USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 56
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In October. 1874. in Cass county, Iowa, Mr. Whitmore was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary McClure, a native of Indiana, and to them have been born two children: Nellie, the deceased wife of Hugo Gaensslen, president of the
TOM WHITMORE
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Green River State Bank, by whom she had four children, Helen, Julia, Alice and Freda ; and Lillian, who is the widow of Charles Harris. After losing her first husband, Mrs. Harris became the wife of Walter Siegel, of Green River, and they have one child, Tom Siegel. By her first marriage she had two children, Margaret and Lillian Harris.
Mr. Whitmore is widely and favorably known in Sweetwater county, where he has so long resided and has for so many years filled public office, painstak- ingly and faithfully performing his onerons and responsible duties.
PAUL KUKOY.
Paul Kukoy, cashier at Cumberland for the Union Pacific Coal Company, was born in Pocahontas, West Virginia. September 22, 1891, a son of Paul and Mary Kukoy, who were natives of Austria. They came to America at an early period and established their home in West Virginia, where the father engaged in mining. Subsequently he removed westward to Wyoming, casting in his lot with the early settlers of the state, and he continued his mining operations in this section of the country up to the time of his death, which occurred in Cum- berland in 1902. His widow survives and is yet living in Cumberland. In their family were nine children, of whom Paul was the third in order of birth.
In his boyhood days Paul Kukoy was a pupil in the public schools of Cum- berland, mastering the work to the fifth grade, when it became necessary that he provide for his own support and he entered the employ of the Union Pacific Coal Company in a clerical position in the mine office. This was in 1904. He has since been connected with the operations of the company at this place, working his way steadily upward. For two years he was material clerk at Reliance, Wyoming, representing the same company in the mines at that place, after which he returned to Cumberland to assume the duties of material clerk, and he is now acting as cashier and bookkeeper. He has worked his way steadily upward by reason of his fidelity, capability and trustworthiness and he has the entire confidence of the corporation which he represents.
Mr. Kukoy is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. He has served on the school board of Cumberland for the past seven years and is active in ad- vancing the interests of education in this locality. He has also served as clerk to the state mine inspector. Mr. Kukoy is unmarried and makes his home with his mother. The other children of the family were: John, who is now living in New Jersey ; Mrs. Mary Willard, a resident of Sublet, Wyoming; Mrs. Julia George, also of Sublet; Stephen, who has departed this life; Joseph, living at Sublet ; and Enoch and Ambrose, who are residents of the same place. The mother makes her home at Sublet with the various members of her family save those whose in- terests have carried them elsewhere. Mr. Kukoy of this review deserves much credit for what he has accomplished as he has worked his way upward since starting ont in the business world on his own account and he is now occupying a responsible position at Cumberland.
HUGH J. ROGNER.
Hugh J. Rogner, a photographer manifesting marked ability in the art, has been a resident of Wyoming since 1907. He was born in Saxony, Germany. February 4, 1887, a son of the late Frederick Rogner, who was also a native of that locality, where he spent his entire life. He was a cabinet maker by trade and followed that pursuit until his life's labors were ended in death in 1889. when he was thirty-five years of age. He had married Augustina White, a native of
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Germany, who died in that country in 1899, when forty-two years of age. They had a family of six children.
Hugh J. Rogner, the youngest of the family, was educated in the public schools of Germany, supplemented by study in night schools in Cleveland, Ohio, after coming to the new world. He started out to provide for his own support when a youth of thirteen years. His early life had been spent at school until 1900 when he came to America. He made his way to Keokuk county, Iowa, where he engaged in farm work. In 1907 he arrived in Wyoming coming direct to Rawlins, where he took up his abode in the month of September. After reaching this state he was first employed as deputy sheriff of Carbon county, a position which he acceptably filled for three and a half years. During that time he made a very thorough study of the art of photography and in January, 1916, established his present studio, in which connection he has built up a growing and satisfactory business. He pursued his studies under the direction of M. F. Jukes, the pioneer photographer of Rawlins and well known throughout the state. After leaving the sheriff's office Mr. Rogner was employed by Mr. Jukes, under whose direction he continued his studies, and later he went to Salt Lake City, where he was employed by the Shiplers Commercial Photographers, there finishing his training for his profession. Since establishing his present studio he has made continuous progress. He thoroughly understands the scientific prin- ciples which underlie the work and is in touch with the latest and most im- proved processes of photography. He is appreciative of the art side of the busi- ness, recognizing the value of light and shade and of other accessories to artistic work. His photographs have found general favor with the public and his patron- age has continuously increased.
In his political views Mr. Rogner has always been a democrat since becom- ing a naturalized American citizen. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He came to America a stranger and had but two dollars upon his arrival. Since that time he has won success through persistent, earnest effort and is today one of the substantial residents of Rawlins.
N. JESSE CONVERSE.
N. Jesse Converse, owner of the Converse building of Laramie and one of the representative business men of the city, was born in Anamosa, Iowa, October 5, 1861, a son of Jesse R. and Mary (Peck) Converse. The father was a native of New York, his birth having occurred in Rensselaerville, while the mother was born at Schenectady, New York. They removed to lowa in early life and the father enlisted for service in the Civil war in 1861 and was killed in 1863 at Memphis Ridge, Tennessee, while making a charge. The widow was married again in Anamosa, Iowa, to Levi T. Wilcox, who with the family re- moved to Wyoming, in the summer of 1867, coming by team from Iowa. From Omaha travel was by ox team via the overland route and the family settled about eight miles west of Laramie, on the Big Laramie river. Mrs. Wilcox passed away in Laramie in 1900 at the age of sixty-three years. In their family were three children: Mrs. George B. Gabbott, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, who has passed away; and one who died in infancy.
The youngest member of the family was N. Jesse Converse, who in his boy- hood days attended the public schools of Laramie, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. When his textbooks were put aside he began learning the jeweler's trade under the direction of his stepfather, Levi T. Wilcox, and for thirty-six years he was prominently identified with the jewelry business in Laramie, ranking with the leading merchants through more than a third of a century. His establishment, one of the old landmarks, contributed in sub- stantial measure to the commercial development of the city. Mr. Converse also became a director of the First National Bank and was the builder of the Con-
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verse building, a modern structure for office and store purposes which was erected in 1910 and is one of the finest business buildings of the state. He has been president of the Laramie Building & Loan Association since 1914 and thus in many ways has contributed to the city's substantial progress.
On the 5th of October, 1887, Mr. Converse was married to Miss Catherine Reynolds, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Reynolds. He ranks with the honored and representative men of Laramie and has figured prominently in various public connections. He is a republican in politics and by popular vote was called to represent his district in the state legislature. He has taken all of the degrees of Masonry and is identified with several other fraternities and he is president of the governing board of the Ivinson Memorial Hospital. His activities have been various, far-reaching and resultant, the city benefiting in substantial manner by his cooperation in all well defined plans and projects for its good. Honored and respected by all, he occupies a most enviable position in financial circles not alone by reason of the success which he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward policy which he has ever followed.
ELMER FLOYD LOVEJOY.
The great west with its boundless opportunities is continually calling to young men of enterprise and ability to utilize her resources and aid in her development and upbuilding. Elmer Floyd Lovejoy was a youth of twelve years when he came with his father to Wyoming, since which time he has made his home in Laramie, where he is now proprietor of the Lovejoy Novelty Works, distributing agents for the southern half of Wyoming for the Franklin cars. Since 1912, Mr. Lovejoy has been sole owner of the Lovejoy Novelty Works, which in addition to the automobile and kindred lines, includes the manufacture and mar- keting of the Lovejoy Automatic Door Opener, of which Mr. Lovejoy is patentee and sole owner. This device is the only thing of its kind in the country, patented July 30, 1917, and for some time has been in use, leaving no question as to its being thoroughly practical. In these connections Mr. Lovejoy has developed a business of large and gratifying proportions, showing that he has made wise use of his time and talents.
He was born in Lake county, Illinois, February 2, 1872, a song of George W. Lovejoy, who was also born in Illinois and is now a resident of Laramie, where he took up his abode in 1884, casting in his lot with its pioneer settlers. For a number of years he was engaged in the draying business and while in Illinois he followed the occupation of farming, but is now living retired. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Candace Amanda Winters, was also born in Illinois and passed away in the summer of 1872.
Elmer F. Lovejoy, their only child, began his education in the district schools of his native county and completed his studies in the public schools of Laramie and in the University of Wyoming. He was a youth of seventeen when he started out to provide for his own support and since that time has depended entirely upon his own resources for whatever he has achieved and enjoyed. He entered the employ of Cook & Callahan, pioneer contractors and planing mill owners of Laramie, under whose direction he learned the carpenter's trade and also became acquainted with mill work. He followed that line of activity for a number of years or until 1893, when he entered the government mail service, in which he spent one year, carrying the mail under Postmaster Thomas J. Dayton and Postmaster Richard Butler. While thus engaged he also established a general bicycle repair business, which later developed into his present business. He began in a small way and with limited capacity, but from a humble start has developed the largest automobile and general novelty business in Laramie, located at Nos. 412 and 414 South Second street. The plant covers a floor space one hundred and thirty-two by fifty feet and has a storage room of sixty by one hun-
ELMER F. LOVEJOY
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dred and thirty-two feet. The company employs on an average of six people and the business has now reached gratifying proportions and is steadily growing.
Mr. Lovejoy was married in Cheyenne, Wyoming, August 27, 1895, to Miss Nellie Oakley, a native of Harrison county, Iowa, and a daughter of Peter and Hester ( Prater) Oakley, who were early settlers of Harrison county and are still living, both having reached an advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Lovejoy have one son, Orell, who was born in Laramie, December 23, 1898. Mr. Lovejoy exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and was formerly a member of the city council of Laramie, in which position he served from 1910 until 1914, exercising his official preroga- tives in support of many well defined plans and measures for the public good. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he belongs to the Laramie Chamber of Commerce. His life record is indicative of what may be accomplished through determined purpose intelligently directed. He early recognized the eternal principle that industry wins. Centuries ago an old Greek philosopher said: "Earn thy reward : the gods give nought to sloth." This truth has been verified through all the ages which have run their course to the present time, and with industry that never flags, Elmer Floyd Lovejoy has worked his way upward until in the development of his present business he has won for himself a place among the most progressive representatives of com- mercial activity in Laramie.
E. J. TRAVIS.
One of the wide-awake and progressive business men of Laramie is E. J. Travis, who is engaged in dealing in lumber and building materials and in general contracting. He is a native son of New England, his birth having occurred in Boston, Massachusetts, July 8, 1878. His father, the late Lewis Travis, was a native of the Old Bay state and a representative of one of the prominent colonial families of English descent founded in America during the early part of the seventeenth century. Representatives of the name fought for independence in the Revolutionary war and again defended American interests in the War of 1812. Representatives of the family in the present generation hold member- ship with the Colonial Dames and with the Sons of the American Revolution. Lewis Travis, the father, became a prominent lawyer of Boston and continued to make his home in that city until called to his final rest in 1886, when but thirty-eight years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Florence Vose Kennedy and was born in Waldoboro, Maine, being a descendant of an old Maine family, tracing her ancestry back in direct line to the Winslow family of Con- necticut, who were of Mayflower descent. She died in the year 1914, at the age of fifty-nine years.
E. J. Travis, their only son, was educated in the public schools of Boston until about ten years old. In 1888, in company with his maternal grandmother, he came to Wyoming, where his grandfather, Justus R. Kennedy, was then residing on a ranch in Albany county. Here E. J. Travis made his home and acquired a practical knowledge of ranching, until about 1903. In the meantime, or about 1898, he purchased the ranch and conducted it successfully during the remainder of his residence thereon. While yet living on the ranch he also engaged in carpentering and contracting work, to which he gave his entire attention after 1903. In 1910 Mr. Travis established his home in Laramie and entered into his present line of business, in which he has since been actively and successfully engaged. He handles lumber and building materials and also conducts a general contracting business, and at the same time he still manages his ranch. His is a busy and useful life in which activity, intelligently directed, is being crowned with substantial and well merited success.
Mr. Travis was married in Laramie on the 18th of October, 1899, to Miss
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Vesta I. Mansfield, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Oliver and Sarah J. (Gamble) Mansfield, representatives of one of the old families of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Travis have become the parents of four children: Florence M., who was born in Laramie, July 23, 1900; Ethel A., born March 16, 1902; Ruth, born May 18, 1904; and Ernest M., December 7, 1907.
Mr. Travis votes with the republican party and is active in politics and civic affairs, standing at all times for those interests and measures which he believes will be of greatest benefit to his community and will most rapidly advance its civic standards. He holds membership with the Loyal Order of Moose and has been one of its vice dictators. His religious faith is evidenced in his mem- bership in the First Methodist church. His life has ever been guided by high and manly principles and the wise direction of his interests and activities has brought him to a prominent position as a business man and as a citizen. He started out in life anxious to improve his condition, and the success which he has achieved is attributable to his persistency of purpose and his individual worth. His record is proof of the fact that opportunities slip away from the sluggard, tauntingly play before the dreamer but yield their prizes to the man of resolute and determined spirit.
JULIUS J. C. JENSEN.
Julius J. C. Jensen, of Casper, who has made for himself a creditable position at the bar, is a native son of Wisconsin. He was born at Lone Rock, October 31, 1883, a son of Laurits N. P. and Hansine (Hansen) Jensen, both of whom are natives of Denmark. They came to this country in 1878, locating in the state of Wisconsin, and later removed to South Dakota. In 1889 they became residents of Iowa and are now living at Sioux City, that state. They had a family of five children, of whom four are yet living.
Julius J. C. Jensen was six years of age when the family home was estab- lished in Iowa, where he began his education, passing through consecutive grades in the common schools until he entered the Sioux City high school, from which he graduated in 1906. He then entered the State University of Iowa and after leaving that institution became connected with the weather bureau of the United States department of agriculture at Washington, D. C. While in that city he entered the law department of the George Washington University, being gradu- ated therefrom in 1915. In 1916 he came to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he was connected with the local office of the weather bureau for about a year. He then resigned his position to take up the profession of law and located at Casper, where he is now accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. He is not anxious for office or public honors, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his professional interests.
REV. JOSEPH CONRATH.
Rev. Joseph Conrath, pastor of St. Joseph's church at Rawlins, Wyoming. was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 25, 1876, a son of Philip and Theresa (Schwindt) Conrath, both of whom were natives of Germany. On coming to America they settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, and became well known residents of that city. The father devoted his active business life to tailoring, but in his later years lived retired. He passed away in Cincinnati in 1910, at the age of eighty-four, while his wife died in 1890, at the age of forty-five years. They were the parents of six children, of whom one son is deceased, the others being Charles, Joseph, Caroline, Kate and Sister Carola, who is a teacher in a high school in eastern Minnesota.
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In his boyhood days Rev. Joseph Conrath attended the parochial school and later became a student in St. Xavier's College, from which he was graduated in 1899. He then entered Mount St. Mary's Seminary for his theological course, which he completed by graduation with the class of 1902. For six months there- after he was located at Pueblo, Colorado, and then removed to Cheyenne, Wyo- ming, where he also spent a half year. Since that time he has been continuously located as pastor of St. Joseph's church in Rawlins.
In August, 1916, a most imposing ecclesiastical function was held in Rawlins- the dedication of St. Joseph's church, a new edifice, having been erected at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. A church paper said of the occasion: "It must be regarded as a red letter day in the annals of the Catholic church not only in the city of Rawlins, but also in the state of Wyoming. The Catholic people of Rawlins have now a sacred edifice of which they may feel justly proud. In fact, their new church would reflect credit upon a city of metropolitan proportions. It is built in Roman style of gray buff brick with terra cotta trimmings, and its stately tower, which can be seen from every part of the city, is surmounted by an elaborate cross of copper, of which material the dome of the tower, as well as the gutters, are made. The roof is of red tile and adds immeasurably to the external beauty of the edifice." On the occasion of the dedication Bishop McGovern officiated and special services appropriate to the occasion were held. This was a happy day in the life of Father Conrath which saw the fulfillment of his hopes in regard to his parish, which now has a most splendid house of worship.
He is one of the most popular priests in his diocese and is widely known. doing splendid work among his parishioners in Rawlins, the various branches of the church work being thoroughly organized, while the results achieved are highly gratifying and satisfactory.
HON. WILLIAM H. HAYES.
There is no record that the American public holds in as high honor as that of the self-made man-the one who, though handicapped in youth by lack of advantages, works his way steadily upward and by the force of merit and ability wins success. Such is the record of the Hon. William H. Hayes, now mayor of Laramie, who has made for himself a creditable position in com- mercial circles and at the same time has been accorded the highest gift within the power of his fellow townsmen to bestow.
He was born in Hillsdale, Columbia county, New York, November 3, 1861. a son of the late Thomas S. Hayes, a native of New York, and a grandson of Hiram and Mary A. (Lee) Hayes both of whom were of English birth. They became the founders of the American branch of the family and on crossing the Atlantic settled in Columbia county, New York. The grandfather there con- ducted a cotton mill at Red Rock and became a prominent manufacturer of that locality. His son, Thomas S. Hayes, was a shoe merchant in Hillsdale, New York, in his earlier manhood, and in later years became a grain dealer in Brook- ston, Indiana, where he continued his residence until called to his final rest, passing away November 1, 1916, when he had reached the ripe old age of eighty- one years. He was a republican in his political views and filled the office of postmaster in Brookston under President Mckinley, serving in that position for two terms. He married Adealia Stickle, a native of Columbia county, New York. and a daughter of William E. and Mary ( Sharts) Stickle. Her father was also a representative of one of the old families of the Empire state and he became a successful and prosperous farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Hayes were born three children, two daughters and a son : Lillian A., who is the widow of Edward Pettit, a resident of Brookston, Indiana; Mary E., who is librarian in charge of the Carnegie Library in Brookston; and William H., of this review.
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The last named was educated in the public and high schools of Brookston, Indiana, and in the schools of New York. He was nineteen years of age when he left the parental roof and started out to make his way in the world. After being employed for a time by his father in connection with the grain business he became station agent for the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Railroad at Brookston, occupying that position for thirteen years. He also engaged in the real estate and insurance business at that place for ten years and on the 27th of September, 1909, he arrived in Laramie, where he opened a real estate and insurance office, which he has ever since conducted. He has been very success- ful in handling many important realty transfers and also in writing a large amount of insurance annually. He is thoroughly familiar with local property values, knows what is upon the market and has so directed his efforts as to contribute to the development of the city as well as to his individual success. Aside from liis operations in that field he is the secretary of the Laramie Telephone Com- pany.
On the 28th of November, 1889, Mr. Hayes was married in Brookston, Indi- ana, to Miss Olive S. Brandon, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James H. Brandon and a representative of one of the old families of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have become parents of a son, William Donn, who is with the Universal Film Company as a successful movie actor. He married Ada Doza and has one son, William Donn, Jr.
Mr. Hayes belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and has also taken the degrees of Royal Arch Masonry and of the Mystic Shrine. He is now serving as secretary of Laramie Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M. He is a veteran member of the Knights of Pythias, having been identified with that order for a quarter of a century. He belongs to the First Presbyterian church and is interested in all that pertains to the advancement and moral progress of his community. In politics he is a re- publican and while a resident of Indiana was very active as a party worker, there filling the office of town chairman of the republican party. In June, 1917, he was chosen mayor of Laramie by a vote of the city council, to succeed G. U. Shoemaker. Mayor Hayes has given the city a businesslike and progressive ad- ministration. He has not disappointed the hopes of his friends in this office. He has brought keen discrimination to bear upon all municipal questions and has done everything in his power to further the welfare of the city and uphold the highest civic standards. His record is indeed commendable and all who know him speak of him in terms of high regard.
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