Weber County, Utah Biographies

 

 

 James Cassin
 William A. Chamberlain
 B. E. Chatelain
 A. M. Christensen
 S. P. Christensen
 Alfred Christenson
 Bert Christenson
 Jesse A. Child
 William G. Cole
 James L. Combe
 Angel Coroles
 William James Critchlow
 Thomas Cunningham

 

 

Utah Since Statehood
Author is Noble Warrum - 1919

JAMES CASSIN.

James Cassin, who in former years was active as a public official and as a real estate man, came to Utah in 1863 a young man of but twenty years and is now living retired, making his home in Ogden. He was born in Watham, Vermont, September 5, 1843, and is a son of William and Catherine (Tracy) Cassin.

At the breaking out of the Civil war he served with the Second Vermont Regiment but when called to Washington he with several others were rejected on account of age and size, the colonel saying to them "Boys go back to the farms and wait awhile; you are too small and young, Mr. Lincoln called for men not boys." Somewhat discouraged Mr. Cassin made his way to California by the Isthmus of Panama route and while there engaged in mining on the Feather river and at Placerville.  Later while in Nevada on the Comstock in Gold Hill and during the prosperous days of Virginia City was with his brother, Thomas Cassin, an old "Forty-Niner." From there he went to Salt Lake City, meeting Marcus Daily, who was prospecting in the interest of Walker Brothers in the Opher mining district. They returned to Nevada the following spring and remained there until 1867, when another boom was started in the White Pine district, well known to all old miners.  In the spring of 1868 Mr. Cassin entered the employ of the Central Pacific Railroad, then under construction, and was at Promontory at the time of the driving of the Golden Spike, which united the two terminals of the railroad, making a transcontinental line.  He was conductor on the train which was held up and robbed January 21, 1883, and continued in that position until 1887. He was then called to public office, being elected on the liberal ticket to the position of assessor and collector of Ogden, Utah, in which capacity he served for two years. He was then appointed chief deputy United States marshal under the administration of President Benjamin Harrison, the appointment coming from Colonel I. A. Benton, United States marshal. He acted in that capacity for two years, or until Grover Cleveland was elected to the presidency, when he left the position and turned his attention to the real estate business, in which he continued actively and successfully until 1909, when he put aside all business cares and has since lived retired.

In 1873 Mr. Cassin was married to Miss Martha Hadlock, a daughter of Orin and Ann (Hinchcliff) Hadlock, who were pioneer settlers of Utah, arriving in this state in 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Cassin have been born three children: Ida Marie, the wife of Walter W. Mathews, of Los Angeles, California; Virginia, the wife of June W. Clark of Ogden, Utah; and Elmer E., who is now a resident of Chicago, Illinois.  Mr. Cassin is a republican in his political views, casting his first vote at Abraham Lincoln's second election in 1864, and he has long given stalwart and earnest support to the principles and candidates of that party. He is likewise a charter member of the Masonic lodge at Ogden and has taken all the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites, and is a member of the El Kalah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, being a worthy exemplar of the craft, the principles of which he has embodied in all of his relations with his fellowmen.


WILLIAM A. CHAMBERLAIN.

William A. Chamberlain, who passed away in December, 1907, was for more than twenty years actively engaged in farming and fruit raising in Weber county and the sterling worth of his character won for him many friends who yet cherish his memory.  He was a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred at Great Bend, Susquehanna county, on the 12th of May, 1852, his parents being Lawrence A. and Eliza Jane (Dearborn) Chamberlain. The period of his boyhood and youth was passed in his native state and he there acquired his education in the public schools.

In December, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice E. Moore, a daughter of Francis L. and Charlotte (Blasdell) Moore, who were likewise natives of Pennsylvania. To this marriage were horn nine children, five sons and four daughters.  It was in the year 1885 that Mr. Chamberlain came with his family to Utah and settled near Hot Springs in Weber county, where he took up the occupation of farming and fruit raising. He carefully, systematically and intelligently directed the operation of the farm and as the years passed gathered handsome crops which brought him a good financial return. He also engaged in operating a threshing machine and ranked with the progressive agriculturists of his community. He was the first man in his section of the state to get water for irrigation purposes by tunneling. He was always diligent and determined and his industry constituted the basis of a substantial success that enabled him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. 

The family have always been members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the son, George F., filled a mission to California in 1913. The death of Mr. Chamberlain occurred in December, 1907, after he had been a resident of Utah for twenty-two years, and many friends mourned his demise because of his sterling worth and his many excellent traits of character. He left to his family not only a comfortable competence but also the priceless heritage of a good name. His widow still resides upon the ranch, which is an excellent property well located at Pleasant View.


B. E. CHATELAIN.

B. E. Chatelain, who carries on general farming at North Ogden, was born May 5, 1867, in Ogden. a son of Peter Lewis and Madeline (Malan) Chatelain, who were natives of Piedmont, Italy. The year 1856 witnessed the arrival of the parents in Utah, at which time they took up their abode at Ogden. The father was a miller by trade and followed that pursuit for a time but afterward turned his attention to the occupation of farming, to which he devoted his energies for several years. He then returned to Italy, where he again resided for a period but later once more came to the United States and spent his last days in North Ogden. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a member of the Seventy. He sent his teams to the Missouri river to aid in bringing the immigrants to this state.  B. E. Chatelain acquired his education in the public schools and after his text books were put aside followed railroad work in the shops at Ogden for a period of two and a half years. He then concentrated his efforts and attention upon farming, which he has since successfully followed, now carrying on general agricultural pursuits.  He not only raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate but is likewise growing fruit, making a specialty of peaches, of which he ships about two carloads annually. He is likewise one of the directors of the North Ogden Irrigation Company and has contributed in no small measure to the material development of this section of the state.

On the 12th of December, 1888, Mr. Chatelain was married to Miss Martha A.  Campbell, a daughter of Aboil and Martha (Alvord) Campbell, who removed from Missouri to Utah in 1851 and became factors in the early pioneer development of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Chatelain are parents of six children: Emil A.; Ada, now the wife of Joseph Chadwick; Conrad E.; Una, now Mrs. Gilbert Randall; Martha; and Madeline.

The family have always been adherents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in 1896 Mr. Chatelain went on a mission to the southern states, thus serving for two and a half years. He was also first counselor to the Mutual Improvement Association of North Ogden and in the past has been Sunday school teacher and home missionary. His son, Emil A., filled a mission to the southern states, leaving April 20, 1909, and returning May 15, 1911, and his son, Conrad E., was sent on a mission to the southern states on the 14th of January, 1914, there serving for twenty-six months.  The latter was drafted on the 27th of May, 1918, becoming a member of Battery A of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Field Artillery of the Fortieth Division. He went to Camp Lewis for three weeks, then to Camp Kearney, where he remained until August, and on to Camp Mills, where he continued for ten days, sailing for Europe on the 15th of August and arriving at Liverpool on the 28th. He had qualified for active service when the armistice was signed.

Mr. Chatelain gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as deputy sheriff, while for four years he occupied the position of constable.  He prefers to give the greater part of his time and attention, however, to his business affairs and the thoroughness with which he conducts his farming and fruit raising interests has constituted the basis of a substantial success.


A. M. CHRISTENSEN.

A. M. Christensen. identified with ranching interests at Plain City, where he was born in 1869, is a son of Jens C. and Rachel Christensen, both of whom were natives of Denmark. They came to the new world in 1864, crossing the continent to Utah, and located at Plain City, where Mr. Christensen purchased property and followed farming and stock raising. Here he lived to the time of his death, which occurred in December, 1909, while the mother passed away in September, 1904. Both were devout adherents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A. M. Christensen acquired his education in the district schools and followed farming in the neighborhood of the old homestead upon which he was reared. He has Always devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits and is now successfully engaged in the further development and improvement of one hundred and eighty-five acres of land. Of this forty-seven acres is under cultivation and he carries on general farming.  His fields are well tilled and he annually harvests good crops as the reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon his land. 

On the 7th of June, 1897, Mr. Christensen was united in marriage to Miss Edith Dix, a daughter of Edwin and Hannah (Booth) Dix, who were natives of England. The father was born in London and on leaving his native land and coming to the new world he at once made his way to Utah. Mr. and Mrs. Christensen have become the parents of six children, namely: Verna, Harold, Walter, Maxwell, Glenna and Oertel. In religious faith the family is connected with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The political support of Mr. Christensen is given to the republican party, for he believes that its platform contains the best elements of good government, but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and activities upon his farm work.


S. P. CHRISTENSEN.

One of the attractive residences of Wilson Lane is the home of S. P. Christensen, who is now living retired although in former years he was actively connected with ranching and cattle raising and by reason of his close application and unfaltering industry won a measure of success that now enables him to rest from further labor. He was born in Denmark, August 30, 1848, and has therefore reached the seventy-first milestone on life's journey. His parents were Christen and Ane Katrine Jensen.

After spending the period of minority in his native country S. P. Christensen, when twenty-two years of age. came to the United States, arriving in New York city on the 6th of April, 1871. He made his way directly westward to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was employed for a time, and later he secured work on the Union Pacific Railroad and made his way to Pinebluff, Wyoming, where he continued for six months. He then went to Carbon, Wyoming, where he was employed as scale man at weighing coal for six years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the ranching business on his own account and began raising cattle. For twenty-three years he was active as a rancher and stockman and at the end of that time owned seventeen hundred acres of valuable land, on which he ran about four or five hundred head of cattle. In 1901, however, he disposed of this property and removed to Ogden, where he purchased about eleven acres, on which stands a fine residence. This he occupies and is living retired, enjoying the rest and quiet which have come to him in the evening of his life. His success is well merited, as it is the direct result and reward of his industry and diligence which have been guided by sound judgment.

In 1875 Mr. Christensen was married in Laramie, Wyoming, to Miss Maren Christensen, a native of Denmark, and they have become parents of a daughter, Anna Marie, now the wife of P. F. Neilson, of Ogden. Mr. and Mrs. Christensen are members of the Danish Lutheran church. In politics he has usually maintained an independent course but at presidential elections has always supported the presidential candidate of the republican party. While in Wyoming he served as treasurer of the school board.  He has been secretary and treasurer of the old Wilson Irrigation Company, occupying that position for twelve years. His interest in community welfare is deep and sincere and his efforts in behalf of public progress have been unfaltering.


ALFRED CHRISTENSON.

Alfred Christenson, proprietor of the Christenson Shoe Store of Ogden, was born in Plain City, Utah, January 11, 1882, a son of Niels Christenson, a native of Norway, who came to America during the later part of the '70s and made his way direct to Ogden, where for many years he was successfully engaged in the retail shoe trade. He had learned the trade of boot and shoe making in Norway and was a skilled workman along that line as well as a successful merchant. He belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and from the time of his conversion to that faith was active in the work of the church and Sunday school. He served on several foreign missions in Norway and his labors for the church have been crowned with success. He Is now living retired. The mother of Alfred Christenson bore the maiden name of Anna Buckman and was born in Norway, where she became the wife of Niels Christenson, with whom she came to the United States. By their marriage there were three sons and three daughters.

Alfred Christenson, the third child, was educated in the public schools of Ogden and in the Smithsonian Business College of that city. When fifteen years of age he entered his father's shoe store and there acquainted himself with all branches of the business, more and more largely assuming responsibility in that connection until he became manager of the business. In 1910 he entered the shoe trade on his own account, establishing a store at No. 336 Twenty-fifth street, and he has been at his present location since 1913. He began in a small way with limited capital and with a comparatively small stock but has developed one of the leading shoe stores of the city, carrying a complete line of shoes of standard make. He is also the president of the Christenson Boot Shop of Salt Lake City and was one of the organizers of that business. 

In Ogden, Mr. Christenson was married to Miss Elizabeth Estella Kline, a native of Colorado and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kline, formerly of Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Christenson have two children: Virginia Estella and Don Alfred, both born in Ogden. The family resides at No. 463 Thirtieth street, where Mr. Christenson owns a good home and he also has other city property. In politics he has ever maintained an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. His religious faith is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


BERT CHRISTENSON.

Bert Christenson, proprietor of the Economy Sample Shoe Store of Ogden, was born in Plain City, Utah, January 12, 1889, a son of Nels C. Christenson, a native of Norway, who on crossing the Atlantic made his way direct to Utah. He became a shoemaker of Plain City, having learned the trade in his native land, and he is now living retired in Ogden. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has been one of its active workers. The mother, Mrs. Anna Christenson, was also born in Norway and by her marriage has become the mother of three sons and three daughters. 

Bert Christenson, the fourth child, was educated in the Plain City public schools and when sixteen years of age started out to earn his own livelihood, being first employed in his father's shoe store, the business being conducted under the name of the Christenson Shoe Company of Ogden. There he learned all branches of the retail shoe trade. On the 23d of May, 1915, he established business on his own account with a limited capital and small stock and has since built up the business to one of large proportions, having now a very gratifying and growing trade. He conducts his interests under the name of the Economy Sample Shoe Store and he is also a director in the Christenson Boot Shop of Salt Lake City.

On the 6th of March, 1910, Mr. Christenson was married to Miss Mae Ballereux. a daughter of F. G. and Laura Ballereux, the former a retired railroad man, who is a Civil war veteran and a descendant of an old English family. Mr. and Mrs. Christenson have two children: Billy, born October 16, 1910; and Robert, born March 17, 1918.  In politics Mr. Christenson votes independently, nor has he ever sought or desired office. He belongs to the Retail Merchants Association and has ever been active in promoting trade interests in his adopted city. His progressiveness has been the foundation upon which he has built his success and he is now one of the leading shoe dealers of Ogden.


JESSE A. CHILD.

Jesse A. Child, a rancher of Riverdale, was born in 1872, his parents being Warren Gould and Hannah Austin (Wilder) Child. The father was a native of the state of New York and came to Utah among the earliest of its pioneers, settling at Mound Fort in Ogden. Later he removed to Riverdale, where he purchased land and thereon engaged in farming. He also conducted a mercantile establishment in Ogden until 1889, when he closed out the business and took up the work of contracting and building, in which he continued until about two years prior to his death. He erected many substantial structures in Ogden and Weber county. He passed away in 1905 in the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, of which he was a devoted member. He served as counselor to Bishop Robert McQuarrie and three times he crossed the plains with ox teams, assisting in bringing immigrants to Utah. He was a brave and fearless man who did not hesitate to venture where duty called and thus he fearlessly faced the hardships and privations of pioneer life and experience. He at one time operated a ferry boat on the Weber river before bridges were built across that stream and was foremost in all public affairs, standing ever on the side of progress and improvement. 

Jesse A. Child acquired his education in the schools of Riverdale and is now operating a portion of the first farm his father purchased at this place. It comprises forty-five acres of land, all of which is irrigated and has been brought under a high state of cultivation.  His farm methods are practical and progressive, and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicates the spirit of enterprise which actuates him at all times in the conduct of his business affairs.

On the 21st of October, 1891, Mr. Child was married to Miss Elizabeth Stratton, a daughter of Edward and Adele (De Soles) Stratton. Mr. and Mrs. Child have become parents of eight children. Jesse E.; Adrian Warren, deceased; Zilpha, who has also passed away; Sylvia May; William Austin, who has also departed this life; Herman D., a soldier overseas; Lucile Adele; and Dale Wilson, deceased.  Mr. Child belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is now first counselor to Bishop Bingham. He is well known in his locality, in which his entire life has been passed, and the course which he has followed has commended him to the confidence and trust of his fellowmen, for he has been reliable and enterprising in business and at all times loyal to the duties that have devolved upon him.


WILLIAM G. COLE.

William G. Cole, conducting business at Ogden under the name of the Ogden Tire Filler Company, was born in Heber, Wasatch county, Utah, June 27, 1865, a son of James B. and Lucy (Ward) Cole. The father came to Utah in pioneer times, settling at Salt Lake City. He was a farmer by occupation and died in the year 1876. He belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the work of which he was very active. The mother is a native of London, England, and after coming to the new world made her way westward with what was known as the handcart brigade, the family settling at Salt Lake after reaching Utah.  She became acquainted with Mr. Cole while on the plains in traveling to this state. Mr. Cole, however, had previously been to Utah and had been sent by the church officials with others to meet the newcomers. They were married in Salt Lake and Mrs. Cole is still living, now making her home at West Weber. She had a family of eleven children, three sons and eight daughters. 

The fourth of the family was William G. Cole, who attended the country schools of Weber county and at the age of eleven years started out to earn his own livelihood.  He was first employed on a neighbor's farm, working as a farm hand for a year and then entering upon an apprenticeship to the brick maker's trade. He was employed in that way and in other lines of business and after learning and following brick making for a time he took up contracting and building, in which he successfully engaged for six years. He next turned his attention to blacksmithing in Bannock county, Idaho, where he resided for seventeen years, and on the expiration of that period he returned to Utah, becoming a farmer of Davis county. There he continued to till the soil until 1915 and met with a fair measure of success in his agricultural pursuits. He afterward became associated with the Amalgamated Sugar Company of Weber county as a machinist and blacksmith and followed that business until 1918, in which year he established, at No. 2331 Hudson avenue in Ogden, the plant of the Universal Tire Filler Company.  He conducted the business until February 1, 1919, when he sold out with the expectation of engaging in farming in Burley, Idaho.

On the 2d of October. 1896, in Ogden. Mr. Cole was united in marriage to Miss Amelia H. Black, of Morgan, Utah, a daughter of Andrew and Amelia (Heiner) Black, both of whom have now passed away. Her father came to Utah with Johnston's army.  He deserted the army out of a matter of curiosity to find out for himself what the Mormon people were like. He had an idea, as he said, that they were a terrible lot. On his arrival in Salt Lake, coming into actual contact with the settlers, he became convinced that they were a lovable people, greatly abused and maligned, and as a consequence of his investigation he adopted their faith. Bishop Hunter immediately secured him a position and Mr. Black not only became a permanent resident of Utah but also a devout and active worker in the church. To Mr. and Mrs. Cole have been born the following children: Lucy, who is the wife of Thorg Johnson, of Bannock county, Idaho; George; Alfred; William; Elizabeth, the wife of June Philipps, living in Bannock county, Idaho; Albert; Charles Albert, who is a member of Battery B and stationed at Camp Kearney; Glenn, who died at the age of seventeen years; Rachel, who passed away when but a month old; Aaron, and Melva.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in politics Mr. Cole is a republican who keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought or desired public office. He has always concentrated his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and he is now the owner not only of his home at No. 2233 Monroe avenue in Ogden but also of considerable other real estate in the city. Whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own labors and his persistency of purpose has constituted the foundation of his success.


JAMES L. COMBE.

James L. Combe is engaged in the dairy business at Ogden, where he has made his home since 1909. He was born in Piedmont, Italy, in 1875, a son of Joseph and Mary Combe, who came to Utah in 1882 and settled in Uinta, where the father engaged in farming for almost thirty years or until 1911, when he removed to Ogden, where he now resides.

James L. Combe was a lad of but seven years when the family home was established in the new world. He spent his youthful days under the parental roof and in 1894 when nineteen years of age he and his brothers and father established a dairy business at Uinta, which they conducted until 1909 winning substantial success in the conduct of their affairs there. They then removed to Ogden and in 1911 they purchased a ranch of three hundred and forty-seven acres adjoining the city limits. They also have another ranch equally large, which is the old homestead at Uinta, and they milk seventy cows of the Holstein and Durham breeds. They have registered cattle and everything about their dairy is of high grade. The business is most carefully and systematically conducted, their dairy is neat and sanitary and the excellent quality of their milk insures a ready sale.

In 1905 Mr. Combe was married lo Miss Georgie Ann Bingham, a daughter of Brigham Bingham, a resident of Wilson Lane. Mr. and Mrs. Combe have two children, Alice and Lee J. Mrs. Combe is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In business circles Mr. Combe occupies a creditable place. On starting out in the dairy business he was associated with his brothers, John, William, Henry and Phillip, and the five labored earnestly in the up building of a business which soon became a profitable one. Mr. Combe of this review learned every phase of dairying and his sound judgment and enterprise have been the basis of his constantly growing success.


ANGEL COROLES.

Angel Coroles, conducting business in Ogden as the proprietor of the Utah Bottling Works, was born in Kastri, Greece, March 25, 1874, a son of Gust and Georgie (Cossumus) Coroles, who are still residents of Greece, where the father has conducted business as a successful contractor and builder.

Angel Coroles was educated in the schools of his native land and was a youth of fourteen when he entered upon an apprenticeship to the candy maker's trade. Later he began the manufacture of soda and other waters and in 1892, thinking to have a still broader field of labor with larger opportunities in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to America, first settling in New York city, where he was employed at candy making for a time. Subsequently he removed westward to Chicago, where he remained for six months and then went to Arkansas. On leaving that state he took up his abode in St Louis. Missouri, remaining in that city for three years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Denver, Colorado, where he conducted a restaurant. This was his first independent business venture. After leaving Colorado he became a resident of Salt Lake City about 1907 and thence came to Ogden, where for a time he was employed at the Ogden Bottling Works and eventually he became a partner in the business. At length he sold his interest in the business in February, 1918, and established his present enterprise under the name of the Utah Bottling Works, of which he has been president from the beginning. The new undertaking has prospered, for he has built up a large and gratifying trade, his business now extending to various points in Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming and Utah. During the busy season he employs ten people. He has a modern plant fully equipped with the latest improved machinery for making all kinds of soft drinks, and the excellence of his product insures a liberal patronage. 

On the 10th of June, 1919, Mr. Coroles was married to Miss Clara Boberg, who was born at South Spanish Fork, Utah. He belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is active as one of its workers among the Greeks. His success is attributable entirely to his own efforts. He came to America with but limited education to aid him and absolutely no knowledge of the English language and entirely without capital. He met hardships and privations, but he bent every energy toward accomplishing his purposes. He has studied the language and the customs of the people, practiced close economy and with a sense of right and justice he has so conducted his affairs that he is today at the head of a profitable and growing business in Ogden and has gained for himself a most creditable name and place in its manufacturing circles.


WILLIAM JAMES CRITCHLOW.

William James Critchlow, city recorder of Ogden, where he was born on the 8th of May, 1868, is accounted one of the most progressive, alert and energetic residents of the town and his cooperation in behalf of public welfare has been far-reaching and beneficial. His father, the late William F. Critchlow, was a native of McKeesport, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. He belonged to one of the old families of that state of Scotch descent. The first representative of the family in the new world settled in Pennsylvania in early colonial days and he also had a grant of land in the Barbados islands. Representatives of the family participated in the Revolutionary war and also in the War of 1812. William Critchlow. the grandfather of William James Critchlow of this review, became a pioneer of Utah, crossing the plains in 1852 and meeting with the usual hardships and privations of travel by team and wagon in those early days. He settled in Weber county, where he taught school for many years, and he also filled the office of city recorder for eleven years, while for an extended period he capably filled the position of justice of the peace. He was very active in public affairs, supporting all interests which he deemed of civic worth and also taking a helpful part in the work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was one of the patriarchs and for a number of years served as chorister. His was a life of intense and well directed activity. Not only did he prove a capable official but was also possessed of marked skill in practical woodworking, making chairs and other furniture. In young manhood, while employed on the Erie canal, he met with an accident and as result was partially paralyzed in his lower limbs, which in a way handicapped his efforts, but notwithstanding this he labored earnestly and effectively to win material advancement and at the same time contribute to the intellectual and moral growth of the community in which he resided. Prior to coming to Utah he lived for a time at Gordonville, Iowa, where he taught school. He passed away in 1894, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, his birth having occurred in July, 1810. When he made .the trip to Utah he was accompanied by his wife and three children, two of their children having died in Pennsylvania ere they started for the west. William P. Critchlow, the father of William James Critchlow. was reared and educated in Ogden and in early life learned the plasterer's trade. He also taught school for a number of years and for a considerable period was connected with the Ogden police department. He, too, was an earnest and devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an active worker in behalf of the Sunday schools of Ogden. serving as Sunday school superintendent. He was also the director of the first ward of Ogden and was senior president of the seventy-sixth quorum of seventy. He died January 10, 1906, at Ogden, when sixty-seven years of age, his birth having occurred February 8, 1839. The mother of W. J. Critchlow was Mary Eliza Brown, the second white female child born in Utah, her natal day being November 8, 1847. She was born in Salt Lake City on the site of the Pioneer Square, a daughter of Captain James and Mary (McCree) Brown, who had come to Utah in that year. Her father was a captain in the Mormon Battalion and was a very active churchman. He died in 1863, meeting an accidental death. His daughter, Mrs. Critchlow, passed away in March, 1903, in Ogden, at the age of fifty-six years. Of her family of fourteen children, ten sons and four daughters, five sons and three daughters are yet living.

William James Critchlow, who was the eldest son and third child of the family, was educated in the public schools of Ogden and in the Weber Academy. When fifteen years of age he started out to earn his own livelihood and was first employed by the Pioneer Broom Manufacturing Company of Ogden, with whom he learned the trade, which he followed at intervals for some time. Later he was in the employ of David Kay as shipping clerk and bookkeeper and was also connected with D. G. Nelson & Company, wholesale grocers and produce dealers, filling the position of bookkeeper. In 1888 he removed to Brigham, where he spent one year and during that period was engaged in the produce business. He was then called upon for mission service in May, 1889, and went to England, remaining on a mission in that country for fifteen months and in Ireland for eleven months. In August, 1891. he returned, having been quite successful in his labors in the foreign field. He has also served as secretary of different auxiliary associations. He was first president for a number of years and afterward secretary of the seventy-sixth quorum of seventy, has also been very active in Sunday school work and in every way possible has supported the general work of the church. In January, 1902, Mr. Critchlow assumed the duties of the office of city recorder and continued to act in that capacity until January, 1908. when he turned his attention to the real estate and investment business, carrying on his work along that line until January, 1918. He was then again appointed city recorder and has since remained in the position, discharging his duties with marked capability, promptness and faithfulness. In politics he has always been a republican, active in support of the party since attaining his majority. Aside from political office, too, he is known in business circles as local representative of the National Surety Company and is likewise engaged in the general fire insurance business.

On the 9th of May, 1889, Mr. Critchlow was married in Logan to Miss Anna Gregerson, a native of the island of Lland, a province of Denmark, whence she came to America in her childhood days with her parents, James and Sidsel (Jensen) Gregerson. To Mr.  and Mrs. Critchlow have been born five children: William James, Marcus Loretus, Victor Dewey, Carlos Coe and John Quincy. All are still living and four of the sons were soldiers of the United States army in the great war. The eldest son was a member of Battery A, Thirty-seventh Field Artillery, Thirteenth Division, at Camp Lewis and held the rank of corporal. Marcus is with the quartermaster's department in the United States naval forces at Wexford, Ireland, being connected with the hydroplane branch of the navy. Victor D. and Carlos C. were with the Student Army Training Corps at the University of Utah.

Mr. Critchlow became one of the charter members of the Commercial Club and later was elected to its presidency. He has ever been deeply interested in its plans and purposes to upbuild the material interests of the city, to extend its trade relations and uphold its civic standards. He is actuated by a spirit of progressiveness in all that he undertakes and his own record has been characterized by undaunted enterprise In youth he was taught that he must earn his living by the sweat of his brow and individual effort has been the foundation upon which he has built his success.


THOMAS CUNNINGHAM.

Thomas Cunningham, who has devoted nearly his entire life to mining and is now superintendent and one of the heaviest stockholders of a mining company operating in the Newfoundland range of mountains, makes his home at Ogden. He was born at Nethertown Quarry. Scotland, in 1852, a son of Robert and Ellen (Gibbons) Cunningham, also natives of Scotland. From a very early age he has been dependent upon his own labors and resources. He began to work in the mines when but eight years of age, so that he had little opportunity to acquire an education such as one gains in the schools, but in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons. With the removal of the family from Scotland to the new world they crossed the continent to Utah and settled in Provo valley in 1863, after which Thomas Cunningham attended school at Heber City through two winter seasons. He afterward assisted his father upon the farm and his youth was a period of earnest and unremitting toil. He engaged in herding stock in the mountains for one season during the Black Hawk war, covering the years 1865-6. The family owned a bunch of sheep, also cattle and horses, and their corral was located on the road. The Indians often tried to stampede the cattle in the corral but someone was constantly on guard to protect their interests. In the following spring the family removed to West Weber, where they farmed through the summer, and in the fall of that year established their home in Ogden. The father, Robert Cunningham, then purchased property at the corner of Twenty-sixth and Monroe streets. There was an adobe house on this property and to this he built an addition.

The next spring Thomas Cunningham entered the employ of Sharp & Young, contractors, who were engaged in grading the Union Pacific road. He continued in their employ for some time and was at Devil's Gate. He next became connected with Bishop West in teaming out of Ogden canyon and in the fall took up the work of blasting up the canyon east of Morgan and aided in the construction of the tunnels. He afterward went to Promontory, where he worked on the Southern Pacific until within two weeks of the completion of the line by the union of the two parts that had been continually extended from the east and from the west. Later Mr. Cunningham went into the mines, walking and carrying his blankets before the snow had left Salt Lake. He proceeded to the head of the Little Cottonwood, where he mined for a San Francisco company.  That summer he went to the mines at Stockton, Utah, where he continued until winter.  He was also employed at the coal mines of Almy, Wyoming, for some time and subsequently drove oxen at Fort Bridger, Wyoming. Later he again went into the mines of Wyoming and likewise spent two years in the mines at Bingham. He was next at Rock Springs, Wyoming, and in fact throughout the greater part of his life he has followed mining and is thoroughly familiar with the mining development of the west. At the present time he is connected with a mine that produces copper, gold and silver and is the superintendent for the company owning this property, while he has the controlling interest therein. The mine is located in the Newfoundland range of mountains and over thirteen hundred feet has already been worked.

In 1875 Mr. Cunningham was married to Miss Charlotte Rackham and to them were born ten children, of whom four are yet living. There is no phase of western development and progress with which Thomas Cunningham is not familiar, for he was brought to Utah in pioneer times. The work of development and improvement had scarcely been begun and the necessity of providing for his own support made him at once a worker along lines of activity which have proven essential in the development of the west. His entire life has been one of earnest and unremitting toil, and, dependent upon his own resources from the age of eight years, he has truly won the proud American title of a self-made man.

 

 

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