History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families, Part 54

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895
Number of Pages: 1532

USA > Texas > Harris County > Houston > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 54
USA > Texas > Galveston County > Galveston > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of the cities of Houston and Galveston; containing a concise history of the state, with protraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named cities, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 54

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OUIS M. RICH .- The subject of this sketch is a native of Prussia, born in the town of Forden, Sep- tember 4, 1833. His parents were Benjamin and Fannie Rich, plain, industri- ous, good people of moderate means. Louis, being one of a family of ten children, was early thrown on his own resources, and, at tlie age of twelve, left his native village and went to Berlin, where he became apprenticed to the trade of a printer. His early educa- tion was obtained mostly at the "case," supplemented by the reading habit, which he formed soon after he learned to read. He was not exactly a student of social science, nor of governmental theories, in his youth, but was a thoughtful observer of the practi- cal workings of government, and having had brought forcibly to his mind some of the deficiencies of the system under which he was reared, he began even in his boyhood and youth to read descriptive articles of other countries, and the workings of their governments, withi respect especially to the humbler class of citizens. Actuated by a desire to improve his condition and to make his home in a land of greater personal liberty he went at the age of eighteen to London, where he secured work at his trade and set himself to the task of master- ing the English language. In the mean- time he continued liis researches among the books and newspapers, and, having had his attention fixed on America, prosecuted his inquiries diligently concerning this country and the opportunities it offered to young men in his condition. Being pleased and encouraged with what he heard of it he finally made up his mind to cross the waters and try his fortunes in the New World. He sailed from Liverpool for New York, whence he went to New Orleans, where he made his

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first permanent stop after arriving in this country. For six years he worked as a compositor on the Picayune and Daily Delta until March, 1857. At that date he came to Houston, having been brought here for the purpose of superintend- ing the getting out of Taylor's Monitor, then in course of preparation in the office of the Tri-Weekly Telegraph. Mr. Rich su- pervised the issuing of this work for the press, which was the first Masonic guide-book ever published in Texas, and in the meantime and subsequently up to the opening of the war worked at his trade both on the Weekly Republic and the Tri-Weekly Telegraph of Houston. When hostilities came on be- tween the North and South, yielding to his sympathy for the cause of the Southern people, he entered the Confederate army early in 1861, enlisting in Turner's Rifles, with which cominand he served along the Gulf coast until honorably discharged.

At the close of the war Mr. Rich married and settled in Houston, engaged in the wholesale grocery business, under the firm name of L. M. Rich & Company. Later he disposed of this interest, and engaged in the wholesale clothing business, as a member of the firm of Burke, Rich & Company, subse- quently acquiring entire control of this busi- ness, which he conducted until 1887. At that time, having accumulated considerable wealth, he withdrew from active business pursuits, and has since devoted his time and attention to his large real-estate holdings and other investments. Mr. Rich, although he makes no boast of it, is really one of Houston's wealthy men. He began pur- chasing real estate in the city some years ago, picking up choice pieces of property, as he could spare the means from his business. Extending his operations in this direction he

has come to own a large amount of property in Houston, and, while under his judicious management it is constantly increasing in volume to his own enrichment, it is also adding to the commonwealth of the com- munity in the easily understood form of taxable values. In all things affecting the prosperity and welfare of Houston, Mr. Rich has always exhibited a commendable inter- est.

He is of a quiet, retiring disposition, temperate in habits, liberal, earnest and active, one in whom the domestic virtues preponderate, and who easily makes friends, and firinly holds them when once made.

August 10, 1865, Mr. Rich married Mrs. Fredrika Jacobs (née Coleman), a native of Magilna, West Prussia, but, at the time of her marriage, a resident of Houston, and a sister of Isaac Coleman, an old settler of this place. Three children have been born to this union, two daughters and one son, one daughter, Mrs. A. S. Fox, being of the first marriage. Blanch is the wife of Charles D. Wolf, of Houston; while the youngest, Pearl, and the son, Benjamin M., remain with their parents.

Mrs. Rich, in the restricted field of labor open to her, has been quite as active as her husband, and has, in her own way, achieved quite as substantial results. She is one of the best known charity workers among the ladies of Houston. For fifteen years she has been president of the Hebrew Benefit Society, of this city, and is a member of the Hebrew Aid Society, the Faith Home, and of Bradfore Chapter of the Eastern Star, in all of which she manifests a deep interest and takes an active and earnest part.

Mr. Rich has been a Mason for many years, -a Master Mason of Holland Lodge, No. 1, Houston, Texas. . He is also a mem-

IRMorris

عدس

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

ber of the Hebrew order, B'nai B'rith, Lone Star Lodge, No. 210, Houston, and was a charter member of Fire Company No. 2, which was the second organization of the kind in the city of Houston, of which he was for a long time president and secretary.

In religion, while lie adlieres to the faith of his fathers, he is liberal in his views, and a great respecter of the religions faith of anyone who is sincere in his belief and con- sistent in his professions, -purity, benevo- lence, friendship, charity for the faults of others, and frankness in acknowledging one's own. These are the fruits for which lic looks in all creeds, and, finding them, he cares but little for forins; but, without these, ; and, especially, without an abiding faith in a Supreme Being, from which faith these things flow, he can not see how man can answer any intelligent purpose, or accomplish any lasting good.

Carrying the old English idea that "a inan's home is his castle," one step further, Mr. Rich believes that it is also his sanctu- ary, the fountain of all the best virtues that spring in one's nature, the secret source of all the higher impulses of the soul; and his home, perhaps, comes as near being this to him as any man's ever did.

J OSEPH ROBERT MORRIS .- If a lad were seen going voluntarily to a tradesinan to apprentice himself to a useful calling at an age when most lads are objects of parental care; if he were seen undertaking the support of an infirm father, mother, two younger brothers and a sister before he had completed the articles of his indenture; if he were again seen 2,000 miles from the place of his birth in a new country struggling for a footing which he 20

secured; and were then seen rising to a posi- tion of prominence in the world of business and finance; then filling a useful place in the law-making bodies of his adopted State, amassing wealtlı, and in death leaving an hon- orable name and the visible marks of his .

character upon the interests and industries where he lived, it might be worth while to in- quire what were the inherent qualities of mind and heart possessed by that lad, youth and man that enabled him to succeed where so many others fail, and to bring out for the benefit of those similarly situated the useful lessons of his life.

Joseph Robert Morris, the subject of this memoir, was born in Milton, Connecti- cut, April 24, 1828, and spent his early years in his native place. Belonging to a family in but moderate circumstances, his education was only such as could be obtained at the local schools, and this before he attained his fourteenth year. He learned the trade of tinner in New Haven, and it seemed that his intention was to establish himself at his trade in his native place. But the feeble condition of his father's health, aggravated by the unexpected death of his mother, led to the breaking up of the home and to the removal of the father to the South, accompanied by two younger sons, Samuel and George, in search of a restora- tion of health. Joseph R. cheerfully took upon himself the expenses of the removal, and Texas was the place to which they decided to go. In order to assist his father and brothers in establishing themselves in the new country and helping in their own support, the young tinner made up a lot of tinware, which they were to bring with them. They came in the early '40s, probable in 1845, and settled at Bastrop. The country was then entering on a period of considerable

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commercial activity, and it appeared that there was a reasonable assurance of success for the small venture; but on account of the growing infirmities of the father and the ex- treme youth and inexperience of the sons, it did not prove successful; the store in fact never became self-sustaining, but constantly drew on the earnings of Joseph R., who re- mained in Connecticut.

At length the business and the father's failing health demanded the presence of the eldest son, and in 1846 he came on, bring- ing with him a small stock of tinware, which he had made up for the purpose and which he designed to peddle out in order to help defray expenses. He came by way of Gal- veston to Houston, and at this place pur- chased a horse and spring wagon, with which he went on to Bastrop, selling his tinware through the country. He succeeded in get- ting the affairs at Bastrop straightened out, after which he returned to Houston, and here decided to take up his permanent resi- dence. He had no capital but was master of a good trade, and the late Judge Alexan- der McGowen, having just previously set up a tinshop in Houston, young Morris was given employment in his shop. He worked for Judge McGowen for a year, when, hav- ing saved his earnings, he began business for himself in 1847, opening a small tinshop stocked mainly with the product of his own handicraft. To this he added a small line of hardware, as his means and credit would allow of this extention of the business. Thus was laid the foundation of the great hardware establishment, which was subse- quently built up under his direction, and which was for many years the principal establishment of its kind in Houston, and in fact one of the largest in south Texas.

For forty-odd years Mr. Morris was

identified with the business interests of this city. Ile rose from ahnost nothing to com- parative affluence, lost three fortunes by fire and yet lived to lay the foundation of a fourth, and left what was better than fortune or fame, a spotless reputation, an unsullied name. In his business he always enjoyed a large patronage, and had it not been for the three disastrous fires,-1860, 1876 and 1879, -- his estate would probably have been one of the largest in the city.

Besides his hardware business Mr. Morris was busy with other interests, from which he made some money, but in which he in- terested himself chiefly on account of his naturally energetic disposition. Being en- dowed with a remarkable mechanical genius, he invented several contrivances of great utility, among thein a hot-air furnace and a locomotive-spark-arrester, for which he ex- pected to secure general recognition, but died before realizing his hopes. His ability in this direction, however, gained him wide personal repute, and he was elected a mem- ber of the British Academy of Sciences. He also conceived the idea of connecting the San Jacinto river with Buffalo bayou by means of a canal, for the purpose of securing an abundant supply of water for the city, and to aid in establishing manufacturing facilities here, which he thought would surely come in time, and upon which the city must rely for the support of its increas- ing population. This was regarded by his friends as a pet scheme of his, and so thoroughly did he believe in it that he caused a survey, maps and estimates of costs of construction to be made, which he paid for out of his own purse.

At the opening of the war Mr. Morris was a Union inan, and he constantly ad- hered to his principles, though he remained

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in this city during all of that unhappy strug- gle and maintained the respect of all his fellow-citizens even when the sectional feel- ing was most intense.

When the State was in the throes of re- construction he was appointed Mayor of Houston, on recommendation of representa- tive citizens, and resigned after having held the office only a few months. He also repre- sented Harris county in the Twelfth Legis- lature and distinguished himself in that body by his opposition to some measures set on foot by his own party, but which he believed to be against the public good, -among thiem subsidies and land grants to railroads. He also represented Harris county in the Con- stitutional Convention of 1875 and took an active part in the deliberations of that body. He was often called in consultation with the leaders of the Republican party, and it may be recorded to his everlasting credit and honor that his action and counsel were al- ways for the best interests of the people among whom he lived. On this account, while there was great bitterness openly ex- pressed against other Republicans, some of whom were ostracised, he at all times main- tained the respect of his fellow-citizens of all shades of opinion.

On December 20, 1860, Mr. Morris mar- ried, at Houston, Hannah Cordelia Buckner, daughter of Benjamin P. Buckner, who came to Texas during the revolution of 1835-6, and was for a number of years a resident of Houston, where he died March 5, 1876, a well-to-do and liglily respected citizen. Mrs. Morris was born in Houston and has spent all her years in the city of her nativity.

For some time in later life Mr. Morris had premonitions of growing heart tronble. These were known to the family, but with

marked discretion the inatter was never mentioned, and it was not until he was stricken-and as it appeared to others almost without warning taken away -- that it became generally known that he had been suffering from such a trouble. He died December 6, 1885, in the full tide of life and seemingly the picture of health. The announcement of his death was received with genuine sor- row in this city and every mark of respect was shown to his memory, flags being hoisted at half mast on the public buildings and most of the merchants closing their places of busi- ness during that part of the day on which his funeral took place. After services over his remains, conducted at his late residence by the Rev. Dr. Dawson of the Protestant Episcopal Church, they were laid to rest in Glenwood cemetery. Although Mr. Morris had not been a member of the Cotton Ex- change, that body of representative citizens passed appropriate resolutions of respect, and extended to his family tokens of sympa- thy and condolence.

Mr. Morris left surviving him a widow and six children: two sons, Robert B. and Benjamin P .; Bettie, the wife of John Shearn, of Houston; Cora, the wife of J. A. Early, of Waco, Texas; Josephine Ro- berta, thewife of Edward Sholl, of New Or- leans; and Lucy H., who remains unmarried with her mother.

In physical makeup Mr. Morris was about five feet and ten inches in height, and weighed nearly 175 pounds, inclining some- what, in later years, to fullness of outline. He had a clearly marked blonde complexion, deep blue eyes and light hair, a square jaw, straight, thin lips, and a strong nose, -all of which were indicative of the firmness of his character and his conspicuous individual- ity. In manner he was pleasant and affable,

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and around his own fireside was the model man, being kind and indulgent, most con- siderate of the wants and feelings of his family, and in return was the center of a wealth of affection, the daily recipient of those infinite, delicate attentions which go to sweeten life and vindicate the law of affinities.

a HRISTIAN BOLLFRASS (de- ceased). --- When a citizen of worth and character has departed this life, it is meet that those who sur- vive him should keep in mind his life work, and should hold up to the knowledge and emulation of the young his virtues and the characteristics which distinguished him and made him worthy the esteem of his neigh- bors. Therefore, the name of Christian Bollfrass is presented to the readers of this volume as a public-spirited citizen and as a business man of sound judgment and unim- peachable honesty. He was born in Olden- burg, Germany, November 9, 1847, the youngest of three children born to Herman and Lizzie Bollfrass, who were also natives of Oldenburg, and his sister was Johanna, and his brother Charles Bollfrass.

llis youth was spent in the Fatherland, and there, like the great majority of Ger- man youths, he received a common-school education and learned a trade; and, while acquiring a knowledge of the baker's busi- ness, he also learned lessons of industry and thrift, which were the stepping-stones to his success in later years. In early manhood he decided to seek his fortune in the United States, and soon after his arrival in Hous- ton, which was shortly after he had landed at Galveston, he secured work at his trade, and, by the exercise of close economy, he,

in time, managed to acquire sufficient means to enable him to open, in this city, a gro- cery and baker shop. His excellent goods and straight-forward business methods soon brought him a liberal patronage.

Commencing the battle of life, as he did, without a dollar, and dying at the early age. of forty-five years, he left the evidence of his industry in an unencumbered estate valued at $30,000, the result of honest toil, judicious economy, and shrewd, yet always honorable, business management. Socially he was a member of the K. of H., the American Legion of Honor, and, as a citi- zen, he was liberal in his support of worthy causes. He died December 28, 1891, leav- ing a widow and one daughter, the latter- Helen-being an accomplished and intelli- gent young lady. His marriage took place in 1871, and the maiden name of his wife was Louisa Price. She was born in Ger- many, a daughter of Michael and Louisa Price, the former of whom is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, the latter having died at the age of sixty-seven. Mrs. Bollfrass came to the United States in 1867, and was the second of ten children born to her parents: Pauline, Louisa, Emma, Amelia, Emilie, Matilda, Bertha, Wander, Otto and Emil.

Mr. Bollfrass was a member of the Lutheran Church, as are also his wife and daughter.

AJOR JAMES CONVERSE .- The subject of this sketch, though he would perhaps resent the in- sinuation of age, is, nevertheless, one of the veteran railroad men of Texas, having witnessed the development of the en- tire railroad system of the State from its in-

موسم

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

fancy up, in which development he has, with- out making any special claims of the kind, occupied a somewhat prominent position.

Major Converse was born in the town of Aurora, Portage county, Ohio, September 21, 1828. Educated for a civil engineer, he began his railroad career in 1850 as di- vision engineer on the Lake Eric & Mad River Railroad, one of the pioneer lines in Ohio. After a service of eight months on this road, something less than two years in the same capacity on the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad, and the Cleveland & Medina Railway, and as engineer on loca- tion with the Tennessee Southwestern, he came to Texas in 1854 as chief engineer of the Galveston, Houston & Henderson road. He was in the employ of this road. the Mississippi Central, and the Houston, Trin- ity & Tyler roads until after the war, when, in the summer of 1865, he became chief engineer of the Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railroad, a position which he held for a period of eighteen years. During this time he built 600 miles of the last named road, including the main line and branches, and 154 miles of the Mexican International, in old Mexico. Those familiar with railway developinent in Texas can thus see that it is true, as stated, that Major Converse has witnessed the growth of the railway interest of Texas, and that he has perhaps done as much in the way of actual field work in ex- tending the dominions of the iron horse as any other man in the State. When he ac- cepted the position of chief engineer of the Galveston, Houston & Henderson Railroad forty years ago, there were less than 100 miles of railroad in active operation in all Texas, and the value of the rolling stock and equipments of all the roads then in the State probably did not exceed $1,000,000.

Now the State is covered with a network of steel rails, and the value of the railway properties in the State, exclusive of road- beds, is put down at several million dollars.

There is a pregnant suggestion in this simple statement of facts, a theme for the orator, a splendid illustration of the rapid material developement of this great common- wealth. In his forty years' residence in Texas, Major Converse has become as thoroughly Texan as it is possible for a man to become, being bound to the State by all those ties of personal interest, business as- sociation, friendship and family connection that go to fix one's attachments and give his feelings a local habitation and a name. He is a large real-estate holder, having invested his means from time to time at different places as opportunities were offered for good investments, and holds some stock in local enterprises. He has never held any public offices and has taken only a nominal interest in politics, his chief attention having been directed to his official duties in connection with the railroads, and to his private in- terests.

He married Mrs. M. E. W. Chase, of Houston, on the 21st of September, 1863, this lady being a native of the city of Hous- ton, and a daughter of one of the founders of the town, Augustus C. Allen. Her mother, Mrs. Charlotte M. Allen, now in her ninetieth year, is the oldest settler of Hous- ton as well as the oldest living representative of the large and historic family of Allens, mention of whom will be found in many places in this volume. Mrs. Converse died at San Antonio, April 14, 1886, leaving one son, Thomas Pierce Converse. Major Con- verse's residence is now at Houston, though he lived for a number of years, -up to the deatlı of his wife, -at San Antonio.

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

ETER BAUMANN was born in Vey Hessen, Germany, near the city of Frankfort, March 10, 1836, and is a son of Conrad John and Margaret Baumann. His parents with their family of four children emigrated to Texas, landing at Galveston in the spring of 1844, and settled in Houston. During the yellow- fever epidemic of 1847 the father and his son John and daughter Catherine died with that disease. Margaret, the other daughter, is the widow of William Knocker, and re- sides in Houston. The widow, our subject's mother, lived to be ninety-eight years old, dying in 1880.

By the death of his father in 1847 Peter Baumann, our subject, was thrown on his own resources at the age of eleven. For awhile he herded cattle at small wages, was then employed with John W. Shrimp in the butchering business and later worked for Mrs. Catherine Floeck as a teamster, after which he went into the butchering business for himself. From butchering he drifted into the stock business, buying a tract of land, consisting of 120 acres, for which he agreed to pay $120, placing on his ranch a small bunch of cattle which soon increased so that at the expiration of eight years he sold out for $5, 500. He then began trading in horses and cattle and shortly afterward opened a commission house in Houston. Through unfortunate investments and trust- ing other people too far he became involved and was broken up, losing all he had; but he paid his debts in full, sacrificing his last horse to pay a grocery bill of $20, and again started in to regain his former foot- ing, which he has in a large measure suc- ceeded in doing. Mr. Baumann now owns good city and suburban property in and around Houston, and has generally shown

an interest in the development and growth of the city.

Mr. Baumann married Elizabeth Super, daughter of Daniel Super, in 1859, and by this marriage has had ten children, seven of whom are living : Mary, Bettie, Peter, Katie, Ida, Alice and Dannie. Mary was first married to a Mr. Salos, and by this union had one son, Peter. Her second marriage was to Oscar Miller, and the issue of this union was a son, Oscar. Bettie, the second daughter, was married to Otto Haltkamp; she is deceased and leaves one son, Edwin. Peter, Mr. Baumann's eldest son, married Emma Baliman, of Galveston, who is a daughter of Frederick Baliman, whose mother was one of the first settlers of Gal- veston. Katie, the fourth of Mr. Bau- inann's children, is the wife of Frank Heinitz, and their issue is one daughter, Elizabeth. The fifth, Ida, is the wife of Armand Feichman, and their issue is one daughter, Annie. The sixth and seventh of Mr. Baumann's children, Alice and Dannie, remain at home with their parents.

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Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895 Number of Pages: 1532

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing co., 1895
Number of Pages: 1532