USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 49
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On the 17th of September, 1914, in Hanna, Mr. Whiston was united in mar- riage to Miss Rachel Peterson, and they have one child, Ruth, who was born in Kemmerer, June 15, 1917.
In his religious faith Mr. Whiston is a Catholic and his family are com- municants of the same church. In politics he maintains an independent course and fraternally he is connected with the Elks lodge at Laramie. His career has been marked by the steady progress which results from close application and persistency of purpose. Step by step he has worked his way upward until he is now one of the leading business men of Kemmerer. Not all days in his career have been equally bright, but he has managed to turn threatened failures into victories and he has won prosperity through an earnest desire to please his patrons. through indefatigable energy and straightforward dealing.
AUSTIN CLARK SLOAN.
Austin Clark Sloan, United States commissioner and attorney practicing at Evanston, was born at Salt Lake City, Utah, September 6, 1866, a son of William K. and Maria (Townsend) Sloan. The father was a native of Creetown, Kircud- brightshire, Scotland, while the mother was born in Maine. His birth occurred January 1, 1833, his parents being James, and Elizabeth (McKean) Sloan. The father probably died in the fall of 1835 and William K. Sloan, with his mother, emigrated to America in the spring of the following year, the mother settling at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while William K. Sloan went to live on the farm of his uncle, David Murray, west of Pittsburgh. In February, 1838, the uncle with his family and accompanied by William K. Sloan and his mother, started down the Ohio river for Illinois on one of the first, if not the first, steamboats that navigated the Ohio river. At that time it was customary on dark nights for steamboats to tie up at some landing for the night. Three days after the
WILLIAM K. SLOAN
AUSTIN C. SLOAN
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start was made the weather became very cold, and while the boat was tied up for the night it became enclosed with ice and they were forced to remain for two weeks, waiting for a thaw. In April they arrived at Meredosia, Illinois, and by ox teams traveled to their destination-a tract of land about thirty miles from the Illinois river and ten miles south of Jacksonville. A more desolate place could scarcely be imagined. No fences had been built and the only improve- ment was a small log cabin partially covered with shakes or hand-made shingles. The night following their arrival there was a severe snowstorm. The family went through the usual hardships of pioneer farming and William K. Sloan remained upon that place until August, 1844, rising at five o'clock in the morning and never ceasing his labors until eight o'clock at night. He wore home-made and homespun clothing and he had practically no school opportunities, while the library in his uncle's home consisted only of the family Bible, Fox Book of Martyrs, Watts' hymns and a few other books such as were permitted to be read by the members of the strictly orthodox Presbyterian church. In the spring of 1844 he was taken to Jacksonville, Illinois, where his mother was then keeping house, and there he began to go to school in a little building sixteen by eighteen feet. Up to this time he had spoken as do the Scotch people, and when he entered the American school he became the butt of every boy at school and rapidly, therefore, learned to speak as did the American boys. After a few months spent in school at different periods he secured a clerkship in a store at a salary of fifty dollars per year, to board and clothe himself. The second year , he was paid seventy-five dollars and his duties were such as usually fell to the lot of the assistant in a country store, and he was now permitted to wait on customers. The third year his salary was one hundred and fifty dollars per annum and out of this sum he had to board and clothe himself. In August, 1849, he left Jacksonville and went to St. Louis, being anxious to know something of the world. He thought that he would have no difficulty in obtaining employ- ment, but day after day he tramped the streets in search of work, notwithstand- ing the fact that he bore several recommendations from his old employers. At length, however, he secured a position, but it was far from satisfactory and as soon as opportunity offered he made a change, securing employment in the whole- sale dry goods house of Little & Olcott, January 1, 1850. He there remained for three years and each fall or winter he made a trip into the country districts to sell to country merchants, and when such merchants visited the city they were besieged by salesmen endeavoring to get their trade. In May, 1853, when making his usual evening rounds to look over hotel registers in search of patrons, he noticed the name of L. Stewart of Salt Lake, Utah. Engaging him in conver- sation, he had the pleasure of selling him a large bill of goods the next day for cash. His talk with a western merchant awakened in him so strong a desire to go to California that he decided to give up his position and accompany Mr. Stewart as far as Salt Lake City and thence proceed to California. He left St. Louis on the 22d of June, 1853, traveled by boat to Council Bluffs and thence across the country with ox teams, with the usual experiences of the emigrant party of that early day. While en route they were attacked by the Indians when within sight of Fort Kearney, where four companies of United States troops were stationed. The flag on the fort they could see distinctly about eight miles distant, and though they repeatedly tried to get messages through to the fort, each one was intercepted by the Indians, whose band numbered about twenty-five hundred. It was with great relief that the party of western travelers saw these Indians denart. They saw their first buffaloes about sixty miles west of Fort Kearney, and as they proceeded they saw at one time over the vast plains herds that must have numbered a hundred thousand. As they proceeded and grass became scarcer. it increased the difficulties of the trip, as there was little to feed the oxen and cattle. The food supply for the company also became almost exhausted and word was sent on ahead by a post messenger for a wagon to come and meet the party with supplies. It was no difficulty for Mr. Stewart to dispose of his goods when he reached Utah, and Mr. Sloan remained as his active assistant.
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Hardly had goods been placed upon the counters, which consisted of two car- penter work benches, before they were taken up by the people of the neigh- borhood, who paid cash at the rate of from a hundred to one thousand per cent profit. Mr. Sloan had not believed that he would be retained in the services of Mr. Stewart, but the latter one day asked him how he would like to return to St. Louis in the early spring and purchase next year's stock, believing that he was well qualified to make the purchase and manage the business of getting the goods to Salt Lake. At length he accepted the proposition, which was a liberal one, his salary to be two thousand dollars per year, with all traveling expenses, or a third interest in the business. Mr. Sloan chose the former proposition, with the privilege of taking the latter if he felt so disposed on his return to Salt Lake. He then began preparations for the journey. On going to Salt Lake, Mr. Sloan and Mr. Stewart learned that a party had already been formed to go to the states by way of the southern route to Los Angeles and San Francisco and thence by steamer to New York. They expected to start November 10th, and still another party was being formed to go overland to Independence, Missouri, in February, 1854. Mr. Sloan, however, preferred to take the former route and, his employer consenting, arrangements were made for the journey. He had to carry with him the money for the purchases in gold coin amounting to forty thousand dollars or over two hundred pounds. Mr. Sloan, however, felt that this could not be done in safety and so thought out the plan by which Mr. Stewart was to place the money in the safe of the firm of Livingston & Kinkead in Salt Lake City, a firm that was well known in St. Louis. The journey was carried through as contemplated and on the 9th of February, 1854. Mr. Sloan arrived in New York. After remaining there for two days he started for St. Louis, where goods were purchased and arrangements made for their transportation. The return journey was at length accomplished in safety and Mr. Sloan was active in disposing of the goods in Salt Lake City. The firm with which he was connected also engaged in trading for cattle and wheat, finding a good market for cattle in California, while there was no difficulty in selling grain to the emigrants and the Mormons. At length he went to Provo to dispose of goods at that place and found business there quite remunerative. After taking up his abode at Provo, it was his custom to make semi-monthly trips to Salt Lake and on one of those trips he first met Miss Maria Townsend, who afterward became his wife. On returning from his first trip to buy goods in St. Louis he had accepted Mr. Stewart's first offer of two thousand dollars as a salary but felt that he made a mistake in this, as the firm had sold their goods at a large profit. In 1855. therefore, he entered into partnership with Mr. Stewart and Louis P. Drexler, and arranged to again go east to make the purchase of shipments. This time they made the trip to California and thence proceeded by way of the Panama route, crossing the Isthmus to Aspinwall on the railroad and embarking for New Orleans by way of Havana on the steamer Philadelphia. Arriving at New Orleans, Mr. Sloan thence proceeded up the Mississippi river to St. Louis. He learned that Indians were causing much trouble on the plains and he could get no freighters to take his goods. He therefore found it necessary to remain in St. Louis for a year and in order to pass the time and pay expenses accepted a clerkship in the house of his old employers, Little & Olcott. During the winter of 1855-56 he made arrangements to buy cattle and wagons and freight the goods himself for the firm, instead of contracting with freighters as he had done the previous year. In 1857 Brigham Young forced the Gentiles to leave and Mr. Sloan and his partner, Mr. Drexler, were obliged to sell out to Mr. Stewart. There was no phase of pioneer life in the west, in travel across the plains, in the settlement of Utah or in other phases of frontier experience with which Mr. Sloan was not familiar. Both he and his wife returned to Salt Lake City and their last days were there passed, his death occurring on Tune 8, 1803. They had a family of five children : Mrs. C. M. Bissell. who is living in Albany. New York : Mrs. E. M. Cameron. also a resident of Alhany : Austin Clark, of this review : Mrs. F. P. Walker, residing in Boston, Massachusetts; and William F., deceased.
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In his youthful days Austin C. Sloan pursued his education in the schools of Salt Lake City, after which he attended the Collegiate Institute and in due course of time was graduated therefrom. He then came to Wyoming, settling at Hilliard, and worked with his father in the town, which his father had estab- lished. Later he removed to Evanston and entered upon an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade. At a subsequent period he turned his attention to the raising of sheep, in which he continued active for three years. On the expira- tion of that period he sold out and edited the Wyoming Press for a year. at the end of which time Senator Clark secured for him a position in Washington, D. C., and he went to the east. While thus engaged he studied law and was admitted to the bar on the 15th of December, 1903. Returning to Wyoming, he entered upon the practice of law in Evanston and in the intervening period of fifteen years has built up a large practice. His clientage is not only extensive but of an important character and he has figured in connection with many promi- nent cases tried in the courts of his district.
On the 12th of September, 1891, Mr. Sloan was united in marriage to Miss Mary Mckenzie, of Evanston, a daughter of James and Charlotte Mckenzie, who were natives of Michigan. Mr. Sloan is a Mason and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is serving as United States commissioner for the second term and was county assessor for two terms. His has been an interesting career, connecting him with the west throughout the period of its pioneer development and later-day progress. His father, one of the early mer- chants of Utah, who became by necessity an excellent Indian fighter and scout, was among those who laid the foundation of present prosperity and progress in the west. Austin C. Sloan has carried on the work begun by his father and his aid and influence are always on the side of progress and improvement. He is today upholding the legal status of the community as a prominent member of the bar of Evanston and in office is also proving his loyalty to the best interests of state and nation.
REV. JOHN H. MULLIN.
Rev. John H. Mullin, pastor of St. Anthony's Catholic church of Casper, was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of October, 1888, a son of John H. and Margaret (Cosgrove) Mullin, who are also natives of Pittston. The father has engaged in the grocery business during the greater part of his life and he and his wife are still living in Pittston, Pennsylvania.
Rev. John H. Mullin was the third in order of birth in a family of ten children, eight of whom are living. He acquired his preliminary education in his native city and afterward continued his studies in Notre Dame University at South Bend. Indiana, which he entered in 1907. completing his course there by graduation with the class of 1911. He afterward went to Rome, Italy, where he pursued his seminary course, devoting four years to further study, after which he was ordained to the priesthood by the Patriarch of Constantinople on the 27th of February, 1915.
Returning to America, Father Mullin was assigned to the parish of Newcastle, Wyoming, which included the territory from Edgemont, South Dakota, to Sheri- dan, Wyoming. In December, 1915, he was transferred to Casper to take charge of his present parish. He soon realized that the young men of Casper of all de- nominations would be benefited if they had a club or meeting place where liquor, gambling and no forms of vice were prevalent, so he succeeded in building a modern clubroom, equipped with gymnasium, on Sussex street, back of the present church, and there established a non-sectarian club, donating the building to the boys and vonng men of Casper. He is also untiring in the work of his church and has already succeeded in having laid the foundation for a beautiful new church at Center and Sussex streets. The work of erecting the superstructure has been
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delayed on account of the scarcity of steel, but building operations will soon be resumed and in addition to the house of worship there will be erected a modern home for the pastor.
Father Mullin is a member of the local lodge of the Knights of Columbus. He is a broad-minded and big-hearted man, democratic in spirit in all of his dealings and in his manner of life. During the few years in which he has been located at Casper he has endeared himself to the people of the community in an unusual man- ner and is esteemed and respected by all.
JOSEPH T. BOOTH.
Joseph T. Booth is the proprietor and publisher of the Wyoming Press of Evanston, a paper which would be a credit to a city of much larger size than that in which he is conducting business.' He has made his paper a feature in the continuous growth of the city, as it has ever been an advocate of that spirit of enterprise which has led to the rapid and substantial upbuilding of Evanston and of Uinta county.
Mr. Booth is a western man by birth, by training and by preference and in his life exemplifies the spirit of progress which has ever dominated this section of the country. He was born at Coalville, Utah, May 18, 1880, a son of John Booth, a native of England, who came to America in 1847 and established his home on the Pacific coast, first locating at Stockton, California. He crossed the plains about 1855, making the overland trip, and he was among the well known Indian fighters of that period. He was born April 1, 1830, in Lancashire, England, and he had passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey when he died. In his early manhood he followed gold mining in Utah and also devoted his attention in con- siderable measure to coal mining. He developed various properties at Coalville and was known as a prominent and successful operator. He married Ann Lyth- goe, a native of Virginia and a representative of one of the old families of Virginia of English lineage, founded in America during the early part of the eighteenth century. Mrs. Booth passed away at Coalville, Utah, in 1902, when seventy years of age, her birth having occurred in 1832.
Joseph T. Booth was the youngest of seven children. He pursued his edu- cation in the public schools of Coalville and in the academy there. During that time, he had gained a fair knowledge of the printer's trade, having worked at odd times in local print shops. At the age of twenty he came to Evanston, where he arrived on the 12th of March, 1900. Here he entered the office of the old News Register, then conducted by J. U. Allard, by whom he was employed as a printer for two years. Mr. Booth then purchased the plant and changed the political policy of the paper, which had formerly been democratic. After publishing the paper under the old name for three years he sold the plant to George Ewer, who consolidated the paper with the Wyoming Press. Mr. Booth established the Wyoming Press and after disposing of the paper he removed to Salt Lake and was there connected with the Herald and Tribune for several years. In 1909, how- ever, he returned to Evanston and again purchased the printing office with which he is now connected. He has since been continuously identified with the Wyoming Press and has been very successful in its publication. The paper now has a circulation of nine hundred, which is largely local. He has made it an attractive sheet, thoroughly modern in the equipment of the plant and in the methods of publication. The plant is supplied with excellent machinery for the publication of the paper and for the conduct of a job printing business and Mr. Booth holds to the highest standards in his work.
At Evanston on the 4th of September, 1906, Mr. Booth was united in marriage to Miss Edna L. Peterson, a native of Evanston and a daughter of Peter and Mary (Rasmussen) Peterson, both of whom were natives of Denmark and Vol. II-25
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became early settlers of Evanston. Mr. Peterson was for some years att engineer on the Union Pacific Railroad. Both Mr. and Mrs. Booth are members of the Presbyterian church and he is also affiliated with the Evanston lodge of Masons. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he has always taken an active interest in everything relating to the public welfare and to civic improve- ment. He has made his party the champion of well defined plans and measures for the general good and has taken the initial step in advancing many interests which have been of great benefit to the locality. He has no other interests outside of his paper, devoting his entire time to the publication of the Press, and has been a close student of modern journalism, embodying the most progressive ideas in the publication of his paper. His editorials indicate wide reading and research along the lines discussed and the Press has become both the molder and the mirror of public opinion in Uinta county.
HON. JACOB BERNER.
If one could turn back time's hourglass until the last third of a century would be blotted out, he would find Hon. Jacob Berner, now a prominent lumber dealer of Laramie and a member of the state legislature, a pony express rider for the United States government or a cowboy on a Wyoming ranch. Such has been the distance which he has traveled in his business and political career, bringing · him to a point of leadership in commercial and political circles.
He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 23, 1865, a son of Conrad and Mary (Hahn) Berner, who were also born in Wurtemberg, whence they came to the new world in 1880, making their way across the country until they took up their abode in Laramie, Wyoming, where the father lived retired. While a resident of his native land he was prominently known as a railroad contractor for the German government. He died in Laramie in 1892, at the age of seventy- six years, and his wife passed away in the same year, when sixty-eight years of age. They were the parents of six children, two of whom have departed this life, while those still living are :. Conrad, who now makes his home in Port- land, Oregon ; Mrs. Margaret Koch, of Laramie; Mrs. Fredericka Gerber, living in Bellingham, Washington ; and Jacob.
The last named was the youngest of the family. In early life he attended school in Germany, but when a youth of fifteen years accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. Later he was a student in a business col- lege in Denver, Colorado, from 1889 until 1890, but prior to this time he was employed in 1884 by Major Frank Wolcot, a well known cattle raiser living on Deer creek, Wyoming. He worked as a cowboy and later carried the mail for the United States government as a rider of the pony express. In early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Laramie until 1902, when he embarked in the lumber business in partnership with Clark Pelton under the firm style of Pelton & Berner. After two years he purchased his partner's interest in the business and has since conducted his interests independently, the name of Jacob Berner being today prominently associated with the lumber trade in Lara- mie, where he has built up a business of large and gratifying proportions.
On the 28th of March, 1893, Mr. Berner was united in marriage to Miss Martha Nagel, of Denver, Colorado, a daughter of Peter and Minnie Nagel, who became pioneer residents of Laramie. To Mr. and Mrs. Berner have been born eight children, but only two of the number are living: Ethel, who was born in Laramie in 1897 and is now a student in the high school; and Frederick, who was born in March, 1907.
In politics Mr. Berner is a democrat and has been called upon to fill various political positions of honor and trust. He has served as deputy sheriff of Albany county, being called to that position in 1897. He filled the office for two years. He was appointed county commissioner in 1899 for a two years' term and in
JACOB BERNER
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IgIO was elected to the state senate and again in 1914, serving for two terms of four years each. He thus became actively identified with the work of framing the laws of the state and left his impress indelibly upon the records of the general assembly during that period of eight years. He is prominent in fraternal circles, being a past grand master of Wyoming and also past grand patriarch of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1904 he represented the Wyoming Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., at the Sovereign Grand Lodge in Philadelphia, and in 1905 he acted in a similar capacity at Toronto, Canada. He is also a Master Mason and has belonged to the Laramie Maennerchor, a singing organization, for a number of years, or from its formation, being now the only living original member. He be- longs to the German Evangelical church, in which he has been presiding deacon for eight years. He is interested in all those things which have to do with the welfare and progress of his adopted state. His ability is pronounced and the recognition of his power has brought him to a position of political and com- mercial leadership. Those who know him, and he has a very wide acquaintance, speak of him in terms of high regard and Laramie honors him as one of its representative citizens.
FRED ANDERSON.
Fred Anderson is a well known merchant of Rawlins, where he is engaged in dealing in men's clothing and haberdashery. He was born in Boden, Sweden, July 11, 1867, a son of Anders Gustave Blomquist, who was also a native of Sweden, where he successfully followed farming until 1881, when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, establishing his home in Howard county, Nebraska. There he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land and devoted his atten- tion and energy to its cultivation and development until his death, which occurred when he was more than eighty-one years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Readstrom, was also born in Boden, Sweden, and there passed away in 1876, when forty-six years of age. By their marriage six children were born, all of whom are yet living and are residents of the new world.
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