USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 52
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On the 7th of July, 1896, in Toronto, Canada, Rev. Schepp was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hare, a native of St. Catherines, Ontario, and a daughter of C. B. and Catherine Hare. Mrs. Schepp is a graduate of Toronto University, having received the Master of Arts degree from that institution in 1897. Rev. and Mrs. Schepp have become the parents of two children, namely : Franz, who was born in Toronto, Canada, July 23, 1899; and Aimée Marie, who was born in Alexandria, Virginia, January 12, 1901. Both are graduates from the Rock Springs high school with the class of 1918.
Rev. Schepp has attained high rank in Masonry. having taken the degrees of York and Scottish Rites, being a Consistory Mason of the Cheyenne Con- sistory. His attention, however, is chiefly concentrated upon his church work and during his pastorate in Rock Springs the membership has increased to one hundred and sixty-five communicants. The church is now in excellent condition. its work being well organized in the various departments, and its influence is proving a most potent force for good in the community.
ROBERT H. TURNER.
The upbuilding of a city does not depend upon the efforts of a single individ- ual but upon the combined labors of many men of enterprise who control various interests which are necessary to life under the existing conditions of modern civilization. Well known as one of the progressive merchants of Lara- mie is Robert H. Turner, proprietor of Turner's Variety Store.
He was born in Red Oak, Iowa, July 6, 1881, a son of Hercules and Eliz- abeth R. (Crosthwaite) Turner. The father was a native of Ohio and a rep- resentative of one of the old families of that state of English lineage. He became a substantial agriculturist but at the time of the Civil war put aside all
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business and personal considerations and, responding to the country's call for troops, enlisted at Indianola, Iowa, in the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry. He joined his regiment as a private but afterward became ser- geant and served throughout the full term of his enlistment. Later he took up his abode in Red Oak, where he is now living retired. His wife was born in Missouri and belonged to one of the pioneer families of that state. She died April 10, 1916, when sixty-five years of age. In their family were four chil- dren: Pearl P., who is now an engineer residing at Red Oak, Iowa; Clarence C., who is a farmer and makes his home at Red Oak; John W., a farmer of Indianola, Nebraska ; and Robert H., of this review.
The last named began his education in the public schools of Red Oak, Iowa, at the usual age and passed through consecutive grades to his gradua- tion from the high school. His early life to the age of twelve years was spent upon the farm. On attaining his majority he became field representative for the Highland Park College of Des Moines, Iowa, and occupied that position for five years. He then entered the retail shoe business in connection with Axel Peterson under the firm style of the Bolt Shoe Company at Red Oak and con- tinued in that business successfully for five years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and came to the west, settling in Laramie, Wyoming, where he arrived on the 25th of February, 1915. In March of the same year he en- tered his present line of business, establishing the Variety Store, which he has since owned and conducted. He has built up a good trade in this connection and has won success from the start. His efforts have been highly satisfac- tory, for his business methods are thoroughly progressive and reliable.
On the 14th of June, 1911, Mr. Turner was married in Roswell, New Mexico. to Miss Dorothy I. McNally, a native of Iowa and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. McNally. They have become parents of one son, Robert S., who was born in Red Oak, Iowa, June 25, 1912.
Mr. Turner gives his political endorsement to the republican party, believ- ing firmly in its principles, but he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce and cooperates in all of its well defined plans and projects for the improvement and up- building of his city and the extension of its business connections. That he is not unmindful of his duties toward the moral development of the community is indicated in the fact that he is a member of the First Methodist church, in which he is serving as one of the stewards. He started out in life on his own account without financial aid, early recognizing the eternal principle that industry wins and industry, therefore, became the beacon light of his life.
FRANK HOLMES.
Frank Holmes, proprietor of the Crystal Bottling Works at Rock Springs, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, June 9, 1883, a son of John and Josephine ( Free- man) Holmes, both of whom were natives of Sweden. Coming to the new world in 1879, they settled in Central City, Nebraska, and the father was employed on the construction of the Burlington & Northern Railroad. He afterward removed to Omaha, where he entered the service of the Union Pacific Railroad Company and after several years he came to Rock Springs, Wyoming, in the fall of 1886. Here he continued in the employ of the Union Pacific in connection with the construction department until 1914, when he retired from active business life and is now enjoying a well earned rest, making his home with his son Frank. He was born July 10, 1850, and has therefore passed the sixty-seventh milestone on life's journey. His wife, who was born in 1851, passed away in Rock Springs, December 26, 1916. They were the parents of a family of five children: Ernest. who lives in Kemmerer: Frank: Alfred, whose home is in Rock Springs ; and Matilda and Amanda, who are also in Rock Springs.
Frank Holmes was but three years of age when his parents removed with
FRANK HOLMES
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their family to Rock Springs, so that when he attained school age he became a pupil in the public schools of this city, passing through consecutive grades until he had completed the work of the seventh grade. He then took up mining, which he followed until 1913, becoming familiar with many phases of mine operation. Gradually he worked his way upward and as his wages increased he was able to save from his earnings a sufficient sum which constituted the capital with which, in 1913, he established the Crystal Bottling Works, one of the representative enterprises in this line in Wyoming. He has a modern factory, supplied with the latest improved machinery and equipment necessary for manufacture in his line and his output, by reason of its excellence and owing to his reasonable prices, finds a ready sale on the market.
Mr. Holmes is an independent republican, usually voting with the party but not seeking or desiring office as a reward for party fealty. Fraternally he is connected with the Eagles. He has a wide acquaintance in Rock Springs, where practically his entire life has been passed, and his circle of friends is constantly growing as the circle of his acquaintance broadens. The community recognizes in him a progressive business man and one who in public relations stands for progress, development and improvement.
PERCY G. MATTHEWS.
Percy G. Matthews, filling the position of assistant postmaster at Evanston, was born at Newton Abbott, Devonshire, England, May 14, 1877, his parents being William Henry and Emeline (Tucker ) Matthews, who were likewise natives of the Merrie Isle and in the fall of 1884 left England en route for America. They did not tarry on the Atlantic coast but made their way at once into the interior of the country, settling in Utah. The father had worked in the shops of the Great Western Railway in England, where he was employed for twenty-one years, and after reaching the new world he lived retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He died in August, 1904, passing away in Taylorsville, Utah, when seventy-seven years of age. His wife also departed this life in Taylorsville in 1900, being then sixty-four years of age.
Percy G. Matthews was the ninth of their family of fourteen children. He began his education in the schools of England and continued his studies in Tay- lorsville, Utah, where in time he became a high school pupil. In 1897 he removed from Taylorsville to Evanston and entered the employ of the Union Pacific Rail- way Company, with which he remained for five years. He was ambitious, how- ever, to engage in business on his own account and during that period he carefully saved his earnings until his economy and industry had brought him a sum sufficient to enable him to embark in merchandising on his own account, in connection with the well known firm of Dawson & Burdett. He continued in business with the above firm for five years, after which, in 1908. he was appointed to the position of assistant postmaster of Evanston and has since served most efficiently in that position, discharging his duties with marked promptness, capability and thoroughness.
On the 28th of September. 1898, Mr. Matthews was united in marriage to Miss Lillian L. Burdett, of Evanston, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Burdett. representatives of a well known pioneer family. . They are still residents of Evanston. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have become the parents of nine children. James William, born in Evanston in 1901, passed away the same year. Gladys A., born in 1902, is a high school pupil. Sarah E., born in 1904, and Frances Lillian. born in 1906, are both in school. Percy L., born in October. 1909. and Della L., born in 1911, are also in school. Burdett E. and Bernard G., twins, were born in Evanston, November 8, 1914. LaMar Clarence, was born on No- vember 13. 1917.
Mr. Matthews is very prominent in the Church of the Latter-Day Saints and
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was installed bishop at Evanston in 1915. He is therefore very active in the management of the affairs of the church in his town. He has also served on the board of trustees of School District, No. I, and he is a director of the LaMar Mining Company at Morgan, Utah. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, for he is a firm believer in its principles as factors in good government. From the age of seven years he has depended entirely upon his own resources and whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is attributable to his persistent labor, intelligently directed. He has won a place among the leading citizens of his section of the state and the course that he has followed commands for him the respect, confidence and goodwill of those with whom he has been associated.
IVER HIIBACKA.
Iver Hiibacka, a merchant tailor of Rock Springs, conducting one of the well appointed establishments of that character in his city, has by individual effort, intelligently directed, won a substantial measure of success. He was born in Finland, Russia, June 10, 1882, a son of John Hiibacka. who was also a native of Finland and was a merchant tailor by trade, as was his father, Thro Hiibacka. John Hiibacka lived and died in his native land and was quite successful in his business. He passed away in 1908 at the age of forty-eight years and his widow, who bore the maiden name of Lena Make, is still living on the old homeplace there.
Iver Hiibacka was the eldest in a family of nine children. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his native country and when a youth of seven- teen started out to earn his own living, having served an apprenticeship under his father at the tailoring trade. He learned all branches of the business and when a youth of sixteen determined to try his fortune in the new world, believing that he would have better business opportunities on this side of the Atlantic. Accordingly he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for America. arriving on the 23d of May, 1899. He made his way to the west, first settling in Helena, Montana, where he was employed as laborer in the lumber mills, fol- lowing that kind of work for two and a half years. He afterward came to Rock Springs, where he arrived on the 20th of September, 1901, here entering the mines of the Union Pacific Coal Company as an employe. He continued to engage in mining for five years, during which time he was injured on three occasions, barely escaping with his life. This led him to return to his original vocation and in 1906 he entered the employ of E. S. Wesman, a pioneer tailor of Rock Springs, with whom he worked for three years. In June, 1909, he established his present business, beginning in a very small way but gradually developing his interests until he now has the leading merchant tailoring estab- lishment in Rock Springs, employing three expert workmen. He has a trade which extends all over this section of the state and his shop is noted for excel- lent workmanship and for high standards in styles. Mr. Hiibacka is also a stockholder in the Working Men's Commercial Company of Rock Springs.
Mr. Hiibacka has been married twice. On the 16th of April. 1905, he wedded Miss Tilda Buchto, who passed away at Ely, Minnesota, April 23, 1906. On the 3d of July, 1908, Mr. Hiibacka was again married, Miss Hannah Mac- key, of Rock Springs, becoming his wife. She is a native of Finland and a daughter of Matt and Susie Mackey, both of whom passed away in Rock Springs, where they located at an early period in the development and up- building of the town. The father was a pioneer carpenter and builder here, arriving in Rock Springs in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Hiibacka have become the par- ents of two sons: George, born in Rock Springs, July 4, 1909: and Tarmo, born July 23, 1912.
Mr. Hiibacka, conforming to the requirements of law, became a naturalized
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American citizen on the 20th of October, 1904. He has since supported the socialist party but has never sought or desired office. His success is due to his own efforts. He came to America a poor boy and is a self-made man, his industry, perseverance and indefatigable effort being the salient features in his growing success.
EDWARD M. TIERNEY.
In this age when one hears much concerning graft and unfaithfulness in public- office it is refreshing to turn to the record of such a man as Edward M. Tierney, who is the present efficient treasurer of Carbon county, Wyoming, making his home at Rawlins. His has been an active and useful life in business connec- tions and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called upon him to serve them in a position of public trust. He was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, August 15, 1861, a son of Martin and Johanna ( Sullivan) Tierney, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father left the Emerald isle in 1844 to come to America, and first settled at Baltimore, Maryland, while later he removed to Piedmont, West Virginia, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1899, when he was sixty-seven years of age. He was a railroad man, connected with the Baltimore & Ohio during the entire period of his active life, assisting in the early construction of that road. His political allegiance was always given to the democratic party and he was one of the active workers in its ranks. He had many friends among the leading statesmen of his day and was a man esteemed most highly by all who knew him. His religious faith was that of the Roman Catholic church, of which he was a devout adherent. His wife came to America in 1848 with her parents, who settled in Martinsburg, West Virginia. She was married in that state and was a resident of Pied- mont, West Virginia, to the time of her death, which occurred in 1886, when she was fifty-two years of age. By her marriage she had become the mother of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, seven of whom are yet living, three sons and four daughters.
Edward M. Tierney, who was the fifth in order of birth in this family, was educated in the public and parochial schools of Westernport, Maryland, and also attended a night school at Piedmont, conducted by Professor Martin O'Gor- man. He spent two years as a student in that institution and there completed his education, and his later lessons have been learned in the school of experience. His first employment covered five years' apprenticeship with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Piedmont, where he learned the machinist's trade. He afterward followed the trade as a journeyman until 1886. In the meantime, in 1884. he had removed to Rawlins, Wyoming, where he had become an employe of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, working in the shops at his trade as a machinist for two years. He was then appointed general foreman and served in that capacity for twelve years. Later he spent five years as master mechanic and was transferred to Laramie, where he occupied a similar position for two years. On the expiration of that period he again came to Rawlins and through the succeeding five years was again master mechanic. but resigned his position in 1913 to engage in business on his own account. He turned his attention to general merchandising in connection with T. J. Cullen and William Niland under the firm style of the Cullen Commercial Company, Inc., of which Mr. Tierney is the vice president, and he is thus actively identified with one of the important commercial interests in the city and also figures in financial circles as the first vice president of the Stock Growers National Bank, which he aided in organiz- ing. His business interests are of a still more extensive scope. for he is the president and manager of the Niland Sheep Company. a Wyoming corporation, which ranks with the leading sheep growers of this state, and he is the vice president and secretary of the Tierney Sheep Company, also a Wyoming corpora-
EDWARD M. TIERNEY
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tion, which is a prominent factor in connection with the sheep industry in the west.
Mr. Tierney has been married twice. In 1888, in the western part of Mary- land, he wedded Miss Katie I. Hogan, who died in Denver, Colorado, in 1906 at the age of forty-two years. She was the mother of five children, two of whom passed away in infancy, while one daughter and two sons are yet living. The eldest is Edna, wife of Arthur H. Rasmusson, of Rawlins, and has a daugh- ter, Kathryn Alice, born November 4, 1917. The two sons are William and Joseph. The former, born in 1896, is now studying law in the Catholic Uni- versity of Washington, D. C. Joseph, born in 1900 in Laramie, is a senior in the high school of Rawlins. Mr. Tierney's second marriage occurred in Rawlins in 1911, when Mrs. Driscilla Loomis, née Farley, became his wife.
Mr. Tierney has membership in the Roman Catholic church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has always taken an active part in politics and gave his support to the democratic party until 1900, when he joined the ranks of the republican party. He is deeply interested in political questions and civic affairs and he served four years as city trustee, from 1889 until 1892 inclusive. He is the present county treasurer of Carbon county, making an excellent record in the discharge of his duties and proving a most careful custodian of the public funds. His career has been marked by steady progress since he started out in life on his own account a poor boy, beginning work for the railroad when fifteen years of age. Actuated by laud- able ambition he has steadily advanced, utilizing every opportunity to win success, and gradually step by step he has worked his way upward. After a number of years devoted to railway service he felt that his earnings justified his embarka- tion in business on his own account and he became connected with mercantile interests in Rawlins in 1899, while in 1902 he extended his efforts to include the sheep industry and he is also today a factor in the banking circles of his adopted city. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail and he has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. There is much that is inspirational in his life record, showing what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do. Opportunity has not had to knock more than once at his door, for he has immediately invited her over the threshold. His chances for advancement have been wisely and intelligently used and he is today one of the valued business men and honored citizens of his adopted state.
SAMUEL E. KNODER.
Samuel E. Knoder is senior partner in the firm of Knoder & Heward, dealers in meats at Evanston. He was born in Milford, Utah, August 7, 1882, and is a son of Edward L. and Alice (Gage) Knoder. The father was born in Ohio, while the mother is a native of Wales and in early girlhood came to the new world. Edward L. Knoder removed westward when a youth of fourteen years and became a resident of Wyoming. He entered upon an apprenticeship to the Union Pacific Railway Company in connection with engineering and con- tinued to work his way upward until he was holding a responsible position as a locomotive engineer. He is still serving in that capacity and resides with his family in Evanston at the age of fifty-nine years, while his wife has reached the age of fifty-seven years. They are well known and highly respected resi- dents of the city, where they have so long lived, and their circle of friends is almost coextensive with their circle of acquaintances. They had a family of seven children: Mrs. S. D. Judd, who died in Evanston in 1900; C. W., who is a resident of Ogden, Utah; F. M., living in Evanston; E. C., Mrs. Glenn George and Mrs. William Crawford, all of Evanston; and Samuel E., who was the second in order of birth.
After mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools of
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Evanston, Samuel E. Knoder secured a position with the Blyth & Fargo Com- pany of Evanston, which he served in a clerical capacity for five years. On the expiration of that period he entered the service of the Union Pacific Railway Company, also in a clerical position, and thus continued for four years. He next became an employe of the Union Pacific Coal Company at Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he continued for five years in clerical work, after which he returned to Evanston and in 1914 established the Palace Market as a member of the firm of Knoder & Heward. In the intervening period their business has grown to large proportions and they now have a very extensive and gratifying trade.
On the 16th of June, 1912, Mr. Knoder was united in marriage to Miss Clara Heward, of Evanston, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Laban Heward, who are prominent pioneer people of Evanston. In politics Mr. Knoder follows an inde- pendent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks lodge at Rock Springs and also with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He has never sought to figure prominently in any public connection but has concentrated his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and step by step has won advancement in that way. He now controls a big business which he has developed from a small beginning and his extensive trade is the visible evidence of his industry, his close application and his sound judgment.
LEO VIOX.
Leo Viox is a wholesale and retail dealer in meats and manufacturer of sausage at Green River, where he has developed a business of substantial pro- portions. He was born in Baden-Baden, Germany, September 10, 1852, and is a son of Bernhardt and Helena (Ell) Viox, who remained in Germany, both being natives of Baden-Baden, where the father followed farming throughout his entire life. He was born February 26, 1799, and died in 1882, having for a decade survived his wife, who passed away in 1872. They had a family of four children, of whom Leo Viox was the third in order of birth.
In early life Leo Viox attended school in Germany and in 1871, when nine- teen years of age, he bade adieu to friends and native country in order to come to the United States. Crossing the Atlantic, he landed at New York city and was employed in various ways there, during which time he also attended night school to learn the English language. He afterward began work as an appren- tice in connection with the meat business, which he thoroughly learned, acquaint- ing himself with the work in principle and detail. From New York he went to Cincinnati, where he became engaged in dressing meat and in making sausage for the trade. He was employed in that way for some time and afterward removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade, and also at Allentown, Pennsylvania. Continuing his westward journey, he next located at Vincennes, Indiana, where he followed his trade for a year, and then went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was employed in a similar capacity for a time. He embarked in business on his own account in St. Louis, remaining there for five years, when he decided to take Horace Greeley's advice and go west. He arrived in Green River, Wyoming, in 1886, having removed to that city with the express purpose of engaging in the meat business. He formed a partnership with Bernhard Spinner, with whom he was associated for four years, or from 1886 until 1890. Since then he has conducted the business alone. He engages in slaughtering his own cattle and in making sausage with the assistance of men whom he employs, and he is now conducting a large and profitable business which is growing year by year.
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