USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 56
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To. Mr. and Mrs. Balser Hefner were born nine children: Thomas J., who is now county judge at Pecos City, Texas; W. J., of this review ; Mrs. Jennie Gillespie; Samuel D., a stock farmer of Cuero, Texas; Mary, the wife of G. Herder; Loreno, the wife of J. B. Holloway, of Waco, Texas; Maud and Balser, yet at home ; and Mrs. Emma Wolf.
W. J. Hefner remained under the parental roof until 1884, when Vol. II. 27
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he went to Waco and pursued a business course to prepare him for life's practical and responsible duties. Subsequently he secured employ- ment as a clerk in a store at Weimar, where he remained for six months, after which he returned to the home farm, where he spent three years. He then again engaged in clerking at Weimar, where he continued for nine years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings and was thus enabled to start out upon an independent business carcer. In January, 1898, he began merchandising on his own account, removing to El Campo, where he formed a partnership for the conduct of a general mercantile and lumber business. The firm was Holloway & Hefner and a successful trade was enjoyed in general merchandise and lumber. also in farm implements and general supplies. The partnership was maintained until December, 1905, when Mr. Hefner purchased Mr. Holloway's interest in the general mercantile store, which he has since conducted alone successfully. The partnership was retained, however, in the holding of the real estate, consisting of five brick business houses at El Campo and some farming lands. This property is all rented and brings to the partners a good income. Mr. Hefner has abandoned the implement and wagon business but carries a full line of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes and everything needed to meet the wants of the trade. He also has a large stock of lumber and building materials and he buys all kinds of products raised in the country. He is alive to the interests and development of El Campo and the surrounding district and is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, who has been very active in promoting the growth and progress of this section of the state. He has firm faith in its future and is continually demonstrating this faith by the investments which he makes in property and business in this locality. He is a strictly self-made man and owes his prosperity to his conservatism, his unfaltering perseverance and his unabating energy. He conducts his mercantile interests on strictly business prin- ciples and has made his store very popular with the purchasing public.
El Campo National Bank.
In 1902 he became one of the stockholders and assisted in the .organization of the El Campo National Bank. The institution has been founded as a private bank with a capital of thirty thousand dollars, but the capital has since been increased to fifty thousand dollars. The first president was T. J. Poole, who continued to fill the position until April, ยท 1904, when W. J. Hefner was made president. The other officers, how- ever, remain the same as at the organization. The bank has a good surplus with an average annual deposit of one hundred and eighty thousand dollars. They buy and sell exchange and do a general bank- ing business along the lines which are in strict conformity with the highest ethics of the financial world. This institution is recognized among the safe and solid financial concerns of Southwestern Texas.
In 1903 Mr. Hefner also aided in establishing an enterprise of much value to the community-a rice mill. The business was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars all paid up, and the mill has a capacity of six hundred bags in a day of twelve hours. The plant is equipped with the latest improved machinery for carrying on the work and there is
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a large warehouse. The business has been steadily and continuously conducted since the mill was built and has handled annually about sev- enty-five thousand bags of rice. The enterprise is owned by local capital and the officers are W. J. Hefner, president; George Armstead, vice- president and manager; and E. H. Koch, secretary and treasurer, while several other men are also on the board of directors. This has proved to be an excellent paying investment and furnishes employment to thirty people. There is a good outlook for a successful future, as the rice industry is being rapidly developed and the output for El Campo and vicinity for the year 1906 will aggregate about one hundred and seventy-five thousand bags.
Another valuable enterprise which Mr. Hefner has assisted in or- ganizing and putting into successful operation is an electric light and water plant and an ice plant. This was established in December, 1905, and the nature of the business insures its success and will make it a valuable addition to the commercial and industrial interests of the city. Upon the organization of the company Mr. Hefner was made vice presi- dent. He has been among the leading promoters of El Campo and has much faith in its future, believing that there is an excellent outlook for the farming, cotton, rice and corn raising interests and for all kinds of vegetables as well.
In 1899 occurred the marriage of Mr. Hefner and Miss Jennie Krost, who was born at Mankato, Minnesota, in 1865, a daughter of J. P. and Gertrude Krost, both of whom were natives of Germany, but were married in Minnesota, where they reared their family. They were members of the Catholic church and both died in Minnesota. Their children were as follows: J. P., a merchant; George and John, who, like their elder brother, are in Minnesota; Clara, the wife of J. B. Hodapp; Mrs. Mary Power; Mrs. Teresa Borgmeyer; and Mrs. Jennie Hefner. To Mr. and Mrs. Hefner has been born a daughter, Marie, on February 7, 1902. Mrs. Hefner was reared in the faith of the Catholic church and is still one of its earnest communicants. Mr. Hefner is a worthy member of the Knights of Pythias and also of the Sons of Her- mann. He is popular in social as well as business circles and is every- where mentioned as one of the foremost residents of this part of the state. His life has been actuated by an unfaltering spirit of enterprise and as the years have passed he has made excellent use of his oppor- tunities, so directing his labors that splendid success has resulted.
JAMES R. FORGY, a member of the real estate firm of W. C. Moore & Company, operating at El Campo, was born in Butler county, Ken- tucky, December 9, 1850, and was well qualified for the onerous and responsible duties of a business career by a seminary education which supplemented his early scholastic training of the common schools. He is a son of James M. and Mary (Reid) Forgy, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, where they were married and spent their entire lives. The father was a son of Clements Forgy, of North Carolina, and a grandson of James Forgy, of Erin's Green Isle, who came to the American col- onies at a very early period in the history of the new world. He settled in North Carolina and while there joined the colonial army to battle for American independence. He served throughout the long and memorable
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struggle which made this country an independent nation and was com- missioned major of his regiment. He led his men in various battles and to many victories and after the close of hostilities settled again in North Carolina, where he resided until Kentucky was opened up to set- tlement. He then removed to that state, settling there at a pioneer epoch in its history when wild game was very plentiful, when wild beasts roamed through the forests at will and when the Indians rendered life there very unsafe. However, he outlived pioneer conditions and reared his family, remaining a resident of Kentucky until called to his final rest.
His son, Clements Forgy, was largely reared in Kentucky amid the wild scenes and environments of frontier life. In that state he was married and there he reared his family and died. He was noted as a trader at an early day. He also engaged in the manufacture of maple syrup and maple sugar, having an excellent maple grove upon his place. He had to go a long distance to the salt works and he brought salt into the neighborhood, which he sold. At that day it was a very expensive commodity, owing to the lack of transportation whereby to bring it from the salt mines to consumers. Clements Forgy became a prominent farmer, was practical and energetic in carrying on his business and in the course of years created a goodly estate. He did not seek political honors or office but was a warm admirer of James Monroe. In the com- munity where he lived he was well known and much respected because of his unswerving integrity and honor. After his death his wife dis- posed of the family possessions in Kentucky and removed with her children to Adams county, Illinois, where her remaining days were passed and where some of her descendants are yet living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Clements Forgy were members of the Methodist church.
Their children were eight in number: Hildrey, the eldest. died in Illinois ; James M. became the father of James R .; William removed to Dallas county, Texas, in 1847, married and began farming but later was forced into the Confederate service and after going to the front was taken ill and sent to friends in Illinois, where his death occurred; Montgomery is a resident of Payson, Illinois; Perry, was a Baptist minister who died in Kentucky; Ezekiel removed to Nebraska but later left there, after which nothing was heard from him. Eliza became the wife of M. Veach. Lydia married Mr. Thompson, who in 1874 was sheriff of Adams county, Illinois.
James M. Forgy was born in Kentucky, where he was reared to early manhood. He then removed with his mother to Illinois but after- ward returned to his native state, where he was married and established his home. He owned a farm upon which his family resided and in addi- tion to managing that place he engaged in school teaching for many years, being recognized as one of the able and earnest educators of that part of the state. Later in life he figured prominently in politics. He was originally a Whig and afterward a Know-Nothing, stanchly advo- cating the principles of the party. After the Civil war he was a stal- wart Republican and during the period of hostilities was known as an earnest supporter of the Union cause. Mr. Forgy was ever recog- nized as an able and helpful friend of the cause of education and he
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took great interest in young people and their intellectual development. The first office which he ever filled was that of school commissioner, serving in that capacity for eight years. Subsequently he was elected county judge for a four years' term, and afterward was elected a member of the constitutional convention, in which he served with distinction, aid- ing in framing the organic law of the state. Each public position to which he was called found in him a worthy and faithful incumbent. After he retired from politics and all active business he remained a resi- dent of Kentucky, enjoying a rest which he had truly earned and richly merited. He was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church for many years and his life was ever upright and honorable, winning him the unqualified regard of his fellow men. He lived retired upon the old homestead until death claimed him in March, 1895, when he was sev- enty-five years of age. His wife previously passed away, dying in 1888 at the age of fifty-nine years. She was a daughter of Clements and Elizabeth (Clark) Reid, who were old-time settlers of Kentucky and strict Scotch Presbyterians. Her father was prominently and widely known as a farmer and lived an upright life, characterized by the most unfaltering fidelity to the church in which he held membership. He did all in his power to promote its work and advance its growth, and for some years served as one of its elders. Both he and his wife died in Kentucky. Their family numbered six children: Mary who became Mrs. Forgy; Sarah, the wife of William West; Aurilla, who married R. Austin and died in Texas; Moses E., a Presbyterian minister of Kentucky; Lena. the wife of R. Taylor; and Nancy E., the wife of James Wade of Kentucky.
To Mr. and Mrs. James M. Forgy there were born seven children, of whom James R. is the eldest. The others are: Elizabeth A., who became the wife of W. F. Reid, and both died in Texas; M. A., a Cumberland Presbyterian minister of Ringgold, Texas; Clarence, who died in Texas leaving a wife but no children; William E., an attorney at law of Archer City, Texas; Finnis M., who died in Kentucky; and Mrs. Minnie E. Massey.
James R. Forgy was born and reared in Kentucky and acquired a good elementary education. He early began teaching school in his native state and followed that profession at intervals in different localities for many years. In 1869, when nineteen years of age, he married the sweetheart of his youth and settled on a Kentucky farm, where he suc- cessfully carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1874, when he removed to Texas. He then established his home in Wise county, living upon a farm there when the district was sparsely settled. He wit- nessed much of its development and growth and after a time he pur- chased land and improved a farm whereon he conducted business suc- cessfully for twelve years. During that period he also took an active interest in reform politics and studied and advocated populism. He did not care to hold office himself but he enjoyed the arguments and believed firmly in the principles which he advocated. He was once nomi- nated for an important official position but he did not desire to become a candidate and withdrew. He carried on his farming operations until 1886, when he disposed of his land and removed to Archer City. He
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had previously studied civil engineering and become a practical follower of that profession. At Archer City he engaged in the real estate busi- ness and in surveying, and located many homes for new settlers of that locality. There he remained for nine years in successful business and in 1895 he removed to Cuero, Texas, where he established a populist newspaper, which he conducted for two years, advocating the political principles in which he so firmly believed. He then closed out his news- paper plant and went to Wharton, Texas, where he accepted the posi- tion of deputy county surveyor, continuing in the office for four years. During that period he became familiar with the geological strata of Wharton county and the location of the better lands and water ways. While holding the office he also engaged in the real estate business and located many homes for incoming settlers, most of whom are doing well. Mr. Forgy is thoroughly familiar with the country and its possibilities. He knows the best localities for the production of cotton, corn and vegetables and also for rice, for the latter having to be raised in districts where it is possible to flood the fields. Mr. Forgy continues with the W. C. Moore Company, who have offices at Houston and San Antonio and at El Campo. He makes his headquarters at El Campo. The com- pany has extensive tracts of land in different localities and therefore can suit the purchaser with large or small tracts adapted to any purpose. They make their sales on reasonable terms, allowing sufficient time for payment, and by reason of the excellent conditions which they offer they have done much to advance the settlement of this part of the state. Rice growing, which has always been one of the most profitable sources of income throughout the world, can be successfully carried on here. The firm owns large tracts of rice lands and also other lands suitable for different crops. At El Campo, for the season of 1906, over seven thousand bales of cotton were produced and in the same vicinity one hundred and seventy-five thousand bags of rice. These products were sold at El Campo for eight hundred thousand dollars, while the sale of hay and other products reached the aggregate amount of one million dollars. If the present rate of settlement continues, in five years the sales from these products will reach three million dollars. There is no scarcity of water for rice lands and the productiveness of the soil of this district has been fully demonstrated.
Mr. Forgy has been identified with the people of Texas in many localities and is widely known, commanding the entire confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen in each community in which he has lived.
Mr. Forgy was first married in Kentucky to Miss Mary J. Johnson, who was born in that state in 1850. Her parents were John S. and Martha (Howard) Johnson, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. Her father was a successful farmer and was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Both he and his wife were for many years residents of Kentucky, where both passed away. Their family numbered five children: E. M., a minister of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church; Ann E., who became the wife of J. Sharrer ; J. W., a farmer and miller; Mary J., who became the wife of Mr. Forgy; and Frank H., also a preacher of the Cumberland church.
Mr. and Mrs. Forgy had a family of five daughters: Olive A., now
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the wife of T. L. Rowlett; Myrtle J., the wife of D. M. Hardy; Mrs. ' Lilly B. Chestnut, who died leaving one child; Mary H., who died at the age of eight years; and Mrs. Minnie E. Shetton. The wife and mother, who was a devoted member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, died in 1886 and her death was deeply regretted by all who knew her. In 1890 Mr. Forgy was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Schwamb, a widow, a daughter of William Forgy. They had one son, William M. By mutual agreement a legal separation followed and in 1900 Mr. Forgy wedded Miss Nancy E. Cobb, who was born in Gonzales county, Texas, in 1871. She is a daughter of W. B. Cobb of Mississippi, who came to Texas when a child in 1846 with his father, who settled in Gonzales county. He became a leading farmer and slave owner of that locality, where his remaining days were passed. W. B. Cobb was reared to manhood in Gonzales county and afterward married Miss Anna Lowe, who was born in Texas and was a daughter of Benjamin F. Lowe, a pioneer of the Republic of Texas, who arrived in the state in 1837. He first settled in Bastrop county, afterward in Dewitt county and later in Wharton county, where he died at the venerable age of eighty-three years. W. B. Cobb spent the greater part of his life in Gonzales county, where he followed farming. They had five children, of whom Mrs. Forgy is the eldest. The others are Mrs. Sarah Hopkins; William O., a farmer; Mary, the wife of O. Bryant; and Roxie. Both parents are members of the Baptist church.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Forgy has been blessed with two interesting daughters: Mabel, born January 1I, 1901; and Thelma Juanita, born February 14, 1903. Mr. Forgy is a Presbyterian in re- ligious faith, while his wife belongs to the Baptist church. They are both well known residents of El Campo and are greatly esteemed by many warm friends, while the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.
AUGUST FAHRENTHOLD, JR. Business circles in El Campo find a worthy representative in August Fahrenthold, a pioneer merchant of the town and a descendant of one of the old families of this part of the state. He was born in Fayette county, Texas, January 8, 1866, and is a son of Lewis and Anna (Bruns) Fahrenthold, both of whom were natives of Germany, but were married in Texas. The father was born in 1836 and the mother in 1840. He was a son of William Fahrenthold, who emigrated with his family to Texas about 1845 and settled in Colorado county, Texas, where he purchased land and improved a farm upon which he lived for a number of years. He afterward took up his abode in Fayette county, where he again cultivated a tract of new land until he had made it a valuable farming property. He engaged quite exten- sively in raising stock and upon the old family homestead in Fayette county he resided until called to his final rest. He gave all of his time and attention to his farming and stock raising interests and his capable management of his business affairs brought him a comfortable com- petency. He was without political aspiration and took no active part in political work save when he voted at the polls. Of the Lutheran church he was a devoted and zealous member. Always proud of his adopted country, he greatly rejoiced in its advancement and in the work of im-
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provement and upbuilding which was carried forward in this part of the state. His children, all born in Germany, were: William, who was a merchant at Hallettsville, where his death occurred; Ferdinand, who was killed in the Mexican war; August, a farmer and ginner; Lewis, father of our subject ; and Minnie, the wife of Fred Hilje.
Lewis Fahrenthold came to Texas in his boyhood days and was reared in this state, assisting his father in farming and stock raising. He so continued until his marriage, when he began farming on his own account, and later he also established and operated a cotton gin, which proved to him a profitable source of income. Subsequently he became a promoter of the cotton ginning business in this part of the state. He was quick to anticipate the needs of the country in this direction and where he believed a gin could be established profitably he would erect one and place it in operation, thus enabling farmers to get their ginning done near home at a reasonable rate. This, too, by providing a market, led to an increase in the cotton crop, the farmers planting more and more land to cotton, and soon the gin would be doing a good business. Mr. Fahrenthold would then sell out at a profit and select another site on which to carry on a similar enterprise in a similar manner. Thus he became one of the foremost promoters in the business of ginning in the southwest and continued successfully in that line of activity in connec-
Founding of El Campo.
tion with farming until 1888, when in company with four others, F. Hilje, A. Richter, F. Russik and E. W. Jackson, he bought twenty-six thousand acres of land. They paid two dollars and seventy-five cents per acre for this land and in 1888 took possession of it. The railroad had been completed about 1887 and a small station stood alone in the midst of the wide prairie, being known as Prairie Switch. In 1889 the firm platted the town of El Campo and sold lots at twenty-five dollars each. The first house was erected by a Mr. White, and in 1889 Lewis Fahrenthold erected the pioneer gin here and the first season ginned thirty-five bales. The number doubled each year and has continued to increase, although since that time gins have been built all over the county and there are now two at El Campo. In the season of 1906 the two ginned over five thousand bales. The one which Mr. Fahrenthold estab- lished is yet doing business but has been enlarged and improved. About 1892 he sold this gin. The first store in the new town was erected by Mr. Bauch and George Seydler and August Fahrenthold. They engaged in general merchandising, carrying a full line of goods needed by their trade, and in 1897 Mr. Hilje joined the firm, the business being con- ducted under the firm style of August Fahrenthold & Company. They conducted an extensive and constantly increasing trade and their busi- ness was regarded as pre-eminently successful.
Lewis Fahrenthold remained with his family on the ranch near El Campo for about two years and then returned to Weimar, while in 1894 he sold his interest in the ranch and in the town site of El Campo, after which he purchased and conducted a gin at Weimar for two years. On the expiration of that period he closed out and retired from all active business but still makes his home at Weimar. He is a man of excellent
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business capacity and enterprise, of keen discernment and unfaltering perseverance, and his labors have been directly beneficial to the county as well as a source of gratifying personal income. He has lived to see great changes in the county and this part of the state, for Southwestern Texas during his memory has been reclaimed from a wild and unim- proved district and transformed into one of rich fertility, producing large crops of diversified character, while in the towns which have sprung up there are all kinds of industrial and commercial interests, with churches, schools and every evidence of advancing civilization. By careful man- agement of his business affairs Mr. Fahrenthold created an estate abundant for his old age and he justlv merits the success that he is now enjoying. He was reared in the Lutheran church and has always been one of its earnest adherents. All who know him respect him for his genuine personal worth, for the qualities of an upright, honorable man- hood he has always displayed in his business affairs and in all relations with his fellowmen. His wife died in 1895 and she, too, was a worthy member of the Lutheran church.
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