USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 14
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On coming here in 1877 he established a grocery and dry goods business with two houses, one in Laredo and the other at Nueva Laredo, across the river in Mexico. His business methods were good and he soon became one of the leading merchants of this section, a position which he has maintained all through the growth of the city. The busi- ness has been conducted under the firm name of A. M. Bruni & Brother
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and is widely known. Although Mr. Bruni has turned over to others his mercantile interests in Laredo, he still retains an establishment of this character at the town of Aguilares, in Webb county, on the Texas- Mexican Railway. Soon after coming here, he became interested in the stock business and in the earlier years of his residence here he was a very large operator in cattle and sheep. This was followed by the cattle business, into which he has gone very extensively. He has sev- eral large ranches at Bruniville, Aguilares and other places, and is one of the largest land owners in this part of the state, his holdings being valuable and his operations in cattle very large. He is also a heavy dealer in hides, wool and cotton and is interested in a cotton gin at Laredo.
Mr. Bruni's success has been almost phenomenal, for he is now rated as a millionaire, but it has all been gained by a steadfastness of purpose, an energy and an industry worthy of emulation. Ever since coming to Laredo his various lines of business have increased in volume and importance and good times and hard times have seen him ever pro- gressing. His enterprises are valuable ones to Webb county and he is known as a man of the strictest integrity of character in the business and financial world. He is a director of the Milmo National Bank and is also interested in various other local enterprises.
Neither has Mr Bruni shirked his public duties as a man and citi- zen. For about eight years he was county commissioner of Webb county and in 1896 he was elected county treasurer, in which position the peo- ple have kept him ever since.
He was married while living in San Antonio to Miss Consolacion Henry. Their children are seven in number, as follows: A. H. Bruni, Maria, Louis, Minnie, Adela, Leopold, Erlinda.
SANTOS M. BENAVIDES, city treasurer of Laredo, is a native of the place, he having been born here in 1871, and this has always been his home, with the exception of the period when he was acquiring his edu- cation in other places. His parents were Cristobal and Lamar (Bee) Benavides, esteemed and prominent people of Laredo, and concerning whom appropriate biographical mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Their son, Santos M. Benavides, passed his boyhood days in this city, although at an early age he was sent to Austin, where he received his preliminary education in St. Edward's College. This was followed by his entrance as a student in the noted University of Virginia, at Char- lottesville, Virginia, in which institution he also studied law. Upon returning to his home in Laredo he was admitted to the bar, but after serving six months as district attorney for the Laredo district, filling out the unexpired term of Hon. Marshall Hicks, he decided to give up law practice for other business. His father was at the head of an exten- sive mercantile business at this time, and the son assumed an interest therein, also being connected for some time with the Milmo National Bank of this city.
Possessing the full confidence of his fellow citizens and being emi- nently qualified for the duties of the office, caused his election, in 1902. as city treasurer. He was re-electel in 1904 and again in 1906, and he is now filling his third consecutive term in this capacity. He brings to
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the duties of the office a liberal education, a trained mind and all of the qualifications which tend toward a perfect administration of affairs, and he proves a most popular official.
He also has other extensive business interests in Laredo and Webb county, much of it being in connection with the large and valuable estate left by his deceased father, who died in September, 1904. His mother, who is still living, is the daughter of the late General H. P. Bee, a sketch of whose family appears in this work. There are ten children of Mr. and Mrs. Cristobal Benavides, as follows: Santos M., Cristobal, Eulalio, Luis, Mrs. M. Valdez, Mrs. Amador Sanchez, Mrs. Dr. Hamilton, Mrs. F. Garza-Benavides, and Misses Melitona and Elvira Benavides.
Santos M. Benavides was married, in Laredo, to Miss Augustina Benavides. Although still a young man, our subject has already achieved an enviable success in life. His unusual natural ability has been aug- mented by a liberal education and he is recognized as a man of ability. He takes a deep interest in the welfare and prosperity of Laredo and has done much to aid the material growth and prosperity of the place.
JOHN A. GRAY, who is filling the responsible position of postmaster at Laredo, is a native Texan, born at San Diego, Duval county, in 1862, and spending his entire life in the state. His parents were Edward N. and Rosa (Garcia) Gray, esteemed pioneers of Texas. His father, Edward N. Gray, was born in New York city and came to Texas long before the war. He was a printer on the Galveston News in its early history and later came to the border country, settling in Duval county, where, for a long term of years, he was a prominent and wealthy stock- man and merchant. He established a store in Concepcion, Duval county, which became the center of trade for stockmen, covering a large expanse of territory in its operations and transacting a very large volume of business. Later he removed his residence to the well-known La Gloria Ranch, which he had purchased, and here he conducted stock business on a large scale for a number of years. Edward N. Gray was a man of firm purpose, indomitable will and great strength of character, and these attributes enabled him to deal successfully with and overcome the no- torious tough element that infested the border country for years. This unlawful element made life and business ventures a most uncertain ele- ment, and the successful dealers were only those who possessed great firmness of character. Mr. Gray's nerve, skill and courage eminently fitted him for dealing with the population of this region, and he was highly successful in his transactions, accumulating much property and becoming a power in this region. Continuous prosperity was his until the bad times of the early nineties, with its continued drouths and finan- cial depression, and this caused him to sustain serious reverses. His death occurred in 1898, while his widow is still living and a resident of San Marcos.
The son, John A. Gray, was reared in both the mercantile and cattle industries, and had several years of valuable experience in Southwestern Texas, as a growing boy and afterward in business with his father. When the drouths and the discouraging financial conditions mentioned above had culminated in such hard times for the cattlemen, he abandoned his previous vocations and came, in 1896, to Laredo, which place has
John Q. Gray
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since been his home. Here he engaged in the retail grocery business. which he conducted for a time, afterward selling out and entering the service of the Laredo postoffice. He was first a substitute letter carrier and was within a year promoted to the position of assistant postmaster. This was followed, May 4, 1906, by his appointment by President Roose- velt as postmaster at Laredo. This rapid promotion from the bottom of the ladder to the head of the postoffice service of a city of the size and importance of Laredo is almost without precedent in the entire country, but it is universally acknowledged that the advancement is a highly de- served one and that the service has been wonderfully improved during the period of his employment as a subordinate as well as during his administration at the head of postal affairs here. From the very begin- ning of his service, Mr. Gray has worked hard, and even now there is no relaxation in his labors, it being said that today he puts in more hours of solid labor than any of his employes. The Laredo postoffice is one of much importance, particularly as it is the only exchange postoffice for money orders between the United States and Mexico, and the inter- national money order business here shows a constant and steady increase year after year. Postmaster Gray gives a business-like administration of affairs, and the efficiency is appreciated by the business element, as well as by the citizens generally. In the spring of 1907 the postoffice will be located in the fine new Federal building that is now being erected in Laredo, a structure which is said to be one of the most pretentious of its character in the whole state of Texas.
Mr. Gray was married, in Duval county, to Miss Sarah Roach, and they have five children, Edna, John, Francis, Lloyd and Alice.
AUGUSTIN SALINAS, county assessor for Webb county, Texas, is descended from one of the oldest families of Laredo and vicinity, the Salinas ancestry running back for several generations here, where the members of the family have been people of prominence and importance.
Augustin Salinas was born in Laredo in 1886, and his father was also a native of this place. His father also held the name of Augustin Salinas and was a well-known and prominent resident in his day. He was a large land owner and heavily interested in the cattle business, while in public life he was a leading figure, holding several high positions of honor and responsibility. He was formerly mayor of the city of Laredo, and at the time of his death, in 1876, held the position of district and county clerk of Webb county.
Augustin Salinas was reared in Laredo and received his early edu- cation here and at San Antonio, attending St. Mary's College in the last named city for three years. After completing his collegiate education he engaged in the cattle and sheep business on the Salinas Rancho, and he has ever since been connected with the livestock and agricultural interests of this section. His present ranching interests are at his place about fifteen miles up the Rio Grande river from Laredo, which is one of the most valuable pieces of property of its character in this section, being completely equipped with fine stock, good buildings and all that goes toward making a first-class ranch of today.
About two hundred acres of the place are under cultivation, and of this amount fifty acres are under irrigation by means of a pumping
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plant which carries water from the Rio Grande river. Here Mr. Salinas has met with splendid success in truck farming, particularly in onion raising, which has of recent years become the most important agricultural product of this region, since scientific irrigation has been applied to the lands hereabouts.
Like his father before him, Augustin Salinas has possessed the con- fidence of the people of this section and he has been called upon on numerous occasions to serve them in a public capacity. In Laredo he was assistant city marshal and was later elected as city marshal. In 1900 he was chosen as collector of Webb county, a position which he filled until the election of 1906, when he was elected to his present position as assessor of the county. To the duties of these various offices Mr. Salinas has brought intelligence and good judgment and he has proved a most capable and efficient official. His private business affairs are also conducted in a thrifty and careful manner and he has done much to add to the prosperity and material welfare of the region where he and his ancestors have lived for so many years.
WILLIAM H. MIMS, who has been engaged in the real estate business in Laredo for eighteen years, stands as a thoroughly representative citi- zen of this portion of the great state of Texas, where he is prominently identified with the business advancement of this region and is highly regarded in a fraternal and social way.
Mr. Mims was born in Tippah county, Miss., in 1840. He was reared and educated in Columbus, Georgia, from which city he enlisted in the Confederate army, April 20, 1861, in Company A, Second Georgia Battalion, Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the four years of the war, principally in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. He was in General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, in Wright's Georgia Brigade, General R. H. Anderson's Division, General A. P. Hill's Corps. Our subject's command was in all of the great battles of the Army of Northern Virginia, excepting the first battle of Manassas, and he was in the general engagements of Gettysburg, Spottsylvania (Wilderness),' Cold Harbor, second battle of Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville, etc. In addition to this active service, he was a prisoner of war from August 16, 1864, till February 14, 1865, and was at his old home, Columbus, Georgia, when Wilson's army came through there about the close of the war.
After the close of the war Mr. Mims went to Montgomery, Ala- bama, where he remained until 1883, in which year he came to Texas, locating at San Antonio. Here he became connected with the banking business of T. C. Frost and remained here until 1889, when he came to Laredo, this city having ever since been his home. Mr. Mims had faith in the future of Laredo, and these hopes have been fully realized. He has seen the city grow from a rather slow-going border town of seven or eight thousand people to the prosperous and substantial city which it is today. All through the bad times and varying fortunes of the place he has remained steadfast to his belief that the city was destined to be one of great importance in this part of Texas, and now he takes great pride in its present substantial wealth and its prospects of a most brilliant
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future as a center in this section which promises so much in the way of agricultural productiveness and commercial possibilities.
On first coming to Laredo Mr. Mims engaged in the real estate business, and he has been constantly engaged in this line ever since, and with almost unvarying success. The present splendid growth and de- velopment of Laredo and the whole of Webb county has been brought about within a very few years, by reason of the good crops and excellent stock conditions, coupled with the application of irrigation that has pro- duced such wonderful results in money-making truck crops, principally onions, all of which has spread the reputation of this region and is bringing an influx of good settlers and investors. In this whole move- ment Mr. Mims has been thoroughly interested, keeping in touch with the advancement of affairs and actively engaging in all efforts to spread the fair fame of Webb county and better local conditions. His line of business has been such as to give him ample opportunity of advancing the best interests of the place, and he has improved these advantages to the utmost, thus benefitting the entire community, as well as himself. All along he has been an important factor, and he so continues to be.
Although never a seeker after office, nevertheless in the earlier years of his residence in Laredo Mr. Mims was an alderman of the city and was also chairman of the committee on public schools, serving well in each capacity. Fraternally he is a Mason of high rank, being past master and past high priest of the local lodges, and at present the eminent commander of Malta Commandery, No: 32, Knights Templar, of this city.
Mr. Mims was married, in Uniontown, Alabama, to Miss Annie Royle. They have two sons, Royle K. Mims, assistant cashier of the Laredo National Bank, and William H. Mims, Jr., who is connected with the mercantile firm of L. Villegas & Bro.
WILLIAM R. PACE occupies a prominent position in the business and public life of Laredo, where he has for a number of years dealt largely in real estate, and he has been an important factor in the growth and development of the place, for his operations have been very extensive and of such a nature as to aid in the making of homes.
Mr. Pace was born in Alabama in 1849, his parents being Virgil H. and Anne Catherine ( Morrison) Pace. The Pace family were in the earlier years of this country Virginia stock, and Virgil H. Pace's father came from that state to Georgia, although he later moved into Alabama, where Virgil Pace met and married Miss Morrison, who was educated at Huntsville. Their early married life was passed in Alabama, but in 1853 they, in company with about 250 other residents of Alabama, sought to better their fortunes by removal to Texas, where they all located in the vicinity of Huntsville, Texas. At that time this was wholly a pioneer section, with almost no settlers excepting the new comers from Alabama, and land was purchased as low as fifty cents per acre. Here the Pace family made a comfortable home and here Virgil Pace died in 1876. He was a most capable man, with a liberal education for those days, and he had been a school teacher a short time. Their home was. in the country near Huntsville, and here the wife and mother still lives.
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Our subject's parents both came from sturdy, long-lived families, nearly every member living to good old age.
William R. Pace was but a few years of age when he was brought by his parents from Alabama to Texas, and he grew to manhood at Huntsville, amid environments which made him self-reliant and of forceful character and positive opinions. These sterling characteristics he has always retained throughout life, regardless of other circumstances or surroundings, and he has maintained these traits to this day. He became a builder and contractor, and it was for the purpose of securing a more extended field for his operations in this line that he came in 1882 to Laredo, which place has since been his permanent home. He erected many of the modern structures in Laredo, his work in this line being marked by reliability and promptness. Later he became interested in the real estate in this city and vicinity, buying large tracts of land both in and out of the city, and his holdings are now so large that he probably now pays taxes on more real estate than any other one person in Webb county. He has always been a successful man in his business affairs and prosperous in a financial way, and his faith in Laredo and her future is plainly shown by the fact that he has invested all of his money in real estate in this immediate vicinity.
One feature of Mr. Pace's real estate business that is original in Southwest Texas, and one that aids greatly in the growth and develop- ment of the place, is his practice of selling many building lots and homes to wage-earners, principally to Mexicans, thus promoting a spirit of thrift and industry and enabling the poorer classes to obtain homes --- d condition impossible otherwise. In this way Mr. Pace has sold many a home place to a poor man at low figures and allowed him to pay for it as he made the money.
Mr. Pace also has the only complete set of abstract books in Webb county, the same dating back to 1767 and covering the ground thor- oughly ever since. This, it will be seen, forms a valuable adjunct to his real estate business and is also of great benefit to the section at large. The whole business is conducted under the name of the Pace Real Estate and Abstract Company, and its operations are very large. Mr. Pace has not only placed himself and family in a position of comfort, and even affluence, but he has also aided greatly in the prosperity of Laredo and Webb county. That he is also a man of culture and refinement is evi- denced by the fact that his private library is one of the finest in the whole of Southwest Texas.
He was married in Huntsville to Miss Annie V. Maxey, daughter of Judge J. M. Maxey of that city. She died there in 1881, leaving four children, as follows: J. Maxey Pace, Mrs. Mary Pearl Burr, Miss Annie V. Pace and Mrs. Minnie M. Derby.
GEORGE R. PAGE. Among the many public officials in this portion of the state of Texas, none have a more extended or a more honorable official record than Mr. George R. Page, who has filled the important position of county clerk of the county of Webb for the past seventeen years.
Mr. Page was born in Vernon county, near Nevada, Mo., thence moved to Garnett, Kansas, in 1864, where his early life was passed and
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where he early began learning the printer's trade. In 1881, while still a youth, he came to Texas, believing that this section offered better ad- vantages for a young man, and in 1882 he located in Laredo, where he has since made his home. Upon his arrival here he went to work as a compositor on the Laredo Times, with which paper he was connected for nearly nine years. He did not confine his attention to typesetting for very long, but filled various responsible positions upon the paper and in a few years became an accomplished newspaper writer and corre- spondent. For a number of years he was the Laredo correspondent for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, the New Orleans Times-Democrat, the Chicago Tribune, the Fort Worth Gasette, the Waco Examiner, the San Antonio Express and other well-known journals, attaining by this wide experience a facility of expression and a wide reputation as a reliable and able correspondent. Training of this character fits a man eminently for many things, and one of them is the performance of duties of a public character, and Mr. Page's worth in this direction was soon recognized.
His public life began in 1888, when he was elected as county com- missioner of Webb county. He filled this office for two years and was then, in 1890, elected as county clerk of the same county. So well has he performed his duties here that at the next subsequent election he was chosen again, and this has been continued at every election since, and he is still performing the duties of the office, which is an important one. In an official capacity he has given matters the same careful and thorough attention that has always marked the conduct of his private affairs, and his natural ability and long experience has made him a most efficient incumbent.
In addition to his official duties Mr. Page is interested in many ways in the business affairs of Laredo and vicinity, particularly as a brick manufacturer. He is the senior member of the firm of George R. Page & Company, manufacturers of brick for building purposes. The plant of this firm, which is a large one, was established in 1898, since which time it has been in successful and prosperous operation, the annual output of the establishment approximately reaching two million brick. It is a valuable industry to both the town and the proprietors. The other member of the firm is Mr. H. Lagarde. In addition to his local enter- prises, Mr. Page is also interested in Mexican mining property which has a most promising future.
VALENTINE L. PUIG was born in New Orleans in 1870, both of his parents, who are still living, being of foreign ancestry. His father, Valentine Puig, is a native of Barcelona, Spain, while his mother is of French descent. They were married in New Orleans, to which city the elder Valentine Puig had come from Spain in 1851. After leaving New Orleans Valentine Puig and his family lived for several years at Mata- moros, Mexico, but later removed to New Orleans and then to Texas, locating in Duval county, in the southwestern part of the state, in 1875, their home being at San Diego, the county seat of Duval county.
The son, Valentine L. Puig, came to Laredo in 1894, and this city has since remained his home. Through judicial business management and wise management he has become one of the wealthy and substantial
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citizens of Webb county, his principal interests being in cattle and ranch- ing property. In most of these ventures he is in partnership with his brother, Mr. B. A. Puig, and with his brother-in-law, Mr. J. A. Ortiz, and together they own a large amount of land in Webb county.
Among their valuable properties is the Pelotes Ranch, in Webb county, fifty miles above Laredo, this consisting of about fifty thousand acres on the Rio Grande, Besides being engaged extensively in the stock business, this ranch is particularly valuable from the fact that, lying along the river, it can be easily put under irrigation and can thus be adapted to the growing of truck crops such as have made this region famous of late, and which have added so much to the material wealth of the region along the Rio Grande and other rivers. In addition to this advantage, it has been discovered that a large portion of the ranch is underlaid with a fine quality of commercial coal of the same grade as has been mined for some years at San Jose, Cannel and Minera, the present prosperous mining camps which are located on the Rio Grande, twenty-five miles below the Pelotes Ranch. These mines are constantly increasing in value and importance, and in future years the development of the Pelotes Ranch coal properties will doubtless be of equal importance here. It will thus be seen that the Pelotes is one of the most valuable ranching properties in this region, not alone from live stock and agri- cultural standpoints, but also by reason of the extensive mineral deposits.
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