JAMES T. BAIRD
Mardos Collection
JAMES T. BAIRD
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1029
East Denver high school, later took the full four years' course in the School of Mines in Golden and is now an assayer in Leadville.
AMES T. BAIRD, one of the most successful cattlemen of Colorado, in 1888 purchased his present place on Cherry Creek, known as Baird's mammoth stock ranch and comprising nineteen hundred acres, all fenced and in one body. Here he has since engaged in the stock business, raising a fine grade of Shorthorn cattle and graded Kentucky horses crossed with Clydesdales. In 1891 he brought his family to Denver, where they have since resided, but necessarily a large portion of his time is spent in the management of his ranch.
Born in Milan, Sullivan County, Mo., our subject is the son of M. B. and Mary (Harrington) Baird, natives of Kentucky and Missouri respectively, The Harrington family came to this country from England, while the Bairds formerly resided in Scotland, where they were manufacturers of fine shawls. The paternal grandfather of our subject, James Baird, was born in Kentucky, and after his marriage moved his family to Putnam County, Mo., of which he was a pioneer farmer. The maternal grandfather, James Harrington, was a native of Virginia and an early settler of Knox County, Mo., where he owned and cultivated a large farm.
For some years M. B. Baird engaged in farming and stock-raising in Sullivan County, but in 1863 he and his family journeyed westward, with ox-teams and wagons, via Omaha, the North Platte and South Pass, to Union County, Ore., which they reached after a tedious journey of five months. He was a pioneer of that county, where he took up government land and embarked in the stock business, remaining in the same place until his death, at sixty-eight years. His wife died when fifty-eight years old. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of their twelve children nine attained mature years and four are living.
The birth of our subject occurred April 6, 1844. In boyhood he attended the public schools of Sullivan County. He accompanied the family to Oregon and on reaching his majority embarked in the stock business in the Grand Round Valley; he traveled through different parts of Oregon and Idaho and bought stock, which he afterward sold. In the fall of 1871 he returned to Sullivan County, and there, in 1872, he married Ann Mary Henry, daughter of David and Rebecca (Smith) Henry, natives of St. Louis County, Mo., and Fauquier County, Va. Her grandfather, Thomas Henry, a native of Pennsylvania, settled upon a farm near Augusta, forty miles from St. Louis, where he was a surveyor, civil engineer and large stockman. In 1842 he removed to Sullivan County, where he bought a large farm and continued in the stock business. He died there at eighty-five years of age. He was a descendant of Irish ancestors, who settled in Pennsylvania in an early day.
For years David Henry was a large stock dealer in Sullivan County, but in 1852 he settled in the Rogue River Valley of Oregon, and thence went to California, but in 1861 returned to Missouri, and from there in 1864 he again removed to Oregon, this time settling in the Grand Round Valley. In 1871 he went to Denver, thence to St. Louis, and from there to Texas, and shipped cattle from the south to the St. Louis market. From Missouri he went back to Oregon in 1877, bringing with him a herd of cattle. He came from there to Colorado and located a ranch on Cherry Creek. Soon afterward he took the cattle to Trenton, Mo., where he sold then,. He then went to Fort Worth, Tex. and bought another herd, which he brought to Colorado in 1879. In 1890 he went to Greeley, where he died the next year, at the age of seventy-four. He was a man of great enterprise and met with uniform success in his dealings.
The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Baird was Joseph Smith, who was born in Virginia, of English descent, and served during the war of the Revolution. His mother was a Miss Doniphan, member of one of the F. F. V's. He was a large miller, owning and operating fifteen grist mills at the same time. He married Elizabeth Headley, a native of Virginia, the descendant of an English nobleman, who was among the early explorers of the Old Dominion. Her parents were born in England and became the owners of a large plantation, with many slaves, in Virginia. After the death of Mr. Smith his widow removed to Missouri with her family, and located in St. Charles County. She died in Sullivan County when sixty years of age. Ex-Governor William Smith,
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. of Virginia, was a nephew and adopted son of Joseph Smith. At the time of coming to Missouri, Rebecca Smith was a young lady of seventeen years. She afterward became the wife of David Henry, in Sullivan County, and two children were born of their union: Mrs. McNeeley, of Sullivan County; and Mrs. Baird.
After his marriage Mr. Baird went to Oregon, driving across the plains with a team of horses, and settling in the Grand Round Valley, where he engaged in the cattle business. In 1873 he went back to Missouri and handled cattle in the Cherokee nation. In 1877 he made another trip to Oregon, then back to Missouri, and in 1878 went to Texas and the Indian Territory, buying cattle for the northern market. The two following years he also went south, and in 1882 settled upon the old homestead at Milan, Mo., where he engaged in raising cattle, horses and mules. From there he came to Colorado in 1888. He is a member of the Colorado Cattle Growers' Association, and politically is a Democrat, which has been the political faith of his ancestors as far back as the record extends. In religious connections he is identified with Central Presbyterian Church, of Denver. He and his wife have a son and daughter, David Barnet and Mary Catherine, the former of whom was born in Union, Ore., July 17, 1873, and received his education in St. Francis College, graduating at sixteen years of age. The latter was born March 28, 1878, in Sullivan County, Mo., and is a student in the Denver schools.
ICHARD BROAD WILLIAMS. We pause a moment in the rush and turmoil of life to pay a tribute to the memory of one who, in life, was a friend to right and justice, and whose death was felt to be a loss to the entire community. Richard Broad Williams, or, as he was more familiarly called, "Dick," was a man remarkable for his fearlessness, strength and vigor. He was a large, fine looking man, of commanding presence, weighing about two hundred and twenty pounds, and of good proportions, his height being six feet. His generous-hearted, kindly disposition made him a favorite wherever he went, and it was in aiding an officer to enforce the law that he met his death.
Richard Broad Williams was born in Devonshire, England, December 10, 1847. His parents, John H. and Jane (Broad) Williams, came to America about three years after his birth, where his father engaged in copper mining at Eagle River, Lake Superior, Mich. In 1867 he came to Colorado, and engaged in mining in this county with his son, Richard, and about eight years later bought a large ranch in San Joaquin Valley, this state, and from there moved to San Jose, Cal., where he bought property and now resides with his wife. They have seven children. John was killed in 1876; while attending a local horse race at Lake View, an altercation arose between two factions, or nationalities, which resulted in a fight. A man shot him at short range, mortally wounding him, but of such strength and hardihood was he that he attacked his murderer and killed him with no weapon other than his two hands, but he expired within twenty-four hours afterward. Josiah, the third child, is a resident of California, as is also Elizabeth, of San Jose; Samuel is a dentist in Mexico; Eliza is in Sacramento, Cal.; and Rev. Henry is a Baptist minister in the state of New York.
The boyhood of Mr. Williams was passed at Eagle River, Mich., and in 1865 he went on an exploring trip through the west through Gilpin County, Breckenridge, and up to "Buckskin Joe." He then returned to Michigan, and two years later engaged in mining at Nevadaville, where he worked with his father seven years, when he opened a meat market, and in connection with it dealt in stock and did a wholesale butcher business. In 1888 he moved to Denver and gave his attention to the stock business, but preferring this county as a place of residence, he returned to Central City in the spring of 1891 and took up the livery business at his old stand on Eureka street, and was still there at the time of his death. He was mayor of Nevadaville and also marshal. In 1879 he was elected sheriff of this county, and was re-elected in 1881 and again in 1883, the last time without opposition, serving six years. He was a very efficient officer, and most successful in quelling riots and quarrels. So popular was he that they tried to have him take the office a fourth time, but he refused the nomination. In the fall of 1891 he was elected county commissioner of Gilpin and served a term of three years, and in April, 1895, he was elected mayor of Central City, serving to April, 1896, his term having expired only a few days before his death.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1031
April 15, 1896, the marshal of Central City was shot in an upstairs office, and Mr. Williams, hearing the shot, was hastening to his assistance, when the murderer, coming from the stairway, met and shot him. He was at once taken to his home and everything possible done for him, but to no avail, and he died four days later. In the meantime, his murderer, while trying to escape, was shot down with a Winchester. Mr. Williams was in the prime of life when cut down, being only forty-nine years old. He was buried in Bald Mountain Cemetery, and his was the largest funeral ever held in the county.
Mr. Williams was fond of sport, and refereed many athletic matches, and was himself a skillful boxer, being strong, agile and fearless. In several prize fights in which he took part he was the victor, and in one wrestling match he won $1,300, and this, with what he had made in mining, started him in the meat business. He kept some fine thoroughbred horses, and "Sleepy Cap," one of the thoroughbreds, won a race from the Indians at Hot Sulphur Springs, winning to his owner several of their horses, which he sold. He was a prominent figure in the Denver races also. His courage was so well known, that if there was a disturbance in the country, and he was available, he was always sent for to make peace. He was a Republican, and an earnest worker for the success of the party. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Sons of St. George. He retained his interest in mining stock, and left valuable property to his family.
Mrs. Libbie Williams, the widow of R. B. Williams, was born in Dodgeville, Iowa County, Wis., and is a daughter of John P. Bartle, of Cornwall, England. He came to this country, and engaged in mining operations in the lead mines of Wisconsin. In 1851 he started for California, around Cape Horn, and for two years mined in the vicinity of San Francisco. He went back to Wisconsin by way of Panama, and remained a short time, but hearing of the gold found in California by the fortunate hunter, he determined to give it one more trial, and again spent some time there in mining. This venture, like the first, proving unsuccessful, he returned to Wisconsin, moved his family to Copper Falls, Mich., and here mined until 1868, when he located in Colorado. He was joined by his family the following year, and settled in Nevadaville, where he mined and has since resided, with the exception of a few years spent in the fur business in St. Louis. After returning from that city he retired from business, and is taking a well-earned rest, being nearly seventy-six years old. In Cornwall, England, he married Elizabeth Holman, who is in her seventy-fourth year. The family are Episcopalians, and earnest Christian people. They have five children, three boys and two girls having been born to them, viz.: Kate, (Mrs. Richards) and James, engaged in mining, both of whom live in Nevadaville; Frank, who died in Redcliffe, being killed by the accidental discharge of his revolver; William, who died in Pueblo; and Mrs. Williams.
Mrs. Williams was educated in the public schools of Wisconsin and Michigan, where her girlhood was spent. She was married, after coming to this state, in 1870, on the 25th of December, to R. B. Williams. Since the death of her husband she has continued the livery business on Eureka street, and also looks after the mining interests left by him. She has stock in the Little Annie and another mine in the Buckeye district, also the mine on Thompson's ranch, and has proved herself a shrewd woman of business. She is the mother of five children: Oscar, who has charge of the livery barn; Mabel, George, Edna and Ruth. She is a zealous worker in the Episcopal Church and in the Guild, is a strong Republican politically, a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and Pocahontas Lodge, of which she is keeper of Wampon.
L. ASHBAUGH, M. D., of Central City, is one of the leading physicians of Gilpin County, where he has served several years as coroner, a position he still occupies. He was a soldier of the late Rebellion and has a fund of interesting anecdotes concerning army life which seem to receive additional interest from his manner of recounting. Dr. Ashbaugh was born in Delaware County, Ohio, the son of John M. and Mary Catherine (Artz) Ashbaugh, and a grandson of John Ashbangh.
John Ashbaugh, the grandfather, came to this country from Amsterdam, Holland, accompanied by two brothers, Armenis and Cyrus. They landed in New York and there separated, one go-
1032
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. ing to Pennsylvania, one remaining in New York, and John trying his fortunes in Canada. Here all trace of each other was lost and the fate of the other brothers is unknown. After remaining a short time in Canada, John went to Ohio, which was then a territory, and became a very successful farmer of Marion County. He had the honor to kill, on what is now the present site of Columbus, the largest panther ever killed in the state.
John M. Ashbaugh, the father of Dr. Ashbaugh, carried on the trade of a potter in Delaware County until 1849, when he moved to Mercer County, Ill,, locating near the present site of Aledo. Here he and his father-in-law, John Artz, bought a grist and sawmill which they operated until the spring of 1868. This mill was located on the Edwards River and the settlement took the name of Millersburg. In 1868 he moved to Moundville, Mo., some eight miles from Nevada, Vernon County, and here followed the quiet pursuits of agriculture until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty-two years. He married Mary Catherine Artz, who was born in Woodstock, Va., and who is still living on the old homestead in Missouri. Her father, John Artz, was born in Rotterdam, whence be came to America, settling in Virginia, where he married Sarah Lambert, a daughter of one of the old Virginia families. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and a pioneer of Delaware County, Ohio, where he lived until 1849, when he went to Illinois and was engaged in the milling business with his son-in-law up to the time of his death.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ashbaugh were born thirteen children, as follows: William H. H. was a member of Grant's regiment of Illinois, and died in 1877; Armenis Fletcher died young; T. L., our subject, was next in order of birth; Lewis L. served during the Civil war in the Seventy-eighth Illinois Infantry, and is now living in Colorado; Morilla Josephine (Mrs. Jenkins) resides in Norfolk, Neb.; John Isaac is a graduate of Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and is now a practicing physician of Fort Smith; Abraham is a physician of Central City; Sarah Sophia (Mrs. McDonald) resides in Missouri; Varian lives on the old homestead; Ollie graduated with the degree of D. D. S. and later died in Missouri; and Blanche also lives in Missouri.
Dr. T L. Ashbaugh was born May 3, 1844. In 1849 his parents took him to Illinois, where he attended the public schools until August of 1862, when, at the age of seventeen, he ran away from home and school to enlist in Company K, One Hundred and Second Illinois Infantry, at Aledo. During the battle of Resaca he was hit on the head by a piece of shell and badly injured. He was unconscious and for nearly three days continued in that state. The wound resulted in paralysis of the left arm so that it has remained almost useless to him ever since. He would entertain no thought of returning home, so remained with his regiment and as soon as he could be about was detailed as forager. On Sherman's famous march from Atlanta to the sea he encountered many dangers and always brought back provisions to the camp, although his left arm was a useless member. He was in the grand review in Washington, where he was mustered out June 5, 1865, received his discharge and was paid off in Chicago, after which he returned home.
While still in the army he began the study of medicine, and he now began to read under Dr. J. Merritt and graduated from the Burlington Medical College in 1866. He then attended Rush Medical College, of Chicago, taking the first course in 1866-67, when he began the practice of his profession at Pre-emption, Ill., in Mercer County. He remained there until the spring of the following year and then removed to Moundville, Mo., where he practiced for eleven years, meeting with the most flattering patronage. During this time, in 1875, he returned to Rush College and took the final course, graduating in 1876 with the degree of M. D. At the same time he graduated from the Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary of Chicago, also with the degree of M. D. His patients receive the most painstaking care and attention, so that his ability was readily admitted and his popularity widespread. In 1879 he came to Colorado and located at Central City, where he continued until 1887, when he went back to Missouri and tried farming for one year. Not liking this he once more came to Colorado, practicing at Trinidad a year and at Aspen until 1896, when he returned to Missouri to spend the summer, and in the fall of the same year once more took up his residence in Central City, where he had no trouble in establishing himself with his old degree of popularity, and he now enjoys a large and lucrative practice.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1033
Dr. Ashbaugh was married while in Pre-emption, Ill., to Miss Pauline Hardy, who was born at Della, Tazewell County, that state. One child has blessed their union, a son, Flor, who graduated from Ann Arbor University as LL. B., and is now practicing in Central City. Dr. Ashbaugh is well known and liked throughout the entire community and acted as coroner during his entire residence in Central City from 1879 to 1887; was coroner of Aspen County from 1892 to 1894, and in the fall of 1897 was again elected to the same office in Gilpin County. He is a member of numerous social orders, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Select Friends, Chosen Friends, Knights of the Maccabees, Patriotic Order Sons of America, Foresters, and others, for many of which he is medical examiner. He is also a prominent member of Ellsworth Post No. 20, G. A. R. He is a stanch Republican and has always taken a lively interest in the success of his party. He is a most amiable and accomplished gentleman and commands the full respect, confidence and esteem of the people for his upright conduct.
ILLIAM J. WELLS, of Nevadaville, Gilpin County, has lived in the Rockies since his earliest recollections and is actively interested in the development of the resources of this great and wonderful state. When but fourteen years of age he started forth to do battle with the world and win a place for himself, and bravely overcame the difficulties that he encountered. Like the majority of young men in this region he became imbued with the mining fever, and has operated more or less for several years, though he has been wise enough not to devote his whole time and energies to this extremely uncertain fortune. For about a year he held a lease on the Bobtail mine and developed the same to some extent, and subsequently for two years operated the justice, in Lake district.
W. J. Wells was born in Elkhart, Ind., November 24, 1863, and was deprived of his loving father's care and guidance when he was a child. The father, Thomas Wells, was likewise a native of the Hoosier state, and owned an improved farm near Elkhart. Grandfather Joseph Wells, who died in Indiana, was a farmer also. The mother of our subject, Helen, was a native of New York state, where her family had resided for many years. Her father, William Rowley, was an early settler in the neighborhood of Elkhart, Ind. After the death of Thomas Wells, his widow removed to Denver with her only son, W. J., of this sketch. She is now Mrs. Bostwick, and has five children by her second marriage.
In his youth W. J. Wells managed to gain a liberal education, and was a student in the high school of Central City until June, 1878. His aptitude and fondness for mathematics led to his being offered a position in the Rocky Mountain Bank, and for nine years he was a teller in that institution. In 1887 he resigned and embarked in business for himself by taking a lease on the Teller House, which had been closed for some time. He soon had everything in running order and opened the house for business. He continued as proprietor of the hotel for a few years, or until 1890, when he sold out. The succeeding year he held a place as under sheriff to Daniel J. McKay, and had charge of the sheriff's office much of the time. Next, he was in the employ of Jenkins, McKay & Co., hardware merchants, for two years, and after spending about three years in mining operations he came to Nevadaville as book keeper for the Colorado Trading and Investment Company. He is also occupying a similar position with the Vendome Mining and Milling Company. He is a first-class business man and is a trusted and reliable employe. Politically he is a Democrat, with a decided belief in free coinage.
In Central City, Mr. Wells married Miss Clara Clark, whose birthplace was in Massachusetts, whence her father, William Clark, came to this state. Two children, a son and daughter, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wells and are named respectively, Samuel and Dorothy. Mrs. Wells died in Denver.
HOMAS COLLINS was born in Cornwall, England, in February, 1861, and is a son of Thomas and Mary Ann (Mayle) Collins, of the same place. His father belonged to an old English family and is superintendent of a tin stamp mill in Cornwall, a position he has held for many years. His mother died in 1893. He was the only child to reach manhood, and his first years were spent in the public schools. When he reached the tenth anniversary of his birth his
1034
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. father took him in the stamp mill, where he learned the treating of tin ore, staying there until 1881, when he crossed the ocean to seek a home in this country. He located in Blackhawk, Gilpin County, and for two years was employed in the Gregory mill. From there he came to the Mead mill as feeder, and was promoted to mill-boss, and in 1894 took charge of the mill, his present position. He has also become the owner of some mining stock, and is interested in three different mines in this county.
Since coming to Blackhawk he married Miss Phillippa Bishop, a native of the United States. They have one child, Thomas A. Mr. Collins is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, and a liberal contributor to worthy causes.
Mr. Gilson was born in Rush County, Ind., January 21, 1832, and is a son of David and Margaret (Boone) Gilson. He had seven brothers and sisters, and until the spring of 1898 the number was unbroken by death. A brother, seventy-two years of age, departed this life in April of the year mentioned. The father was born and reared in Virginia, and after his marriage removed to the then frontier state of Indiana. He was one of the first settlers in Rush County and in later years enjoyed the honor of being one of the representative and well-to-do agriculturists of that section. He was an ardent member of the Babtist (sic) Church and was noted for his uprightness of word and deed. Long life was his portion, as death did not claim him until he had entered upon his ninety-fourth year. His faithful wife, who was loved and admired by all who came within the sphere of her influence, was closely connected with the celebrated Daniel Boone in relationship.
Our subject early learned the various duties pertaining to farm life, but concluded he would embark in some other field of enterprise. In 1856 he went to Clarinda, Page County, Iowa, and there opened a grocery, which he conducted with more or less success for nine months. Selling out, he went to Kansas and carried on a grocery business in the town of Leroy up to 1860. That summer he was married and with his bride started for Colorado in wagons drawn by yokes of oxen. They reached Denver August 3, and ten days later went on to Missouri City. About three weeks were spent by Mr. Gilson in looking over the country, with a view to settling permanently somewhere, and finally he decided upon a spot near Idaho Springs. There he engaged in placer mining for about two years, but, as it was not very remunerative, he began freighting from Denver to the mountains, to Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Empire, Central City, etc. He thus spent the years of 1863 and 1864, but the following year he took up his abode in the gulch later called Gilson's, and now a prosperous mining camp. For years he worked at silver mining in this region, becoming well-to-do. Three years he worked in the Marshall basin, in the San Juan district, at an altitude of twelve thousand five hundred feet, operating the Mendota mine under bonded lease. This mine was one of the best-paying properties in the state, but Mr. Gilson was forced to abandon it, on account of a snow-slide which swept the camp out of existence, killing eleven men and causing him a loss of $20,000 or more.
As previously stated Mr. Gilson was married just before he entered upon his arduous toils and ventures in the mountains of Colorado. The lady who shared with him his pleasures and privations was formerly Miss Euphrasia Randall. Seven children came to bless their home, and of these, six are living. Sophronia is the wife of Clarence Ross, a wealthy farmer, who owns a ranch on the Platte River and one on the Divide.
Robert Wesley is engaged in the grocery busi-
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1035
ness in Idado Springs. Burleigh is a progressive farmer, living on the Divide. Lucia is the wife of William Jones, a resident of Cripple Creek, where he is interested in mining. Maggie is the wife of William Williams, who is engaged in mining operations at Idaho Springs. Lee resides in Canfield, and is interested in a flouring mill.
In 1876, when he felt that his children needed better educational facilities, Mr. Gilson took his family to Denver, where they remained some twelve years. They returned to the gulch in 1888 and for the past five years have made their home near Canfield. Mr. Gilson devotes a portion of his time to the cultivation and improvement of this farm, and the remainder to his mining interests. He is liberal, in a political point of view, favoring the silver standard.
OUIS A. CRAMER. Among the farmers and stock-raisers of Douglas County few are better known and none more highly respected than the subject of this article, whose ranch is situated three and one-half miles southwest of Sedalia. He was born in Cumberland County, Ill., September 2!, 1870, and was brought to Colorado at three years of age by his father, David I. Cramer, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. His primary education was obtained in the Sedalia school, after which he was a student in the Logan school, Denver, and graduated therefrom with the class of 1892.
Soon after completing his education Mr. Cramer took up a homestead three miles from Sedalia, which he fenced and partly improved. For two years he assisted his father in the threshing business, after which he went to Indiana. Having a taste for machinery, it was his hope to secure employment in the machine shops at Terre Haute, but at that time financial reverses, common throughout the entire country, caused the manufacturers to close their shops, and accordingly work was scarce. He spent several months in visiting different points, then returned to Colorado.
June 19, 1895, Mr. Cramer married Miss Annie C. Jarre, who was born on Jarre Creek, a daughter of C. Alphonso and Christina (Carlson) Jarre. Her parents, who were natives of France and Sweden respectively, came to America and became acquainted near Littleton, Colo.; they were married in Denver July 29, 1875. Mrs. Cramer, who was their eldest child, was born December 5, 1876. She was given good educational advantages, attending the public school at Sedalia and the Swansea school in Denver. Her only brother dying when he was about ten, left her the principal inheritor of the estate, at the time of her father's death, March 4, 1888. Afterward her mother married John Overstreet and of that union was born a daughter, Emma, who on the death of her mother became one of the heirs of the Jarre estate. The Jarre homestead was entered by Mr. Jarre from the government about 1870, and here Mrs. Cramer has continued to reside since her marriage. Two children have been born of her union with Mr. Cramer. Raymond Alphonso was born September 25, 1896, and Pearl Constance, October 18, 1897.
In political belief Mr. Cramer is a Republican and voted for Benjamin Harrison in 1892, this being his first presidential ballot. In religious connections he is identified with the South Broadway Christian Church of Denver, whose pastor is Rev. S. B. Moore. Fraternally he is associated with the Sons of Veterans, Washington Camp No. 19, Division of Colorado and Wyoming, in South Denver, and has served as chaplain of his camp.
ANIEL FUELSCHER, proprietor of the Central City bottling works, is a member of the board of aldermen here, having been. elected to represent the second ward in the spring of 1897. He is a member of several committees and is chairman of various ones. A young man of enterprise, he is a worthy example of the patriotic German-American citizen. He is active in the interests of the Democratic party, and is a member of the county central committee.
The father of our subject, C. H. Fuelscher, a well-known resident of Central City, was born in the same locality as was his son Daniel, near the mouth of the River Elbe, twelve miles from the city of Hamburg, Holstein, Germany, He was proprietor of a large brewery and distillery there, and also practiced veterinary surgery. Eighteen years ago he came to the United States and for a few years made his home in St. Louis, Mo. In 1885 he settled upon a ranch near Julesburg, on the Platte River, and raised cattle on an exten-
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. sive scale there. He still owns and superintends the place, though he now lives in Central City, and is, as formerly, engaged in the practice of his profession. His wife, whose maiden name was Wilhelmina Dibbern, was likewise a native of Holstein, and died in that country in 1880. Of their fourteen children, nine survive.
Daniel Fuelscher, next to the eldest of his parents' family, was born April 25, 1864, in the fatherland and received his education in the gymnasium, the government schools. He then gave his father his time and assistance in his business until 1881, when he sailed from Hamburg for the United States. From New York he proceeded to St. Louis, where he readily obtained a clerkship. In June, 1883, he went to Denver, and two months later continued his westward journey to California. He spent nearly two years on the Pacific coast, a portion of the time in Oregon, but in the fall of 1887 returned to Denver. The following spring he entered the employ of J. S. Beaman, then the proprietor of the Central City bottling works, and remained with him until the 1st of January, 1893, when, having bought the Beaman interest in the plant, he succeeded him in the business. In 1894 he became sole agent for the Philip Zang Brewing Company and three years later bought the Lehmkuhl brewery of this city, but does not operate it. His establishment is situated on Spring street and four large buildings are required for the business. One is used for storage and refrigerating; one for storing bottled beer, and the other for storage of wines and liquors, and the main building for offices and the cigar department. Only a wholesale business is transacted, and under the skillful management of Mr. Fuelscher, his trade is constantly growing in value and general proportions. He manufactures all kinds of "soft" drinks and finds a ready sale for this line in both Gilpin and Clear Creek Counties.
In addition to his regular business, Mr. Fuelscher has mining property. He owns an interest in the Bismark Tunnel Company of Blackhawk, and was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Happy Valley Placer Company, who own and laid out the town site of Eldora. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias. He is also a member of Blucher Lodge No. 10, Sons of Herman, is past officer of the same and was its representative to the grand lodge. For perhaps a dozen years he has been an official member of Rocky Mountain Turn Verein, of Central City, this being the oldest society of the kind in the state. He was formerly secretary and is now treasurer of the local society.
The marriage of Mr. Fuelscher and Miss Oletha Beaman, one of Central City's most popular young ladies, occurred at the home of her father, J. S. Beaman (whose sketch is printed upon another page of this volume) in June, 1892. The young couple have one child, Walter J.
During his first two years in this state Mr. Hilburger worked on a ranch in Douglas County. In November, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Kate Forster, to whom he had been engaged in his native land. After marriage they settled upon a homestead, but a year later bought another farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
In time Mr. Hilburger, through good management and business ability, became the owner of twelve hundred acres, which he disposed of in 1889 for $22,000. During his active life he devoted. himself principally to stock-raising, in which line of agriculture he was exceptionally successful. He sold all of his land excepting one hundred and sixty acres, and in 1891 came to Castle Rock, where he hopes to spend his remaining years, quietly and in retirement from life's active duties. His first wife died in 1879. Of their marriage four children were born, namely: George, who died at eleven years of age; John, who is a farmer in Douglas County; Frederick, also a farmer in this county; and Anna, who is with her father. The second marriage of Mr. Hilburger united him with Miss Anna Fenn,
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