USA > Texas > A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume I > Part 75
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Mr. Loomis was one of the first school trustees of El Paso, active in the development of the pub- lic school system, and it is recorded to his credit that notwithstanding opposition he insisted on school buildings of necessary size and equipment to meet the demands of coming years, which, although seemingly too large at the time, since justified the demands of the growth of the
schools. He was one of the prominent factors in getting the county seat removed from Ysleta to El Paso. For many years he was a member of the city council, and while acting with that body he expended much time and effort in securing the adoption of measures for public improve- ments. He was also at one time a candidate for mayor, but was defeated by a very small ma- jority.
Mr. Loomis was married in 1872 to Miss Laura Joslin, a "native daughter of the golden west," her birth having occurred near San Fran- cisco. Her father was C. M. Joslin, who went to California originally from Vermont as a '49er and was a prominent citizen in Inyo county. Mrs. Loomis is promi- nent in club and society life of El Paso, her beautiful home being the center of much hospitality and of charming entertainment. To Mr. and Mrs. Loomis were born five children: Albert M., Rockwell C., and Ralph Loomis, who are extensively engaged in real estate and land operations in El Paso and the Rio Grande valley ; Mrs. P. Latta, and Mrs. Anna Webb. The death of Mr. Loomis occurred at San Diego, California, where he went to recuperate his health, on the Ioth of March, 1901. His remains were brought back to El Paso for burial and his funeral was one of the largest ever held in this city.
It would be almost impossible to overestimate the value of the services of a man like Mr. Loomis during the years that El Paso was uncer- tain as to its development, the future at that time looking very dark. It required men of strong hearts and much courage to stand by the city during those trying days and maintain their faith in its future. There was, in the first place, the several years' struggle following the first period of development in 1881 (when railroads were completed) ; then came the trying years following the financial panic which swept over the country in 1893, when real estate values shrunk to the lowest minimum and greatly af- fected Mr. Loomis' fortunes and prospects. It is greatly to his credit, therefore, that he passed through those eras of depression successfully and
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was able to leave a nice fortune, to his family
and in 1885 he came to El Paso to accept a posi- when he was called to his final rest. It is said by . , tion as deputy sheriff under Sheriff James M. his old friends and associates that his credit was at all times absolutely gilt-edged and his name was sufficient for anything he wanted at the. banks even in the hardest times, such was his known reliability and business honor. It is a
characteristic of growing western cities where ; acting as deputy for several years he was in 1892 changes occur with great frequency to soon for- get those who pass away, but Mr. Loomis is frequently spoken of in public and private gath- erings as one of the best and most public-spirited citizens El Paso has ever known and one whose services were of inestimable value to the town. His worth was so widely acknowledged, his ef- forts so effective and far-reaching and his labors so beneficial that his death was regarded as a calamity, and those who knew him felt that they had lost a brother because of a strong personality which endeared him to all with whom he came in contact, winning for him unqualified regard and trust.
FRANK BALL SIMMONS, at one time sheriff of El Paso county and now a member of the firm of McBean & Simmons, funeral direc- tors of El Paso, was born in Weatherford, Parker county, Texas, in September, 1860. His father, A. . Y. Simmons, was a native of Spring Hill, Tennessee, and in 1856 came to this state, settling in Tarrant county when Birdville was the county seat. There he lived during the troubles that arose concerning the removal of the county seat to Fort Worth. In 1858 he went farther west, settling in Parker county, where he lived until 1864, and during that period he superintended the construction of the first flour mill of the county. He was a pioneer of both Tarrant and Parker counties, living in the latter district when it was the center of the Indian troubles of the early '6os. In early manhood he had married Mattie Watts, and in 1864 he went with his fam- ily to Houston, Harris county.
It was there that Frank Ball Simmons was reared and educated, and on leaving home he went to Paris, Texas, where he spent six months
White, whose history is given elsewhere in this work. Here he has lived to the present time and during the greater part of the time has been in public office, having only recently retired from official services to engage in business. After elected sheriff and was re-elected in 1894 and again in 1896, thus serving for three consecutive terms of two years each. Following his retire- ment from that position he was sanitary officer of the city for two years and is now a member of the El Paso board of health. His duties as dep- uty and sheriff required him to travel extensively over the country in the early days and he be- came well known as the "traveling sheriff." He had to contend with some of the notorious char- acters that invaded the country at that time, but he was brave and fearless in the discharge of his duties. He has formed probably a larger acquaintance with the people generally than any other person in this section of the state. Follow- ing his retirement from the position of sanitary officer he became a member of the firm of Mc- Bean & Simmons, funeral directors and embalm- ers, and has continued in this business since September, 1901.
Mr. Simmons was married in El Paso to Miss Mallie Dyer, a native of Georgia, and they have two children, Bertie and Mallie. Mr. Simmons, after the death of Mrs. Simmons, which occurred in February, 1899, married Miss Marguerite Mc- Kenzie in November, 1901. Mr. Simmons is a. Knight Templar Mason and has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, to the Elks lodge, the Red Men and the Eagles, and he is a popular representative of these organizations, while throughout this part of the state he has a favorable acquaintance that has brought him the warm friendship of many with whom he has come in contact.
WILLIAM H. WINTER, a well known rep- resentative of the bar of Western Texas as well as of New Mexico, was born in Lawrence, Doug-
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las county, Kansas, where he was reared and ac- quired his education, both literary and legal. His parents were M. S. and Mary (Brooke) Winter, both of whom were natives of Virginia. They came to Texas at an early epoch in the history of the state, locating in Jefferson county, and subsequently they removed to Kan- sas, settling in Douglas county, where they re- sided for many years, but both have now passed away.
Having completed his more specifically literary education, William H. Winter entered the law department of the State University of his native city and was graduated on the completion of the course. He was likewise a law student in the office of Hon. S. O. Thatcher, a noted advocate, friend and contemporary of James G. Blaine, of whose reciprocity ideas he was an enthusiastic exponent in public life. His preceptor was also a member of the well known Thatcher family that has furnished many lawyers to New York. Mr. Winter likewise studied in the office of Riggs & Nevison, of Lawrence, and following his admission to the bar was for two years en- gaged in practice in Lawrence, after which he returned to the former home of the Winter fam- ily in Jefferson county, Texas, settling at Bean- mont, where lie entered upon the active practice of his profession. Early in 1900 he removed to El Paso, where he has since maintained his office and now engages in general practice in all the courts with a large and distinctively representa- tive clientage. He is likewise president of the Rio Grande Abstract Company of this city.
Mr. Winter was married to Miss Ruth Fog- well, a representative of an Indiana family, and they have one son, Bailey Winter. During their residence in El Paso they have gained many friends and won the favorable regard of those with whom they have come in contact. While at the bar Mr. Winter has become recognized as the peer of many of the ablest members, capably crossing swords in forensic combat with those who for many years have practiced in the courts of this district.
THE GRAYSON OIL AND COTTON COMPANY. Grayson county is noted the state over for the diversity and wealth of its products and industries, and although one of the comparatively new sections of the com- monwealth, its interests bear most favorable comparison with those of any part of the state. Its manufactures are yearly increasing, and Grayson county is certainly performing its part toward taking Texas from the list of states that produce raw material principally, and the amount of its finished products is constantly becoming larger and more valuable. At pres- ent one of the leading manufacturing concerns in the county is the Grayson Oil and Cotton Company, at Sherman, which is said to be one of the largest institutions of its kind in the state, and its products and business have cer- tainly increased at a remarkable rate and add- ed much to the permanent business prosperity of the county. Its affairs are ably conducted by men of the highest personal and financial integrity, and its successful management is a source of satisfaction to its owners and of great benefit to the entire community.
The Grayson Oil and Cotton Company was incorporated in 1899, with a capitalization of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and during the subsequent five years its operations and scope have been enlarged and made con- tinually more profitable. The first officers of the company were, president, N. B. Birge; vice president, John Grant ; and secretary and treas- urer, J. A. Stanfield; but the last named is the only one of the original officers still connected with the active management of the enterprise. At this writing the president is Cecil A. Lyon, and the vice president R. A. Chapman, Jr.
The principal operations of the company are the buying and crushing of cotton seed, with the manufacture of its resultant products, and the buying and refining of oils. The various well known merchantable com- modities are prepared from the oils, such as Prime Summer Yellow Oil, Butter Oil, White Rose Cooking Oil, and Dixie Washing Pow- ders. The cotton-seed meal and hulls also
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form a part of their trade, and they export considerable quantities of these articles, al- though the local trade consumes most of the hulls for cattle-feeding purposes. The annual volume of business aggregates over half a mil- lion dollars, and with the increasing demand for the products and the aggressive promotion of the trade into other fields the enterprise is destined to grow still more and become yet more profitable as one of Grayson county's manufactories. The business has from the first been in the hands of men of known financial and social standing and prominence, who have given it their utmost conscientious efforts and made its successful conduct a matter of person- . al honor and pride. Among the original pro- moters, besides Mr. Stanfield, were C. L. Stowe, N. B. Birge, O. F. Wyrick and Thomas Forbes, Jr., all known and esteemed in the business and social circles of Grayson county, and men whose backing and support have been invaluable factors in its success. Mr. Stanfield, as the secretary-treasurer and general manag- er, has the immediate direction and practical control of the enterprise, and being a gentle- man of forceful executive ability and enthusi- astically energetic in his daily work and plans for the future, he has turned the business into its most profitable lines and opened up an ex- tensive field for its operations.
Mr. J. A. Stanfield, secretary-treasurer and general manager of this company, is a Ken- tucky gentleman by birth, having been born in Graves county of that state on June 6, 1853. When he was a boy of fourteen he accompanied his father, the Rev. John P. Stanfield, to this state, their journey being made in wagons and by the overland route, being nine weeks on the way. Rev. Stanfield was a native of Virginia, but was reared and educated in Tennessee. Early in life he turned his studies to theology and devoted, with zeal and high ideals, his long years of active life to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, being identified with the church for sixty years. On first com- ing to Texas he had settled in Hunt county, but a year later moved to Grayson county, and passed the remainder of his life at Whitesboro,
where his death occurred when he was eighty- four years old. The wife of Rev. Stanfield was Mary E. (Boone) Stanfield, and she was a dis- tant relative of the famous Kentucky hunter and Indian fighter. She died in middle life. There were eight children in the family, and four are still living.
Mr. Stanfield finished his education in Gray- son county, and when little more than a boy he went into the stock business. From this he transferred his attention to the handling of cotton, and being successful in this line has continued more or less his connection with the cotton industry ever since. His two brothers, W. H. and L. G., constitute the successful firm of Stanfield Brothers, extensive stock dealers of Clay county, Texas, and their operations also extend into Indian Territory. Mrs. Mari- anna Mayes, the widowed sister, resides with these brothers. The family and its connections represent the early pioneer days in Grayson county, and their varied interests through all the intervening years have shown them to be a progressive race of people.
Mr. Stanfield was married at Whitesboro, this county, to Miss Mary E. Quillin, who was born in Grayson county. Her father, Cam Quillin, is remembered as one of the earliest and most hardy of the pioneers to this part of the Lone Star state. He became a resident of Grayson county at the age of thirteen, in 1836, the year of the Texas revolution, when the population north of the old San Antonio road was hardly worth mentioning and the Indians were a constant source of danger and aggres- sion. He spent the balance of his life as a resi- dent of this county, and in the early days he often had to defend his home from the depreda- tions of the red man, and he and his family be- came acquainted with all the hardships and pri- vations so well known in pioneer times. He was a man born to lead, and his absolute fearless- ness and his skill in frontier warfare and in the conduct of his own affairs gave him a com- manding place among his associates. He holds a high and honored place among Grayson coun- ty's list of pioneers who opened it up to the uses of civilization and whose work made pos-
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sible the present high state of industrial and commercial development in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Stanfield had five children, three of whom died in infancy, and the two living are Jesse and Nellie. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Stanfield is a Democrat in politics and served from 1894 to 1898 as tax collector of Grayson coun- ty. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
HUGH M. COLEMAN, an enterprising busi- ness man of Mineral Wells, who has made a creditable record in official as well as mercan- tile circles, is now at the head of the firm of H. M. Coleman & Company. He was born at Hal- letsville, Lavaca county, Texas, November 16, 1874, his parents being William H. and Cather- ine (Hemphill) Coleman. The father, a native of Mississippi, became a school teacher, following the profession for some years. Taking up his abode in Lavaca county, Texas, he served as sheriff for eight years, proving an able official and fearless officer. He also served in the Con- federate army with distinction during the four years of the Civil war and was once wounded. He speculated in lands to considerable extent, making judicious investments which brought him a good financial return. He was married in Mississippi in 1870 and came to this state, where, throughout his remaining days he was recognized as a man of affairs, his opinions carrying weight and influence in regard to many public measures so that he became recognized as a leader of pub- lic thought and opinion. He died at Mineral Wells in 1887, while his wife survived until 1889. In their family were five children : James H .; William, who died in infancy ; Hugh M., of this review ; Henry L .; and Pearl L.
Hugh M. Coleman was a youth of nine years when brought to Mineral Wells, where he has since resided. He attended the public schools and completed his education in the Mineral Wells College. The first business undertaking to which he gave his attention after putting aside his text- books was that of agent of the Wells Fargo Ex- press Company, in which capacity he served at
Mineral Wells for five years. He was then called to public office and from 1900 until 1905 was city assessor and collector. On the first of January of the latter year he engaged in the clothing and men's furnishing goods business under the firm name of H. M. Coleman & Com . pany. This is now the leading establishment of its kind in Palo Pinto county and Mr. Coleman is a most active and energetic business man, thor- oughly in touch with the spirit of progressive commercialism, his labors being along modern lines of activity that have resulted in the estab- lishment of a business that is constantly growing in volume and importance.
Mr. Coleman was married to Miss Nannie Hanrick, a native of Waco, Texas, and a daugh- ter of Captain E. G. Hanrick. Mr. Coleman is active in the work of the Democratic party, his opinions carrying weight in its councils, and he is a member of the Masonic, Elks and Knights of Pythias fraternities. He is a typical American citizen, watchful of opportunities, prompt in their utilization and through indefatigable energy is steadily advancing toward the goal of prosperity.
JOSEPH DUNNE, a real-estate owner of El Paso, who in the control of his property inter- ests has also proved a factor in the development and growth of the city, was born in Chicago, Illinois, his parents being Patrick C. and Bridget M. (Talty) Dunne, both of whom are deceased. The father, who was one of the pioneers of El Paso, was born near Cloneslee, Queen's county. Ireland, on the 17th of March, 1838, and when a young lad was brought by his parents to Amer- ica, the family home being established in Chi- cago. As the years passed and Patrick C. Dunne attained his majority he turned his attention to merchandising in Chicago, and for many years was thus connected with commercial pursuits, the store being located at the corner of Blue Island avenue and Twenty-second street. Subsequently he became a traveling salesman for a Chicago house and for several years was on the road. He found this line of business very congenial and covered a great deal of territory in the West and Southwest, deriving considerable pleasure
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from exploring commercially new districts. In this way he was often the pioneer in many com- munities, visiting many of them before the ad- vent of railroads. It was this that brought him about 1878 on his first trip to El Paso and he was the first traveling salesman to sell goods in this territory. He was so pleased with the em- bryo city and its future prospects that he decided to locate here permanently, and in 1881, the year in which the railroads were extended to El Paso, he brought his family from Chicago. In 1883 he bought a large tract of land east of the city from Captain French, built a home thereon and installed his family there. This has since been the Dunne homestead and is now included with- in the corporate limits of the city in the district known as East El Paso. It is to-day very val- uable property, being rapidly built up, while that part of the city is growing very largely and de- veloping along modern business lines. The selec- tion of this place shows the wisdom and fore- sight of Mr. Dunne. He was a very prominent and popular man and a leader in the Democratic party. . His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to pub- lic office and he served as county commissioner, as treasurer, trustee and in other local positions, but it was as party and campaign manager that he was most successful. He will be perhaps re- membered best as the pioneer, owner and devel- oper of East El Paso and his name is thus in- separably connected with the history of the city.
It was in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on the 14th of February, 1863, that Patrick C. Dunne was united in marriage to Miss Bridget M. Talty, who was born at Milltown, county Clare, Ireland, January 28, 1840, and died at El Paso, June 25, 1905. She was either the first or second woman to locate permanently in this city. For several years she survived her husband, who died in El Paso, December 26, 1897. They left a family of seven sons and two daughters, of whom Joseph Dunne is the youngest son. All were born in Chicago, and George Dunne lives in El Paso with his brother Joseph, as does their sister Nan- nie, who is now principal of the East El Paso high school. The other sister, Mrs. Kate Stud-
man, resides at Durango, Mexico, and four of .the brothers are doing well in business at Yuma, Arizona,-W. J., John, Edward and Charles.
At the time of his death Patrick C. Dunne left a large estate, consisting principally of his East El Paso holdings, most of which have been di- vided into town lot sub-divisions, and it is now the principal business of Joseph Dunne to han- dle and take care of this property. Thus he is to-day an extensive real-estate owner and opera- tor, and in the development of the El Paso tract he has contributed in substantial measure to the improvement of the city and at the same time promoted the financial interests of the family. A genial manner and unfailing courtesy have ren- dered him popular with a large circle of friends and he has a very wide and extensive acquain- tance in Western Texas.
EDWARD KNEEZELL, architect, El Paso, was born in Pennsylvania in the early fifties. His father was a builder and it was but natural that his son, after completing his education in the public and private schools, should become a student in a prominent architect's office. His op- portunities for blending the theoretical with the practical details pertaining to the business were exceptionally good, and the many intricacies of construction and planning were carefully looked for and mastered. After three years of hard and applied studies he visited many of the larg- est cities of the country and served in several of the best architects' offices, and then engaged in business for himself, which has been continuous for over twenty-five years, with the exception of several years' engineering and construction work with the Mexican Central Railroad. Early in 1901 he became a member of the American Institute of Architects, the highest association of the profession in the country.
The science of archaeology has been of ab- sorbing interest to Mr. Kneezell, and his few periods of vacations have been devoted to visit- ing those sections of country where ancient ruins abound. His visits have extended through Mexico, Central and South America. It was from such a trip of exploration through the
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canyons and mountains of Arizona and New Mexico, far from the beaten trails of travel, where ancient ruins and temples of past civili- zation are preserved in their rock-ribbed fast- ness to an extent that will richly repay those who have sufficient interest to visit them, that he arrived in El Paso late in the fall of 1882. El Paso, with its superb climate, its bustling activity and unbounded possibilities to become a twentieth century city upon the borders of an old and new civilization, appealed so strongly to him that El Paso and the State of Texas was adopted as his home, and since that time he has been identified with its growth. The faith he has always had for the future of the City of El Paso is evidenced by the character and stability of the structures erected by him; cottages, resi- dences, business blocks, schools, etc., have all received the careful and conscientious effort to serve the best interests of his clients. That these interests have been well safeguarded the esteem and patronage he enjoys speaks for his ability and integrity. El Paso cannot as yet boast of architectural monuments, but when it is borne in mind that the taste of the client is often de- plorable and is usually obsessed with theories of his own, which are usually as deep-rooted as they are wrong, the layman can have some faint perception of the worry to secure good architecture. The people, self-made and self- reliant, are advised with an ill-grace. The habit of deference to professional opinion is as weak in Western America as it is strong in Europe. Only architects with experience can know what the demands upon professional loyalty are, and what is required in building a new city in the great Southwest. The large, commodious, well-planned school buildings, the Sheldon Ho- tel and the six-story fireproof office building for the Southwestern Railroad now under course of construction are but a few of the products of his skill of the many business buildings, which, in connection with the homes planned by him, will link inseparably his name with the builders of the destined "Imperial City of the Southwest"-El Paso.
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