Copyright © 2023 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
Perry Landis headed west in 1871, settling in Denver, Colorado. This move occurred immediately after the passing of his paternal grandmother Elizabeth Landis Moss in Blooming Grove, Indiana. Two years earlier, Perry and his older brother, Jacob, moved from Fairfield, Iowa, to Connersville, Indiana, helping work their father’s new vineyard. The Landis farm yielded grapes and small fruits. It was located less than 13 miles north of Blooming Grove. Between in 1869 and 1871, Perry sold grapes and small fruit grown at the Landis vineyard. He also partnered with Samuel M. Zent to sell a fruit and vegetable dehydrator marketed as a Dryhouse.
Perry’s move to Denver, Colorado marked a definitive break from the family business. Despite moving west, he continued to visit both friends and family in Fairfield, Iowa. Many of his comings and goings published in local newspapers. Landis even sent letters to colleagues at the Fairfield newspaper.
On Nov. 21, 1872, the Fairfield Ledger published a letter written by Perry Landis to the Editor of the newspaper. His letter was dated Nov. 5, 1872, with the title “Colorado Correspondence.”
“Editor Ledger,
Having formerly been a resident of Fairfield, and a reader of the Ledger, and thinking a few items from this, the “Garden City” of the Plains, might be of interest, I will endeavor to give you an idea of Denver and its surroundings. The city is located at the conjunctions of Cherry Creek and Platte River, distant 12 miles from the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The Platte is a broad, shallow, but swift stream, furnishing abundant good drinking water and for limited irrigation, but offering no possibilities of navigation – not even ferriage. Cherry Creek is but a broad channel during the summer months, and only occasionally enlivened with any water. For years after the founding of the town none appeared in its bed, and supposing it to have been deserted altogether, the people built and lived in the bottom. Stored, shops and dwellings appeared there, the printing office, also the city records. But of a sudden, after a heavy rain, “Old Cherry” asserted her rights, and a flood came pouring down the old riverbed, not gradually, so as to give warning, but a full-blown torrent and with almost lightning speed reclaimed its own and swept away everything that had usurped its place into destruction. Since then, the people have paid respect to Cherry creek. At some seasons of the year there is still a little water in its sands, but for the most part it is dry through the city; but nobody builds in its bed, and numerous bridges ever its path pays tribute to what once was and may be again.
Denver, at present, contains a population of twelve thousand, and is rapidly increasing. Seven hundred and eighty-three new houses were built during 1871, and there is every reason to believe a like or greater number will be completed this present years. They are mostly brick, with some few frames, and a better class of buildings generally I have never seen in the States. Quite a number of elegant private residences have been erected the past summer, costing all the way from fifteen to forty dollars. The city is beautifully laid out – the streets are broad and straight and lined on either side with long rows of cottonwood trees. One of the chief beauties of Denver is the universal planting of shade trees. Glancing up and down those well-kept streets, with their long rows of trees and streams of water sparkling and dancing in the sunlight, Denver truly presents and attractive and inviting appearance. Here at the very foot of the Rocky Mountains, and in what was once termed the Great American Desert, we have a miniature city with all modern improvements. The streets are lighted with gas; Holly Water Works bring water to the very doors of those who are able to afford it, and in the case of fire it is invaluable. The principal streets are traversed by the Denver Street Railway, on which cars commenced running the first of April last and are paying a good percentage on investment. Eight elegant church buildings, representing two Presbyterian, two Methodist, Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist and Lutheran, —
Good schools and good school buildings. The First ward school building, just completed at a cost of forty-five thousand dollars is an ornament to the city and will compare favorably with anything west of the “Muddy Missouri.” In addition to the public schools, we have a Catholic Covenant school and Wolfe Hall Seminary, for young ladies. Both institutions are highly recommended by patrons and are no doubt creditably and ably managed. A Commercial College and University, both for ladies and gentlemen, does a flourishing business and is highly spoken of. Through the winter months the Denver Theatre is open and occupied by a first-class stock company; it is visited by all the leading stars pf the country, thus affording a first-class entertainment to Denverites. The business portion of the city will compare favorably with any easter town of like size. Buildings are principally of brock, three and four stories high, with iron and stone fronts and plate glass windows. Very heavy stocks of goods are carried by our merchants generally, who, in addition to their retail trade do a heavy jobbing business with smaller towns throughout the Territory and Mexico. Several firms report annual sales to the amount of five thousand dollars, and Solomon Bros, wholesale and retail grocers, report over eight hundred thousand dollars for the past year; so, you may imagine the amount of business done here. Real estate is an important business, over four million dollars’ worth changing hands during 1871.
The business streets of Denver present an interesting study to the student of mankind in general, for here may be seen a variety of different races and colors. The “Heathen Chinee,” with his bundle of washing on his head habited in Oriental costume may be seen at all times. They do all the washing for a subsistence, and for “two bit-ee Melican Man-ee will wash-ee shirt-ee heap clean-ee.” Some of them have rather curious names, such as Quang Chang, Fee Lang, Gee Whoa, Fough Lee, Whoa Haw, &c. Mr. “Lo,” in all his native toggery and greasiness, with all the majesty of red paint, blankets, beads, and scalps taken from their deadly enemies, the Cheyenne appear on the streets every day. They are usually armed to the teeth with rifles, revolvers, bows and arrows. Their faces are smeared with red and yellow paint and their dress is a conglomeration of everything. Now as cold weather approaches, they are beginning to wear more than a pair of moccasins and a flour sack (their usual summer costume). They ride sorry looking ponies, and, without an exception are the most miserable and worthless set of vagabonds the sun shines on. The belong to the Cimmaron Ute tribe, whose reservation is near here. Many other characters of interest may be seen – the mountaineer, the miner, and the ranchman; and the swarthy Mexican, mounted on a “Boore” and driving six yoke of long-horned cattle, in a picture of contentment as is seldom seem. The flashy gambler, and the usual number of deadbeats, cappers and stool pigeons dominate; and so alarmingly has this vice increased that active measures have been taken by authorities for its suppression. Hardly a day passes but what some individual who is not up to “ways that are dark and tricks that are vain,” gets fleeced out of his earned “nuggets.”
The mining interest of the Territory is being pushed to the extent of the owner’s capabilities and is yielding bountifully. The increase of the amount taken out this year will double that of last year. The principal mining regions are Central City, Georgetown, Black Hawk and Mounts Lincoln and Bros. Wages for miners $3.50 to $5.00 per day and plenty of work.
During the summer the weather is delightful, especially the mornings and evenings; but about 12 M. “Old Sol” does his level best, and the mercury runs up to 100 degrees in the shade. However, about 6 P.M. it begins to. Get cool, and after dark a light overcoat is not uncomfortable. We had an abundance of rain the past summer, rendering the irrigation almost unnecessary, and we have reason to believe that this “rainless” country is undergoing a systemic change for the better. The mountain view from Denver is grand and beautiful. Pike’s Peak, with its snow-capped summit mat be seen off to the south apparently about ten miles distant, yet in reality it is seventy miles away in a direct line. Long’s Peak, to the north, seems as near, yet it is sixty-five miles away. To the west rises Grey’s Peak and the Snowy Range extending as far as the eye can reach, covered with snow and beautiful forests of pine. Even the foothills, twelve miles distant, at times appear no more than two. Many are the poor fellows from the Easy who started to walk over to them before breakfast, just to give themselves and appetite, you know; and just so many of said poor fellows have returned without reaching them and wondering “how in the word them confounded mountains contrived to move away as they approached.” I have heard of one plucky fellow who persevered in his walk and finally arrived in Golden City, sixteen miles distant – He took the cars for Denver and left for the East the next day, declaring he would not stay in such a “blarsted country.” The hotels are and have been crowded with travelers, tourists and sight-seers from every State, and even from Europe. Quite a number of the English capitalists and nobility are largely interested in mines in this territory. The Marquis of Queensbury is here at present, looking after his mining interests in person. I am very much pleased with Colorado – its climate, mountains and general go-a-headitiveness of its people; and to anyone contemplating coming West I would say, come to Colorado –
Where the cabbages grow so fast
That they burst with a noise like the thun-
ders and blast;
Where through the rich, deep, mellow soil,
The beats grow down as if boring for oil.
PERRY LANDIS”
Colorado presented an abundance of opportunities, and people arrived to the western territories in droves.
The publication History of the City of Denver, Arapahoe County and Colorado described the population boom:
“At the end of 1872, Denver claimed a population of 15,000, an increase of about 5,000 during the year. The excess of business for 1872 over the preceding year was estimated at three and a half millions. Real estate was active…Denver was on the high road to prosperity as she had never been before at any period of her history” (Page 227).
Colorado newspaper accounts repeatedly mentioned Landis in the region between 1872 and 1875, as he became involved with several business ventures that ranged from fruit trees to lightning rods.
Landis & Witter listing in 1873, Denver, Colorado.
In 1872, Landis partnered with Daniel Witter (1827-1906) to establish Landis & Witter’s Denver Nursery. Witter was Perry’s first cousin, the eldest of ten children born to Catherine Landis Witter (1807-1897) and Samuel Witter (1804-1852). Catherine Landis Witter was an older sister to Henry H. Landis (Perry’s father). They were two of six children born to David Landis and Elizabeth Peckleshimer Landis. The four other siblings were Rebecca Landis Shideler, Sarah Landis Myers, Elizabeth Landis Ellis, and Jacob B. Landis. Perry’s cousin Daniel Witter was born in Franklin County, Indiana, the same county where Perry’s father bought the vineyard and Perry’s grandmother passed away the year before.
1873 Directory listing for Landis & Witter in the Denver City Directory
1873 listing for Daniel Witter, cousin of Perry Landis, in the Denver Directory.
By the time Perry arrived in Denver, Witter was quite successful, working as a lawyer, land agent, and U.S. Assessor. I am including Daniel Witter’s obituary, as it provides some context for Landis & Witter.
Daniel Witter’s gravestone in Fairmount Cemetery, Denver, Colorado.
On Jan. 29, 1906, The Greely Tribune announced:
“Dan Witter Dead.
Daniel Witter, one of the oldest and ablest pioneers in Colorado, and one of the original trustees of Union Colony that located Greeley, died in his home in Denver last Saturday, This leaves H. T. West of this city the only surviving member of the original board of trustees.
Mr. Witter was born in Franklin county, Indiana, April 3, 1827. He was educated in the schools of his birthplace, where he studied law, and in 1855 married Miss Clara V. Matthews, half-sister of Schuyler Colfax, afterward speaker of the house of representatives, and in 1868, vice president of the United States. Mr. Witter came to Colorado, or what was then known as Pike’s Peak Gold Region, in 1859. He went to the Tarryall placer mines in Park county where he was elected judge of the miners’ court. When the territory of Colorado was organized by congress in 1861, he was elected to the first territorial legislature. Shortly afterward President Lincoln appointed him assessor of internal revenue for Colorado with headquarters at Denver, which office he retained until the system was abolished. After the adjournment of the first legislature, he returned to Indiana for his family, and with his wife and two children occupying a light spring wagon, he drove from Ottumwa, Iowa, across the plains to Hamilton, in the South Park, where the resided until 1862, when they moved to Denver” (page 4).
Witter was 45 yrs. old when he partnered with his younger cousin Perry, then 24-yrs.-old. In many ways, Landis was trained by a remarkable businessman who truly understood the power of publicity. In the beginning of their partnership, Landis and Witter both lived and worked together.
In 1873 their directory listing was:
Witter, Daniel, lawyer, real estate agt, and U. S. Assessor, ws G, bet. Larimer and Holladay, r. Larimer, sw. cor. Arapahoe av.
Landis, Perry (Landis & Witter), bds, Larimer, sw cor. Arapahoe av.
On Dec. 6, 1873, the Denver Daily Times reported, “Attention is directed to the card of Perry Landis & Daniel Witter, who have a large lot of hardy Colorado-grown fruit, ornamental trees, vines. Etc., which can be bought very low (page 2).
1873 Advertisement in the “Denver Times.” listing for Landis & Witter.
Landis & Witter placed a series of advertisements in the Denver Daily Times during Dec. 1873 and Jan. 1874, advertising,
“Trees. Trees. Trees.
Denver Nursery,
Landis & Witter, Prop’s,
Have now on hand a well-assorted stock of hardy Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Vines, Plants &c. all Colorado grown, which we are selling, for spring delivery at PANIC PRICES.
STREET TREES A SPECIALTY.
Reserve your orders for our agent, who will call on you soon. Nursery head of Ferry st., West Denver. Office, Good’s Block, No. 252 16th st.”
They were still living together at 186 Larimer when the 1874 Denver Directory was published:
Landis, Perry (Landis & Witter), r. 186 Larimer.
Witter, Daniel, abstracts of title, lawyer, real estate, etc., 252 16th, r 186 Larimer.
The firm of Daniel & Witter was short-lived, only lasting until the summer of 1874, On June 14, 1874, in the Rocky Mountain News announced:
“Dissolution Notice!
The co partnership heretofore existing between the undersigned in this day dissolved by mutual consent. Perry Landis
Daniel Witter
Denver, CO. June 10, 1874” (page 1).
When their partnership was dissolved, each immediately invested in another business opportunity. Witter partnered with William D. Todd to establish the law firm of Witter & Todd, located in Witter’s offices at 252 16th street, near Larimer. At the same time, Landis partnered with Wright F. Kelsey (1828-1902) to establish Kelsey & Landis, a firm that manufactured lighting rods.
Prior to partnering with Landis, Kelsey was the sole proprietor for the Lightning rod Company. His lightning rod advertisements in the “Denver Daily Times” listed “W. F. Kelsey as Proprietor of the Patent Right for Colorado.”
Landis partnered with Kelsey in early July to establish Kelsey & Landis. On July 9, 1874, the “Denver Daily Times” advertised:
LIGHTNING.
Protect Your House
By the
Cable Lighting Rod.
You will place them upon my house at your earliest convenience – Cyrus W. Field
I agree with others in their approval – Sam’l F. B. Morse
I entirely approve of your rod – Benj. Stillman. KELSEY & LANDIS,
Proprietors of Patent Rights for Colorado
[Address through Denver P. O.]
Rods erected at short notice. All work warranted.
Also, Marble and Marbleized Slate Mantels, Weather Vanes, and Iron Cresting furnished to order at lower prices.”
Their partnership was also short-lived, lasting less than a month. On August 14, 1874, the “Denver Daily Times” announced,
“Dissolution of Co Partnership.
Denver, July 29, 1874 – Notice is hereby given that the firm of Kelsey & Landis, in business of selling lightning rods, has this day been dissolved by mutual consent. All outstanding accounts to be paid to W. F. Kelsey, except notes mentioned in receipts dated July 29, 1874.
W. F. Kelsey
Perry Landis”
(page 1).
Landis established another lighting rod company in August, partnering with Samuel Seth Landon (1842-1918) and William David Todd (1846-1919). Yes, this is the same Todd who partnered with Witter to establish a law firm two months earlier.
1876 listing Landon and Todd. Both worked for Daniel Witter.
Landis’ new firm with Todd and Landon was initially listed in the City Directory as “Lightning Rod Co., Perry Landis & Co., props.” It was also advertised as “Perry Landis & Co.”
Listing in 1875 Corbette Hoye and Co. Directory, Denver, Colorado.
1875 listing for Perry Landis & Co. in the Denver Directory.
Lightning rods were big business at this time, preying on people’s fear. Advertisement promised that protection by “controlling Mother Nature’s wrath.” On July 25, 1874, The Colorado Daily Chieftain reported, “The lightning rod men are busy in Denver since the recent storm. Cases of insanity among the citizens will soon be reported” (page 2). Lightning rod salesmen soon ran the gamut, and some were referred to as “swindlers”, peddling a product that did not work. Newspapers evened cautioned citizens about these poor imitations, urging “every owner of a house or barn to examine his lightning rods, and if not found in order to pull them down” (The Rocky Mountain Daily News, August 4, 1874, page 3). Despite the bad press, the sale of lightning rods was big business in areas with severe weather. Here is a link to Herman Melville’s short story, “The Lightning-Rod Man,” published in the August 1854 edition of Putnam’s Monthly Magazine: https://www.101bananas.com/library2/lightningrod.html
When Perry Landis & Co. was established, Todd and Landon were investors. Landis was the salesman. I am taking a moment to explore the life of Landis’ business partner William D. Todd, as it provides context for the firm.
Portrait of William D. Todd
Hon. William D. Todd’s biography was included in The History of the City of Denver, Arapahoe County and Colorado:
Mr. Todd, Cashier and Secretary of the Denver Safe Deposit and Savings Bank, has been a resident of Denver since 1873. He was born in the city of Philadelphia in 1846, and, at an early age, accompanied his parents to Greensburg, Penn., where his father died shortly after the war. He then removed to Washington, D.C., receiving a public-school education, and, in 1857, was appointed a page in the House of Representatives. He remained at the capitol up to 1873, the last ten years as Private Secretary to Hon. Schuyler Colfax, during his terms as Speaker of the House of Representatives and Vice President of the United States. In the meantime, he graduated from the Columbia College Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He kept up his law studies, practicing in Pennsylvania during the vacations of Congress, and, in 1872, was admitted to the practice in the Supreme Court of the United States. As above stated, he came to Denver in 1873, and engaged in the practice of his profession. Since 1874, he has been Cashier and Secretary of the Denver Safe Deposit and Savings Bank, of which he was one of the incorporators. During the past year he has been Secretary of the Platte Water Company for several years. He is also Treasurer of the St. Louis and Denver Land and Mining Company, and Secretary of the Board of Education since 1876. He was a member of the State Legislature of 1879 and was active in the business session. Declining to be a candidate for the Speakership of the House, he was chosen Speaker pro tem., and also served as Chairman of the Committees on Public Lands and Rules, and is a member of the Committees on Judiciary, Appropriations and Education. Among the measures introduced by him was the ‘Bill for Encouraging the Formation of a State Historical and Natural History Society,’ of which society he was chosen Treasurer. Mr. Todd is a leading member of the Masonic Fraternity, and holds offices of trust in Union Lodge No. 7, Denver Chapter No. 2, and Colorado Commandery No. 1, K. T. He is also the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery. He was married in Denver in 1875. Few men in Denver have, in so short a time, been so thoroughly identified with the interested of the city and State, and no one has acquired a more enviable reputation as a thorough businessman and a wide-awake, enterprising citizen. (page 678)
Landis’ other business partner, Samuel Seth Landon (1842-1918), was a notary public with Daniel Witter, residing at Curtis, se cor. 16th. Both Todd and Landon were working for Witter, Landis’ first business partner in Denver.
Looking at the names, addresses, and businesses, in the City Directory made me think of a shell game. You never knew who exactly was establishing or dissolving a business, but the same people were always involved. This tactic would follow Landis to Chicago after he partnered with Sosman. Sosman and Landis would continue to invest and establish a variety of In Denver, Landis, Witter, Todd, and Landon all lived and worked together, and around, one other. Landis & Witter’s nursery offices were located at 252 16th street in 1874. The law firm of Witter & Todd was located at 252 16th in 1874. This address was located between Larimer and Holladay streets.
In Denver, Landis published a series of advertisements that described the merits of his lightning rod product. On August 22, 1874, the following informative article appeared in the “Denver Daily Times” –
“Lightning Storms.
The number of these storms during the present season has been greater than we have ever experienced here, and each storm has resulted in more or less damage. The number of houses struck the warnings to our citizens to use every precaution to save their buildings, and perhaps loves, in the future. We therefore desire to call the attention of our citizens to the improved Electro-Magnetic, or Cable Lighting Rod. This lightning rod has been tested and is recommended by such eminent names as Cyrus Field, Prof. Morse, and a host of others.
The advantages claimed for this rod are: It has no joints or couplings; it will not corrode; it is strong and durable; it has fixtures of the most approved patterns and quality; it has an unequalled conducting surface; it has the approval of our highest scientific authorities; it has been tested for over sixteen years; it never fails. Perry Landis & Co. are general agents for this rod, and their principal office is at the corner of 15th and Lawrence streets, McClelland’s block.”
I was fascinated to read that Perry Landis & Co. was the only lightning rod dealer listed in the 1875 Corbett, Hoye & Co. Denver City Directory. His firm peppered local newspapers with advertisements throughout 1874 and the beginning of 1875.
[insert ad images]
On May 15, 1875, “The Rocky Mountain News” published the last news about Landis’ firm:
“Notice.
The firm of Perry Landis & Co., take this opportunity of returning their thanks to Mr. Julius Pearce, chief engineer of the fire department, and Mr. Thos. Clayton, foreman, and members of Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, for their valuable assistance, and loan of their ladders, in the erection of the lightning conductor on the smokestack of Holly water works, to-day, Perry Landis & Co. Denver, May 14, 1875” (page 4).
As with Landis & Witter and Kelsey & Landis, the firm of Perry Landis & Co. did not last long. On May 29, 1875, the dissolution of the firm, dated May 14, 1875, was published in the Denver Times:
“The firm of Perry Landis & Co. was this day dissolved by mutual consent. Either partner will pay any outstanding debts. Perry, Landis, Sam S. Landon and William D. Todd. Denver, May 14, 1875”
On May 29, 1875, the Denver Daily Times announced, “Dissolution notice. The firm of Perry Landis & Co. was this day dissolved by mutual consent. Either partner will pay any outstanding debts. Perry Landis, Sam S. Landon and William D. Todd, Denver May 14, 1875” (page 2).
Prior to the dissolution of the firm that spring, Landis visited Fairfield, Iowa.
On March 18, 1875, the Fairfield Ledger reported, “Perry Landis has been spending a few days with his many friends in Fairfield.”
Landis was mentioned again in the Fairfield Ledger, a separate notice that stated, “Davey Beck leaves for Denver to-day in company with Perry Landis. He goes to remain some time.”
Portrait of David Beck
David Beck (1853-1938) was the son of long-time Fairfield residents, and local merchants, William G. Beck (1819-1901) and Margaret Ramsay Beck (1824-1908). Like the Landis family, the Beck family moved west to Fairfield in the late 1840’s.
Years later, Davey Beck’s obituary in The Missoulian reported, “Born in Fairfield, Iowa, he came to Montana in 1880 to Alder Gulch and in 1895 came to Missoula” (10 June 1938, p. 16). The obituary continued, “Mr. Beck was one of the best known insurance men in Montana for many years. For 30 years he was a state agent for the Banker’s Life Insurance company here. He left Missoula nearly 20 years ago for California.” His grandmother, Sarah Beck, and Abraham Lincoln were mentioned in a section of William G. Beck’s obituary, published in The Fairfield Ledger on January 30, 1901. This tie to the Lincoln family is worthy of inclusion at this point:
‘While Mr. BECK’s memory was rich in recollections of pioneer life, and he always knew his story and told it well, there were none of his reminiscences more interesting than those of Springfield, Ill. His mother, Mrs. Sarah BECK, kept a tavern in the early days at Wheeling and engaged in the same business at Springfield, Ill. She was a woman of unusual energy and much executive ability, and any house she operated was certain of the best possible patronage. At Springfield her hotel was the scene of many a notable gathering of Illinois politicians in the early ’40’s, and there were times when as much legislation was transacted within its walls as in the capitol itself. When Abraham LINCOLN married Mary TODD he had just established himself in practice as a lawyer at Springfield, after several terms of service in the legislature, and he and his wife made their home with Mrs. BECK. Robert TODD LINCOLN, the only surviving child of the martyr president, was born beneath her roof August 1st, 1843, and she aided in ushering him into the world. There was a warm intimacy between the family of the great statesman and that of his landlady, and the BECKs were very familiar with the domestic life of the LINCOLNs and with the peculiarities of Mr. LINCOLN. On Mr. BECK’s mind, of course, the drolleries of Mr. LINCOLN made the greatest impression, and he always had a fund of LINCOLN stories at his command, many of which have never found their way into print.” Landis returned to Iowa that summer, and on Aug 19, 1875, the Fairfield Ledger announced, “Perry Landis is with us again – and from Colorado” (page 5).
Landis returned to Iowa that summer, and on Aug 19, 1875, the Fairfield Ledger announced, “Perry Landis is with us again – and from Colorado” (page 5). This is just prior to Joseph Sosman’s arrival in Fairfield to paint scenery at Semon’s Opera House.
To be continued…
