USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume I > Part 46
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Mr. Hicks died in San Antonio on March 19, 1900, and is buried there. He was a man of kindly face and genial manners, numbering among his friends men of all classes. In him there was joined a spot- less integrity with rare business qualifications and indomitable energy. He was of the Presbyterian faith and for fifty years was a ruling elder in that church and gave liberally of his time and means for the advance- ment of Christian causes. He was also a member of the Masonic Fra- ternity.
In April. 1851, Mr. Hicks married, in Paulding, Mississippi, Anne E. McDugald, a daughter of Major James McDugald, a lawyer and political leader. Mrs. Hicks' father came to America in 1825 from the Isle of Islay, Scotland, and located at Paulding, Miss. He was a man of splendid attainments, was noted for his poetic nature and oratorical powers and enjoyed a lucrative practice at the bar. He served for a number of vears in the State Senate of Mississippi and stood in the front rank of the public men of his state.
Mrs. Hicks is a woman of sterling Christian character and much of her husband's success in life was due to the intelligent, faithful and constant assistance which she gave him.
Mr. and Mrs. Hicks had eight children who attained their majority, six of whom are now living. Dr. F. M. Hicks is a prominent physician and surgeon, Senator Marshall Hicks and Yale Hicks are attorneys at law, and Mrs. Anne Hicks Jones is the wife of Rev. Arthur Jones. pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at San Antonio, and they all reside in San Antonio. S. B. Hicks is president and general manager of the Hicks Company and lives as Shreveport, La., and Mrs. Lelia Hicks Lawrence is the wife of Dr. C. W. Lawrence and resides at Long- view, Texas. Miss Emma Hicks, the eldest daughter. and Mrs. Clara Hicks Walke, who was the wife of C. McA. Walke, of Shreveport. La .. and both of whom were noted among their acquaintances for their culture
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and untiring zeal in religious and charitable work of every kind, are dead.
JOHN WOODS, president of the Woods National Bank of San An- tonio, has through his own efforts gained a position of prestige in finan- cial circles in the southwest. The history of a state as well as that of a nation is chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the char- acter of a community by that of its representative citizens and yields its tributes of admiration and respect for the genius, learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a state's pros- perity and pride. To a student of biography there is nothing more inter- esting than to examine into the life history of a successful man and to detect the elements of character which have enabled him to pass on the highway of life many of the companions of his youth who at the outset of their careers were more advantageously equipped or endowed. Stich has been the life record of John Woods and what he has accomplished through personal effort and consecutive industry places him to-day in the ranks of the foremost financiers of San Antonio.
A native of Alabama, he was only a child when he came with his parents to Texas in 1853 and thus practically his entire life has been passed in this state. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Foley) Woods, who settled in Lavaca county, Texas, in 1853, which county for many years previous to their arrival had been the home of several of Mrs. Woods' brothers and her father, W. G. Lee Foley, all of whom were noted characters in early Texan history. W. G. Lee Foley and his sons came from Alabama to the Lone Star state prior to the revolution of 1836 and different members of the family attained distinction in con- nection with various events which have formed important chapters in the history of Texas. One son, S. T. Foley, fought at the battle of San Jacinto. Another son, Tucker Foley, was shot at the time of Fannin's defeat, while a third, James R. Foley, was killed in the Mexican war, and another brother was killed by Indians in the fight at Lynnville. still two others, Mason B. and Stuart Foley, who were large land holders and successful business men of Lavaca county, died natural deaths in that locality. Several of the Foley family were in the famous "run away scrape"-an occasion when a great many Texans of Lavaca and adjoin- ing counties were compelled to flee because of the threatened raid of Mexican soldiers. W. G. Lee Foley, the father, died in Lavaca county at the extreme old age of ninety-six years. The history of the family if written in detail would furnish many an interesting and exciting chap- ter, verifying again the old adage that "truth is stranger than fiction." John Woods, Sr., father of our subject, remained a resident of Lavaca county from 1853 until his death, which occurred in 1864, while his wife passed away in 1875. Much of the landed estate which was owned by the father is still in possession of the family.
John Woods acquired his education in the local schools and at a very carly age took up the study of law. He was admitted to the bar at Hallettsville, Texas, and was elected prosecuting attorney of Lavaca county, the duties of which office he discharged in addition to a private practice of considerable extent and importance. His capability and fit-
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ness for leadership led to his selection for the lower house of the Texas legislature in 1881. He served in the general assembly in the eighteenth session and was a member of the judiciary committees Nos. I and 2. He was afterward elected to the state senate for the nineteenth and twen- tieth sessions in 1883 and 1885 respectively and in that body was a prominent member of the judiciary and finance committees. Much im- portant legislation was enacted in those sessions, the membership of the assembly during that period being of a specially high character. Mr. Woods gained much favorable renown for his efforts in curbing extrava- gance in public expenditure and became known as the "watch dog of the treasury."" The questions which came up for settlement received his earnest and thoughtful consideration and investigation and his support was the outcome of honest opinion and an innate loyalty to his convic- tions.
While serving in the legislature and through the following years Mr. Woods had built up an extensive business in Lavaca county in land and financial interests, loaning money and otherwise placing investments 'and for many years his life's successful work has been as a financier. He acquired peculiar ability and insight into the conditions of lending money and as a judge of security and collateral is so correct in nearly every occasion as to seem almost an instinct. This skill applies not only to the ordinary financial transactions of an agricultural and stock raising community, in which he gained his first experience, but to the varied and. complicated business affairs of a cosmopolitan city like San An- tonio. He has the ability to read men and is a most accurate judge of financial and business conditions, so that his investments and loans have. been carefully placed, netting him a good return.
Mr. Woods was married in 1861 to Miss Mary Rabb, a native of Fayette county, and from Hallettsville they removed with their two sons, W. F. and W. G. Lee Woods, to Del Rio in Val Verde county, a strictly cattle country, in 1889. There the father and sons established the bank- ing firm of John Woods & Sons and were extremely successful in the conduct of their business interests at that place for seven years. In the summer of 1896 they removed to San Antonio and the success of their business here has been uniform and rapid. They secured a constantly increasing clientage until July 1, 1904, when the Woods National Bank was organized with the following officers: John Woods, president ; W. G. Lee Woods and T. W. House of Houston, vice-presidents ; and W. F. Woods cashier. The bank is located in the Hicks building at No. 407 East Houston street and a general banking business is conducted. The sons possessing excellent ability, foresight and keen discrimination, have been important factors with their father in the successful conduct of this institution and are recognized as leading young business men. Father and sons are in thorough sympathy, working in harmony in their finan- cial interests and all intent on making the Woods National Bank one of the strong and creditable financial enterprises of San Antonio-a posi- tion which is already accorded it.
Mr. Woods is one of the men of progressive spirit who recognize the possibilities of San Antonio and put forth every effort for its develop- ment. He believes in liberal municipal policy, is opposed to misrule in
Y: D. Barnet
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municipal affairs and has given tangible support to many movements for the general good through active co-operation. He possesses a genial nature and kindly temperament and his liberality toward his customers and the public generally have won him not only success in business but also high respect and warm regard.
HARRY DAINGERFIELD BARNITZ, M. D., president of the board of health of San Antonio and a successful practicing physician, was born in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1853, his parents being McPherson and Augusta D. (Harrison) Barnitz. The father was a native of York, Pennsylvania, who became a civil engineer of note in the period of his active life and for many years was a prominent resident of Washington, D. C. Attracted by the discovery of gold and the business opportunities. which arose in consequence thereof, he went to California in 1849 by way of Cape Horn and was one of the engineers on the original survey of what is now the business center of the city of San Francisco. Follow- ing his return to the east he became a civil engineer in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He died in the city of Washington in 1900 and his wife passed away there in 1905. She was a native of Virginia and her father was a cousin of William Henry Harrison, at one time president of the United States.
Dr. Barnitz spent his boyhood days in the capital and his literary education was largely acquired in Georgetown University, which he entered in 1876. He also pursued his professional course in the same school, being graduated from the medical department in the spring of 1880. Following his graduation he was appointed a surgeon in the regular army and was stationed at Fort McKinnev, Wyoming, with the Third Cavalry and Ninth Infantry in the Department of the Platte. He. acted as army surgeon for two years and upon being ordered back to Washington he resigned. In 1882 he came to San Antonio to see the country and was so favorably impressed with the climatic and other con- ditions here that he resolved to make the city his future home and has been a permanent resident of San Antonio to the present time, covering a period of almost a quarter of a century. Opening an office for the practice of medicine, he soon won a foremost place in the ranks of the medical fra- ternity and the favorable opinion passed upon him at the outset of his professional career here has in no degree been set aside or modified as the years have gone bv, but on the contrary has been strengthened by his able handling of the intricate and involved questions which con-
Board of Health.
tinually confront the physician. He was made president of the board of health of San Antonio in 1901 and in June, 1905, was re-appointed to this position for the third term by Mayor Callaghan. The local press said of him, "The mayor, reflecting the general sentiment of the citizens, and recognizing the ability and good judgment of Dr. Barnitz, re-ap- pointed him president of the board of health. His first term as president of this board placed him in the front rank as one who would protect the health of the public against diseases and epidemics and needless scares of epidemics, and he is recognized by the medical profession and people generally as the proper person to lead in all things pertaining to more
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perfect sanitation and the general health safeguarding of the city. The results of his efforts, encouraged and endorsed by the physicians and citizens, are that San Antonio is one of the most healthful cities in the United States and is recognized as one of the best sanitariums and resorts for invalids in the country. The city is clean, pure and healthful to a remarkable degree." In the discharge of his official duties Dr. Barnitz has made a close, earnest, discriminating study of the question of pub- lic health and sanitation, the possibilities of the city and its needs. While laboring for the ideal his efforts have been practical and the results ac- complished are tangible and gratifying.
Dr. Barnitz has not only manifested the utmost devotion to the pub- lic health, but as a citizen renders valuable aid in advancing the material welfare and upbuilding of San Antonio and has co-operated in many movements for the general good. In his practice he was for three years local surgeon for the Southern Pacific Railroad and for one year for the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railroad. In addition he has a very ex- tensive private practice, numbering among his patrons many of the best families of the city. He belongs to the County, State and American medical associations and anything which tends to bring to man the key 10 that complex problem which we call life elicits his earnest attention and consideration.
Dr. Barnitz was married in Washington, D. C., to Miss Wilhelmina Magill, of a Virginia family, and they have seven living children. Their eldest son, however, Dr. McPherson Barnitz, who studied medicine at Georgetown in the District of Columbia and was graduated at Tulane University in New Orleans, died in San Antonio. The surviving mem- bers of the family are: Mrs. Mary Grayson Gibbs, Mrs. Augusta Armer, Mrs. Anna Harn, Harry D., Rose Hope, Wilhelmina and Richard B. Barnitz.
L. J. HART. There are few men in the state of Texas more widely known than L. J. Hart of San Antonio, whose name is synonymous with efforts for the benefit of the city of his residence. His efforts toward advancing the material interests of San Antonio are so widely recognized that they can be considered as being no secondary part of his career of signal usefulness. He has combined the practical with the ideal in his labors to improve the city and his efforts have been of direct and imme- diate serviceableness in bringing about a movement for the betterment of the city along many lines of progress. He is now extensivelv engaged in real estate operations and is a prominent and leading member of the Business Men's Club, of which he was at one time president.
Mr. Hart is a native of Dubuque, Iowa, and was reared on a farm and educated in the local schools and in St. Joseph's College at Dubuque. Completing his collegiate course, he lived at home for a year or two and, then went to Denver, Colorado, where he was engaged in the real estate business. He operated quite extensively and successfully in property in that city for about three years and in 1890 came to San Antonio, where he has since made his home, and this city and the surrounding district have been the scene of his unusually successful real estate opera- tions. He belongs also to that class of men who, while promoting in-
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dividual interests also contribute in large measure to the general pros- perity.
Mr. Hart is one of the original developers of Laurel Heights, a beautiful residence subdivision in the northern part of the city. It is one of the most modern and most completely improved residence sections of San Antonio and in addition to his efforts in this locality he is ex- tensively engaged in general real estate business, handling both city and country property for others, while he is himself the owner of val- uable real estate both in San Antonio and outlying districts, particularly in the southern part of Texas. He represents the United States Mort- gage & Trust Company in San Antonio. His enterprise, ability and in- tense and well directed labor resulting in successful accomplishment, have been. freely recognized by citizens of San Antonio and have been called into requisition for the upbuilding of the city. Mr. Hart served as president of the Business Men's Club in 1901 and 1902 and is now chairman of the real estate committee of that organization, which is doing so much for public progress and improvement. He is also chair- man of the general advertising movement that was instituted early in 1906 to further the growth of San Antonio and Southwestern Texas, generally by means of advertising. In this movement many of the lead- ing and representative citizens of San Antonio are participants as well as prominent residents of the adjoining counties of Southwestern Texas. These men are contributing personally to the fund to be used in first-class. newspaper and magazine advertising. Mr. Hart largely deserves the credit of being the leading spirit of this movement, to which he con- tributes liberally of his time and money. He was also largely instru-
San Antonio Improvement Districts.
mental in co-operation with State Senator Marshall Hicks in bringing about the legislation under which improvement districts were created in the city of San Antonio. According to the terms of this act the city is. divided into improvement districts, the citizens of each district having the privilege of voting a tax for the purpose of making street improve- ment within their own district and at their own expense. This enables any part of a city to obtain paved streets, etc., without putting a general tax on the entire city. The scheme has resulted in a movement toward establishing in San Antonio as finely improved streets in the better resi- dence portions as can be found in any city in the country ; particularly in what is known as the Tobin Hill residence district, where a vast amount of money has already been expended for macadamized paving and the building of beautiful permanent streets.
Mr. Hart was married in San Antonio to Miss Maud Oliver and they have two children. In social circles the parents are well known and cordial hospitality is extended to them by many friends. Mr. Har+ has never been a politician in the sense of seeking office, but has always taken a public spirited interest in political organization for the purDos of securing good men in positions of public trust. Practical politics have thus claimed much of his time and while his efforts have been exceedingly valuable for the party of municipal reform his service in that direction must necessarily be held secondary to those of
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much greater importance as implied in his public spirit, progressiveness and liberality. He is a man of sound judgment, never arriving at con- clusions with undue haste, but when once his mind is made up as to what is the right course he pursues it with unfaltering purpose. He possesses excellent executive and business ability combined with a re- sistless energy and resolute purpose and he is to-day one of San Antonio's successful business men, who at the same time has directed his efforts to the benefit of the city in many instances.
A New Hotel.
As previously mentioned, San Antonio's greatest need at the present time, in view of the immense proportions of the tourist business and its growth every year, is first-class hotels. At this writing it seems that the need will be met by the construction, in the near future, of at least one modern and large hostelry. The president of the company is Mr. L. J. Hart, above mentioned, and in this connection the following extracts from local papers of recent issue will describe an undertaking of more than ordinary significance to the future history of the city.
At a meeting of subscribers to the stock of the new hotel company held yesterday arrangements were made for taking over the present site of the Mahncke Hotel at Houston and St. Mary Streets. The company will be capitalized at $250,- 000, with the understanding on the part of the present stockholders that the cap- ital will be quickly increased to $400,000 so soon as the additional subscriptions to the stock are obtained.
The purchase of the property known as the Winslow lots will be completed by the end of the week. This makes the tract consist of 222 feet frontage on Houston Street, 338 feet on St. Mary Street and 168 feet on Travis Street. The consideration is $200,000. This transfer will be made directly to the hotel com- pany.
This movement assures the construction of the new and much needed hotel for San Antonio. The hotel will cost $800,coo, will be of modern steel construc- tion, containing 300 to 350 rooms, and will be by far the best hotel in the State.
The work of several public spirited citizens has accomplished this realization of the needs of the city only after several months of effort. The conditions that make a new hotel an imperative necessity have become more and more ob- vious during the past few months, and the very future of the city's development seemed to be contingent upon the construction at once of an adequate first-class hotel building.
The organizers and promoters of the hotel have made all their arrangements for financing the deal to the figures named. They are exceedingly conservative men, and their work has been quiet and along conservative business lines. The proposition has been financed upon a showing that it will be a dividend producer from the beginning. It is also a movement for a greater San Antonio and for more rapid development of the possibilities of this city as a commercial and tourist center.
Plans for the building will be made at once and the work of the construction is to begin within a reasonable time. The building is to be complete, safe and modern in every respect. In will furnish the sort of service that the better class of travelers and tourists expect, while in all respects being a commercial hotel and a business enterprise by business men.
The promoters of this hotel enterprise feel that they have done well in securing the site and the necessary subscriptions to assure its construction at a time when the imperative necessities of the situation demanded some earnest effort on the part of San Antonio that another season will find better accommoda- tions for persons who are anxious to be in San Antonio, even to the extent of being crowded into unbecoming quarters because there is lack of accommodation for all who want to stop here. L. J. Hart has been prominent in the organization
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of the company. He has devoted much of his time to the accumulation of stock subscriptions and is at the head of the proposition so far. He has had the support of several wealthy and public-spirited mien. It is not given out who will be the officers of the company. The statement is made that several of the best hotel men in the country are anxious to take stock in the enterprise and become manager of the hotel.
The deed transferring nearly one-half of a city block on East Houston street, at the intersection of St. Mary street, to the San Antonio Hotel Company was filed yesterday afternoon. The consideration is $200,000. The property is sold by Mrs. E. V. Winslow. The description of the property is: Lots Nos. I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in city block 17, new city block 407. The property faces 222 feet on Houston street, 338 feet on St. Mary street and 168 feet on Travis street.
The hotel company plans the erection of a modern ten-story hotel on this property and experts to begin building within two or three months.
Speaking of the plans of the company, L. J. Hart, president, said last even- ing : "We will continue to get stock subscriptions until we have $400,000. Bonds to the amount of $400,000 or $500,000 will then be issued. This will give an aggregate of $800,000 or $900,000 with which to proceed with the work.
"After considerable thought and investigation, the stockholders have con- cluded that the larger the proposition is, the safer it is. We will build the very best modern commercial and tourists' hotel possible. In the judgment of the stockholders and other prominent citizens, a large hotel would not only be more remunerative to those directly interested, but would be a dividend paying proposi- tion for the entire city and will supply the greatest need of the community.
"The stock of the company is being put on the market as a strictly business proposition. The company has acquired a property which can at almost any time be sold for $250,000. On that part of it which is not absolutely necessary for the hotel are improvements worth $30,000. The profits that will be obtained by the disposal of this property will go to the company and not its representatives who made these deals long before the company was formed. No one is receiving pay for services in the interest of the company. The commercial rents of such a property, independent of the hotel proposition, would be sufficient to pay inci- dental expenses, taxes, insurance, interest on bonds and provide dividends. The guarantee accompanying such a conservative investment will make it easy to place the bonds of the concern. Certainly this will make it easier than if the only security for the bonds was the success of the hotel."
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