Selected 1899 Bios, Eagle County, Colorado Transcribed and contributed by: JoAnn Potter Riggle May 24, 1999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Citation: [Anonymous], "Portrait and Biographical Record of the State of Colorado, Containing Portraits and Biographies of many well know Citizens of the Past and Present", Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- G E Bowland, A R Brown, J Dilts, F Doll, W Edwards, J F Fleming, A W Grundel, M B Haas, T A Howes, W W Huntington, A S Little, J W Love, A D McKenzie, G P Sampson, W A Schliff, W A Skiff, P Stein, P Thoborg ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1032 George E. BOWLAND, clerk of Eagle County and a prominent citizen of Red Cliff since coming to this place in 1880, was born in Summit County, Ohio, in 1852, a son of John and Cordelia E. (Hoyal) Bowland, natives respectively 9of Ireland and Vermont. His father, who settled in Ohio in early life, engaged in the commission business in Akron, Ohio, until 1849, when he went to California during the gold excitement in that state. He remained there for eighteen months, after which he returned to Summit County, Ohio. Afterward for five years he engaged in farming in Ohio, and then removed to Queenstown, Canada, where he carried on a mercantile business until 1874. During the latter year he came to Colorado, settling in Denver, where he resided until his death, in 1893. While he never took a very active part in public affairs, he kept informed concerning national questions and allied himself with the Republican party. His wife, who was the daughter of a merchant of Vermont and later of Ohio, has made her home in Denver, Colo., since 1874. Of her children, John H. is engaged in mining in Colorado; Frank D. and Fremont also reside in Colorado; Henrietta M. is the wife of Jackson Wheeler, a mine operator; Florence married Perry Hines, who is interested in mining at Cripple Creek; William and Charles also live in Colorado. When the subject of this sketch was a child of five years his father moved to Canada, and there he spent the years of youth, obtaining his education in common schools. Upon starting out to make his way in the world he went to Chicago, where he was variously employed for five years. In 1874 he came to Colorado, and spent a short time in Denver, but soon went to Virginia City, Nev., where he remained until 1880; meantime he was engaged in the mercantile business for four years. He then came to the camp at Red Cliff, which had been started the year before, and here he has since been interested in mining. During much of the time since 1884 he has been in the county clerk's office, first as deputy, and in 1889 was first elected to the office, which he still holds, the present being his third term. He is conscientious and faithful in the discharge of his duties, and is a popular official. In 1889 Mr. Bowland married Miss Mary A., daughter of Hon. Andrew Scanland, an influential attorney of Pittsfield, Ill., and for years judge of a district court in Illinois. To this marriage three children were born, Sue, Florence and Edward. In his political views Mr. Bowland is a strong silver Republican, and it is upon this party ticket that he has received his election as county clerk. He also served for some time as under-sheriff. In fraternal relations he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. His wife hold membership in the Christian Church. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1461 Arthur R. BROWN, ex-judge of Eagle County, came to Colorado in 1880 and settled in Leadville, where for two years he was interested in mining and also engaged in the practice of law. In 1882 he removed to Red Cliff, the county-seat of Eagle County, and mining camp that was then three years old. He has witnessed the growth of the town from a small camp to a village of almost fifteen hundred people, and has himself contributed to its development. For some years he has devoted himself to mining and the practice of law, but after his first election to the office of county judge, much of his time was given to his official duties. Judge Brown was born in Utica, N.Y., in 1850, a descendant of Peter Brown, who crossed the ocean in the "Mayflower." His paternal grandfather, a native of Stonington, Conn., and a colonel in the war of 1812, engaged for years in the manufacture of woolen goods and in the distillery business, accumulating a small fortune through his various enterprises. Politically he voted with the Democrats. His son, the judge's father, Lorenzo S. Brown, was born in New York state, where for a considerable number of years he followed the distillery business. He was a Republican in politics and prominent in local affairs. His last years were spent in retirement and he died when eighty-four years of age, his death occurring in Utica, of which city he had long been a prominent resident. He owned large tracts of real estate there and also had an interest in the banking business of A. H. Brown & Co., in which all of his brothers were also interested. Besides this, he owned stock and lumber interests. He married Elizabeth C. Brainard, a native of New York; her father, Maj. Chauncey Brainard, engaged in the mercantile business and the manufacture of woolen goods, having mills at Cedarville, N.Y., and was a major in the war of 1812. Some of the money he received when he was paid off by the government is now in the hands of our subject. In the family of Lorenzo S. Brown there were three children. Clara B. became the wife of Timothy E. Wilcox, M.D., a surgeon in the regular army, with the rank of major. Susan M. is the wife of Adelbert J. Rhodes, who is engaged in the coal business in New York. Our subject who was the only son, spent his early years in his New York home, and was educated in the schools of Utica and the military school at Clinton, N.Y. On leaving school he went to Michigan, where his father owned large tracts of pine land, and there he engaged in the lumber business for eight years. In the interests of railroad bondholders, he went to Indiana, where he remained for seven years. Since coming to Colorado, his attention has been largely given to the practice of law and mining, and he not only owns mining interests of his own, but manages important properties for others. Fraternally he is a Mason, connected with the Knights Templar and Shrine. In politics he is a stanch Republican. In New Bedford, Mass., Judge Brown was united in marriage with Miss Florence C. Shaw, a sister of Capt. Charles F. Shaw, who was an officer in the Union army during the Civil war, and a daughter of Frederick P. Shaw, who was a wholesale grocer in New Bedford, and later in Saginaw, Mich. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1084 James DILTS, former superintendent of schools of Eagle County, and now engaged in mining and also in the practice of law at Eagle, was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1848, a son of William and Sarah (Miller) Dilts, natives of New Jersey. His father, who left New Jersey in childhood, spent almost his entire life in Ohio, where he cultivated farm land. He was a strong supporter of the government during the Civil war and gave two sons to the fight for the Union. In religion he was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His death occurred in 1864, when he was fifty-six years of age. His wife died in Ohio at fifty-two yeas of age. Of their children, Nathan enlisted in the Thirty-second Ohio Infantry and died during his service in the Civil war; Elizabeth is married and lives in the east; Sarah, the widow of Judge Webb, lives in Topeka, Kan.; Harriet died in girlhood; Flavius owns a large ranch near Newton, Kan.; Edith is living in Montana; and Austin is engaged in the stock business in Montana. Upon the home farm in Ohio our subject was trained to habits of usefulness and industry. He received an academic, normal scho0l, business and college education. He took a business course at Poughkeepsie, N.Y., attended the Ohio Westleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and studied law in the Boston University. In 1880 he came to Colorado and opened an office in Denver, where he built up a growing practice. While Eagle County was still new, he settled here in 1883 and began professional practice, also became interested in mining. Five years after coming to Eagle County he was elected to the office of county superintendent of schools, which office he filled efficiently for eight years. He was county attorney for two years and represented Eagle County in the twelfth general assembly of the state. From boyhood he has been a believer in Republican principles, and has never voted any other ticket than that of the regular party. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 999 Frank DOLL, who is a member of the firm of Doll Brothers, proprietors of a ranch situated four miles from Gypsum, in Eagle County, was born near Canton, Ohio, in 1851, a son of George and Susan (Meiser) Doll, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. His mother, who died in 1893, was a daughter of a wealthy farmer of Stark County, Ohio, who settled there a few years after his marriage. The Doll family was represented among the colonial settlers of Virginia. George Doll, who was a veterinary surgeon, was employed by the government In that capacity for four years during the Civil war, and spent the greater part of his life in Ohio, where he died in 183. Of his sons, Samuel is connected with our subject in the ranch business and other enterprises in Colorado and Ohio, including a large coal and clay business in the latter state. Hiram, who resides in Stark County, has served as county treasurer, and was the first Republican sheriff of that county after the close of the war. He is now president of a coal company in Ohio, which his other brothers own interests in, and is president of a brick and tile company in which they are also interested. The third brother, Zachariah, is superintendent of the business of which his brother is president. In 1887 the subject of this sketch came to Colorado, and, with his brother Samuel, purchased the land where their ranch is located. At that time it was raw and contained nothing but sage brush. The sole improvement was a small cabin. Under their supervision a great change has been wrought. The location of the property is fine, it being in a beautiful valley which extends from Gypsum, a small town on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, to the mountains. The ranch contains sixteen hundred acres, of which almost every foot is under cultivation. The soil cannot be surpassed by any in the entire county. A large supply of mountain water furnishes adequate facilities for irrigation and enables the owners to raise every variety of grain and fruit and vegetable in abundance. From fourteen to twenty-one men are kept at work on the place. The improvements are of an important nature and greatly enhance the value of the property, which is as fine as can be found in the United States. The elegant residence, which stands back from the road, affords a splendid view of the valley below and the mountains beyond. A commodious barn with water in every part, affords ample accommodations for the owners' fine blooded horses. Another large barn furnishes stable room for the work horses, and it also has running water. All of the buildings on the place are lighted by electricity, the power being furnished by a plant on the ranch. Every kind of machinery that would be of assistance in the cultivation of the land may be found here. The stock on the place includes a herd of blooded Hereford high-grade cattle and some of the finest blooded horses, both running and trotting horses, to be found in the entire country. One might travel through the oldest states of the east without finding a place that bears a better class of improvements than the Doll Brothers' ranch. In addition to this property the firm own ranches containing two thousand three hundred and eighty acres, on which they keep a large number of horses and cattle of common grades. They have done much to improve this part of the state. Among the improvements they have made may be mentioned the building of stores and roller flouring mill with every modern improvement, at Gypsum. Other enterprises have received the impetus of their co-operation and assistance. The brothers are highly regarded by all who know them and are recognized as able and successful business men. Those having charge of the business interests in Ohio have, through their sagacious judgment, accumulated valuable property and built up a business that is substantial and prosperous; while the brothers who have given their attention to ranching have improved a ranch that is unsurpassed in the state of Colorado. Three of the brothers were soldiers in the Union army, and all served from the opening to the close of the conflict except Hiram, who was captured by the enemy and held in Andersonville prison for sixteen months. All are Republicans in political belief and keep themselves posted concerning national issues as well as local affairs, but none has shown a desire for official responsibilities. In 1882 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Slusser, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of D. M. and Lydia (Holweck) Slusser, natives of Ohio. They are the parents of one son and three daughter: Frank J., Susan, Gretchen and Dorothy. Fraternally Mr. Doll is connected with the Masonic order and the Odd Fellows. He is an intelligent and able business man, identified with the best interests of Eagle County, and ever ready to aid in the promotion of such enterprises as will advance the general welfare. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1072 William EDWARDS came to Eagle County in 1882 and took up a tract of land in the west-central part of the county. Upon this land he laid out the village of Eagle, the town site of which he sold to B. Clark Wheeler, of Aspen, by whom it was afterward sold to A. M. McDonald, owner of the Allen mine. The Edwards family originated in Wales. From that country M. M. Edwards emigrated to America and settled in Ohio, where he afterward resided. His son, William, was born in Ohio and there engaged in the practice of law for years, but finally moved to Keokuk, Iowa, where he built up a valuable practice and also became a prominent Mason. When he died in 1880 he was fifty-two years of age. During the Civil war he served as captain of a company of Iowa Infantry. His wife was Isadore Florence Hime, of Ohio, daughter of a captain on the Ohio and Mississippi River steamboats. The only child of his parents, our subject was in youth given excellent advantages. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was quite young when the family settled in Keokuk, Iowa. He attended public schools and the State University of Iowa, where his education was completed. In 1876, at nineteen years of age, he came to Colorado and settled in park County, where he engaged in the stock business until 1882. Since then his home has been in Eagle County, where he owns a number of mines and is also interested in raising stock and ranching on Eagle Creek. The political views of Mr. Edwards bring him into affiliation with the Populist party, of which party he is a stanch adherent. However, he has never taken an active part in public affairs nor has he desired to hold official positions. He is comfortably situated financially, and is numbered among the prosperous ranchmen of the county. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1073 John Franklin FLEMING. An influential position among the business men of Red Cliff is held by Mr. Fleming, who is one of the successful merchants of the town. In spite of the fact that he came here with only a few dollars, he has built up a business that is worth thousands. He brings to the details of his business a thorough experience, untied with pride in the quality of goods kept at his stores, and the consequence is that he has built up an excellent trade in Eagle County. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Timothy Fleming, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was taken prisoner by the British at Quebec. The maternal grandfather, John W. Saviers, was a farmer and a member of a pioneer family of Ohio. He had a son, George W. Saviers, who was for years a leader of the Democracy in Columbus, Ohio. Our subject's father, Benjamin Franklin Fleming, was born in Tippecanoe, Ohio, and in early life engaged in the shoe business, but afterward turned his attention to farming and merchandising. He continues to reside in Ohio. In early manhood he voted the Democratic ticket, but during the past twenty years has been allied with the Prohibitionists. In religion he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By his marriage to Elizabeth Saviers he had six children: John Franklin; George M., a business man of Mount Vernon, Ohio; Nannie E., Mrs. Henry Bayless, of Ross County, Ohio; Maggie T., wife of George Allshouse, a fruit dealer in Ross County, Ohio; Emma, Mrs. George Bayfield, of Ohio; and Eugenia, wife of W. F. Johnston, of Cumberland Ohio. The early years of our subject's life were passed in Cambridge, Ohio, where he attended the public schools. At eighteen years of age he started out for himself. In 1882 he came to Colorado, without money or friends. For a time he worked on a Democratic paper in Leadville, and later was assistant cashier in the dry-goods house owned by Joel W. Smith. He came to Red Cliff in 1885, and started a grocery and men's furnishing business, in partnership with E. M. Borg, with whom he continued until February, 1886, and then purchased his partner's interest. Soon afterward he formed a partnership with W. H. Evans, president of the Leadville Hardware Company, with which organization he is also connected, owning one-quarter of the capital stock, and which he assisted in starting. He is now the owner of one-half interest in two stores in Red Cliff, one being a grocery, and the other a hardware and general store. He also assisted in starting a bank in Red Cliff, but the venture did not prove a success. In national politics he has always favored the Democratic party, but in local affairs votes for the man whom he deems best qualified to represent the people. Twice he has been elected mayor of Red Cliff, whose interests he has assisted materially. In 1891 Mr. Fleming married Anna McLeod, of Quebec, Canada, daughter of John C. McLeod, who owned a farm near Quebec and assisted in building the first railroad to that city. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have three children, Burnis, Edna and Pearl. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1143 August W. GRUNDEL. The life of this Swedish-American citizen of Eagle County has been one of perseverance and integrity, and has been rewarded with the success that comes to men of energy and judgment. When he came to Colorado his entire worldly possessions consisted of $1.50, with which small capital he began for himself. Though the beginning was small, he has patiently worked his way for ward, until he is now recognized as one of the prosperous ranchmen of his county, and Grundel brothers' ranch, near Gypsum, is one of the best for miles around. A son of Andrew and Mary (Anderson) Grundel, the subject of this sketch was born in Sweden in 1850. He was one of six children, of whom his four sisters remain in Sweden, and his brother, A. F., is living in Leadville. He was educated in the schools of his native land, and at twenty-three years of age started for America, settling in Michigan, and for seven years engaging in mining in Marquette County. In 1879 he came to Colorado, and for four years he engaged in Mining at Leadville, where he was employed in the Morning and Evening star mines. In 1883 he came to Eagle County and purchased the fine ranch which he and his brother own, situated in the beautiful and fertile valley one and one-half miles above Gypsum. At the time of purchase the land was raw, but it has since been brought under excellent cultivation, and improved with a commodious residence, substantial barns, water works and irrigating ditches. During his residence in Michigan Mr. Grundel served as magistrate, but since coming to Colorado he has given his attention strictly to mining and farm pursuits. In politics he is a Republican. His marriage, in 1882, united him with Kittie Nelson who was born in the same part of Sweden as himself. They are the parents of three children: Frederick William, Hilma Amelia and Edith Marie. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1073 Meyer B. HAAS, who has resided in Minturn since 1886 and is the owner of considerable property in Eagle County, was born in Holland in 1834, a son of Benjamin Philip and Christine Haas, who spent their entire lives in Holland, the former being engaged in business there. They were the parents of eighteen children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one in Colorado. He was only seven years of age when, in the early part of 1842, he left his native land and took passage on a sailing vessel, which landed him in New York after a tedious voyage. from a very early age he has made his own way in the world, and while this prevented him from obtaining an education, it developed in him self-reliance and determination, qualities that assisted him in his business life. Drifting west to Detroit, Mich., Mr. Haas was employed there for a few years. In 1853 he left that city and went to Chicago, where he remained for a short time. His next removal took him to Leavenworth, Kan., from which state, in 1858, he came to Colorado, settling in Denver, then a small town of tents, giving little indication of its future commercial importance. For three years he carried on a store, after which he returned to Kansas and spent several years in Leavenworth. Under Andrew Johnson he was appointed postmaster of Fort Leavenworth, which position he held for some time, and in 1866 was appointed postmaster in Fort Leavenworth. In his possession he has a passport, signed by William H. Seward, in 1863. The business experiences of Mr. Haas in Kansas were less fortunate than those in Colorado. He lost $40,000 in Leavenworth, and was a poor man when he returned to Colorado in 1878. Settling in Leadville, he engaged in mining there and is still the owner of valuable mining interest in that place. For four years he held the office of city jailer in Leadville. He remained in that town until 1886, when he removed to Minturn, and has since acquired considerable property in this section of the state. Since the organization of the Republican party he has always voted for its principles and supported its candidates. He is connected with various degrees of Masonry, as well as the Knights of Pythias. In Leavenworth, January 27, 1864, he married Miss Louisa Segre, who died, leaving two daughters; Matilda, now the wife of Curt C. Darrow, an attorney of Butte, Mont.; and Charlotte, wife C. A. Ward, who is engaged in the restaurant business in Chicago. The present wife of Mr. Haas was formerly Lillian S. Van Hook, and was born in Kentucky, member of a southern family that originally resided in Holland. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1091 Thomas A. HOWES. The life of any man is of great benefit to the community in which he resides when all of his energies are directed toward advancing it's interest and when he is honest and irreproachable in his dealing with his fellow-men. To this class Mr. Howes belongs. He is a general merchant of Eagle, and has been identified with all enterprises of importance there, as well as with laudable movements for the progress of Eagle County and the development of is resources. The only child of T. H. Howes, M.D., and Anna (Atwell) Howes, natives of New York and Maryland, the subject of this sketch was born in Indiana in 1841. His father, who graduated from a medical college in Cincinnati, was the son of a pioneer physician of western New York, and was himself a pioneer in the profession in Indian, where he died during the progress of the Civil war. His wife dad died in 1852. Their son, our subject, was reared in Indian. At twelve years of age he became errand boy in a general store at Rochester, Ind., where he remained until 1856. Afterward he was employed in a store at Logansport. April 13, 1861, two days before the call was made for volunteers in the Union service, our subject enlisted in the Ninth Indiana Infantry under Colonel Melroy. After three months at the front he was discharged. On the 31st of July of the same year he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry, in which he remained until the close of the war, meantime taking part in various engagements. After the siege and fall of Vicksburg he was commissioned first lieutenant, in recognition of meritorious conduct. Returning to Indiana at the close of the war, Mr. Howes engaged in the general mercantile business in Carroll County, where he continued for many years, meeting with fair success. In 1892 he came to Eagle County, Colo., and established the general store which he has since conducted. In 1867 he married Miss Mary C. Dunkle, who was born in Indian, daughter of Peter Dunkle, a business man in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Howes have three children, viz.: John P., who is engaged with his father in business; May, wife of Frank D. Butcher, who is connected with the Vandalia Railroad in Indiana; and June, wife of R. M. Johnston, who was formerly in the drug business at Longansport, Ind., and now resides in Palouse, Wash. The political belief of Mr. Howes brings him into touch with the Republican party, and he always supports the candidates of this organization. He is actively connected with the Masonic order and the grand Army of the Republic. His attention, however, is principally given to his business interests. Through his long experience in merchandising, an experience that dates back to his boyhood, he is enabled to conduct his business affairs intelligently and successfully, and the Howes Mercantile and Supply Company is one of the Flourishing concerns of Eagle County. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1201 William W. HUNTINGTON, a well known mine operator residing in Gilman, Eagle County, Colo., became connected with the mines of Leadville in January, 1879, during the great boom in that camp. He was connected with the Leadville Consolidated Mining Company and the Small Hopes Mining Company until the spring of 1884, when he removed to Gilman, and since then he has acted as superintendent and manager of the Eagle Bird miens, the Eagle River and Tunnel Mining Company, the Ground Hog Tunnel Mining Company, and has had charge of the mines owned by D. H. Moffat, at this place. Near Cooperstown, Otsego County, N.Y., Mr. Huntington was born in 1853. He represents the eighth generation of an old English family in this country. His grandfather, Samuel, who was born in New York state and spent his entire life there, taught his son, William S., the trade of a last-maker, which both father and son followed as long as they lived. Both were faithful adherents of the Presbyterian Church. William S. was a Mason in fraternal relations and a Republican in Politics. He died in New York state in 1891. His wife, Mary, was a daughter of William Walker, a prosperous farmer of New York state, where she still makes her home. She had but two children, our subject and Frederick W., who is now professor in one of the high schools of Brooklyn, N.Y. The education of our subject was obtained in district schools, the Brooklyn Polytechnic School, and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He graduated in civil engineering with the class of 1876, after which he was employed on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He came to Colorado in the early part of 1879 and has since become familiar with mining, in its every detail. He has never identified himself with politics, but keeps well posted in the same and gives his ballot to Republican candidates. During the year of his settlement in Gilman he married Anna Stroehle, who was born in Rock Island, Ill., but has made her home in Colorado since she was a small child. Two children bless the union, Walter C. and Helen L. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1104 A. S. LITTLE, treasurer of Eagle County, and for years an influential business man of Eagle County, was born in 1847 in the province of Ontario, Canada, about seventy miles from Niagara Falls. He was a son of William and Jane (Scott) Little, natives respectively of Scotland and England. His paternal grandfather, Andrew Little, removed to Canada in middle life and engaged in farming in Ontario, in which province he died at the age of ninety years. The maternal grandfather, Adam Scott, emigrated from Scotland (after a short sojourn in England) to Canada, where he settled upon unimproved land and cleared and cultivated a farm. William Little was born in Scotland, but was brought to America when young. In youth he learned the tailor's trade, but did not follow it to any extent, giving his attention to farm pursuits. For several years he served as assessor for his district. He was in the faith of the Scotch Presbyterian Church and always adhered strictly to its teachings. At the time of his death he was about eighty years of age. His wife is still living and resides on the old homestead in Brant County. Of their children two are deceased; Andrew cultivates the home place; John is engaged in the stock business in Nevada; James is connected with the New York Life Insurance Company; William and Byron are veterinary surgeons and stock-dealers in Manitoba; Agnes is the wife of William Curry, a farmer in Canada; Jane Lives with her mother; Elizabeth is the wife of John Steele, a farmer in Canada; Ellen married Alexander Christie, of Boston; and Belle is the wife of John Archibald, master mechanic of the Grand Trunk Railroad at Stratford, Ontario, Canada. In the schools of his native town, Paris, and in Toronto, our subject acquired his education. At fourteen he became clerk in a general store, where he remained for eight years, and afterward engaged in clerical work for four years. In 1872 he came to the states, settling in Indiana, where he carried on a lumber and commission business. Three years later he returned to Canada and turned his attention to the grain business. In 1878 he came to Colorado, where he prospected for two years, and afterward was employed in Martin's lumber office in Denver for six years. The year 1891 found him in Eagle County, where he has since resided, carrying on a general mercantile business. He has taken an active part in the work of the Democratic party, and of late years has been intimately identified with the People's party. To the office of county treasurer he was elected in 1897, and he has since devoted himself to the conscientious discharge of his duties in this responsible position. He is also interested in various mines in this section. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Basalt Lodge No. 83. His marriage took place in 1872 and united him with Mary J. Horr, of Dubuque, Iowa, by whom he has two daughters, Harriet H. and Isabelle M. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1331 John W. LOVE, commissioner of Eagle County and the owner of a valuable ranch four miles from the village of Eagle, was born in Canton, Fulton County, Ill., April 3, 1837, a son of Samuel and Hannah (Collins) Love, natives of Ohio. He had two uncles, John Collins and William Love, who served in the war if 1812, the latter being a captain in Hull's command. During his entire active life, Samuel Love followed farming, but for some years before his death, which occurred at eighty-six years, the infirmities of age prevented him from engaging in manual work. He was a sincere member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family of which our subject is a member was a large one. Of the children, Robert W. owns a ranch near the home of our subject; Jesse is engaged in mining at Rico; Edwin is a carpenter in Colorado City and a veteran of the Civil war; Mrs. Sarah Hames lives in Webster County, Mo.; Polly is the wife of J.M. Bunker, of Monmouth, Ill.; Esther is a widow and lives in Rock Island, Ill.; Elizabeth L. died when seventeen years of age; Henrietta is also deceased; Margaret married, but is now deceased. Upon farms in Illinois and Iowa our subject passed the days of boyhood. At twenty three he began to farm for himself, cultivating property in Illinois, where he remained until 1859. During the height of the gold excitement in Colorado, in 1860, he came to this territory and settled at Colorado City, but soon went to Breckenridge, Summit County, and began mining. In 1882 he settled in Eagle County, where he has since been interested in mining and stock- raising. He located a ranch four miles from Eagle, and this property, which has an abundance of mountain water for irrigation, is improved with a neat residence, good barns, etc. It is situated in a valley that is seven miles long and one mile wide and is one of the most fertile and beautiful in the state. When he came here the land was raw, but under his supervision it has been brought under excellent cultivation, and is now very valuable. In addition to this ranch of six hundred and forty acres and a hay ranch of one hundred and twenty acres near the camp of Fulford he owns several other farms in this locality. In 1864 Mr. Love married Mrs. Ellen (Frost) Eaton, and for thirty-four years he had the companionship of this devoted, helpful and capable wife. She was born in Massachusetts, but her girlhood years were passed in Illinois, where her parents settled in an early day. By her first marriage she had a daughter, Lizzie May, Mrs. John C. Metcalf, who makes her home with her step-father. No children were born to her second marriage. The death of Mrs. Love in 1898, was the heaviest sorrow of her husband's life. During earlier days Mr. Love was a Democrat, but of late years he has become identified with the People's party. In the fall of 1897 he was elected county commissioner, which position he still holds. As a member of the school board he has done much to advance the schools of this district. Since 1867 he has been identified with the Red Cliff Lodge of Masons. He is a man highly respected in his community, and has many friends among the people of the county. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1092 Albert D. McKENZIE, who owns and occupies a ranch five miles from Eagle, and was formerly a member of the board of commissioners of Eagle County, was born in Essex County, N.Y., among the Adirondack Mountains, in 1847. His father, Mordecai McKenzie, who was a farmer, died in 1853, and afterward the boy was given a home with his grandfather, Roderick McKenzie, a native of Scotland, who served in the war of 1812 and taught school for some years, also carried on a farm. One of his sons, whose name was the same as his own, served through the Civil war. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Prescott and was born in New York, where she died in 1878. She had five brothers, George, John, Luther, Joseph and Albert, three of whom fought on the Union side during the war. In her family there were three sons, of whom Sanford is a jeweler at Lake Placid, and Roderick lives at the same place. The oldest son, Sanford, took part in the Civil war as a member of a New York regiment. At twenty years of age our subject started out for himself. He learned the jewelry trade, which he followed for some time, and he also acted a guide to visitors to the Adirondack mountain region. On leaving New York he came to Colorado in 1885 and settled in Eagle County, purchasing property near Eagle, where he has since engaged in ranching. He has also been interested in mines, and owns a number of houses in Eagle. In8170 he married Miss Amy Paye, whose father was a farmer in New York and who had six brothers and five sisters, all in the east but one. Three of her brothers served in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie have three daughters: Minnie, wife of George Wilkinson, a ranchman of Eagle County; Agnes, at home; and Carrie, who married George Stewart, an engineer on the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad between Minturn and Grand Junction. Politically Mr. McKenzie is a Democrat. Some years ago he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of county commissioners, and in 1894 was elected a member of the board, in which position he rendered able service. Fraternally he is connected with White Face Mountain Lodge of Masons, in New York. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1213 George P. SAMPSON, M.D., who has built up an extensive practice in the village of Eagle and the surrounding country, was born in Goderich, Ontario, November 9, 1854, a son of George and Charlotte (Finley) Sampson, natives respectively of Londonderry and Wicklow, Ireland. His paternal grandfather, Andrew Sampson, emigrated from Ireland to Canada in 1831 and died soon afterward; the maternal grandfather, John Finley, was a farmer of Ireland, and settle in Canada in 1833. George Sampson engaged in farming in Canada until 1871, meantime participating in the Canadian rebellion of 1837 for the government. After he settled in Kansas in 1871 he engaged in farming. His death occurred in Ohio in 1883. Of his children, John S. resides in Ashtabula County, Ohio; Anna is the wife of Richard Finley, of Manhattan, Kan.; Lottie married Orville P. Jones, of Florence, Colo.; Ezekiel makes his home in Ashtabule; and Lettie H. is the wife of John F. Priest, of Oregon. The first sixteen years of our subjects life were spent in Canada. After settling in Kansas he attended the State Normal School in Leavenworth. He was only fourteen years of age when he began to teach, and from that time on was practically self-supporting. In 1878, at Leavenworth, Kan., he commenced to read medicine with Dr. S. F. Neely, a prominent physician of that city. At the same time he devoted himself to work that would asset in defraying his expenses. His medical studies were prosecuted in Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1880. Afterward he received an appointment as acting assistant surgeon in the United States regular army, and for three years was engaged in Indian service in Arizona. Later he carried on a drug business at Monte Vista, Colo., until 1895, and during the same time, for two years, he served as county superintendent of schools. He then came to Eagle County, where he established a general practice. With professional skill that brings him patronage he combines the ready tact that makes fast friends of the patients who seek his professional advice. He is conscientiously devoted to the duties of his profession and the people appreciate his ability and earnest efforts. In politics Dr. Sampson is connected with the People's party. He is a member of the blue lodge of Masonry. His marriage, in 1880, united him with Nellie A., daughter of George B. Coffin, of Leavenworth, Kan. They are the parents of two sons, Ralph C. and George P., Jr., who are bright and manly boys. Since the above was written Dr. Sampson has moved to Winslow, Ariz., and is now engaged in the practice of medicine there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1225 William A. SCHLIFF. In the list of business enterprises carried on the village of Gypsum, there is none that meets with more general recognition than the mercantile establishment owned and conducted by Mr. Schliff. He has established a reputation, not only as an energetic, thorough-going business man, but as a citizen whose honesty and uprightness have never been questioned. In addition to the management of his mercantile interests he also fills the office of postmaster. by judicious investments and careful management he has acquired a considerable amount of property in the (Eagle) county. His record in all the relations of life is that of an honorable man. The subject of this sketch was born in Hohenheirm, Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1850, a son of Jacob and Charlotte (Stoll) Schliff. When he was fourteen years of age he was brought to America by his father, who had been a teacher in his native land, but died shortly after he settled in New York. There were but two sons in the family and one of these died in childhood. At sixteen years of age our subject came to Colorado, and as his health was poor, he traveled for some time. When able to engage in active work he engaged in ranching and merchandising. He was the first settler of Gypsum, where, in 1881, he built one of the first houses. Here he has since owned a good ranch, a number of stock, and a mercantile store, the latter having been established in 1890. In 1895 he married Eliza Wiley, a native of New York and by her he has one child. His wife is a member of the school board, but he holds no office except that of postmaster, to which and to his store, his time is closely given. Politically he is a silver Republican. A Mason fraternally, he is connected with Glenwood Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M. ; Glenwood Chapter No. 22, R. A. M., and Glenwood Springs Commandery No. 20, K.T. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1300 Wilson A. SKIFF. During the year that he arrived in Colorado, 1886, Mr. Skiff settled in Eagle County, and took up a pre-emption claim on Gypsum Creek. In July, 1887, he took up a homestead, upon which was later built a portion of the Village of Gypsum. In 1890 he erected the first hotel in the town. Many of the enterprises of the infant town received his assistance and to more than one of them he contributed his time and means. The village is now growing and bids fair to become an important town at no distant day. The Skiff family was founded in America by William Skiff, a native of Scotland and a farmer. He was connected with people of the same name who settled in Massachusetts from Scotland in 1637, but he was the first of his branch of the family that crossed the ocean. His son, William, Jr., was born in New Hampshire, and in youth settled in Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming. While he never held public office, he took an active part in local politics and always voted the Democratic ticket. He died in the 1872, when fifty- nine years of age. The marriage of William Skiff, Jr., united him with Miss Lucinda May, a native of New Hampshire, born in 1810. She was a daughter of Gilbert May, who was killed by the falling of a tree when she was small. Her death occurred in 1888. Of her family, Franklin, now a lumber merchant in Pennsylvania, served for four years as a member of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry; Hiram, a farmer, died in 1878; Silas G., a farmer in Pennsylvania, died in 1883; Mathewson is engaged in farming in Crawford County, Pa.; Francis M. came to Colorado in 1878 and is engaged in mining; William A., of Denver, has been connected with the Consolidated Ice Company of that city since 1883; Charles E. carries on a lumber business in Warren County, Pa.; and Fidelia M. is the wife of Russel Harvey, of Crawford County, Pa. When twenty-one years of age our subject started out in life for himself, and engaged in farming and later in the oil business. In 1876 he settled in Kent County, Mich., where he spent ten years in farming. He then came to Colorado and settled in Eagle County, where he still resides. He gives his attention closely to his business affairs, and has little inclination to mingle in politics, although he never fails to vote at elections and uniformly supports Democratic candidates for the presidency. In 1873 Mr. Skiff married Miss Dell Alexander, who was born in Pennsylvania, but was reared and educated in Lowell, Mich. Her parents, Willard and Eunice (Braisted) Alexander, continued to reside upon a farm in Michigan until they died. They had a family of three sons and four daughters, of whom one daughter died in Colorado in 1893. Samuel and Willard are farmers in Michigan and Charles H. is a merchant in Lowell, that state; Miranda is the wife of Samuel Smith, a farmer of Pennsylvania; and Mary married Joseph Morgan, of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Skiff have two sons, Guy and Harvey, both of whom are in school. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1337 Peter STEIN is the owner of a ranch in the fertile valley near Gypsum, Eagle County, and also owns at Eagle, the best-equipped blacksmith's shop and wagon works in the entire county. When he came here in 1886 he purchased a ranch one mile from Gypsum, and in connection with its cultivation carried on the blacksmith's trade in the same neighborhood. In 1897 he built a substantial blacksmith's shop, and has since carried on business at Eagle. The birth of Mr. Stein occurred in 1856, near Bezirka-Coblentz on the Rhine, about twenty-five miles from the famous old town of Bingen. He is a son of John Stein, a farmer in the old county, and Marie (Fey) Stein, who was born in the town of Schneppenbach. The family of which he is a member consists of five sons and one daughter. Jacob, Joseph, John and Henry live at the old homeplace in Germany, and Catherine is the wife of Jacob Getz, who live in the same neighborhood as her brothers. The only one who came to America was the subject of this sketch. He was reared on the home farm and educated in German schools. Following the time-honored German custom, he began to learn a trade when fourteen years of age. He served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade for three years, after which he followed the trade as a journeyman for three years. He then entered the regular army, and for three years lived the life of a German soldier. Coming to America in 1882, Mr. Stein settled in Breckenridge, Summit County, Colo., but after one year removed to Alma, this state, where he opened a shop. For four years he engaged in business there. In 1886 he settled in Eagle County, where he has since resided. Besides his business and ranch interests he was one of the promoters of the Eagle Valley Creamery, in which for some time he owned an interest. His political views bring him into affiliation with the People's party. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World. In 1883 Mr. Stein married Miss Louisa Barth, a native of Krebsweiler, Germany, a town that is situated near our subject's native place. They are the parents of five children: William, Harman, Pauline, Louisa and Minnie. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1212 Peter THOBORG is one of the early settlers of Eagle County. When he came here, in September, 1885, little improvement had been made in the county, the town of Eagle had not yet been started and even the principal industry of the state, mining, had received but little attention. He took up land adjoining the present village of Eagle and here he has carried on general ranch pursuits, working industriously and faithfully to place his property under first class improvement. In the province of Hanover, Germany, in 1855, the subject of this sketch was born, a son of Wilhelm Thoborg, a native of the same province, by trade and blacksmith and in religion a member of the Lutheran Church. The wife and mother bore the maiden name of Anna Stuehrke and was a native of the same province. She died in 1872, two years after the death of her husband. The were the parents of four sons and one daughter, of whom Wilhelm died in the old country; Kate is married and lives in Davenport, Iowa; August and Herman are engaged in mining at Aspen, Colo. The boyhood years of our subject's life were passed in Germany. Under his father's instruction he learned the blacksmith's trade and at sixteen years of age he started out in the world for himself. In pursuit of his occupation as blacksmith, he visited many towns in Europe. In 1873, at eighteen years of age, he crossed the ocean and settled in Davenport, Iowa, where ie remained for several years. From there, in 1879, he came to Colorado, settling in Leadville, where he had charge of the sampling department of the Grant Smelter for three years. Afterward he spent two years or more in South Park, coming from there to his present home in Eagle County. The marriage of Mr. Thoborg, in 1880, united him with Carrie Kuehn, of Davenport, Iowa and by her he has three daughters, Mabel, Alice and Blanche. In politics he is identified with the People's party. He is interested in educational matters and for nine years served as president of the school board of his district. He assisted in organizing a lodge of Woodmen of the World in Eagle, and was its first consul commander and is still one of its most active members. He stands high among the people of the county and has many friends among the best citizens of his locality. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, this data may be used by non-commercial researchers, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, nor for presentation in any form by any other organization or individual. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than as stated above, must obtain express written permission from the author, the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist.