USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 43
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JOHN J. FIFE.
John J. Fife is engaged in the plumbing, heating and sheet metal business at Evanston. He was born in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1868, a son of Joseph and Mary ( Bell ) Fife, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They came to America in early life and settled in Pennsylvania, where the father engaged in mining. After some years he removed to Wyoming in 1870 and turned his attention to railroad work, with the Union Pacific. Later he engaged in coal mining and in quartz mining at Park City, Utah, and afterward he became a resident of Evanston, Wyoming, where he is now living retired. During a portion of his residence in Evanston he has served as marshal and as jailer and in other public offices. He has now reached the age of seventy-four years and his wife is living at the age of seventy-five.
John J. Fife, of this review, was the second in order of birth in that family. In his youthful days he was a pupil in the public schools of Evanston, after which he learned the sheet metal and plumber's trade and eventually started in business on his own account. He was engaged in that way in various parts of western Wyoming for ten years, but in 1900 returned to Evanston, where he opened his present establishment, which he has since successfully carried on. He has done most of the plumbing and sheet metal work in the modern buildings of the city and his work has at all times proven highly satisfactory to his patrons.
Mr. Fife resides at home with his mother. He was reared as a member of a large family, but three of the daughters died in early life and one son has also passed away. Those who are still living are: Thomas, George and Alex. all of Evanston : Fred, living in Salt Lake City ; Mrs. Mary Lake, of Evanston : and John J., of this review.
In his political views John J. Fife is a stalwart republican, having given
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support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of The Maccabees. His business record is that of a self-made man. He started out empty-handed, working his way upward entirely through persistency of purpose and indefatigable energy, and today he is one of the progressive and representa- tive business men and citizens of his part of the state.
I. S. BARTLETT.
. In his eightieth year, but robust, active and at the zenith of his extraordinary intellectual powers, I. S. Bartlett is one of the remarkable men of Wyoming. Having survived by almost a decade the Scriptural limitation of three score years and ten, and in age a score of years beyond the point at which a majority of men retire from active participation in business affairs, he yet enjoys excellent health, holds an important position under the state of Wyoming and is carrying on intellectual work which well might be trying to one of half his age. Having lived forty years in Wyoming, he is most eminently qualified to write the history of this great state.
Ichabod S. Bartlett was born at Amesbury, Massachusetts, in 1838, seven years before the Mexican war. He was twenty-three years of age when the Civil war began, and twenty-four years old when he enlisted, in August, 1862, in the Tenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, for service in behalf of his country in that memorable struggle. He continued. in the Union army until 1868, serving, after the end of active fighting, as paymaster in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. In 1878 he came to Wyoming, which since has been his home, in the capacity of military storekeeper at Camp Carlin, near Cheyenne. From that time until the present he constantly has been connected with important development projects, business enterprises and public offices. His newspaper experience, which began in 1888, has been constantly broadening, he having been associated in numerous capacities with Wyoming publications and having con- tributed extensively to magazines of national circulation. His articles dealing with historical events, and his scientific papers, have been widely quoted. In 1006, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, he became managing editor of the Cheyenne Leader, a daily newspaper, and the brilliant editorial work which he did during the ensuing two years set a new mark in Wyoming journalism. At the present time he is secretary of the Wyoming Humane Society, a position in which he has done a great deal of valuable work, at the same time continuing his literary labors.
Mr. Bartlett's varied and interesting career as soldier, war correspondent, editor, miner, and pioneer of the mountain west, reads like a romance.
He enlisted as a private, was made sergeant major of his regiment before it left the state, and was promoted to a lieutenancy in the field at Spottsylvania, Virginia. Soon after he was assigned to the pay department, with headquarters at St. Louis, Missouri, and was sent to Vicksburg, where he was on duty during the memorable siege of that city by Grant's army. After the capture of Vicks- burg he was ordered to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and made the trip across the plains over the old Santa Fe trail in the winter of 1864.
From Santa Fe he was sent to El Paso, Texas, and while at that place was appointed acting collector of customs. While in this service, President Juarez of Mexico, with his cabinet, military staff and small army, retiring before the forces of Maximilian, made old El Paso (now Juarez) across the Rio Grande the capital of the Mexican republic for a period of ten months. During this time Mr. Bartlett became an acquaintance and warm friend of Mexico's greatest hero and statesman. In the November number of the Pan-American Magazine of 1914 is an article giving Mr. Bartlett's personal recollections of President Juarez, which is not only, valuable historically, but deeply interesting.
I. S. BARTLETT
MRS. I. S. BARTLETT
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He returned to the states in 1869 and for several years engaged in business in Chicago. In 1878 he was appointed military storekeeper at Camp Carlin, near Cheyenne. This was at that time the largest military supply depot in the western country, being the source of supplies for the army posts of the northwest and for expeditions and campaigns against various Indian tribes.
In 1881, the Indian troubles having practically ceased, the depot was discon- tinued and Mr. Bartlett engaged in mining operations in the Hartville district, first giving his attention to copper and afterwards to iron mining. He was the first to locate and operate iron mines in the famous deposits of the Hartville- Sunrise district, which is now claimed to contain over five million tons of high grade Bessemer ore worth one dollar per ton in the ground. In connection with his sons he opened up the limestone quarries of the district and thus established one of the great and growing industries of our state.
He first gave to the world the story of the remarkable prehistoric remains once known as the "Spanish Diggings," but found on investigation to be the most ancient aboriginal quarries on this continent. His efforts brought the most noted scientists and ethnologists of the country to explore and report on these mysterious fields, which many believe belong to the stone age.
While working as a pioneer in prospecting and developing the resources and industries of a new state his pen has not been idle. He has written many valu- able papers relating to the early history of Wyoming and the wonderful unde- veloped resources of the states of the mountain and plain, some of which have been published by the national government as senate and house documents. He has also been active in public affairs. In 1882 he was elected a member of the house of representatives and in 1891 he was elected chief clerk of the house. In all the positions he has held, public or private, he has acquitted himself with honor and ability, and it may be said of him, as of one of Shakspere's characters :
"Age cannot wither nor custom stale his infinite variety."
MRS. I. S. BARTLETT.
One of the most distinguished of the women of Wyoming and intimately connected with its territorial and state history for nearly forty years was Mrs. I. S. Bartlett, the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Bartlett came to Wyoming with her husband in August, 1878, and died in Cheyenne, April 16, 1918.
Mary Jane (Eastman) Bartlett, was born in Chicago on the spot where the Tribune building now stands, November 17, 1847. Her father was Zebina East- man, a prominent antislavery reformer and editor and a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, who appointed him United States consul at Bristol, England, in August, 1861.
Mrs. Bartlett spent eight years in England, where she pursued her studies under special tutors. She became especially proficient in literature and the study of French, Spanish and Italian and in her early married life read and translated many works in these languages simply as a diversion in household duties.
She has been a notable figure in Wyoming history, in wide activities connected with public affairs, social reforms and in club and church life. At the time of her death she was secretary of the Women's Civic League and vice president of the Associated Charities and a very prominent and active worker in these organiza- tions.
She was a member and former regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a member of the King's Daughters, the Whittier Club, the Priscilla Club, of the Hospital Aid Society, of the Congregational Aid, the Red Cross and numerous other organizations. Her unremitting work for and devotion to Red Cross duties preceded the break down of her health and fatal sickness.
Although always unassuming and unobtrusive, her bright intellect and fresh interest in public affairs gave her the distinction of being the first woman in
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this country to be nominated for the United States senate by a legislative caucus. At the same legislative session she was nominated and elected chief enrolling clerk of the house, and was the first enrolling clerk of the state to adopt typewriting in the enrolling of bills.
She was the first woman in the United States to organize a woman's political club and was unanimously elected its first president. That was in 1892. In 1893 she was appointed by the federal government to act as woman commissioner from Wyoming to the Columbian exposition at Chicago and filled the position with dis- tinguished ability during the whole term of the exposition. On the celebration of Wyoming's entrance into statehood July, 1890, she was selected as poet of the occasion and contributed a beautiful poem entitled "The True Republic," be- ginning :
"The first republic of the world Now greets the day, its flag unfurled To the pure mountain air."
This poem is published in full in that part of this history relating to the celebration of the state's entrance into statehood.
At her death, Mrs. Bartlett was seventy years and five months old, and up to the time of her last sickness was an active leader in the intellectual and moral development of the state, and gave the best of her remarkable talents in aid of humanitarian and civic reforms, while her private life was full of deeds of charity.
She was survived by a brother, Judge Sidney C. Eastman, of Chicago ; three sons, Sidney E., William A. and Albert B .; and a daughter, Edna S. Bartlett. All are residents of Cheyenne, except William A., who lives in Pocatello, Idaho.
The Cheyenne Leader, referring to the death of Mrs. Bartlett, editorially, says :
"Wyoming can ill afford to lose such noble women as Mrs. I. S. Bartlett. They occupy a niche in the state's history entirely apart from the deeds of the more rugged men who helped to build this barren wilderness into a thriving com- munity of cities and towns.
Mrs. Bartlett lived a rich and useful life, devoting almost all the time she could spare from her home affairs to civic and club duties of city and state. And she was a pioneer in more than one sense, for she was the first woman to be nominated for the United States senate by a legislative caucus and was the first woman in the country to organize a woman's political club.
Throughout a long, active career she became known for her untiring zeal in the cause of better government, better citizenship and civic and social reforms. It was, perhaps, characteristic of her devotion to duty that she so impaired her health by unflagging attention to her Red Cross work that her last illness found her unable to resist its inexorable claim. * She died, as she had lived, in the service of her state and country."
WILSON S. KIMBALL, JR.
Wilson S. Kimball. Tr., is numbered among the capable officials of Natrona county, where he is filling the office of county assessor, making his home in Casper. He was born October 20, 1893, a son of Wilson S. and Edness J. ( Merrick) Kimball.
The son was reared under the parental roof and pursued his education in the public schools at Casper, Wyoming, until he had completed the high school course, after which he became a student in the Staunton Military Academy of Staunton, Virginia. He was there graduated in 1912 and returned to Wyoming. where he has since remained. In the year 1916 he was named as candidate for the office of county assessor on the democratic ticket and was elected to that position, in which he is now creditably serving, discharging his duties in a most systematic, prompt and capable manner.
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In 1914 Mr. Kimball was united in marriage to Miss Nell Grieve and they have a daughter, Jeannette Edness, who was born March 1, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Kimball are consistent members of the Episcopal church, in the work of which they are helpfully interested.
Mr. Kimball belongs to the Pioneer Association of Wyoming, having spent his entire life in this state. He is imbued in all that he does by the spirit of western enterprise and progress and is numbered among that class of citizens who have been the builders of a great western empire, introducing here all of the advantages and opportunities of the older east.
FRED W. RENDLE.
Fred W. Rendle is conducting business under the name of Rendle's. Drug Store, and as such is proprietor of one of the best equipped pharmacies not only in Rawlins but in the entire state. He was born in Campbellsford, Ontario. Canada, December 9, 1883, and was a pupil in the public and high schools of Campbellsford. When his textbooks were put aside he entered upon an appren- ticeship in a drug store and thoroughly acquainted himself with the trade. In 1901 he arrived in Rawlins, where he engaged in clerking in a drug store until 1912. He then embarked in business on his own account and has built up a trade which has reached extensive proportions. He has today one of the finest pharmacies in all Wyoming. He has recently installed new showcases and fine store fixtures and has an extensive stock of drugs, stationery and photo supplies. He also has a large cigar and soda water trade and has equipment of the best along those lines. In fact, the fixtures of his establishment are unsurpassed in the state and the store is most attractive in its appearance, while the business methods pursued by the proprietor commend him to the continued confidence and support of the public.
Fraternally Mr. Rendle is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, giving unfaltering allegiance to the craft and its purposes. He is of the Episcopal faith in his religious beliet.
C. A. MOYER.
C. A. Moyer is one of the well known cattle men of Campbell county. He makes his home in Gillette but has extensive ranch interests in the state, owning fourteen hundred acres in Campbell county, together with a ranch of eight hun- dred and forty acres in Crook county. He is now concentrating his efforts and attention upon cattle raising and his business affairs are wisely and carefully directed, bringing him a notable measure of success. His present place of resi- dence is far removed from the place of his birth, for he is a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. He was born September 3, 1852, of the marriage of Levi and Elvina ( Diefenderfer) Moyer, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state, where they spent their entire lives, the father there following the occupation of carpentering.
C. A. Moyer acquired a common school education in Pennsylvania and the period of his boyhood and youth passed without event of special importance. He learned the business of telegraphy and in 1876 he went to Long Island and for several years was an operator on the Long Island Railroad. He was also employed in a similar capacity in New York city, but in 1884 illness caused him to return home and the following year he made his way westward to Wyoming, settling on the Little Powder river in Crook county, in that section which is now Camp- bell county. He preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land and after proving up on that property he filed on a homestead adjoining his preemption and in sub-
Ca mayer
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sequent years he added to his holdings by additional purchase until his home ranch today comprises fourteen hundred acres of rich and valuable land. He has also made investment in a ranch of eight hundred and forty acres in Crook county and through the intelligent direction of his business affairs he has become recognized as one of the foremost live stock raisers of this section of the state. In former years he devoted his attention largely to raising horses but since 1900 has concentrated his efforts upon cattle raising and is one of the best known cattle men of Campbell county. He resides upon his ranch during the summer months. but in the winter seasons the family home is maintained in Gillette in order that the son may have the advantages of the city schools. Aside from his ranching in- terests Mr. Moyer is a stockholder in the Bank of Gillette and is serving on its board of directors.
In 1900 Mr. Moyer was united in marriage to Miss Luella Hadley, of Tipton. Indiana, and to them has been born one child, Leslie Franklin. Mr. Moyer, W. P. Ricketts and A. M. Carey were the first county commissioners elected when Campbell county was organized, it being established by a division from Crook county.
He holds membership in Gillette Lodge, No. 28, A. F. & A. M., of which he has served as master. His wife is a member of the Christian Science church. They are both widely known and highly esteemed throughout Campbell county and the business interests of Mr. Moyer have been a contributing factor to the develop- ment and progress of his section of the state.
CAMPBELL HOLT MCWHINNIE.
Among those who are winning success through operations in the oil fields of Wyoming, developing the natural resources of the state in this connection and thus contributing to general prosperity as well as to individual success is Campbell Holt McWhinnie, who was born at Butshey Heath, England, on the 7th of September, 1860, a son of John and Mary A. ( King) MeWhinnie, both of whom have passed away. Their son. Campbell H., was the fourth in order of birth in a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters.
He was educated in the schools of England, of Italy and of Germany, enjoy- ing liberal advantages, and later he went to sea as an apprenticed seaman on the Elder Line of boats, with which he was connected for five years. He later spent one year in New Zealand, and in 1886 arrived in Wyoming, taking up his abode at Sherman. He was engaged in ranching at Laramie Peak for some time, there remaining until 1905. when he removed to Douglas and became iden- tified with the development of the oil fields. Mr. McWhinnie is one of the pioneer operators in the oil fields of Wyoming. He early had the prescience to discern what the future held in store for the state in this connection and he became associated with others in the organization of the Cheyenne River Oil Company and also the Glenhurst Oil Company. Since that time he has been most active in the development of the oil regions and has thus contributed much to the wealth of the state, at the same time largely advancing his possibilities of individual fortune. He was likewise active in the Brennan basin in drilling wells and succeeded in getting oil there in 1905. He is thoroughly familiar with the development of the oil interests of the state from the earliest point of operation in the oil fields and no man is able to speak with greater authority upon the resources of the state in this connection.
On the 16th of December, 1896, Mr. McWhinnie was united in marriage to Miss Carrie J. Pollard and they have become the parents of four sons and two daughters, of whom Charles J. is an alternate for Annapolis. Mr. McWhin- nie is a democrat in his political views and an active worker in party ranks. He has served as chairman of the democratic committee of Converse county and does everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of
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his party. He has served for two terms as county treasurer of Converse county and has also occupied the position of mayor of Douglas, in which connection he gave to the city a businesslike and progressive administration. He is a Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and he is also con- nected with the K. C. C. H. He is likewise a director of the Commercial Club and in connection with that organization is cooperating heartily in all well defined plans and measures for the upbuilding of the city, for the extension of its trade relations and the upholding of its civic standards. He is a public-spirited man, greatly respected by all who know him, and his business career should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what can be accom- plished when one has the will to dare and to do and is not afraid to venture where favoring opportunity points out the way.
WILLIAM WILLEY PATERSON.
The business center of Rock Springs is most attractive to those who delight in the spirit of enterprise which characterizes the western cities. One of the excellent commercial interests of the town is the hardware and general sporting goods store of William Willey Paterson, who is actuated in all that he does by a spirit of energy and determination that never stops short of the successful accomplishment of his purpose.
He was born in Blythe, England, March 16, 1860, a son of John L. Paterson, who was born in the north of Scotland, May 20, 1830, and after living for a time in England crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making his way to Rock Springs in 1874. He had first located in Pennsylvania in 1864 and was there engaged in coal mining for a decade, after which he came to the west, attracted by the opportunities of this great and growing section of the country. He resumed coal mining at Rock Springs, devoting three years to that business, after which he returned to the middle west, settling in Boone county, Iowa, where he carried on farming. He was actively and successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits in that section until 19to, when he again came to Rock Springs, where he is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of a well spent life. He is in good health for one of his advanced years and is one of the valued and respected residents of his adopted city. For many years while living in Iowa he filled the office of justice of the peace and he has occupied other political positions, the duties of which he discharged with marked promptuess and fidelity. His political alle- giance has always been given to the republican party since he became a natu- ralized American citizen. He married Eleanore Willey, a native of England, in which country they were married, and after her husband had come to the new world and made preparations for a home she followed him with their family to the United States. They became the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are yet living.
William W. Paterson was the fourth in order of birth and after coming to the new world he pursued his education in the public schools of Pennsylvania. but when only twelve years of age was obliged to start out in the business world in order to provide for his own support. He was first employed at pumping water in a mine with a hand pump and for this work received a dollar per day. He later secured a situation at coal mining and was thus engaged from 1872 until 1880. In 1875 he became a resident of Rock Springs, arriving on the 15th of June of that year. He at once found employment in the mines of the Union Pacific Coal Company as a mule driver and remained in the employ of the rail- road company in that connection from 1875 until 1877. He, too, then went to Iowa and was connected with the Northwestern Coal Company at Moingona, Boone county, Iowa, for about two years. In 1879, however, he went to Lead- ville, Colorado, where he was employed in the silver mines, representing the Carbon Hill Mining Company. After four months, however, he returned to
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