Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: STACKHOUSE, Frederick D. (published 1918) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 December 2, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 412-414 photo and signature of F. D. Stackhouse, p. 413 FREDERICK D. STACKHOUSE. Frederick D. Stackhouse, auditor of the city and county of Denver, was born in Rensselaer, Indiana, on the 11th of January, 1864, a son of Isaac M. Stackhouse, who was a native of Ohio and was descended from one of the old Pennsylvania families of English lineage. Two brothers of the name came to America with William Penn and were the founders of the American branch. They were of the Quaker faith. Isaac M. Stackhouse was a tinner by trade and was a man of literary ability who during the latter years of his life devoted his attention to literary pursuits. He gave his political allegiance to the greenback party and was quite active in its support and in furthering various civic matters. He married Margaret Smith, a native of La Fayette, Indiana, and a representative of one of the old pioneer families of that state of English descent. Her father, John Smith, was the founder of the La Fayette Journal, which is still in existence, and the family was a very prominent and influential one in Indiana. The death of Isaac M. Stackhouse occurred in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1903, when he was sixty-seven years of age, and he is still survived by his widow, who is now a resident of Columbus, Ohio. She has reached the age of seventy- seven years, having been born in March, 1841, at La Fayette, Indiana. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, three sons and three daughters. Frederick D. Stackhouse, who was the third in order of birth in that family, pursued his education in the public schools of Southport, Indiana, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1882. He then started out in the business world on his own account and was first employed at the painter's trade, after which he removed to Indianapolis, Indiana, and for a time served as shipping clerk with the firm of Johnston & Erwin, wholesale dry goods merchants. He next entered the car accountant's office of the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railway Company in 1886 and was there engaged in clerical work until 1888. He .was afterward with the Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company until April, 1891, in which year he made his way westward to Denver, where he arrived a comparative stranger, knowing only two people in the city-F. M. De Weese, now freight auditor of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, and Frank Levering, who was then an attorney at law but is now engaged in foreign missionary work in India. Mr. Stackhouse secured a position with the Denver & Rio Grande in the auditing department and continued with that road. until October, 1899. He was afterward with the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, in charge of their railroad accounts with the Crystal Railroad and the Colorado & Wyoming Railroad. On the 19th of April, 1906, he became auditor for the Holly Sugar Company of Holly, Colorado, with which he remained until October, 1909. He then returned to Denver and entered the real estate, insurance and loan business under the firm name of the Home Realty Company, an incorporated company of which he became treasurer, with F. H. Hanchett as president and W. J. Robinson as secretary. He thus continued active in the real estate business until 1912, when he became chief clerk in the city treasurer's office under Alllson Stocker, with whom he continued for a year. When the commission form of government was adopted Mr. Stackhouse was appointed secretary to J. M. Perklns, then mayor of the city, remaining with the latter for two years. He next turned his attention to the accounting business, opening an office in the Gas and Electric building and practicing his profession as an expert accountant. He was first associated with C. G. Weston in a partnership that existed for six months. Mr. Stackhouse then withdrew and established an independent business in December, 1915. This he still conducts and is now associated with Henry Koepcke, under the firm style of Stackhouse & Koepcke, certified public accountants. On the 1st of June, 1917, Mr. Stackhouse was again called to public office, being elected auditor of the city and county of Denver, in which position he has since continuously and acceptably served. On the 2d of March, 1887, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Mr. Stackhouse was married to Miss Alice M. Thompson, a native of Marion county, Indiana, and a daughter of John W. and Martha M. (Denny) Thompson, both of whom were representatives of old Massachusetts families, and Mr. Thompson's mother was an own cousin of Nancy Hanks, the mother of Abraham Lincoln. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stackhouse: Evelyn, who is now a teacher in Los Angeles, California; Maynard, who married Miss Rose Graham of Denver and resides at Bakersfield, California; Katharine, the wife of Mannie Dillon, a resident of Denver; Paul, who married Miss Hazel Schlusser and makes his home in Denver; Margaret, at home; and Earl, who was the first born and died at the age of five months. The life history of Mr. Stackhouse holds much that is of interest because it is the record of earnest effort intelligently directed and tells of many victories in the business world. He started out for himself when but twelve years of age, earning his first money as a newsboy. The family lived six miles from Indianapolis, at Southport, Indiana, and he was obliged to walk that distance to get his papers. He was also employed in early youth by a farmer, to whose home he had to walk a distance of two miles, and in compensation for his labors he received thirty-seven and a half cents per day, which was, however, twelve and a half cents in excess of the amount that was first agreed upon. He proved so diligent and efficient, however, that the former sum was accorded him and throughout his entire life the same diligence and efficiency has enabled him to work his way upward until he is today prominent in professional circles as a certified accountant and is making a most creditable record in office. He enjoys the respect and goodwill of his fellow townsmen and the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and his progress in life reflects credit and honor upon him. Mr. Stackhouse gives his political allegiance to the republican party where national questions and issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the lodge and chapter, and he is also a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Lions Club. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Broadway Baptist church, in which he is serving as chairman of the board of trustees. He is likewise treasurer of the Baptist state convention and has always taken an active and helpful part in the work of the church. He 'is now serving as secretary of the Westminster College Association and was a member of the library board under Dr. Perkins' administration. Mr. Stackhouse is also a director in a number of industrial enterprises, his varied Interests and activities placing him with the valued and representative citizens of Denver.