USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 57
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In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Fahrenthold were ten children : Charles, who is a prominent merchant of Weimar, Texas; Minnie, who died at the age of nineteen years; August, of this review; Louisa. who became the wife of R. G. Seydler, who died, leaving three children ; Louis, a mechanic of San Antonio; Adolph, who is engaged in the same line of business in San Antonio: Anna, the wife of G. W. Esthenburg ; Ed, who is living in El Campo: and Emma and Martha, yet at home.
August Fahrenthold is indebted to the public schools for the educa- tional privileges which he enjoyed. and in his youth he became his father's active assistant in business. He remained under the parental roof until sixteen years of age, when he engaged in clerking at Weimar and afterward at Schulenburg for three years. On the expiration of that period he embarked in the grocery business on his own account at Weimar, conducting his store for two years, and in 1889 he came to El Campo to look after his father's interests in lands and town lots. He also managed and operated his father's gin at this place and in October, 1892, he married and erected a dwelling house here, in which he took 11p his abode in 1893. In company with George Seydler he erected the first store building and opened a stock of general merchandise, making a good start in business. In 1804 thev admitted Mr. Hilje to a partner- ship and the business was conducted under the firm name of August Fahrenthold & Company. They continued successfully for four years and then Mr. Fahrenthold withdrew from the firm. establishing an in- dependent business venture as a dealer in implements, wagons, binders, windmills and in fact everything needed to complete a stock of that char- acter. Later he accepted the agency for the Pierce Waters Oil Company. also the American Brewing Association and the ice business. He erected a suitable store building convenient to the railroad, and here he employs several men. He is carrying forward his varied business interests suc- cessfully and in connection with merchandising and his agency work he owns several business and residence properties which he rents. He belongs to that class of representative American men who while promot- ing individual success also advance the general welfare and his efforts
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have been a strong and important element in the development of El Campo and the surrounding country. In connection with his other property he also owns lands well adapted to rice and cotton culture and he became one of the stockholders and organizers of the company which owns the large rice mill at El Campo, of which he is a director. He likewise assisted in organizing the El Campo State Bank and is a director of that institution.
In 1892 occurred the marriage of Mr. Fahrenthold and Miss Ida Rathmun, an estimable lady, of natural culture and refinement, who was born in Colorado county, Texas, in 1873. Her parents, H. and Mary (Heinsohn) Rathmun, were both natives of Germany, but were married in Texas. The father was a farmer by occupation and about 1886 located in Wharton county, where he yet resides, being a leading and prosperous farmer who is classed with the representative citizens of that locality and is a worthy member of the Lutheran church. His children were: Mary, the wife of C. Lindstrom, a machinist of El Campo; Anna, the wife of C. H. Ruddell, who is engaged in dealing in saddles and harness at El Campo; Ida, now Mrs. Fahrenthold; Alma, at home ; Fred, a rice farmer of this county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Fahrenthold have been born five interesting children : Ella, born in June, 1894; Lilla, December 15, 1896; Lorena, February 27, 1897 ; Willie, December 17, 1901 ; and Iva, April 12, 1905. Mrs. Fahrenthold was reared in the Lutheran church, of which she is yet a member. Mr. Fahrenthold belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also has membership relations with the Woodmen of the World and the Sons of Hermann. He has served as a school trustee and a member of the city council and has twice been elected justice of the peace but served for only one term, for he is not a politician in the com- monly accepted sense of seeking office. He has, however, discharged the duties devolving upon him as a citizen in the most commendable mariner, but he prefers to promote the welfare of El Campo through his busi- ness affairs and through co-operation in those measures and movements which are intended to directly benefit the town and advance its upbuilding.
MACK WEBB, president of the State Bank at El Campo, his business interests also extending into the field of merchandising and lumbering and into the fire insurance field as well, was born in Fayette county, Texas, November 20, 1868. He was reared to farm life, his elementary education being acquired in the common schools, while he spent his boyhood days in the home of his parents, G. M. T. and Medora (Burton) Webb, the latter a native of Texas and the former of Georgia. Their marriage was celebrated in this state. The father was of English lineage, his ancestors having come from England at a very early day. There were originally seven brothers who came to the colonies when this country was still numbered among the possessions of Great Britain. They settled in different states and became founders of the different branches of the Webb family in America. The progenitor of the branch to which Mack Webb belongs settled in Georgia, and G. M. T. Webb was born in that state, where he resided until 1841, when he came to Texas, settling in Fayette county. Here he engaged in merchandising, which he followed at La Grange, continuing successfully in business there
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for many years. Later he closed out his store there but afterward re- sumed business in Fayetteville, where he continued successfully for a long period. He also owned and operated a farm which he conducted with slave labor, and he was regarded as one of the prominent citizens and substantial men financially of Fayette county. He continued in merchandising during the period of the Civil war and when his slaves were freed he disposed of his store and gave his entire attention to stock farming, which he conducted in prosperous manner through his remain- ing days. He was too old to join the army at the time of the war, but his influence was given to the Confederacy and he lost heavily in slave property and also through the depreciation of Confederate money. He had military experience at an early day, for he served in the Mexican war soon after coming to Texas. When hostilities had ceased between the two countries he returned to Fayette county, where he continued to reside until death claimed him in 1904. He was at that time still draw- ing a government pension in recognition of his service as a Mexican war veteran. He passed away on the old homestead farm and the county thus lost one of its honored pioneer settlers.
His brother, William G. Webb, was a prominent attorney at law and a general in the Mexican war. At an early day he became a citizen of Texas, locating at LaGrange, where he practiced his profession and sub- sequently he followed his chosen calling at different places, spending some years in California, where his fame as a lawyer is yet remembered. He wrote many opinions for the supreme court and was a prominent figure in the judicial history of the Golden state. Later in life he re- turned to Texas and for a long period was a resident of Austin, becom- ing recognized also as one of the eminent attorneys of this state. He was a man of prominence who wielded a wide influence in molding public thought and action, and he continued one of the honored and re- spected residents of Austin until called to his final rest. He also received a government pension for service in the Mexican war.
G. M. T. Webb was a broad-minded, intelligent business man and in his early days was quite successful. Political honors and emoluments had no attraction for him, but he used his influence in support of the Democracy. He was favorably known throughout his part of the state and was highly respected for his sterling integrity and untarnished honor. He was a consistent and worthy member of the Methodist church and also an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity. His wife died in 1874. Her father, Mr. Burton, was a pioneer settler of Texas, locating in Washington county, where he engaged in stock farming. He owned extensive tracts of land and many slaves and the town of Burton, Texas, was built upon a part of his farm and named in his honor. In his business affairs he met with a gratifying measure of prosperity and in all life's relations he was known for his fearlessness in defense of his honest convictions and his sturdy championship of those qualities of man- hood which in every land and clime awaken respect and confidence. He died in 1876 at a ripe old age. The sons and daughters of the Burton family were: Travis J. and John A., both of whom were stock farmers ; Mary, the wife of O. B. Nicholson; Mrs. Jane Hons, Laura (Burton) Norris ; Mrs. Medora Webb; and Mrs. Katie Patton.
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G. M. T. Webb was three times married. His first wife was a Miss Clark, by whom he had four children, Edgar and Leon, both deceased : Arthur, a farmer of Bell county, Texas; and Eugene, who has passed away. After losing his first wife Mr. Webb wedded Medora Burton and their children were: Jule W., a dry goods merchant of El Campo; Mack, of this review; and Lola. The mother died in 1875 in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she was a devoted member. Mr. Webb was married a third time, to a Miss Wilber and their children were three in number: Wilber, now a merchant of El Campo; Mrs. Blanche De Young ; and George T., who is living in Portland, Oregon.
Mack Webb was reared under the parental roof to the age of eighteen years, when he entered business life as a salesman in a general mercantile establishment. Later he became a cashier in a private bank at Weimar, where he remained for two years, and in the spring of 1894 he came to El Campo, which was then a small village recently established. A part- nership was formed under the firm name of Fisher & Webb and a general mercantile store and a lumber business were established and suc- cessfully conducted for three years. The firm then became Webb, Hol- loway & Company and at a later date Mr. Webb retired, selling out to the firm of Holloway & Hefner. Since that time, however, Mr. Webb has again purchased a lumber and hardware store, which he is yet conduct- ing. He carries a large and well selected stock of hardware, lumber, farm implements, windmills and everything needed in his line in this part of the country. He is reasonable in his prices and fair in his deal- ing, and these qualities have secured him a liberal public support. He now enjoys a large and constantly increasing trade and is an enterprising and public spirited man, who labors not only for his own good, but also for the welfare of his city, which he has seen grow to a thriving com- mercial center with a bright future before it. Mr. Webb has been suc- cessful in each enterprise with which he has been connected.
He became one of the stockholders and organizers of the First National Bank and after this institution had become established on a safe financial basis he sold out and became a stockholder and organizer of the Rice Mill Corporation, which is also a successful venture. He has now disposed of his stock in that business and in February, 1906, he became one of the organizers and stockholders of the State Bank of El
State Bank.
Campo, which was capitalized for twenty thousand dollars. Of this in- stitution he was made president and still fills the position. This is a bank of deposit and of discount. They have deposits of ninety-five thousand dollars and discounts amounting to sixty-five thousand dollars. A general banking business is carried on; they buy and sell exchange and conduct their enterprise on strict banking rules, making this one of the most trustworthy financial institutions of Southwestern Texas. Mr. Webb was also one of the organizers of the Electric Light, Water & Ice Company. in which he holds stock and is a director. As the name in- dicates, this company furnishes electric light, operates the water works and also manufactures ice.
It has not been alone in his business interests. that Mr. Webb has
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promoted the welfare and upbuilding of his adopted city, for in other lines as well he has contributed to its growth and advancement. He was mayor in the first council of El Campo but he does not aspire to political honors. He is, however, a stalwart Democrat and influential in the local ranks of his party. He holds membership in the Christian church and is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World.
Mr. Webb was married in 1894 to Miss Agnes L. Snyder, who was born in Bastrop county, Texas, in 1874 and is a daughter of G. A. Snyder, an early settler of that county, where he was well known as a prominent and enterprising farmer. Both he and his wife died in Bastrop county, leaving a family of four children, namely: G. H., who is now a busi- ness man of San Antonio; Agnes L., the wife of Mack Webb; Mrs. Katie J. Fisher ; and William J. G., a business man of San Antonio.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Webb has been blessed with two inter- esting children : Mack J., born April 8, 1895 ; and Eula Lea, born April 27, 1897. Death invaded this happy home November 24, 1900, and claimed the wife and mother, who was a worthy member of the Episcopal church and who left behind her many warm friends, who have greatly missed her and mourned her loss.
FREDRICK W. AHLDAY has done as much for the county of Whar- · ton in the way of general development and public improvement as any one of its citizens. He is now the popular county commissioner. He was born in the province of Westphalia, Prussia, March 14, 1840, and was reared to farm pursuits, dividing his time between the labors of the fields and the duties of the schoolroom. His paternal grandfather, Henry Ahlday, was a prominent farmer with a good estate. He held membership in the Lutheran church and had many strongly marked and commendable characteristics. His children were: Henry, who became a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana; William, who remained in the fatherland; F. W .; Phillipena, who became Mrs. Buethe; and Mrs. Sophia Schultz.
F. W. Ahlday (father), also a native of Westphalia, became a pros- perous farmer and mining expert, and also operated a stone quarry in connection with his other business interests. On one occasion, while blasting at the quarry, he injured his hand and this exempted him from military service in the German army. He prospered in business and remained upon the old homestead until after the death of his wife (who in her maidenhood was Wilhelmina Soetie) when in 1866 he sold all his property and came to America, joining his children who had previously located in Columbus, Colorado county, Texas. In the old country he was swindled out of the entire amount of money which the sale of his property had brought him, so that he had nothing to divide among his children. He lived mostly with a married daughter in Austin county, where he died in 1868. He held membership in the Lutheran church and his life was exemplary in many respects. He had two daughters and a son, Fredrick W. being the eldest. Sophia was married in this state to John Lucko, a farmer, and the other daughter, Ernstine, became the wife of Jochoam Buller, in Texas, a farmer now in Austin county.
Fredrick W. Ahlday, Jr., remained under the parental roof until
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1857, when at the age of sixteen years he emigrated to America, settling in Austin county, Texas, where he worked until the fall of 1862. He then enlisted in the Confederate army with the Fourth Texas Cavalry and was assigned to the Western department. The first battle in which he participated was at ValVerde. He was next at Glorita, after which his company returned to the east. Becoming ill he was off duty at home for a time and during that period his command assisted in the capture of Galveston. Soon afterward he rejoined his regiment, marched east and joined Tom Green's forces in Eastern Texas, proceeding thence to Louisiana. He participated in engagements at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, where the enemy was routed. Becoming ill he was detailed to act as provost guard at Pleasant Hill. Near Pleasant Hill he rejoined his company and made a foraging expedition between Alexandria and the Mississippi river, east of Alexandria, getting supplies of corn and pro- visions, after which they proceeded to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, returning thence to Texas and going into camp near Crockett. Later many of the men were granted furloughs and before the period of their respite had expired the war was brought to a close. Mr. Ahlday saw hard service and returned home with impaired health.
When the war was over he secured work as a farm hand, but found that his health was not adequate and in consequence accepted a clerkship in a store at Columbus, where he remained until 1869, when he came to Wharton. He had saved his earnings and now bought an interest in a general mercantile store, which he successfully conducted until about 1872, when he sold out to his partner and bought an interest with a Mr. Hamilton in a more extensive establishment. Two years later he bought Mr. Hamilton's interest and carried on a most prosperous business until 1893. The days however were not all equally bright, for some reverses came. He did a credit business, buying and dealing in lands and town properties, after the custom of the times, but in 1900 a disastrous storm destroyed nearly all the crops and money was therefore scarce. Then came two years when crops were so large that farmers could not find a market, and collections were thereby rendered very poor. Mr. Ahlday had on his books thirty-five thousand dollars but was only able to collect twelve thousand. His own indebtedness was increased by advancing to the contractor, who was building the new jail, five thousand dollars of the county funds, which led to a law suit, and cost him five thousand dollars.
Mr. Ahlday had been elected county treasurer in 1884 and filled the position for twelve years, when he refused to serve longer. Every dollar of the county funds was accounted for in full and he retired from the office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all con- cerned. He has made it a rule of his business and official life to be reasonable at all times, to compromise rather than to resort to litigation, and has never been sued nor sued anybody in his life. He is yet the owner of his business house in Wharton, a part of which he rents, while the remainder he uses as a commissary department for furnishing the workmen upon his place with all necessaries.
In connection with his son Mr. Ahlday owns an extensive plantation, devoted to corn, cotton and sugar cane, and here many men are em-
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ployed. He also employs many men on road work. About the time he retired from merchandising he erected a commodious two-story residence in modern style of architecture and supplied with all up-to-date con- veniences. The yard is adorned with beautiful shrubs and flowering plants and the house contains a good library and many interesting works of art. Mr. Ahlday also owns much other town property, including both business houses and dwellings for rental, and he likewise has unimproved lands, his investments therefore providing a competency for the evening of life.
Mr. Ahlday has been a leader in promoting public improvements and in advancing the general welfare. He was elected county commissioner in 1896 and after filling the office for four years declined to serve longer on account of his extensive plantation interests, but in 1903 he was again elected to the office, which he yet continues to fill. During his first term he was prominent in agitating the subject of improving the public high- ways and with the assistance of Mr. Carlson, another commissioner, he engineered the work, although there were many difficulties to be over- come. The road tax levy was very low and there was little money in the treasury for the work, but a start was made and an elevated road grader and sixteen mules were purchased, also securing the necessary plows and tools. They now have three elevated road graders and four four-blade graders, with sufficient tools and mules to keep the work going through- out the year, and the people of Wharton county are to be congratulated on the excellent condition of their highways, which is largely attributable to the efforts of Mr. Ahlday and his fellow commissioners.
In 1871, at Wharton, Mr. Ahlday was married to Miss Mary Mc- Masters, who was born at Wharton in 1845, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James McMasters, of Mississippi, who came to Wharton county about 1840, before the county was organized. The father was a well known and leading planter. He filled the office of justice of the peace for a number of years and died in Wharton in 1870. His wife and family are all members of the Baptist church. His children were: John; James, de- ceased ; Mrs. Ahlday ; Flora, Charles, Augustus and William, all of whom have passed away. Of this family, John served in the Confederate army.
Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ahlday. Fred, who was born in 1873, was accidentally killed while hunting in December, 1894. Henry E., born May 24, 1878, is connected with his father in the ownership of an extensive plantation and is a worthy member of the Baptist church. The wife and mother, also a devoted Baptist, died in November, 1882.
On the 4th of September, 1883, Mr. Ahlday married Miss Josephine A. Ford, who was born.in Oregon, July 2, 1849, a daughter of Reuben W. and Mary A. (Lenox) Ford, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Kentucky; they were married in Oregon. September 11, 1848. They belonged to families who were "pathfinders" and pioneers of the far northwest. The father was born in Otsego countv. New York, August 22, 1822, and being left an orphan at an early age was reared and liberally educated by his grandfather Ford, who belonged to an honored old English family. The grandson became a civil engineer and when sixteen years of age joined a government surveying party, sur- veying in the territories of Iowa and Nebraska. He was also an able
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school teacher. Later he joined an emigrant train for Oregon, where he arrived in the early forties. He soon engaged in teaching school and afterward joined a government party making surveys for the land office and platting some of the important towns of Oregon. In 1848 he was married and continued successfully in business until he joined a company of his neighbors en route for California, attracted by the gold discoveries there. He engaged in mining with good success for two years, then re- turned home to his family and again followed surveying. In 1857, by way of Panama, he made his way to the eastern states, landing at New York, after which he visited his birthplace and the friends of his youth. His grandfather had been a patriot in the Revolutionary war, and his uniform is vet a cherished relic in the Ford family. His ancestors had come to America from England, and the family was one of more than local note for mental prowess and business prominence.
In 1859 Reuben W. Ford came to Texas and engaged in teaching in Austin until 1862 when he joined the Confederate army in the Old Men's Department, and was drill master for a time. His regiment did duty at various places on the Gulf coast, but was never out of Texas. At the close of the war Mr. Ford returned to Austin, where he engaged in sur- veying, becoming the first city engineer. He made maps and plats which are yet recognized as the correct surveys, and he also made county maps which were distributed extensively and show him to have been a man of superior ability in- his profession. He was a devoted member of the Baptist church and died in that faith in Austin, in 1901. His wife yet survives and finds a good home with her daughter, Mrs. Ahlday. She was born in Kentucky. in 1829, a daughter of David T. and Louisa (Swan) Lenox, the former a native of New York and the latter of Kentucky. He went from Katskill, New York, to Kentucky when a young man and was employed as overseer on the large plantation of George Swan, whose daughter he afterward married. Mr. Lenox was also a successful teacher. After his marriage he settled on a farm with a number of slaves. Later he sold his property in the south and removed to Illinois in 1829, improving a good farm in Schuyler county until 1840, when he again sold out and went to Oregon with a party of emigrants who followed the Lewis and Clark trail, arriving in 1843. Peter Burnett was captain of the train of about two hundred wagons. On the way the train divided and one hundred wagons under the leadership of Burnett went to California. where he became the first governor of the state. Da- vid Lenox was elected captain of the other half of the original train, which he piloted safely through. He settled in what is now Washington county. near Oregon City, opened a farm and set out the first orchard there. thus demonstrating the practicability of raising fruit in Oregon. He also assisted in building a union church. and afterward. being a Bap- tist, built a Baptist church on his farm. The first religious meetings were held in his log house. and also the first Sabbath school on the Pa- cific coast. The first Baptist minister was Hezekiah Johnson and the first person baptized was Marv Lenox. At the time of the gold excite- ment he went to California and after two successful vears in the gold fields returned to Oregon, where he remained until his death, August 15. 1873. He did much for the state in instituting its moral development
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