USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 5
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Dr. Barber mastered the branches of learning taught in the public and high schools of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated with the class of 1895. Following his graduation he became associated with his father in the coal trade but at length determined to turn his attention from commercial to profes- sional interests and in 1900 matriculated in the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, where he completed the full course of study and was graduated with the MI. D. degree in 1904. He then served for one year as an interne in the Samaritan Hospital at Philadelphia and thus put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test, gaining that broad and valuable experience which only hospital practice brings. At the end of that time he came west to, Wyoming, making his way to Cheyenne to visit his uncle, Dr. Amos W. Barber. now deceased. who was at that time one of the old-time residents of Cheyenne and a prominent physician of the city. This and the opportunities which the west offered caused Dr. Barber to locate in Wyoming and on the 25th of September, 1905. he arrived in Rawlins, where he entered upon active practice, in which he has since continuously and successfully engaged. He has not concentrated his efforts along a single branch of the profession but has continued in the general practice of medicine and surgery and his business has reached extensive proportions, while the results that have followed his efforts have been most satisfactory to his patients. Broad reading and investigation keep him in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress and the most scientific methods
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are utilized in his care of the sick. He served as county health officer under the administration of Governor Brooks, being appointed in 1907 and continuing in the position until Governor Carey went into office. He was physician to the penitentiary from 1907 until 1911 and during Governor Kendrick's administra- tion also served. He is now the county physician and is also the district surgeon for the Union Pacific Railroad Company and surgeon for the Utah Construc- tion Company. In addition he is accorded a large private practice and ranks with the leading physicians of western Wyoming.
In New York city, on the 20th of January, 1912, Dr. Barber was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Gardner, a native of Michigan. Her father died during her childhood and her mother, Mrs. Florence J. Gardner, who was one of the early residents of Rawlins, now makes her home in New York city. Dr. and Mrs. Barber have a very beautiful residence in Rawlins and occupy a promi- nent position in social circles.
In politics the doctor is a republican, while fraternally he is a prominent Mason, belonging to lodge, chapter, consistory and Mystic Shrine, being a past potentate of Korein Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Phi Alpha Sigma, a medical fraternity of Philadelphia. His interests are broad and varied and upon all questions of vital importance he keeps abreast with the thinking men of the age. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him as a man of high purpose, while in all matters of citizenship he is recognized as a man of public spirit and in his profession, actuated by advanced ideals, he is making his work of great worth to his fellowmen.
CHARLES M. FREEMAN, M. D.
Dr. Charles M. Freeman, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Rock Springs, has made for himself a creditable position among the physicians and surgeons of Wyoming who have intimate knowledge of the scientific prin- ciples which underlie their work and who are most careful to conform their practice to the highest professional ethics and standards.
He was born in Brant county, Ontario, Canada, in the village of Scotland, January 5. 1859. His father, William Freeman, also a native of Ontario, repre- sented one of the old Canadian families of English lineage founded in America by Isaac Freeman, who on leaving England took up his abode in Canada. William Freeman was a successful farmer of that country and died in Brantford in 1889, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Mary Smith, was born in Ontario, Canada, and was also of English lineage, early representatives of her family residing near Hamilton, Ontario. Mrs. Free- man passed away March 17. 1917, at the notable old age of ninety-six years.
Dr. Charles M. Freeman, who was the fifth in a family of six children, pur- stied his education in the public schools of his native town of Scotland and in the collegiate institute at Brantford, thus acquiring a liberal literary education to serve as the basis of his professional knowledge. He prepared for the prac- tice of medicine as a student in Trinity University at Toronto, Canada, where he was graduated with the class of 1882. He then crossed the border into the United States, establishing an office in Muskegon, Michigan, where he entered upon his chosen life work. There he remained for six years and on the expira- tion of that period removed to Rochester, New York, where he spent eleven years. He then determined to locate in the west and made his way direct to Rock Springs, Wyoming, where since the Ist of January, 1899, or for a period of more than eighteen years, he has been engaged in active and successful general practice. He has done excellent work in this connection, keeping in touch with modern scientific researches and discoveries, and while he does not hastily abandon old and time-tried methods, he is ever willing to take up new ideas
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which his judgment sanctions as of value in professional service. He belongs to the Wyoming State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and he enjoys the goodwill and confidence of his professional colleagues and contemporaries.
On the 5th of September, 1885, Dr. Freeman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cobban, a native of Ontario and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Cobban, both of whom were of Scotch descent and have now passed away. Dr. and Mrs. Freeman have become the parents of two children who are living: Marie M., the wife of L. C. Ferguson, a civil engineer residing in Provo, Utah; and Gladwyn C., who is living in Rock Springs.
Politically Dr. Freeman has given his support to the democratic party and is an interested worker in its ranks because of his firm belief in its principles and policy. He is now serving as a member of the city council of Rock Springs and is also deputy county health officer of Sweetwater county. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks, the Eagles, the Moose, the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a loyal follower of these organiza- tions, which are based upon a recognition of man's obligations to his fellowmen. He has developed his native powers through the exercise of effort and his life record is an indication of the fact that activity does not tire but gives resisting power. He concentrates his attention in large measure upon his professional interests and discharges his duties with a sense of conscientious obligation that has been productive of excellent results. He is now the family physician in many of the best households of Rock Springs and his labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success.
HON. OTTO GRAMM.
Closely interwoven with the commercial and industrial development of Lara- mie and with the political history of the state is the name of Hon. Otto Gramm, who has been a prominent factor in the mercantile and manufacturing interests of his city and has been honored with the position of state treasurer of Wyoming, in which office his record reflected credit and honor upon the people who honored him.
He was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, November 11, 1846, a son of the late Moses Gramm, a native of Germany, who came to America in early life and settled in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he followed mercantile pursuits, there residing until his death. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Helen Limle, was also a native of Germany and has departed this life. In their family were five children.
Hon. Otto Gramm, who was the eldest, acquired his education in the public schools of his native city and when eight years of age, upon the death of his parents, went to live with relatives, Mrs. M. A. Tritscheller becoming his foster- mother. He made his initial step in the business world as an employe in a drug store and learned the business, to which he largely devoted his time and atten- tion from the age of ten years until 1888, when he was elected county treasurer of Albany county, Wyoming. He had become a resident of Laramie on the Ist of February, 1870, arriving here a comparative stranger with but one acquaint- ance, Dr. J. H. Finfrock, who was a pioneer druggist of the city, being the second to engage in that line of business in Laramie. Mr. Gramm purchased Dr. Finfrock's drug store and conducted it successfully until 1888, when he was elected to the offices of county treasurer and probate judge of Albany county, filling the dual position for six years in a most satisfactory manner. In fact, the excellence of his service recommended him for higher political honors and he was nominated as a candidate for state treasurer, to which position he was elected for a four years' term. Almost from the moment of his arrival in Wyoming he took a very active part in promoting its business development and in advancing its public interests. For eight years he was in charge of the Laramie Rolling Mills
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Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He also organized the first fire department and was its first chief. He continued to act in that capacity for many years during the period when this was a volunteer fire department and at length he organized and equipped the present department, making it a paid depart- ment. This was but one of the many activities which he put forth for the benefit and upbuilding of his city. In fact, his aid and cooperation can always be counted upon to further every measure or movement for the general good and he has taken the initial step in connection with many projects which have been of the greatest benefit to Laramie.
On February 21, 1914, he organized the Fox Park Timber Company, which company's plant is situated on the line of the C. W. and E. Railroad, where they are engaged in the manufacture of railroad ties, mine props, etc., while at Lara- mie is located that company's sawmill where they produce manufactured lumber, the logs coming down on the line of the C. W. and E. Railroad. Mr. Gramm is the principal owner in this company and has been its president ever since its organization.
His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party, of which he is a most stalwart champion, never faltering in his allegiance thereto. He has been a member of the state central committee and has served as chairman of the county central committee for many years. He has always taken a very active part in politics and has done much to mold public thought and action, his opinions at all times carrying weight in party councils.
On the 11th of November, 1909, Mr. Gramm was married in Lincoln, Ne- braska, to Mrs. Hannah Durlacher, a native of Germany. In fraternal circles Mr. Gramm has also figured prominently. He is identified with the various Ma- sonic bodies, including the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and consistory, and he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a past grand com- mander of the Knights Templar of Wyoming, a past grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of the state and a past grand high priest of the Grand Chapter of Masons. In fact, he has been active in all its various organizations. In a word, Mr. Gramm is fitted for leadership, a fact which his associates speedily came to recognize and put him in the position for which he is so splendidly qual- ified. In all that he does he has been actuated by the most intense public spirit and loyalty and his devotion to any trust reposed in him is pronounced. His name is carved high on the roll of Wyoming's illustrious and honored citizens.
RAYMOND BENJAMINE WEST.
Since the Ist of January, 1906, Raymond Benjamine West has been engaged in the practice of law at Basin and has been accorded a liberal clientage which has constantly grown both in volume and importance, connecting him with many of the leading cases tried in the courts of his district. He was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, January 25, 1875, and is a son of Dempsey Carlyal and Anna E. West. In the State University of Nebraska he pursued his prep- aration for the bar and was graduated on the 13th of June, 1901, with the LL. B. degree. He then entered upon practice after being admitted to the Nebraska bar on the 13th of June of that year. He was also admitted to practice at the bar of Wyoming in October of the same year and on the following 19th of June he came to Cody. On the Ist of July, 1902. he removed to Meeteetse, where he engaged in general merchandising until July 1, 1905. On the Ist of January, 1906, he entered upon the practice of law at Basin and on the Ist of January, IgII, was elected county attorney, which position he filled until the Ist of January, 1913, carefully protecting the legal interests of the county during that period. In his practice he has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he has followed. He has remarkable Vol. II-3
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powers of concentration and application and his retentive mind has often excited the surprise of his professional colleagues. As an orator he stands high, espe- cially in the discussion of legal matters before the court, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is manifest and his application of legal principles demon- strates the wide range of his professional acquirements. The utmost care and precision characterize his preparation of a case and have made him one of the successful attorneys of Bighorn county.
At North Platte, Nebraska, May 27, 1908, Mr. West was married to Miss Nora Davis Fenwick and to them have been born two children: Helen Eliz- abeth, born April 3, 1909; and Margaret Lucile, August 4, 1911. The parents are communicants of the Episcopal church and take an active interest in its work and progress.
Mr. West belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken high rank. He is now a past master of Temple Lodge, No. 20, A. F. & A. M., of Basin; has membership with the Knight Templar commandery at Sheridan ; and is a member of Kalif Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He likewise belongs to the Basin Chamber of Commerce and was president thereof in the year 1917, co- operating heartily in all of its well defined plans and projects for the upbuilding of the city, the extension of its trade relations and the upholding of its civic standards. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party but he has never sought office outside the strict path of his pro- fession. His military record covers service as sergeant of Company A, of the Third Nebraska Regiment during the Spanish-American war and as captain of Company D. of the Third Wyoming National Guard, in which regiment he was afterward promoted to the rank of major, continuing in that connection until he resigned in January, 1915. His interests are wide and varied and he is actuated in all that he does by a spirit of progress and improvement that has brought excellent results.
HON. JOHN A. RINER.
Hon. John A. Riner, who since 1890 has sat upon the bench of the United States district court at Cheyenne, became a resident of that city in 1879, at which time he opened a law office. Through the intervening period he has been connected with the profession as legist or jurist and his developing powers and pronounced ability have gained for him the place of prominence which has so long been ac- corded him.
A native of Ohio, he was born in Preble county in 1850, his parents being John and Mary (White) Riner. The father, also a native of the Buckeye state, was a millwright by trade. He remained a resident of Ohio until 1868, when he es- tablished his home in Butler county, Iowa, where he passed his remaining days, his death there occurring in 1889. His wife was of New England birth and in her early girlhood removed from her native state of Vermont to Preble county, Ohio, where she was reared to adult age. There she was married and made her home until 1868, when with her husband and family she went to Iowa, where she passed away in 1897.
Judge Riner, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, attended the public schools, dividing his time between the duties of the schoolroom. the pleasures of the playground and such tasks as were assigned him through parental authority. In young manhood he reviewed the broad field of business and de- termined upon the practice of law as a life work. He then became a student in the law department of the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and was there graduated as a member of the class of 1879. He turned to the west as a fruitful field in which to begin his professional career and made his way to Cheyenne. Wyoming, where he at once opened an office. Advancement at the bar is proverbially slow and yet no dreary novitiate awaited him. His practice steadily
HON. JOHN A. RINER
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grew and in 1881 he was elected city attorney, the duties of which he discharged most satisfactorily to all concerned until the expiration of his term. In the mean- time his private practice continued to develop and his ability became widely recog- nized through the capable manner in which he conducted his cases and the many favorable verdicts which he won for his clients. When there was a vacancy in the office of United States district attorney lie was prominently mentioned for the position and in recognition of his talents and his powers received the appointment 1n 1884. He at once entered upon the discharge of his duties in that connection and served for one year. In 1886 he was elected on the republican ticket to the Territorial Council and was actively connected with the passage of several most important legislative measures, thus leaving the impress of his individuality and public spirit upon the history of the state. He also served as president of the council during the session. Retiring from the legislature he resumed his practice of law, which in volume and importance had become second to none in the state. After a year he was elected to the general assembly, this time becoming a member of the state senate, although he resigned before the legislature convened, in order to accept the appointment of United States district judge, which came to him on the 22d of September, 1890. He has since served upon the bench-a period of almost twenty-eight years. His long continuance in the office stands as incon- trovertible proof of the fairness and impartiality of his rulings and of his com- prehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence which underlie his decisions. His opinions have been reversed in a notably few instances and he is regarded as one of the ablest jurists of the west.
In 1882 Judge Riner was united in marriage to Miss May Jillich, of Ohio, and they have become parents of four children: Ida M., Gertrude, Dorothy and John A.
In his fraternal relations Judge Riner is a Mason and has attained the thirty- third degree of the Scottish Rite and the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, with which he has been identified for a number of years. In politics he has been a lifelong republican and he has ever been a close student of those vital questions which are regarded by the think- ing men of the age as of the greatest importance-questions that have to do with the sociological and economic as well as political situation of the country. In manner ever most courteous, he is nevertheless firm and unyielding in all that he believes to be right. Whatever he has done in his entire career at the bar has been for the best interests of his clients and for the honor of his profession. Among the jurists of Wyoming there is perhaps none whose record in office has covered a longer period and the record of none has been more faultless in honor, fearless in conduct or stainless in reputation.
JOHN MCNAMARA.
Much has been written concerning the relative importance of various lines of business or of various kinds of official service, but when one stops to thought- fully consider the situation, it must be recognized that the faithful performance of duty in every particular adds to the stability and strength of the whole. The old saying that a chain is no stronger than its weakest link might be well applied to the official activities of the body politic. Each public officer has a part to perform and delinquency in any regard must weaken the entire system under which government business is carried on.
Actively identified with the mail service in Wyoming is John McNamara, who is filling the office of postmaster at Kemmerer and who is prompt, faith- ful and reliable in the discharge of all of his duties. He was born in Rutland, Vermont, March 28, 1869, and is a son of Michael and Mary McNamara, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father came to America in 1850 and took up his abode in the Green Mountain state, where he engaged principally
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in railroad work. He afterward became a resident of New Sharon, Iowa, removing westward to that state in the early 'os and becoming one of the pioneers of the region in which he located. He is now living retired. His wife crossed the Atlantic from the Emerald isle in her girlhood days and she, too, became a resident of Vermont, settling near Rutland, where she formed the acquaintance of Mr. McNamara, who sought and won her hand in marriage. They had a family of five children, who were called upon to mourn the death of the mother when in 1894 she passed to the home beyond.
John McNamara was the fourth in order of birth in that family and was educated in the public schools of New Sharon, Iowa, having been but a few years old when the family home was established at that place. He was only twelve years of age when he started out to earn his own living. He took up the study of telegraphy and became a train dispatcher at the age of sixteen years, being stationed at Keithsburg, Illinois. He filled the position for a year and worked along that line until 1913, serving as chief train dispatcher on various roads. In 1890 he came to Wyoming, first establishing his home at Green River, where he entered the employ of the Union Pacific Railway Company. In 1908 he became a citizen of Kemmerer and was train dispatcher for the Oregon Short Line Railway Company until March 1, 1914, when he was appointed to the posi- tion of postmaster of Kemmerer by President Wilson. He has since filled the office and has made an excellent record by the prompt and capable manner in which he has discharged his duties, faithfully performing every task that devolves upon him in this connection.
At Rock Springs, Wyoming, on the 3d of April, 1895, Mr. McNamara was married to Miss Theresa Mueller, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and a daughter of Steven and Susan Mueller. They have become parents of four children : Mary, who was born at Green River, Wyoming, August 1, 1897; James, born at Green River, April 25, 1900; and Frances and Theresa, twins, who were born at Poca- tello, Idaho, December 15, 1905.
Mr. McNamara has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party and is a firm advocate of its principles. He is a Mason and holds mem- bership in the blue lodge at Kemmerer, the Knights Templar commandery at Green River and the Mystic Shrine at Rawlins. He is also identified with the Chamber of Commerce and is in entire sympathy with the work of that organi- zation in behalf of the city and the extension of its trade relations and the ad- vancement of its civic standards. He was reared a Catholic and the family are communicants of St. Patrick's parish. Mr. McNamara deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he started out in the business world at a salary of thirty-five dollars per month and has steadily worked his way upward by reason of his persistency of purpose, his capability and his trustworthiness.
ARTHUR J. ROSIER.
Arthur J. Rosier, who is filling the position of prosecuting attorney of Carbon county and makes his home in Rawlins, was born in West Union, Todd county, Minnesota, October 31, 1880, his parents being Thomas R. and Helen M. ( Wol- cott) Rosier, both of whom were natives of the state of New York and removed westward to Minnesota at an early day. The father there engaged in farming and also devoted much time to inventions, producing a number of inventions in con- nection with farm machinery. He also brought forth the Rosier fire extinguisher, a product of his inventive genius, which was manufactured at Omaha, Nebraska. The active control of his business affairs, combined with his marked skill and ingenuity, made him at one time a very wealthy man. He died October 4, 1912, at the age of sixty-seven years, and is still survived by his widow, who resides on a homestead thirteen miles southeast of Torrington, Wyoming. She has reached the age of seventy years. In their family were five children: Thomas R., who is
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