Mardos Collection
 
LAFAYETTE MILLER.


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

653

ern improvements, including a substantial bottling house. Besides the old ice machine, which has a capacity of thirty-five tons, there is a new one of fifty tons' capacity. The well-known "Wiener Maerzen" is manufactured, shipments of which are made to all points in Colorado, also to Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, Kansas and Nebraska. The brewery occupies a block on South Fifth street and Twelfth avenue, Denver.

     In this city Mr. Neef married Miss Carrie Sachse, who was born in Wisconsin. They have four children: Rudolph, who is a graduate of Central Business College and keeps the books for the company; Emma F., Max and Louis. In national politics Mr. Neef is a Democrat. He is a member of Schiller Lodge No. 49, A. F. & A. M.; the Turn Verein; Badishe Verein, in which he has held the offices of president and treasurer; the Foresters, of which he is a charter member and has served as treasurer; and Manulita Tribe No. 20, I. O. R. M,, of which he has been treasurer. 


AFAYETTE MILLER, in whose honor the village of Lafayette, Boulder County, was named, and who, from 1863 until his death, was a resident of this section, was born in Toulon, Stark County, Ill., March 18, 1840, the son of John and Mary A. (Able) Miller. He was one of eleven children, six of whom are still living. His father, who was a native of Rockaway County, N. J., born October 8, 1800, acquired in youth an accurate knowledge of both law and medicine, and engaged in professional practice in Cincinnati, Ohio, for some years. In 1836 he removed to Stark County, Ill., and from there, in 1852, went to Iowa, settling near Independence, Buchanan County. His death occurred in Johnson County, that state, May 13, 1884.

      On the organization of Stark County, Ill., John Miller donated fifty acres of his farm as a site for a town, and upon that land the village of Toulon was built. For eight successive years he held office as judge of the county or the probate court. He also served as magistrate from the organization of the county until his removal to Iowa. The latter part of his life was devoted to farming and stock-raising.

     The education of our subject was completed in Western College at Western, Iowa. December, 24, 1862, he married Mary E. Foot. June 1, 1863, they started for Colorado, and on the 19th of August arrived at Burlington (now Longmont). With him he brought the first threshing machine that was ever hauled across the plains and the first that was ever brought to Boulder County. The long journey overland was made with three wagons and twelve yoke of oxen that formed a part of a train of fifty wagons. One of the members of the party had a quartz mill, one of the first in the state. Indians were numerous, and two weeks after the party arrived at their destination the red men commenced the long series of depredations that cost so many emigrants their lives.

     Entering a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres near Burlington, Mr. Miller began farming and stock-raising. In 1864 he removed to Rock Creek and bought a large hotel and stage station, where he continued to make his home until 1871. At that time he settled on the present site of Lafayette village, where he pre-empted and purchased six hundred and forty acres of land and began agricultural pursuits. In 1874 he removed to Boulder and there engaged in the meat business until his death, which occurred June 28, 1878. He was a member of Phoenix Hook & Ladder Company and also a member of the town council. A public-spirited man, he always supported enterprises for the benefit of the people and the development of local resources. Generous, whole-souled and hospitable, he was a typical pioneer, whose latch-string always hung on the outside of the door. The only fraternal organization in which he held membership was the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

     Mrs. Miller was a daughter of John B. and Sallie (Cole) Foot. Her father, who was a native of Pittsfield, Mass., was born in 1805, and in early manhood removed to Portland, Portland County, N. Y. From there, shortly after his marriage, he removed to Geneseo the same state, and embarked in the hotel business. One of the early gold seekers in California, after ten months in the mines he returned home with $10,000 in gold. In 1852 he went to Hastings, Mich., where he became proprietor of the largest hotel in the town and also acquired extensive landed interests. In 1858 he removed to Iowa, and there, too, he became a large land-owner. His attention was given principally to farming in Iowa.


654

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

     In 1869 he came to Colorado, where he made his home with Mrs. Miller until his death, November 12, 1885.

     Six children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Miller. They are: Thomas J. and Charles L., who operate the home farm; George I., a prominent farmer whose land adjoins the town of Lafayette; James P., a graduate of the law department of the University of Colorado and at present located at Lafayette; and Frank and Amelia, both deceased. Mrs. Miller has been repeatedly elected to the office of school trustee, and has acted in the capacity of secretary of the board for the past eight years. She is deeply interested in temperance work, and when the town was founded she inserted a clause in every deed prohibiting the sale of all intoxicating drinks in the village. She has frequently been offered large sums to give a deed with the prohibitory clause omitted, but has steadfastly adhered to this principle.

     In 1884 coal was discovered on the Miller ranch, and on boring a fourteen-foot vein was struck. Three years later the first shaft was sunk, under lease to John Simpson, and in 1888 the second shaft was sunk, the two forming the best producing coal properties in the valley.

     The village of Lafayette is situated on the prairie knoll ten miles east of Boulder, and is reached by the Union Pacific Railroad, which runs two passenger trains each way daily, and by the Burlington road, which has a passenger depot near the village. The climate is exceptionally fine, the water system perfect, the streets well kept and its buildings substantial. Surrounded by a fine farming country, the village will probably become a large agricultural center, as well as a mining town, and every indication points to a prosperous future for it and for its citizens. 


LARK A. TITUS, one of the well-known and highly respected agriculturists of Boulder County, is the proprietor of a valuable homestead located about two and a-half miles northwest of Canfield. He has been a citizen of this county for over a score of years and has taken an active and interested part in everything tending to promote its general prosperity and advancement. He is a member of Pleasant View Grange and for one term served as constable of this district. Politically he sides with the principles set forth by the Populist party. For a number of years he has been a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has always been counted upon to use his influence in favor of things upright, good and just.

     On both sides of the family Mr. Titus is descended from long-lived ancestry. His grandfather, Jacob Titus, a native of New York, lived to the ripe age of ninety-six years. He was a member of the Society of Friends and was a thrifty farmer, owning extensive tracts of land in Delaware County, N. Y. The great-grandfather of our subject on the maternal side was Jasper Bush, who attained the advanced age of one hundred years. He, too, was a New York state farmer, and was of German extraction.

     The parents of Clark A. Titus were Stephen and Mary (Bush) Titus. The father was born June 29, 1818, in Delaware County, N. Y., and continued to dwell there, actively occupied in tilling the soil up to 1880, when he came to this state. Settling on a ranch near Longmont, he gave his attention to its cultivation for about four years, at the end of which time he came to live with our subject. He was summoned to the silent land March 6, 1897. His life was one full of good deeds and kindly ministries toward his fellow-men, and all who knew him loved and respected him. His family comprised five children, two of whom are deceased. A daughter, Fannie, is the wife of W. A. Freeman, an insurance man of Chicago, Ill. George is a successful farmer of Idaho.

      Clark A. Titus was born November 15, 1850, upon the old homestead in Delaware County. There he passed his boyhood, and, more fortunate than many, gained an excellent education, as, after leaving the common schools he attended the Delaware Literature Institute for four terms. When he had reached his majority he began teaching each winter, while the rest of the year he worked on the farm. In 1877 he came to Colorado, believing that better opportunities awaited him here. He arrived in Denver about the middle of October and, going to Longmont, rented a farm situated some six miles southeast of that city. He did very well during the four years that followed, but he wished to own a homestead, and pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres to the northeast of Berthoud. Meeting with finan-


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

655

cial reverses, he lost this property within a year and this led him to make a choice of his present farm. This place is one of a quarter-section, also, and many substantial improvements stand upon it, making it a most desirable country home. Mr. Titus became the owner of it a few years ago, and has been successful in its management. He thoroughly understands agriculture and is a systematic, practical business man.

     In January, 1882, Mr. Titus married Mrs. Ella A. Faulkner, whose maiden name was Stebbins. A son and daughter were born to them and are respectively named Willet C. and Ella A. Mrs. Titus was called from the loving family circle October 2, 1884, by the angel of death, and the many friends to whom she had endeared herself treasure her memory, scarcely diminished, though long years have rolled by since then. 


EORGE J. BOAL. During the years of his residence in Denver Mr. Boat gained a wide acquaintance and many warm personal friends. His life, which covered a span of almost sixty years, began in Boalsburg, Center County, Pa., October 4, 1835, and was brought to an end in Denver May 1, 1895. The family of which he was a member was one of those Scotch families that, on account of religions persecution, fled to Ireland, settling in County Antrim, where they were at liberty to follow the doctrines of the Presbyterian religion. Both physically and mentally, they were people of unusual strength.

      In 1798 Capt. David Boal, who was born in Ireland in 1764, came to America, accompanied by his wife, Nancy Young, and his three brothers, John, who settled in Union County, Pa.; William, in Virginia; and one (unknown by name) who settled in Bedford County, Pa. On the same vessel were Rev. Samuel B. Wilie, D. D., and Rev. John Black, of Pittsburg. Landing in Philadelphia, Captain Boal and his wife made their way to what was afterward known as Center County. In Ireland he had been active in the Presbyterian Church and on establishing his home in Center County he at once identified himself with that denomination, worshiping (sic) with the congregation at Slab Cabin, now Spring Creek. He was afterward made an elder of the church and served faithfully in that capacity until his death, in March, 1837. The town of Boalsburg, named after him, was built on his land. His two children, Mary and John, were born in Center County.

     The older son, George, and his sister, Elizabeth, were born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland. The former was a than of note in public affairs. For many years he served as an associate judge and in 1840 he was elected to the state legislature. During President Lincoln's administration he held the office of United States revenue collector. He was not a politician, and the offices which he filled came to him without solicitation on his part. During the war he supported the Federal government and no man in Center County exerted a larger influence in procuring volunteers for the Union army than did he. His honesty and integrity were proverbial. It may truthfully be said of him that his record was without a stain. His honor was unquestioned. In manner he was affable and courteous, and he won hosts of friends. His first wife, who died in 1843, was Nancy, daughter of Michael and Susanna Jack, pioneers of Center County. To this union four sons and three daughters were born, namely: David C., George Jack, James Wilson, John, Susanna, Nancy Young and Mary. By his second wife, Elizabeth Johnson, who survived him, he had two children, Elizabeth Maria and Robert Hamill Boal. Of these nine children, the eldest, David, graduated from Jefferson College, studied law with Hugh McAllister, of Bellefonte, Pa., and became a brilliant and successful attorney; at the age of thirty-three years he served as a member of the house of representatives and died at the age of thirty-seven years; he married Frances, daughter of the Supreme Court Judge Burnside, and at his death he left two children: a son, George O'Brien Boal, who is a government official; and Nellie, whose husband, F. M. Barnes, is also in the government service, living in Washington, D. C. The third son, Capt. John Boal, raised a company of volunteers who enlisted August 31, 1861. He was killed March 13, 1865, in North Carolina, while on Sherman's famous march to the sea.

     The subject of this article was educated at the Boalsburg Academy in Center County, of which his father was one of the founders. In 1857 he went to Iowa City, Iowa, where he studied law under the supervision of Hon. Rush Clark. After having been admitted to the bar in 1859, he at


656

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

once opened an office and began in the practice of his profession. In 1866 he was admitted to the supreme court of the United States. He was held in high esteem by all the judges of the supreme court before whom he practiced and was considered one of the most successful pleaders before that body in the entire country. For some time he was lecturer of medical jurisprudence in the Iowa State Medical University, which bestowed on him the title of LL. D. He was the Democratic candidate for congress front his district, but declined to accept the nomination; later he was his party's choice for governor of Iowa. He was a member of the American Bar Association, and he and Hon. George G. Wright were for a long time the only members from Iowa. He was one of its vice-presidents. He was a member of the general council and of the special committees, and was sometimes invited to read papers before that association.

     In Iowa City, August 21, 1861, Mr. Boal married Miss M. Amanda Buttles, daughter of the Hon. Joel Benoni Buttles, formerly of Warren, Ohio. Five children blessed their union, namely: George Buttles, who died at seventeen years; Anna Theodora, who died in infancy; Theodore Davis, Montgomery Davis, of Denver; and Frederick, who died when an infant.

     In 1887 Mr. Boal came to Denver, having been engaged, at a large salary, by J. B. Wheeler, of New York, to look after his many interests in Colorado, a position of great trust, and one that he filled with the utmost efficiency. He also engaged in the practice of law and in mining, his time and attention being more and more given to mining as the years passed by. Fraternally he was a Knight Templar Mason. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith, but after his marriage he identified himself with the Episcopal Church. He was prominent in the work of St. John's Cathedral of Denver and was a warm personal friend of Dean Hart. To him came the honor of being chosen to represent his diocese in the Triennial convention of the Episcopal Church of the United States, and as delegate be served with ability. He was a member of the standing committee of the diocese and of the Cathedral Chapter, and served his congregation as senior church warden. In all his church work his efforts and interests were nobly seconded by his wife, who, especially while in Iowa City, assumed great responsibilities in the work of the church and was most helpful in its success and welfare. For some time he served as trustee of Wolfe Hall and Jarvis Hall, which schools are under the superintendence of the Episcopal Church.

     Personally Mr. Boal is a man of striking appearance, above the average height, with clear-cut features and kindly, courteous manner. In important gatherings, both of his church and professional men, his presence was sought and his counsel desired. In his home he was a fond husband and indulgent father. He gave his sons excellent advantages and Theodore studied architecture in Paris for some years. Shortly after the son's marriage in that city, Mrs. Boal arranged to join him there, and Mr. Boal planned to meet her en route at Cambridge, where Montgomery was a student at Harvard University, and accompany her across the ocean, but death unexpectedly frustrated all their plans and ended his earth career at a time when others, and himself as well, might have hoped for many years of continued activity. There came to his wife and sons many tributes of esteem in their bereavement. The press and the people alike spoke of his noble and useful life as a bright light that had been suddenly extinguished; they reviewed his career with admiration, spoke of his friendliness to young, aspiring but briefless, lawyers; of his polished manners; his brilliancy as an after-dinner speaker; his genial comradeship, and those other admirable qualities that combined to make him a man among men. 


AMES A. S. ANDRUS, a progressive agriculturist of Boulder County, owns a farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres near Valmont, where he carries on a gardening and general farming business and engages in raising stock. In addition to other enterprises, he is one of the largest melon growers in northern Colorado, and has one of the finest young orchards (containing one thousand trees) in the entire state. He has resided on the place he now occupies since 1888, when he traded a herd of cattle for three hundred and thirty-three acres, but a portion of this tract he afterward sold.

      Born in Richland County, Wis., November 10, 1856, the subject of this sketch is one of eight children, all living, that were born to Horace and


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

657

Mary (Slaughter) Andrus. His brothers and sisters are: Carissa E., Frank M., Harry F., Luella O., Zenobia M., Barbara M. and Bert H. His father, a native of Ohio, born January 3!, 1834, was the son of Horace and Eunice (Hurlburt) Andrus, and was one of seven children. The grandfather, who was born in Massachusetts about 1880, removed to New York, where he devoted himself to farming for some years; later he settled in Illinois, but after four years removed to Wisconsin, where he worked in the lead mines at Platteville for nine years. He continued there until his death. In the Black Hawk war he served under Governor Dodge of Wisconsin.

     At the time of his father's death Horace Andrus, Jr., was seventeen years of age, and upon his shoulders devolved the care of the family. When he was almost twenty-one his mother married again and a few months later he established domestic ties, being united with Miss Mary L. Slaughter November 20, 1855. Going west to Indiana with his young wife, he settled in Tippecanoe County, near Lafayette, where he purchased eighty acres of land, and settled down to a farmer's life. Some fourteen years were spent on that place, and he then removed to Wisconsin, where he remained eight years, engaged in farming in Richland County. In 1875 he came further west to Kansas, and settled in Rush County, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. For four years he also ran a livery in, Rush City. Coming to Colorado in 1883, he spent two years in and around Boulder, after which he cultivated a farm three miles east of Boulder for three years, and in 1885 moved to Valmont, where he embarked in the mercantile business and general gardening, in which he is still interested. In 1891 he was appointed postmaster at Valmont under President Harrison and has filled the office ever since.

      The subject of this sketch acquired a common school education in Wisconsin. When nineteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Kansas, driving a wagon and cattle some nine hundred miles, and completing the journey in nine weeks. One year after going to Kansas he took up a claim on the frontier, in Rush County, on Wall Creek, where he began farming. Buffalo and antelope were plentiful, and he always had a bountiful supply of meat on hand, as the result of his skill in the use of a rifle. He proved up on his claim, where he spent eight years. In 1883 he came to Colorado, where he spent two years as a general contractor in the mountains. Here, also, he prospected. In 1885 he came to Boulder County, where he has since made his home.

     August 4, 1884, Mr. Andrus married Miss Nellie B. Yockey, of Elgin, Kan., the ceremony being performed in Boulder. She died December 10, 1889, leaving a daughter, Georgia B. The present wife of Mr. Andrus, whom he married December 2, 1894, was Miss Bertha, daughter of J. A. Hairrell. They have two sons, Clifton H. H. and James Ernest. Fraternally Mr. Andrus is a member of Columbia Lodge No. 14, A. F. & A. M., of Boulder; and secretary of Boulder Valley Grange No. 131, also deputy state master. As secretary of the school board for District No. 14, White Rock, he has rendered efficient service in the interests of free schools. Politically he is a Republican. 


OBERT BOYLAN, a Colorado pioneer of '60, owns and cultivates eighty acres of land on Left Hand Creek, in Boulder County, one and one-half miles south of Hay Stack mountain. He was born in Hamilton, Ohio, January 2, 1841, a son of Samuel and Mary (Hoagland) Boylan. He was one of eight children, five of whom are now living, viz.: John, Robert, Amos, Elizabeth and Samuel. The father, a native of Kentucky, born in 1815, while still a young man removed to Ohio, where he married and made his home until 1846. Thence removing to Iowa, he settled in Linn County, residing in Cedar Rapids and Mount Vernon. From Iowa in 1856 he went to Kansas and later settled in Gentry County, Mo. In 1858 he established his home in St. Joe, Mo., where he still resides. During his many years of active life as a carpenter and builder he acquired a competence and now, in retirement from business cares, enjoys every comfort which ample means can provide. His father, a native of Virginia, was descended from English, Irish and German ancestors, and died in Cedar Rapids, Iowa,

     When a boy of thirteen years the subject of this sketch began life for himself. During the winter he followed the usual custom of country lads and studied the three R's in the district


658

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

school, while in the summer he followed the plow or guided the harrow over the furrowed land. March 29, 1860 with a spring wagon and a yoke of cattle he left St. Joe for Colorado, arriving in Denver April 27. While en route west he had come across a man who was walking across the plains and, with a friendly desire to help him, he brought the stranger with him. On reaching Denver he learned of an uncle on Cherry Creek and left his outfit and provisions with the stranger while he looked up his relative. Three days later he returned to find that the stranger, outfit and provisions had vanished completely, leaving him with but five cents in his possession. There was nothing for him to do but make the best of an unfortunate affair. He secured employment in a sawmill, but after two weeks went to Buckskin Joe and from there to California Gulch, where he worked in the mines for a month. Returning to Buckskin Joe, he soon afterward discovered the Bates mine (now the famous Cyclone mine) and there he worked for some months; but, while the mine was profitable, he had become dissatisfied and abandoned it. After spending the winter in Canon City, he returned to Buckskin Joe in the spring, and there discovered Excelsior Mine No. 1, which was within five hundred feet of his former mine. This he abandoned after two months, although he had taken out something like $3,000. It is worthy of note that the Bates mine has been sold several times for sums between two and three million dollars and the Excelsior No. 1 has brought one million.

     Abandoning the Excelsior to go to Washington Gulch on the breaking out of the excitement there, he worked in the mines at that camp for a time. During the winter that followed he was one of a party of six that worked at Colorado Springs in mines; but becoming "broke," they went to Cripple Creek, where they built sluices. Three of the men worked at gulch mining and three others (among whom was our subject) worked at sinking a shaft. From all that can be learned, it is supposed that this shaft was sunk on the site of the famous Stratton mine.

      At Montgomery City Mr. Boylan worked on the Cleaner mine, then went to Blackhawk and worked in a quartz mill, thus getting a second start in life. In the spring of 1863 he went to Georgia Gulch and during the summer worked by the day. With the money thus earned he purchased three claims, Nos. 7, 8, and 9, paying down all of his ready money and assuming a debt of $1,000. Going to Blackhawk he worked during the winter as stationary engineer in the New York mill. In the spring of 1864, with his savings, he returned to Georgia Gulch to work his claims. During the summer he bought three other claims. He was so fortunate in his efforts that in the winter he had a bank account of $100,000 standing to his credit. About that time he bought twenty-five more claims, but the development of these extensive properties brought such heavy obligations to him that he was unable to carry the load and sold the claims. Going to Coal Creek, he engaged in the sawmill business, and enjoyed a few years of prosperity, but finally forest fires destroyed his mill.

     Once more starting out without money, Mr. Boylan came to Left Hand Creek and bought the ranch where he has since resided. To this work, as to all enterprises in which he has been interested, he brings energy, business ability and determination, and as a consequence he has become known as one of the successful ranchmen of Boulder County. He is a member of Left Hand Grange No. 9, in the work of which he takes an active interest.

     September 16, 1875, Mr. Boylan married Miss Alice, daughter of J. B. Allen, a prominent farmer of Jefferson County. They are the parents of five children, all of whom are at home but the married daughter. They are: Judson C.; John; Robert R.; Hattie, wife of Clyde Jain, a farmer of Boulder County; and Nellie. 


AMES MONROE DUMM, a well-known citizen of Boulder, first came to this place in 1872, and has ever since been more or less actively identified with the local welfare. He is a native of Carroll County, Mo., born in the town of DeWitt, in 1852. His father, Wylie Dumm, operated a carding-mill at that place for several years, but died in 1854, when but forty-one years of age. His father, Elijah Dumm, was a native of Pennsylvania, thence removed to Ohio, where his son Wylie was horn, and later settled in Missouri. Locating in Brunswick, Chariton County, he owned and managed a carding-mill there. The mother of our subject was


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

659

Miss Catherine Akers in her girlhood. She was born in Iowa, and died in her native state while the Civil war was in progress.

     The five children of Wylie and Catherine Dumm are all living at this writing. Ivy A. is the wife of O. B, Kendrick, of Boulder; John Milton is a merchant of DeWitt, Mo.; Hattie E. is the wife of A. T. Kendrick, of DeWitt, Mo.; James M. is the next in order of birth; and William Wylie is engaged in merchandising in DeWitt, Mo. The two brothers of our subject came to Colorado in 1872, at the same time that he made the trip for the first time, but they returned and settled down in their birthplace, within a few years.

     James M. Dumm passed his boyhood chiefly in DeWitt, Mo., though for a few years he resided in Decatur, Iowa. Returning to his old home, he continued to dwell upon a farm until he was about twenty years of age, when a longing to see something of the great west took possession of him. His brothers being of the same frame of mind, the three started forth and located at first in Golden, Colo., upon their arrival in the state. For several years Mr. Dumm was employed in and around Golden, and in 1875 he went to Sunshine, where he became much interested in prospecting and mining. The following year he entered the employ of Captain Tyler, and was foreman of his ranch for six years. In 1882 Mr. Dumm set out fruit trees on a tract of land which he purchased near Boulder, and four years later he bought a ranch fourteen miles east of Boulder. This farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, he greatly improved, putting in a fine irrigating system. After living upon the place for six years he returned to Boulder, and took up his abode on his fruit farm, then in good condition, and numbering one and three-fourths acres of orchard. He grows all kinds of large and small fruits and berries, and is reaping a goodly income from his venture. He ships direct to wholesale merchants in Denver, and always obtains good prices. Politically he is affiliated with the Democratic party.

      In 1895 Mr. Dumm built his pretty and comfortable house at the corner of Marine and Sixth streets. His wife, who was Miss Sue Caton in her girlhood, is a native of Brunswick, Mo., and daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Dumm) Caton. The Catons were an old Virginia family, and members of it participated in the Revolutionary war. Joseph Caton was born in Virginia and was engaged in the tailor's trade in Brunswick. He is now living in Booneville, Mo. His wife, Harriet was born in Ohio and departed this life in Brunswick. Five of their six children lived to maturity. The eldest son, Eugene DeCourcey, now a resident of New Frankford, Mo., was a drummer-boy in the Civil war and was nicknamed "Harry." The name clung to him and he still goes by it. Thomas Edgar is operating lead mines in Galena, Kan. Otis O. is a merchant tailor in Salisbury, Mo. Mrs. Sallie Shantz lives in Marshall, Mo. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Dumm are: Clinton O.; James, who died at the age of eight mouths; and Wylie Edgar. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are liberal towards all good enterprises and institutions. 


EVI HAKE, a prosperous farmer and stockraiser of Boulder County, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, March 3, 1840, being the younger son of George and Catherine Hake. He has a brother, Israel, who is a farmer in Iowa; also a sister, Caroline, the widow of John Sparks, and living near Sioux City, Iowa. His father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1813, grew to manhood on a farm, and after his marriage settled down to a farmer's life. His wife died, leaving six children. Some years later he removed to Ohio, where he was united in marriage with Mrs. Catherine Wire, a widow with one child, Jacob, now in California.

     When the subject of this sketch was four years of age his parents removed to Wisconsin and settled in Grant County, where the father devoted his attention to farming and the cooper's trade, which he had learned in youth. The son grew to manhood on the home farm and acquired a common-school education. At eighteen years of age he began life for himself as a farmer, renting land in Grant County. In 1839, when the tide of emigration turned toward Pike's Peak, he joined the procession moving westward, and with an ox-team, in company with John Whittaker, he crossed the plains to Colorado, landing in Boulder about the 1st of July. He went to Four-Mile Canon, where he engaged in gulch mining for four months. From there he proceeded to


660

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Golden, and in company with others opened up a ditch for the purpose of hydraulic work on Arapahoe Bar. The ditch was built, but the venture did not prove to be a profitable one, and some four months later he went to Central City, where for a year he worked at lead miffing. In 1861 he came to Boulder and began to freight from this place to Empire, also from the Missouri River to Denver.

     In the fall of 1863 Mr. Hake bought his present farm of one hundred and thirty acres, purchasing a claim for which he was given a quit-claim deed. Here he began farming and for some five years he also carried on freighting, in conjunction with the cultivation of-his land. In 1868 he gave up freighting and devoted himself to farm pursuits and the raising of stock, which he has continued to the present time. For a number of years he has served as a member of the school board. In 1873 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary F. Stotts, widow of Lewis Stotts, and the mother of two children, one now living, Luella, wife of Robert Gibbon, of Ward. Mr. Hake is a hardworking, persevering man, and deserves the prosperity he has attained. 


HOMAS E. GILLER. This well-known citizen of Boulder has been the agent for the Union Pacific, the Union Pacific, Deliver & Gulf and the Colorado & Northwestern Railroads for some time at this point and is very popular with the traveling public in general and with all who are associated with him in business relations. He has been engaged in railroading for nearly twenty years, in one capacity or another, and thoroughly understands his business.

     The paternal grandfather of Mr. Giller was Thomas Giller, a wealthy manufacturer of Manchester, England, who, in partnership with another man, owned all of the various stage lines centering in that city prior to the establishment of railroads. Thus he became quite rich and invested large amounts in real estate. Our subject's father, C. H., was born in Manchester, and came to the United States about 1860. He was interested in farming for a while in Kansas, and later carried on a lumber business in Osawatomie, Kan. He is the present postmaster of that town and for years has been a prominent Grand Army man, During the Civil war he enlisted and served in the Twelfth Kansas Regiment as second lieutenant of Company I. He took part in the Red River and Texas campaigns and did most gallant service. He married Miss Amanda Holden, a native of Marietta, Ohio. Her father, Thomas Holden, was likewise born in the Buckeye state, and was a farmer by occupation. In 1854 he went to Kansas, where he became one of the pioneers of Spring Hill, Miami County, and in time was numbered among the most extensive landholders in that section of the state. He was a strong anti-slavery man, and very nearly lost his life on account of his earnestly expressed opinions more than once. On one occasion his home was burned down by a band of Quantrell's guerrillas, and their intention of shooting him had been frankly avowed, but he tried to escape on horseback, and when he found that he could not do so, he slipped from the animal into some bushes, while they, not noticing the movement, pursued the horse, and directed their shots toward the thoroughly frightened creature, Mr. Holden, meanwhile making good his escape. He lived to be seventy-seven years of age and was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Amanda Holden died at her home in Kansas, leaving two sons and two daughters to mourn her loss.

     T. F. Giller was born in Paola, Kan., May 23, 1863, and in his boyhood attended the public schools of his native town. From 1878 until 1880 he was engaged in the lumber business with his father, at Osawatomie, Kan., after which he entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific. He learned telegraphy, and then was the operator at Harrisonville, Mo., for three years. Later he was at Rich Hill, Mo., two years, and with the Richmond & Danville Railroad at Atlanta, Ga., for two years, as an operator and train dispatcher. Returning then to Harrisonville, he was the Missouri Pacific agent there for about a year and next was installed as agent for the same corporation in Ottawa, Kan. This position he retained nine years, and since the close of 1894 has been occupying his present post of duty.

     While living in Ottawa Mr. Giller was chairman of the Franklin County Democratic central committee for several years, was a delegate to numerous conventions, and was a favored candidate for postmaster. He was also a candidate



© 2002 by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller