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 69

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 69
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 69

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Mr. Price's knowledge of the cotton-oil business,- as well as the confidence reposed in him by those with whom he has been and is now associated, is fully attested by the foregoing brief statement of his career, and he needs no commendation at the hands of the writer. Young, intelligent, honest, capable, he has won the place which he oc- cupies in the judginent and good will of the business world by his own merits, and his hold upon that place is secure.

In March, 1887, Mr. Price married Miss Nellie Maynard Williamson, a daughter of P. B. Williamson, of Raleigh, North Caro- lina, and the offspring of this union has been two children : James Sterling and Isabel Williamson. Mr. and Mrs. Price are members of the Episcopal Church, and he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias,

APTAIN CHARLES FOWLER .- This old and popular citizen of Gal- veston, recently deceased, was a native of Connecticut, having been born February 20, 1824, in the town of Guilford, where his ancestors settled over 200 years ago. At the age of fourteen he went to sea, became master of a vessel at twenty-one, and followed the vocation of seaman in that capacity until 1866, when he became the manager of the Morgan interests at Galveston, which position he held until his death, twenty-five years later. His first

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visit to Galveston was in 1849, as captain of the brig "Mary." Settling here that year, lic became a pilot and identified himself with the city, in the welfare of which he ever af- ter exhibited the keenest interest. In 1851 he returned to Connecticut and married Miss Mary J. Booth, of Stratford, who, accom- panying him back to his new home, shared his fortunes during the remainder of his life.

Captain Fowler entered the Confederate service at the opening of the war, enlisting in the naval branch of the service, in which he had charge of the fitting out of a fleet to raise the blockade along the Texas coast, and commanded different vessels so engaged both before and after the battle of Galves- ton. He was not in the battle of Galveston, but took an active part in the battle of Sa- bine, where he was in command of a vessel that captured the Federal sloop of war Morning Light, shortly after which he was himself taken prisoner. He was confined in prison at Fort Lafayette, New York, and Fort Warren, Boston, about a year and a half, when he was released through the in-, tervention of his brother, Colonel Henry Fowler, an influential Federal officer. From the time of his release till the close of the war he was engaged in the Cuban transport service.

Joining his family after the cessation of hostilities, he again entered the employ of the Morgan company, with which he had previously been connected, and taking the captaincy of the steamer I. C. Harris, he returned to Galveston, where a year later he was placed in charge of the Morgan inter- ests at this place.

In 1868 Captain Fowler undertook the work of deepening the water on the inner bar, on which there was then a depth of eight feet, all vessels being subject to a pilot-

age of $3 per foot, besides the $4 per foot on the outer bar. In 1869 he handed in liis certificate as president of the board of pilot commissioners, reporting a depth of fifteen feet on the bar and recommending the abolition of the pilotage, which was forthwith done.

. In 1873 he was elected to the Board of Al- dremen, serving one term, and was again elected in 1885, being a member at the time of his death, having served continuously for a period of six years. He was chairman of the finance committee during the entire term of his last six years' service, and as such ex- erted a controlling influence in the city's fiscal affairs. Although frequently impor- tuned to become a candidate for the office of Mayor he would never consent to do so, because he felt that the great corporation which he represented had claims on his time and attention, which he could not afford to neglect even to serve the public in the im- portant position of Mayor. He exerted himself, however, as a member of the Board of Aldermen and as a citizen of the com- munity to promote in every proper way the public good.

Captain Fowler was a plain, direct, practical man, possessing sound judgment and good general information. He was a good judge of men, and having been reared and passed most of his life among the peo- ple, he was well qualified to know their wants and to provide the means of meeting them. The moral fiber of his nature was strong and deeply embedded. He was pleas- ant and companionable in private life, a faithful friend and tender and indulgent hus- band and father. He died March 17, 1891. An old citizen said to the writer: "Few men ever lived in Galveston who were more uni- versally respected and esteenied, and few

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deaths were ever the occasion of more gen- eral regret, all classes and conditions of peo- ple displaying alike an abiding sorrow over his loss."

Captain Fowler left surviving him a widow and one son, Charles Fowler, and two daughters, Mrs. Arthur Bornefeld and Miss Louise Fowler, -all of whom reside in Galveston.

R. JOHN SYDENHAM WILSON. -This gentleman has every reason to be proud of the stock froin which he sprung, for in the prog- ress and development of this country his ancestors have ever taken a prominent part, and have been loyal and law-abiding citi- zens. The early members of his family, both on the father's and mother's side, were participants in the early Indian wars, the war of the Revolution and the war of 1812, from which it may be inferred that they set- tled on American soil during the Colonial period. One of the great-great-grandfathers was with General Putnam at Stony Point, and another was taken prisoner by the British and was for seven years confined in a dungeon in Great Britain. William Wil- son, the grandfather of Dr. Wilson, was of Scoteli descent, and was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1785. He was mar- ried to a Miss Becraft, in whose veins flowed sturdy English blood, and their son, Na- thaniel Chapman Wilson, was born in Fred- erick county, Maryland, March 15, 1817, in the vicinity of Hagerstown.

Upon attaining a suitable age he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and gradu- ated at that institution. He now makes his home in Houston, Texas, with the sub-

ject of this sketch, and has been a success- ful practicing physician since 1848. His wife, whose maiden name was Christiana Deal, was born in 1820, and also resides in Houston. She is a daughter of George and Mary (Morgart) Deal, who were born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, February 28, 1788, and February, 1791, respectively; but during the early history of this country her ancestors were residents of the State of New Jersey. They were of German ex- traction, and they inherited many of the mnost worthy qualities of that race, which made them valuable American citizens.

Dr. John Sydenhamn Wilson was the youngest of the three children in the family to which he belonged, the other inembers of the family being George William, who is a resident of Content, Runnels county, Texas, and Mary C., who is the widow of Captain P. J. Oakes, and is a resident of Columbus, Texas. At the age of six months Dr. J. S. Wilson was taken by his parents to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and after one year spent in that city they moved to Rich- mond, Indiana, and in 1859 to Kearney county, Texas. After spending two years at this point they took up their residence in Columbus, Texas, and during this time Dr. Wilson was given the advantages of the common schools in the different localities in which they resided, and obtained a compre- hensive knowledge of Latin and Greek. Up to the 24th of May, 1868, he lived in Colum- bus, Texas, then went to Kansas City, Mis- souri, and eventually graduated at the high school of that city, after which he served a four-years apprenticeship at the drug busi- ness, and at the same time studied medicine, under the able instruction of his father, for some three years.

In 1874 he graduated in medicine, but

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

his health becoming very much impaired, he, at the age of twenty-five years, went to the western frontier of Texas to engage in the stock business, making a specialty of sheep, thinking to benefit his health by life in the open air, and in this he was not dis- appointed, for his bodily health improved very much, but in the accumulation of worldly wealth he was not so successful, and he discontinued this work after a few years. He then practiced his profession for a short time, but this life did not at all agree with him, and he forsook the practice to engage in the drug business in Houston, in June, 1884, and has found this occupation both congenial and profitable. His place of business is located at 2219 Congress avenue, and he carries a very extensive stock of drugs, chemicals, elixirs, extracts, perfumes, druggist's specialties, toilet articles, etc., all of the highest grade, and makes a specialty of his prescription department, which is one of the finest in the city, and has called forth the hearty indorsement of the leading physicians of Harris county. His business policy has always been one of strict integ- rity, is loyal to his promises at all times, and is readily recognized as one of Houston's most successful and representative business men. He is also popular in the social circles of the city, and is an enthusiastic Mason, having taken all the degrees in the Ancient York rite, up to and including that of Knights Templar, and has also taken the thirty-second degree in the Scottish rite. He is at present Worshipful Master of Gray Lodge, No. 329, of the F. & A. M .; is High Priest of Washington Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M ; Captain General of Ruthven Comman- dery, No. 2; is Senior Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Texas, and in 1893 was Grand Tyler. November 8, 1881, Dr. 33

Wilson led to the altar Miss Mary F. Kelly, of Kearney county, Texas, a daughter of Riley and Mary A. Kelly, and to their union three children have been given, Roy D. be- ing the only survivor.

a UGENE PILLOT, one of the old settlers of Harris county, and a resi- dent of Houston since 1868, is a native of France, having been born in the department of Haute Saone, on the ioth day of February, 1820. For many generations, extending back even to the thirteenth century, his ancestors were resi- dents of this portion of France, where they were people of great respectability, mostly farmers by occupation, and manufacturers of oil from hemp and grape seed, and from the seed of the French walnut. His father's full name was Claude Nicholas Pillot, and his mother's maiden name was Jeanne Loise- ley. They were born at the close of the last century, the father on August 10, 1793, and the mother on January 3, 1790. They married in their native place, and re- sided there, where the father was engaged in teaching until 1832, when they emigrated to America, and remained for a time in New York. In the northern portion of that State, and in the city of New York, the father was engaged in the timber business and at his trade as a carpenter and joiner until August, 1837, when he moved with his family to Texas, and took up his resi- dence in Harris county, on Willow creek, twenty-six miles north of Houston. Here he "laid a headright," and established him- self as a farmer, following this business with reasonable success until his death, which occurred in the city of New Orleans, in

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1863, while in blockade at that places fol- lowing a business trip to his native country. His wife died three years later, at the old homestead in Harris county. Of their five children but one is now living, Eugene, the subject of this notice. Their eldest daugh- ter, Hannah, was married to a man named Phipps, and died a number of years later in Harris county, where her decendants now live. The second son, August, (Eugene being the eldest), died in this county in 1844, at the age of twenty-one, unmarried. The third son, Gabriel, died also in this county, in 1859, leaving one son bearing his name, who lives near Waco, Texas. Rosalie, the youngest daughter, was married to D. Dechaume, and died here in 1864, at the age of twenty-seven, leaving eight - children.

Eugene Pillot was just verging on to manhood when his parents came to Texas. On account of the frequent removals which his father found it necessary to make after coming to America, and before permanently establishing himself in this State, the son's education fell short of what it might otherwise have been, but was not. wholly neglected, as he had the advantages of some training in the schools of New York State, which was supplemented by private instruction from his father. Young Pillot learned the trade of carpenter and joiner under his father in New York, and put his knowledge to good use after coming to Texas, becoming one of the first builders of Harris county. He recalls the fact that he assisted in putting up some of the first buildings that were erected in Houston, one of which was a small one-story frame structure, which was occupied as a general store and stood on the site of Kiam's present imposing five- story brick building, on the corner of Main

street and Preston avenue. After a short residence in Houston he moved to the coun- try with his father, and in a measure aban- doned his trade, turning his attention to the timber business, which he found very profit- able and followed successfully for some time. Later he took up farming. and for twenty-five years was one of the leading planters of Harris county. The rapid set- tling of the country and increased demand for building material caused him again to embark in the lumber business, which he followed until 1867, at which time he sold out his sawmill interest, and, on January 1, 1868, moved to Houston, where he already owned considerable real estate, to the im- provement of which and to other private in- terests he turned his attention. He is at this writing one of Houston's largest prop- perty owners and has also valuable hold- ings in the city of Galveston. Some idea of the extent of his possessions may be obtained from the statement that his taxes amount annually to between $4, 500 and $5,000. His city holdings are what the real estate inen call "inside property" and are very valuable, the Tremont Opera House at Galveston belonging to him.

Mr. Pillot has given his entire life to pursuits of a business nature, but has un- avoidably been placed in some official posi- tions where his services and experience have been in demand by the public. He has served twice as a member of the Board of Aldermen of Houston, was once Treasurer of Harris county, and is now a member of the Board of Public Works. He was a member of the City Council when the move- inent was set on foot for the present market house, and as chairman of the building com- mittee it fell to his lot to supervise the erce-

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tion of that structure, -a duty which he performed to the satisfaction of the tax- payers of the city and to his own credit. The truth is, Houston has not had, even among her old citizens, one who has watched her progress with greater interest, or who has lent more substantial aid in that direc- tion than has Mr. Pillot. He has given his active sympathy and support to every public measure calculated to advance the city's in- terests, while his own personal example of improving his holdings, with handsome and substantial structures has not only added to the city's taxable wealth and improved its appearance, but has exercised a wholesome influence by strengthening the confidence of the people in the future of the place and thereby causing others to do the same with their property.

Mr. Pillot has taken but little part in partisan politics, and in fact can hardly be said to be a partisan in political matters at all, since he does not affiliate regularly with any organization. His principle has always been to vote for measures rather than men, but, in all contests between indi- viduals, to give his support to the one whom he believed to be the most honest and. most capable, regardless of political affiliations.

On January 7, 1845, Mr. Pillot married Miss Zeolie Sellers, a daughter of Achille Sellers, and a native of parish Lafayette, Louisiana. Mrs. Pillot comes of French extraction, and is a member of one of the old French families of Louisiana. She is one of eight children, but two of whom, be- sides herself, are now living. She has a brother, Peter Sellers, who resides at Hock- ley, in Harris county, this State, and a sis- ter, Mrs. Amelia Ann House, who lives at Ennis, in Ellis county. Mr. and Mrs. Pillot

are the parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, only six of whom are now living, three having died in infancy and three in early childhood and youth, - Celeste at the age of four, Alexander at the age of thirteen, and Joseph at the age of eighteen. Those living are Julia, now Mrs. Clemille Sellers, of Harris county; Nicholas, who resides near the old homestead in this county; Celestine, the wife of Charles F. Saigling, of Plano, Collin county, this State; Camille, a member of the firm of Henke & Company, wholesale grocers of Houston; Zeolie, wife of Jacob Hornberger, a leading citizen of Houston; and Teoline, clerk in the book and stationery house of W. J. Hancock & Company, of this city. Mr. Pillot has twenty-two grandchildren and four great- grandchildren. Although past the usual age of three score and ten allotted to man, he is still vigorous in mind and body, and con- tinues to give his personal attention to all the details of his business and takes an act- ive interest in all matters of public concern. In the last twenty years he has made no less than seven trips to Europe, spending a considerable portion of the time during his absence in his native country, where he has traveled amidst the scenes of his childhood, and looked up places of interest in connec- tion with the history of his family. While he cherishes that feeling of attachment which it is most natural for one to have towards the place of his nativity, he still regards the country of his adoption as the one to which he owes the strongest allegiance, and of Texas especially he speaks with that pecu- liar pride and affection which all old Texans are wont to show in referring to the State in which they have so long lived and the making of whose history they have watched from its infancy up.

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3 OHN KUHLMAN .- About the close of the first quarter of the present century three brothers, John, Henry, and George Kuhlnan, emigrated from Germany to the United States, com- ing probably at different times, and settled in New Orleans. John was a sailor, follow- ing seafaring life both before and after com- ing to America. In his voyage on the gulf he heard a great deal of Texas, and in 1836 visited the country to look it over with a view of settling, provided he was pleased with the prospects. He seems to have been satisfied, for he returned to stay in 1839, locating at Houston, at which place his brothers, Henry and George, subsequent- ly took up their residence, and all three here spent the remainder of their lives. They were all born in Gerinany, John on December 25, 1812, and Henry and George at intervals of about two years later.

John Kuhlman was a poor man when he came to Houston, and like the industrious, thrifty, German that he was, he accepted whatever kind of work he could get to do, being variously engaged at gardening, farm- ing sawmilling and railroading. As soon as he was able he purchased a small place of his own and settled on. it, and from that time on gave his attention chiefly to the pursuits of the farm. He was very saving, and by investing his means in cheap lands and town lots he came, in the course of thirty or forty years, to be a large real-estate holder, and died leaving an estate valued at over $100,000. He was three times married and the head of a numerous household. His first marriage occurred in New Orleans previous to his coming to Texas, and was to Mary Ann Heitman, by whom he had five children, all of whom became grown and three of whom; Mary, Kathrina and Caro-

line are still living. His last marriage was to Mrs. Sarah Williams, of Houston, a na- tive of Sabine Parish, Louisiana, born March 9, 1836, and daughter of HI. P. and Lavania Stroud, and the issue of this marriage was seven children: Annie Henrietta, Ada, Ida, Henry, George, John, and one that died in infancy. · His descendants, children and grandchildren, now number between forty and fifty, and these, with the children and grandchildren, of his brothers, Henry and George, make the Kuhlman family one of the largest of the county. Mr. Kuhlman died in Houston in 1882 and his death was taken notice of by the local press as the passing away of "one of Harris county's early settlers-an honest, industri- ous, good citizen."

A NDRE SEUREAU .- Physcians of eminence testify that the existence of a well-conducted drug shop is as necessary to the medical world as the advice and prescriptions of doctors. In fact it would be difficult to name a branch of business more important to the welfare of the community than that devoted to the sale of drugs and chemicals, or one demand- ing more ability and scientific knowledge on the part of those engaged. From the very earliest ages the art of preparing the com- pounds that arrest and remove pain and heal the sick has been regarded as among the highest of human functions, and thus it is that so much interest and importance at- tach to the calling of the druggist in the present day.

Among the leading and most reliable members of the pharmaceutical profession in Houston may be mentioned Andre Seureau, whose place of business is at 2001 1

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Congress avenue. He was born in Gemozac, Charente Inferieure, France, January 3, 1865, a son of Auguste and Laura Seurean, who were also natives of that country. The family came to the United States on the steamer Chateau Lafitte, the voyage lasting fourteen and a half days. They landed in New York city July 14, 1882, and, after re- miaining there about two weeks, went to Danville, Kentucky, and two months later came to Houston, where Auguste Seureau purchased a tract of land, comprising about 4,000 acres, at Red Bluff, Harris county, and here he embarked in the raising of cat- tle and sheep, and has done well, being also the owner of some valuable real estate in Houston. His children were named Emile, Edward, Jeanne (deceased), Andre, Paul, and Suzanne.

Andre Seureau received excellent educa- tional advantages in his youth, and for five years was an attendant of the Cognac Col- lege, and afterward took a three-years course in pharmacy, in which he graduated, being at the same time a fine Latin, Greek, French and English scholar. He is gifted with a fine mentality, has always made the most of the opportunities that have come in his way, and, as a natural consequence, no more talented or accomplished gentleman can be found in Houston than he. He is peculiarly qualified for the successful pro- fessional career he is pursuing, lias the con- fidence of the public, and his extensive business is not confined alone to Houston, but extends over a wide territory. A special feature is made of the prescription depart- ment, all physicians' formula and family recipes being dispensed with accuracy and precision. In the winter of 1891, Mr. Seureau, in company with R. D. Cline, opened his establishment in Houston, the

style of the firm being Cline & Seureau; but June 10, 1893, Mr. Seureau became the sole proprietor, and has remained so up to the present time. He keeps a full line of the purest drugs, patent medicines, and the various toilet articles that go to make up a first-class drug-store, and among his patrons are the first people of the city. He is looked upon as one of the rising and sub- stantial young business men of Houston, is to be relied upon at all times, and his honesty is above suspicion. Since the 16th of August, 1893, he has been married to Miss Josie Ohlson, a native of the city in which they now reside. This worthy young couple move in the highest social circles, are hospitable and cordial, yet unostenta- tious, in their home, and have many friends.

EORGE E. DICKEY, architect, of Houston, was born in Wilmot, New Hampshire, October 29, 1840, and is a son of James and Sebra Dickey, both of New England birth and ancestry. He was educated in the public schools of his native place, and in the high school at New London, New Hampshire. He studied architecture in Boston, and in 1868 opened an office in Waltham, Massachusetts, and one shortly afterward also in Boston, both of which he conducted successfully until 1873. At that date he moved to Toronto, Canada, where for five years he followed his profession with growing success.

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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