HON. HENRY KNEISEL.
Mardos Collection
HON. HENRY KNEISEL.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 433
ON. HENRY KNEISEL, the leading grocer of Georgetown, Clear Creek County, was born in Breidenbach, Kur-Hessen, June 9, 1852, the son of John and Elizabeth (Schneider) Kneisel, both of whom were natives of the same place. His father was a wagon-maker and brought his family to America, settling in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa, where he followed his trade until he enlisted in the Civil war. He was a member of Company K, Twenty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served in the war until his death, which occurred in the south in 1864. Two brothers-in-law and a cousin also went with this company and but one of them returned home. The mother of our subject died soon after reaching Iowa City, leaving an only child, Henry. The father was again married and had a family of five children, all of whom are now living. In their religious belief the parents were Lutherans.
Mr. Kneisel was but an infant when his parents came to America. They landed at New Orleans, and sailed up the Mississippi, stopping in Iowa and making their home in what was then the capital, Iowa City. He attended the public schools of that place until his father's death, when it became necessary for him to secure work to provide for the wants of himself and the family. He worked on a farm in that vicinity for four years, the money he received going to the support of the family. About 1867, after having attended school during the winter, he went to Des Moines, where a sister of his mother resided. Here he was apprenticed as a baker to Kurtz & Co., and during that time he attended night school at J. W. Muffley's Business College. He learned the trade and remained with the firm until 1872, when he came to Colorado.
After being in the employ of Mr. Schneider, a general merchant, about seven months, Mr. Kneisel went to the San Juan country, where there were but three cabins, these being at the mouth of Cunningham Gulch. He remained there until June, 1874, when he returned to this county and settled in Georgetown. Here he was employed for the first seven or eight months in a smelter, and afterward entered the employ of Mr. Guanella, a grocer and baker. He had full charge of the bakery, and remained an employe until 1884, when he bought out his employer, Mr. Guanella, and continued in the same place for himself. At first he conducted the business alone, but in October, 1893, he took a partner, and the firm is now known as Kneisel & Anderson, grocers. They have one of the finest store buildings in the county, and their assortment of groceries, glassware and queensware is complete and unequalled (sic). On buying the lot they tore down the old building and erected on the same site their present commodious brick structure, which is 24X45 feet and two stories in height, in addition to which there is also a warehouse. Mr. Kneisel is extensively engaged in mining operations, being the owner of the Alto mine in the Argentine district, the Twin mine in Georgetown, and owning an interest in the Big Quartz, Big Copper, Missouri Girl, Missouri Boy, and the Martin mill site, all patented, and covering an area of twenty-seven acres.
After coming to Colorado Mr. Kneisel married Miss Emma Peterson, who was born in Smaalan, Sweden. They have one child living, Cora, and have lost three sons: Otto, who died at the age of seven years; Ernest, at the age of eight; and Louis S., when nineteen. Louis was a graduate of the Georgetown High school in the class of 1897, and delivered the class prophecy. He was a young man who gave promise of a brilliant future, and after graduating from the high school attended the Central Business College of Denver. While home on a visit he was taken suddenly ill, bursting a blood vessel in the head, and died February 8, 1898.
For a number of terms, and until April, 1897, Mr. Kneisel was mayor of Georgetown. In 1891 he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected in the fall of 1893, serving from January, 1892, until the same month in 1896, through the panic. He is a past officer in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was representative in 1888-89, also served as past officer, and for fourteen years as treasurer of the encampment. Politically he is a strong advocate of bimetalism.
EBBEUS E. MARSH, M. D. When after years of long and earnest labor in some honorable field of business, a man puts aside all cares to spend his remaining years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, it is certainly a well-deserved reward for his industry.
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434
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. "How blest is he who crowns in shades like these
A youth of labor with an age of ease,"wrote the poet, and the world everywhere recognizes the justice of a season of rest following an active period of business life. Dr. Marsh is now living retired at his pleasant home in Greeley, and his history shows the accomplishment of well-directed labor.
The doctor was born in Belchertown, Mass., April 11, 1824, and is a son of John C. and Elciphae (Marsh) Marsh, both natives of Massachusetts and of old Puritan stock. The father's ancestors came to this country from England in the seventeenth century and settled first in Connecticut, and later near Hatfield, Mass. The father was a farmer and blacksmith by occupation and when our subject was two years old established business in the town of Leverett, where the latter was reared. In the family were five children, but only two now survive. Marah Augusta first married a Mr. Doane, and later George Lawton, and she died in Troy, N. Y. John A. made his home in the town of Bethel, Vt. Julia was the wife of George Sibley, of Westfield, Mass. Cyrus A., a hatter by trade, was engaged in business with his brother-in-law, Mr. Lawton, at Providence, R. I., for some time, from there removed to New York City, and later to Texas, where he died very suddenly.
Dr. Marsh remained under the parental roof during his boyhood and youth, and after attending the common schools for some time he became a student in Amherst Academy. At the age of nineteen his health failed and he was incapacitated for manual labor. He then took up the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Rice, the old family physician, and later attended medical lectures at Pittsfield and New Haven, where he was graduated at the head of his class in January, 1848. He began the practice of his chosen profession at New Salem, Mass., but after spending a short time at that place he removed to Dana, the same state, where be engaged in practice for ten years. At New Salem he was married, May 23, 1848, to Miss Sarah Gibbs, of Massachusetts, who died in June, 1877, leaving two children: viz.: George W., now a resident of Tower City, N. Dak.; and Hattie G. widow of Frank Johnson, of Greeley, where she was married in March, 1878.
From Dana, Dr. Marsh removed to Granby, Mass., where he engaged in practice for nine years, and later located in Wales, a manufacturing town on the border of Connecticut, where he built up a large practice and was very successful in the treatment of that dread disease diphtheria. In 1872 he came to Greeley Colo., which at that time was a mere colony founded two years before, and as the settlements in this state were then few and far between his practice extended over a radius of sixty miles. After the death of his first wife he married Dr. Anna E. Eastman, a physician of Denver, who after her marriage engaged in practice in Greeley, until her death, which occurred February 20, 1896. The doctor was again married February 2, 1897, his wife being Mrs. Laura A. (Northrup) Bishop, of Greeley,
Dr. Marsh made a specialty of lung and bronchial diseases, and was remarkably successful in the treatment of diphtheria and pneumonia. On beginning his professional career he was a member of the old school, but after coming to Colorado took up the practice of homeopathy, and made use of the best methods out of both schools. He has been a constant student and always kept abreast of the times in his chosen calling. Owing to failing health he was compelled to give up active practice for a time, but two years ago resumed practice. At the age of sixteen he united with the Congregational Church, but now holds membership in the First Baptist Church of Greeley, which he joined on coming to this state. During his life in the east he took quite an active part in educational matters and held several school offices, but here he has been compelled to give his entire attention to his extensive practice. He is the oldest physician in the city and is also one of her most honored and highly esteemed citizens.
ARRISON TELLER, a resident of the town of New Windsor, Weld County, is one of the representative business men of this section of Colorado. He owns about one thousand acres of town property and farming land, and has money invested in other enterprises. Coming here some fifteen years ago, he was one of the first settlers of this place, and from that time until the present he has been actively connected with the progress and development of local industries and upbuilding. Politically he is a stanch Republican and a worker in the interests of the
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 435
party. Socially he belongs to Windsor Lodge No. 69, A. F. & A. M., Greeley Chapter No. 13, R. A. M., of Greeley; and El Jebel Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Denver.
The father of our subject, Lewis M. Teller, is now living retired in Greeley. He is a native of New York state and came with the Greeley Colony to Colorado in 1870, arriving here on April 29. There he was busily employed in contracting and building for a number of years, and when New Windsor was founded in 1883 he came here and assisted in placing the infant town on a sound basis. He kept a general merchandise store here for several years, and at last, upon retiring from active life, returned to New York. A few years later, however, he came back to Colorado, and has since made his home in Greeley, where he is widely known and highly esteemed. His family consists of his wife, formerly Miss Emma Clowes, a native of New York, and three children. Sarah, the only daughter, is the wife of R. L. Hall, a builder and contractor of Greeley; Frederick is the owner of a farm near Greeley.
Harrison Teller was born August 16, 1859, in Mount Kisco, N. Y., and was less than twelve years old when he came to Colorado. He attended the public schools of Greeley, and when he had reached his majority he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Later he embarked in business with R. L. Hall, as general merchants, and after a period he became associated with Otis Hill. The business was subsequently merged into that of the Windsor Mercantile Company, incorporated at $30,000. The firm now does an extensive business of about $250,000 a year, shipping and dealing in all kinds of produce. In 1897 they handled five hundred car-loads of potatoes and two hundred and fifty carloads of wheat. They erected a substantial warehouse of brick, 25x 100 feet a few years ago, and in 1898 were obliged to increase their accommodations by building another portion, similar to the first structure. Mr. Teller is the secretary and manager of the corporation and by his aggressive and progressive business methods has done much for the success of the enterprise.
September 22, 1882, Mr. Teller married Miss Anna Goetchins a native of Iowa and a daughter of George Goetchins, who was a soldier of the Civil war, serving from the beginning to the close of the conflict. Four sons and a daughter have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Teller, namely: Griffith H., Harrison V., George B., John and Emma. The family have a pleasant home, where their many friends delight to congregate.
HOMAS S. PECK, deceased, a pioneer of '59, was born in Kentucky, October 22, 1829, a son of George and Lucinda (Samuels) Peck. While he was an infant his parents removed to Indiana and settled in Hendricks County, where he grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's trade. September 2, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan E. Walthall, daughter of Samuel W. and Rebecca A. (Johns) Walthall, natives of Virginia, but from 1850 until death residents of Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa.
Shortly after his marriage Mr. Peck took his wife to Iowa and settled in Lucas County, where he followed carpentering. In the spring of 1859 he started across the plains with an ox-team for Colorado, and after a journey of six weeks he arrived in Central City, where he engaged in mining. In the winter he went back to Iowa for his family, whom he had left behind until a suitable location could be found for their future home. April 2, 1860, he started with them for the mountains and crossed the plains, arriving in Central City June 10. There he again resumed miffing. During the four years that followed he was the discoverer of the California mine, which has proved one of the most valuable mining properties in the state. This he sold for $36,000, and shortly afterward embarked in the mercantile business. Like all miners, however, he found it impossible to relinquish all connection with mining. After four years he sold his mercantile interests and once more turned his entire attention to mining.
August 16, 1866, Mr. Peck brought his family to Boulder Valley and bought a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, some four miles west of Longmont, and there he settled down to a farmers' life, retaining, however, many mining interests. In 1874 he acquired properties in Left Hand Canon, and spent much money in developing them, but failed to realize any returns. His death occurred March 17, 1898. He was a man of great worth of character, and possessing, also, fine business qualifications, and through his energy and sound judgment he accumulated a valuable property, which his family inherited. He was
436
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. mourned in death by those with whom he had social and business relations, and who had come to appreciate his integrity and ability. He had three children, one daughter, Lucinda J., having passed away before his demise. The other daughters are: Clara C., wife of John Butterworth; and Isabelle, who resides with her mother in Longmont.
EORGE W. HARRIMAN. It is difficult to adequately measure the services rendered by Mr. Harriman in the development of Jefferson County, for he has for years been so intimately connected with every enterprise of importance in this part of the state that his name is indissolubly, though unpretentiously on his part, associated with the history of the county. A native of Argentine, Canada, born September 1, 1826, he was one of seven children comprising the family of Reuben and Abigail (Davis) Harriman. Of these seven, three besides himself are now living, namely: Caroline, wife of Alphonso Thurber, of Orleans County, N. Y.; Frank, now in Dyea, Alaska; and John, of Milwaukee, Wis.
The father of our subject was born in Vermont on the first day of the year 1799. When a boy he accompanied his father to Canada, where he learned the trade of a shoemaker, afterward following the occupation during his entire active life. In 1833 he removed to Niagara County, N. Y., where he remained until 1842, and then went to Ohio; from there to Indiana, thence to Michigan, and in 1848 settled in Walworth County, Wis., remaining there until his death, which occurred April 12, 1863.
In the various removals made by the family the subject of this sketch accompanied his parents. November 11, 1851, he married Miss Betsy M. Spencer. After some six months in the hotel business he engaged in farming, but in 1858 opened a livery stable at Elkhorn, and during the same year became interested in a hotel at that place. In 1860 he crossed the plains with a two-horse team, arriving in Boulder June 28, Thence he went to Central City. After engaging in mining for one month he opened a boarding house, which he operated one year. In the spring of 1861 he went to Kenosha, Park County, and built a hotel, which he conducted for three and one-half years. During that time he participated in the Espanosa and Runnell's raids. The community was a lawless one, which fact caused him, in October, 1865, to sell out his interests there. Returning to Wisconsin he spent the winter, and in the spring came back to Colorado, where for a time he ran a stage from Denver to Buckskin Joe. H. A. W. Tabor was then postmaster of the latter place. After one year he went to Turkey Creek, two miles above Morrison, Jefferson County, and erected a hotel, which he carried on for three years, and at the same time he engaged in raising stock and teaming.
In 1870 Mr. Harriman came to what is now known as the Harriman ranch, on Bear Creek, between Fort Logan and Morrison. Here he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land and became the originator and principal promoter of the extensive irrigation system of Bear Creek Valley. Seeing the necessity of such a system in order to make the valley what it is today, a beautiful spot of nature, his was the master hand to take hold of the Arnett ditch, which had been commenced two years before; his was the mind that conceived its completion and his the brain that planned its ramifications. With characteristic business energy he pushed forward the extensive undertaking to a rapid completion. When it was finished the Harriman interests absorbed the Arnett interests, and it became known as the Harriman ditch. In 1873 he built the Harriman reservoir, the first in Colorado, and thus became the father of the great system of storage reservoirs now so much in use throughout the state. He was largely instrumental in the building of the Bergen reservoirs, and was one of the heaviest stockholders in the Soda Lake reservoirs.
During the '70s Mr. Harriman was a member of the board of county commissioners that had charge of the erection of the courthouse at Golden. Subsequently he was strongly importuned to allow the use of his name as candidate for the legislature, but he has never desired public office, preferring to devote his attention to business pursuits. During the building of Fort Logan he was one of the contractors who made brick for the buildings and also did much of the team work in their construction. During his years of prosperity his ranch increased in size to eight hundred and eighty acres. The Harriman ranch was synonymous with hospitality in the minds of the ranchmen who frequented the place, and the ad-
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