started westward. After spending a winter in Iowa he continued his journey in the spring of 1880, with Wyoming as his destination, and first located at Sheridan, where he engaged in the live stock business until 1892. He then dis- posed of his interests there and removed to Colorado, where he remained until 1896. In that year he returned to Basin and established a general mercantile store, which he has since conducted, covering a period of twenty-two years. He is one of the oldest merchants in this section of the state and his business is the result of close application, indefatigable energy and keen sagacity. He is now enjoying a very liberal patronage and his success is well deserved.
In 1885 Mr. Zane was united in marriage to Miss Amanda E. Hardee, a native of Iowa and a daughter of O. P. and Eliza Hardee, the former yet living, while the latter is deceased.
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In politics MIr. Zane is a democrat and for twelve years has served as a member of the city council, taking active and helpful part in promoting the interests and welfare of the community through the exercise of his official pre- rogatives. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge and also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he likewise belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. His wife is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. They occupy an attractive residence in Basin and in addition to that property, Mr. Zane owns an excellent store building.
He was one of the first residents of Basin and has long been actively and prominently identified with its history. He is familiar with all the prominent events which have had to do with shaping its records and promoting its growth and at all times he has given active aid and influence to plans and movements for the public good. His worth is widely acknowledged and those who know him entertain for him the warmest regard.
CHARLES B. GUNNELL.
Charles B. Gunnell, a pharmacist of Evanston, whose well appointed drug store is one of the leading commercial establishments of the city, was born on the 4th of February, 1882, in the city where he still makes his home.
His father, Frank Gunnell, a native of Illinois, came to Wyoming in 1872, when a young lad of seventeen years, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of this section of the state. He was a machinist by trade and followed that busi- ness for several years in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company. He then took up the profession of engineering and has been in active service with the Union Pacific Railroad since that date. His father, Dr. William Gunnell, was also a pioneer of Evanston, practicing his profession among the early settlers, he and Dr. F. H. Harrison being the two first physicians of the city. He was a Civil war veteran, having served at the front during the hostilities between the north and the south with an Illinois regiment, holding the rank of quarter- master sergeant. In tracing the ancestral history of the family it is learned that representatives of the Gunnells settled in Illinois in pioneer times and previous to that were residents of Pennsylvania. In fact, the family was established on American soil previous to the Revolutionary war, in which some of the ancestors of Charles B. Gunnell participated. Wherever the family have lived they have taken active part in public affairs and have at all times stood for progress and improvement, ever manifesting public-spirited citizenship.
The father of Charles B. Gunnell was a member of the state legislature of Wyoming, serving during the years 1913 and 1914. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party, of which he is a stanch advocate. His father, Dr. Gunnell, passed away in 1880 at the age of seventy years and was laid to rest in the Evanston cemetery. The mother of Charles B. Gunnell bore the maiden name of Della Sturgis and was born in Salt Lake City, her parents being pioneer settlers of that place. Mrs. Gunnell was reared and edu- cated there and by her marriage became the mother of three children, of whom Charles B. is the eldest, the others being: Minnie, now the wife of H. M. Lewis, a resident of Evanston ; and Harold, who also makes his home in Evanston.
In the attainment of his education Charles B. Gunnell pursued his studies in the schools of his native city and in preparation for his professional career entered the Northwestern University at Chicago, Illinois, from which he was graduated with the class of 1902, winning the Ph. G. degree. Following his graduation he returned to Evanston and entered business on his own account. He started with a small stock of drugs and druggists' sundries but has developed his trade to its present extensive proportions. He has today one of the largest pharmacies in his section of the state and his business is continually growing. It is the oldest business in continuous existence in this line in Evanston and from
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the beginning his trade has constantly increased, his success being due to his earn- est efforts to please his patrons, his reasonable prices and his straightforward dealing.
On the 20th of September, 1909, in Evanston, Mr. Gunnell was united in mar- riage to Miss Emily H. Isberg, who was born at Medicine Bow, Wyoming, her parents being pioneer settlers of this section of the state. Her brother, William H. Isberg, was the first white male child born at Medicine Bow. Mr. and Mrs. Gunnell have become the parents of one child, Francis B.
The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Gunnell is that of the Episcopal church, to the teachings of which they loyally adhere. He is also well known in Masonic circles, having attained the Knight Templar degree in the Albert Pike Com- mandery, and he is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party and he served for six years as a member of the state board of pharmacy through appointment of Governor Brooks. He has never been an aspirant for office in the usual sense. however, preferring to con- centrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, which have been wisely and carefully directed and have brought to him a substantial measure of success. He is a man of substantial worth-an opinion endorsed by all of his fellow towns- men, who entertain for him the warmest regard by reason of his well spent life, his business enterprise. his loyalty in citizenship and his devotion to the ties of friendship.
JOSEPH HALL KING.
Joseph Hall King, secretary and treasurer of the F. S. King Brothers Com- pany of Laramie and one of the prominent and representative residents of that city, was born August 28, 1874. in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, a son of the Rev. William and Elizabeth (Stocker) King.
The father was a prominent Methodist clergyman and was the founder of the Jersey Ladies' College on the island of Jersey. His daughter, Elizabeth Sarah, was the first student on the records of that institution. Rev. King was also chairman of the west riding in Yorkshire for the liberal party. He died in Kent in 1882, when but little past middle age. At his death he left a widow, who prior to her marriage was Miss Elizabeth Stocker, and their eight sons and two daughters, all of whom are now living and have attained creditable positions in various walks of life, reflecting the excellent home training which they received as well as their superior individuality. The record of the sons and daughters is as follows. William F. is connected with the Bristol branch of the National Provincial Bank of England. Frank S. is living in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Herbert J. is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Joseph H. is the next of the family. Harry is an expert chemist of England. Arnold was formerly manager of the Wolverhampton branch of the National Provincial Bank of England but is now an officer in the British army, doing service in Mesopotamia. Edward R. is a well known sheep commission man of Colorado, residing at Monte Vista. Ben- jamin Gregory was formerly representative on the London Coal Exchange of the Staffordshire collieries and is now a purchasing agent for the British govern- ment. Elizabeth Sarah is the wife of Edmund Searle and resides in Cornwall, England. Evelyn resides at the old homestead, which is maintained by the various members of the family. The mother lived to the age of sixty-two years, passing away in 1898.
Joseph Hall King had good educational advantages. He attended the gram- mar schools, then prepared for college at boarding schools and concluded his preparatory work in Kingswood school at Bath, Somersetshire. Up to this time his preparation had been for Oxford, but the presence in America of two older brothers, Frank S. and Herbert J., caused Joseph H. King to decide upon trying
Jungle It Thing.
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his fortunes in the new world, and to better fit himself for such a move, he took a practical course in general agriculture on a farm in England. In June, 1891, he started for the United States, Laramie, Wyoming, being his objective point. There he became connected with his brothers, Frank S. and Herbert J., who were in the sheep business with Paul Pascoe. Mr. King of this review became an employe of his brothers, who in 1892 separated their interests from those of Mr. Pascoe and as King Brothers conducted business on their own account. Joseph H. King continued as an employe with them until 1895, when he secured an interest in the business. In 1898 a partnership was formed under the style of F. S. King Brothers and was so continued until June 30, 1904, when the busi- ness was incorporated as the F. S. King Brothers Company, with F. S. King as the president, Herbert J. King as vice president and Joseph H. King as secretary and treasurer. The business continued in that way until 1915, when Herbert J. and Joseph H. purchased the interest of Frank S., at which time Herbert J. King became the president, A. C. Jones vice president and Joseph H. King secretary and treasurer. They continued the firm name of the F. S. King Brothers Company, however. Their business is one of extensive propor- tions and they have won for themselves a most creditable place among the prominent sheep raisers of the state.
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