John J. Maxey, dealer in agricultural implements and a man who has met with much success through his business ability and sterling worth, was born in New Orleans, La. His parents removed to St. Joseph, Mo., when he was seven years of age. At sixteen years of age, he began to learn the wagon and buggy manufacturing business, serving as an apprentice two years in St. Joseph and one in Western Missouri. After working as a journeyman five years longer, four years as foreman in the employ of the Holladay Stage Company, he came, in the fall of 1861, to Denver. He found himself possessed, on his arrival, of a $5 gold piece, with which he paid his first week's board. He was employed by the Overland Stage Company for some little time and in the fall of 1866, formed a partnership with W. J. Kinsey, continuing with him until the fall of 1870, since which time he has continued the business alone in the same locality. He is the owner of a fine farm in Larimer County and a fruit ranch in Los Angeles, Cal. and is, therefore, enabled to test the worth and utility of his stock in trade on his own premises.

Mr. J. J. McGinnity was born in Mineral Point, Wis. July 9, 1852. At the age of twelve years, he was sent by his parents to school at Madison, Wis. and after spending two years there, entered Notre Dame University, at South Bend, Ind., continuing his studies four years in that institution, completing the commercial course and nearly completing the classical courses. He belonged to the Class of 1873, but his studies were interrupted by failing health in the spring of 1872, when he was advised by his physicians to try the climate of Colorado. Coming to Denver in July, 1872, his health began to improve and was soon so far restored, that he accepted a position as book-keeper for C.D. McPhee, with whom he remained until January, 1879, when he purchased an interest in the business, the firm being C.D. McPhee & Co., manufacturers of building material and wholesale dealers in lumber. They have continued to do a prosperous business, being one of the most flourishing establishments in that branch of industry.

Hon. Norman H. Meldrum, Secretary of State, was born October 11, 1841, in Caledonia, N.Y., where he received a good common-school education. In 1861, he was one of the first to respond to the call for volunteers, enlisting in Company B, of the One Hundredth New York Volunteer Infantry. H was under Gen. McClellan through the Chickahominy campaign, participating in the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks and the Seven Days' fight. He was subsequently commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Twenty-first New York Cavalry and did service in the Shenandoah Valley. He was appointed aid de camp on the staff of Gen. Hunter, during his raid on Lynchburg and was also in the valley campaign with Sheridan, where he was present in eighteen general engagements. At the close of the war, he was ordered, with his regiment, to Colorado and on the 13th of July, 1866, was mustered out of the service with the rank of Captain. In 1867, he was elected Treasurer of Cheyenne and was also elected Assessor of Larimer County for two years. He was elected a member of the last Territorial Legislature and on October 3, 1876, was elected a member of the Senate of the first General Assembly. In the fall of 1878, before his term had expired in the Assembly, he was elected Secretary of State and entered upon the duties of this office on the 14th of January, 1879. Mr. Meldrum is a young man, full of energy and with a high sense of honor and his genial disposition makes friends of all who know him.

Mr. Miles was born June 13, 1829, in Parke County, Ind.  He is the son of Samuel Miles who was a Lieutenant in the war of 1812.  He received a good common-school education and attended the State University at Bloomington, Ind., for the college year of 1848.  In the fall of 1850, he entered the law office of his father-in-law, Col. John Osborn [father of Caroline (Osborn) Miles], as a student.  Col. Osborn was elected Auditor of Clay County, Ind., in the fall of 1852, continuing in office until 1858; during which time, Mr. Miles discharged the duties of that office as Deputy.  Mr. Miles was admitted to practice in the Common Pleas, Circuit and Superior Courts of Indiana, in March, 1859 and continued to practice in that State until 1872, when he had acquired a large and lucrative practice; he then sold out there and spent about a year in visiting the principal cities and State capitals of the West and in July, 1873, he came to Denver, opening a law office the following December, where he has since continued to practice his profession.  Mr. Miles was raised a Whig, going from that to the Republican party and in the fall of 1860, was an associate editor of the Hoosier Patriot, a campaign paper that was largely circulated.  He has avoided politics and given strict attention to the practice of his profession, holding that this was his highest honor.