Mardos Collection
ON. ALVA ADAMS. The opportunities which Colorado offers to young men of resolute purpose nowhere find a more illustrious exemplification than in the life of the present governor of the state, a man honored alike in the counsels of the commonwealth and in the circle of his personal acquaintances and friends. It was not due to mere luck that, seventeen years from the time when he hauled ties for the railroad, he was the incumbent of the office of chief executive, the highest position within the gift of the state. Not by chance did he rise from poverty to affluence; it was the direct result of his determination of character, his purpose of will. Determination may be said to he the keynote of his character. What he sets out to do he achieves though innumerable obstacles must first he surmounted and interposing barriers removed.
While the most of his life has been spent in Colorado, Governor Adams grew to manhood in Iowa County, Wis., where he was born May 14, 1850. His father had come from Kentucky and his mother from New York, the former being a country merchant and farmer. The boy, though never in college, had the opportunity to secure an education usual to country boys in Wisconsin. The illness of a brother caused the family to seek a change of climate, and, hoping his health might he benefited by the dry, pure air of Colorado, they decided to come to this state. Accordingly, in the then well-known "prairie schooner," they made the long trip from Wisconsin westward, landing in Greeley, Colo., where they stopped for a time. At once the son, who was a young man of twenty-one, looked about him for employment. The only work he could secure was that of hauling ties from the mountains south of Denver for the building of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, then in process of construction. He spent a few weeks in that way, after which, in July, 1871, he went to Colorado Springs as an employe of C. W. Sanborn, dealer in lumber and hardware.
While working for Mr. Sanborn, Mr. Adams set about building a structure that would answer for a lumber office, hardware store and dwelling place. By August he had completed a small building on South Cascade avenue, which was the first building on the present site of Colorado Springs, and there the business was carried on. In October he bought the stock of goods from his employer, paying $4,100 therefor, and, as he did not have the cash in hand, he paid in notes bearing two per cent interest a month. Since then he has constantly, and with success, engaged in the hardware business. In 1872 he took J. C. Wilson into partnership, and while the latter remained at Colorado Springs, he went to Pueblo, establishing a branch store at that place. Later the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Wilson retaining the store at Colorado Springs, and Mr. Adams that at Pueblo, to which he afterwards added branch stores in the San Juan district.
The first position held by Mr. Adams was in 1873, when he was chosen a trustee of South Pueblo. Three years later he was elected from Rio Grande County to the state legislature, where he became noted for his strict watch of expenses and his opposition to bills requiring special appropriations. In 1884 he was nominated for governor, but was defeated. However, in the election two years later he was successful, receiving a majority of twenty-four hundred, and entering on the duties of his office in January, 1887. His administration was perhaps as satisfactory as that of any governor the state has ever had. As in the legislature, so in the chief executive's chair, he was distinguished for the economical spirit that governed his administration. Every bill demanding an appropriation was scrutinized closely and unless he was thoroughly convinced of its benefits, it was promptly vetoed.
In August, 1887, occurred an outbreak of the Utes. At that time they had for their chief Colorow, a stubborn, insolent but cowardly Indian. Some of his tribe were gambling with cowboys at
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. Meeker one day, but were unfortunate at the cards, and staked and lost everything they had. Their passion for gambling had been aroused to such an extent that they went out and stole two horses belonging to white men, and these they also staked and lost. Warrants were issued for their arrest for horse-stealing, but they resisted arrest. Shots were exchanged. At once the wildest excitement prevailed. The white settlers, remembering the bloody slaughters by the Indians in other days at once demanded that the governor send the militia, and he in turn requested the government at Washington to have the Indians sent to their reservation. But as in so many other cases, the government acted too slowly. The governor then ordered the troops to White River, but after a time, no further trouble occurring, he had them withdrawn.
From the close of his first administration Governor Adams carried on business in Pueblo until 1896, when he was again the successful candidate for governor, being one of the very few men (in fact, none beside himself and F. W. Pitkin) who have been twice chosen to serve as chief executive. His second term has had no weighty legislation, no hostilities, to make it memorable in history. It is the record of a peaceful administration, which, though it may be unnoticed in history, has nevertheless left its impress in the increasing prosperity of the state, the extension of its industries and the advancement of its mining, agricultural and commercial interests.
It may be said of Governor Adams that he is a safe man. As a leader he has none of that recklessness sometimes found in men in public places. He is as careful of the state's finances as he has been of his own. In that respect he resembles Governor Pitkin, who as a financier has never been surpassed by any governor. Perhaps this quality of cautiousness has been objectionable to men who were interested in securing bridges over rivers or other improvements for the benefit of the state; but the man who stands at the head of affairs owes a duty to the tax-payers and must conscientiously guard the finances of the state.
Himself a wealthy man, Governor Adams has often assisted others who have less fortune in fighting the battle of life than has he. By travel, both on this continent and abroad, he has gained a cosmopolitan knowledge that has atoned largely for his lack of early education. In the school of experience and observation he has been an apt pupil, and who shall say that the graduates of this school have been less successful, as a class, than those who boast of college diplomas? In summing up the character of Governor Adams, Fitz-Mac describes him in these words: ''The keynote of Alva Adams' character throughout has been--purpose. He is not a great man, but he is a good man, a clever man, an ambitious and cultivated man. He has made the most of the excellent talents with which nature endowed him and that is why he seems to me the most admirable man in the state. What he is he has made himself, and my heart goes out in unreserved sympathy toward the high and honorable and forcible character he has established."
ON. SAMUEL H. ELBERT, governor of the territory of Colorado 1873-74, chief justice of the supreme court 1876-82 and 1886-88, is one of the most distinguished citizens our state has ever had. Under appointment by President Lincoln as secretary of the territory, he came to Colorado in 1862 and his life since that time has been apart of the history of the state. As the chief executive of the territory, it was his aim to promote the welfare of the people; as chief justice of the supreme court, he was wise, impartial and fearless; as a citizen, he has ever been progressive and public-spirited; and as a friend those who knew him best have found that beneath his dignity of manner and apparent reserve beats a kind, generous, warm heart, untainted by a shadow of dishonor or disloyalty.
The life which this narrative sketches began in Logan County, Ohio, in 1833. The family, while not wealthy, was in comfortable circumstances and the son was given every educational advantage which the schools of Ohio afforded. Dr. Elbert, the father, was an eminent physician and surgeon, with honorary degrees from Cincinnati and Philadelphia medical colleges. In 1840 the family removed to Iowa, but in 1848 young Elbert returned to Ohio, where he took the regular collegiate course of Wesleyan University, graduating in 1854. During the next two years he studied law in Dayton, Ohio, and was there admitted to the bar. In the spring of 1857 he opened an office at Plattsmouth, Neb. His connection with public and political affairs began in May, 1860,
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when he was a delegate from Nebraska to the Republican convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln for President, and in the exciting campaign that followed he was an active participant. In 1860 he was elected to the state legislature, his first public position.
When Hon. John Evans was appointed governor of Colorado to succeed William Gilpin, Mr. Elbert was at the same time appointed territorial secretary, and he came to Denver in May, 1862. The intimate friendship between himself and the chief executive was still further deepened by his marriage to the governor's daughter, Miss Josephine Evans, whose death, with that of their only child, in 1868, was the heaviest bereavement that ever befell Mr. Elbert.
Upon the expiration of his term as secretary, in 1866 Mr. Elbert began to practice law in Denver, in partnership with Hon. J. Q. Charles, and the firm of Charles & Elbert carried on a very large practice. In 1873 he was appointed governor of the territory by President Grant and at once began the forwarding of plans for the development of the state, the enlargement of its resources and the prosperity of the people. He was especially interested in the subject of irrigation, for he realized that Colorado could attain no permanent prosperity unless this problem was satisfactorily solved, he secured a meeting of delegates in Denver from the states and territories west of the Missouri River, in the summer of 1873, and delivered an address in this convention upon the necessity of government aid in the irrigating of the vast tracts in the west.
Bitter political feuds in the summer of 1874 culminated in the removal of Governor Elbert from office. Later President Grant ascertained the real facts of the case and openly acknowledged that he had been misled by unscrupulous persons. With the dignity that always characterized him, Governor Elbert wasted no time in disputes, but withdrew from office, and went abroad, visiting all the prominent cities of Europe and making a careful study of political economy. The people had always been his friends and on his return to Denver they showed their appreciation of his services and their confidence in his integrity in many ways that won his gratitude. When Colorado was admitted to the Union as the Centennial state, he was called to the recently organized supreme bench, and the confidence of the people that he would discharge its duties faithfully was not misplaced. In drawing for terms, he secured a tenure of six years. As chief justice he was noted for impartiality and integrity. The high office he held was never betrayed by him; he was faithful to its smallest duty and to the trust reposed in him. When his term expired in 1882, the people urged him to become a candidate for re-election, but his health had been affected by overwork, and he declined. However, when they again urged him to become a candidate in 1885, he consented to the use of his name and was reelected, his judicial term beginning in January, 1886. After two years, in the latter part of 1888, he was compelled to withdraw from the position, a fact which was deplored, not alone by the public, but especially by the attorneys, who had the warmest admiration for his ability and integrity.
While serving as chief justice his alma mater, which had bestowed upon Judge Elbert the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts in previous years, tendered him the degree of LL.D. Since his retirement from the bench he has devoted his attention to the management of his property and has also traveled considerably. He justly ranks among the most prominent men of the state. His services have not been solely of a gubernatorial and judicial nature, but in many ways, impossible to recount, he has been helpful to the increased prosperity of the state and has labored to promote its highest interests. As president of the State Industrial Association, he was all important factor in the development of Colorado's agricultural resources, during the early days of our history. By assisting in the solution of the problems connected with irrigation, he aided every interest, for the advancement of the state has been simultaneous with the introduction of facilities for irrigation. In the annals of the state his name will occupy a position of eminence through the generations to come.
ON. HORACE M. HALE, A. M., LL.D., superintendent of public instruction of Colorado 1873-77, and president of the Colorado State University at Boulder 1887-92, is one of the distinguished citizens of Denver and has taken a very active part in the promotion of movements for the advancement of the city and state. A resumé of his lineage and life will therefore he of especial interest to the readers of
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. this volume. He is a descendant of Thomas Hale, an Englishman, who settled in Newbury, Mass, in 1635, and several succeeding generations of Hales were identified with the history of New England. His great-grandfather, Col. John Hale, M. D., was a surgeon on the staff of his brother-in-law, Colonel Prescott, during the Revolution, and he and his son, David, then a lad of sixteen were both present at the battle of Bunker Hill.
John Hale, our subject's father, was born at Hollis, N. H., in 1800. He was a mechanic and being a man of great originality and fertile brain, he devoted much time to the invention of useful articles. Among his inventions were the essential features of the present planing machine, one of the earliest power threshing machines, one of the first machines for manufacturing barrels, and an improvement in the tread horse power. In 1837 he removed to Rome, Oneida County, N.Y., where he engaged in manufacturing his threshers and horse powers, but after three years he removed his business to North Bloomfield, Ontario County, N. Y., and added to it the manufacture of agricultural implements. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California, the trip, which was made with his mule team, taking about six months. Arriving at his destination he engaged in prospecting and mining on Feather River, also manufactured mining rockers and became interested in a scheme for draining Feather River, but this proved a failure. He returned east with health much impaired by the hardships of western life, and died in April, 1852. Politically he was a Whig and in religion a member of the Baptist Church.
The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Jane Morrison, was born in Peterboro, N. H., in 1801, and died in Rochester, N. Y., in 1865. The Morrison family came from Scotland to New Hampshire. John, who was born in Aberdeen, probably in 1628, was of Protestant faith and on account of religious persecution went to the north of Ireland, being in the city of Londonderry before and during its siege. About 1720 he joined his sons in New Hampshire, where he died in 1736, aged one hundred and eight years. His son, John, was born in Ireland in 1678, married Margaret Wallace there, settled in Londonderry, N. H., in 1719, being one of the first sixteen settlers there, and in 1750-51 became one of the first settlers of Peterboro, where he died June 14, 1776. Capt. Thomas, son of John Morrison, was born in Ireland in 1710, came to America with his parents in childhood, and served as captain of a company during the early Indian wars. By his marriage to Mary Smith he had a son, John, who was born in Londonderry, N. H., but spent his life principally in Peterboro. His daughter Jane (Mrs. John Hale) had six children that attained maturity, one, Mary Jane, having died in infancy. They are: Charles G., who has been master mechanic for forty years with the New York Central road at Rochester and Buffalo, N. Y.; John Albert, a mine operator, residing in Denver; Benjamin Franklin, a photographer of Rochester; Horace Morrison, our subject; Ellen Amelia, Mrs. Rand, of Bellefontaine, Ohio; and Henry William, a miner and mechanic, residing in Denver. The combined ages of the brothers and sister, at this time (1898) is three hundred and ninety-six years.
The subject of this sketch was born in Hollis, N. H., March 6, 1833, and was in his eighth year when the family removed to Bloomfield. His school advantages were limited to about three months attendance in a public school during the winter. He early began to work in his father's foundry, machine and woodwork shops, learning every department. Soon after his father's death the business was discontinued. Meanwhile, having gained a fair common-school education, he began to teach in the winter of 1852, having charge of a three months' country school in Mendon, N. Y., where he "boarded round'' and was given $14 a mouth. In the spring of 1853 he entered Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y., and in the fall of the same year took a school in Victor, Ontario County, where he boarded among the pupils and was given $18 a month. Returning to Lima in the spring of 1854, he entered the sophomore class in Genesee College, helping to pay his way by working during the summer vacation at carpentry and harvesting. In the winter of 1854-55 he taught at Fisher's Station, Ontario County, resuming collegiate work in the spring, and teaching in West Bloomfield union school as principal the following winter. At the close of his junior year he left Genesee to enter Union College at Schenectady, N. Y., from which he graduated in 1856 with the degree of A. B.
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Later he was again principal at West Bloomfield. When he entered the seminary at Lima he had only $42, the proceeds of his three months' teaching. When he graduated from Union he had $230 and owed no debts.
In the spring of 1858 he went to Nashville, Tenn., where he was principal of the primary department in the public schools that had been established the previous year. After one year he was made principal of a school of four rooms and the next year was given the principalship of the Howard school, one of the largest in the city. When the Civil war broke out, he being a Union man was warned to leave and the house and lot and other real estate he had bought were confiscated, but he finished the school year, which ended with June, before leaving the city.
While in Nashville, in 1859, Mr. Hale married Miss Martha Eliza Huntington, a teacher in the schools there, a native of Barry, Vt., and his schoolmate of former years. Her father, Leonard Huntington, was a member of an old family of New England and was a carriage and wagon maker in Bloomfield, N. Y. The morning after the close of his school, in June, 1861, Mr. Hale started north, going first to Bloomfield, and later to Detroit, Mich., where he studied law in C. I. Walker's law office and, at the same time, taught in an evening school and in a German-English school there. Soon after the close of the war he recovered his property in Nashville. In 1862 he was admitted to the bar in Michigan, but his health having become seriously impaired and suffering greatly with bronchitis, he deemed it imprudent at that time to begin practice. His brother Albert, from Colorado, was just then visiting in the east and on his return Horace accompanied him, driving from Atchison, Kan., to Denver in a buggy, and spending seventeen days on the trip. He went from Denver to Central City, where he arrived in October, 1863, and for a short time he was in H. M. Teller's law office, but the confinement being injurious, he turned his attention to outdoor business, such as mining and freighting between Denver and the mountains.
In 1864 he formed one of a cavalry company of home guards organized under Capt. Sam Browne for the purpose of defense against an anticipated attack by Indians. Each man furnished his own horse and equipments; the territory supplied rations, the company served but two weeks. In 1865 he went east for his wife and child, whom he had left in Bloomfield when starting for Colorado. He crossed the plains on this trip, both ways with a mule team, the westward journey covering forty-two days' time from St. Joseph, Mo, to Central City. This was during Indian troubles, and emigrants had to travel in large companies, hence slowly.
In 1868 he accepted the principalship of the Central City public schools, where he remained until 1873 and then resigned to take the office of territorial superintendent of public instruction to which he had been appointed by Governor Elbert to fill a vacancy. In 1874 he was again appointed by Governor Elbert, for a full term (two years), and was reappointed by Governor Routt. When Colorado was admitted to the Union, August 1, 1876, he was filling this office, and by provision of the statute he retained it until January 1, 1877, thus making him the last territorial and the first state superintendent of public instruction. Returning to Central City, he resumed his work as principal, and remained in the position for ten years, meanwhile serving as mayor of the city in 1882 and 1883, and also as county superintendent of schools for Gilpin County. In 1878 he was elected, on the Republican ticket, regent of the State University for a term of six years. He was therefore at one and the same time principal of the schools, county superintendent, mayor of the city and state regent. In 1887 he resigned as principal in Central City to accept the presidency of the Colorado State University at Boulder, which was tendered him, unsolicited, by the board of regents. This position he ably filled for four and one-half years, returning to Denver in January, 1892. While president of the university the honorary degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by Iowa Wesleyan University. Several buildings were added to the university during his incumbency, among them the Hale Scientific building, named in his honor after his resignation had been tendered. Thus, after forty years of almost continuous service in educational work, he retired from active duty.
While superintendent of public instruction, Mr. Hale organized the State Teachers' Association, of which he was the first president in 1875, and again president in 1883. He is a member of the National Educational Association and has
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. been a frequent and valued contributor to educational journals of the country. While in Central City he was president of the Mining Exchange, and in 1894-95 was president of the Charity Organization Society of Denver. In the Knights of Honor he is grand chaplain of the grand lodge. In former years he was a Republican, but since 1894 has been independent in his political views. During all the years of his connection with the history of Colorado he has been interested in its growth and active in furthering its development and he has contributed his quota to the advancement of its influence and resources.
The only son of our subject is Gen. Irving Hale, who was born in North Bloomfield, N. Y., August 28, 1861, came with his parents to Colorado in 1865, and lived in Central City until 1873, when he came to Denver. He graduated from the East Denver high school in 1877, at the head of its first graduating class, and then went back to Central City, where he remained until 1880. The next four years were spent at West Point Military Academy, where he graduated in 1884, with the highest honors ever attained there by any graduate. In 1887 he married Miss Mary King, daughter of Col. W. R. King, of the United States engineering corps. They have four children, William King, John Huntington, Dorothy and Marjory. He resigned from the army in 1889. In the war with Spain (1898) he was commissioned colonel of the first regiment of the Colorado National Guard and with his command, volunteered for two years' service in the United States army, and left Denver for the Philippine Islands May 17, 1898.
The life of Congressman Shafroth began in Fayette, Howard County, Mo., June 9, 1854. His father, John, who was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, was the son of a hotel keeper who took part in the French wars under Napoleon, but died at an early age. Orphaned at twelve years, John Shafroth had few advantages in his youth. When a young man he came to America and in 1839 settled in Booneville, Mo. The following year he married Miss Annis Aule, a native of Frankfort, Germany, and an orphan who came to America with two sisters. After his marriage he engaged in the general mercantile business until his death, in 1866. Thirty years afterward his wife passed away in Fayette, where she had lived for fifty-six years, having come there at the age of twenty. She was the mother of six children, five now living, of whom John F. is the youngest.
The education of our subject was begun in the public schools, continued in Central College and finished in the University of Michigan, where he studied from 1872 to 1875, graduating with the degree of B. S. He then studied law with Samuel C. Major, of Fayette, and was there admitted to the bar in August, 1876, after which he formed a partnership with his former preceptor under the title of Major & Shafroth. Upon the election of Mr. Major to the state senate, the business of the firm fell upon the junior member. In 1879 he came to Colorado, reaching Denver on the 1st of October, and soon afterward forming a partnership with Andrew W. Brazee, ex-judge of the supreme court. Two years later this connection was dissolved, and the firm of Stallcup, Luthe & Shafroth formed. Soon afterward Mr. Luthe was elected district attorney and Mr. Shafroth became prosecuting attorney. The latter, in 1887, was elected city attorney of Denver upon the Republican ticket, was re-elected two years later, serving until the spring of 1891. Meantime the senior member of his firm was appointed a judge of the supreme court, and in 1888 he formed another partnership, becoming a member of the firm of Rogers & Shafroth.
In the fall of 1894 Mr. Shafroth was nominated on the Republican ticket as member of congress from the first congressional district of Colorado, and was elected by a majority of thirteen thou-
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sand and five hundred At the expiration of his term, in 1896, he was re-elected on the silver Republican ticket by a majority of fifty-eight thousand. During both terms in congress he has been a member of the committees on public lands and the irrigation of arid lands. The numerous bills introduced by him have been largely in the interests of his constituents, and among those that passed perhaps the most important was that providing for the opening of forestry reserves to mining, exploration and the location of mining claims. He introduced and was largely instrumental in securing the passage of bills providing for water reservoir sites at Colorado Springs, Leadville and Sugar Loaf; also for the protecting of the forests from fire.
Always an active Republican, Mr. Shafroth favored the readjustment of the currency of the nation and the placing of silver upon its proper standard. He was one of the party of seven senators and five congressmen who issued a paper calling for the organization of the silver Republican party and a meeting of its supporters in Chicago. He believes prosperity will never come, in fullest measure, to the great west until the present financial policy of the government is altered. That he is sustained in this belief by his constituents is shown by the largely increased majority be received at his last election.
In matters pertaining to the improvement of Denver Mr. Shafroth has always been interested. While city attorney he succeeded in securing from the supreme court a reversal of the decision rendered by the same court in the past, and under this new decision abutting property can be assessed and taxed for street improvements, a measure that has been most helpful to the city. He also began a case against all the railroads here to compel them to construct a viaduct over Nineteenth street. This was defeated before the district court, but when taken to the supreme court the latter body held that the railroads were compelled to construct, at their own cost, a viaduct over streets rendered useless to the general public by their use for railroad purposes. This decision has not yet been made effective, but will be in time.
In Fayette, Mo., October 26, 1881, Mr. Shafroth married Virginia F. Morrison, who was born there, is a graduate of Howard Female College and in religious belief is connected with the Baptist Church. Her father, John L. Morrison, a prominent business man of Fayette, at one time was sheriff of Howard County and later warden of the state penitentiary. Her grandfather, Alfred Morrison, settled in Fayette about 1824 and became a man of prominence in public affairs. He was elected state treasurer and filled the position for four years; also held other offices of responsibility. Mr. Shafroth has four sons, John, Jr., Morrison, George and William.
T.-REV. JOHN FRANKLIN SPALDING, D. B. The life of this distinguished bishop began in Belgrade, Kennebec County, Me., August 25, 1828. He is a member of an old and patriotic family that has been identified with the history of America since an early period of its settlement. In 1619 two brothers, Edmond and Edward, came to this country from Lincolnshire, England, the former settling in Maryland and the latter in Virginia. However, in 1627 he went to Massachusetts and settled at Braintree, but later he and his son, Col. John Spalding, with others, incorporated the town of Chelmsford. Col. John, who gained his title by service in King Philip's war, had a son Joseph, whose son, Lieut. John, was an officer in the Revolution, while a brother of Lieut. John, Hon. Simeon Spalding, was a member of Washington's staff and a prominent statesman of Massachusetts. Jesse, son of Lieut. John, was born in Chelmsford, where he engaged in farming until his death. He was a young man at the time of the Revolution and enlisted in the American service.
John, son of Jesse and father of Bishop Spalding was born in Chelmsford, but removed to Maine and improved a tract of land lying on the Kennebec River. He was selectman of Belgrade and a man of prominence in his locality. His death occurred when he was quite advanced in years. His first wife, who died in early womanhood, bore the maiden name of Lydia Coombs, and was born at Vinalhaven, Me. Her father, Sylvanus, who was a shipbuilder and farmer there, was the son of a Revolutionary soldier, who removed from Massachusetts to Maine and entered land around Coombs Neck. He married a daughter of James Stinson, also a soldier in the Revolution and a member of a Massachusetts
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. family. John Spalding had four children by his first marriage, of whom three are living, John Franklin being the eldest. By his second marriage he had two children, one now living.
Having fitted himself for college at Camden, Kent's Hill (Me.) Wesleyan Seminary and North Yarmouth Academy, the subject of this sketch entered Bowdoin College in 1849 and graduated in 1853 with the degree of A. B., later receiving the degrees of A. M. and D. D. from his alma mater. Afterward he taught school, being principal of East Pittston (Me.) Academy for one term, and preceptor of Dennysville Academy in the winter and spring terms of 1854. In October of that year he entered the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, New York City, from which he graduated June 24, 1857. July 8 he was ordained deacon of St. Stephen's Church, Portland, Me., and August 1 was appointed missionary to St. James Church, Oldtown, Me.; July 14, 1858, ordained priest by Bishop Burgess in Christ Church, Gardiner, Me.; August 1, 1859, appointed rector of St. George's Church, Lee, Mass.; November 1, 1860, became assistant minister of Grace Church, Providence, R. I., of which Bishop Clark was the rector; November 1, 1861, dissolved his connection with that church and April 1, 1862, became rector of St. Paul's Church in Erie, Pa., where he remained for twelve years and of which his son, Rev. Frank Spalding, is now the rector.
In 1865 he commenced the erection of a church edifice of stone, built in the early English style of architecture, and with a seating capacity of eight hundred. This magnificent building cost $65,000. During the same year he was elected a member of the Board of Missions of the Protestant Episcopal Church for Western Pennsylvania and was subsequently re-elected every third year for the diocese of Pittsburg. In 1866 he organized St. John's Church of Erie and the following year built a church that cost $5,000. In 1868 he was a member of the general convention of the Episcopal Church, meeting in New York. The next year he organized the Church of the Cross and Crown in Erie, and built a church that seated three hundred. In October, 1871, he was a member of the general convention that met in Baltimore, and the next year he built Trinity Chapel in Erie.
September 28, 1873, he was unanimously elected and December 31 was consecrated bishop of Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico, as successor to the late Bishop Randall. He reached Denver February 27, 1874, and at once entered upon the duties of his large diocese. Railroads were few and far apart in those days, and the bishop was obliged to do much of his visiting on horseback or by stage over rough mountain roads. The labor was enormous, but his courage was equal to the responsibility. Soon the number of communicants was greatly increased. New churches and chapels were built, parsonages were erected and parishes were organized. The work grew to such an extent that in 1881 New Mexico was separated, and in 1887 Wyoming was formed into another diocese. He built the Wolfe School for girls and Jarvis Hall, a military academy for boys; also Matthews' Hall Theological School, of all of which he is the president. He also was instrumental in the erection of St. Luke's Hospital and the Home for Consumptives.
In Erie Bishop Spalding married Lavinia Spencer, who was born there and received an excellent education. She was a daughter of Judah C. Spencer, a native of Connecticut and a descendant of Revolutionary ancestors. She is a lady of sweet disposition and noble character, a fitting companion for her husband in all his responsible undertakings. They are the parents of five children, of whom Frank is a graduate of Princeton and rector at Erie, Pa.; William, also a graduate of Princeton, is engaged in business in Denver; Elizabeth and Sarah were given splendid advantages, the latter being a Vassar graduate; and John Edward died in Erie.
Three times Bishop Spalding has gone to Europe to attend great meetings of bishops in London, and twice, in 1878 and 1888, he also visited the continent, but the last time, in 1897, his visit was limited to England. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by both Bowdoin and Trinity Colleges, the latter of Hartford, Conn. He is a fluent writer and has published a number of books, among them the ''Church and Apostolic Ministry'' (1886); ''The Best Mode of Working a Parish'' (used in the Syracuse (N. Y.) Theological Seminary); ''Jesus Christ, the Proof of Christianity" (1889), and many pamphlets and short articles. In length of
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