USA > Wyoming > History of Wyoming, Volume II > Part 61
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Eric Stendahl was a pupil in the public schools of Norway, after which he engaged in farming on his father's place, being identified with general agricul- tural pursuits there until 1887, when he severed home ties and bade adieu to friends and native country, sailing for the new world. After reaching Amer- ican shores he did not tarry on the eastern coast but made his way at once into the interior of the country, becoming a resident of Laramie, where he remained until 1894. He was employed by William Cordner, under whose direction he learned the plumbing business. In the meantime he purchased his father's old homestead farm in Norway and in 1894 he returned to that country, re- maining upon the farm for thirteen years, concentrating his efforts and atten- tion upon its further development and improvement. The lure of the new world was upon him, however, and in 1907 he again came to America after selling his farm in Norway. Once more he took up his abode in Laramie and again worked for Mr. Cordner in the plumbing business for two and a half years. He then gave up his position to engage in business on his own account and through the intervening period has made for himself a position as one of the leading plumbers not only of Laramie but of southern Wyoming. He is thoroughly familiar with the trade, is an expert workman and is thus able to carefully direct the labors of those who are in his employ. His business has reached gratifying proportions. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail and his resolute spirit and indefatigable energy enable him to carry for- ward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
On the 8th of August, 1897, Mr. Stendahl was married to Miss Olise Hals, a native of Norway and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hals, of that coun- try. They have become parents of three children: Oselie, who was born in Norway, May 31, 1901, and is attending high school; Agnes, who was born in Norway, October 23, 1902, and is also a high school pupil; and Jennie, who was born in Laramie, October 13, 1907, and is pursuing her education in the public schools of her native city.
Mr. Stendahl belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is
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thoroughly content to make Laramie his home, recognizing the opportunities and advantages here to be enjoyed. As a self-made man he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. From early boyhood he has been dependent upon his own resources, working his way steadily upward, and his prosperity is indeed well deserved.
JULIUS F. BOCK.
Julius F. Bock, a well known rancher and stockman of Wyoming, living at Newcastle, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, June 5, 1867, and is a son of John and Magdalena ( Rushman ) Bock, the former a native of Schleswig- Holstein, born April 17, 1834. while the mother's birth occurred in the same sec- tion of Germany on the 23d of September, 1840. The father is now living re- tired in Plattsmouth, Cass county, Nebraska, where he settled on crossing the At- lantic to America in 1872. His wife passed away there on the 28th of March, 1910.
Julius F. Bock was the third in order of birth in a family of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, all of whom are living with the exception of his two brothers, who died in infancy. Mr. Bock of this review was brought to America by his parents when only five years of age and was reared upon the old home farm in Cass county, Nebraska, where he attended the country schools in his home district until he reached the age of thirteen. He then began to work upon the farm and continued to devote his time and attention to the labors of the fields until he reached the age of nineteen. In 1886 he left home, anxious to make a start in the business world on his own account. He removed to what was then Crook county, Wyoming, but is now Weston county, and began work as a ranch hand. entering the employ of Lagrave Delaney, a prominent rancher, engaged extensively in raising horses. Mr. Bock remained in that employ for a year and a half and in July, 1888, he settled upon his present ranch, having taken up a preemption claim upon arriving in Wyoming. Upon his land he built a log house, barn, sheds and a bunk house and all of these buildings are still standing as landmarks of the pioneer days. His present residence, however, is a very attractive modern home built in a pleasing style of architecture and tastefully furnished and it is both commo- dious and convenient. In 1888 Mr. Bock entered into partnership with an uncle and they continued their ranching interests together until 1892, when the partner- ship was dissolved and Julius F. Bock started out independently. He is now one of the most prominent ranchers and stockmen of northeastern Wyoming, his home ranch comprising about eight thousand acres. Everything about the place is indica- tive of the spirit of modern day enterprise and progress. The attractive home. which he erected in 1911, is supplied with furnace, bath and all modern conveni- ences. He also has one of the largest barns in his section of the state and it is possible for two teams to drive in at one time and unload hay. He also has an extensive granary where he keeps his seed. Other improvements upon his farm are a number of substantial cow sheds and barns furnishing ample shelter for horses, cattle and all of his stock besides his hay. This ranch is located on Skull creek and from his house to the upper and north end of the ranch it is a dis- tance of fifteen miles, while the distance to the lower or south end of the ranch is twelve miles from his home. There is much timber upon the place, with beauti- ful canyons, springs and creeks, and the place is picturesque and attractive as well as productive. In fact, the volume of business carried on there is so exten- sive that the place is almost a town in itself. He has a complete blacksmith shop on the ranch, also a lumber camp, where all kinds of lumber are cut from his own forests, which can supply lumber to build anything, from a bridge to a house. There are various kinds of lumber and a number of men are employed in this work. Mr. Bock also owns another ranch comprising four thousand acres. This he purchased from John L. Baird, of Newcastle, in the spring of 1918. At this
OF Bock
VIEWS TAKEN ON THE RANCH OF JULIUS F. BOCK, SHOWING HIS DAUGHTER, MISS CLARA, ON HORSEBACK
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writing Mr. Bock has over nine hundred head of cattle and he also raises horses and sheep quite extensively. All of his stock is of high grade. He has reached a point of notable success through careful management, thrift and energy. He has never been afraid of hard work nor of close application and his advance- ment is attributable entirely to his own efforts, for he started out as a poor boy, working as a ranch hand, and remained in the employ of others until he could save from his earnings a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase property. He rode the range as a cow puncher, meeting all of the hardships of life in the early days in Wyoming, but he never faltered in his purpose and in the course of time was enabled to purchase land, to which he has added as his financial resources have increased until he is today one of the prominent ranchmen of the state. There are upon his land a number of modern dwellings for the use of his employes and these are all connected by telephone with his residence.
On the 3d of June, 1897, Mr. Bock was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Johrig, a native of Saxony, Germany, and a daughter of Liberal and Hannah (Scheinbach) Johrig, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to Amer- ica in 1879 and settled in Plattsmouth, Cass county, Nebraska, where Mrs. Bock at- tended school, there acquiring her education, for she was but five years of age when the family came to the United States. She was the second in order of birth in a family of six children, one of whom has passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Bock have been born the following named: Clara, Tillie, Julia, Ella, John, Fred and Carl, all of whom were born upon the home ranch and are yet living with the exception of Carl, who died in infancy. The two eldest daughters are expert cow riders. They can ride and rope as well as any cowboy that ever rode the range and have attended contests and roundups all over the state. The chil- dren are all at home. Mr. Bock has never sought or held office. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and are very prominent and most highly respected throughout this part of the state.
CORNELIUS E. RAAB.
While Cornelius E. Raab of Laramie, Albany county, is not numbered with the pioneer settlers of Wyoming, his presence in his community is being felt on account of his sound business judgment and his participation in any movement for the betterment of conditions in the state. He was born across the water but has become a naturalized American citizen and has displayed marked de- votion to the country of his adoption.
He was born in Hungary, June 1, 1876, a son of Ludwig and Caroline (Thomay) Raab, who spent their entire lives in Hungary. The father was a man of liberal education and learning, who engaged in teaching in his native country. He passed away at Hollo Lomnicz, Hungary, in 1904, and his widow is still living in Hungary. They were the parents of seven children.
Cornelius E. Raab, who was the third in order of birth, attended the schools of his native country, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. In his boyhood he began learning the machinist's trade, which he followed up to the time of his emigration to the new world. It was in 1902 that he crossed the Atlantic to America, arriving on the shores of the new world on the Ist of February. He settled in Philadelphia and afterward lived for a time in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, while since then he has made his home in Wheeling, in Cheyenne and in Laramie. He continued to work at the machinist's trade and in Chevenne was employed in that capacity in the machine shops of the Union Pacific Railroad Company. He afterward came to Laramie for the same company but in 1914 he established himself in the tire and vulcanizing business, in which connection he has developed a trade of extensive and grati- fying proportions. He has today one of the large establishments of this char-
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acter in Wyoming and the excellence of his work insures to him a very liberal patronage.
On the 24th of November, 1908, Mr. Raab was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Marcelly, of New York city, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mar- celly, who were natives of Hungary. They have become the parents of three children : Clara, who was born in Cheyenne in 1909 and is now attending school ; Irene, born in Laramie in 1912; and Hillary, born in 1914.
Mr. Raab is connected with the Woodmen of the World. He stands high in public regard in Laramie in those circles where genuine worth is always recognized. He has made for himself a creditable place in business, and is con- centrating his efforts and attention upon his interests in a manner that insures splendid results. All who know him recognize in him a business man of that class upon which the city must depend for its further development and progress.
JOSEPH LA RIVIERE.
Joseph La Riviere, who is engaged in the plumbing and heating business at Evanston, was born in Montreal, Canada, March 10, 1850, a son of the late Peter La Riviere, a native of France, who devoted his life to the business of lime manufacturing and won substantial success in that undertaking. He married Susan La Point, also a native of France, whence she crossed the Atlantic to Canada in early girlhood. They were married in Lachine, Canada, where Mr. La Riviere was at the time conducting a lumber camp. There they resided for many years, being numbered among the pioneers of that section. To their mar- riage were born three sons and two daughters.
Joseph La Riviere was the youngest of the family and was educated in the schools of Canada. but his opportunities to attend school were somewhat limited and in the school of experience he has learned many of life's practical and valu- able lessons. When between the ages of sixteen and seventeen years he started out to provide for his own support. Leaving home, he crossed the border into the United States, settling at St. Albans, Vermont, where he entered upon an ap- prenticeship to the machinist's trade. He was employed in the shops of the Vermont Central Machine Company for seventeen years, proving a most efficient and capable employe, as is indicated by his long retention there. He then determined to try his fortune in the west and on the 10th of May, 1885, arrived in Evanston, Wyoming. His two brothers-in-law, Dick Allard and Louis Allard, were in Evanston at that time but otherwise he was a perfect stranger. On arriving in the city he secured employment in the shops of the Union Pacific Rail- road Company and there continued for eighteen years. No one could ever question Mr. La Riviere's fidelity to the interests entrusted to him, as his two long periods of service, one of seventeen and the other of eighteen years, are unmistakable proof of his capability and faithfulness. In 1908 he established business on his own account in the lines of plumbing, heating and sheet metal work, machinery, etc. He has since continued in this field of labor and has built up a business of substantial proportions, having the work of that character in many of the best buildings and homes of Evanston.
On the 24th of May, 1870. in St. Albans, Vermont. Mr. La Riviere was united in marriage to Miss Emily Allard, a native of the Green Mountain state and a representative of one of its old families, formerly established in Canada and of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. La Riviere became the parents of a son and four daughters: Viola, the wife of H. K. Russell, living at Salt Lake City, Utah ; Alice, the wife of Roy Dunford. of Evanston, Wyoming: Nelida, the wife of George Dunford, of Evanston. this state: Elvira, who is principal of the public schools of Lyman, Wyoming: and Thomas, who in April, 1917, enlisted in Company H, at Kemmerer, Wyoming, and is now in the military service of the government, in France.
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The wife and mother passed away in 1898, her demise causing deep sorrow to her many friends, for she was a woman of refinement and high qualities of character.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church. They have gained many friends during the period of their residence in Evanston and Mr. La Riviere has long figured as a prominent factor in its industrial circles. In his business career he has worked his way upward by determination, loyalty and capability and is today active in the field of labor which he has chosen as a life work, a liberal patronage being accorded him by reason of his excellent workmanship and his thorough reliability in all business transactions.
W. O. LOGAN.
W. O. Logan is well known as a representative business man of Douglas, where he is handling real estate and oil stocks and properties. A native of Iowa, he was born near Iowa City, on the 14th of April, 1870, a son of Lewis and Frances ( Brennaman) Logan. The mother has been called to her final rest but the father is living and has devoted his life to farming and stock raising.
W. O. Logan spent his youthful days under the parental roof upon the home farm and began his education in the district schools, while later he became a high school pupil. After his textbooks were put aside he turned his attention to the live stock business and in 1886, wishing to enjoy the advantages for the conduct of such a business in the west, he came to Wyoming, making his way to Converse county. He was employed in connection with different cattle outfits for a time and later engaged in business on his own account. He developed his interests until he had one of the largest sheep ranches in the state with thousands of head of sheep upon the range. He continued to engage extensively in sheep raising until 1913. For a time he was associated with Mr. Cosgriff, of Cheyenne, but Mr. Logan returned to Douglas and opened an office for the conduct of a real estate business and for the sale of oil properties and stock. He has built up a good patronage in this connection and is now controlling a large, growing and profitable business.
On the 25th of December, 1905, Mr. Logan was united in marriage to Mrs. Nettie Hazen and to them have been born two children, Dorothy and William. Mr. Logan gives his political allegiance to the republican party, whose ticket he has voted since reaching adult age. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen. He is also a member of the Commercial Club and the family are communicants of the Episcopal church. Mr. Logan stands for all that has to do with progress and improvement in this state, in which he has now made his home for more than three decades. He has been an interested witness of all the changes that have occurred and the progress that has been wrought, and Wyoming finds in him a stalwart champion who believes in its future and displays his faith by investment in its property and business interests.
JOHN A. ONKEN.
John A. Onken, who since 1913 has been president and manager of the Onken Brothers Company at Sheridan, has spent practically the entire period of his business career in the west and is imbued with the spirit of western enterprise and progress that has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the great empire that lies on this side of the Rockies. He was born on the 25th of August, 1878, in Gibson City. Illinois, his parents being August and Tena Onken, the former a native of Essen, Germany, while the latter was born in Beardstown, Illinois.
JOHN A. ONKEN
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John A. Onken completed his public school education by a course in the high school at Saybrook, Illinois, where he was graduated with the class of 1896. He afterward attended the State University of Illinois at Urbana and completed his course there by graduation with the class of 1902. In early life he devoted his attention to farming but afterward became connected with the wholesale grocery trade in Spokane, Washington, where he resided for seven years, acting as vice president of the Spokane Wholesale Grocery Company from 1906 until 1913. In the latter year he removed to Sheridan, Wyoming, where he became a prominent factor in commercial circles as the president and manager of the Onken Brothers Company. In this connection he has been active in the develop- ment and upbuilding of an extensive business which has important and far- reaching trade relations and which is a contributing factor to the rapid develop- ment of this section of the state. He is also interested in real estate in Illinois, having considerable property in the middle west.
(In the 27th of November, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Onken was united in marriage to Miss Eunice M. Babbitt, a daughter of Archer Babbitt, of Spo- kane, Washington. In his political views Mr. Onken is a democrat, giving. stalwart support to the party, yet without ambition for office as a reward for party fealty. Fraternally he is a Mason and an Elk, and he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a Knight Templar in the York Rite and a member of Mohamed Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Peoria, Illinois. He is a man of firm purpose whose activities have been intelligently and wisely directed, and what he has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion.
OLAF C. JOHNSON.
Olaf C. Johnson is well known to the automobile trade of Laramie and the surrounding country. He is one of the pioneer dealers in automobile supplies and an exclusive dealer in auto accessories, conducting business at No. 319 South Second street. This was the first establishment of its kind in Laramie and the business is now conducted as an incorporated company known as Auto Goods Company, with Mr. Johnson as manager.
He was born in Laramie, August 23, 1889, a son of Laurence Johnson, a native of Denmark, who came to the new world in the early 'Sos and made his way across the country to Laramie, where he was engaged in the bakery busi- ness for many years but is now living retired. He married Pauline Beck, also a native of Denmark, and she, too, came to the new world in the early '8os and established her home in Laramie, where she was married. She has become the mother of five children.
Olaf C. Johnson, the eldest in this family, was educated in the public schools of Laramie and of Provo, Utah, where he attended the Proctor Academy. He also became a student in the University of Wyoming but prior to that time he had started out to provide for his own support. being dependent upon his individual efforts from the age of fourteen years. He was first engaged in the bakery business with his father and afterward spent two years in connection with the paint business in the employ of W. Lovett. For a decade he was connected with a drug company, with which he served an apprenticeship and in time passed the state examination, winning the license to engage in the practice of pharmacy in February, 1916. Feeling, however, that there was a more profitable field of labor in connection with the automobile trade, he established his present business in May, 1917, and incorporated his interests under the style of the Auto Goods Company of Rawlins, Wyoming. The firm now conducts five similar establish- ments in the state of Wyoming. The business has reached very extensive pro- portions and Mr. Johnson is one of the prominent dealers in automobile accessories in this state. He has thoroughly studied the trade so that he is able to meet every
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demand of his patrons and his business has already become a large and profitable one.
On the 28th of July, 1913, Mr. Johnson was married in Laramie to Miss Hazel Iredale, a native of Rock Springs, Wyoming, and a daughter of Joseph and Agnes Iredale, who were pioneer settlers of Rock Springs.
In politics Mr. Johnson follows an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. He belongs to Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a college fraternity, but he concentrates his time and attention largely upon his business affairs and has made for himself a most creditable position in commercial circles. He is alert and enterprising, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his progressiveness has brought results that are most satisfactory.
JOHN F. ROSSMAN.
John F. Rossman is president of the Cheyenne Steam Laundry and is an active and energetic business man who early realized the eternal principle that industry wins and therefore made industry the beacon light of his life. He was born in the state of New York in 1857, a son of John and Harriet ( Kells ) Rossman. The father has passed away, having spent his entire life in New York, but the mother is still living.
John F. Rossman acquired a public school education in the Empire state and afterward attended a seminary in New York, subsequent to which time he concen- trated his efforts and attention upon the work of his father's farm, whereon the mother still resides. He gave his labors to general agricultural pursuits until his removal to Wyoming in the year 1885. Making his way westward, he settled in Cheyenne, where he has since made his home. The previous year the laundry of which he is proprietor had been established by John A. England, being the first laundry started in the state. Following the death of Mr. England, Mr. Rossman purchased a half interest in the business and became a partner of Mr. England's son. They are still associated in the conduct of the enterprise, which is today not only the oldest laundry in the state but also the oldest under the continuous management of one firm. Mr. Rossman had been employed in the laundry for ten years prior to purchasing an interest in the business. Since becoming one of the proprietors he has taken active and helpful part in its man- agement and has done work in this connection that has been of great value in the upbuilding of the trade. Today the company uses five laundry auto cars. In their treatment of employes they are quick to recognize merit and fidelity and to reward it by promotion as opportunity offers. They now employ fifty people in the laundry and have an added force during the rush season.
Mr. Rossman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Wager and to them have been born the following named, Jennie M., Marian, Harriett and Jessie.
In religious faith Mr. Rossman is a Methodist and in the work of the church takes a very active and helpful part, serving now as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is also much interested in charitable work and gives most freely to benevolent projects and to aid individuals. His gifts are made without ostentation or display and he follows the Biblical instruction not to let the left hand know what the right hand doeth. His fraternal connections are with the Masons and the Elks. In the former he has attained the thirty-second degree in Wyoming Con- sistory, No. I, A. A. S. R., and he is a Knight Templar and also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Industrial Club and cooperates in all of its well defined plans and purposes for the upbuilding of the city.
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