Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-07

1859, to Miss Maggie Haddock, daugh-
ter of Thomas Haddock. of Marietta, ne
moved to Denver, and has since made
his home there. Mr. james was a prom
inent Denver clubman and was espe-
Cially we'll known in business circles
being interested in the Denver Nationa
Sank, the Colorado Fuel and Iron Com
pany and different mines turnout the
state The Post says of his death anc
career:
"William H. James. who has beer
identified with the upbuilding of Colo
RADIO since he first crossed the plains
forty years ago, died last night of heart
trouble after an illness extending over d
period of six months Mr.. James had
returned with Mrs. James only few
days ago from visit to southern Cali
fornia. He was preparing to retire last
night when the grim messenger sud-
denly overlook him.
while the deceased was connected
prominently with a great many inter-
ests in the state. the public knows MIN
better as one of the founders of the
smelling industry, which has grown to
stupendous proportions. With Edward
Eddy and James B. Grant in 1878 Mr..
james organized company for the
purchase of ores and bullion. This
business prospered from the start and
resulted in the erection of smelter al
Leadville.
The plant became known as the
Grant smelter A year or so later the
Omaha and Grant smelling Company
was formed by Messrs. James, Grant
and Eddy. and the Grant smelter, the
largest institution of its kind IN the
western country, was built in Denver.
They operated the snelter successfully
until 1898. when it became the property
of the American smelling and Renhhs
Company. Mr.. James and Mr.. Eooy ootn
retiring as directors.
Until year or so ago Mr.. James
was director Of the Colorado Fuel and
Iron Company and the Denver National
Sank. The last few years OF MS IKE
were devoted to his money interests,
which were extensive.
.Mr. James was self-made man IN
the strict sense of the term. he started
on the ladders bottom rung, and raised
himself thru perseverance and pluck
ia n high position Of wealth and citl-
zenship. Mr.. James wa1 born in Mon
mouthshire, England, of Welsh parents,
in 1898. He came to America at the age
Of and lived for some time win nus
parents at Brooklyn. After leaving
school he became a watchmakers ap-
prentice, and when he had attained ms
majority he settled in Iowa City, Ia,
where he followed his trade for nearly
five years.
The gold excitement brought him
further west. He came to Colorado
in 1860. During the pioneer days he
was a prominent figure in the various
mining camps of the state. The first
enterprise in which he engaged was
failure. 1t was a stamp mill, which
he located at Nevada, and which dur
ing an entire winter Melted him but
$685.. He then went to Enterprise,
where he resorted to the watch MAX
ing trade and awaited the opportunity
which he sought and found at Black
Hawk. 1t was at the time when the
Terrible mines We're creating much ex-
element in mining circles that Mr..
James directed their transfer to an
English company. He then became
manager Of the Baltimore tunnels. In
1873 he was made superintendent of
the Gold Placer mines at Fairplay, and
in 1875 he became manager Of the
Printer Boy mine.
MIR. James was appointed in 1876
of the constitutional conven-
ton which framed the organic law of
the new state. For two terms he served
as mayor of Leadville. In 1880. during
the miners strike in the carbonate
camp. he served as brigadier general.
He is survived by his wife and
two children, Harry C. James and Mrs.
r, r Ienen"