A history of Texas and Texans, Part 12

Author: Johnson, Francis White, 1799-1884; Barker, Eugene Campbell, 1874-1956, ed; Winkler, Ernest William, 1875-1960
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 906

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In politics he is one of the workers for Democratic support. During the recent campaign, he was one of the active advocates of the amendment to the state con- stitution, providing for state-wide prohibition, and while the campaign was unsuccessful great headway has been made, and with a view to securing the final elimination of the liquor traffic from Texas Mr. Flesher determined to devote much time and labor to extending the work which was so well begun previous to the last election on that question. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Ma- sonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World, also belonging to the East- ern Star. He is a trustee and steward in the Methodist church and one of the teachers of the Sunday school.

On December 25, 1910, he married Miss May Ballard, who was born in Texas, a daughter of J. W. Ballard. Her father was one of the old settlers of Wise county, having come across the country with an ox team to that region. For the past twenty-two years he and his fam- ily have resided in Swisher county, Texas. To Mr. and Mrs. Flesher have been born one son and one daughter: William James, Jr., born September 21, 1911, and Hen- rietta May, born June 6, 1913.

WILLIAM C. BLANKS. Since 1907 a prominent member of the San Angelo bar, William C. Blanks has been a Texas lawyer for twenty years, and has made a very successful record in his profession.

William C. Blanks was born August 24, 1873, in Maysville, Arkansas, the oldest of the five children of R. A. and M. A. Blanks, both of whom were natives of Virginia. On the father's side the ancestry is Scotch-Irish, and French on the mother's. Before the Civil war both families were large planters and slave holders in Virginia, and the maternal grandfather was

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the owner of about two hundred slaves, so that the result of the war was especially disastrous to his property. In 1874 the parents moved out to Texas, locating at Gainesville, from there to Wills Point. At the latter place the father was engaged in the mercantile business, and lived there until his death in 1902. The mother passed away in 1910 at the old home in Sherman. Pre- vious to his removal to Texas, the father went through the war as a Confederate soldier. He was wounded ju the first battle at Manassas, but after a furlough re- turned to the army and continued through many other engagements until the final surrender. He was a busi- ness friend and associate of Stonewall Jackson.

Mr. William C. Blanks attained his education in the publie schools of Texas, having been a resident of this state since he was one year of age. He subsequently was a student in the Battle Ground Academy in Frank- lin, Tennessee, and during 1892-93 was a student in the law firm of Judge Gordon Russell and W. B. Wynne at Hills Point. His entrance to the bar followed in 1893, when he was only twenty years of age. He began prac- tice in Wills Point, his old home, and remained there until 1907, at which date be established his office in San Angelo.

Mr. Blanks has always been a stanch Democrat and has spoken and contributed in other ways to the success of his party and to good government in bis community and state. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and the San Angelo club, and belongs to the State Bar Association. His religious membership is in the Method- ist church south, of which he is a steward. On June 12, 1875, Mr. Blanks married Miss Julia Gilchrist, daugh- ter of A. J. Gilchrist of Wills Point. Her father was for a number of years a merchant at Wills Point, bav- ing come to Texas from Missouri many years ago. Her mother, Mrs. Kate Gilchrist, is now living at the old home, but her father died about 1887. The four chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Blanks are two girls and two boys. Miss Ruth and Miss Mary are both in school, and the boys are William, aged ten and Olin, aged six, the former also being a school boy. Mr. Blanks has been well pleased with conditions in west Texas since he took up his resi- dence here, and as it is the portion of the state which will have the greatest development within the next quarter of a century, it is his purpose to identity him- self closely with its progress and assist in every capacity to promote the substantial welfare of San Angelo and "all other sections of the state.

JUDGE MILTON MAYS. Many years of experience in legal work has won for Judge Milton Mays of San Angelo, Texas, a wide reputation as a lawyer of wisdom and ability. Of late years the judge has devoted his attention to his duties as a member of the bench, and his success in a judicial capacity was no less than was expected from the record be made as an attorney. Judge Mays bas also taken an active part in politics and in fact has entered actively into every phase of the life of the communities in which he has made his home.

Judge Milton Mays was born in Madison county, Ten- nessee, on the 7th of November, 1840, the son of John M. and Sarah (Fulbright) Mays. John MI. Mays was a farmer of Madison county and a member of a well known Tennessee family. The Mays family were pros- perous planters before the war, being land owners and slave holders. John M. Mays came to Texas in 1849 and located in Rusk county where be farmed and raised stock. Here he lived until his death in 1887 at the age of seventy five years. He was justice of the peace for a number of years in Rusk county and was a prom- inent citizen. His wife died in 1880. There were twelve children in the family, six boys and six girls, an even division and a similar coincidence occurs in the fact that six of the children, three boys and three girls were born in Tennessee, while the other six were born in Texas.

Of these children Judge Mays was the fourth. Their

ancestry was German and Scotch, and characteristics of both these strong races may be seen in the person of the judge. Milton Mays first attended a private school in Tennessee and then upon the removal of his family to Texas he continued his education in private schools in the latter state. He next entered the Cumberland Presbyterian College at Daingerfield, Texas, remaining there from 1857 to 1860.

When the storm cloud of 1860 broke, however, young Milton Mays would have no more of school. He enlisted in the Confederate army, being a member of Company F, of the 7th Texas Cavalry iu Sibley's Brigade. He took part in a number of battles, among them being those of Valverde and Glorietta in New Mexico. He served all through the war and in addition to the larger battles he was in hundreds of skirmishes.

With the surrender of General Lee and the conse- quent close of the war Judge Mays again became a pri- vate citizen. He returned to Texas and taught school for a time, spending his spare moments in reading law. He later studied under Colonel William Stedman Hen- derson and in 1870 he was admitted to the bar. He first began to practice in Rusk county, Texas, and in 1872 he located in Brownwood, Texas. He remained here for ten years and then, in 1882, be came to San Angelo. He has been engaged in the active practice of his profession here ever since and has built up a large and lucrative practice. He has held the office of county judge for the past fourteen years, being one of the most widely respected of the judges of Tom Green county.

Judge Mays has always been a member of the Demo- cratie party and has worked for the success of the party in every election. In 1896 he was one of the electors on the Democratie ticket. His sole fraternal allegiance is with the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons.

Judge Mays was married in 1866 to Miss Mary San- ford, of Rusk county, Texas, and his second marriage took place in 1882, his wife being Miss Aline Standen- berg, of Brownwood, Texas. The judge has two daugb- ters, Mary and Hermione.

JAMES E. GRIMLAND. A long and steadily prospering business career has been that of James E. Grimland of Sonora, and along with success in merchandising he has been honored with official position and places of trust which indicate the confidence of the community in his ability and integrity.

James E. Grimland, who is a Texan both by hirth and by preference, was born in Prairieville in Kanfman county, March 3, 1866. His parents, Yern and Inger (Holverson) Grimland, were both natives of Norway, whence they came to Texas as young people and were married in this state. The father has been a resident of the state since he was sixteen years of age. During his younger years he followed farming and is now retired. He has always taken an active part in public affairs, and has been honored with various public offices. He is a very influential member of the Lutheran church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Grimland celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on July 13, 1912. They not only prospered in the material sense, but reared a fine family of fourteen children, all of whom consider Texas as their permanent home.

James E. Grimland had his education in the public schools and after leaving high school finished at a busi- ness college. Until be was twenty-one years of age he lived at home on the farm, and was thoroughly familiar with all its duties. He then went into a store as a clerk, and followed mercantile lines for twenty-five years in the employ of various firms and at different places. He has been a resident of Sonora in Sutton county for a number of years, and in April, 1911, he established there his present business. He has a first-class store and carries a good stock of men's furnishing goods, shoes, hats and other wares, and does an extensive retail business.

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. In Bosque county, Texas, on New Year's Eve of 1899, Mr. Grimland married Miss Lucy Wallace, daughter of S. J. Wallace of Bosque county. Their family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, are named: Fred C., Lucile, Winona, Roy, Wade, Jack and Lawrence. The son Fred is a graduate of Byrne's Commercial Col- lege at Tyler, and Lucile is a teacher in the Sonora Pub- lic Schools. All the family are active members of the Methodist church. Fraternally Mr. Grimland is a Blue Lodge and Chapter Mason, being secretary of his lodge, and is also one of the local commanders of the Knights of the Maccabees. He has membership in the Sonora Business Men's Club.

Politically he is considered one of the most active men in the Sutton Democracy. As a citizen and as a business man the people have shown their confidence in him by electing him five successive times to the office of county treasurer, and he is now serving his fifth term. On two elections he had no opponent for the office. Among the avocations of life Mr. Grimland gets a great deal of pleasure out of music, and is proficient with nearly every instrument.

HON. ASHER RICHARDSON SMITH, of Laredo, Texas, is one of the prominent young lawyers of his district and gives promise of making a name for himself in the Southwest.

Mr. Smith was born at Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1887, while his parents were temporary residents of that place, but he was reared at their home town, Snow Hill, Maryland. His collegiate education was received at St. John's College (University of Maryland), at Annapolis, where he graduated with honors in 1907. Immediately after his graduation he came to Texas and (his parents being deceased) made his home with his uncle and guardian, Col. Asher Richardson of Dimmit county, one of the largest land owners and stockmen of Southwest Texas. The town of Asherton, in Dimmit county, was founded by Colonel Richardson, and he has since made his home there. He also built and is owner of the Ash- erton and Gulf Railroad.

Having decided to enter the legal profession, Mr. Smith took up the study of law in the Law Department of the University of Texas, from which he graduated in the class of 19II. He then came to Laredo and identified himself with the practice of law here, under the firm name of Atlee & Smith, being favored with the con- duct of important litigation in the various courts of Southwest Texas. Mr. Atlee having retired from the practice, he is now practicing by himself.

In the general election of 1912 Mr. Smith was hon- ored by election on the Democratic ticket as a member of the lower house of the Texas Legislature to represent the district of which Webb county is a portion.

JUAN V. BENAVIDES. Among the members of the Webb county bar probably no lawyer is better known than Juan V. Benavides, who has practiced his profession in Laredo since 1877 and who is the present county at- torney. In infancy he was adopted by the late Santos Benavides, who died at Laredo in 1891. His foster- father treated him like a son, sending him to some of the best schools in the country, particularly those of San Antonio and Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama. After completing the course at the last-named institu- tion, he entered the law department of Washington and Lee University, at Lexington, Virginia, where he was graduated with the class of 1877. Upon leaving the uni- versity, he returned to Laredo, where he opened a law office and soon acquired a high standing as a lawyer, a profession for which he is admirably fitted both by nature and education. In 1909 Mr. Benavides was appointed county attorney, though previous to that time he had served several terms as county or city attorney. He was

elected to the office at the regular election in 1910, and re-elected in 1912, the people thus giving their unquali- fied indorsement to the manner in which he had dis- charged his official duties. In his political views, he af- filiates with the Democratic party, and he has been active in securing victories for that organization at the polls.

Mr. Benavides married Miss Laura Allen, a native of Canada, but who at the time of her marriage was a resi- dent of Corpus Christi, Texas, where their marriage was solemnized.

GEORGE RICHARDSON. Among Texas sheep men and wool growers of the present time there is none whose extended business and success have excelled the record of George Richardson, the well-known wool commission man and sheep raiser at San Angelo. His sheep ranch, located in Tom Green, Sterling and Irion counties, has for a number of years borne a high reputation among the sheep men throughout West Texas. Mr. Richardson has jealously guarded the substantial reputation of his flocks, and as a result there are few men in the country who have upheld the standard of the sheep business more uniformly through a course of many years.

George Richardson, like many other successful men, started out on a small scale in West Texas as a sheep grower about thirty-five years ago. He comes from a sheep country, and his father before him was an expert in the industry in Scotland, where George was reared and trained to his future life work. He was born in Dum- frieshire, Scotland, in 1857. His father, D. B. Richard- son, was a sheep raiser and farmer, and one of the most successful in his line in all Scotland. He continued in that industry until his death in 19II. The mother is still living in Scotland.

George Richardson attained his education in the schools of his native land, and his first regular work on his father's farm began at the age of fifteeu and he con- tinued until he was thoroughly familiar with all the de- partments of sheep raising. In 1879 he emigrated from Scotland, and after one year in Uvalde county, Texas, moved out to Eden, in Concho county, where he was among the early settlers, and where he had a sheep ranch for some years until 1887, at which time he trans- ferred his headquarters to San Angelo. In San Angelo, besides being a large producer of wool, he has for many years been engaged in the wool commission business. In West Texas when he made his start he had a flock of about four hundred sheep. Since then he has directed his energies not only to increasing his sheep numerically, but has laid special emphasis on grading up and bringing the flocks to the highest standard. He has continued this work with great care and efficiency for more than thirty- five years. The stock to which he has given special atten- tion is the Delaine Merinos, and his ranch is famous all over West Texas for this breed. He now runs ten thou- sand head of sheep, and his wool clip will average ten pounds to the head. During the years in which Mr. Rich- ardson has been a factor in wool production in West Texas prices have had a great range, from five cents per pound to twenty-five cents per pound. During the Cleve- land administration, when wool was placed on the free list, and in consequence of the tariff tinkering of that time, wool prices fell to the lowest known minimum of five cents per pound.

Mr. Richardson, besides his large interest as a wool raiser, is a director in the Concho Valley Loan and Trust Company of San Angelo, and is vice-president and one of the large stockholders in the First National Bank of San Angelo. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and has membership in the Presbyterian church. On November 25, 1890, he married Miss Carrie B. Scudder, of Tennessee, Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have three children, two sons and one daughter. D. B. Rich- ardson, the oldest, is now connected with the South Bend Woolen Mills in South Bend, Indiana; Robert S. Rich- ardson is attending the West Texas Military Academy

Ber. Richardson

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in San Antonio; the daughter, Miss Janet H. Richard- son, is in school in San Angelo.

The Richardson sheep ranch is located thirty-five miles northwest of San Angelo, and its fifty thousand acres spread over portions of Tom Green, Sterling and Irion counties. It is watered by Rocky Creek, and by twenty- two driven wells, each one equipped with windmill and large water tank. This large acreage is divided into twenty-seven inclosures, and the ranch is equipped with three separate residences, with a shearing shed and all the improvements and facilities for the sheep industry. As a wool grower Mr. Richardson, almost as a matter of course, is a Republican in politics, and thoroughly be- lieves in the protective tariff. He has served as chair- man of the Republican party in his home county for eighteen years, and is a vigorous advocate of Republican principles. He is vice-president of the State Sheep, Goat and Wool-Growers' Association of Texas.

Mr. Richardson is a Scotchman and of an old Scotch family, while his wife is of German descent. There were eleven children in the elder Richardson's family, and two of the brothers, James and John, are now both employed on the Richardson ranch in West Texas. Mr. Richard- son also has a brother in China engaged in the banking and shipping business. All the other children of the Richardson family still live in Scotland.

Mr. Richardson believes that the Concho country is the best wool-growing section in the State of Texas, and in the entire Southwest. Its advantages in this regard are increased by the fact that, while essentially a grazing country, it is well watered from subterranean sources, and by drilling from eighteen to one hundred feet below the surface an unfailing supply of pure water can always be obtained. In climate also the country is ideal, and it is a fine place for men of energy to adopt as their home.

JOSEPH NETZER. It is a notable fact in connection with the history of immigration to the United States that many of those from Germany become prominent in business and financial circles. Joseph Netzer, a hard- ware merchant and plumber of Laredo, was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, was educated in his native land and there learned the trade of plumber. As a journeyman he followed this occupation in various cities of Europe, principally those of Germany, Austria, Servia and Russia. In 1879 he came to America, and during the next two years worked at his trade in New Jersey and at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1881 he enlisted in the United States regular army at Baltimore, Maryland, and went from the bottom to the top, holding all the different offices therein, and during his term of enlistment was in active service on the western frontier. He participated in the campaigns against the Indian tribes, particularly the Apaches, of New Mexico and Ari- zona, and his company formed part of the force that captured the notorious chief Geronimo and his band. While in the regular army he was in the Eighth cavalry and Nineteenth infantry. Mr. Netzer located at Laredo in 1889 and embarked in the plumbing and hardware business on a small scale, but his energetic habits and fine business ability bore fruit, and at the present time he has one of the largest and most important establish- ments of this character on the Mexican border. In con- nection with his occupation he has given a great deal of attention to the subject of sanitary engineering, in which he is recognized as an authority. Naturally, his knowledge on this important subject has caused him to be consulted on matters pertaining to public sanitation, sewerage, etc., with the result that few plumbers in the Southwest are more widely or favorably known. He is honorary president of and state lecturer on sanitation for the Texas State Plumbers' Association, and an ex- member of the United States Sanitary Committee. Pub- lic spirited and progressive, he has been an ardent worker in every cause for the advancement of Laredo since he became a resident of the city, and he holds the important

position of president of the executive committee of the Laredo Board of Trade for the year of 1913.

In fraternal circles Mr. Netzer is a prominent and popular figure. He is a past great sachem of the Im- proved Order of Red Men, in which order he has served as great representative of Texas in the Great Council of the United States, also a member of the council of the Grand Lodge of Texas; a member of Minnehaha Council No. 1, Degree of Pocahontas; grand vice pro- tector of the Texas Grand Lodge, Knights and Ladies of Honor; a past noble grand of Laredo Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; a member of Laredo Rebekah Lodge; first president of the Southwest Texas Odd Fellows and Rebekah Association; secretary and treasurer of Laredo Lodge No. 301, Loyal Americans of the Republic; a member of Laredo Lodge No. 1018, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of Laredo Lodge No. 1019, Loyal Order of Moose. He is also a T. P. A. After becoming a citizen of Laredo, Mr. Netzer joined the Texas National Guard and his knowledge of military subjects gained while serving in the army of the United States led to his being commissioned captain of Company K, Third infantry.

Mr. Netzer was united in marriage in Laredo to Miss Annie E. Wright, a native of England, and their seven children are J. C., F. S., May, Ruth, Leo, Paul and Nellie.

EDGAR L. HICKS. A man of distinctive energy and forceful individuality Edgar L. Hicks, of Brownsville, holds a position of note among its leading citizens, being widely and favorably known not only as the treasurer of Cameron county, but for his connection as an agent with many of the larger and more important insurance com- panies of the United States and England. The lineal descendant of a well-known New England family, he was born, in 1882, in Brownsville, Texas, which has al- ways been his home.

His father, the late Benjamin Oliver Hicks, was born in Rhode Island, and was there bred and educated. Coming to Texas during the progress of the Civil War, he bought large tracts of land in Cameron county, and for many years was one of the substantial and repre- sentative business men of Brownsville, where he resided until his death, in 1887. He married Annette Powers Impy, who was born in Louisiana. She survived him, passing away in 1902, her death occurring in Brownsville.

Having acquired a practical education in the schools of Brownsville, Edgar L. Hicks began when young to take a lively interest in public affairs, and was soon brought to the forefront as a man of ability and integ- rity. In 1906 he was appointed county treasurer of Cameron county to fill a vacancy, and in the November election of that year was elected to the office. Per- forming the many duties devolving upon him in that capacity efficiently and satisfactorily, Mr. Hicks was re-elected to the same position in 1908, 1910, and 1912, a record showing conclusive proofs of his popularity as a man and as a public official.

Mr. Hicks was engaged in the general fire insurance business in Brownsville, and is thoroughly familiar with its details, and is recognized as a local authority on all matters connected with it, and its many ramifications under the Texas laws. In partnership with his brother, Alphonse P. Hicks, he conducted business under the firm name of the Hicks Insurance Agency, from 1904 until December, 1913, the brothers being local agents for the following named companies: Home Insurance Company, New York; North British and Mercantile Insurance Com- pany; Springfield Fire and Marine; New York Under- writer's Agency, a branch of the Hartford Fire Insur- ance Company; The Royal Insurance Company of Liver- pool, England; Fidelity-Phenix, New York; Westches- ter Fire Insurance, New York; Palatine Insurance Com- pany, Limited, London; Continental Fire Insurance Com- pany, New York; Firemen's Fund Insurance Company,

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A history of Texas and Texans, Part 12

Author: Johnson, Francis White, 1799-1884; Barker, Eugene Campbell, 1874-1956, ed; Winkler, Ernest William, 1875-1960 Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society Number of Pages: 906

Author: Johnson, Francis White, 1799-1884; Barker, Eugene Campbell, 1874-1956, ed; Winkler, Ernest William, 1875-1960
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 906