USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 4
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On the 5th of May, 1869, Mr. Holliday was united in marriage to Miss Emily R. Coykendall, of Fort Scott, Kansas, who passed away in Laramie, June 19, 1887. He afterward wedded Sarah E. East, of Laramie, on the 20th of Feb- ruary, 1897. The children born of the first marriage are: Catharine, the wife of H. R. Butler, of Laramie; Guy R., who is manager of the hardware depart- ment for the W. H. Holliday Company and who married Mayme Kennedy, of Laramie ; Albert E., who has charge of the furniture department of the W. H. Holliday Company and who married Mary George, by whom he has three children, W. H., Lucy E. and Albert E .; Lois E., who is the wife of L. E. Chandler, of Laramie; Elizabeth C., who gave her hand in marriage to Harry George, of Laramie, and they now reside in Pullman, Washington; Ruth, a resident of California; and Margaret, the wife of Carl Raife, of Rawlins, Wyoming. By his second wife Mr. Holliday has two daughters, Mary Ethel and Helen East, both of whom are students in the University of Wyoming.
Mr. Holliday has figured very prominently in the public life of the community, and has been called upon to serve in a number of official positions. In 1871 he was defeated when a candidate for the state legislature but in 1873 was elected a member of the lower house and in 1875 received endorsement of his first term's service in the general assembly in an election to the territorial council. Again in 1877, in 1884 and in 1888 he was elected to represent his district in that same body and in 1880 he was defeated on a tie vote. He was a candidate for delegate to congress in 1882. He was made a delegate to Washington in 1890 to assist Judge J. M. Carey then delegate in congress in procuring state- hood for Wyoming and in this mission was successful. In 1892 he was elected to represent his district in the state senate, where he served until 1896. He was again chosen to that office in 1908 and served until 1916. In 1894 he was the democratic candidate for governor, the republicans carrying the state in that year. He was a member of the democratic national committee from 1896 until 1900 and he was a delegate to the democratic national convention at Denver in 1908. In 1904 he was made a member of the Wyoming commission at the St. Louis exposition and he is again representing his district in the upper house of the general assembly. He has been president of the Carnegie Library Association ever since it was organized and with every worthy project for the upbuilding and development of his city and his state he has been closely and helpfully associated. The record of few men in public life in Wyoming has extended over so long a period and none has been more faultless in honor, fearless in conduct or stainless in reputation. He has been guided by the highest sense of conscientious obligation in the performance of his public duties, ever placing the general welfare before partisanship and the benefit of the state before personal aggrandizement. He has always been a warm friend and strong advocate of better education, never failing to act as a champion to any move- ment or measure having for its object the betterment or improvement of the schools, and he was for eight years chairman of the senate committee on edu- cation. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason.
As a business man his ready adaptability, his recognition and utilization of opportunities and his keen sagacity have figured in placing him in the front
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ranks of successful manufacturers and merchants, and although he has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey, he yet remains an active factor in the commercial world, being the head of the W. H. Holliday Company of Laramie and thus controlling one of the most important manufacturing and merchandising interests of the state.
JOSEPH B. MARTIN.
Joseph B. Martin, who is filling the position of county clerk in Cinta county, has a notable record of successful achievement-the result of indefatigable effort and untiring industry. Innumerable difficulties and obstacles have con- fronted him as he has progressed along life's highway but in the end he has come off conqueror and is today one of the most valued and representative citi- zens of his section of the state.
He was born in Nottingham, England, June 24, 1849, and is a son of Joseph and Martha (Wilson) Martin. The father remained in his native land to the time of his death, which occurred in 1850, and had engaged in mining. The mother remained a resident of England until 1880 and then crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making her way to Utah, where she took up her abode at Woods Cross. She had but two children, the daughter being Mrs. Mary H. Vincent, now living in Salt Lake City.
Joseph B. Martin was the elder child and at the age of ten years, when other boys were devoting their time and attention to the mastery of the branches of learning taught in the public schools, he was at work in the coal mines and up to the time that he reached the age of thirty-three years he was unable to read or write his own name. Coming to realize the value, the need and importance of an education, he began buying books and studying. He mastered the alphabet and continued his studies until he is now a man of liberal education, keeping in touch through broad reading with the leading questions of the day. While engaged in pursuing his studies he continued his work in various capacities in connection with coal mining and his increasing ability won him advancement until step by step he worked his way upward, serving as mine boss, as fire boss and in other connections with mining operations for forty-three years. He had come to America from England in 1881 and made his way westward to Evanston, Wyoming. He began to work in mines at Almy, Wyoming, and after a time took up land but never gave much time to ranching. Gradually he acquired a competence rising to better positions and then entered public life, and his achieve- ments should serve to encourage and inspire others who must start out as he did without advantages of any kind. His career proves that the road to advance- ment is ever open to the man of energy and ambition and his record proves that while success tauntingly plays before the dreamer and slips away from the slug- gard, it yields to the man of resolute purpose.
In February, 1873, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Ann West, of South Normanton, Derbyshire, England, a daughter of Joseph and Selina (Ball) West, who spent their entire lives in England. The death of Mrs. Martin occurred September 22, 1917, and was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret among her many friends as well as to her immediate family. By her marriage she had become the mother of thirteen children, of whom four have passed away. The others are: Jose M., who was born in England in 1880 and was educated in the public schools of Uinta county, Wyoming, and in the Agricultural College of Utah. He is now married, resides upon a ranch in Uinta county and has seven children. Mary H., born in England, was educated in the schools of Wyoming, is the wife of Alvin Hutchinson and has six children. Selina, born in England in 1881, attended the schools of Uinta county, Wyo- ming, has become the wife of James E. Peterson and has six children. John W. is married and has five children. George, born in Almy, Wyoming, is married
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and has two children. Mrs. Alice Whittaker, also born in Almy, has one child. Thomas E., born in Uinta county, is now in the national army. Louis, born in Uinta county, is in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Company. Annie is acting as housekeeper for her father. Of the four children who have passed away three died in infancy and Minnie, who was born in 1874, died in Uinta county in 1884.
Mr. Martin is a leading member of the Mormon church in Evanston and has held high positions in the church, in the work of which he is actively and help- fully interested. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served as justice of the peace at Almy. In 1904 he was elected county treasurer and occupied that position for four years and was again elected in 1910 and served another term of four years. In 1914 he was elected county clerk of Uinta county and is now serving for the second term in that position. His frequent reelection to office indicates his marked efficiency, capability and fidelity. He has been a school trustee of districts No. 5 and 20, and his lack of early advantages in that direction has perhaps been the means of making him a most stalwart cham- pion of the public school system. In this connection he does everything in his power to advance the interests of the schools and raise the standards of educa- tion. At all times he stands for progress and improvement, and his own life record is indicative of what may be accomplished through individual effort and honorable purpose.
H. P. ALLEN.
Among the efficient officers of Converse county is H. P. Allen, who is now serving on the board of county commissioners and is thus taking active part in shaping the business interests of the county. He is now largely retired from the management of personal business interests although in former years he was con- nected with various interests. There is no phase of pioneer life in Wyoming with which he is not thoroughly familiar, for he first came to the state as a freighter in the early 'Sos and engaged in freighting at a period when the work of progress and civilization had scarcely been begun within the borders of the state.
He was born in Virginia, November 25. 1860, a son of Hugh A. and Mary E. (Driscoll) Allen, both of whom have now passed away. In early days the family removed westward to Lawrence, Kansas, where the parents continued to make their home until they were called to their final rest, the father following the occupation of tanning. In the family were two children, H. P. Allen having a sister.
In the public schools of Kansas, H. P. Allen began his education, but he had to go to work when a boy and since that time has depended entirely upon his own resources, being indeed a self-made man in the truest and best sense of the term. He made his way to the west when sixteen years of age, taking up his abode at Denver, Colorado, after which he engaged in freighting to Wyom- ing. He was identified with the freighting business in this state until 1887. making trips between Rockcreek and Buffalo, Wyoming. In that year he turned his attention to the livery business at Douglas and is still owner of his livery barn, but disposed of his horses and equipment in 1912. While in the livery business he also engaged in ranching, raising stock and sheep for five years, after which he disposed of his interests in that connection. He has made judi- cious investments in property and from his holdings derives a substantial annual income.
On the 23d of September, 1889, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Edith McAllister, a native of Illinois. Their marriage was celebrated in Nebraska, although both were living in Douglas at the time. They have become the parents of four children: Verna, who is the wife of R. Swan; Doris, who
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is deputy clerk at the courthouse in Douglas; Robert, who is a student in the Wyoming University; and Harvey, who completes the family. There is also one grandchild.
Mr. Allen has on several occasions been called to public office, his fellow townsmen recognizing his efficiency, capability and public spirit. He served as a member of the city council of Douglas for five years and was called to the office of mayor, in which capacity he served for four years, giving to the city a business-like and progressive administration that brought about various prac- tical reforms and resulted in the adoption of progressive measures. He is now serving as county commissioner and is making an excellent record in this posi- tion. The Wyoming that he knows today is in sharp contrast with the Wyoming with which he became familiar in the early 'Sos. At that time not a railroad had penetrated into this region, the Indians were numerous, the white settlers few and the most farsighted could not have dreamed of the changes which were to occur as the seeds of civilization were planted on the western frontier and in time bore rich fruit. He has ever taken an active part in advancing the work of general progress and improvement and well deserves mention among the hon- ored pioneers and valued citizens of Converse county.
HON. A. M. NICHOLS.
Hon. A. M. Nichols, a foremost business man of Newcastle, where he is engaged in general merchandising and is also prominently known as the president of the Newcastle National Bank, was born in Osage, Mitchell county, Iowa, on the 9th of August, 1871, a son of Melvin and Almeda (Cooper ) Nichols, both of whom are natives of Illinois, where they were reared and married. Soon afterward they removed to Iowa, settling in Mitchell county, and afterward they became residents of Audubon county, that state, there remaining until April, 1887, when they came to Wyoming, settling at Douglas. Two years afterward they established their home in Sundance and Mr. Nichols, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, has continued to make his home in Sundance to the present time. Four years after he became a resident of that city he resigned from the ministry and for the past quarter of a century has practiced law.
A. M. Nichols was educated in the high school of Audubon, Iowa, returning to that state in order to complete his education. He later took up newspaper work on the Audubon Times and subsequently came to the west for his employers. to work on the Rowdy West, which they established in Douglas, Wyoming. Two years afterward Mr. Nichols joined the force of the Sundance Gazette, with which publication he was identified for three years, and in 1892 he removed to Newcastle, where he purchased an interest in the News-Journal and was identified with the conduct of that paper until 1898. He then took up a homestead in Weston county, which he occupied and cultivated for three years, on the expira- tion of which period he again became a resident of the city. In 1900 he founded his present mercantile business, which he has developed into one of the most important commercial enterprises of Wyoming. He has a large and splendidly appointed store, carries an extensive line of goods and his patronage has steadily increased. He still retains his ranching interests and in partnership with F. W. Mondell. member of congress, owns the Oil Creek ranch, on which they are extensively engaged in the raising of cattle. Since 1900 Mr. Nichols and Mr. Mondell have been associated in their business operations and for some years were active in the field of railroad construction work. In 1917 Mr. Nichols became the dominant factor in the organization of the Newcastle National Bank. of which he was made president. and already the institution has become one of the strong financial concerns of this section of the state. Its business policy is a substantial one and will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, while the experience of the men at the head of the bank augurs well for its future.
michal
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On the 24th of December, 1891, Mr. Nichols was united in marriage to Miss Orpha Ogden, a daughter of the Rev. David Ogden, who was one of the first preachers to enter the Black Hills. To Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have been born four children, three of whom are living: Lloyd A., who is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University and a licensed embalmer and who is the vice presi- dent of the A. M. Nichols Supply Company ; Dwight O., who is now in the Reserve Officers training camp at Lincoln, Nebraska ; and Glen L., who is attend- ing the Newcastle high school.
In politics Mr. Nichols is a republican and that he is a prominent and influ- ential resident of his city is indicated in the fact that he is the present mayor of Newcastle and in 1899-1900 he served as a member of the board of county commissioners. He was elected to represent his district in the state legislature at the fall election of 1908 and served throughout the tenth general assembly, during which time he became widely known as the author of the high license bill. He was connected with much other constructive legislation and at all times stood for progress and improvement in affairs having to do with the welfare and upbuilding of the commonwealth. Fraternally he is connected with New- castle Lodge, No. 13, A. F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Cheyenne Consistory, No. I. A. & A. S. R. He is likewise identified with Kalif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Sheridan, and he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Nichols is also con- nected with Pythagoras Lodge, No. 15, K. P., of Newcastle, and with several minor organizations. He is a member of the Newcastle Commercial Club and is in hearty sympathy with all of its well defined plans and measures to advance the upbuilding of the city and extend its trade relations. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and sterling worth of character has gained Mr. Nichols a foremost position in the regard of his fellow towns- men, while indefatigable enterprise, keen sagacity and sound business judgment have placed him in the front ranks in commercial and financial circles of Weston county.
GILBERT TAYSON.
Gilbert Tayson, filling the office of county treasurer in Lincoln county and a valued and popular resident of Kemmerer, was born at Afton, Wyoming, May 30, 1891, being the sixth in order of birth among the four sons and three daughters who constituted the family of Abraham J. and Hannah (Nield) Tayson. The father is a native of Iowa and a descendant of John Tayson, who came from Wales. Abraham J. Tayson has devoted his life to farming and stock raising and in 1889 removed westward from Iowa to Wyoming, where he engaged extensively in raising stock. In 1916 he served as committeeman from Wyoming on the national democratic committee and is now serving as a member of the central committee of his county. He is quite active in politics and is a man of con- siderable influence in county and state, his opinions carrying weight among the leaders of the party. His wife, also a native of Iowa, is of English lineage, her parents having been born in London, England, whence they came to the new world and established their home in the Hawkeye state.
Gilbert Tayson became a student in the Fielding Academy at Paris, Idaho, after attending the public schools until 1907. He devoted four years to the mastery of his course in that institution and was then graduated with the class of 19II. His early life was spent upon the home farm and range and he became familiar with all the experiences and duties that fall to the lot of those who engage in general agricultural pursuits or stock raising upon the range. When twenty years of age he started out to earn his own livelihood and his first posi- tion after leaving home was that of a salesman with the Burton Mercantile Company of Afton, Wyoming, with whom he remained for two years. He
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then went abroad as a missionary of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints and was absent for two and a half years in Great Britain, spending much time in the Nottingham and London districts of England. He, however, practically visited every county in England and Wales, engaged in the work of the church, and his efforts there were a pronounced success. On his return to Afton he was approached by party leaders who wished him to become a candidate on the democratic ticket for the office of county treasurer. He consented and was elected to the office in November, 1916, assuming the duties of the position on the Ist of January, 1917. He has proven a faithful custodian of the public funds and his record is one which deserves and receives the high commenda- tion of the general public. He has always been interested in political and civic problems and has labored persistently and earnestly to advance the general wel- fare along lines which he believes will work for permanent good.
On the 29th of November, 1916, in the Temple at Salt Lake City, Mr. Tayson was united in marriage to Miss Lita L. McBride, a native of Oakley, Idaho, and a daughter of Aaron and Caroline (Larson) McBride, representatives of one of the old families of Idaho of English descent. The McBrides were very promi- nent in England, where the ancestral records can be traced back to the tenth century, and such records indicate that the first of the family in England went to that country with William the Conqueror. Mr. and Mrs. Tayson have become the parents of a son, Howard M., who was born in Afton, Wyoming, August 30, 1917.
Mr. Tayson is identified with the Chamber of Commerce at Kemmerer and is a supporter of all the well devised plans and purposes of that organization to extend the trade relations of the city and to uphold its interests. He has been a lifelong member of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints and was second coun- selor to Bishop Reginald Evans of the Kemmerer ward. Widely and favorably known in Lincoln county, he is found loyal to every interest entrusted to his care, whether of a public or private nature, and his many sterling traits of character have gained him the genuine regard and warm friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact.
CYRUS BEARD.
Cyrus Beard, judge of the supreme court of Wyoming, who upon the bench has proved himself as the peer of the ablest representatives of the court of last resort during the history of the state, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1850, a son of Thomas and Mary (Mckinley) Beard. The father was a farmer by occupation and removed with the family to Iowa in the spring of 1865, spending his remaining days in that state, where he passed away in the eighty-ninth year of his age. His wife is also deceased. In the family were four sons.
Cyrus Beard, the third in order of birth, acquired his education in public and private schools and in the Iowa State University, from which he was graduated in 1874 on the completion of a law course. He first practiced in Washington, Iowa, where he remained until 1878, after which he went to Harlan, Iowa, where he continued until 1890. He then removed to Evanston, Wyoming, and entered into a partnership with former Senator C. D. Clark, and there he resided until 1897, after which he returned to Iowa and engaged in the practice of law in partnership with Governor L. M. Shaw as a member of the firm of Shaw, Kuehnle & Beard. That association was maintained until August, 1900, when Judge Beard took up his abode in Evanston, Wyoming. Locating there he continued in practice from 1900 until 1904. He was elected to the bench in the latter year and entered upon his duties as one of the supreme judges of the state. In 1912 he was reelected to the office, so that his incumbency will continue until January, 1921.
His decisions indicate strong mentality, careful analysis, a thorough knowledge
CYRUS BEARD
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of the law and an unbiased judgment. The judge on the bench fails more fre- quently perhaps from a deficiency in that broad mindedness which not only com- prehends the details of a situation quickly and that insures a complete self-control under even the most exasperating conditions, than from any other cause : and the judge who makes a success in the discharge of his multitudinous delicate duties is a man of well rounded character, finely balanced mind and of splendid intellectual attainments. That Judge Beard is regarded as such a jurist is a uniformly accepted fact, and he well merits the high honor which was conferred upon him by his elevation to the highest court of appeals.
Judge Beard has been married twice. In 1875 he wedded Miss Nora E. Willson, who died in 1893. Their children were: Mary, now the wife of W. W. Pefley : Clare E., the wife of George W. Daiber ; and Arthur A., lieutenant. Twenty-third Regiment, United States Engineers. In 1896 the Judge was again married, his second union being with Miss Frances B. Birkhead.
Judge Beard is a Protestant in religious belief. In politics he is a republican and served as mayor of Evanston. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and is a past grand commander of the Knights Templar of Wyoming. He has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is regarded as a most valued and worthy exemplar of the craft.
RAYMOND BARBER, MI. D.
Dr. Raymond Barber, a physician and surgeon of Rawlins who is district surgeon for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, was born in Doylestown, Penn- sylvania, June 12, 1875. a son of Elliston P. Barber, who is a native of the Key- stone state and a representative of one of the old families of New Jersey. The founder of the family in America came to the new world at an early period in its colonization. The father was a successful coal dealer in Doylestown for many years, conducting a business of large and profitable proportions, but is now living retired. He wedded Mary Gargis Rich, who was also born in Pennsyl- vania and belonged to one of the old families of that state of English origin. She died at the age of thirty-four years. In the family were four children, two of whom have passed away, while those still living are: Raymond, of this review; and William H., who is residing in Eaton, Colorado, where he is cashier of the Eaton National Bank.
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