USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 48
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
Mr. Cockins is an honored veteran of the Civil war. When the country be- came involved in hostilities between the north and the south Mr. Cockins responded to the call of the Union and in 186t joined Company A of the Seventy-eighth Ohio Infantry, with which he served until September 7, 1863. He was severely Vol. II-24
478
HISTORY OF WYOMING
wounded at the battle of Raymond, Mississippi, sustaining a wound in his left arm which incapacitated him for further field service and he was mustered out at St. Louis, Missouri, returning to his home with a most creditable military record. He then resumed the live stock business in Ohio, with which he was connected until he removed to South Dakota in 1877.
He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army Post, No. 110, at Basin, Wyoming. He is also a member of Temple Lodge, No. 20, A. F. & A. M., in which he has filled all of the chairs. He is numbered among the pioneer settlers of his section of the state and is one of those men who have helped to make Bighorn county what it is today. He has been an active factor in its business progress and in its development along civic lines and his influence has always been an element for general improvement.
LOUIS SCHALK.
Louis Schalk, acceptably filling the position of postmaster of Rawlins, was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania. December 18, 1852, a son of John and Katherine Schalk, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America in early life, the father when twenty-one years of age and the mother when a little maiden of eight summers. For a number of years Mr. Schalk conducted a hotel in Pittston, Pennsylvania, but eventually sold his interests there and moved to Iowa. where he secured five hundred acres of virgin land. He then performed the arduous task of breaking the sod and cultivating his fields, which work he carried on with the assistance of his son, thus becoming actively, prominently and suc- cessfully identified with agricultural interests. His last days were spent in Newton, Iowa, where he passed away at the age of eighty-five years. His wife died in that city at the age of eighty-six. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are yet living: John B., who resides in Newton, Iowa; Louis ;; Charles F., who is living in Mexico; Louise and Mrs. C. F. Cowgill, both of whom are residents of Newton ; and Emma, also living in Newton.
Louis Schalk was the second in order of birth. In his boyhood days he attended a private school of Pittston, Pennsylvania, and following the removal of the family to the west become a student in the district schools of Iowa. Through the period of his boyhood and youth he worked upon the home farm with his father and after his textbooks were put aside concentrated his entire attention upon the cultivation of the fields. At the age of thirty years he left home and made his way to Laramie, Wyoming, where he engaged in govern- ment survey work with the firm of Downey & Grant. In the fall of 1883 he entered the book and stationery business at Laramie and there remained until March 28, 1884, when he established his home in Rawlins, where he again became engaged in the book and stationery business, continuing active in that field for eight years. He built up a trade of large and gratifying proportions and at length he sold out to enter the real estate business, also establishing a fire and life insurance department. He then continued successfully along those lines until he was appointed postmaster by President Wilson. On the 13th of Decem- ber, 1913, he assumed the duties of the position, which he has since filled, making a most creditable record in the office by the prompt and systematic manner in which he discharges his duties. This is not the first office which Mr. Schalk has filled. He was city clerk during the administration of Mayor John E. Osborne in 1886 and after occupying that position for one year he was nominated the fol- lowing spring for the office of city trustee and served in that capacity for three years, during which time he acted as president of the board of trustees. Later he was elected county commissioner and was made chairman of the board, con- tinuing in that capacity for two years, after which he was renominated for the office but failed of election. In 1892 he was appointed to fill out an unexpired term as postmaster under President Cleveland's administration. He was out of
LOUIS SCHALK
480
HISTORY OF WYOMING
office then for seven years, after which he was appointed deputy postmaster under P. L. Smith, serving for more than three years. He was then again out of office for three years and in 1913, as previously stated, was called to the position of postmaster, in which he is now serving.
At Rock Springs, Wyoming, on September 18, 1889, Mr. Schalk was married to Miss Mary Ann Johnson, a native of Portsmouth, Ontario, Canada. They have become the parents of three children, William Charles Eugene, who was born December 14, 1890, in Rawlins, attended the schools of his native city and the Mckinley Manual Training School in Washington, D. C., from which he was graduated in 1906. He is now acting as assistant postmaster. John S., the second son, was born in Rawlins in 1892, was graduated from the high school and afterward was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad Company as bag- gage man and bill clerk. While thus engaged he learned typewriting and after- ward was at Douglas, Wyoming, passing the civil service examination which secured him a position in the land office at Douglas. In February. 1918, he was appointed stenographer for the Four Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regular Engi- neers Transportation Corps, Twenty-first Company and is now at Fort Slocum, New York. Robert Louis, born in Rawlins, in 1900, attended the public schools of this city and is now a student in the preparatory school at Boulder, Colorado.
Mr. Schalk is a charter member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Rawlins. He and his family are all active members of the Episcopal church and Mrs. Schalk was president of the Ladies' Guild, which position she oc- cupied for a number of years. Mrs. Schalk served as chairman of the Carbon County Liberty Loan Committee. A most public-spirited citizen, he stands for all that has to do with the advancement of the interests of his country and of the commonwealth.
ELMER G. PETERSON, D. D. S.
Dentistry is unique among the professions, most of which require marked intellectual strength only if success is to be attained, but the dentist in addition to broad scientific knowledge must have marked mechanical skill and ingenuity if he would capably handle the many delicate instruments required in the work that devolves upon him. Added to this, of course, he must possess business manage- ment which must underlie the successful control of any undertaking. Dr. Peterson is well equipped in all of these regards and has made for himself a position in professional circles which many an older representative of the profession might well envy.
A native of Colorado, he was born in Aspen. January 21, 1893, a son of L. Eric and Alma Peterson, who were natives of Sweden. In early life they became residents of Colorado and were married in Denver. The father devoted his life to contracting and mining, thus providing for his family.
Dr. Peterson, the eldest child, attended the public schools of Aspen until he had completed the work of the high school course, after which he became a student in the Colorado College of Dental Surgery, a department of the University of Denver, and was graduated therefrom on the completion of the regular course with the class of 1915. Immediately afterward he came to Rawlins and opened an office, where he has since built up a large and gratifying practice, ranking with the leading dentists of the city. He belongs to the Wyoming Dental Society and has been made chairman of its membership committee. He keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession. reading broadly and thinking deeply, while practical experience is constantly adding to his knowledge and proficiency. He has one of the finest dental stites in the state, supplied with the latest instru- ments and appliances for dental work and surgery, and his practice is the expres- sion of the last word in dental science.
Dr. Peterson belongs to Delta Sigma Delta, a college fraternity. Politically he
481
HISTORY OF WYOMING
maintains an independent course, voting according to the capability of the candi- date rather than by reason of his party ties. He is a young man, well known and popular socially as well as professionally, and the circle of his friends is con- stantly growing as the circle of his acquaintance widens.
NORVAL W. REYNOLDS.
Norval W. Reynolds is actively connected with a profession which has impor- tant bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of every community, being a representative of the bar at Kemmerer. He was born in Factoryville, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1849. His father, Joseph W. Reynolds, also a native of the Keystone state, came of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the family having been founded in America by four brothers who came to the new world from England prior to the Revolutionary war, and among the ancestors of Norval W. Reynolds were those who participated in the struggle for independence. His father was a millwright and later in life turned his attention to carpentering and to farming. He enlisted for service in the Civil war and went to the front, his death resulting from wounds which he had received in a battle near Petersburg. He had joined the army as a member of Company H of the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, and although a musician, he went into the ranks and was wounded, his death resulting on the 10th of March, 1866. His political endorsement was given to the republican party and he was a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In early manhood he had wedded Phebe Stark, who was also a native of Pennsylvania and a descendant of General John Stark of Revolutionary war fame. Her death occurred in 1898, when she had reached the advanced age of eighty-one years. In the family were eight children, all of whom are yet living.
Norval W. Reynolds was the fifth in order of birth and while spending his youthful days in his mother's home he pursued his education in the public and high schools at Nicholson, Wyoming county, Pennsylvania. He started out to provide for his support when a lad of eighteen years. His early experiences were those of the farmbred boy and after leaving home he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for five years in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He then entered the lumber business, which he followed for five years. While engaged in teaching he had devoted the hours that are usually termed leisure to the study of Blackstone and other commentaries on law and later in life he systematically took up the study of law in the office of Stanley Harding in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania. After his admission to the bar he practiced law for a short period in the east and then came to Wyoming, settling in Lincoln county on the 12th of May, 1907. Here he turned his attention to ranching and the raising of live stock near Cokeville, where he secured a desert claim and also homesteaded. He is now extensively engaged in farming and in raising live stock as well as practicing law and is regarded as one of the foremost business men of this section of the state.
On the 20th of May, 1871, in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Rey- nolds wedded Miss Emma Squier, a native of the Keystone state and a daughter of Arah Squier. They have two living children : Effie P., the wife of George F. Alleman, who is a ranchman residing near Cokeville; and Marshall Stark, who is an attorney at law, having graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with the LL. B. degree in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Alleman have six children : Emma D. and George Reynolds, who were born in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania ; Winton H., who was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming; and Norval W., Susan and Arthur Marshall, all born in Cokeville. The son, Marshall S. Reynolds, following his graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, began practicing law at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he remained for a year, after which
NORVAL W. REYNOLDS
MARSHALL S. REYNOLDS
484
HISTORY OF WYOMING
he returned to Wyoming and opened an office in Cokeville. For two years he served as county attorney. He later located for practice in Kemmerer on the Ist of January, 1914, and was in active practice until August 25, 1917, when he joined the Third Company of the Coast Artillery in the Officers Reserve Corps and is now stationed at Fort Scott, having been promoted to judge advocate, attached to the First Company of Coast Artillery. His father has taken over his practice and is handling important interests at the bar, being connected with much litigation that figures prominently on the court records.
In his political views Mr. N. W. Reynolds is a republican, having always sup- ported the party since reaching adult age. He was made a Mason in Kemmerer and is a loyal follower of the craft. He belongs to the Methodist church and is serving on its board of directors. His military record covers service in the Spanish-American war, at which time he organized Company M of the Ninth Regiment of the Pennsylvania militia, which later became Company K of the Thirteenth regulars. This regiment was organized at Scranton, Pennsylvania, but never entered active service. Mr. Reynolds, however, was made captain of the company, which stood ready to go to the defense of the colors at any time called, but the early close of the war led to the regiment being mustered out with- out having seen service at the front. Mr. Reynolds was for six years clerk of the courts of Wyoming county. Pennsylvania, occupying that position from Janu- ary 1, 1893, until January 1, 1899. He also served as constable for six years and was chief of police for a period of three years. His activity in politics has been a potent force in the attainment of republican successes in the communities in which he has lived. He is an active supporter of all progressive civic measures and at all times he keeps thoroughly informed concerning the vital and significant problems of the age, political or otherwise. He is a thoroughly proficient lawyer, careful and systematic in the preparation of his cases, strong in argument and clear in his reasoning, and at the same time he has that keen business discernment which has promoted his success in connection with live stock raising and ranch- ing. In a word he is one of the representative men of his section of the state.
A. G. REX.
A. G. Rex, who is actively and successfully engaged in the stationery business in Evanston, was born in Sherbourne, England, May 11, 1848, a son of William and Mary ( Mead) Rex. who in 1850 bade adieu to friends and native land and came to America, taking up their abode in St. Louis, Missouri. The father died the following year at the age of thirty-five. He had devoted his attention to the bakery business, in which he continued until the time of his demise. At a later period his widow removed to Wyoming and died at Randolph, Rich county, Utah. when eighty-four years of age. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, two of whom are still living, William Rex being a resident of Randolph, Utah.
The younger, A. G. Rex, spent his boyhood in St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended the public schools, pursuing his studies in the Elliot school at Eighth street near Cass avenue. He afterward learned the machinist's trade in St. Louis, serving a regular apprenticeship and gaining an expert knowledge of the business. He came to the west in 1869, making his way first to Salt Lake City, while later he settled upon a ranch near Randolph, Utah, where he remained for a year. He then abandoned that property and removed to Evanston, where he continued to work at his trade for the Union Pacific Railway Company from March, 1872, until July, 1894. or for a period of twenty-two years. He then retired from the employ of the Union Pacific and established his present business as a stationer and dealer in newspapers, magazines and notions. He has one of the leading stores in his line in this section of the state and his trade has reached substantial and gratifying proportions.
485
HISTORY OF WYOMING
In August, 1872, Mr. Rex was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Smith, of Randolph, who passed away in March, 1893. She was a daughter of Hugh and Agnes Smith. 'There was one child, Nellie, now the wife of John R. Nielson, and who was born in Evanston in 1880. For his second wife Mr. Rex chose Miss Emma Josephine Carpenter, who was born in Brooklyn, New York. She was a daughter of Elliott Carpenter, now deceased, and is a representative of one of the oldest New England families, the original American ancestor having come to the new world during the Mayflower period. The family was represented by those who rendered active service in defense of the cause of independence during the Revolutionary war and Mrs. Rex is eligible to be a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and also the Colonial Dames. She is a great-great grandniece of Benjamin Franklin and on the pages of the family history appear many other illustrious names.
Mr. Rex is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been grand master of the state of Wyoming. His political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise and in 1882 he was called upon to represent his district in the state legislature. Again, in 1890, he was chosen to that position, so that for more than two ternis he has been actively connected with the work of framing the laws of the state. His has been a busy and useful life, not only in connection with business interests but in a public way as well, and his worth is widely acknowledged by all who know him.
CHARLES L. CLARK.
The spirit of enterprise which has been the dominant factor in the rapid and substantial upbuilding of the west is manifest in the business career of Charles L. Clark, a leading jeweler of Laramie, whose life record is an indication of what may be accomplished by individual purpose intelligently directed.
He was born in Walker, Kansas, September 27, 1882, a son of Sayer D. and Lydia ( Brady) Clark, the former a native of Iowa and the latter of Ohio. On removing westward they made the journey across the country with ox teams and settled in Fort Walker, then a frontier outpost. The father engaged in the black- smith's trade at Fort Walker, there residing until 1888, when he went to Colorado, establishing his home in Boulder, where he and his wife still reside.
Charles L. Clark, their only child, attended the schools of Boulder and also was a student in the parochial school of that place. He pursued a business course and thus became well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He afterward began learning the jeweler's trade, with which he became familiar in principle and detail, remaining in the employ of one jewelry firm for seven years. He afterward went upon the road as a traveling salesman, selling jewelry for four years, and on the expiration of that period he came to Laramie, where he entered the employ of E. D. Carter, with whom he remained for four and a half years. He was ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and while thus employed he carefully saved his earnings until his economy and industry had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a stock and open a jewelry store. During the intervening period he has become one of the leading jewelers not only of Laramie but of southern Wyoming. His success is the result of close application, persistent energy, progressive methods and honorable dealing, and his trade is now most gratifying.
On the 4th of October, 1909, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth W. Wilson, of Denver, a daughter of William and Helen L. Wilson. of that city. They now have one child, Helen Elizabeth, who was born in Laramie, November 1, 1912. The parents are members of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Clark belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, having formerly served as exalted ruler of his lodge. In politics he maintains an inde-
486
HISTORY OF WYOMING
pendent course, casting his ballot according to his judgment without regard to party ties. His life record is that of a self-made man who has worked his way from small beginnings without assistance from anyone, and as the architect of his fortunes he has builded wisely and well.
ALBERT OLSON.
Albert Olson, who is engaged in the hardware and undertaking business at Lovell, was born at Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the 7th of August, 1874, a son of Olaf and Carrie Olson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. . They came to America in childhood and settled in Minnesota. Subsequently they removed to L'tali, where the father is still living.
Albert Olson was reared and educated in Utah and in 1900 came to Lovell, being among the first settlers of the county. He was a contractor and builder and followed that occupation for some time. Later he engaged in the lumber, furniture and hardware business but subsequently disposed of his stock of furni- ture and his lumberyard but still engages in the hardware and undertaking busi- ness. He is also one of the directors of the electric light and gas company. He is likewise interested in live stock and in farming and has an excellent ranch of two hundred and forty acres near Lovell. He is a man of marked business enterprise and keen sagacity who carries forward to successful completion what- ever he undertakes. His forcefulness and resourcefulness have been elements in his growing success. He has utilized the opportunities here offered and in their improvement has made steady progress until he is now one of the foremost business men of Bighorn county.
In 1900 Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Rena Aagard, a native of Utah, and to them have been born ten children, namely, Randall, Edith, Lucille, Aagard, Geraldine, Bertha, Robert, Margie, Ethel and Victor. The last three are deceased.
The parents are members of the Mormon church. In his political views Mr. Olson is a republican and is recognized as one of the leaders in local party ranks. He is now serving as a member of the city council exercising his official prerog- atives in support of many plans and measures for the general good. He is president of the Commercial Club, a position which he has occupied for six years. This fact alone indicates his progressive spirit, for he has done effective work as the leading officer in the club in the effort to extend the trade relations of the city, to uphold its commercial activity and to advance its civic standards. He is alert and energetic and through the careful conduct of his business affairs he has worked his way steadily upward until he is now one of the leading and prosperous residents of Lovell.
JOHN R. WHISTON.
John R. Whiston, who through indefatigable effort and laudable ambition in- telligently directed has won a place among the leading business men of Kemmerer and is widely known throughout the state as one of the popular young men of Wyoming, was born May 9, 1889, at Aurora, Wyoming, his parents being Daniel and Bridget Whiston, who came to Wyoming in 1884.
The father was born in Ireland, while the mother was a native of Pennsylvania. When a lad of eleven years Daniel Whiston crossed the Atlantic to the new world and took up his abode in Missouri, but after a brief period removed from that state to Papillion, Nebraska. It was at about the same period that his future wife went to Nebraska with her parents and there the voung people met and were married. Mrs. Whiston's parents were among the early settlers of Nebraska.
ALBERT OLSON
488
HISTORY OF WYOMING
Daniel Whiston was a well known railroad contractor and worked at railroad building for the Union Pacific. It was in that connection that he finally removed to Laramie, Wyoming, where he remained until called to his final rest, his death occurring in 1892, when he had reached the age of thirty-seven years. His widow survived him for a considerable period and passed away in Hanna, Wyoming, in 1913 at the age of fifty-one years. They had a family of five children, of whom Mr. Whiston of this review was the third in order of birth. The others are: Mary, who resides at Cokeville, Wyoming; Frances, also a resident of Cokeville ; Mrs. Murray Ryburn, living at Hanna, Wyoming ; and Maud, whose home is in Kemmerer.
Through the period of his boyhood and youth John R. Whiston largely devoted his time and attention to the acquirement of a public school education at Hanna and at Laramie, Wyoming, and later he entered the State University at Laramie, in which he devoted two years to study. He then entered the employ of the Union Pacific Coal Company at Hanna and occupied a clerical position there until 1906, when he returned to Laramie, where he established a confectionery business which he conducted until 1910. He then again took up his abode at Hanna and once more entered the employ of the Union Pacific Coal Company in a clerical capacity. He was thus engaged until 1915, when he removed to Kemmerer and here established a confectionery and stationery business, fitting out his store with elegant fixtures and most attractive equipment. He has since successfully con- ducted the business and now has a well established trade in confectionery, sta- tionery, books, tobaccos, cigars and fancy pipes. The business is constantly growing and his patronage has reached profitable proportions. He is a very progressive business man and in his vocabulary there is no such word as fail. Obstacles and difficulties in his path seem to serve as an impetus for renewed effort on his part and when one avenue of opportunity seems closed he seeks out another path that will lead him to the desired goal.
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.