USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
DE 20 Paterson
434
HISTORY OF WYOMING
Rock Springs and again became connected with the Union Pacific Coal Company, with which he continued from the fall of 1879 until April, 1880. He then took up work as a switchman in the yards of the Union Pacific Railway Company at Rock Springs and worked as a switchman and brakeman until April, 1884, when he met with an accident that resulted in the loss of part of his left foot and he also had to have a bone removed from his left arm, leaving him little use of the latter member. After recovering his normal health he was made a night watch- man by the Union Pacific Coal Company, which position he held until the fall of 1884, when he was elected county assessor of Sweetwater county, in which posi- tion he served for six years. He was first elected on an independent republican ticket and for the next two terms was elected on the regular republican ticket. He made an excellent record in that position, being very thorough and systematic in the discharge of all of his duties, and the methods which he followed brought excellent results, which received the endorsement of the general public, as shown in the fact that he was three times chosen by popular suffrage to that position. He has always taken an active interest in politics and civic affairs and he served as justice of the peace by appointment from 1893 until 1895. He is now concen- trating his attention and energies upon commercial interests as proprietor of a hardware and general sporting goods business in Rock Springs and he is also a skilled mechanic, displaying expert knowledge along mechanical and electrical lines.
Mr. Paterson has been married twice. In June, 1882, at Ogden, Utah, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Queen, a native of Scotland, who passed away, and in October, 1893, at Rock Springs, he wedded Miss Mary Dixon, a native of Eng- land. He is very prominent in the Knights of Pythias, has served as master of exchequer and has filled all the chairs in the order, including that of supreme representative, in which position he continued for four years, being elected in 1913, his term expiring in December, 1917. He has been most helpful in the work of the organization and exemplifies in his life the high principles which underlie the society. Mr. Paterson is highly esteemed as a man and as a citizen, while in business circles he has made for himself a creditable position. His fellow townsmen speak of him in terms of high regard and there is much in his life record that is commendable and worthy of emulation.
WILLIAM A. JOHNSON.
William A. Johnson is filling the office of postmaster at Green River. He represents one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Wyoming. He was born May 25. 1882, a son of William A. and Ellen ( Larsen) Johnson.
The father, a native of Texas, left home when thirteen years of age and went to California, then to Montana and then to Wyomnig, making the journey across the country long before the railroad had been built to Green River. This section was a wild and undeveloped region in which lawless characters were prevalent, some coming by choice, while others had come to evade the officers of the law in the big cities of the east. It was into such an environment that William A. Johnson, Sr., was thrown upon his removal to the west and he soon
became an adept pistol and rifle shot. As he grew to manhood he became acquainted with a number of the notorious characters of the west, but he soon learned how to protect himself and also how to protect the interests of the com- munity. He stood strongly for law and order and by reason of the attitude which he took he was elected sheriff of Sweetwater, Carbon and Uinta counties, in which connection he was frequently called upon to arrest some desperate character, a cattle rustler or stage robber or holdup man of the worst type. He never failed to perform the duties entrusted to him and on several occasions had to resort to extreme measures to avoid being killed himself. One notable instance in which he did his extreme duty and for which he received the highest
435
HISTORY OF WYOMING
praise from officials of the railroads and the governor of the state was when he, single-handed, fought a pistol duel with a bandit and murderer known by the name of Mountain Jack, who bore a well known reputation for brutality, with willingness to kill at the slightest provocation. He had slain twenty victims prior to meeting the same fate at the hands of W. A. Johnson. This ruffian had sworn to kill Johnson on sight and was quartered in a cabin with several other men, including Archie Blair and his brother, and a man named Jackson. Mr Johnson was told by friendly Indians that Mountain Jack had threatened to kill him and was therefore on his guard. This Mountain Jack recognized, and he made a proposition to Mr. Johnson that he go in league with him to kill the other men and take the horses and equipment. Mr. Johnson told him to give him until morning to think the matter over and that he would let him know in the morning. Before he was given an answer, while two of the men had gone after their horses, Mountain Jack showed indications of putting his murderous scheme into effect. The other men, not being aware of conditions, were help- less, and Mr. Johnson in order to save their lives and possibly his own, drew his revolver and shot Mountain Jack, killing him instantly. Mountain Jack was no more ; whereupon Johnson's companions, whose lives he had saved, carried Moun- tain Jack's body to the near-by stream, Black Forks, and slipped it under the ice, against the protestations of Mr. Johnson. So ended the career of one of the boldest and worst criminals of the west. Many other deeds of valor on the part of Mr. Johnson won renown to his name. He was a sure shot with his revolver and could put four out of five balls into a common playing card at a dis- tance of seventy-five yards.
After reaching manhood Mr. Johnson purchased from Mr. Granger the con- tract to supply hay to the government at Fort Bridger and other western posts. Later he engaged in ranching and in raising horses and cattle, and he became one of the prominent stockmen of Wyoming. He was thus actively engaged up to the time of his death, which occurred in Green River in 1910. He owned a large ranch there and for some time prior to his death ranked with the leading, pros- perous and prominent stockmen of Wyoming. In the turbulent days of Virginia City, Montana, he also passed through various trying experiences at that point. It was such brave frontiersmen who reclaimed the west for purposes of civiliza- tion, making the region safe for the law-abiding citizen. Mrs. Johnson was born in Sweden and came to America when eleven years of age, her people locating in Ogden, Utah. She died at Wood River, Nebraska, in 1900. By her marriage she had become the mother of four children: F. W. Johnson, a prominent attorney of Rock Springs, now serving as prosecuting attorney of Sweetwater county ; William A., of this review ; Mrs. Ellen S. Honnold, of Wood River, Nebraska ; and B. G., attending the University of Utah.
In his boyhood days William A. Johnson attended school at Wood River, Ne- braska, until graduated from the high school with the class of 1900. He after- ward spent a year in study in the University of Nebraska and then entered upon the contracting business, specializing on cement contracting. He was thus en- gaged until appointed postmaster of Green River on the 22d of December, 1914. He took charge of the office on the Ist of February, 1915, and has since filled this position, discharging his duties with marked promptness and capability. He is also a trustee of the W. A. Johnson estate.
At Ogden, Utah, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Daisy N. Vick- ery, the wedding being celebrated on the 23d of June, 1909. She was born in Green River, Wyoming, and is a daughter of Gilbert Vickery. Mrs. Johnson's early ancestors were from Maine, she being a representative of the well known Vickery family of that state and of New England-a family of great wealth and prominence in the east. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are identified with the Epis- copal church and fraternally he is connected with Rock Springs Lodge, No. 62.4, B. P. O. E.
Spending his entire life in the west, there is no phase of early development and progress in Wyoming with which he is not familiar. His father was a most
436
HISTORY OF WYOMING
picturesque figure in connection with the pioneer settlement of the state and under changed conditions W. A. Johnson of this review is, like his father, bear- ing his part in the work of general progress and improvement, both being hon- ored for their loyalty and progressiveness in citizenship.
CHARLES T. PADDEN.
Commercial enterprise in Glenrock finds a substantial representative in Charles T. Padden, who for almost a third of a century has resided in Wyoming. He was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, March 24, 1859. a son of Justus W. and Millie E. (Eastwood) Padden, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. They removed to Wisconsin at an early period in the development of that section of the country and the mother departed this life in Wisconsin. At a later day the father removed with his family to Iowa and his last years were spent in that state. To him and his wife were born seven children, five of whom are yet living.
Charles T. Padden is indebted to the common school system of his native state for the early educational opportunities he enjoyed. He afterward spent two terms in the State Normal School and later he turned his attention to farming in Wisconsin, being identified with its agricultural interests until 1882, when at the age of twenty-three years, he removed to Nebraska. There he took up the busi- ness of freighting, in which he continued for some years, and in 1886 he arrived in Wyoming. The following year he established his home at Glenrock and has since been identified with its business interests. For a time he was proprietor of a saloon but later sold that business and became identified with the stock busi- ness. He was thus engaged until 1909, when he opened his present store and has since been engaged in general merchandising. He carries a large and carefully selected line of goods and his business enterprise, close application and indefatig- able energy are winning for him a gratifying measure of success. his trade having reached substantial proportions. He is also a director of the Bank of Glenrock and a stockholder of the Bankers & Stockmen's Trust Company of Cheyenne. Wyoming.
On the 8th of December, 1891. Mr. Padden was united in marriage to Miss Kinsler Hunter, who was born in Columbia, South Carolina, a daughter of James and Ellen (Wyrick) Hunter, the father a native of London, England, who came to New York in 1849 and the same year went to California and passed through Wyoming territory on the Oregon trail, and his daughter now owns a beautiful home on that land, which is now a part of the town of Glenrock. The mother was born in South Carolina, and both parents died in that state, where they had reared their family of thirteen children, three of whom survive. Mrs. Padden was appointed postmistress of Glenrock in 1914 and is still occupving that position. the duties of which she discharges with marked promptness and fidelity. To Mr. and Mrs. Padden has been born a son. Charles Hunter, whose birth occurred at Glenrock, October 15. 1802. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and one of the youngest in the state, is interested with his father in the oil business, and also the banking business.
In his political views Mr. Padden has always been an earnest democrat and was one of the first aldermen of Glenrock. He also served on the school board and the cause of education finds in him a warm and substantial friend. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal church.
More than thirty-one years have passed since Mr. Padden came to Wyoming. which was then a wild district, its land unclaimed, its resources undeveloped. A few courageous frontiersmen had dared to locate within its borders hut the work of progress and improvement remained for the future and there was little promise of early development. In the years which have since passed Mr. Padden has not
Charles . Padden
439
HISTORY OF WYOMING
only witnessed a most wonderful transformation but has largely aided in the labors which have wrought the change that has brought the state from a wild tract into a splendid commonwealth. That he has taken advantage of the business opportunities here offered is indicated in his very substantial success, which has come as the direct reward of his industry, perseverance and sound business judg- ment. Today he occupies a most attractive home in Glenrock, which was erected at a cost of twenty thousand dollars and is one of the finest residences in this section of the state. It is the visible evidence of his thrift and his success is the merited reward of a long and honorable business career.
OSCAR W. HALL.
Oscar W. Hall, a well known stockman of Campbell county, was born in Gentry county, Missouri, August 12, 1860, and is a son of James and Elizabeth Jane ( Craner) Hall, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in Missouri. They were married in her native state and spent their remain- ing days there. They reared a family of eight children, of whom five are yet living.
Oscar W. Hall passed the period of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and his time was divided between the acquirement of a public school edu- cation and the work of the fields as he assisted his father in carrying on the farm. He removed to Nebraska in 1884 and took up his abode upon a farm there, mak- ing it his place of residence until 1900, when he sold that property and came to Campbell county, Wyoming. Arriving in this state, he established his home upon a ranch of twelve hundred acres, which he still owns, and during the intervening period he has added many substantial improvements to his place, which he is con- ducting according to progressive methods of ranching and stock raising. He has also become interested in the development of oil projects and is now one of the directors of the Liberty Walker Oil Company.
In 1884 Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Malinda J. Buholt, a native of Hancock county, Illinois, and to them have been born three children : Cora, the wife of Nahum Fitch ; Laura May, the wife of B. H. McCarthy ; and Ernest W .. who is married and resides upon the ranch. There are five grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Baptist church and guide their lives ac- cording to its teachings. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and has filled some of the chairs in the lodge at Gillette. Politically he is a republican and is serving for the fourth year as chairman of the board of county commis- sioners, in which connection he has done important service for the welfare and progress of Campbell county and the advancement of its interests in many ways. He is devoted to the public welfare and is actuated in all matters of citizenship by a public spirit most commendable.
J. FRANKLIN RENFRO.
J. Franklin Renfro, well known in insurance circles in Cheyenne and also con- ducting a brokerage business in oil stocks, has through the intelligent utilization of the opportunities that have come to him won a most creditable position among the financiers and leading business men of his section of the state. Mr. Renfro is a native of Kansas. He was born in Pottawatomie county on the 12th of October, 1881, a son of John T. and Martha E. ( Boyd ) Renfro, who are now residents of Nebraska, where the father follows the occupation of farming, to which he has given his attention throughout his entire life. The family numbered four sons and a daughter.
J. Franklin Renfro, who was the third in order of birth, after acquiring a Vol. II-22
440
HISTORY OF WYOMING
public school education continued to assist his father upon the home farm until about eighteen years of age and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. The summer months were always given to farm work and at the age of eighteen he began farming on his own account, following that occupation until he attained his majority. He then turned his at- tention to commercial pursuits, embarking in the meat business at Peru, Nebraska, in which he continued for four years. He then went upon the road as a traveling salesman, spending five years in that way. He next became engaged in the insur- ance business, in which he has continued to the present time. He first opened an insurance office in Denver and in 1910 established his present agency in Cheyenne, where he has since operated. He has built up his business until it now represents about sixty thousand dollars per year in premiums. He is also engaged in han- dling oil stocks.
On the 2d of January, 1912, Mr. Renfro was united in marriage to Miss Alice Larson. His political support is given to the republican party and his re- ligious faith is that of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Industrial Club and is devoted to all those interests which have to do with the upbuilding and welfare of his adopted city. He has recently been appointed on the advisory committee on explosive regulations for the state of Wyoming. He has made for himself a creditable name and place in business circles and by reason of unfalter- ing enterprise and unabating energy he has organized and developed one of the largest insurance agencies of his section of the state.
PETER O. CHRISTENSEN.
Peter O. Christensen is engaged in general merchandising at Green River, hav- ing a well appointed store which by reason of its excellent stock and also by reason of his straightforward business methods has secured to him a liberal patronage.
A native of Denmark, he was born March 14, 1870, a son of Peter and Annie Christina ( Peterson) Christensen, who came to America in 1879, making their way across the country to Howard county, Nebraska, where they took up their abode. The father still makes his home there and is engaged in farming, but the mother passed away in that county in 1907.
Peter O Christensen was the eldest in their family of ten children and spent his boyhood days largely in Howard county, having been a little lad of but nine years when the emigration to the new world occurred. He pursued his education in the public schools and for a time worked upon his father's farm after his text- books were put aside, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial and profit- able, he left the fields to engage in general merchandising. He came to Wyoming in 1890 and settled in Green River. For two and a half years he was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad Company, after which he embarked in business on his own account in a small way. Through the intervening period his trade has steadily grown and has now reached large proportions, while the integrity and en- terprise of his business methods will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.
On the 5th of June, 1894. Mr. Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Thora Petersen, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Petersen, residents of Green River. They have two children: Ida Christensen, was was born in 1896 and is a graduate of the high school; and Annie, who was born in 1899 and is a high school pupil.
The cause of education has ever found in Mr. Christensen a warm friend and he has done active service in behalf of the public schools as a member of the board. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and with the Danish Brotherhood, while his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He is now comfortably situated in life, owning considerable real estate in Green River, including an attractive home. All of his property has been acquired through close application and judicious investment and his success is
PETER O. CHRISTENSEN
442
HISTORY OF WYOMING
the merited reward of persistent effort, judicious investment and unfailing enter- prise. No one questions the integrity of his methods and his fair dealing has been one of the basic elements in his growing prosperity.
SOREN FRANDSEN.
The history of Soren Frandsen is an illustration of the fact that it is under the pressure of necessity and the stimulus of opposition that the best and strong- est in men is brought out and developed. Thrown upon his own resources at an early age, coming to America empty-handed and handicapped with a lack of knowledge of the language and customs of the people, he has nevertheless worked his way steadily upward and is today treasurer and general manager of the Fer- guson Mercantile Company of Rawlins, which owns and conducts the largest mercantile house of western Wyoming. His record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished through determined effort when guided by sound judgment.
He was born in Esbjerg, Denmark, February 13, 1867. His father, Hans Clausen, was likewise a native of Denmark, where he spent his entire life, there following the occupation of farming. He was active in political affairs and exerted considerable influence over civic progress. He died in 1879, at the age of sixty-three years, while his wife, who hore the maiden name of Katrina Lauridsen, and was also born in Denmark, passed away in 1905, being at the time seventy-eight years of age.
Soren Frandsen was the eighth in order of birth in a family of nine children. In his native country he acquired a public school education and when a youth of nine years started out to earn his own livelihood. His early life was spent upon the home farm and in 1886, when a youth of nineteen, he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the new world. After landing on American shores he made his way direct to Wyoming, arriving at Rawlins on the 25th of April, 1886. He was at the time a comparative stranger. His first employment was in the shops of the Union Pacific Railroad Company at Rawlins, his position being in the car department. He remained with the railroad company for about eight years or until 1894, when he resigned his position and became connected with commercial pursuits as an employe of P. Paulsen, a pioneer grocer, whose employ he entered as a delivery man. While there working he learned all branches of merchandising and the principles upon which this business is based, continuing in the service of Mr. Paulsen for four years. The latter then sold out the business to H. Hansen, who retained Mr. Frandsen in his service, the latter remaining an employe of Mr. Hansen for five years. He then took charge of the interests of the Cullen Commercial Company, general merchants, with whom he remained for four years, and on the expiration of that period he pur- , chased the business of the Keefe Grocery Company of Rawlins. After conduct- ing the business independently for about six months he incorporated his interests under the name of the Ferguson Mercantile Company, Mr. Frandsen becoming a stockholder and the general manager of the business, which was incorporated on the 6th of August, 1907. The president of the company was James Ferguson, now deceased, while James Hansen became the vice president, Soren Frandsen treasurer and general manager, and Charles H. Anderson secretary. The busi- ness was begun in a comparatively small way but is today the largest general mercantile concern in western Wyoming. They employ more than twenty people and their store covers a floor space of one hundred and thirty by one hundred and thirty feet. They carry an extensive and well selected line and the attractiveness of their stock, combined with their reasonable prices and thoroughly reliable busi- ness methods have succeeded in bringing to the company a continually growing success.
On the 30th of September, 1892, in Rawlins, Mr. Frandsen was united in mar-
SOREN FRANDSEN
444
HISTORY OF WYOMING
riage to Miss Anna Mortensen, a native of Denmark and a daughter of Laust and Christina Mortensen, both of whom have now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Frandsen have become parents of two daughters: Katrina, who was born in Rawlins, November 22, 1894 ; and Christina, who was born in Rawlins, April 6, 1896. Five years after coming to America, Mr. Frandsen returned to Denmark to claim his bride and ten years later he and his family spent four months abroad, visiting the old home and the friends of his youth.
In community affairs Mr. Frandsen has ever taken a deep and abiding interest and he has served for the past six years as school trustee. For three years he was also a member of the city council, his term expiring on the 31st of December, 1916. He exercised his official prerogatives in support of many well devised plans and projects for the general good and always carefully studied the questions and issues affecting the welfare and progress of his community and his state. In poli- tics he has always been a stalwart republican since becoming a naturalized Ameri- can citizen and he has done much to further high civic standards. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks and he has membership in the Danish Brother- hood, of which he was one of the organizers, serving for twenty years as its treasurer. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and his religious faith has been a dominant element in his life, guiding him in all his relations with his fellowmen.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.