PETER THEOBALD.
Mardos Collection
PETER THEOBALD.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 955
illustrious writer, J. Fenimore Cooper. In religious belief Mr. Hetzel is a Baptist, while his wife is identified with the Episcopal Church.
ETER THEOBALD, a pioneer of Colorado, one who suffered all of the severe trials and privations that fell to the lot of the brave men of the early '60s, is now living in the enjoyment of the fruits of his long years of toil and hardship. He owns a beautiful home, surrounded by lovely grounds, in a pleasant situation in Idaho Springs. He was one of the founders and on the first survey of this town, and for eight or ten years was numbered among the early trustees of the place. One of the organizers of the Bank of Idaho Springs, he was a director in the same from the start until he saw fit to sell out.
Mr. Theobald is a native of Germany, born April 8, 1830, in the town of Haschbach, Bavaria. His father, Jacob, was born in the same town and there passed his entire life, dying at the ripe age of eighty-six years. He was a farmer, and a weaver and dealer in hemp as well, running two looms. The mother, whose maiden name was Maria Knoll, was born in Zweibryggen, Bavaria, and lived to be ninety-three years old. Of their seven children, four are in America - two in Pennsylvania and one, Daniel, in Colorado, besides our subject.
Peter Theobald, after leaving the public schools at the age of fourteen, learned his father's trade and became a good weaver. He participated in the Revolution of 1848, joining the so-called rebel forces at two different times. In the spring of 1852 he sailed from Havre, France, in the three-masted ship "Ontario," and after a forty days' voyage landed in New York City. His brother Charles was then a resident of the Empire state and his uncle, Peter Theobald, also lived in the States. At first our subject hired out to a farmer at $3 a month, but soon found a place in a tannery in Parksville, N, Y., there receiving $8 per month and board. Six weeks later he was given $10 and within the year $13 a month by the same employer. At length he drifted to Cherry Ridge, Pa., a place about seven miles from Honesdale, where the tannery of Roberts & Gale, then one of the largest in the United States, was situated. Here he received $14 and then $15 per month and board.
In 1856 Mr. Theobald went to Iowa, where he worked at various kinds of employment, in sawmills, foundries, etc. The Pike's Peak excitement of 1859 carried him with the tide, and in company with a Mr. Scott (who died at Fort Kearney), Mr. Clark and Mr. Stanton, he invested in a sawmill and started for Golden City. The trip took from May 15 to July 4, and after assisting in the erection of the mill, charging nothing for his work, Mr. Theobald was offered $1 a day, and continued at this rate until the following April, erecting two houses in Golden in the meantime. Refusing then $2.50 a day, he went to Central City, bought a placer mine and began business on his own account. He did not meet with very brilliant success for some time, but he persisted and May 15, 1860, came to Idaho Springs. Here he bought three placer mines, near the mouth of Chicago Creek, paying for them on instalments (sic). During the next three years he and his fellow-workers made as high as $70 apiece per day. Before he had seen any such returns, he had purchased an interest in a general store with Mr. Kenyon and P. P. Shafter and he retained his share in the enterprise up to 1872, when he sold out. In the meantime Mr. Kenyon retired from the firm and a Mr. Jones came in, and he, in turn, was bought out. For years our subject was the sole proprietor. He built the first two-story frame house in Idaho Springs, and had his store in it. He now owns about a dozen houses here, property in Freehand and other places, and is very well-to-do. Years ago he bought eight hundred acres of land on Bear Creek road, at Soda Creek, and putting up a sawmill, manufactured lumber for four years. Later he carried on farming to some extent and his brother now manages the place. He not only improved the ranch, but developed from the rough boulder land the fine resident property where his home now stands. He is the owner of the Peter Theobald mine and the Peter mine in Jackson district, both being now operated on lease. He also owns other mines, the Fortune and the General Custer among them. Both of these he discovered and developed, and formerly he owned the Shafter, which he sold.
Though he has been the architect of his own fortunes, and has won success by the hardest effort, Mr. Theobald is always ready to lend a helping hand to others and is generous with his
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. means. He has given two school-building sites in different parts of his ranch and is in favor of good schools for the rising generation. Politically he is independent, but is a strong silver man. Formerly he was affiliated with the Democratic party. He belongs to Idaho Springs Lodge No. 26, A. F. & A. M., of Idaho Springs. He was married in this place to Miss Jane F. Leibing, who was born in Germany and came to this state with her parents. She died at her pleasant home here March 19, 1895.
RED W. PARKS. As a member of the legal fraternity of Denver and arising young lawyer of the city, Mr. Parks has already established a reputation among the people and has won recognition from his seniors in the practice. He takes an active part in public affairs and in politics, keeping posted concerning topics of national and international importance, as well as regarding matters that have to do with the welfare of city and state. In boyhood he became an enthusiastic Republican and he continued to vote the straight party ticket from the time he attained his majority until the campaign of 1896, when he championed bimetallism. He is now secretary of the silver Republican county central committee. In 1897 he was tendered the position of deputy district attorney, but declined, as he did not wish to relinquish civil practice.
In Geneseo, Livingston County, N. Y., Mr. Parks was born September 1, 1871, the son of James R. and Isabella (Oliver) Parks. He is a descendant of Scotch ancestors, who, however, did not come direct to this country from Scotland, but resided for a time in Ireland. His father was born in New York and there married Miss Oliver, who was born near Wheeling, W. Va., but lived in New York from early childhood. Of their seven children only two are now living, Fred W. and Edward G., the latter a merchant in the western part of New York. The father and grandfather were also merchants, the former following that occupation until his death, which occurred in New York when he was fifty-seven years of age.
From the age of six until the age of sixteen Mr. Parks attended the New York State Normal School at Geneseo. He was threatened with lung trouble and was advised to try Colorado climate. Being acquainted with a gentleman at Canon City, Fremont County, he went there, but a few months later came to Denver. While in the former place he was employed as deputy to the county clerk, J. H.. Peabody. On arriving in Denver he secured employment with an insurance company and during the two years he remained in that position he devoted his spate moments to the study of law. In 1891 he started an insurance agency, which he conducted successfully until 1893 and then sold the business to Thompson & Benedict. For two years he was a student in the University of Denver, after which he took the law course at the State University in Boulder, graduating in 1895. For a year he was in the law office of R. D. Thompson, after which he and Mr. Lindsey established the firm of Lindsey & Parks. The firm have become well known as reliable practitioners and have built up a valuable clientage.
Fraternally Mr. Parks is a member of Oriental Lodge No. 87, A. F. & A. M., of which he was made Worshipful Master in December, 1897. He is also identified with Denver Chapter No. 2, R. A. M., Colorado Commandery No. 1, K. T., and El Jehel Temple, N. M. S., of which he has been recorder for some years.
OHN J. RICE, of Boulder County, is a typical Colorado pioneer. His life has been a very interesting one, filled as it has been with all kinds of adventures while on the plains, mountains and valleys of the great west. He has engaged in all the varied occupations of the frontiersman-mining, haying, farming and freighting - and, in the course of his business during the early days, crossed the plains no less than twenty-four times. He has suffered from the need of food, from cold and privation, and has had numerous narrow escapes from Indians and wild beasts.
From the heart of New England civilization our subject sprang, as he is a native of Worcester County, Mass., born November 18, 1837. His parents, Comfort and Lucinda Rice, are mentioned at some length in the sketch of our subject's brother, Rufus Rice, elsewhere in this volume. In 1853 J. J. Rice left home and for two years worked as a farm hand in Bureau County, Ill, Thence he went to Kansas and
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 957
Missouri. After passing eighteen months in Caldwell County, Mo., he and a partner started for Pike's Peak with a team of mules and camping outfit. They arrived in Breckenridge in June, 1860, and prospected until the following spring, when, as their provisions were growing short, the partner started back for new supplies. On the way he was captured by the Confederates and nothing was ever learned of his fate or of the disposition of the teams and wagons. Our subject entered the employ of a man in French Gulch that summer and worked steadily for several months, and as he was not in need of spending his wages, he left it in the hands of his employer. That worthy went to Denver, ostensibly to purchase provisions, but when. he had been gone six weeks and the scanty supplies he had left had become exhausted, Mr. Rice shouldered his blankets and set out for Denver. Arriving in that city, he found, upon inquiry at the Old Cherokee hotel, in which his employer had had an interest, that the gentleman in question had sold his share in the hostelry and had returned to the east.
On his journey from the mines to Denver Mr. Rice had an unusual experience. He had reached a point between Colorado City and Park City, near the foot of Pike's Peak, and, upon coming around some rocks, found himself in the midst of a camp of Arapahoe Indians. With rare presence of mind he went bravely forward to the tent of the chief, and, throwing down his weapons, told the red man that he was lost and hungry. The chief gave him food, and, learning where he wished to go, cautioned him to beware of some Ute Indians who were encamped below them in the canon, and, putting him upon a horse, escorted him beyond the danger line. From Denver Mr. Rice went to Boulder Valley to visit his brother, but after a few weeks he again took the trail to Blackhawk and Central City, and mined until the autumn, when he returned and helped his relative in putting up hay. When the brother enlisted in the Union army our subject remained on his ranch and attended to affairs there. The life became intolerably monotonous to him after two winters and a summer, and in the spring of 1864 he returned to the mines, and continued his labors there for a year or more.
In 1865 Mr. Rice went to Denver and contracted to drive ox-trains across the plains for two years. He was to receive $75 a month, and, as he was assistant wagon-master and night herder he was paid $150 a month for this duty. Later he and two others, boys of the train, bought the whole outfit, and, not having ready money, Wells, Fargo & Co. took their note for the amount, $16,500. From that time until the Union Pacific was put through to Ogden, Mr. Rice carried freight for the express company to different forts and other points. Next he transported a quantity of goods to Boise City for a Jew merchant; and then sold his train.
A desire to see the old friends and scenes of his youth now took possession. of Mr. Rice and he spent the winter of 1878 in the east. Returning in the spring he engaged in the cattle business and took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in the bottoms, two miles east of Burlington (as Longmont was then called). Building a hut, he persistently toiled at farming and raising cattle for many years, becoming well-to-do and thoroughly respected in this portion of the county. He has never given much attention to politics, but votes the People's party ticket.
On Christmas eve, 1871, Mr. Rice married Miss Georgiana Simons, a native of Kingsville, Ontario, Canada. To them were born a daughter and two sons, namely: Georgiana, wife of H. C. Rundle, a farmer of Boulder County; Harry L. and William J. The sons are both at home and are now managing the ranch. When his children were grown and the boys were capable of running the homestead, the old love for mining took possession of Mr. Rice, and in June, 1896, he started for his old mountain haunts. Since that time he has spent his time in prospecting and today has some of the most promising property in Gilpin County. Some of his samples of ore assay as high as $100 to the ton.
RS. M. JENNIE PERRIN, widow of John C. Perrin, is one of the esteemed early settlers of the vicinity of Longmont, Boulder County. Nearly thirty years ago she and her respected husband took up their abode here, and during the long years which have intervened their name has always been associated with good citizenship, uprightness of life and a just regard for others. Beginning their western life under every different circumstances and conditions than
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. those which charactized (sic) their career in the east, they made the best of everything, bravely overcame the difficulties they encountered and in time became prosperous and independently well-to-do. Mrs. Perrin was a true, womanly helpmate, sharing her husband's trials and discouragements, and by her bright, cheery ways instilling fresh hope and energy into his life.
Mrs. Perrin is a daughter of John G. and Mary A. (Hendershot) Peg, and has five surviving brothers and sisters, named as follows: Sanford, Henry C., Alice, Emma and Ida. The two last-mentioned are half-sisters, children of the mother's second marriage, with William Peg, a brother of John G. Peg. The father of our subject was a native of Pennsylvania, and when he had reached mature years he settled down on the old family homestead, in Columbia County, which he managed until his death. As already mentioned his widow later became the wife of his brother, and subsequent to the early demise of the latter she wedded Thomas McGargel. Her father, Michael Hendershot, was a respected Pennsylvania farmer, of which state he was a native; he married Mary Cornelison, whose relatives were from New Jersey.
The lady whose name heads this sketch was born in Columbia County, Pa., and there grew to womanhood. On Christmas day, 1865, she became the wife of J. C. Perrin, a worthy young man. He was a native of Danville, Pa., born August 12, 1838. In that locality he passed his boyhood and youth, learning the trade of painter and paper-hanger, and in these pursuits he was occupied until he came to this state, in 1870. It was in the spring of that year that he found himself in the neighborhood of Longmont, and, being pleased with the country, he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres two and a half miles northeast of the city. That autumn he returned to Pennsylvania and brought his family to their new home. As the years rolled away he made frequent improvements and finally added to his original tract another piece of land adjoining, thus making his homestead one of two hundred acres. In all his dealings with his fellow-men he was noted for the strictest honesty, fairness and justice. While he was not a member of any denomination he attended the Presbyterian Church and was interested in religious enterprises. Death put an end to his busy and useful life, April 12, 1888. His father, John Perrin, was born in Gloucestershire, England, and came from a wealthy family. He followed a sea-faring life for many years in his early manhood, and ultimately settled in Pennsylvania, where he passed the remainder of his days.
The marriage of John C. and M. Jennie Perrin was blessed with four children, of whom Laura B. is a widow of Frederick Huyck; Jessie P. is the wife of John E. Rothrock, a merchant and mining operator of Lake City, Colo.; John H. is also a resident of Lake City, and interested in mining; and James G. is deceased.
LBERT F. PETERS resides upon a ranch in Weld County, eight miles northeast of Longmont. He is of German parentage. His father, Adam Peters, was born in Germany in 1830 and at the age of fifteen years accompanied his mother to America, his father having died prior to their emigration. His first employment in this country was as assistant in a furniture store in New York, where he remained for some months. The family then removed to Sharon, Wis., and there grew to manhood and married Margaret Everhart. Settling upon a farm, he engaged in agricultural pursuits there throughout his entire active life, but recently retired from business cares, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labors in years past. He and his wife are the parents of six children, all living, namely: Charlotte, wife of John Ramsey, of Longmont; Sarah, wife of Rev. John Dietrich, of Fond du Lac, Wis.; John, Edward and Clara, Mrs. Rufus Piper, all of whom live in Sharon, Wis.; and A. F., of this sketch.
In Sharon, Walworth County Wis., our subject was born February 8, 1870. He graduated from the high school of his native town at twenty years of age, and shortly after that he began life for himself. Leaving the parental roof, he came to Colorado, joining his sister in Longmont. There for two years he worked in the employ of neighboring farmers. In 1892 he assumed the management of a ranch of two hundred and forty acres belonging to his sister, and this place he has since successfully superintended. In June, 1898, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres adjoining his sister's property, making four hundred acres under his direct management.
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