USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 47
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
Reared upon the western frontier, Mrs. Smith acquired a public school educa- tion in Sheridan county and afterward had the benefit of a course in the business department of the Wyoming State University in 1900 and 1901. Thus liberally educated, she occupied important positions to the time of her marriage. Pre- vious to entering the business college she had successfully taught school in Sheri- dan county for six years and after her course at the State University she held positions as stenographer in banks and law offices until her marriage.
It was on the 8th of February, 1904, that Anna Belle Newcomer became the wife of Ernest S. Smith, formerly a member of the firm of James P. Smith & Sons, grain dealers of Chicago. To them was born a daughter, Helen Frances, whose birth occurred January 6, 1905. After becoming a widow in September, 1906, Mrs. Smith secured the position of stenographer to the superintendent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company at Sheridan and also occu- pied a clerical position in the real estate office of C. B. Holmes. Her business interests have been carefully and wisely managed and she is now a partner in a ranch owned by herself and her brother, Edwin V. Newcomer, which they
FREDERICK F. NEWCOMER
466
HISTORY OF WYOMING
received as a part of the estate of their father, Frederick F. Newcomer. Mrs. Smith also owns an attractive bungalow at No. 351 East Works street in Sheridan.
Mrs. Smith gives her political allegiance to the democratic party and served as assistant deputy county clerk from January 1, 1911, until January 1, 1917, or for a period of six years. In November, 1916, she was elected to the office of county treasurer and entered upon the duties of the position in January, 1917. She is making an excellent record in this connection, having had long and varied business experience which well qualifies her for the tasks which now devolve upon her. She has been quite prominent in democratic circles in her section of the state and is vice president of the Women's National Democratic League for Sheridan county and president of the Sheridan Section. She was appointed chairman of the Women's Democratic Central Committee of Sheridan county and she attended the national democratic convention in January, 1916. She keeps well informed on all the vital public questions of the day and is a broad-minded woman whose worth is widely recognized in the county in which she makes her home. She is a communicant of the Episcopal church, is a member of the Daughters of the King and of St. Peter's choir, thus taking an active part in church work, and she is widely known in political, business, church and musical circles in Sheridan.
H. E. BYARS, D. D. S.
That Dr. H. E. Byars is one of the eminent and successful dentists of Wyo- ming is indicated in the fact that in his practice in Thermopolis he has found it necessary to have two assistants and an office consisting of a suite of five rooms, being the only dentist in the state whose practice has reached such volume. His constantly developing powers have brought him leadership and his methods of practice are the embodiment of the latest scientific researches and investigations regarding dentistry and dental surgery in every connection. Aside from this, Dr. Byars is prominently known in connection with the development of the oil industry of the state. He was born in Valley, Nebraska, September 21, 1876, and is a son of Harrel and Catherine ( Saunders) Byars, the former a native of Tennessee, while the latter was born in Virginia. They were married in Missouri, to which state they had removed with their respective parents during their childhood. The father has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and is now living retired in Valley, Nebraska. He was one of the first settlers of eastern Nebraska, where he located prior to the building of the Union Pacific Railroad into that section of the state.
Dr. Byars was reared under the parental roof, acquiring his education in the public schools and in the .Fremont Normal College at Fremont, Nebraska. He thus gained broad literary knowledge to serve as a foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of his professional attainments. He prepared for the practice of dentistry as a student in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, which conferred upon him the D. D. S. degree as a member of the class of 1903. Following his graduation he was located in Edina, Missouri, where he remained for three years, and he then removed to Valley, Nebraska, where he successfully practiced for six years. In October, 1912, he came to Wyoming, settling in Thermopolis, where he has built up an extensive practice. He has associated with him Dr. G. A. De Freece, one of the skilled dental surgeons of Wyoming. Dr. Byars has splendidly equipped offices and laboratory unsurpassed in the entire western country and his work is the last word in dental practice and surgery. Tle is most skilled in the use of the multitudinous delicate instruments necessary in the care and preservation of the teeth, possessing not only broad scientific knowledge but also that expert mechanical skill which is ever a part of the equipment of the successful dentist.
While his practice makes heavy demands upon his time, Dr. Byars has also
If E. Byans
469
HISTORY OF WYOMING
become interested in other business. Recognizing the opportunities for develop- ment of the oil industry of the state, he has made investments along that line. He was the organizer and incorporator of the Warm Springs Oil Development Company, which has brought in three producing wells, the first one of which was the first well brought in in the Warm Springs field, and they are now further developing their property. Dr. Byars has sixteen hundred acres of land under lease and six hundred and forty acres is controlled by the Warm Springs Oil Development Company, while the remainder of the sixteen hundred acres is under-his personal control. Dr. Byars is president of this company and its operations are proving highly profitable.
In his political views the Doctor is a democrat and is now serving as a mem- ber of the city council of Thermopolis. Fraternally he is identified with Malta Lodge, No. 17, F. & A. M .; Mount Hermon Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M. ; Mount Lebanon Commandery, No. 11, K. T .; and Kalif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Sheridan. His life is an expression of the beneficent spirit of the craft.
In 1905 Dr. Byars was united in marriage in Edina, Missouri, to Miss Frances Bradshaw and to them has been born a daughter, Dorothy B. The parents occupy an enviable position in social circles, having many warm friends through- out this portion of the state. His professional prominence and business activity have made Dr. Byars widely known and his career has been remarkably success- ful, chiefly by reason of his natural ability and his thorough insight into the pro- fession to which he turned his attention in young manhood. His friends speak of him as one who at all times is the same genial, courteous gentleman whose ways are those of refinement and whose word no man can question.
ANDREW V. CAZENAVE.
At the age of nineteen years Andrew V. Cazenave started out to provide for his own support and whatever success he has since achieved or enjoyed is attri- butable to his close application, indefatigable energy and sound business judgment. That he has steadily progressed is indicated in the fact that he is now manager of the Penney Company, dealers in dry goods, men's furnishings and boots and shoes at Rawlins. He is thus active in control of one of the important commercial interests of his adopted city.
He was born October 21, 1881, in Los Angeles, California, a son of the late Peter Cazenave, who was a native of France and came to America during the '50s. He took up his abode in Los Angeles county, California, where he main- tained his home throughout his remaining days, being called to his final rest in 1898. He passed away in Bakersfield, California, at the age of fifty-five years. For an extended period he engaged in the hotel business and during the latter part of his life followed agricultural pursuits. He was one of the first to plant an olive grove in California and at the time of his demise was proprietor of the largest grove of that kind in the state. His first grove was planted in the San Fernando valley on property of the Franciscan brothers. He was very active and in fact became a leader in the development of olive growing as a state industry. and the business has become one of the important sources of revenue to Cali- fornia. Mr. Cazenave deserved great credit for his initial efforts in this respect and his demonstration of the possibilities of olive growing in that section of the country. His wife, Mrs. Josephine Cazenave, was a native of California and a representative of one of the old families of the state, of Belgian descent. She died in 1885, at the early age of twenty-four years. In the family were three children, one of whom has passed away. The brother of our subject is Joseph Cazenave, an agriculturist living at Los Angeles.
Andrew V. Cazenave pursued his education in private schools of his native city and in the Worthington Military Academy at Lincoln, Nebraska. He came to Wyoming on the 4th of March, 1894. He made his initial step in the business
470
HISTORY OF WYOMING
world when a youth of nineteen years and has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources. He was first employed in mercantile lines by the Richards & Cunningham Company of Casper, Wyoming, entering their employ as a clerk. He remained with that house for nine years and during the latter part of the period had charge of their men's furnishing goods department. At length he resigned his position and returned to the Pacific coast, locating at Hood River, Oregon, where he became identified with agricultural pursuits, to which he devoted his time and energies successfully for four years. He then disposed of his interests in that state and returned to the mountain country, settling in Denver, Colorado. He then resumed mercantile interests and in 1913 he became associated with the Penney Company at Montrose, Colorado, where he continued for a year, when the high altitude necessitated a change of climate. He was transferred to Hastings, Nebraska, where he continued for another year. From Nebraska he removed to Rawlins and took charge of the store of which he is now manager. This was established in 1915 and his business is the leading commercial enterprise in this section, the firm employing on an average of six salespeople. The business is under the immediate direction of Mr. Cazenave, who has become thoroughly familiar with commercial methods and opportunities and who in the conduct of the business has maintained the highest mercantile standards.
In Denver, Colorado, on the 30th of May, 1913, Mr. Cazenave was married to Miss Mary G. Wilhite, native of Missouri and a daughter of J. W. Wilhite. In politics Mr. Cazenave is a progressive republican but has never been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time and attention upon his individual in- terests. Fraternally he is connected with Cheyenne Lodge, No. 660, B. P. O. E.
He is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state. His uncle, Victor Cazenave. brought the first sheep to the state, settling in Carbon county. and during his first year met with many reverses, losing five thousand sheep. However, he was one of the promoters of the industry and put forth effort which has proven a foundation stone in the upbuilding of one of the leading industries of this section of the country. In later years his nephew, Andrew V. Cazenave, has continued the work of business development here and Rawlins regards him as a valuable acquisition to her commercial circles.
HENRY HARRIS.
Henry Harris, manager for the Uinta Mercantile Company at Evanston and thus widely and favorably known in the commercial circles of the city, was born in Nottinghamshire, England, September 8, 1866. His father, Matthew Harris, now deceased, was also a native of Nottinghamshire, England, where he engaged in business as a car repairer. Crossing the Atlantic to America, he first settled at Almy, Wyoming, where he cast in his lot with the pioneer citizens. He was employed by the Union Pacific Railway Company for a period of twenty-seven years and during his later life he engaged successfully in stock raising and farm- ing in Uinta county. His life record covered seventy-three years and commanded for him the respect and goodwill of all with whom he was associated. He married Sarah Goddard, a native of Nottinghamshire, England, their marriage being celebrated in the mother country. To them were born ten children, of whom Henry Harris was the fourth in order of birth. The mother reached the age of seventy-six years.
Henry Harris was educated in the public schools of England, where he remained until he reached the age of fifteen years, when he crossed the Atlantic to America and made his way direct to Evanston. He immediately secured a position as cash boy and delivery boy with the Beckwith Mercantile Company, which was his initial experience along mercantile lines. He started out in the business world at a wage of sixty dollars per month and that he was faithful and reliable is indicated by the fact that he remained with his first firm for seven
HENRY HARRIS
472
HISTORY OF WYOMING
years and then resigned his position to become associated with the Union Pacific Coal Company in the mercantile department. He entered the employ of that corporation as a clerk and was advanced from time to time to a managerial posi- tion, representing the company at Almy, at Cumberland and at Scofield, Utah, and also at Superior, Wyoming, acting as manager for three different stores. He continued as manager with the company for thirteen years and his entire con- nection with the corporation covered sixteen years. He then left the Union Pacific to enter into active association with the Uinta Mercantile Company as manager and one of the stockholders. He has since been in active association with the company and his marked business ability has contributed in substantial measure to its growing success. This firm has the second largest mercantile establishment in the county, employing five people and doing an annual business of thirty-five thousand dollars. A carefully selected stock is carried and the busi- ness methods of the house are thoroughly progressive and equally reliable, a policy that commands unqualified confidence being instituted by Mr. Harris and therefore bringing a substantial trade.
At Logan, Utah, on October 14, 1891, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Fowkes, a native of Almy, Wyoming, and a daughter of Reuben and Mary Fowkes, who were pioneer people of Utah and of Wyoming but have now passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Harris have been born seven children : Caroline Annie ; Martin F., who is associated with his father in business ; Irvin H., living in Evanston; Walter M .; Clarence William; Ione Mary; and Berenice L.
In his political views Mr. Harris is a republican, giving unfaltering allegiance to the party. He served as postmaster at Superior, Wyoming, for five years, but otherwise has not held office, feeling that the pursuits of private life are in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious faith is that of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. He came to America a poor boy of but fifteen years, but he recognized the fact that opportunity is open to all and he has wisely and carefully used the advantages that have come to him. He is for- tunate in that he possesses character and ability that inspire confidence in others and the simple weight of his character and ability have carried him into impor- tant commercial connections.
FRANK A. BREZOVNIK.
Frank A. Brezovnik is one of the best known and most popular citizens and automobile men of Wyoming. He is conducting business at Kemmerer, in Lin- coln county, and has the largest auto salesroom, garage and repair department west of Denver. While still a young man and a resident of Wyoming for only seven or eight years, his success is indeed notable and is indicative of his strength of character, his persistency of purpose, his keen discernment in business affairs and his indefatigable energy.
He was born in Blemberg, Germany, on the 7th of December, 1883, a son of Frank A. and Anna (Bless) Brezovnik. The father was also a native of Ger- many, while the mother was born in Austria. They were reared and educated in their respective countries and were married in Austria. Subsequently they resided in Blemberg, Germany, for some time and the father there devoted his attention to mechanical pursuits. He became a locomotive engineer and passed. away in Blemberg in 1906. Following the death of her husband the mother returned with her family to her native land and is still a resident of Austria. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children: Frank A., Thomas, Francis and Zephine, all of whom are residents of Austria with the exception of Frank A., who is the youngest of the family.
In early life Frank A. Brezovnik pursued his education in the schools of Germany and continued his studies in Austria after the removal of the family
FRANK A. BREZOVNIK
474
HISTORY OF WYOMING
to that country following the death of his father. He later pursued a course in mechanical engineering in the University of Vienna and after most thorough and comprehensive training resulting in notable efficiency he was graduated with the degree of Mechanical Engineer with the class of 1903. He then followed his- chosen line in Austria in various cities for four years, but at length, believing that broader opportunities could be secured on this side the Atlantic, he crossed the, briny deep to the new world in 1907 and immediately began a search for a favor- able location. During his travels he worked along mechanical lines in almost every state in the Union from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Canadian border to Mexico. Of all the regions in which he worked and that he visited he concluded that Wyoming offered the best advantages, for he recognized the possi- bilities in this new and rapidly developing state. He settled first at Cumberland, Wyoming, where he followed mechanical pursuits until 1911, when he removed to Kemmerer and erected a building for garage purposes. Since that time he has conducted an automobile and garage business in Kemmerer that has con- stantly grown in popularity and success. After carrying on the business at his original location for a time he sold out in 1916 and built the modern structure of brick and concrete, where he is now conducting business. He has the largest automobile house in the state and one of the largest west of Denver, so men well informed concerning the subject say. He has developed an immense business and maintains an extensive sales room, handling the Buick, Oldsmobile, National, Haynes and Oakland cars and also the G. M. C., the Federal and the Republic trucks. His sales have reached a very gratifying figure annually and since Janu- ary, 1917, he has disposed of over one hundred cars and trucks. He also has a large garage and repair shop and he employs regularly eight experienced mechanics. His own thorough training has been of immense benefit to him in this direction as it enables him to understand the mechanism of every car which he handles and to direct the efforts of those who are employed on repair work in his establishment. The building which he occupies is modern in every par- ticular. There is a vulcanizing plant and up-to-date machinery of every descrip- tion needed in connection with the automobile trade. Over the garage and sales rooms are modern apartments which he leases.
Politically Mr. Brezovnik maintains an independent course, not allying him- self with any party. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished as he has worked his way upward entirely through his individual efforts and persist- ency of purpose. Coming to America little more than a decade ago with limited capital but with broad collegiate training, he has steadily advanced and is today numbered among the prosperous residents of his section of the state.
FRED SCHOETTLIN.
Fred Schoettlin is doing big things, even in this country where everything is measured by large standards. He is one of the prominent sheep growers of Fremont county, having thousands of acres of land, on which he is pasturing great flocks. He was born in Switzerland, August 2, 1869, and is a son of John and Margaret (Neukom) Schoettlin, both of whom spent their entire lives in the land of the Alps.
The son, Fred Schoettlin, was reared under the parental roof, acquiring his education in the public and high schools, and in the fall of 1892, when a young man of twenty-three years, he left his native country and came to the United States. He did not tarry in the east but made his way across the country and took up his abode in Fremont county, Wyoming, where he began working for wages. In the years immediately following he engaged in farm work, rode the range and herded sheep. During the panic of 1893 he was forced to work at whatever offered, for financial conditions so depressed business that any posi-
477
HISTORY OF WYOMING
tion was hard to obtain. With resolute spirit, however, he passed through this depressing period and by the fall of 1898 had managed to save from his earnings a small sum of money and started in business on his own account. He pur- chased a little bunch of sheep which he put upon the open range. Today he is the owner of eight hundred acres of land and leases thirty-five thousand acres of Indian land besides three additional sections, one of state land and two sec- tions of school land. Thus more than forty thousand acres of land is under his control and upon the wide range he pastured in the winter of 1918 about four thousand head of sheep. This is today one of the important industries of the state, constituting a chief source of growing wealth and prosperity in Wyoming.
In 1907 Mr. Schoettlin was married to Miss Elzie Keller, of Switzerland, returning to his native land for his bride, thus making his second visit to Swit- zerland after becoming a resident of America. To Mr. and Mrs. Schoettlin have been born two children, Margaret and Meta.
Politically Mr. Schoettlin is a republican, having supported the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. Fraternally he is connected with Lander Lodge, No. 10, K. P., and also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and are highly esteemed in Lander, where their genuine worth has secured for them the hospitality of the best homes. Mr. Schoettlin is a member of the Lander Commercial Club and is one of the representative residents of his city, alert and enterprising in all that pertains to civic progress and municipal improvement, while at the same time he wisely and carefully directs his business affairs, which from a most modest beginning have developed into extensive proportions.
S. H. COCKINS.
S. H. Cockins is a retired rancher of Basin who has now reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey. He has been variously identified with the develop- ment, interests and business activity of the northwest for forty years and the careful management of his affairs has brought to him a substantial return that has for some time relieved him of the necessity for further labor. He is now enjoying the comforts and some of the luxuries of life amid pleasant surround- ings at his attractive home in Basin.
He was born in Ohio, February 3, 1838. and is a son of Vincent and Hannah E. (Wright) Cockins, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in Maryland. Following their marriage they removed to Ohio, settling on a farm in that state, where they began their domestic life in true pioneer style. Their first home in Ohio was a log cabin and the other buildings upon their farm were also built of logs. Upon the old homestead the parents spent their remaining days and there they reared their family of ten children, four of whom are yet living.
S. H. Cockins spent the period of his boyhood and youth on the old home- stead and received his education in the public schools of Ohio, dividing his time between the mastery of his studies and the work of the fields. He continued a resident of that state until 1877, when he started for the west, locating first in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where he remained for eleven years. In the spring of 1888 he came to the Big Horn country and engaged in the live stock business, which he continuously followed until 1900, when he retired and took up his abode in Basin, where he has since made his home. He still owns farm interests, and is also one of the directors of the Bighorn County Bank and also a heavy stock- holder in the First National Bank of Greybull and in the Kane Bank of Kane, Wyoming, of which he is the vice president.
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.