A history of Texas and Texans, Part 75

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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FRANK L. CARROLL. On June 20, 1906, death removed from the circle of his family, friends and associates in Texas one of the most forceful figures that southwest- ern lumbering and business enterprise had known dur- ing the preceding forty years. In the development of the great lumber resources of the southwest the late Frank L. Carroll was so conspicuous that his name be- came synonymous with the lumber industry, and for many years he was active head of some of the largest lumber organizations. By reason of his success in busi- ness he was in a position to exert a large influence in public affairs and to contribute generously to the growth and betterment of institutions and the state. The shrine of his memory will always be at Baylor University, in Waco, to which splendid college he was one of the most liberal donors. Many tributes were paid to him at his passing, but aside from the practical achievements of his career, the best words were said when his was char- acterized as "a well rounded life," and when he was proclaimed a "Texas lumber man who tempered his business life with Christian principles."

The ordinary facts of biography can be briefly stated. Frank L. Carroll was born in Dallas county, Alabama, May 25, 1831. He grew up there, was educated in the common schools, had a wholesome training and the in- fluences of a good home, and in 1848, at the age of seventeen, moved with his parents and sisters and broth- ers to Mansfield, Louisiana. Five years later Mr. Car- roll formed a partnership with his father, Thomas A. Carroll, and his brother, Joseph A. Carroll, and the firm built a mill near Mansfield and for five years did a large business as lumber manufacturers. Mr. Carroll afterwards continued lumber milling at Natchitoches, Louisiana.

A loyal Southerner, when the war came on he entered the Second Louisiana Cavalry and made a record as an efficient and faithful soldier. Soon after the close of the war he transferred his lumber interests to Texas. In 1868, locating at Beaumont, which was then just coming into prominence as a lumber manufacturing center, he became associated with James M. Long, es- tablishing the old Long shingle and sawmill. Subse- quently Mr. Carroll engaged in business with Captain W. A. Fletcher, and they erected a plant at Village

Mills, also in the Beaumont district. After conducting operations together for some years, Captain Fleteher organized the Texas Tram & Lumber Company, while Mr. Carroll organized the Beaumont Lumber Company. The Beaumont Lumber Company, which became one of the largest constituent factors in the Kirby Lumber Company in 1900, was a business organization that for years represented the acme of Texas lumbering and was the late Mr. Carroll's greatest achievement in that busi- ness. After he had sold out to the Kirby Company in 1900, he joined with his son, George W. Carroll, and J. N. Gilbert and established the Nona Mills Company, Ltd., operating mills at Leesville, Louisiana, and with the main office in Beaumont. Mr. Carroll was president of that company and also president of the Nona Mills Company of Texas, which had a mill at Odelia, Texas. Mr. Carroll was also vice president of the Nash-Robinson Lumber Company, had large interests in timber lands and other lumber organizations, and was a director in the Citizens National Bank of Waco.

The late Mr. Carroll had his residence in Waco from 1882 until his death. On December 22, 1853, in Louisi- ana, Frank L. Carroll married Sarah J. Long. Besides Mrs. Carroll he was survived by six children: George W. Carroll, M. W. Carroll, W. M. Carroll, E. E. Carroll, Mrs. J. Frank Keith, of Beaumont, and Mrs. Minnie King, of Waco.

The philanthropies of the late Frank L. Carroll were widespread, and the influence of his splendid life through its character and through its practical achievements could not be estimated in any brief article. While the help which he extended to individuals has no record ex- cept in the hearts of the recipients, his contributions to Baylor University at Waco are well known, aud he was one of the most important factors in the upbuild- ing and development of that institution of higher educa- tion. For a number of years he served as treasurer of the university, and one of his gifts provided one hundred thousand dollars to be used iu the erection of a memorial hall. From the university circles and from many business associates throughout the South came heartfelt tributes of respect and admiration for the career and personality of this great lumberman, and it would be difficult to quote in sufficient measure to indicate the strength and symme- try of his character. From a memorial address de- livered by a member of the Baylor University faculty a few sentences will be taken: "In this state, among our own people, the people of the Baptist state con- vention particularly, the name of F. L. Carroll is a household word. You know him well, most of you-a man of simple life and few words, quiet, unobtrusive, modest, never advertising himself as men are wout to, no orator, never posing as leader of the people, a cham- pion of their virtues or an advocate of their cause - never posing as anything, indeed, claiming nothing, boasting nothing, simply living a frugal life; a hard worker, thrifty, with few wants; standinig in the rank and file of men, asking no quarter and giving none; with the love and the pursuit of right, and a prophet's wrath against wrong; his life devoid alike to the outer world, of tragie or touching incident; no learned titles to his name, a plain commoner - what claim has he to a day like this in the courts of the people, singled out as one among ten, ay, ten times ten thousand ? * * *

While his ample wealth would not classify him among millionaires, and while his vocation and activities would not enroll him among statesmen or generals or inventors, or his learning among technical scholars, yet he has well earned in its rarest sense that prefix 'great' in the amplitude of his life, in those qualities that make mil- lionaire and statesman and general inventor and scholar both respectable and efficient, and add wealth and worth and body and magnitude to fame - the qualities of plain living and homely honesty and everyday re- liableness. * * *

"His message for us today and for all time to come

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is bodied forth in the total veracity of his life and in his wide and wise generosity. Honest, every inch of him, never a tainted dollar touched his hands but was sanctified anew; genuine to the core, sincere - I do not use these words lightly - honest, sincere, no sham-man, but God's modest, highborn gentleman. * * * With such veracity and such honesty as clarify the fogs and glooms of time, with the widest sanities of business and religion and their unfailing practice he measured up to the highest standards set for men, and we cannot else but love him well and hold his memory; and, speaking for the faculty, in this building which is a perpetual memorial to his name, we honor him as a man, as a Christian gentleman, as a neighbor, as a citizen, as a benefactor, as a patron of learning, as an example and an inspiration. We honor him for the total veracity of his life, for this building whose grateful service shall fill the future with its helpful memories; but a greater building and a wider ministry than this he has left us, the building, the ministry, and the memory of his noble life.''

The career of the late Mr. Carroll was remarkable not only in the brilliant success which he attained, but in the fact that it was won not by speculation but by rare business foresight and acumen, the ability to forecast the value of projected enterprises. He never failed in any of his business ventures, for the sufficient reason that, guided by integrity of purpose, he never engaged in any project that was not honorable and for which there was not a legitimate demand. His business career was a series of unbroken successes, because his judgment was unerring, his energy unfailing and his will indomitable.

The four dominant principles of his life were said to have been individuality, truth, honesty, will. But above all he acquired the supreme attribute of character-the vital force that underlies all worthy accomplishments, that commands honor and affection, that is the basis of all enduring greatness, that lives on when the earthly tabernacle is dissolved. Men trusted the late Mr. F. L. Carroll, believed in him, honored him. "It is necessary that a man be true-not that he live."

FREDERICK H. KINGSBURY. Frederick H. Kingsbury has served eight years as assistant county attorney of MeLennan county, having given service under five suc- cessive incumbents of the county office, his principal at the present time being John McNamara. His official duties keep him at Waco, the county seat, and that city has been his home since boyhood.

Mr. Kingsbury was born in Oxford, Granville county, North Carolina; on December 2, 1863, and is a son of Russell H. and Elizabeth L. (Gilliam) Kingsbury. The father, who was born in Clyde, New York, in 1813, came to Texas in 1871, settling in Waco, and was en- gaged in merchandising for a number of years until his death in 1890. The mother was born in South Hampton county, Virginia, in 1826 and died in 1908. They were the parents of nine children: Henry P., Williams G., Katherine S., Russell H., Charles P., Percy C., Eliza- beth L., Frederick H. and Bettie C. Kingsbury.

Frederick H. Kingsbury was educated in private schools and in the Waco University, now Baylor Uni- versity, up to the age of fourteen years. At that early age he went on a ranch, spent eight years in that way, and after his return to Waco read law with Judge L. C. Alexander. Admitted to the bar in 1886 when twenty- three years of age, his success has been one of steady and consistent growth from that time until the present. His private practice is carried on in the state and Fed- eral courts, and is along general lines, while he has long served as asssistant . county attorney, the county attorneys under whom he has acted having been succes- sively T. A. Blair, J. W. Taylor, Pat M. Neff, C. F. Thomas and John McNamara. Mr. Kingsbury was for seven years a member of the Waco Life Guards and is

a member of the Young Mens' Business League of Waco.

On April 19 1899, Mr. Kingsbury married Miss Oc- tavia H. Phillips, daughter of J. L. Phillips, a Baptist minister of Waco. They have no children. Mr. Kings- bury is a member of the Episcopal church and is a Democrat in politics. He owns a nice residence in Waco, and it is at home that he finds his principal recreation, gardening being a favorite pastime with him and one in which he is especially successful.

MISS MAID J. ALLEN. It would be impossible for the biographer to write a better appreciation of the life and services of Miss Maid J. Allen, of Georgetown, than those which have appeared from time to time in the leading newspapers and periodicals of Texas. One of the most brilliant women of her day, her personality has been impressed upon the people not alone in the line of newspaper work, but in the various activities of life which make for moral educational and religious advancement. Editors and writers throughout the state have been unanimous in their admiration of her genius and achievements, and it may not, therefore, be inappro- priate to quote from their various notices in placing a review of her career before the public. A short pre- liminary sketch, however, will cover several salient points not mentioned elsewhere.

Miss Allen is a granddaughter of Elisha Allen who was of a line of patriotic ancestors, a Texas pioneer, one of the first settlers of Williamson county, and one of the gallant band under Gen. Sam Houston, who on the battlefield of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, won for the Republic of Texas her independence. His brothers, Peter and Nathaniel Allen, were soldiers of the War of 1812 and his kinsmen rendered valiant service in the Con- federate army during the Civil war. Miss Allen is a daughter of George A. and Susan (Roberson) Allen. She was given excellent educational advantages, and began newspaper work in 1901, at Bartlett, Texas, where she remained three years. At that time she took up work with the Knights of Pythias, as referred to in a subsequent article, and after continuing thus engaged for a year went to Granger and established the Granger News, of which she was editor and owner about two years. At that time she purchased the Commerce Com- mercial, at Commerce, Texas, which she edited for five years, and since severing her connection therewith, in June, 1913, has devoted herself principally to special edition work, although her name is frequently found over poetry, articles and stories appearing in the lead- ing magazines and newspapers of the country. She is a Daughter of the Texas Republic, a Daughter of the Con- federacy, a member of the State Press Association and the Pythian Sisters, a charter member of Granger Re- bekah Lodge, and a member of various literary and social clubs. She was a delegate to the National Edi- torial Association, at Chicago, in 1912, and has served as essayist of the Texas Press Association and been honored in every possible way by the Central Texas Press Association, of which she was president for three years. In 1907 the largest meeting of the association ever held gathered at her home town of Granger. Miss Allen has been a member of the State Historical Association since 1907. Her religious connection is with the Christian church.

The following letter, one of hundreds received by Miss Allen in a like vein, came to her from Prof. J. C. Chilton, of Hill's Business College, Waco: "On retiring from the Bartlett News as editor-in-chief, please, as an old subscriber, allow me to say that the Bartlett News under your management has been a welcome visitor to me every week for the past three years, and that I have always considered it one of the nicest, neatest cleanest and newsiest little papers published in the great state of Texas. You certainly have done a good part by Bartlett. I know not what you may have in view for

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the future but do know that you will make a success of any line of work that you may take up."

The following, from the San Antonio Express, voices the opinion of Texas newspapers in general: "Miss Allen is a fine example of the capable woman in busi- ness. She runs a newspaper and runs it capitally, hav- ing the full confidence of her fellow-citizens and her fellow-craftsmen of the Central Texas Press Association, of which she is president, and who have never failed to honor her when opportunity offered."

At the time of Miss Allen's removal to Granger, the Belton News commented as follows: "Miss M. J. Allen, former editor of the Bartlett News, is now in Granger making arrangements to put in a paper at that place. Miss Allen is a successful newspaper woman and since she sold the News has been connected with the Texas Pythian Banner-Knight, and the Texas Railway and Industrial Journal of Fort Worth, and if she handles her Granger property as she did her Bartlett paper the people of Granger may well congratulate themselves on receiving such a wide-awake and energetic newspaper woman." At the same time the Pythian Banner-Knight said editorially: "The Banner-Knight can testify to all the News says of Miss Allen. She does not know the word 'Fail.' It is not in her vocabulary. Energy and push with business qualities rarely found in her sex will warrant us in saying in advance that the Granger News will be a success." Further comment was made by the Temple Tribune, as follows: "An item of interest to the many friends of Miss Allen, who has heen traveling for the Banner-Knight is that she has purchased the Granger Times and will conduct that paper, changing its names to the News. Miss Allen has worked out a problem without saying much about it. She went into a newspaper office at Bartlett, 'stick- ing type,' and finally acquired the property, greatly improved it, and sold it out at a good figure. She now takes hold of a fine paying business at Granger and it is safe to say that she will improve it and will make ahout as much money as the ordinary mercantile enter- prise. With all these things accomplished, Miss Allen has not grown old, nor has she lost her good looks nor her womanly graces. Some women can do things.''

The Farm and Ranch, of Dallas, Texas, in its issue of April 2, 1904, speaks as follows: "Miss Allen is a successful newspaper woman, owning and editing and publishing the Bartlett News. Poems and sketches from her pen have appeared from time to time in the Household. The News is one of the best papers of its class in the state and enjoys the hearty support of large portions of surrounding counties of Bell, William- son and Milan. Miss Allen is a Texas product, her grandfather, Elisha Allen, having settled in Bell county many years prior to the Civil War. Early thrown upon her own resources by the death of both parents through her tact, energy and mental ability she has made herself mistress of her chosen calling. Though timid and re- tiring in her nature, she has won for herself many friends, and a host of patrons, as is proven by the number of pleased subscribers of the News."

The following extraet is taken from the McGregor Mirror: "Miss Allen is a bright, talented lady, one whom it is an honor to know. She is capable in busi- ness and versatile with the pen. For the past year she has been president of the Central Texas Press Associa- tion, a position she fills with credit to the organization."

In commenting on the foregoing, the Temple Mirror said: "To all of which, the Mirror can say 'amen. ' Miss Allen is one of the two lady publishers who are members of the T. P. A. She is president of the C. T. P. A. embracing some twelve counties, has been presi- dent of the Bell County Press Association, where she learned the art of the preservation of all arts, and since the death of her parents many years ago has been the means of the only support of a large family of brothers and sisters left to her care to educate and clothe. She

was for several months the traveling representative for the Gresham Printing Company, publishers of the Texas Pythian Banner-Knight; it was here that her true worth was discovered as a gracious lady, a painstaking representative, since which time, four years ago, Miss Allen has been at every Grand Lodge convention for that paper. She numbers her friends by the thousands, both in and out of the order of the Knights of Pythias. Such a lady deserves the best the world can give."

The appreciation that follows appeared in the Fort Worth Record: "Miss Maid J. Allen is one of the young women of Texas who has made a notable success in life by reason of her lovable traits of character, her devotion to her duty and her firmness of resolve when she determined to accomplish a given object. And, above all, she has retained her delightfully feminine demeanor, demonstrating that any woman can be of great im- portance in this world and do a noble work for the publie without losing her feminine charm. Miss Allen has the love and esteem of every member of the profes- sion in Texas. She has made a notable success of the Granger News, all of which she rightly deserves, and nowhere are she and her efforts honored more than in the town in which her lot has been cast."

In closing this all too hrief and woefully inadequate review of one of the foremost women of Texas, a few excerpts will be taken from a number of press notices which appeared at the time of her connection with the Commerce Commercial.

"Miss Maid J. Allen, one of the madame editors of the Texas Press Association, and an experienced news- paper woman has purchased the Commerce Commercial and will henceforth pilot that sheet over the journalistic sea. We welcome Miss Allen to this section of the Lord's vineyard and wish her success. "-Ladonia News. "Miss Maid J. Allen one of the popular and successful Madam editors of the state, has assumed charge of the Commerce Commercial and will be its editor and pub- lisher. Miss Allen is a charming editor and successful publisher, and we are indeed glad to see her return to the fold of newspaperdom."-Mineola Monitor. "Miss Maid J. Allen has, we understand, purchased the Com- merce Commercial and will have charge of that paper in the future. Miss Maid is one of the best newspaper women in the whole state, and is extended a hearty welcome to the press of North Texas. She is a mem- ber of the State Press Association, and is well known to the press gang as a most excellent young lady."'- Honey Grove Citizen. "The Tribune is gratified to learn that Miss Maid J. Allen, erstwhile of the Granger News and for a year president of the Central Texas Press Association, will again be a 'newspaper woman' -and that she is in the best sense of the term. She has purchased an interest in and will be editor of the Commercial at Commerce, Hunt county. Miss Allen has a host of friends, true friends, among the news- paper folk of this state. She has been creditably sue- cessful as an editor and published and her personality is engaging and interesting. A brave, capable woman is Miss Allen, and in our opinion the community that commands her presence and influence as the head of its newspaper is to be congratulated. Success to you, Miss Allen."-Waco Tribune.

JOHN A. COOPER. In 1910 the electorate of Titus county chose for the office of sheriff one of the citizens of the county who had spent all his life here and who had long been known as a successful young farmer and a public spirited and progressive citizen. Mr. Cooper brought to the discharge of his duties in the important office of sheriff a degree of efficiency and fidelity such as had made his conduct of the affairs a standard which his successors may well strive to attain.

John A. Cooper was born near Argo, in the northeast part of Titus county, Texas, August 19, 1870. His parents were William and Beatrice K. (Flippin) Cooper.

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The father, who was a native of Tennessee, came to Titus county, Texas, the same year this county was organized, in 1846, and became a pioneer settler in the wilderness region which then comprised most of north- eastern Texas. As a farmer he spent the remainder of his life in the county, and was a citizen whose integrity and character were never questioned, and who always enjoyed to the fullest the esteem of his neighbors.

The present sheriff of Titus county was born and reared on a farm and with a fair education obtained in the public schools at an early age applied himself with characteristic industry to the business of farming, fol- lowing the industry actively until he was thirty years of age. His publie career began as constable, a posi- tion which he held for four years. In 1910 occurred his first election to the office of sheriff, and in 1912 he was re-elected. Mr. Cooper is one of the most popular citizens of the county, and his record has been very gratifying to his numerous friends. Since taking the office of sheriff his home has been at the county seat, Mount Pleasant. He owns a good farm in the county, and is a substantial man of affairs as well as promi- nent in political life.

Mr. Cooper has been three times married. His pres- ent wife, whose maiden name was Miss Minnie Gray, a daughter of R. J. Gray, county commissioner of the fourth precinct of Titus county for a number of years, was born in this county. The six children comprising the family of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are named as fol- lows: Mrs. Kinnie Luke; Jessie, who on the 9th of February, 1914, married Sam Wilson a son of W. F. Wilson, a merchant of Mount Pleasant and also one of the wealthiest farmers in this section of the state; and Lorine, Annie, John Edward and Lester Lee.

J. AMOS FLEMING, president of the Citizens Guaranty State Bank of Lindale, has for many years been actively identified with the sawmilling interests of East Texas.

Mr. Fleming was born in Smith county, Texas, July 15, 1870, and his education,-except that which he ob- tained at country school during the winter months- has been received through the channels of business. He remained on the farm until he had passed his majority, when he turned his attention to sawmilling, at first on a small scale in Smith county. Afterward he moved into Wood county, where he laid the founda- tion for his subsequent business success. To detail the movements by which the smile of Fortune was attracted to him would add little more than personal or family interest to the narrative, so we forhear and give only the salient facts of Mr. Fleming's rather brief career.

Mr. Fleming engaged in the banking business in Lin- dale as the successor of W. E. Stewart in the First National Bank, which institution was liquidated and revived with a new name, The Citizens Guaranty State Bank, with a capital of $20,000. This reorganization was effected in February, 1912, and Mr. Fleming was made president; T. J. Morris vice president; W. R. Ward, cashier. Other enterprises with which Mr. Fleming is connected are the Lindale Canning Company and the Farmers Canning Company, in both of which he is a stockholder; and he has large fruit-growing and stock interests. Also he is largely interested in cotton grow- ing, and is a stockholder in the Lindale General Com- pany.

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A history of Texas and Texans, Part 75

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