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other daughter, Pauline, died at the age of two years and seven months.
In addition to his other interests, Dr. Buchtel is connected with a number of mining corporations. He has also been a factor in the development of Denver real estate. In 1882 he platted seven hundred and sixty-five acres, upon which he laid out the town of Barnum, named in honor of his father-in-law, the famous P. T. Barnum, now deceased. He built a residence in this suburb and was made its mayor, holding the office for three years, when he moved back to the city. The place is still being developed, and the street railway has been extended to that point. A few years ago Barnum was made a part of the city, and is now included in the fifteenth ward of Denver.
LSTON
ELLIS, A.M., PH. D., LL.D. President of The State Agricultural
College of Colorado since 1892 and for the same period a resident
of Fort Collins, is a member of an old Virginia family, from which
state his great-grandfather enlisted in the war of the Revolution
and after its close removed with his family to Kentucky. His wife
was a woman of great worth of character and lived to be
ninety-nine years old. Their son, Rev. John G. Ellis, was born in
the Old Dominion, but spent his life principally in Kentucky, and
was well known, not only in that state, but also in Ohio and
Indiana. Though his residence was in a slave state, he strongly
opposed slavery.
Absalom Ellis, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Kenton County, Ky., a descendant, on his mother's side, of Holland-Dutch ancestry, and on his father's side of Scotch progenitors. He married an own cousin, Mary Ellis, whose mother was Miss Susan Arnold, of Irish descent; and her father, William G. Ellis, a brother of Rev. John G. Ellis, was one of the largest land owners and wealthiest men in Kenton County. He owned a large number of slaves, but rather inclined toward emancipation on principle; and when, one night, all his slaves but one superanuated old man took the underground railroad for Ohio, he made no effort whatever to capture them.
After spending some years as a farmer in Kenton County, Absalom Ellis removed to Covington, Ky., in 1863, where he engaged in the manufacture of all grades of tobacco. About 1888 he retired to his farm in Kenton County, and there died July 2, 1894, when past seventy years of age. He was an active worker in the Christian Church and served as deacon in his congregation. His widow is living in Covington, Ky., and is now (1898) in her sixty-sixth year.
The only child of his parents, Alston Ellis was born on a farm in Kenton County January 26, 1847. When he was a boy schools were conducted on the subscription plan, and were far inferior to the free schools of the present day, but he nevertheless secured from them a substantial basis for his present knowledge. When fifteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Coyington, where he attended a private school conducted by S. Mead, a noted teacher of his day. There he prepared for college, but before entering his collegiate course he taught a country school near Carrollton, Ky., for five months, receiving $8 per month of public money and sufficient voluntary subscriptions to swell the total to $40 per month. At the expiration of the term he returned home and worked for some months in the factory owned by his father.
In September, 1864, he entered the sophomore class of Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and three years later graduated with honor. While in college he was known as a splendid Latin and Greek scholar and as a ready debater and an excellent speaker. During his senior year he delivered four public addresses besides being chosen by the students to deliver the oration on Washington's birthday. Soon after he graduated he was married, July 23, 1867, to Miss Katherine Ann Cox, who was born in Westchester, Butler County, Ohio, a daughter of Capt. Abram P. and Elizabeth (Howery) Cox. Her father, who gained his title through meritorious service in the Union army during the Civil war, studied law in the office of Hon. Lewis D. Campbell, uncle of the late governor of Ohio, and afterward became associated with Gen. Ferd. Van Derveer in the practice of law at Hamilton. At the time of his death, in 1872, he was one of the most prominent members of the Butler County bar. His widow is now living in Westchester.
In September, 1867, Mr. Ellis became principal of a ward school in Covington, Ky., at a salary of $900 per year, which was increased to $1,000 before the expiration of the school year.
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In January, 1869, he was chosen principal of a school in Newport, Ky., at $1,200 per year, and was re-elected at $1,500. In July, 1871, he was made superintendent of the schools of Hamilton, Ohio, which position he filled with the greatest efficiency for over seven years, resigning in March, 1879, to accept a position with Harper Brothers, with headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, at a salary of $3,000 per year. In February, 1875, he was appointed a member of the Ohio state board of school examiners and was at once made clerk of that body, continuing until April, 1879. In 1887 he was again made a member of the board, and in 1891 re-appointed for a term of five years. While filling this position, in 1876, he wrote a chapter entitled "The Ungraded Schools of Ohio" for the History of Education, issued as a centennial volume and published by authority of the general assembly. In 1872 he was made Master of Arts by his alma mater, and the same year delivered the diplomas to the graduates of the Erodelphian and Miami Union literary societies of the university. In 1888 he was chosen by the same societies to deliver the annual address. He received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Wooster University in 1879, and the same degree from the Ohio State University in 1888. Two years later the Ohio State University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws, and the same degree was conferred upon him by his alma mater in 1894. In 1880, he was made a member of the Victoria Institute, the philosophical society of Great Britain, and subsequently was made a life member of this noted institution, of which Queen Victoria is a noted patron. In the fall of 1880 he delivered the oration at the biennial convention of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Indianapolis, he having been au active member of this fraternity during his college course.
From 1880 to 1887 Dr. Ellis was superintendent of the Sandusky (Ohio) schools, and brought them to a high state of efficiency. Here he manifested a warm interest in the work of the teachers of Erie County and received recognition therefor in action taken by the Erie County Teachers' Association at Milan, Ohio, October 15, 1887, as follows:
"In consideration of the valuable services rendered the Erie County Teachers' Association by Dr. Alston Ellis while he was engaged in superintending the schools of Sandusky, be it
"Resolved, That we, the teachers of Erie County, in assembly here, do tender him a vote of thanks for the interest which he manifested in behalf of our association.
"Resolved, That in token of our appreciation of his aid in the upbuilding of this association, we authorize the special committee, appointed this morning, to prepare and forward to him such a badge or pin as can be purchased with the donations made to-day by individual members who shall subscribe to the fund for that purpose."
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(Signed) |
H. A. MYERS, |
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A. A. BARTOW, |
Committee. |
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ELIZA G. HORTON, |
This action was taken two months after he had accepted his former position at the head of the Hamilton schools and entered upon the duties of the office. In Hamilton his salary was soon increased from $2,700 to $3,000 per annum. Soon after he first went to that city he began to work in teachers' institutes, and his services as normal instructor have been in demand ever since. For some years he devoted the summer months to work in Ohio farmers' institutes, under the authority of the Ohio state board of agriculture. When the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College was made, by legislative act, the Ohio State University, he became a member of the new board of trustees, serving for five years. In all teachers' associations of his state he maintained a deep interest. He was a member of the State Teachers' Association, also the Central Ohio, Northeastern Ohio, Northwestern Ohio and Southwestern Ohio Teachers' Associations, and was president of the two last named. He was president of the superintendents' section of the Ohio Teachers' Association in 1875, and president of the General Association in 1888. For more than twelve years he was clerk of the Butler County Board of School Examiners.
On the departure of Dr. Ellis from Ohio the Butler County Teachers' Association passed the following resolutions:
"Resolved, That we take leave of Dr. Alston Ellis with sincere regret, feeling that his departure is a serious loss to our county and state; but we congratulate the people of Colorado on having secured the services of so distinguished an educator.
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"Resolved, that the members of the Butler County Teachers' Association extend to Dr. Ellis their hearty congratulations and their best wishes for his success in his distant field of labor.
"Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to Dr. Ellis, and that they be furnished for publication in the county papers and in the Ohio Educational Monthly."
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(Signed) |
B. B. HARLAN, |
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JOHN MORRIS, |
Committee. |
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W. P. COPE, |
On the afternoon of the day Dr. Ellis left Hamilton for the west a number of the prominent citizens repaired to his office in the courthouse to give him "hail and farewell." They left with him a beautiful and substantial token of their regard for him as a citizen and their appreciation of his services as an educator, in the shape of a heavy gold watch of superior workmanship with the following inscription within the case:
"Presented to Dr. Alston Ellis by the citizens of Hamilton, Ohio, 1892."
The presentation speech was made by Judge P. G. Berry, since deceased, and was an eloquent and timely tribute to the worth and professional zeal of the man who had given the schools of the city thirteen years of devoted service. Hon. Thomas Millikin, the Nestor of the Butler County bar, and others of those present made fitting remarks expressive of regret at the near departure of their friend and best wishes for his future success and happiness.
In the fall of 1891, when Dr. Ellis was first tendered the presidency of the State Agricultural College of Colorado, he declined it, but on the renewal of negotiations in January, 1892, he accepted it for a term of five years, at an annual salary of $6,000. The college was opened in 1879, and at the close of the college year of 1891 it had one hundred and six students. Since he assumed its management it has had its great success, and at the close of the school year of 1898 it had three hundred and forty-seven students. The course of study has been broadened and the standard of attainment materially increased. The grounds and buildings are attractive and well kept, and the annual revenue, amounting to almost $90,000, is received equally from the state and the general government. Most of the buildings have been erected since 1891, and the other buildings have been remodeled and enlarged. A sum not less than $50,000 has been expended for scientific and technical apparatus. The library, which is open for the entire year, contains eleven thousand choice volumes. The total valuation of college property is $275,000.
The college is one of the land-grant institutions established by congressional acts, known better as the Morrill Bills of 1862 and 1890, by the provisions of which the institution is required to provide for the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes. The courses provided are agricultural, mechanical engineering, civil and irrigation engineering, ladies', and commercial. The location of the grounds is picturesque. They lie in the valley with the beautiful mountains in the rear, and form a picture to delight the eye and satisfy the mind. The grounds have been highly improved since Dr. Ellis became president, and most of the buildings have been erected under his personal supervision.
At the convention of the Colorado State Teachers' Association in Colorado Springs, in December, 1893, Dr. Ellis delivered the annual address. In 1895 he was chairman of the college section of the same association. He is even more active in institute work in Colorado than he was in Ohio, giving his services gladly and without remuneration. He has lectured before associations of every kind in the state, and in the last six years has probably given more addresses than any other one in the entire state. During vacation mouths he travels in the interests of the college, lectures in various places and attends to the interests of the college at home, so that he is kept constantly busy. His private library is one of the best in the state, and much of his leisure time is given to literary and historical research, for he continues to be a close student.
While in Sandusky, Ohio, he was raised to the rank of Master Mason in Science Lodge No. 50, A. F. & A. M. Later he became a member of Erie Commandery No. 23, K. T. He is now identified with Collins Lodge No. 19, A. F. & A. M., Chapter No. 11, R. A. M., and DeMolay Commandery No. 13, K. T.
June 8, 1893, Dr. Ellis was made a director of the Colorado Experiment Station, which position he has since held. February 18, 1893, he was commissioned colonel and aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Waite, commander-in-chief of
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the military forces of Colorado. Again, May 28, 1895, he was commissioned colonel and aide-de-camp by Gov. Albert W. Mclntire. He is a prominent member of the American Association of Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations, At the annual meeting of the association held at Minneapolis in July, 1897, he was made chairman of the college section and vice-president of the general association.
On the evening of July 3, 1893, at Johnson's Island, in Sandusky Bay, Ohio, President Ellis delivered the annual address before the Ohio Teachers' Association. The subject was "Education and Citizenship." At the session of the convention held the following morning the chairman of the executive committee introduced the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted:
"Resolved, By the teachers of Ohio in State Association assembled, that we most highly appreciate the generosity of our former associate and friend, President Alston Ellis, and that as an expression of our thanks, we hereby elect President Ellis a life member of our association."
At the afternoon session of the association on the same day, the committee on resolutions made report as follows:
"Resolved, That the thanks of the association are due to the old friend of its members, who came from such a distance to meet again with us and to stir in us noble sentiments by his eloquent address, patriotic in the highest sense of the word."
Dr. Ellis has a fine presence and a genial personality, from which an air of dignity and reserve force is rarely absent. Not only is he a fine scholar and executive officer, but as an inspiring and thought-provoking teacher he has but few equals. In class-room work in his specialties, logic, economics and civics, he stands almost without a rival. Students under his instruction have the best that scholarship, enthusiasm and experience can bring to bear upon the studies they are pursuing.
President Ellis has added to the material welfare of his adopted state not alone through the rapid upbuilding of its great industrial school and the wise direction of the practical workings of the experiment stations; he has invested largely in real estate in Fort Collins and vicinity and is today one of the heaviest tax-payers in Larimer County, Since assuming the presidency of the college he has used his means in the erection of a number of handsome dwellings, possessing architectural merit and having modern conveniences, which now ornament some of the spacious avenues of Fort Collins and afford eligible homes for a number of families.
Dr. and Mrs. Ellis are closely identified with the best social life of Fort Collins and northern Colorado. The doors of their elegant home are frequently thrown open to the members of the social circle to which they belong, on which occasion geniality and open-hearted, but not ostentatious, hospitality characterize the manners of host and hostess. The "President's Reception," given annually in commencement week, is one of the events in college social life. Faculty parties, dinners to members of the college governing board, receptions and luncheons for students, and other functions connected with the life of hospitable entertainers, make the parlors of President Ellis' home almost as well known to those connected with or interested in college work as are the interiors of the college buildings themselves.
President Ellis takes a high moral view of public education in all its phases. As the head of a great state school, whose financial support comes largely from the pockets of tax-payers representing, as they do, almost every shade of religious belief, he recognizes that religious instruction, as bounded by denominational lines, would be out of place in the daily chapel exercises, attendance upon which is required of all students; yet these exercises, planned as they are by the president and prepared in most cases by him, are not without sound moral, and even religious lessons.
Private religious belief--even unbelief--of students is respected in all the work of the college, but wrongdoing is never suffered to pass unrebuked, and the necessity of educating the heart and directing the conscience, character building, is never lost sight of. The religions affiliations of Dr. and Mrs. Ellis are with the Congregational Church, of which organization they became members in 1881, in the time of their residence in Sandusky, Ohio.
OHN J. FRASER. The Brown-Iliff Cattle Company, of which Mr. Fraser is a member, is among the best-known concerns of the kind in Colorado. They own an immense tract
