DAVID BARNES
Mardos Collection
DAVID BARNES
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1049
went to Blue River and California Gulch and the Horsefall mines, but was not very successful. In the fall of 1860 he and John Griffin went to New Mexico, and early the next spring went to Baker's Park, in the San Juan Mountains. There he prospected for seven months, but at last returned to Colorado, and worked for wages in California Gulch. In November, 1862, he took charge of a farm belonging to a Mr. Brookfield, while the latter and his family were absent on a trip to Nebraska City. By the first of the year, when they returned, Mr. Griggs concluded to abandon mining, as he had faithfully tried the business and had not succeeded. He went to Taylor County, Iowa, and bought twenty-seven cows and a pony and drove them across the plains. He arrived with them in Boulder in July, and, as he had lost his property there, by a reorganization of the town, and new laws regarding lots, he ranged his cattle on the prairie, keeping watch over them while he worked for farmers. The following winter was an unusually hard one, snow falling in November, and he removed his herd to the Cache la Poudre and then to a point north of Fort Collins.
In 1864 Mr. Briggs took up one hundred and sixty acres of land two miles south of the present town of Windsor. He lived upon the place four years, in the meantime making his principal business the grazing and care of his live stock. Then he sold his farm for $1,000, and in the year 1867 homesteaded another quarter-section of land, his present farm. Prairie-dogs and cacti were then the only products of the property. Antelopes were very plentiful and could easily be killed. In the winter of 1871-72 our subject had over three hundred head of cattle and lost seventy-odd. In 1875 he sold his herd of two hundred and twenty-two cattle for $5,140, A. N. Whitcomb, of Cheyenne, being the purchaser. He was a contractor who furnished supplies to the government for the Indian agencies. In 1876 Mr. Briggs very unfortunately loaned $5,000 to the firm of West & Buckingham, the first bankers of Greeley. This banking house changed hands several times and finally failed, and our subject lost all but $700 of the sum he had placed in their hands. That small amount he had luckily drawn out, in order to invest $1,000 in the Greeley National Bank, or he would have been just that much the poorer.
In spite of the numerous losses and reverses which he has encountered he has kept a brave heart and is well-to-do. From time to time he bought land near his first farm, until he now owns four hundred acres, all fenced and improved. During the past five years he has raised horses and been quite successful in the enterprise. For a year or more he has leased his farm, and has made his home in New Windsor. He is a Republican and is a member of Windsor Lodge No. 69, A. F. & A. M. He is a stockholder and vice-president of the Windsor Mercantile Company, a very successful corporation, Through difficulties innumerable he has worked his way, and is entitled to great credit for the manly struggle he has made in the battle of life.
September 9, 1869, Mr. Briggs married Emily, daughter of George Glitches, who was born in the same section of Ohio as was our subject. To the home of Mr. Glitches the young man went when he started out for Iowa, a few years after his return from the Pacific slope. Frank, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Briggs, owns stock in, and is a salesman for, the Windsor Mercantile Company. Minnie O., the only daughter, is the wife of Elmer Moore, of Spokane Falls, Wash.
AVID BARNES, a farmer and stock-raiser residing on the Greeley road, near Loveland, Larimer County, was born at Rock Island, Ill., in 1858, and is a son of David Barnes, Sr., a pioneer of Colorado. His father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, settled at Russell Gulch in 1861, after having made the long trip across the plains. In a short time, pleased with prospects in the then territory, he returned east and brought his family with him to his new home. After a few years he built a flour mill on Bear Creek, and this he operated for several years, but finally moved the mill to Golden, continuing its management there until 1878. On selling out he came to Loveland and bought a tract of railroad land, included within which is the site of the present town of Loveland. He did munch toward laying out the town, and imported two carloads of shade trees from the neighborhood of Denver. Here he successfully engaged in farming and cattle-raising. He was a man of upright character, possessing, too, the courage, physical strength and powers of endurance, so necessary to those
1050
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. who would be pioneers. He kept posted concerning public affairs and voted the Democratic ticket in both local and national elections. His death occurred February 14, 1885, when he was sixty-five years of age. He is remembered by those who knew him personally as a man of generous impulses, whole-souled and open-hearted, possessing the traits of character that won for him the respect of people in his locality. As a man whose energies were devoted to the development of the agricultural resources of Larimer County his name well deserves mention in this work.
The mother of our subject, who was in maidenhood Sarah Coleman, is now living at Loveland, Colo. To David Barnes and wife eight children were born. Of these Edward died in Illinois at four years of age. Those living are as follows: Caroline, wife of A. I. Derby, a farmer and stockraiser of Larimer County; Samuel, engaged in mining and a resident of Loveland; Elizabeth, wife of Jerry Quigley, a fruit farmer one mile east of Loveland; Sarah, wife of William P. Ogden, the oldest passenger conductor on the Union Pacific road; David and Lena (twins), the latter the wife of A. H. Gifford, residing on a fruit farm near Loveland; and Alice Maud, wife of Abe LaFevre, a cattle ranchman in the mountain districts of Larimer County.
Our subject was four years of age when he was brought to Colorado by his parents. When a boy he attended school at Golden. In 1875 he began farming on the Big Thompson with his father, and continued in the same place until 1886, when he purchased his present property and has since engaged in raising farm cereals and cattle. Like his father, he is a stanch Democrat and takes an interest in public affairs. He is connected with the Knights of Pythias and contributes to the support of the Methodist Episcopal Church, though not a member thereof. In 1885 he was united in marriage with Miss Lulu Alkire, of this county.
AMES H. BRINKERHUFF, a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Jefferson County, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 12, 1854, and is the son of James W. and Isabelle A. (Slater) Brinkerhuff. He was one of six children, three of whom are living, namely: Rebecca, wife of J. Shank, who lives in Denver, Colo.; Samuel C., a farmer residing near Longmont, Colo.; and James H. The father, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1811, learned the trade of moulder in youth, and in early manhood married Miss Mary Crumbly. Of their five children two now survive: George C., who is employed in the smelter in Argo, Colo.; and Adeline, wife of E. L. Pearson, a farmer of Cass County, Iowa.
After the death of his first wife, James W. Brinkerhuff moved from Pennsylvania to Wayne County, Ohio, where he worked at his trade in the Coulter Iron Foundry, of Wooster, for a number of years. On leaving that position he engaged in the grocery business. In 1855 he removed to Iowa and settled in Cass County, where he took charge of the Nipper ranch. After a time he took up one hundred and twenty acres for himself, and there he engaged in cultivating the land. Selling this property in 1866, he started west, and with two teams crossed the plains to Colorado, he driving one team, while our subject, then a boy of twelve, drove the other. On the way they saw many indications of depredations committed by the Indians. People in front of them and some behind were killed, and they themselves were momentarily in expectation of an attack, in preparation for which they three times corralled their stock, but fortunately escaped an attack.
Arriving at Clear Creek, some nine miles west of Denver, October 17, 1866, the subject of this sketch secured employment on a farm, as did his father also, but the latter, in the spring of 1867, began to operate a rented farm and in 1872 purchased a place known as the Titus farm, on Ralston Creek, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1874. He was a man of force of character and great perseverance, and, though he never became wealthy, yet he was enabled to provide the comforts of life for his family.
At the age of twenty our subject secured work in the Boston Colorado Smelting works at Blackhawk, where he remained from November, 1874, to December, 1876. Then, with the money he had meanwhile saved, he purchased teams and engaged in hauling wood to the smelting works. Later he hauled coal. In the spring of 1877, with his brother, he rented the homestead from his mother and for two seasons engaged in
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1051
cultivating that place. In 1879 he went to Denver, and with William Lee purchased a livery, feed and sale stable, but two months after buying the business they sold it at a profit, and he then rented a farm, which he operated one year. In 1877-78 he engaged in farming in partnership with another gentleman, but the venture was unprofitable, and the fall of 1878 found him with $1,400 less than nothing. In spite of discouragements, however, he worked bravely, and in time placed his finance upon a solid footing. In 1881 he rented the two farms of L. A. and A. L. Lawrence, and remained there until 1885, when he sold his stock and crop to A. L. Lawrence. In 1886-87 he farmed land belonging to William Allen, and afterward cultivated the Cook farm. In 1889 he rented the farm owned by Laura A. Hyatt and carried on the two places in conjunction until 1892, when he removed his family from the Cook homestead to the Hyatt place, since which time he has given his entire attention to cultivating this estate. For some years, during the threshing season, he worked for William M. Graves, but of late years he has engaged in buying stock and fattening them for the market.
In politics Mr. Brinkerhuff is a Democrat. For two years he acted as deputy sheriff under John A. Hoagland. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and Golden Lodge No. 13, I. O. O. F. September 14, 1879, he married Miss Lillian Cook, and three children were born of their union: Emma, Ollie and Guy.
ISS CATHERINE ENNIS is one of the best-known ladies of Georgetown and Clear Creek County, as for a quarter of a century she has been at the head of affairs at the Ennis House and for much of this period has been the sole proprietor of this popular hostelry. The hotel is centrally located, being at the corner of Fifth and Taos streets. The rooms are large, airy, and well furnished, and everything about the premises bespeaks the constant, watchful attention to details that no one knows better how to bestow than a woman. The patronage of the hotel is noticeably large, particularly during the summer season, at which time its capacity is taxed to the utmost, and numerous additional cottages near are pressed into service for the accommodation of guests. The latter are principally fitted up for families or parties who desire separate lodgings, while at the same time they may take their meals and have all the further advantages of the hotel. A fine table-service is one of the features of the house and everything to be found in the market, near and far, is levied upon for the benefit of patrons.
The Ennis family is from Ireland, and both the grandfather, George Ennis, and the father of our subject, James Ennis, were natives of the town of Wexford. The latter left his native land and the friends of his youth when he was eighteen years of age, and, coming to this continent, took up his abode in St. Johns, New Brunswick. There he was industriously occupied in farming as long as he lived. His busy career was terminated by death in 1861, when he was in his fifty-third year. His wife, Barbara, was a daughter of William Burns, who, with his family, removed to St. Johns, New Brunswick, from their native land, Firmaugh County, Ireland, Mrs. Ennis being then thirteen years of age. Mr. Burns owned and managed a farm in St. Johns up to his death, when he was seventy-two years old. Mrs. Ennis came to Colorado late in life and made her home with the lady whose name heads this article until she was called to the silent land, when in her seventy-fourth year.
Miss Catherine Ennis is the eldest in a family which originally comprised twelve children. She has always exercised the love and care of an elder sister toward all her brothers and sisters, and the four younger ones still make their home with her much of the time. George, the eldest brother, was the first of the family to settle in this state. He reached Central City September 14, 1865, and soon afterwards found himself in Georgetown. Here his brother Thomas joined him soon afterwards, and together they built the Ennis House. November 26, 1872, Miss Catherine Ennis came to Colorado from Philadelphia, Pa., where she had been living for four years. In February, 1873, she took charge of the hotel, and has managed it ever since. In 1884, when Thomas Ennis went to Middle Park, where he owns a large ranch, and carries on an extensive business in cattle, he gave her the hotel. George Ennis is now living in Mexico. Both he and Thomas were soldiers in the Union army during the Civil war, George being in the quartermaster's department. William was drowned
1052
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. when in his twenty-second year, in New Brunswick. John died in Georgetown, as the result of an accident from a runaway team, he being forty-four years old at the time of his demise. James and Richard died when young. Nicholas, Robert and James (the second of the name) are engaged in mining enterprises near Georgetown. Mrs. Jane Keating died in Portland, Me.; and Annie, unmarried, lives with Miss Ennis. The latter was born in St. Johns, New Brunswick, and there grew to womanhood. She is a lady who is universally admired and liked, and her well-wishers are legion. Her friends are not limited to her acquaintances in Georgetown circles, but include many others, from neighboring towns and more distant places.
John H. Lundy was about three years of age when his parents left their native land and emigrated to the United States, locating in Pawtucket, R. I., where they purchased a little home and spent the rest of their lives. Our subject, at twelve years, began to work on a farm during the summer months, and the winters were spent attending the district school. This mode of life was continued for four years, when, in the spring of 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Ninth Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry. Shortly after the second battle of Bull Run he was taken sick with chronic diarrhoea and was soon afterward discharged. Returning to his home in Rhode Island, he began to learn the trade of a blacksmith, but did not follow that occupation long, as in 1865 he started for Colorado. From St. Joe, Mo., he drove an ox-team to Denver, arriving there in August of that year. He began working in the mines at Russell Gulch, and when they were closed in the fall, he went to South Boulder, where he spent the winter. In
April of the following year he came to Elbert County and for two years he worked in a sawmill near Running Creek. The next few years were spent engaged in farming, having rented a farm near Kiowa Creek. He then went to California Gulch, now Leadville, taking with him three mules, and worked at setting out ties. This business was not followed long, and he sold his mules to a contractor there, taking his note, which he still holds, as the contractor shortly afterward failed. He returned to Elbert County and worked in a sawmill for about a year, and then took up a tract of land consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, located along the Comanche Creek. Farming and stock-raising have been his principal occupations, in which he has been very successful, and is now the owner of fourteen hundred acres of land, well stocked with Shorthorn cattle.
In April, 1880, at Colorado Springs, Mr. Lundy married Miss Sarah King, a native of Indiana, and thus union has been blessed by the birth of five children, named as follows: Eddie, Harry, Ella, George and Glenn. Politically our subject is a firm supporter of the Democratic party, and in 1873 he was elected sheriff, serving two consecutive terms; and was elected treasurer of Elbert County in 1883-85-95 and 97. He has also been delegated to county and state conventions several times. He is a member of Elbert Lodge No. 8, I. O. O. F.
G. BARCLAY, a prosperous and enterprising citizen of Parker, Douglas County, is the proprietor of a general merchandise store at that point. He is a son of Dr. William D. and Mary (Murray) Barclay, and was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, August 21, 1861. Dr. Barclay was of Scotch nationality, and came to America when a young mail, immediately thereafter entering a medical college in Philadelphia, Pa, Upon the completion of his course he went west as far as Iowa and practiced in a number of cities in that state, among them being Cedar Rapids, where he lived for several years. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and upon the outbreak of the Civil war he offered his services as a surgeon, and served under General Grant throughout the war. Upon its close he returned to Philadelphia and there resided during the remainder of his life.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1053
He married Mary Murray, a native of Pennsylvania and a descendant of a well-known family.
C. G. Barclay returned to his native state at the age of thirteen years and was engaged as a clerk in different stores at Muscatine and Davenport for four years. He then went to St. Louis, Mo., where he clerked for a time, and later became a traveling salesman for Dr. J. H. McLean, of St. Louis, Mo., continuing with him for a few years, when he entered the employ of the Boone Tobacco Company of that city. One year later, in 1886, he moved to Colorado, and was employed as a clerk in the grocery house of M. E. Dodge, at Denver, and subsequently at Littleton, for a period of about eight years, gaining a wide experience as to the manner in which the mercantile business should properly be carried on. In 1898 he located at Parker and established a neat and well-stocked general merchandise store, winch is patronized by the leading citizens in that section of Douglas County. Since making the latter tow!! his home he has gained a large circle of friends and well-wishers for his future happiness and prosperity.
Mr. Barclay, like his father, is a stanch Democrat; he cast his first vote in support of Grover Cleveland. In 1897 he was called upon to serve as mayor of Littleton, and discharged the duties of that office to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is a member of Weston Lodge No. 22, A. F. & A. M., of Littleton, of which he served as junior warden and acting master for a time.
ILLIAM EDWARDS, Twenty years ago this well and favorably esteemed citizen of Idaho Springs, Clear Creek County, came to Colorado. During this period he has been actively occupied in mining and prospecting and has been blessed with more than an ordinary amount of success in his undertakings. For one term he served as a member of the board of aldermen, and he has always stood stalwartly by the Republican party, though he has never been a politician, in any sense of the word. All public measures having for their object the good of the community receive his hearty co-operation and endorsement and he is safely counted upon to promote causes of right, law and good government.
The Edwards family to which our subject belongs is a very old and respected one in Cardiganshire, Wales. His grandfather, John Edwards, and his father, William Edwards, were both natives of the town of Aberestwith, South Wales, and were miners by occupation. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Vaughan. Her father, Jenkins Vaughan, was born in Wales, but was of Scotch ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. William Edwards both passed their entire lives in Wales, and died some years ago. Of their large family, numbering twelve children, all but two have been called to the silent land. Jenkin and William are residents of Idaho Springs.
The birth of William Edwards of this sketch took place in 1839 in Aberestwith, Wales. He was but ten years old when he began working in the mines, though at intervals he attended the public or private schools. In 1857 he went away from home to the northern part of Wales, and took a position in a stamp-mill, where gold-bearing ore was handled. In 1870 he came across the ocean, and locating in Wilkesbarre, Pa., engaged in contracting, sinking shafts, and similar work. Seven years later he came to Colorado, and going to Freeland, began working as timberman in the mines owned by John M. Dumont. Subsequently he embarked in mining on his own account, and has been prospered in his endeavors. He has mined and prospected in both Summit and Clear Creek Counties and has discovered and developed many valuable properties. He located the Cardigan mine; located, worked and owned the Monte Cristo group on Spanish bar; helped develop the Salisbury and owns a part interest in the Bellevue-Hudson in Lawson and the Silver Link in Freeland and, in partnership with his wife, owns the Stanton mine on Spanish bar. The Monte Cristo, a very successful enterprise, was sold by him, a few years ago, to the Quaker Mining Company, which is still operating it.
In 1883 Mr. Edwards built a pleasant and comfortable home on Colorado street, in Idaho Springs. He was married in the northern part of Wales to Miss Winnifred Evans, who was born in that section of the country. Fraternally he is associated with the Order of Foresters. Religiously he is a Presbyterian, and for years has been a member of the board of trustees of the church here, and for a period was president of the same.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. He enjoys an enviable reputation for square-dealing and justice in all his relations with his fellow-men, and is entitled to the confidence which is reposed in him by all who know him.
Michael Ireland, a native of Virginia, came to Ohio when a young man and settled on the banks of the Maumee River, in Lucas County. That was long before Toledo was thought of, its only buildings being two fishermen's shanties on the bay. He settled first on Swan Creek,. but soon removed to where South Toledo now stands. There for many years he farmed, but finally retired to Bowling Green, Wood County, that state, where he is now living in his ninety-eighth year. He was twice married, the first marriage resulting in three sons, who served in the late war, in an Ohio regiment. Robert died in Libby prison; Henry was taken sick in the army and returned home, where he soon afterward died; and Hezekiah returned after the close of the war and moved to Colorado, where he died. The second union was with Mary Housen, who was born in Germany and came with her parents to this country when a child. The name was formerly Elenkhousen, but was contracted to Housen by her father, who was a sailor in his native country, but a farmer after moving to Ohio. The mother died many years ago, leaving the following-named children: Avery, in Ohio; James M., our subject; Edwin A., a merchant in Kansas City; William, who was killed in a mine in Idaho Springs; and Capitola, now Mrs. Townsend, of Denver.
James M. Ireland spent his early years in Lucas County, Ohio, and attended the district schools and those of Maumee, until he was seventeen years of age. In the year 1868 he moved to Kansas and engaged in farming, twenty-five miles west of Atchison, in Jackson County. Here he bought land of the railroad company in the old Kickapoo reservation, which he improved and continued to farm until February 13, 1874, when he moved to Georgetown, this state. The next day he began prospecting and mining, and engaged in that work for three years, after which he spent two and a-half years prospecting on the Texas frontier. He then returned to Georgetown and mined until 1881, his efforts this time being attended with success. That year he located in Idaho Springs, bought his present lot and built a frame building in which he conducted his store for many years. Later he built the commodious brick building which he now occupies. The building is two stories high, with a basement. It is 26x84 feet, with a wing added later, in 1897, 26x42 feet. This wing contains a heating plant, which serves also to heat his residence adjoining the store. The same year he erected warehouses and stables across the railroad track. He does a general produce and grocery business, handling hay, grain, coal, wood, lime and cement. He and a partner started a brick yard east of town which was later incorporated as the Placer Brick and Tile Company. They manufacture building brick and he has been the president from the start. He was also a prime mover in organizing the Idaho Springs Light and Power Company, of which he is director. He has several valuable mines which he operates and which are patented.
Mr. Ireland was married in Maukato, Minn., to Miss Clara Leader, a native of Milwaukee, Wis. They have four children: Harold, Warren, James M., Jr., and Grace. For two terms Mr. Ireland was a member of the town council, and he was an original member of the chamber of commerce. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows' lodge and encampment, in both of which he is past officer and ex-representative.
LIVER FEAY and his estimable wife are numbered among the pioneers of Colorado, and few of the early settlers of the state experienced greater hardships and dangers. They have not only been witnesses of the great changes which have taken place in the past forty years in the Centennial state, but have been active and earnest workers toward the grand result, and are
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 1055
entitled to proportionate credit. They know what it means to live in daily and hourly fear of an attack by a band of hostile Indians, and at times lawless and outlawed desperadoes were even more feared by them than the redskins. Peace and plenty are now their well-deserved portion, and where the wilderness formerly was now may be seen beautiful farms and villages.
Thirty-one years ago Mr. Feay took up his abode on the fine farm which he still owns and cultivates. It is situated six miles from Golden, in Jefferson County, and comprises three hundred and twenty acres. The place is well adapted for general farming, and is kept in fine condition by the enterprising owner. He is a native of Fayette County, Pa., having been born February 22, 1838. He was reared to maturity under his father's roof, and received a liberal public-school education. When he had reached his majority he left home to make his own way in the world thenceforth, and wisely determined to seek his fortune in the new west, then claiming the attention of this great country. In July, 1859, he arrived in Colorado and for a short time stayed at Ralston's Creek. He then repaired to the mountains to seek the precious metals and spent one year in the Central and Blackhawk districts, while the following year he prospected and mined in California Gulch. His experience was that of many others before and since--he and his partner discovering many valuable silver lodes which they believed to be lead and discarded them accordingly. At last, feeling that he was not destined to become rich as a miner, Mr. Feay turned his energies to agriculture. Settling on Ralston's Creek, he bought a tract of land and set to work in earnest to improve and cultivate the place. In 1867 he removed to the homestead which was owned by the heirs of George L. Strope, and in 1872 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the farm. The other one hundred and sixty acres is the property of Mrs. Feay.
In June, 1867, Mr. Feay married Mrs. Sarah J. Strope, widow of George L. Strope. By her first marriage Mrs. Feay had five children, four of whom are living, They are as follows: Henrietta, wife of A. M. De France, who is now absent on an expedition to the Klondike; Andrew M., who is employed in the postoffice department at Denver; Fannie, the deceased wife of Frank Morrison, the superintendent of Church ditch, and a resident of Golden; and Ida M., wife of John Belcher, a private detective of Denver. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Feay one child was born, Florence A., whose husband, Harvey R. Jones, is a salesman with home and headquarters in Denver. Recently our subject and his devoted wife have adopted and taken into their home their grandchild, Viola S.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Feay have multitudes of interesting stories of their pioneer experiences. The latter crossed the plains fourteen times, and on many of these trips sat in the stage with two revolvers in her lap, ready to use them at a moment's notice, while in all directions could be seen from the windows of the primitive vehicle the burning homes of fleeing pioneers. It so happened that she made a trip on the first train leaving Julesburg for Omaha on the just completed Union Pacific Railroad, and while waiting for the train witnessed a shooting affray between two men who shot at each other with determination to kill. She enjoys the honor of having been the first woman to cast her vote in this school district, and for one term she officiated as treasurer of the local board of education to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. Mr. Feay is a present member of the school board, on which he has served creditably for several years. He also was for two terms a constable. In his political affiliations he is a true-blue Republican. He belongs to Enterprise Grange No. 25. In August, 1864, he enlisted for one hundred days in the Third Colorado Cavalry for the defense of the settlers against the Indians, who were on the warpath and ravaging these valleys. He finally served until January, 1865, when he was honorably discharged and was again free to resume the peaceful avocations of life.
The parents of Oliver Feay are Alexander and Mary (Ashbaugh) Feay. The father was born in Maryland in 1804, and in his early life he was employed for several years on boats which ran on the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. Later he embarked in the lumber business and operated a sawmill up to the year 1850. He then removed to Iowa and, settling in Clayton County, engaged in farming. He pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres, to which he subsequently added another tract of one hundred acres. A man of honor and prominence in his community, he commanded the respect and esteem of all. He held the office of
1056
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. justice of the peace and other local positions for many years. His death occurred in 1867. Grandfather Levy Feay was of Scotch descent, and, it is believed, was a native of Maryland. He owned and operated a sawmill during his active life. For a few years he made his home in Pennsylvania, and his last years were passed in Virginia. Of the nine children born to Alexander and Mary Feay three are deceased. Joseph and James M. are farmers of Clayton County, Iowa, and Henry is a millwright of Fayette County, Pa. Urilla, widow of John Davidson, resides in South Dakota; and Susanna, widow of William Brooks, lives in western Iowa.
Mr. Dennis was born in Truro, Cornwall, England, February 9, 1862, and is a son of Joseph and Eliza J. (Staple) Dennis, also natives of Cornwall. His paternal grandfather, Josiah Dennis, was born in the same county and engaged in mining there; the maternal grandfather, John Staple, was a farmer by occupation. Joseph Dennis, Sr., was a miner, both in his native land and in America, to which country he emigrated in 1866, being joined by his wife and children the following year. He located near Tamaqua, in Schuylkill County, Pa., where he engaged in mining for a year, and then went to Johnstown, the same state, where he followed mining. In 1878 he came to Golden, where he left his family, but for a time he engaged in mining in Nevada. Since his permanent location in Golden he has engaged as a contractor in coal mining, and now assists his son in the management of the business. In religious belief he is a Methodist, His wife is a descendant of an English soldier, who fought in the Napoleonic wars of 1812-15 and took part in the famous battle of Waterloo. They are the parents of two children now living, Joseph and Mrs. Laura Owens, of Golden. Their older daughter, Minnie, died when twenty-one years of age.
At the age of five years our subject was brought to the United States. He remained in Pennsylvania from 1867 to 1878, meantime attending the public schools. On coming to Golden, he secured work in a coal mine, where he remained for eight months, and then began teaming. About 1881 be began as a clerk in a grocery, where he remained for ten years. In June, 1891, he started a livery business at the Stanley Hall barn, but after one year and nine months at that location, he came to his present place of business near the depot. As a business man, the term often heard in western cities, "hustler," is indicative of his disposition better than any other word. He is quick, energetic, enterprising, ambitions to succeed, and a tireless worker.
In Golden Mr. Dennis married Miss Anna E. Hewitson, who was born in Canada. Their children are named:. Joseph Edward, Ethel Anna, Minnie Janet, Orville LeRoy and Marion Emily. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Dennis is a member of the board of trustees. In politics he is a Republican. He represented the fourth ward for one term as a member of the board of aldermen, during which time he served as chairman of the committees on streets and alleys and fire and police. He is a member of Excelsior Fire and Hose Company, of which he was foreman, and also served as assistant chief of the fire department until his election as alderman. In the order of Knights of Pythias he is past chancellor, and was second lieutenant of the Uniform Rank until the lodge surrendered its charter. He is senior warden of Golden Lodge No. 1, A. F. & A. M., excellent high priest of Golden Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., and a member of the board of managers of the Woodmen of the World.
OBERT H. DENNEY, M. D., county physician and health officer of Elbert County and a practicing physician of Elbert, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, November 21, 1872, and is a son of H. H. and Eliza J. (Gregory) Denney. The first eight years of his life were spent on the home farm, where he was born. From that place he accompanied his parents to Carrollton, the county seat, where he attended
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