The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-01-28

The eight Democrats in the lower
house Of the present legislature all
come from the southern part of the
state. They are ell substantial. solid
men of affairs. truly representative of
| the communities from which they come
They are all Democrats 20 the back
/ bone and though sadly i'm the minority,
have complete organization and put
up bold front on all party affairs
In the caucus which named set of
officers 10 be voted for in the organiza-
ton of the house, J. F. Tolton of Bea-
yer county was nominated for speaker
and. therefore. is the recognized leader
of the minority. He was a member of
the last house. and his legislative ex-
perience stands him well i'm hand and
makes him i'm all respects a valuable
member. Mr.. Tolton is, in fact. serving
his third term in the house.
J. F. ToIton.
Mr.. Tolton is a native Of Utah. As
years of age. and has resided in Beaver
county forty years of his life Until he
reached mis- majority he was welded TO
the farm. His opportunities for edu-
cation were meager, he having attend
ed the High school for one year only.
so that he may properly be termed a
self-made man. He has been honored
in many positions of trust at the hands
OF the people. having served as county
clerk, city councilman, surveyor, United
States commissioner. member of the
legislature and other offices. During
the past fifteen years he has followed
merchandising principally, and today
is the owner of a large and profitable
mercantile business in Beaver. the
county seat. He is president of the
State Bank of Beaver county. and Is
largely engaged in farming. the latter
not only in his home county, but eX-
tending into Idaho. Mr.. Tolton is earn
est and aggressive in all he undertakes,
and attributes his success in life to
strict attention to business and hard
work. He has always been an active
Democrat. Beaver county is normally
Republican by about 175 majority. but
he was elected by a majority of seven
ty-five at the last election and by more
than 200 two years ago.
Thomas p. Gotham.
Another Democrat who served i'm the
last house is Thomas Z. Gotham of
Washington county. He was born in
Salt Lake City Sept. 2S, 1851, and moved
with his parents TO St. George, the
capital of Dixie" I'm 1862. He has re-
sided there ever since. He is one OF the
substantial farmers and stock raisers
has always affiliated with the Demo-
cratic party since the division on party
lines in Utah. and has filed several po-
sitions of honor and trust. He was
elected assessor of Washington county
i'm 1892, and filled that position for eight
years. He has served as city council
man OF St. George and as mayor of the
city. in the latter position for four
years. He was elected to the last legis-
lature and reelected TO the present
session by substantial majority.
John Parry.
John Parry of Iron, county is Demo-
crat Of the old school. He is well up
in years. but is active and vigorous and
takes lively interest i'm all public af-
fairs He was born in North Wales,
Nov IA, 1871, and came to America with
his parents in 1856. His county. while
probably one of the richest in resources
of any in the state has been kept back
by lack of railroad facilities. which the
people of that region hope TO overcome
within the next few years. when the
vast mountains of iron and other MIN
erals will be developed and the agricul-
tural resources will be put I'm touch
with the markets of the country. Mr..
Parry is a farmer and stock raiser in
cedar valley and with his neighbors.
Is engaged now in a vast scheme of
dry farming. Mr.. Parry has had an
and thrilling experience in
frontier life i'm Utah. He crossed the
plains with Captain Drinkers hand
cart party, arriving in salt Lake city
I'm the fail of 1856. With his parents he
went to Cedar City and has made his
home IN that place ever since. He had
n number of encounters with Indians
while engaged in scouting. and one
time was shot, having narrow escape
with his life. He was married in 1859
TO Mary Ann Haight, who has borne
him ten children, all OF whom are iiv-
ing. He was a member OF the legisla-
ture in 1897. and was instrumental IN
the location of the branch |
normal school in Cedar City. and was
one OF the commissioners