HON. DAVID J. BALL.
Mardos Collection
HON. DAVID J. BALL.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 917
with Mr. Hornbaker's family, and settled on a homestead, where he died. His wife also died here. She had one son by a former marriage, William Stewart, a resident of Boulder County. Her marriage to Enoch Way resulted in the birth of one son and seven daughters, as follows: Sarah Isabelle, Mrs. Williamson, who died in Boulder County; Mrs. Miller, who resides in Kansas; Mollie, wife of John Brush, who resides at Rocky Ford, Colo.; Mrs. Martha Matthews, a resident of Longmont; Mrs. Ellen Randall, who lives in Oregon; Mrs. Snyder, a resident of Denver; and Clinton, who lives in California.
ON. DAVID J. BALL, of Empire, Clear Creek County, is justly entitled to the name of founder of the town, and is the only one left here of the original pioneers of the locality. In the early days he occupied various official positions and won the high regard of all by his strict adherence to his duties. In the fall of 1860 he was made recorder of the mining district of upper Union and held the post until the organization of the county, when he turned over the records to the proper authorities. He was recorder when the town of Empire was laid out, and upon its incorporation in 1884 he became a trustee, which office he has since held almost uninterruptedly. The cause of education has been one near to his heart, and he has often served on the school board. From his early manhood he was a strong Republican until the late campaign, when he came out on the side of silver as a standard. At present he is a member of the county and state central committees. In 1864 he was elected to the territorial legislature on the Republican ticket, serving in the sessions of 1865.
James A. and Ann Ball, parents of the above-named gentleman, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and passed their early married life in Ohio. Grandfather Abraham Ball moved to Ohio many years prior to the Civil war, and followed agricultural pursuits. J. A. Ball was also a farmer by occupation. In 1857 he and his family went to West Liberty, Muscatine County, Iowa. There Mr. Ball became quite prominent and for years was the postmaster of the town and one of the leading merchants. He lived to the ripe age of eighty-five years. Of his eight children who grew to maturity all but two are living. N. W. Ball, of the Third Iowa Regiment of Volunteers, died as the result of disease contracted while at the front in defense of the flag in the Civil war.
David J. Ball was born in October, 1840, in Carrollton, Ohio, and received his education in that state. In 1857 he went to Iowa, and three years later he set out for Colorado. At Council Bluffs, Iowa, he outfitted with ox-teams, and at the end of two months from the time that he had left home he arrived at Auraria, on Cherry Creek. A week later he went up Gregory Gulch and engaged in prospecting, and upon the 13th of September he came to the present site of Empire. Only three men were here ahead of him, namely: Judge Coles, Edgar Freeman and George Merrill, and of these only Mr. Freeman, now a resident of Colorado, is living. Mr. Ball prospected and discovered several valuable mines in this vicinity, and later assisted in developing the same. Among these were the Tenth Legion and the Pioneer, of early fame. About 1876 he opened an assaying office and has continued in this business ever since. The first lode discovered by his party, who hailed chiefly from New York, was named and recorded as the Empire Silver Lode, and from this the town and mountain took their names. Since that time it has been found to be a great misnomer for the mountain, which contains much more gold than silver, to all appearances. Mr. Ball is interested in and is manager of the Cambria Gold Mining and Milling Company, a Milwaukee (Wis.) corporation, and has other mining properties. In the course of his mining here he has worn out three stamp mills, including the one which he erected in 1879.
It was about thirty-five years ago that Mr. Ball was initiated into the rites of Masonry. At that time he became a member of Nevada Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M., of Nevadaville, and when Empire Lodge No. 8 was organized he was one of its charter members. For years he was secretary of the lodge, which was formerly very flourishing, sometimes having as many as sixty-five members.
LLEN R. GODFREY, who is engaged in farming on section 2, township 4, range 66, Weld County, was born near Cleveland, Ohio, in 1845. He is a son of Holon Godfrey, a native of New York state, born in 1812, but who at the age of less than twenty went to Ohio, and
918
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. from there, about 1844, with a brother, William, went to Chicago, looking for work at the carpenter's trade. He was employed there when the city had a population of only between two and three thousand. The next year he returned to Ohio and brought his family west with him, settling in Wisconsin, twenty-five miles north of Milwaukee, where he bought one hundred acres of land and engaged in farming and carpentering. With his brother, William, he secured contracts for building docks and piles on Lake Michigan, and did other work of a similar nature.
During the Pike's Peak excitement of 1859-60, Mr. Godfrey left his family and started for Colorado. It was not his first experience in mining life, for in 1849 he had gone via sailing vessel to San Francisco, but on account of trade winds they were delayed, spending three months and ten days on the water. On reaching California he began gulch mining at Wyreka and was fairly successful, remaining there for five years, and returning with $5,000 in 1854. Afterward he bought the right for cutting and welding wagon tires in several counties in Missouri and Iowa, but followed that business for a short time only. His time was then given to farming until 1860, when he outfitted at Council Bluffs and crossed the plains by ox-team to Denver. While going west he saw many people returning home, and the accounts they gave were most discouraging. By these reports he was influenced to change his plans. He settled on a ranch near Julesburg, and there remained for two years. Selling out in 1863, he settled thirty miles southeast of Fort Morgan, on what is now known as Fort Wicket ranch. Here he built a sod house and stable, and kept a general road ranch, remaining until the fall of 1868, when the Union Pacific Railroad reached Cheyenne. Previous to this he sent for his family in Wisconsin and all came excepting a son and daughter. Everything prospered with him until 1864, when the Sioux and Cheyennes attacked his ranch and drove away eighty-two head of cattle, also set the grass on fire around the house, and committed other depredations. He shot a number of Indians during that time and succeeded finally in driving them away. There was another raid in 1867, but afterward no further trouble was experienced with the red men.
At the time the Union Pacific Railroad came through to Cheyenne, Mr. Godfrey removed to the Platte River district and bought three-quarters of a section for $5,000. There he engaged in farming and the stock business during the remainder of his life. In the development of the county he bore an active part. In 1869-70 he was the prime mover in organizing Section No. 3 Ditch Company and assisted in building the ditch, which was the means of developing this section of country. For ten years he officiated as the company's president. In 1873 he assisted in organizing the South Platte Ditch Company, of which he was elected president. From 1869 to 1880 he engaged in farming and stock-raising and was among the largest stockmen of the county. Politically he has always been a Republican, and interested in local and national politics. A man of energy, excellent judgment and executive ability, his influence was apparent for good during the early days of the county. He is still living and enjoying good health. His wife, who died in 1879, was Matilda Richmond, of Ohio. Of their seven children six are living, namely: Martha, wife of Daniel Hawks; Allen R.; Anna, who married H. M. Godfrey; Celia, wife of Wesley Mullen, of Gunnison, Colo.; Carrie, Mrs. C. H. Welch; and Cuba, of Wyoming.
In 1861 our subject enlisted in Company K, Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry, in which he served for three years. Upon his honorable discharge he entered Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Chicago, but after a few months there re-enlisted in Hancock's Veteran Corps, Second Regiment, and served until the war closed, in all, a period of four years. During his first term of service he was under Grant and Sherman in the western division, and in his second enlistment he served in Washington, forming a part of the Army of the Potomac. He was mustered out in Winchester, Va., and was one of thirteen out of a company of one hundred that returned home. After the war closed his company was sent to Albany, N. Y., and took charge of camps, later were similarly engaged at Elmira and Ogdensburg, N. Y., and Brattleboro, Vt., returning home in the spring of 1866.
Upon his graduation from the business college in Chicago in 1867, Mr. Godfrey joined his parents at South Platte, Colo., and soon became his father's partner in farming and the stock business. His services were in demand for clerical work, and he was secretary of No. Ditch Company,
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 919
in the organization of winch he had assisted. In 1874 he took a part of the home farm, and upon his half-section he built a fine brick residence. He has since engaged in farming and the stock business, and has his land under cultivation and furnished with an excellent water supply. Under the territorial law he was the prime mover in organizing school district No. 14, of which he was secretary for some years. After the state was admitted into the Union he secured the organization of the La Salle school, of whose board he has been the only president and which employs three teachers, with ninety pupils enrolled. Politically a Republican, he was a candidate for superintendent of schools of Weld County under the territorial law, and for county commissioner under state law. Fraternally he is connected with Greeley Lodge, I. O.O. F. At this writing he is commander of William T. Sherman Post No. 23, of Evans, and is an active Grand Army worker.
In 1873 Mr. Godfrey married Miss Kate Welch, who died in 1890, at thirty-eight years of age. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Bert G.; Jessie, deceased; Fannie, wife of A. L. Reeves; Charles A.; Roy; Walter, deceased; and Tillie.
In 1871 Mr. Anderson moved to Maryland and for ten years assisted his father on the farm, at the same time receiving his education from the country school near by. When eighteen years of age he came to Colorado and at once entered the employ of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Company, at the same time going to night school at the Denver Business College, where he studied shorthand. Afterward for a year he served in the business office of the Old Denver Tribune, during the days of Eugene Field, and later with O. H. Rothacker, on the Opinion.
Leaving Denver after an attack of pneumonia, he spent six months at Batopilas, in Old Mexico, with Alexander R., better known as "Boss" Shepherd, the great mining king of that country. Finding this location too remote from civilization and friends Mr. Anderson in 1385 returned to Denver and started in his present business, which has proved very successful.
Though a member of a Democratic family, Mr. Anderson has voted the Republican ticket ever since he was old enough to cast his ballot, and his first vote, of which he is proud, was cast for Hon. James G. Blaine. In 1892 he was chosen to represent this county in the legislature, and served in the regular session as well as the special session called by Governor Waite. During these sessions he served as chairman of the engrossing committee and was a member of the railroad committee, also of the committee on Indian and military affairs. He took a great interest in his legislative work and during the entire sessions did not absent himself for a single day, and endeavored always to be present when the roll was called. He introduced a bill for a home for disabled miners, and succeeded in getting it through the lower house. The house stood thirty-three Republicans (of which side he was one of the leaders) to thirty-two Democrats.
Mr. Anderson is a Presbyterian, and has been actively engaged with one of the largest churches of the city, both as a member and officer, ever since he came to Denver. Fraternally he is connected with the Junior Order United American Mechanics. He is a self-made man, having come to Denver a poor boy, and he has worked his way up to what he now is.
920
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. cause of education finds in him a sincere friend and for a period of twelve years, while his residence was in Nevadaville, he acted as a member of the school board, and for much of The time was secretary and treasurer of the organization.
As his surname indicates, W. J. Lewis is of Welsh extraction. His father was a native of Wales, and in his country was a civil engineer and surveyor. Over half a century ago he came to the United States, and, settling in Armstrong County, Pa., built and took charge of the tramways for the Great Western Iron Works. Later he removed to Pittsburg, and lived retired from active cares until his death. His wife, Jane (Carter) Lewis, whose death likewise took place at their Pittsburg home, was a native of Devonshire, England. They were the parents of seven children, three of whom survive at this writing. The eldest son, Robert H., was a lieutenant in command of the First Delaware Battery during the Civil war, and died afterwards in Cleveland, Ohio.
The birth of William J. Lewis occurred in Brady's Bend, Pa., November 25, 1843. His boyhood was spent in that town and for a few years he attended school there. When he was thirteen the family removed to Pittsburg and three years later he. was apprenticed to a machinist. He served four years in the James Reese engine shops, where were manufactured the engines used on the river boats. When he had thoroughly mastered the trade, young Lewis worked for a year in Wheeling, W. Va. In the summer of 1865 he came to Colorado, and for one year was engineer for the Corydon Mining Company, of Central City. Later he was employed at various mines up to 1870, when he leased the Whitcomb twenty-five stamp mill, in Nevadaville. After running it for some years successfully he purchased the property, which he did not dispose of until ten years ago. In 1889 he became the superintendent of the Hidden Treasure mill, in which capacity he has been acting from that time until the present. During the past thirty years he has been more or less financially interested in many mines, among them the Flack, Illinois, Kansas, Windsor, Corydon, etc. Now he owns stock in the Pierce mine, which is being operated with good results. Mr. Lewis thoroughly understands his business and is equally well versed in mining and milling operations.
The Hidden Treasure mill is one of the largest and best in Gilpin County, handling larger ore than most mills here. It has fine water power and boasts one of the largest water wheels in the state. Its diameter is fifty feet, and it is equal to three hundred horse-power.
Mr. Lewis married in Nevadaville, in 1868, Miss E. M. Southworth, a native of New York state. They have two children: Robert N., engineer in the Hidden Treasure mill, and a member of Central City Commandery No. 2, K. T.; and Lottie J., Mrs. E. W. Davis, of Central City. Mr. Lewis is past master of Nevada Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M.; is past officer of Central City Chapter No. 1, R. A. M., and for two successive years was eminent commander of Central City Commandery No. 2, K. T. He is also identified with El Jebel Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Denver. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Episcopal Church, as is also her daughter, Mrs. E. W. Davis.
HOMAS H. JOHNSON enjoys the honor of being the organizer of the Republican party in Larimer County. For years he has been one of the most influential politicians in the county. His activity in local affairs, his energy in promoting campaign work, together with his successful service in positions of responsibility, won for him the sobriquet of "cowboy statesman." He was elected to the state legislature in 1882 and served as a member of the fourth general assembly. He was a supporter of Senator Jerome B. Chaffee, in his day, as he is now of Henry M. Teller, the present senior senator of Colorado. Under Governor Mclntire, then warden at Canon City, he served as deputy in 1894.
In Dixon, Ill., May 23, 1839, the subject of this sketch was born to Eben H. and Sarah (Johnson) Johnson. His father, who was a native of New York, spent almost his entire life in Illinois, where he died in 1885, at the age of seventy-five years. He was a stanch Republican from the organization of the party, and was present at almost every convention of his county and state. His son, our subject, was educated in the common schools of Illinois. At the age of twenty-one, in 1860, he came to Colorado and settled on the Big Thompson River, where he took up government land. In 1861-62 he assisted in building the first irrigating ditch in northern
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