USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume I > Part 58
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Mr. Newton was married at Brenham, Texas, to Miss Carrie Boyle, of that place, and they have three children, Eveline, Francis and Lawrence. In manner Mr. Newton is free from ostentation and display but his intrinsic worth is recognized and his friendship is most prized by those who know him best, showing that his character will bear the scrutiny of closest acquaintance.
CAPTAIN CHARLES L. NEVILL, late clerk of the district court at San Antonio, was for many years a distinguished and notable factor in the history of San Antonio. Brave and fearless in times of danger, meeting without flinching the responsibilities of ranger service at a time when the Indians made lite and property most insecure, he was at the same time with his friends a most tender and considerate companion, generous and true. He held friendship inviolable and displayed the most conscientious regard in the discharge of his duties of citizenship and of home and social relations.
He was born in Tuscaloosa now Hale county, Alabama, in 1855, his parents being Z. L. and Anne (Lewis) Nevill. His parents were natives of Alabama, and with their family came to Texas in February, 1858, locating in Fayette county, where the mother died in 1864. The father, however, is still living in Brazos county, this state. He served with the Confederate army through the war, mostly with Terry's Rangers, and during the period of his active business life was a farmer and planter. Brothers of both Mr. and Mrs. Z. L. Nevill were killed in the Civil war.
Captain Nevill was reared in Fayette county, Texas, and at the age of nineteen in 1874 enlisted at Austin in the state ranger service, first as a private in Company D under Captain Perry. This command took its station in Menard county, where he remained for about two years and was then transferred to Company A as a corporal. Soon afterward he became captain of Company E, which was stationed for one year at Austin, guarding the treasury under the administration of Governor Rob- erts. Captain Nevill and his company were then transferred to the far western portion of the state-Presidio county-where he had to deal with the Indians and the rough element that infested that locality in pio- neer times. He closed his career as a ranger in Presidio county, after which he was elected sheriff of that county, serving in that position for six years.
In 1889 Captain Nevill removed to San Antonio, where he lived until his death and here he filled various positions of public trust and re- sponsibility. He was collector of back taxes for four years, afterward deputy clerk of the district court. He was chief deputy under Sheriff Tobin for four years, and in 1904 was elected to the office of clerk of the district court for the thirty-seventh, forty-fifth and fifty-seventh dis- tricts, all of which districts have their jurisdiction in San Antonio and
@ L neviel
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Bexar county. He had many interesting and notable experiences in connection with his ranger and political service and was always found to be a faithful officer whether on the frontier or in the discharge of clerical duties in the city. Fraternally he was a Mason. His entire life was passed in Texas and he stood for progress and development in this state, lending his aid and influence for the benefit of the communities with which he was associated.
Captain Nevill was married while in the ranger service, at Fort Davis, in 1882, to Miss Sallie E. Crosson, a daughter of George Crosson, of San Antonio, and is survived by his widow and eight children, Alice, Guy, Charles, Katie, Ella May, Harvey Dewitt, John Tobin and Sallie.
Captain Nevill died suddenly June 13, 1906, and the news of his death brought with it a sense of personal bereavement to many in San Antonio, where he was so widely and favorably known. One of the
A Noted Ranger.
local papers in commenting on his career said: "Captain Nevill was best known as a captain in the ranger service. When a boy of eighteen he enlisted in the service against his father's wishes, and his father refused to furnish him with the necessary equipment. Young Nevill was determined, however, and enlisted and went into service without a weapon of any kind, save a butcher knife. With this single weapon he served for several weeks. His enthusiasm brought him admiration and an ad- mirer gave him a horse on credit. Another gave him a revolver. That was in 1875, and after five years of brave fighting he was made captain of the ranger company. During the building of the Southern Pacific Railroad across the state of Texas, Captain Nevill was assigned to the protection of the railroad's interests and patrolled the territory through which the railroad now runs. He had many desperate fights with Indians and with thieves and with outlaws, who tried to steal the property of the railroad and harass the laborers in their work. This service was while he was a sergeant. He was the hero of the last great Indian fight in Texas. The fight took place in the hills northwest of San Angelo in 1872 and was the last outbreak of the Comanches. In this battle a great many of the Indians were killed and the rest were completely routed. Captain Nevill frequently recounted the tales of his Indian fights to his friends and has told of his killing the Indian chief. The Indian had fired at him and missed. For some reason the Indian chief was unable to reload his rifle. His piece was examined afterward and it was discovered he had tried to load a forty-four calibre rifle with a forty-five calibre cartridge. It was during this campaign that he was surrounded by the Indians. His company was cut off from supplies and for three days and nights was without food or water. The soldiers ate nothing but snow which they found in the mountains.
"He was sheriff of Presidio county when killings were frequent. There was much lawlessness throughout the county and the danger was imminent. Once a supposed 'bad man' sent word to him from a western town that he would kill him the first time he came to that town. Mr. Nevill had occasion to go there a few days later. He entered boldly, and to his surprise the man who had threatened to kill him immediately
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threw up his hands. The incident was closed without a killing. There were many dangerous 'bad men' and outlaws in the country at that time, however, and Captain Nevill's experiences were many. He captured and wounded Sam Bass, an outlaw and desperado, capturing him in his camp while asleep. The outlaw afterward died of his wounds."
Such was one phase in the life of Captain Nevill. It remained to his family and friends to know his true worth-those traits of character which endeared him so strongly to all with whom he came in contact through social relations. One who knew him well said: "'Beyond all wealth, honor or even health is the attachment we form to noble souls, because to become one with the good, generous and true, is to become in a measure good, generous and true ourselves.' These noble words written by one who knew whereof he spoke, come to mind when we recall the late Captain Charles L. Nevill, who passed away on the 13th of this month. His was a noble soul. He was good, generous and true. En- dowed by nature with all the qualities which endear a man to family, friends and business associates, he will not soon be forgotten. The memory of kindly words and acts, prompted by generous impulses, will long remain and serve to keep his memory green in the hearts of those who loved him. Captain Nevill was a brave man, a steadfast friend, an honorable foe, a good husband and a most tender and loving father. Such men do not die in 'putting on immortality'; they do indeed pass a door through which our limited vision may not reach, but when the first shock and pang of the physical separation is over, memory takes us by the hand and all is well with us as with them. The recollection of his acts, his words and his personality will be a comfort to his wife, an incentive to his daughters, an example to his sons and an encourage- ment to his fellowmen. 'Good, generous and true,' a volume might be written and still no more be said than in these three words. The mem- ory of that goodness, generosity and truth will be a consolation to his bereft wife and children, serving to lighten their heavy load of grief. As the long years come and go, thoughts of the one they have lost will be sweet to them and they will think of his loss with no shadow of rebellion to 'Him who doeth all things well,' remembering that for those who have faith in God there is no eternal farewell."
GEORGE H. NOONAN, who has made a distinguished record as lawyer and lawmaker, has long been actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community and one which has long been considered as con- serving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and main- taining individual rights. A native of Newark, New Jersey, Judge Noonan is a son of George and Margaret (Casey) Noonan, whose parents were born in Limerick, Ireland. and spent their last days in New Jersey. The judge acquired a liberal literarv education and studied law in the office of the Hon. John Whitehead, a prominent attorney of Newark, after which he was admitted to the bar in that city. In 1852 he came to Texas, settling first at Castroville in Medina county, where he remained until 1868, when he came to San Antonio, which has since been his home. covering a period of thirty-nine consecutive years.
Judge Noonan has had an interesting and distinguished career in
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public life in Texas, extending over a long period, and at times there have been many exciting elements in his record. He practiced law at Castroville, which was the seat of one of the early colonies of Alsatians who came to America in the latter '40s. In 1862 he was elected judge of the eighteenth judicial district of Texas, a remarkable circumstance considering the fact that this was during the period of the Civil war and . that Judge Noonan was a Union man and an avowed Republican in a state that had seceded and was at that time at war with the Federal government. His integrity of character, his freedom from judicial bias and personal prejudice combined with his legal skill and power were the elements that led to Judge Noonan's election. He served on the bench until Provisional Governor Hamilton became executive officer of the state. He was continued in office by Governor Hamilton and in 1866 was re-elected judge of the eighteenth district without oppo- sition. Except for a short period in which he was off the bench on account of a misunderstanding in regard to the test oath that he was to take Judge Noonan served as district judge during various phases of government that covered the period of military rule, of reconstruction and of state control. Under the reorganization of the state by the election of Governor Davis he was appointed under the constitution of 1869 for the term of eight years. The constitution of 1876 required the judges to be elected. and Judge Noonan was elected to succeed himself as judge of what was then known as the Bexar district. In 1880 he was again elected without opposition to fill the office for another term of four vears.
He resigned from the bench to take a seat in the United States Congress, and after leaving Congress took up private practice. He has a large and distinctively representative clientage, but during the last few years because of ill health he has retired from connection with the courts and other active business interests. In 1894 he was elected on the Re- publican ticket to Congress from the San Antonio district-a somewhat remarkable incident in Texas politics. He made the race again in 1896. but owing to a change having been made in district boundaries he was defeated. but by only eight hundred votes, running far ahead of the party ticket. He was an interested and active member of Congress and served on the interstate commerce committee.
The life history of Mrs. Noonan has also been closely interwoven with the Civil war period in the annals of Texas. She bore the maiden name of Cornelia Bowen and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Mur- Dhy) Bowen, both of whom were natives of Philadelphia, but came to Texas during the days of the republic. Mr. Bowen was a strong Union man and, like Judge Noonan, stoutlv maintained his principles during the period of civil strife, often hazarding his personal safety in so doing. Two sons have been born of this marriage. George Brackenridge and Ralph T. Noonan, who operated a ranch thirty miles west of San An- tonio. The family home has been noted for its culture and has been a favorite resort with a large circle of the friends of Judge and Mrs. Noonan. In religious faith Judge Noonan is a Catholic and active in support of the church. His unusual success in public life is due to his superior ability as a statesman and jurist and to his personal popularity with all classes. The opposition have always accorded to him the credit
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of being a gentleman of the highest caliber. It is said of him that during the war and succeeding troublous times that he displayed undaunted bravery and was frankly outspoken in support of his convictions-a course which always commands respect everywhere. As a distinguished member of the bar, as a judge of unimpeachable integrity and as a states- man of prominence he is so well known that he needs no introduction to the readers of this volume. His career has conferred honor and dignity upon the profession and upon civic organizations with which he has been associated, and there is in him a weight of character, a native sagacity, a far seeing judgment and a fidelity of purpose that command the respect of all.
PABLO CRUZ, publisher and editor of El Regidor of San Antonio, was born at Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico, in 1866, his parents being A. Cruz Valdez and Viviana Cardenas de Cruz. The father and mother were born in Mexico and are still living. Mr. Cruz Valdez making his home at the present time in Kansas City.
Pablo Cruz spent the first eleven years of his life in his native country and with his parents came to Texas in 1877, the family settling at Floresville, where he spent five years. In 1888 he established El Regidor, a weekly paper printed in Spanish, of which he is the editor and pub- lisher and which is a popular and influential journal among the Spanishı speaking citizens of Texas, who comprise a large factor of the popula- tion. Mr. Cruz in the summer of 1901, being convinced that a poor Mexican named Gregorio Cortez, who stood charged with the murder of Sheriff Morris of Karnes county, and of a sheriff and citizen of Gonzales county, was justified at least of the killing of Sheriff Morris, started a movement in his paper for the collection of funds to properly defend Cortez. Through Mr. Cruz's perseverance and untiring energy a fund was raised and Judge B. R. Abernethy of Gonzales and Samuel Belden, Esq., of San Antonio were employed to conduct the defence. At the first trial at Karnes City the death penalty was assessed against Cortez, and Mr. Cruz had his attorneys at once prepare an appeal of the case. The court of criminal appeals of Texas, in an elaborate opinion reported in the 69 S. W. Reporter, page 536, reversed and remanded the cause, and forever settled the doctrine of illegal arrests and of arrests without warrants in this state; they also ordered a change of venue of the cause on account of local prejudice. The cause was then tried again at Goliad, Texas, and resulted in a mis-trial of the cause, the jury having disagreed. The judge of that district on his own motion then changed the venue of the cause to Wharton county, where on technical objections presented by the attorneys employed by Mr. Cruz the cause was dismissed.
Cortez was immediately re-indicted at the next term of court at Karnes county and the venue of the cause changed to Nueces county. At the spring term the cause was tried at Corpus Christi, Texas, and Mr. Cruz employed Hon. J. C. Scott of that city to assist Messrs. R. B. Abernethy and Samuel Belden, and after a sensational trial lasting two weeks the jury empaneled in the cause exonerated Cortez of the charge of murdering Sheriff Morris.
The home of El Regidor is a substantial brick structure at No. 205 South Laredo street, which was erected by Mr. Cruz, where he also con-
Tablo Cruz
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ducts a general printing, publishing and book business. Mr. Cruz has a new and beautiful residence at 442 Dwyer avenue, San Antonio.
In San Antonio Mr. Cruz was married to Miss Zulema Palanco de Cruz, and they have seven children, five sons and two daughters. Mr. Cruz is identified with the best interests of the city in many ways. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he is a stanch champion of the system of public instruction and all other beneficent public enterprises which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He stands for progress and improvement along substantial and practical lines that lead to the ideal in citizenship, and his paper has been the pro- moter of many important public movements.
FRANCISCO A. CHAPA, a druggist of San Antonio, is, as the name indicates, of Spanish parentage and was born in Matamoras, Mexico. He was educated principally at New Orleans and his literary course being completed took up the study of pharmacy in the pharmaceutical depart- ment of Tulane University of that city. He added to his theoretical knowledge the practical experience gained as a drug clerk in Matamoras, Mexico, in Brownsville, Texas, and in San Antonio, locating in the latter city in 1890. After serving for four years as clerk here, with the capital acquired through his industry and economy, he established in 1894 his present drug business, his store being on a prominent corner at the junc- tion of West Commerce street and Santa Rosa avenue. He has a large trade as a retail druggist, covering an extensive territory, and he main- tains a laboratory in connection with the business. He is president of the San Antonio Retail Druggists' Association and a member of the State and National Druggists' associations. He has the scientific knowl- edge and ability which enables him to give excellent and accurate ser- vice to those who are his patrons in this line. His trade is constantly growing and has already reached gratifying proportions.
Deeply interested in community affairs, Mr. Chapa is now serving as treasurer of the board of education of San Antonio, having been elected to membership in that body in 1906. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he does all in his power to promote and develop the public schools, personally giving considerable money in prizes for essays, etc., and he donates to the public school fund the one per cent commission that he receives as treasurer of the board for handling the funds. His interests and efforts have been tangible fac- tors in promoting many other progressive movements. He has been an earnest and indefatigable worker on carnival committees and has con- tributed much to the success of these attractive municipal features. He has also labored for other occasions that are arranged for San An- tonio's benefit and is a member of the Business Men's Club.
Mr. Chapa is happy in his home life, having been married in San Antonio to Miss Adelaide Rivas, a daughter of A. P. Rivas, the fam- ily being a very old one in Southwestern Texas. They have three children-Isabella, Frank and Beatrice.
VICTOR BEZE, city auditor of San Antonio, was born in this city in 1873, his parents being F. Victor and Concepcion (Arocha) Beze. In his ancestry Victor Beze represents two old families, being of French lineage on the paternal side and Spanish descent on the mother's side.
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His father was born in France and when a youth of eleven years came to America with his parents about 1851, settling in San Antonio. He was a student in St. Mary's College and after attaining his majority was for a number of years connected with the cattle and sheep industry in Bexar county, being one of the pioneer representatives of this business. Before the war he made a trip to New Orleans and brought back eighteen slaves to work upon his ranch, at which time there were only seventeen other slaves in San Antonio. Mr. Beze was a prominent citizen, whose well managed business affairs brought him success, and he continued his residence in San Antonio until his death on the 21st of October, 1905. His father, John Beze, after residing for many years in Texas, returned to France in 1870 and there passed away in 1880. Mrs. Beze, mother of our subject, who died in 1890, was a descendant of the Arocha family who were among the first Spanish colonists that settled in San Antonio.
Victor Beze was reared and educated in the city of his nativity and attended St. Mary's College, in which his father had been a student many years before. About 1890 he enterd upon his business career, being first employed as a clerk in the office of the West Texas Abstract Company. then opening its first abstract books. He continued in that employ for eight months, since which time he has been almost continuously in the clerical and accounting work in public offices. For some years he was in the office of the county collector and for six years preceding his elec- tion to his present position was assistant city clerk of San Antonio. At the spring election of 1905 he was chosen by popular suffrage to the office of city auditor, of which he took charge in June of the same year. He is a skillful official, thoroughly competent in every way, and over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, for he has displayed unfaltering fidelity to duty and the trust reposed in him.
Mr. Beze was married in San Antonio to Miss Inez Collis, who was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, and they have many friends here, the hospitality of many of the best homes being cordially extended them.
JUDGE ROBERT L. BALL. The consensus of public opinion accords to Judge Robert L. Ball a prominent position in the ranks of the legal fraternity in San Antonio. He was born in Jackson county, Missouri, in 1860, his parents being Robert Austin and Constance (Rose) Ball, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. They were among the early settlers of Jackson county, Missouri, taking up their home near the border only six miles from the Kansas line and in the path of the fierce and bitter warfare that was waged along that border during the Civil war.
Mr. Ball was unfortunate enough to lose both of his parents by death when he was only six years of age, and although he was but a child during the period of the strife between the two sections of the country he distinctly remembers some of the distressing incidents of that time. His youth was a period of earnest toil and struggle. He had neither influential friends nor inheritance to aid him, and much hard labor fell to his lot in early life, but as the years have passed he has been eminently successful owing to his well directed efforts, his business in- tegrity and his unfaltering perseverance. He was reared to farming pur-
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suits and early became ambitious to make the most of his opportunities. When only sixteen years of age he had purchased equipment (on credit) and was renting and operating one of the largest farms in Johnson county, Kansas, just across the line from Missouri. Thus at an age when most boys are interested in outdoor sports or are pursuing their educations he was facing the stern realities of life, for existence had long been to him a strenuous one. Through his farming operations he realized enough capital to enable him to acquire an excellent education in the University of Kansas, at Lawrence, where he studied from 1878 until 1880 inclusive. for he had become convinced of the necessity and value of an education if one would attain success in life. After completing his collegiate course in Lawrence he came immediately to Galveston, Texas, where he entered the law office of a renowned attorney, Major Frank M. Spencer, under whose direction he pursued his studies until admitted to the bar there in 1882. In 1883 he made his way to western Texas, locating in the heart of the great cattle country at Colorado City. It was there that he got such a substantial start and made such good progress as to put him on the pathway to his present high position in the legal profession and in the business world. He was elected city and county attorney, respectively. while in Colorado City, and during the last six years of his residence there he was also president of the Colorado National Bank and active in its management. He practiced as a member of the law firm of Ball & Burney. the first general attorneys for the Texas Cattle Raisers' Association of Texas, and Mr. Burney, now living at Fort Worth, is still one of the attor- neys for that association. Judge Ball made a splendid record by reason of his superior legal talent while in Colorado City, having a large and inter- esting criminal practice in addition to litigation connected with cattle interests of that western district. He is still well remembered in that sec- tion of the country for his able and skillful defense in numerous noted murder cases, in which he cleared his clients, and made many notable addresses to the juries that will probably never be forgotten by any who heard them.
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