return to Biographies
| A - B |
| Bowles, Charles Wesley One of the most beautiful homes of Littleton is that owned and occupied by Charles Wesley Bowles, who spends the summer months in Colorado and the winter seasons in California. For many years he was actively, prominently and successfully identified with ranching interests in Arapahoe county and the success he achieved now enables him to rest from further labor. He was born in Denver, November 10, 1868, a representative of one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families of the state, his parents being Joseph Wesley and Cynthia R. Miller (Blackburn) Bowles. The father was a native of Rockford, North Carolina, born July 17, 1836, and in early boyhood he accompanied his parents to Johnson county, Indiana. In the fall of 1847 he removed to Keokuk county, Iowa, and in 1848 became a resident of Marshall county, that state. At the time he established his home there it was an undeveloped region with a population of not more than twelve families. He took up a tract of wild land upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made, but with characteristic energy he began the work of transforming it into a productive farm. He cleared it, placed it under the plow and in course of time was gathering therefrom golden harvests. In March, 1858, he went still farther west, settling in Riley county, Kansas, and there he cast his first vote in support of a "free state" constitution. Following the discovery of gold at Pike's Peak, Joseph W. Bowles determined to try his fortune in Colorado and in the spring of 1859 crossed the plains, arriving at the Cherry Creek settlement on the 25th of May. He at once began prospecting, making his way to the mountains, where he endured many hardships and privations. In the fall of that year he settled on Quartz hill in the Nevada district and for three years engaged in mining on the Burroughs lode. While there residing he was twice elected sheriff of the district under the miner's organization and in the fall of 1862 he turned his attention to agricultural interests, purchasing a homestead claim near the present town of Littleton, after which he added to his original tract from time to time until his ranch became one of the largest in Arapahoe county. Its improvements, too, were equally excellent, and the fame of this and also the Bowles ranch on the Republican river in Yuma county became widespread. For years Mr. Bowles extensively engaged in cattle raising, his labors being most wisely and profitably directed. Aside from his farming interests he figured in banking circles as a director of the City National Bank and was associated therewith after it was merged into the American National Bank. Joseph W. Bowles also figured very prominently in public affairs of his community. In September, 1869, he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners and in 1874 was reelected to the office which he most capably filled. It was during his service as a member of the board of commissioners that the site now occupied by the courthouse in the city of Denver was selected and acquired, a selection that called forth much criticism at the time, the complaint being that the location chosen was "too far out in the country," but the subsequent growth and expansion of the city has amply confirmed the judgment and the foresight of the commissioners. In the fall of 1880 his fellow townsmen called upon him to represent them in the state legislature and again his record refiected credit and honor upon those who had honored him. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wesley Bowles were born five children: Charles W., whose name introduces this review; Edward V., for many years a prominent cattle raiser of Wray, Colorado, but now a resident of Denver; Josie C. and Harry, both deceased; and Walter A. In the later years of his life Mr. Bowles lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. His wise investments and his carefully directed business affairs brought to him substantial wealth and after more than thirty years of active and honorable connection with the business development of the community he retired to enjoy his remaining days in well earned ease. His death occurred at his home at Littleton, September 11, 1906, his wife having proceeded him, August 11, 1901. Charles W. Bowles of this review supplemented his public school education at Littleton with a commercial course at Notre Dame, Indiana, and he also spent a year as a student in the University of Colorado at Boulder. He next went to Wray, Colorado, where for four years he occupied the position of manager on his father's ranch and at the end of that time he took up his abode upon the home ranch, where he lived for many years. He became the owner of a large ranch of five thousand acres in Elbert county, which he successfully operated until 1910 and then sold it. He later purchased seventy-seven hundred acres in Arapahoe and Elbert counties, which he continued to further develop and improve until 1917, when he disposed of that property and retired, but he still owns three hundred acres at Littleton, whereon he passes the summer months, while the winter seasons are spent in California. His farm property is one of the most ideal places of the county, splendidly improved, and all kinds of fine shade trees surround the buildings. On the 20th of March, 1892, Mr. Bowles was united in marriage to Miss Addie N. Lee, a daughter of T. J. and Susan E. (Randolph) Lee, the father a prominent farmer of Fort Logan. Mr. and Mrs. Bowles have become the parents of two sons and two daughters. Nellie C. born October 13, 1893, married George Lloyd McKee of Denver, in November, 1917, and they reside on the home place at Littleton. Albert and Edward are both deceased. Charla A. was born January 27, 1907. Politically Mr. Bowles has always given his support to the republican party and (or eight years he filled the office of county commissioner for Arapahoe county, having been elected to that position by the largest majority ever given to any candidate in the county. He was chosen president of the board, and during his incumbency as such the site for the location of the splendid courthouse in Littleton was selected and acquired and the building erected thereon, thus furnishing a striking parallel to the experience of his honored father. The building was erected and paid for during his term of office without any previous levy and without any bond issue being made. Mr. Bowles also served as school director for seven years and has done much to advance the educational interests and activities of his section of the state. He is very prominent and popular, being held in high esteem by all who know him. The greater part of his life has been passed in this section of Colorado and he has contributed in no small measure to its agricultural development. While he has prospered in his undertakings, he has never made the attainment of wealth the sole end and aim of his life and his judgment of men is founded upon their personal worth and not upon their material acquirements. Every day in his career has marked off a full-faithed attempt to know more and to grow more, and the exercise of effort has ever kept him alert. He is in close touch with community interests and national problems and is justly accounted one of the progressive and enterprising men of the west. History of Colorado, Vol. 3, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918-19, pp. 598-600 |
| Brewer, James Monroe James Monroe Brewer was a representative farmer and substantial citizen of Adams county but was called to his final rest on the 8th of November, 1897, leaving to his family a comfortable competence and the priceless heritage of a good name. He was at that time but forty-two years of age, his birth having occurred in Carrollton, Kentucky, on the 18th of August, 1855. He was a son of John Randolph and Hannah Katherine Brewer and a nephew of George Brewer, who was one of the soldiers of the Civil war. His parents crossed the plains in the early '60s. traveling with team and wagon and camping out along the roadside at night. Ultimately they reached Colorado, settling in Arapahoe county, where the father homesteaded and carried on general agricultural pursuits until he passed away. James Monroe Brewer was but a young lad at the time of the arrival of the family in this state and his education was acquired in the district schools near his father's home. He shared with tlie family in all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life and afterward engaged in farming with his father, thus early gaining broad practical experience concerning the best metliods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Later he purchased about two hundred and eighty acres of land, which he continued to cultivate and improve until his death, which occurred on the 8th of November, 1897. It was on the 27th of October, 1881, in Golden, Colorado, that Mr. Brewer was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Belgen, a daughter of Solomon and Mary Ann (Clark) Belgen. Mrs. Brewer was born in England and came to Colorado with her parents, being reared and educated in this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Brewer were born the following named. Halvin, the eldest of the family, married Margaret J. Waterhouse and has one child, Margaret J. Linus is the second of the family. Ted married Ethel Hedensbury and has two children. Nora and James. Earl is with the United States army in France. Frank has also responded to the call of the colors and is with the United States troops. Fannie is at home. Elizabeth is the wife of George Johnson. Elma Ora gave her hand in marriage to William Heebner, who is mentioned on another page of this work. Three children have passed away. Mr. Brewer filled the office of school director and was a stalwart champion not only of the cause of education but of every plan and measure for the welfare and benefit of his community. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church and he lived an upright, honorable life that commended him to the confidence, high regard and goodwill of all with whom he was associated. His widow still occupies the old homestead farm, which she received at her husband's death, and in its management and control she has displayed excellent business ability. Her social qualities, too, have won her many friends in the community in which she makes her home. History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918, p. 796 |
| Brown, Fred S. Fred S. Brown, an investment broker of Denver and also the owner of the finest poultry and hog ranch in the west, situated in Arapahoe county, was born April 10, 1869, in the city which is still his home, the family residence then occupying what is now the site of the Chamber of Commerce. His father, John Sidney Brown, was a pioneer of Denver, born in Ohio in 1833, and a representative of one of the old families of that state of English lineage. The first of the family in America came to the new world prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in New England. Members of the family participated in the struggle for independence and in the War of 1812. John Sidney Brown was reared and educated in Ohio and when twenty-seven years of age came to the west, making his way direct to Denver, where he established a wholesale grocery business which is still being conducted. He was active in its management and remained sole proprietor of the business until his death, which occurred in Denver, January 15, 1913, when he was seventy-nine years of age. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was a man of genuine worth, highly esteemed both in business and in citizenship. He married Irene Sopris, a native of Indiana, whose parents came to Colorado during the latter part of the '50s and thus cast in their lot with its pioneer settlers. Mrs. Brown passed away in Denver in 1881, at the age of forty-two years. In the family were five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom are yet living, namely: Fred S., of this review; Elizabeth, now the wife of Andrew B. Inglis, a resident of Seattle, Washington; Edward N., living in Denver; Katherine, the wife of N. A. Johanson, of Seattle, Washington; and W. K., a wholesale grocer of Denver. Spending his youthful days in his native city, Fred S. Brown acquired his education in the public and high schools and passed the examination for Yale University but instead of pursuing a college course entered his father's business establishment and was associated with the wholesale grocery business for twenty-six years. He started in a humble capacity but gradually worked his way upward through personal effort and ability, acquainting himself with the business in all of its departments and thus qualifying for administrative direction and executive control. He eventually became vice president of the company and so continued until 1913, when upon the father's death the business was divided and Fred S. Brown took over the investment business, to which he has since given his attention, his father having established the Brown Investment Company, which he was conducting in addition to the wholesale grocery business. Fred S. Brown is thoroughly familiar with commercial paper and the value of all investments and his business in this connection is now extensive and important. He is also largely engaged in ranching and stock raising and his ranch of twenty-one acres in Arapahoe county is one of the best equipped for the raising of poultry and hogs to be found in the west. He has studied closely every question bearing upon the scientific development and care of hogs and poultry and has upon his place the finest breeds of both. On the 7th of April, 1898, Mr. Brown was married in Denver, Colorado, to Miss Margaret Ganser, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Ganser, of an old Illinois family. Mr. Brown's military record covers tour years' service as a member of Company K of the Colorado National Guard. In politics he maintains an independent course but is not remiss in the duties of citizenship and actively cooperates in the well defined plans and purposes of the Denver Civic and Commercial Association for the upbuilding of the interests of the city in every particular. In addition to his membership in that organization he belongs to several more strictly social institutions, including the Denver Club, the Denver Country Club, the Lakewood Country Club and the Denver Athletic Ckib. A lifelong resident of the city, he has for forty-nine years been a witness of its growth and development, rejoices in what has been accomplished and at all times lends his aid and cooperation to movements for the public good. He has a very wide acquaintance and his pronounced social qualities make for personal popularity, while his genuine worth results in warm friendships. History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918, pp. 148-150 |
| Brown, J. Sherman J. Sherman Brown, clerk of the district court of Denver, is numbered among Colorado's native sons and one whose connection with the state dates back to the era of its pioneer development, for his birth occurred in Arapahoe county on the 28th of March, 1865. His parents were Joseph M. and Anna (Percell) Brown, the former a native of Baltimore. Maryland, while the latter was born in Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois. The father came to Colorado on the 23d of June, 1859, and in July, 1860, Mrs. Brown arrived in Arapahoe county. Devoting his life to the occupation of farming and stock raising, Joseph M. Brown became widely and prominently known in that section of the state and during the long period of his residence there he converted his land into a rich and productive farm, from which he annually derived a very substantial income. He died upon the old homestead in 1912, at the age of seventy-eight years, having for some time survived his wife, who passed away in May, 1907, at the age of seventy years. In their family were four children: J. Sherman; Robert S., who died in January, 1916; S. Ella, who passed away in August, 1913; and George William. In his boyhood days J. Sherman Brown was a pupil in the public schools of Petersburg, Arapahoe County, and later he entered a business college, becoming thus well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. After his textbooks were put aside he engaged in ranching and cattle raising, working for a time on the plains as a cowboy. He continued in the cattle business until 1889 and then removed to Denver, where in the month of October he secured a position in the office of the district clerk. He remained in that office and was advanced from one position to another, interruption to his continued service extending only from April until November, 1898, when he was with a volunteer cavalry regiment known PS Torrey's Rough Riders that had enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war. The troops were stationed at Jacksonville, Florida, and when the war was brought to a termination he was honorably discharged. He had two brothers who were also in the same troop. On returning to Denver, Mr. Brown again took up his duties in the office of the district clerk and in January, 1913, was appointed to the position of clerk of the district court and has since continuously served in that capacity, covering a period of five years. His long connection with the office has made him thoroughly familiar with every phase of the work thereof and he is most loyal and painstaking in the discharge of the tasks that devolve upon him. He is also a director of several irrigation companies of Colorado and in that way has done much to further the development of the state through well defined and well developed irrigation plans. On the 25th of December, 1909, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Josepha Lilley, of Denver, a daughter of John G. and Mary Lilley, who were pioneer settlers of Arapahoe County, Colorado, taking up their abode near Littleton. They came to Colorado in 1860 and the father passed away in 1910. To Mr. and Mrs, Brown have been born two children: J. Sherman, born in Denver in 1911; and Robert W., born in 1912. Mr. Brown is a well known representative of Masonic interests, belonging to the Knights Templar commandery, while in the consistory he has attained the thirty second degree of the Scottish Rite. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and he belongs to the Automobile Club of Denver. His capability and loyalty in office are best indicated in the fact of his many years' connection with the position of clerk of the district court. All who know him— and he has a very wide acquaintance — speak of him in terms of high regard. History of Colorado, Vol. 3, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918-19, pp. 809-810 Aapahoe and Denver counties |
| Bruce, James R. - MOVE TO DENVER COUNTY - ONLY A BROTHER
WAS IN ARAPAHOE When a youth of sixteen James R. Bruce started out in the business world and since that time perseverance, close application and energy have won him advancement as the years have gone by until today he is active in the control of an important and profitable business as the vice president of the Centennial School Supply Company, with offices in the Central Savings Bank building in Denver. Iowa claims him as a native son. He was born June 25, 1882, in Des Moines county, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the Hawkeye state. His paternal grandfather, James Bruce, cast in his lot with the earliest settlers of Iowa, living there at the time, when the Indians were numerous, and he had personal acquaintance with Chief Black Hawk, the noted warrior of the Sac tribe. He devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits, as did his son, David R. Bruce, who was born in Iowa and who, possessed of the pioneer spirit that had actuated his father, became one of the early settlers of eastern Colorado, taking up his abode in Arapahoe county, in 1888. There he engaged in farming and subsequently he removed to Denver, where he resided until his death, which occurred in September, 1914, when he was sixty-nine years of age. He was a Civil war veteran, having served with the infantry forces as a member of an Iowa regiment, and throughout his entire life he was as true and loyal to the stars and stripes as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields. As a farmer and business man he was quite successful and his genuine personal worth gained tor him the high respect and goodwill of all with whom he was associated. He married Miss Eleanor Bailey, a native of Iowa, her father having been a pioneer settler and successful farmer of that state. Mrs. Bruce is still living in Denver and her two children are yet residents of this state. The daughter, Edith, who is the older, is now the wife of J. D. Heinzman, of Colorado. James R. Bruce was educated in the public and high schools of Denver, having been but a little lad when his parents removed to this city. He made his initial step in the business world when a youth of sixteen, being first employed by the Colorado & Southern Railroad Company, continuing to work in clerical lines for the company for three years. He afterward became connected with the Bradstreet Commercial Agency, with which he remained for two years, after which he returned to the railroad and was thus engaged until 1909. In that year he became connected with the Centennial School Supply Company, with which he remained as an employe for two years and then became a stockholder in the business and was elected vice president, which position he has since continuously and efficiently filled. The company engages in the seating of school and public buildings and has an established clientele in Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming, conducting the only business of the kind in this state, its trade having now reached very extensive and gratifying proportions. With every branch of the business Mr. Bruce is thoroughly familiar and constantly studying the trade, its demands and its wishes, he has been able to do most effective work in building up the business by supplying public wants. The methods of the house have at all times been such as would bear close investigation and scrutiny and a high sense of commercial honor as well as industry is maintained. On the 27th of May, 1907, Mr. Bruce was married to Miss Ada M. Williams, a native of Kansas and a daughter of Charles S. and Ida (Grow) Williams, who were pioneer residents of Kansas, settling in Parsons prior to the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Bruce has been born a son, James H., whose birth occurred in Denver on the 29th of February, 1908. Politically Mr. Bruce maintains an independent course, nor has he ever been an aspirant for office. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and in club circles he is well known as a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Lions Club. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, which has been a dominant force in shaping and directing his life, making him a man whom to know is to esteem and honor. History of Colorado, Vol. 3, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918-19, pp. 786-787 |
| Burchinell, William K. For forty-three years William K. Burchinell has been a resident of Colorado and is now filling the position of secretary of the board of capitol managers at Denver. Various chapters in his life record indicate his faithful service in connection with public affairs, not the least important of which covers his record as a soldier of the Civil war, when he valiantly followed the stars and stripes on southern battlefields and aided in defense of the Union. He was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, in October, 1846, and is descended from ancestors who came from England to America with Lord Baltimore and settled in Maryland. Representatives of the family participated in the Revolutionary war and marked loyalty to this land has always been one of the salient characteristics of the Burchinells. Thomas Burchinell, the father of William K. Burchinell, was born in Maryland and became a successful architect and builder. His birth occurred at Chestertown, Maryland, and his education was acquired in his native state. In 1835 he removed to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where he resided to the time of his death, which occurred in 1877, when he was sixty-five years of age, for his natal year was 1812. In early manhood he had married Ann Maria Wilson, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, who belonged to one of the old families of that state, of English lineage. She, too, was born in 1812 and died in 1857 at the age of forty-five years. William K. Burchinell was the fifth in order of birth in a family of three sons and three daughters. Two of the sons died in Colorado, one in Leadville and the other in Boulder. They were Thomas Wilson and John Emery Burchinell. The former became a resident of Colorado in 1879 and John E. Burchinell established his home in this state in 1893. William K. Burchinell acquired his early education in the public schools of Altoona, Pennsylvania, and afterward continued his studies in an academy at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. He was then apprenticed to learn the trade of engine making in the Baldwin Locomotive Works at Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, but he did not find that pursuit to his liking and after eight months' service there he ran away from home in 1862, when a youth of but sixteen years, and joined the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry for active service in the Civil war. He was first attached to Company L of that regiment and later to Company K and he continued at the front until the close of hostilities. Following the battle of Chickamauga he was transferred to the signal corps of the regular army, with which he continued to the end of the war, being mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, in July, 1865. He participated in every engagement, from the battle of Stone River in 1862 to the battle of Franklin in front of Nashville in December, 1864. Although often in many hotly contested engagements he was never wounded or taken prisoner. He became one of the organizers of the first Grand Army post in Pennsylvania, which was formed under the name of the Veterans' Union, and later he organized another post, of which he served as adjutant. After the close of the war he was a clerk in the quartermaster's department in the spring of 1866 and later he entered into partnership with his father in the planing mill business at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where he continued until the wide spread financial panic of 1873, when the business was closed out. It was about that time that he was elected a member of the state legislature, in which he served for a term. He was afterward appointed receiver at the land office at Pairplay, Colorado, the appointment coming from President Grant during his second administration. Later he was appointed by President Hayes when the land office was removed to Leadville, Colorado, in 1879, and he continued to act in that capacity until 1883, or for a term of eight years in all. He arrived in Colorado in February, 1875, so that for forty-three years he has continued a resident of this state. From 1883 he has made his home in Denver, taking up his abode in this city in December of that year. Here he engaged in the machinery business until 1891, being president of the Denver Machinery Company, dealers in mining machinery. In the fall of the latter year he was elected sheriff of Arapahoe county and was reelected in 1893, serving until 1896, and upon the death of his successor, who occupied the position for two years, Mr. Burchinell was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Webb. Upon his retirement from the office in the fall of 1898 he became connected with mining interests in Colorado and Mexico. On the 6th of February, 1906, he was appointed to his present office, which position he has since continuously filled, serving for twelve years as secretary of the board of capitol managers. He is most prompt, systematic, efficient and faithful in the discharge of his duties and has thus been retained throughout the entire period in the office. Mr. Burchinell was married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1872, to Miss Samantha A. Cunningham, a native of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Josiah and Ann (Moore) Cunningham, representatives of an old and prominent family of Huntingdon. Mrs. Burchinell passed away in Denver, July 18, 1907, at the age of fifty-eight years. Two children were born of that marriage. Ann, whose birth occurred in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. January 12, 1874, is now the wife of J. Grattan O'Bryan, a resident of Seattle, Washington. Edna, the younger daughter, died in Philadelphia In 1881. In politics Mr. Burchinell has always been a stanch republican and in early manhood took quite an active part in political affairs. He is prominently known in Masonic circles, having been made a Mason in Mount Moriah Lodge. No. 300, A. F. & A. M., on the 12th of October. 1868, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He has since taken all the inter- mediate degrees up to and including the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and has ever been a loyal and faithful follower of the craft. Since leaving home to become a soldier of the Civil war he has been dependent upon his own resources and has ever been actuated by a spirit of loyalty and progress in business and official life, just as he was when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south. History of Colorado, Vol. 4, by Stone, Wilbur Fiske (1833-1920), ed., c. 1918, pp. 39-40 |