USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 16
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Mr. Vela's wife is Refugia (Mendiola) Vela, and they have six children, Nasario, Tomasa, Enrique, Elisa, Alberto and Maria, who are with their parents at No. 403 Farragut street.
FRANK E. SCOVILL is manager of the Laredo Electric & Railway Company at Laredo, Texas, in which connection his labors have been of the utmost importance in the development and growth of this section of the state. It is a universally acknowledged fact that no other one agency or element has done so much toward developing and improving any given
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district as that of rapid transportation and therefore the service of Mr. Scovill has been beneficial in marked degree. He was born at Canaan, in Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1862, his parents being William H. and Mary C. (Dunn) Scovill, both of whom are still living. They are natives of Connecticut and the father was a soldier of the Civil war.
The story of Frank E. Scovill's life is closely interwoven with the history of the electrical industry from the days of its early beginnings in the United States. He is a self-educated and self-made man. Being thrown on his own resources he started out to earn his own living when a youth of eleven years and obtained his education in the school of experi- ence, learning many valuable lessons therein. He was first employed as messenger boy in the telegraph office at Winsted, Connecticut, and thus became connected with the electrical business. At different times he has been associated with the telephone, with electric lighting and electric rail- ways, so that he has broad and intimate knowledge of the uses to which electricity has been put as a practical force in the business world. When the telephone first came into use he went to work for a company engaged in the construction and management of a telephone line and in 1883 he entered the employ of the Thomson-Houston Electric Company at New Britain, Connecticut. Persons familiar with the history of the electrical industry will recall that this was a pioneer firm in the discovery of elec- trical force and its application for commercial purposes in America. Pro- fessor Thomson and Mr. Houston were both young men at that time- poor and hard working with no precedents to guide them but with ambi- tion and energy to carry them through the period of discouragements and assist them over obstacles until their ideas and designs for electric lighting machinery were coined into merchantable products, and the small shop at New Britain, Connecticut, thus became the parent of what has since grown into the great, wide-spreading electrical industry. The Thomson-Houston Company removed from New Britain to Lynn, Mas- sachusetts, where a large plant was built that later was merged with the business of the Edison Company, forming the General Electric Company, with the largest plants in the world for making electrical machinery at Schenectady, New York, and Lynn, Mass.
Mr. Scovill enjoyed the advantage of working with Messrs. Thom- son and Houston and other ambitious young men who were connected with them. He remained with that firm and its successors, the General Electric Company, from 1883 until 1893, when on the recommendation of the General Electric Company he took charge of the electric plant at Austin, Texas. In the spring of 1884 the Thomson-Houston Company sent Mr. Scovill west to install electric plants, after first putting in the plant at Bridgeport, Connecticut. From there he went to Ottawa, Illi- nois, where he finished the task of installing the electric light plant, after which he put in the first electric light plant at La Salle, Illinois. He was afterward engaged in similar work in several towns in Minnesota and Wisconsin and installed the first electric light plant in the Yellow- stone National park in Montana. In 1887 he located at St. Paul, doing similar work in that city.
In 1893, as stated, Mr. Scovill went to Austin to take charge of the electric light plant in that city, supervising the installation of the plant,
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which was to be operated by water power from the famous dam on the Colorado river at that point, the dam and plant being owned by the municipality. He operated this plant for the first nine months of its ex- istence, after which he was asked to take the position of manager of the electric street railway system of the city, the company then being in the hands of a receiver and the street railway run down to its lowest ebb of usefulness, the tracks and equipment being almost useless and the system losing money every day. Mr. Scovill operated this street railway as man- ager for nine years. When he took charge of it the line was taking in about thirty-four hundred dollars a month. When he resigned the man- agement to come to Laredo in the latter part of 1904 the receipts were averaging ten thousand dollars a month. He thoroughly rebuilt and re- organized the railway, its equipment and electrical machinery and made it one of the best and most profitable in the state. His work in Austin during the ten and a half years of his residence there, both as manager of a leading industry and as a citizen was so appreciated that when he left the city the employes of the street railway company presented him with a fine gold watch and the citizens gave him a beautiful diamond ring.
Mr. Scovill took charge as manager of the properties of the Laredo Electric & Railway Company in November, 1904. This company owns the local electric light plant and the street railway, consisting of about six miles of track, extending from the International & Great Northern Railway depot to the Heights and on to the cemetery. This was the first electric street railway in Texas, having been established in 1889 by the Laredo Improvement Company, which in the 'gos went into liquidation. At that time the electric light plant and the railway came into possession of the present company, of which G. Bedell Moore of San Antonio is at the head. In Laredo Mr. Scovill has repeated the success in the man- agement and executive force which he had at Austin. Since the tornado of 1905 he has almost completely rebuilt the electrical machinery and purchased new rolling equipment for the railway, also installed new mo- tors and machinery for a day circuit in the electric lighting department. Since the storm referred to the facilities of the entire plant have been more than doubled and with profit to the company and the convenience and comfort of the public which it serves.
Mr. Scovill is a Knight Templar Mason and in the Scottish Rite has attained the thirty-second degree. After leaving Austin he was honored by Ben Hur Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine by being elected potentate. He is also generalissimo of Malta Commandery, No. 32, of Laredo. He organized the Elks lodge in La- redo and became its exalted ruler.
Mr. Scovill was married at Hartford, Connecticut, in 1888, to Miss Jessie Joslyn, who is the daughter of a prominent lumber merchant of that city. He is a man of genial, social nature and kindly disposition and wherever he has gone has made himself popular because of his many good qualities and has won an extended circle of friends. He has based his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity combined with unabating diligence. He possesses
Vol. II. 8
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strong executive force and keen discernment, so that he is seldom at error in matters of business judgment.
ISAAC ALEXANDER, who is engaged in merchandising at Laredo, is one of Texas' native sons. He was born of the marriage of Samuel and Rosa (Aaron) Alexander, who are still residents of Laredo, although the father has now retired from active business life. He was born in Europe but came to America when a youth and entered mercantile pur- suits. About 1865 he located at Indianola, Texas, on the gulf coast, where he established a store. He was highly successful in his business enterprises and built up a large trade, extending over a wide territory in southern and southwestern Texas. In those early days Indianola was a seaport and a commercial center of considerable importance, outrank- ing all other cities of Texas except Galveston in its commerce at that time. The great tornado and tidal wave of 1875 entirely destroyed the town and as other Texas cities had by this time grown up and entered the contest for trade Indianola never recovered its former condition of prosperity. Samuel Alexander's business and home, like those of all others, were entirely wiped out by the storm, but with undaunted cour- age and enterprise he re-established himself in business in the wealthy and flourishing little city of Victoria and still later founded a mercantile enterprise at Cuero, in Dewitt county. In these enterprises he was con- tinually successful and built up a comfortable fortune. In 1886 Isaac Alexander came to Laredo and was manager of the firm of S. Cahn until the death of the late S. Cahn, when the store which has ever since been conducted under the name of I. Alexander was established-a name which, representing the leading business of this kind on the Texas border, stands for the best there is in the different departments of the store, wherein is carried a large line of men's furnishing goods, clothing, hats and shoes. Only the best manufactured articles from houses of well established reputation and world-wide fame are carried in this store. The name has ever been a synonym for honorable dealing and for straight- forward treatment of the customers and is so continued by the present owner.
Two of the brothers of Isaac Alexander are connected with him in the store-Louis G. and William C. Alexander. He has one other brother -Benjamin M. Alexander, and there are three sisters, Anna, Frances and Mamie Alexander, who are with their parents. Isaac Alexander received his business training in the establishment which he is now con- ducting and has always been known as a careful man of business, alert and enterprising, conducting the establishment in keeping with the trend of modern progress in mercantile lines. He is likewise a director of the Laredo National Bank and is a member of the local lodge of Elks.
ANDREA BERTANI, who is engaged in merchandising at Laredo, where his good business qualifications and capable management have won him success and gained him a place among the leading representatives of commercial interests, was born at Bedonia, in the state of Parma, Italy, January 20, 1851. His parents sent him to school when only seven years old, but being anxious to travel, he did not complete his studies, and at the age of fourteen he began selling goods and since that time has been continuously associated with merchandising. By travelling through many
G. Mertani
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countries of Europe he gained much knowledge and experience, which has made him a well educated man. He has mastered four different languages, which he speaks fluently. Today he has a well trained mind and capacity for business affairs and it certainly redounds to his credit that he has risen from a humble financial position to one of affluence by reason of the inherent force of his character, his recognition of oppor- tunities and his strong determination to win success.
Thinking that he might have better advantages in the new world, Mr. Bertani came to the United States in 1872, locating at San Antonio, Texas, where he clerked for different mercantile firms but principally for the old and well known house of M. Castanola & Son. When his labors had brought to him sufficient capital he opened a store of his own on South Flores street opposite the arsenal. In September, 1881, Mr. Bertani arrived in Laredo. The railroad was completer only as far as Pearsall at that time and he completed the journey by stage. Here he established a small retail store at the corner of Lincoln street and San Eduardo avenue, in which location he remained for three years. He then removed to his present location at the corner of Iturbide street and San Eduardo avenue, where he built his present business block in 1884. His patronage grew and the business prospered until he built up a large establishment, wholesale and retail, handling dry goods, groceries, cloth- ing, hardware implements and general supplies for both the city and ranch trade. The firm name has remained the same, although his son, Eugene Bertani, is now associated with him in the business.
Mr. Bertani has a beautiful residence and grounds adjoining the store on Iturbide street. He was married at San Antonio, in 1880, to Miss Felicita Moglia, and they have six children : Eugene, Maria, Adela, Virginia, Herlinda, and Emilia.
Soon after coming to America Mr. Bertani took out his first papers toward becoming a citizen and has always remained an appreciative and loyal American. In politics he was a Democrat up to the time of Major William McKinley's candidacy, when he became a Republican and has since voted that ticket, conscientiously believing it to be the party that best conserves the business interests and general prosperity of the coun- try. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he has found good business opportuni- ties, which he has improved until he has advanced from a humble finan- cial position to one of affluence.
EDWARD DENIKE, a custom house broker of Laredo, was born at Peekskill in Westchester county, New York, in 1853, his parents being Theodore and Louise (Ward) Denike. His parents, both of whom are now deceased, were born and reared at Peekskill and his father was of Holland Dutch ancestry. In 1878 Theodore Denike removed with his family to New York city and he became one of the original members of the New York stock exchange. Previous to this he had been a lumber merchant at Peekskill.
Edward Denike was reared and educated in Peekskill, receiving his mental training under private tutors and in Peekskill Military Academy. In New York city, following the removal of the family to the metropolis, he became connected with a mercantile house and was so engaged until
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1882, when he came to Laredo, to which point the I. & G. N. Railroad had recently been completed, making this place its southern terminus. He entered the service of the railroad company as clerk and rose by suc- cessive promotions until he had served as freight agent and as passenger agent for the company at this point. On severing his connection with the company he was for eight years deputy collector of customs at Laredo and in September, 1906, he resigned that position to engage in business as a custom house broker, in which enterprise he is still operating. He was one of the originators and is the secretary and treasurer of the Consumers' Ice Company of Laredo, which owns and conducts an ice manufacturing plant, and engages in the sale of its product.
Mr. Denike was married at Corpus Christi to Miss Eva M. Noessel, and they have three children: J. Seymour, Alice and Elizabeth Denike. In September, 1906, Mr. Denike was elected a member of the school board of Laredo and he is a public spirited citizen interested in the welfare and progress of his community. Because of his long connec- tion with public service in one capacity or another he has a very wide acquaintance in Laredo and is a popular man, as is indicated by his extended acquaintance.
WILLIS EDWARDS LOWRY, M. D., engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Laredo, was born at Elkton, Kentucky, in 1870, and is a son of Dr. S. T. and Mary L. (Boone) Lowry. The father was also born at Elkton, where he lived for a number of years, but about 1872 removed to Owensboro, where he resided until 1881, when he came with his family to Texas, settling at San Antonio. In that city he was recog- nized as a most capable and distinguished physician, attaining a high standing in the medical profession in this state. He built the fine Lowry home at the corner of Avenue C and Travis street in San Antonio, where he died in 1890. He had received his medical education at Jef- ferson Medical College in Philadelphia and remained a student through- out his entire life, constantly broadening his knowledge and promoting his efficiency by reading and investigation. His wife, who is still living, is a grandniece of the noted Kentucky pioneer, Daniel Boone.
Dr. Willis E. Lowry was only ten years of age when the family re- moved to San Antonio. He was reared and partially educated in that city, although he supplemented his early school privileges by attendance at the state university at Austin. He received his medical education in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore and was graduated in the class of 1892. He then went to the City of Mexico, where he en- gaged in the practice of medicine for several years and for some time was in charge of the Mexican National Railway Hospital in that city. In 1901 he located in Laredo, where he has since made his home. He is now engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery and a liberal patronage is accorded him, for his skill and ability have become recog- nized. He maintains a high standard of professional ethics and has shown the power to cope with the complex and intricate problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and prolong life. He is now the acting state health officer at Laredo and is a member of the County, State and American medical associations.
Dr. Lowry was married in Laredo to Miss Josephine Steffian, and
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they have three children: Willis Edwards, Joseph and Daniel Boone. The Doctor and his wife are prominent socially and enjoy the hospi- tality of the best homes of this place.
DAVID DARWIN DAVIS has been the leading factor in the discovery and development of the mining industry in Webb county, his training and natural ability eminently fitting him for the important position he now occupies. Mr. Davis was born in Wales in 1855, of maternal an- cestry which was connected with the Darwin family from which the noted scientist of that name sprung. The great industry in his native country of Wales was coal mining and it was in this business that he was reared. It is, then, natural that he should have followed this line more or less all through life and that he should attain success therein. In 1872, when yet under eighteen years of age, he came to the United States, where he travelled first through Pennsylvania, and then locating in Ohio, in the Akron vicinity, and living for a few years at Cuyahoga Falls. About 1880 he started on a trip through the west, prospecting mainly for coal, and on this mission he travelled through Colorado, New Mexico and the staked plains of northwestern Texas. Early in 1882 he pros- pected along the Rio Grande, between Laredo and Eagle Pass, Texas, and discovered and located the coal veins in Webb county, which were soon thereafter developed by the eastern capitalists for whom Mr. Davis was prospecting. This discovery has since developed into the important coal mining camps of Cannel, San Jose and Minera.
Coal Mines.
The mines at Cannel and San Jose are owned and operated by the Cannel Coal Company, of which C. B. Wright, of Philadelphia, is presi- dent and Mr. Davis is superintendent. The company employs about 500 men and the output is from 250 to 500 tons per diem at present. This output is insufficient to meet the demands and it will be largely in- creased after the completion of two new shafts which it is expected will soon be constructed. The product of this company's mines is shipped principally to Mexico, where it is used largely for steam and gas making purposes. During the first year of the operation of the mines, 1882, the coal was hauled to Laredo, a distance of 26 miles, in wagons, but the completion of the Rio Grande & Eagle Pass Railroad, from Laredo to Cannel and to Minera, made an easy outlet and greatly facilitated the development of the mines. They are now a very valuable property and add much in the operation to the material wealth of Webb county.
Although Mr. Davis devotes nearly all of his time and attention to the mines, nevertheless he has numerous outside interests, among them an onion farm which is managed by a tenant. In 1898 Mr. Davis was elected county commissioner for Webb county, a position in which he has been retained by successive elections ever since. His office and head- quarters are at Cannel, which bears the postoffice name of Darwin.
Mr. Davis was first married to Miss Elizabeth Thomas, of Akron, Ohio, daughter of parents who were old settlers of that vicinity. She died in 1887, leaving four sons, John, Reuben W., Miles G. and William. Subsequently he was united in marriage with Margaret Reid, a native of
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Missouri, and they have eight children, Maggie, Anna, David D., Joseph, Dorothy, Hyacinthe, Balfour and Josephine.
The second son, Reuben W. Davis, is the mining engineer of the Cannel Coal Company, also engineer for the Rio Grande & Eagle Pass Railroad. He was born at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and received a first- class training for the profession of civil, mining and electrical engineer- ing. His education was most complete and he studied mathematics and elementary engineering at Leland Stanford University, California, and with the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Penna. He then matriculated at Columbia University, New York, in the engineer- ing department, and specializing in geology, graduating here in 1904. Through further study of practical methods in the mines and great in- dustrial plants of Pittsburg, Pa., and his work and experience since be- coming mining engineer for the Cannel Coal Company, he has become especially well equipped for solving the various problems of mining opera- tion and in mining machinery, electrical and compressed air haulage, in which he has been eminently successful. The other three sons also hold responsible positions with the Cannel Coal Company.
A. J. EISTETTER. The industrial interests of Laredo find a worthy representative in "Jack" Eistetter, a contractor and builder who in the line of his chosen occupation has done much for the improvement of the city in which he now resides. He was born in New Orleans in 1855 and there remained through the period of his minority. He learned the trade of a carpenter and builder there, his father, who was a native of Germany, having also been a contractor. In 1875 the family removed to Biloxi, Mississippi, where Mr. Eistetter remained until 1882, when he came to Texas, locating at Laredo. Here he has resided continuously since, suc- cessfully carrying on business as a contractor and builder, during which time he has put up a large number of the buildings, both business blocks and private structures, that adorn the city and help to make it attrac- tive. On all sides may be seen evidences of his skill and handiwork, in- cluding the Deutz hardware store, Hotel Hamilton, the Episcopal church, the large building at the corner of Market plaza and Hidalgo street now occupied by Richter's store, the Martin block, the Orfila residence, the Sames-Moore block, the residence of Colonel C. G. Brewster, of Mrs. Kennedy, Miles T. Cogley, John T. Murphy and many others. Mr. Eistetter's thorough honesty and straightforward dealing in all of his business relations, together with his known ability and long experience as a builder and contractor, have brought him a reputation that is an invaluable asset of his business, and for this reason he enjoys the patron- age and confidence of the public to such an extent that his business has made him financially independent.
Mr. Eistetter was married in 1889 to Miss Mary Meehan, who was born in Louisiana and was educated in San Antonio but gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Eistetter in Laredo. They now have five children : Leo. Henry, Estelle, Frank and Patrick. Fraternally Mr. Eistetter is con- nected with the Knights of Columbus and the Woodmen of the World. He has been quite prominent in political circles and was a member of the city council from 1887 until 1890, acting a part of that time as mayor pro tem. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the com-
Nye isteller.
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munity and has given loyal support to many plans and measures for the general good. He owns a pretty home with every convenience and com- fort that go to make life worth living and in addition to this property has a valuable ranch of twenty-one hundred acres seven miles east of the city, where he carries on diversified farming. He has done much toward developing the agricultural resources of the Laredo country by experi- menting with and raising various kinds of crops and in this he has had much success. His labors have been guided by sound judgment and have displayed practical methods, and in agricultural lines as well as in build- ing operations he is recognized as a leader.
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