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 61

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 61
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 61

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George F. Baker.

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

EORGE F. BAKER, the second in age of twelve children born to Frederick and Martha Baker, was a native of Baden-Baden, Ger- many, having been born on August 10, 1812. His parents, also natives of Germany, emi- grated to the United States early in this century, and settled in Pennsylvania, where they passed the remainder of their lives. George F. was reared in Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of butcher, at Harrisburg, that State. When a young man he went to New Orleans, whence, after a residence of a few years, he came in 1838 to Texas, and settled at Houston. Here he engaged at his trade, and for more than fifty years he was in active business pursuits in this city. The butcher business, stock-dealing, farming, brick-making and similar lines of activity occupied his attention, at all of which he inet with most marked success. He early began investing in real estate in Houston and Harris county, and having confidence in the security of such investments he held to his purchases, until at the time of his deatlı lie was one of the wealthiest property own- ers in this county. His estate, still undi- vided, ranks among the first in value accord- ing to the tax rolls.

There was no secret to the success which Mr. Baker achieved. He followed the old maxims of industry and economy. He be- gan with nothing and ended with a fortune. Through every step from poverty to wealthi he rigidly practiced the precepts of "Poor Richard." He worked hard, saved and made judicious investments of his earnings. It was a prime rule with him to live within his income. Whether he made much or little, he always did this. He looked closely after details, and he avoided debt as one would the plague. At his

death he did not owe a dollar in the world.

Mr. Baker was very much a man unto himself. Caring nothing for politics in a partisan sense, and but little for the gossip of the street corners, he was usually to be found about home or his place of business, where his chief thoughts centered in matters of every-day concern. He was by no means unsocial, and under his own roof was always pleasant, kind and companionable. He provided well for his family, and was him- self fond of the substantials of life: He was reared a Catholic, and may have adhered to the faith in middle and later life, but was not a cominunicant of any church. In poli- tics he espoused the principles of the Demo- cratic party. He never sought office and none ever found him. He was contented to be a plain American citizen, and was proud to be enrolled among Texas' first settlers. Simple in faith, steadfast in purpose, honest in his dealings toward all mankind, he was a type of his race and a model of his calling, affording a splendid example of the man of peace who bends his utmost energies to fruits of diligence, accepting contentedly what fortune sends, and believing that all things are ordered for the best.

Mr. Baker was married at La Grange, Texas, in October, 1839, and the lady, Rebecca F. Stringer, who at that early day linked her fortunes with his, lived in pleas- ant companionship with him for more than a half century, and still survives, being one of Houston's oldest settlers and worthy to be called one of the mothers of the city. Ten children were born to this couple, six of whom became grown, four now residing in and near Houston. These are Mary, the wife of George W. Butler, who lives on Clear creek, in Galveston county; Joseph

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W., a farmer of Harris county; Rebecca, the wife of Joseph F. Meyer, of Houston; Martha, the widow of Dr. Alexander Mc- Masters, now residing with her mother. Mrs. Elizabeth Arnold, a daughter of Mrs. Baker by a former marriage, also makes her home with her mother.

In personal appearance Mr. Baker was robust, and, during the greater part of life the picture of health, being five feet and ten inches in height and weighing about 200 pounds. He had a ruddy complexion, dark hair and brown eyes and a calm, untroubled countenance. His loss to this community was deeply regretted, and mention of his name now to any of the old citizens is sure to be followed with expressions of admira- tion for his honesty, industry, sturdiness and straight-forward course in life. He died September 26, 1890, and his remains repose beneath a stately shaft in Glenwood ceine- tery.

J OHN KENNEDY, the subject of this brief memoir, was a resident of Houston from 1842 to 1878, a period of thirty-six years. He never held any public position of consequence, and never sought to attract public notice. Yet lie was one of the most active, and, with a large class of citizens, the most popular, and, in many ways, one of the most useful men that ever figured in the city's history.

Mr. Kennedy was a native of Ireland, born in the village of Tallyoria, county Down, June 12, 1819. His ancestry on his father's side can be traced to Scotland, but by intermarriage there flowed in his veins both English and Irish blood. His people had lived for many generations before his birth on Irish soil, and had become identi-

fied in every way with Irish history. His paternal grandfather took part in the revo- Intion of 1798, was seized and imprisoned upon the failure of the patriots' cause, his wife being shot by the hired soldiery of England, and his estate confiscated to the crown. On this account the family was greatly impoverished, and, in consequence, the early years of the subject of this sketch were passed under the most adverse condi- tions. He received practically no educa- tion, but at the age of twelve was appren- ticed to the baker's trade in the village of Nuery, from which place he ran away in a short time, on account ill-treatment at the hands of his employer, and went to Liverpool, England. There he re- sumed work at the baker's trade, and mastered it. At the age of fifteen he left that place and sailed for America, landing at New York. Locating at Hoboken, New Jer- sey, he went to work at his trade there and made considerable money. He invested this in river-front property, and thus laid the foundation for what might have been a large fortune had he not met with financial re- verses. During the great panic of 1837 he lost the savings of several years, by the fail- ure of a bank in Hoboken. After this event he came West, and stopping at St. Louis, Missouri, he acquired an interest in a boat and engaged for the next three or four years in trading with the Indian's along the Missis- sippi river. He succeeded well at this, and having heard a great deal of Texas, he de- cided to try his fortunes in the new country. He arrived at Houston in the fall of 1842, and here opened a small bakery on Franklin avenue between Main and Fannin streets, in the rear of the present First National Bank building. From this place he shortly afterward moved to Travis street, near

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where the Cotton Exchange now stands, and thence to the corner of Travis street and Congress avenue, always since known as Kennedy's Corner. Although he made con- siderable money during his four years' trad- ing among the Indians, most or all of this was lost in an unfortunate business venture with his brother, so that at the date he set- tled in Houston, he was for the second time since coming to America, a penniless man. His industry, however, and strict business habits soon enabled hin to re-estab- lish himself, and in a few years he was again the possessor of some means, with the prospect before him of a suc- cessful career. At the opening of the war he owned a steam bakery, a gristmill, and a retail grocery store, all of which were conducted as parts of one establishment, each yielding a good revenue to their owner. In addition to this he owned a large number of negroes, and had acquired title to several thousand acres of land in Harris and ad- joining counties. The negroes were sold at a sacrifice during the war, and the lands were disposed of as being next to worthless after it became known that slavery would be abolished. Mr. Kennedy held on to his mercantile business, however, and out of this he made some money during the war. He had the contract to furnish the Confed- erate States government with its hard tack," and, when occasion offered, he also engaged in the cotton business, running the blockade established by the Federal author- ities. After the war he turned his attention more especially to the mercantile business, working into the wholesale trade, at which he met with his usual success. He was en- gaged in active business pursuits up to the day of his death, and, as the result of his industry, good business management and

judicious investments, he left a large estate. But, what was better, he left the record of a life well spent. While he accumulated considerable means, he did not bend his en- tire energies to the acquisition of wealth. He was willing to live and let live. He knew from observation that many of the" inequalities of life are the result of accident, and he was always willing to help, even up, the chances of an honest, deserving fellow- man. He invested his means; as they ac- cumulated, in real estate in this city, not to lie unoccupied and be enhanced in value by others improving their holdings around it, but he improved his own, thus furnishing employment for mechanics, as well as add- ing to the taxable wealth of the city and county. In addition to the business prop- erty, which he thus bought and improved, he owned, at the time of his death, no less than sixty houses and lots, -residence prop- erty which he had thus purchased and im- proved.

Of plain ways himself, he always lived near the plain people; received from them a liberal patronage, and, in return, was ever solicitous for their prosperity and material welfare. Few men of this city ever pos- sessed more fully the confidence of the peo- ple, or used so temperately and for less selfish purposes, the power so possessed. Even the red inen of the forest looked upon him as their special friend, great numbers of them always flocking about his place of business in an early day, and giving him a patronage which they refused under all sorts of inducements to extend to others. Old settlers still speak of " Kennedy's Indians," this being the name by which a large band of these aborigines were known, who made Houston their trading place forty to fifty years ago. Mr. Kennedy also lent his assist-

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ance to public enterprises, such as in his judgment.were calculated to stimulate indus- try and add to the prosperity of the com- munity. He was a stockholder in number- less undertakings, and contributed much of his time and personal effort to the promno- " tion of whatever measures were calculated to benefit the general public. His contribu- tions to charity were large, and were always made from a sincere desire to do good, and not for self-glorification. Being the only Catholic of means in this city, for a number of years he was the chief support of the church. At his house he entertained the priests and visiting dignitaries. He con- tributed most of the funds for the erec- tion of the first church building, donated the lots for the present Catholic cemetery, and assisted at all times in taking care of the indigent, infirm and sick of the church.

In 1850 Mr. Kennedy married Miss Ma- tilda C. Thorne, of Galveston, she being a native of Brighton, England, where she was born February 3, 1829, and by this union he had three children: John, Mary F., and Daniel E., all of whom were born at the old homestead, on San Jacinto street. The daughter was married to William L. Foley, of Houston, and died December 22, 1886. The sons are numbered among the repre- sentative business men of the city of Hous- ton, both being prosperous, popular gentle- men. John has served as Alderman of Houston six years, is the present representa- tive of Harris county in the State Legisla- ture, receiver of the Houston Belt & Mag- nolia Park Railway, and a prominent and successful real-estate dealer. Daniel E. is a member of the firmn of J. C. Smith & Com- pany, general merchants on Travis street, and is devoted chiefly to business pursuits.

On the 24th day of December, 1878, Mr. Kennedy died, followed seven years later, June 21, 1885, by his wife. Both are buried at Houston, where they spent the greater part of their lives, and to which place they were bound, not only by the memory of their early struggles, but by many ties of a social nature.

With the exception of the position of Alderman of the city, Mr. Kennedy never held any public place, but he was a man who always took a lively interest in public matters, and wielded a strong political in- fluence when he chose to exert it.

Wonder is sometimes expressed nowa- days that nien of such widely different nationalities, and such wholly different tastes, and training as the first settlers of Texas, should have worked together so har- moniously, and successfully, for the up- building of their adopted country, and should have enjoyed so fully each other's confidence, and respect. We oftentimes hear the expression, "One of those old-time fellows, whose word is his bond." The ex- planation is to be found in the fact that the men who first settled this country and whose names have survived to us, were men in the true sense of the word. They differed wide- ly in intelligence, in enterprise, in religion, and even in their ideas of government, but in their devotion to humanity, shown by acts of personal generosity, and by the customs of universal hospitality that pre- vailed throughout the Republic, in their strict compliance with every obligation, whether written or verbal, they were one. In other words, in the essentials of true man- hood and good citizenship they agreed. Such was the subject of this brief memoir. On his tombstone appears this inscription, contributed by one who knew him long and

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intimately : "A friend to the poor, kind to those in distress, and faithful to every trust."

APTAIN J. E. FOSTER, the sub- ject of this brief memoir, was a res- ident of Texas for thirty-one years. He came to the State in 1854, and made it his home until his death, in 1885. Hle thus lived through an important era of the State's history, and it was his privilege to take part in many of the great changes which marked its settlement and industrial growth. Captain Foster never posed as a philanthropist or public character of any kind, and it is not the intention of the writer to so represent him. He was a man, how- ever, who had a great deal to do in one way and another with the industrial interests of south Texas, and especially with the business interests of the city of Houston, and the purpose of this article is to set forth briefly a summary of his life in this connection.

James Edward Foster was born in Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, in the year 1832. He came of Scotcli-Irish ancestry, his people having emigrated from Scotland and north Ireland in the latter part of the last century, and settled in Pennsylvania. The meager- ness of the details of his family history will not permit of any more being said respect- ing his antecedents than that they were part of that brave band of pioneers who helped to fell the forests and lay the foundation of those thrifty communities that now make up the population of the great Keystone State, being people of strong religious sentiment, and ardently devoted to all the institutions of liberty.

In a home presided over by parents of this kind, and in a community where the

industrial spirit, since so noticeable through- out that section of the Union, was just beginning to manifest itself, the boyhood and youth of James E. Foster were passed. He was early led into avennes of activity, and before he had attained his majority he had had considerable business experience. Living at the head of navigation on what was then the chief artery of traffic and trans- portation to all the West and Southwest, the great Ohio river, he became thoroughly acquainted with steamboating as it was car- ried before the era of railways, and he seems to have conceived a liking for this kind of business. At any rate he followed it in his youth, and his desire to try his fortunes as a steamboat man, led to his becoming a resi- dent of Texas. At the age of twenty-two ' he came to this State, in company with an old friend, their purpose being to run a steamer, which they brought with them, and which they ran very successfully on the Trinity river for some years. He was sub- sequently a clerk in the same business for Captain J. H. Sterritt, before the war.

When the war opened Mr. Foster, al- though a Northern man, entered the Con- federate army, enlisting in March, 1862, in company D, Second Texas Infantry. He was immediately elected Lieutenant of his Company, and proceeding with it to the army, east of the Mississippi, he reached the field in time to take part in the battle of Shiloh, where he was wounded, but con- tinued with his command and succeeded to the Captaincy of his company, on the death of his superior, Andrew Gammell, who fell at Vicksburg. After the capture of Vicks- burg, he returned to Texas, and re-enlisting, was in the service until the close of hostili- ties.

After the war he turned his attention to

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the problems of peace, and when the Hons- ton & Great Northern Railroad was project- ed he became an employe of it, taking charge of its interest at Virginia Point (across the bay from Galveston), at the same time engag- ing to some extent in real-estate matters in that locality. He continued at Virginia Point, dividing his time between the rail- road and real-estate business, for two or three years, when, his real-estate interests devel- oping rapidly with the settlement and im- provement of the country, he gave up his connection with the railroad, and thereafter- ward devoted his attention wholly to real estate. He thus became one of the earliest operators in realties in this section of Texas, and was for several years before his death, the largest dealer, and the representative of more Northern capital, than any other man in south Texas. Captain Foster settled in Houston soon after entering actively on his career as a real-estate and investment bro- ker, and, identifying himself at once with the business interest of this place, he be- came one of Houston's foremost business men and most public-spirited citizens. He assisted in organizing the cotton exchange, and served as a member of almost every committee appointed to secure local enter- prises. He assisted also in organizing the first street railway, and was a member of its directory. It was chiefly through his influ- ence that the Southern Pacific shops were located here, he securing the title and nego- tiating the sale of the lots on which they are located. He advertised Texas lands and Texas securities extensively in the North, and in this way was the means of bringing a large amount of Northern capital to this section of the State. He had great confi- dence in Texas, and possesed the faculty of inspiring the same confidence in others. He

was not an enthusiast, operating by vision- ary methods, but was a man of sound, prac- tical ideas, forming his opinions slowly and only upon sufficient facts and evidence. But when he once became settled in his views of a matter he adhered to his convictions, and generally succeded in carrying out what he wished to have done. For this reason his jungment was often in demand on matters of general concern, and his influence always sought when any great amount of opposi- tion was to be overcome. Public enter- prises, -whatever would stimulate activity, elevate, improve or adorn the community in which he inade his home or the society in which he moved,-always received his prompt advocacy and assistance. He was not a sunshine soldier in the industrial army, but a worker. He was therefore never seen on dress parade or posing for popular applause on those occasions when the vain and self-seek- ing most air themselves and their views, but when public opinion had to be moved by the logic of facts, and especially when there was needed a strong example of a courageous, energetic man of business, willing to give time, money and personal effort for the pro- motion of a measure, he was called on, and the call was never made in vain.

In 1877 Captian Foster married Mrs. Corra Bacon, at Indianapolis, Indiana, Mrs. Foster being a native of Trenton, New York. By this union he had one daughter, Violet, who, with a daughter, Emma J., and a son, James Edward, by a former marriage, and his widow, survives him. These make their home at Houston, where Mrs. Foster, since her husband's death, has conducted, most successfully, the business founded by him, having become, probably, the largest and best-known real-estate and financial agent in Texas or the South.

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Mrs. Foster's recently laid-out town of Pas- adena, in the southeastern part of Harris county, is one of the promising suburbs of the city of Houston, and, being located near the famous battlefield of San Jacinto, will, in addition to its other claims to recognition, always possess an historic interest for the student and traveler.

After a life of exceptional activity and usefulness, one that was marked by every shade of a business career, even to tlie crowning point of unqualified success, Cap- tain Foster died, on the 3d day of March, 1885, and was buried in the city of Hous- ton, with whose history much of his own was interwoven, and for whose advance- ment he labored most assiduously.

ON. CHARLES STEWART, the subject of this sketch, was born in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, on the 30th of May, 1836. Nine years later, in 1845, his parents inoved to Texas and settled at Galveston. In that city his boyhood and youth were passed. Such educational advantages as the local schools at that time afforded were his, and he enjoyed, in addition to this, some disci- pline and direction in his reading at the hands of his father, who was a man of more than average intelligence, and who pos- sessed a large fund of information on his- torical subjects and concerning practical politics. It was probably from this source that the son received his first promptings for the law, and, under his father's guidance, formed a fixed resolution to devote himself to its practice. He began the study of law in 1852; under James W. Henderson, of Houston, and completed his preparation in

the offices of Jones & Bollinger, receiving his certificate of admission to the bar in the Supreme Court, in 1854, when in his eigh- teenth year.

For the practice he located at Marlin, in Falls county, where his rise at the bar was rapid and substantial. In 1856 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, for what was then the Thirteenth Judicial District, com- posed of the counties of Falls, Hill, Navar- ro, Limestone, Freestone, Leon, Brazos, Madison and Robertson, and was re-elected to the same office in 1858. He had just closed the fourth year of his service in this position at the opening of the war. In the public discussions, which preceded the first formal acts of hostility between the sec- tions, he was somewhat conspicuous, . and, this with his pronounced Southern views and personal popularity caused him to be selected as a delegate to the convention of 1861, which passed the ordinance of secession. He voted for the ordinance, and, returning home, at once entered the Con- federate army, enlisting in the Tenth Texas Infantry, afterward Baylor's cavalry, with which he served throughout the war.

In 1866 he moved to Houston, where he resumed the practice of his profession, and where he has since resided, giving his atten- tention actively and earnestly to the law when not engaged in official duties. In 1874 he was elected City Attorney of Hous- ton, which position he held for two years. In 1878 he was chosen to represent his dis- trict in the State Senate, and served as a member of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Legislatures. In 1882 he was elected to Congress, and was a member of that body by successive re-elections for ten years, vol- untarily retiring with the close of the Fifty- second session, for the purpose of devoting

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himself more exclusively to his law business and other private interests.

In the time that Colonel Stewart has been engaged in the practice of law, and in public life, he has met with a larger measure of success than falls to the lot of the aver- age lawyer and public official, not indeed in the matter of inoney-getting, but in the more desirable form of achieved reputation. He has acquired distinction in both the civil and criminal branches of the law, and estab- lished his name in politics as one of Texas' first public men. It is hardly possible, and probably not desirable, to attempt here a review of his professional and official career. The ground to be gone over in either case, covering, as it does, a period of forty years, is so vast, and there is so much learning of a special and technical nature that would have to be gone into, that only a brief allu- sion to his record can be made. He has taken part in many cases involving interest- ing and important questions of law and fact, some of which he has followed from the trial courts, to the courts of last resort, while in his public career he has had more or less to do with all questions which have been be- fore the people, or the various bodies of which he has been a member. The manner in which he has met his obligations is best attested by the esteem in which he is held by those among whom he has so long lived and labored. It is due him to say that his chosen profession has been the ambition of his life, and that he has laid aside its duties only when necessary for the more faithful discharge of those of a public nature placed upon him by his fellow-citizens. He is a logical thinker, an eloquent speaker, ripe lawyer, able legislator, good citizen, kind neighbor, earnest, liberal, progressive, and charitable.

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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