ALEXANDER BARRY
Mardos Collection
ALEXANDER BARRY
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At No. 1441 Wazee street, where he started in business in 1891, Mr. McConnell has a building 25x75 feet in dimensions. He did the painting for the Studebaker Carriage Company, John Deere Plow Company, Pureel Carriage Company, and others, also does the sign writing for many of the large business houses of the city. Mr. McConnell is one of the most skilled workmen in his line in the state, and his work is as artistic as it is durable. Politically he is a silver Republican. He is connected with the Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been a member of Manchester Lodge No. 109 and the encampment in Pittsburg. Before coming to Colorado he married Miss Minerva Anderson, who was born and reared near Pittsburg. They have four children, James, Mabel, Luella and Frank.
LEXANDER BARRY, one of the prosperous farmers of Larimer County, came to Colorado in 1871 and, bought from Joe Mason one hundred and twenty acres on the Cache la Poudre, adjoining Fort Collins. At that time the land was not much improved. He became interested in the Anderson and Ames ditch and secured adequate irrigation for his land, thus being enabled to raise good crops. After a few years he bought two hundred acres at New Windsor, Weld County, under Greeley ditch No. 2. On that place he has made a specialty of raising potatoes, and there, as on his home place, he feeds numbers of sheep. He also owns a ranch in Wyoming on the North Platte. On his home place he has good improvements, including a neat brick residence occupying a fine location.
Though himself of Irish birth (born near Colerain, County Londonderry) Mr. Barry is of direct Scotch descent both on his father's and mothers side. Both his father and grandfather bore the name of Alexander and both were natives of Ireland. The former brought his family, to America in 1863, but died in Philadelphia the following year. His wife, Nancy, was the daughter of Niel Blair, a farmer in Ireland; she died in Philadelphia in 1870. Of their six children Alexander was, the eldest; Thomas took part in the Civil war; Margaret died when a girl; Rachel and Robert live in Philadelphia; and James is the Denver manager for the New York Wallpaper Company.
On the farm, where he was born in 1839, the subject of this sketch passed the years of his boyhood. In 1863 he accompanied his parents to America, via Londonderry to Quebec, thence to New York, and from there to Philadelphia. He was employed for five years in the oil regions, where he engaged in boring wells under contracts, being principally in Yenango County. He then spent a year in Philadelphia, after which, in 1871, he came to Colorado, and bought his present homestead. He is a member of the Larimer County Sheep Feeders' Association. In politics he favors the silver cause and in religion is a Presbyterian. While still in Ireland, when twenty-two year's of age, he was made a Mason, in a lodge near Colerain, and is now a member of Collins Lodge No. 19, A. F. & A. M.
At Walnut Bend, near Oil City, Pa., Mr. Barry married Miss Emma Thompson, a native of Pennsylvania. Her father, W. N. Thompson, was born near Jamestown, N. Y., of an old eastern family, and for some years was engaged as an oil speculator in Pennsylvania, but is now living retired in Pittsburg. He married Margaret Walker, a native of Westmoreland County, Pa. Of their six sons and three daughters, all are living but one of the sons. Mr. and Mrs. Barry are the parents of eight children now living, namely: Rachel Ann, wife of Jerome Decker, of North Park; Maggie, wife of John Cahill, of Fort Collins; May, a graduate of Fort Collins high school; Clara, Robert, James, Alice and Ruth, at home.
ILLIAM A. POWERS. Some years ago Mr. Powers purchased a ranch situated on Broadway, one and one-half miles east of Littleton, and here he has since made his home, devoting his attention to the raising of the various farm products which experience proves are adapted to the soil. He is a native of Vermont, born in Orange County January 15, 1841, he and his twin sister being the youngest of eight children comprising the family of William B. and Matilda (Morse) Powers. Six of the family are now living, namely: Josiah B., who settled in Oshkosh, Wis., in 1853, was for fourteen years city clerk and is now engaged in the abstract business there; David W., who is engaged in mining in Ouray and resides in Montrose; James Franklin, who for many years has been pastor of the Episcopal Church of Pottsville, Pa.; Charles E.,
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. who is engaged in the milling business in New York state; Julia W. and William A. (twins), the former married to James G. Hill, a prominent architect of Washington, D. C., and at one time United States chief architect. Two daughters are deceased, Sarah M. and Mary E., the latter having been the wife of John Frazer, who was the first lieutenant of a Federal company during the war.
The father of this family was horn in Springfield, Vt., and became an extensive raiser of and dealer in beef cattle. Up to fifty-six years his life was passed in Vermont and New York, but at that age he removed to Oshkosh, Wis., where he devoted his attention to farming until his death, in 1869. His father, Asial Powers, was a soldier in the war of 1812.
When six years of age our subject accompanied his parents from Orange to Windsor County, Vt., and at the age of fifteen he went with the family to Oshkosh, Wis., which he considered his home up to his twenty-sixth year. October 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, Forty-fourth Wisconsin Infantry, in which he served until the close of hostilities, being mustered out of service March 18,1865. When a boy he worked in the Wisconsin pineries for a lumber firm, but not wishing to make that state his permanent home, shortly after his return from the war he began to plan to come farther west. In November, 1866, he carried out his cherished plan and came to Colorado, settling in Denver; but sickness in the family called him home in August, 1867, and from that time until 1870 he engaged in farming in Wisconsin. In that year he again settled in Colorado, this time in Littleton, where he engaged in stock-raising and the dairy business. After some three years he became an employe in the Rough and Ready mill of Littleton and continued with the company for nine years, after which, in 1879, he went to Leadville and embarked in the restaurant business with his brother. A short experience in that business was sufficient, however, to convince him that he had no fondness for it, and in a short time he returned to Littleton, where, after two years at general work, he purchased his present home.
In 1895 Mr. Powers was elected a member of the school board of Littleton, where he has since faithfully served, his term expiring in May, 1898. Politically he is a Republican and in religious belief identified with the Presbyterian Church. Like other veterans of the Civil war he takes an interest in Grand Army matters. November 25, 1863, he married Sallie J. Bartow, whose father was a prominent farmer and for some fifteen years held a United States mail contract. They are the parents of four children, all living. Sylvester, who is unmarried, is engaged in mining in Victor, Colo.; Julia W. married Lou Fauth, who is employed by the Littleton Creamery Company; they have two children, a son and daughter. Inez is married and has one child, a son. Frederick W. is with his parents.
Our subject was born in Kiel, Holstein, the son of Henry Beuck, a native of the same province, and by occupation a farmer, who came to America in 1876, settling in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and buying a farm, where he continued to reside until his death, at sixty-five years. August came to America in 1868, when fifteen years of age, and settled in Davenport, Iowa, where he learned the butcher's business. In 1870 he came to Colorado, and for a time spent his winters in the mountains working at his trade and his summers on the plains. In 1874 he bought a few cattle, thus getting his start in the business he has since conducted.
Politically Mr. Beuck is in sympathy with Re-
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publican tenets. In 1889, upon that ticket, he was elected commissioner of Elbert County, and took his seat on the board of commissioners in January, 1890. He was re-elected two years later, without opposition, and served until January, 1896, his duties as commissioner requiring his frequent presence at Kiowa, the county seat. He is a member of the Colorado Cattle Growers' Association. In Central City, this state, he married Miss Jennie Miller, a native of Germany. They spend their summers on the ranch, and during the winters reside in Denver, in order that their sons, Frederick and Henry, may have the advantages offered by the excellent schools of this city.
ENLY W. ALLEN, M D., of Boulder, is a pioneer physician of Colorado, and has been longer engaged in active practice in Boulder County than any other member of his profession. In the early days of our local history he had many extremely interesting experiences, and was foremost in every endeavor to place the county and state on a safe and sound basis for future prosperity. He brought the first drugs and medicines (of any amount) into Boulder County, in 1865, started a drug store in Valmont, and in 1876 opened a store in Boulder, and thus was the proprietor of such an enterprise for almost thirty years, as he did not sell out until 1893. He also purchased the first printing-press brought into the county, and after publishing the Valmont Bulletin for a year, disposed of the outfit to parties from Boulder, who began printing the Boulder News, still a flourishing journal. For a period of twelve years he was the efficient county surveyor, and, indeed, was the first to bring surveying instruments into this region. For many years he served ably as county physician and for two terms held the office of county coroner. Thus, it is plainly seen, even without more preliminary, that the worthy doctor has been unusually progressive and wide-awake to the development of local industries and resources, and always ready to do more than his share in the onward march of civilization, which has transformed the desert and mountain wildernesses into beautiful and populous districts.
The father of Dr. Allen was Rev. A. P. Allen, a native of Connecticut. He went to Ohio in early manhood, and about 1835 was admitted to the Illinois bar. Later he became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and had pastorates at Janesville, Milwaukee and Fond du Lac. In 1860 he started across the plains with his family (exclusive of the doctor) in covered wagons drawn by numerous yokes of cows. Arriving in Colorado he located in what is now comprised within West Denver, and remained in that section until the disastrous flood, when he removed to Blackhawk, where he resided for two years, thence came to Valmont, Boulder County. Here he served as county commissioner for three terms; was judge of the probate court for two terms and was acting as county commissioner at the time of his death in 1880, at the age of sixty-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Cornelia Hayden, was born in Vermont, and died just two weeks prior to the death of her husband. Her father, a merchant tailor, went to the City of Mexico on a trip years ago; he was murdered by a fanatic, in his own shop, during the passing of a Catholic procession. Of the four children of Rev. A. P. Allen and wife the two daughters are: Mrs. Ophelia Eldred, of Boulder, and Mrs. Nellie Andrews, of Cheyenne. G. S. Allen, now of Los Angeles, Cal., came to this state in 1860, and by turns was a preacher, a miner and a freighter of goods across the plains and mountains hereabout.
The birth of Dr. H. W. Allen occurred near Chicago, Ill., December 28, 1838. He was a fine student, excelling in all of his classes, and graduated from the University of Appleton, Wis., in 1860, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, being the valedictorian. Three years later he received the degree of Master of Arts from his alma mater. Subsequent to his graduation the young man went to Valparaiso, Ind., where for two years he taught mathematics and sciences in the Valparaiso Male and Female College, now called the Northern Indiana Normal School. He next entered Rush Medical College, where he took a course of lectures, then beginning the practice of his chosen profession in Royalton, Wis. In 1864 he came to this state, making a part of the journey to Omaha by horse-team, and thence proceeding in a large company, on account of Indians, from Fort Kearney on, there being over one hundred persons in the caravan. At first the doctor settled in Blackhawk, but in 1865 he came to Boulder Valley, and practiced
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. in Valmont until the Centennial year, since which time he has been a resident of Boulder. In 1867 he graduated from the medical department of the University of Iowa, then at Keokuk, Iowa, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He has had a very successful career as a practitioner, and has long ranked second to none in his profession hereabouts. His office is situated at the corner of Pearl and Fourteenth streets. From the time of the war until the silver question came into prominence, he was loyal to the principles of the Republican party, but does not agree with it on this subject. He was initiated into Masonry in 1859 in Wisconsin, and is now affiliated with Columbia Lodge No. 14, A. F. & A. M. In the Ancient Order of United Workmen he is the examining physician. One of the first to organize the Boulder County Medical Society, he occupies an honored place in its ranks and is also connected with the State Medical Society.
In Fond du Lac, Wis., Dr. Allen married Miss Meldred McNeel, in 1860. She was born in Pottsdam, N. Y., and her brother, Dr. Henry McNeel, a state senator in Wisconsin, is one of the leading physicians of Fond du Lac. Of the children born to our subject and wife, Mellie died at six years, Julius at fourteen, and Mason was killed by a horse when in his twenty-fifth year. Meda E., Mrs. Tavenner, is principal of the public school at Walsenburg, Colo. O. J., who graduated from Gross Medical College in 1898 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and had the highest average scholarship of any in his class, is now practicing in Boulder. Arthur H. is a member of the drug firm of Richardson & Allen, of Denver. Herbert, also a pharmacist, is now prospecting and mining in Walsenburg. Charles E. is superintendent for the Victor Coal and Coke Company. Daisy, Henly, Fannie and Roy are at home.
John Milheim, Sr., left sufficient property to rear and educate his little family, and thus Alexander Milheim was fortunately not dependent upon relatives or charity in his boyhood days. In 1862 he and his elder brother, Frederick, determined to seek their fortunes in the land of promise, America. The long tiresome voyage on the sailing vessel of the period consumed fifty-one days, but was safely ended at last. Their small capital now nearly gone, the two brave lads concluded to begin their real life battle, and going into New Jersey, they worked as gardeners for the thrifty farmers for a few months. They then went to Niagara Falls, where a cousin, John Milheim, lived, and from there they went to Allegan County, Mich., where their home continued to be together for several years. They both wished to enter the army during the Civil war, but the health of our subject was such that he was not accepted. He worked in a shingle mill and at other employments in Michigan, and finally drifted to Iowa, where he ferried across the Missouri River, and assisted in building the bridge at Omaha. In the meantime he homsteaded (sic) a farm in Nebraska, but never improved it, and ultimately sold it.
Returning on a visit to Michigan, Mr. Milheim was married August 31, 1873, to Miss Wila Trafford. Her parents were Thomas and Eliza (Sheldon) Trafford, and her birthplace was in Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Mich. Four children, two sons and two daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Milheim. The two elder ones are deceased, Frederick having died when seven years old and little Alma when eighteen months. Bertha, born in Michigan, and James Otto, born on the Colorado homestead of his parents, are with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Milheim are both members of the Presbyterian Church of Brighton, and are respected and loved by all who know them.
When starting out in their married life, the young couple were obliged to begin housekeeping in a humble way, but they had brave hearts and went forth to meet the future with faith in God and themselves. To such loyal trusting souls, ready
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