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 76

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 76
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 76

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

Mr. Polk is a Royal Arch Mason, being a member of Gray Lodge, No. 329, F. & A. M., and Washington Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M. He is also a member of Houston Lodge of Elks, No. 151, and of Old Hickory Lodge, Woodmen of the World. He and his family are communicants of the Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

APTAIN WILLIAM C. WAGLEY. -The first purchase of real estate mentioned in the Bible was made by Abraham, from Ephron, of the cave and field of Machpelah; consideration, 400 shekels of silver; and the instrument of transfer reads much like the modern war- ranty deed. Land has been bought and sold among all nations; but the business reaches its climax in the United States, where general distribution of realty and a spirit of speculation, incited by advancing values, combine to give great activity.

Among the most prominent of those en- gaged in this business in Houston, is Cap- tain William C. Wagley, who is the oldest dealer in the place and has pursued his call- ing here for almost a quarter of a century. He is a native of Kentucky, first seeing the light in Adair county, August 6, 1826, a son of George and Eliza (Caldwell) Wag- ley, who were also Kentuckians, and died at the ages of forty-eight and fifty respectively, leaving, besides the subject of this sketch, a daughter named Mary. William C. Wag- ley was, fortunately, given fair educational advantages in his youth, and, besides pur- suing the paths of learning in the common schools of his native county, was for some time an attendant .of St. Joseph College, of Nelson county, Kentucky. He then decided

to make law his profession, and, after fitting himself, was admitted to the bar before he was twenty-one years of age. However, at the age of twenty, he became a volunteer for the Mexican war, and was made Lieutenant of Company C, Third Dragoons, and was in active service from 1846 to 1848, when he resigned his commission and returned to the pursuits of civil life. Up to the break- ing out of the civil war he was a legal practitioner of some prominence and a suc- cessful merchant of Warsaw, Hancock county, Illinois, afterward a resident of Memphis, Tennessee, and later a resident of New Orleans, in which city he remained during the great struggle between the North and the South. From New Orleans he went to Velasco, Texas, in 1866, where, for about two years, he filled the position of surveyor of customs, but since 1870 he has been one of the substantial and highly honored citizens of Houston, and has linked his name inseparably with the real-estate interests of this section. No man in the county more thoroughly understands realty values than does he, and the interests of in- vestors cannot be placed in safer hands, for he is at all times true to his patrons' inter- ests. He has been a participator in every movement which has given promise of en- hancing the value of property, is always guided by intelligence, with quick appre- hension, and it has always been found that he is a most agreeable gentleman with whom to do business.

The principles of the Democratic party have always seemed good in his eyes, and, although he has always been active in the political affairs of Harris county, he has never aspired to public office. In 1851 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Leach, daughter of Samnel Leach, of Illinois.

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

AX STUBENRAUCH .- In any statement of the nature, origin and relative influence of those factors which have given direc- tion to activity, helped to mold opinion, and lent color to life and civilization on this con- tinent since its occupancy by white men, a high place must be assigned to whatever has come from northern and central Europe, and especially to all that which has borne the stamp of the German race, -the fair- haired Saxons, back to whom even the En- glish trace their origin, together with all that is best in them of habit, thought, and feeling. Germany has always been a heavy contributor to the population of the United States, and the influence of the German people who have sought homes in this coun- try is easily discernable in all the phases of our national existence. "A sturdy German," "an industrious, thrifty German," "a patient, plodding German," and other expressions of like meaning of so frequent occurrence in our histories, show how thoroughly the dweller from over the Rhine has made his admirable qualities of sturdiness, patience, industry, thrift, and the like felt in our his- tory, while the history itself, if it should happen to be Von Holst's, -one of the best that has been written, -will show what the influence of this people on our intellectual life has been, not to mention the effects of German music of all kinds, painting, sculp- ture, and other esthetic influences.

The subject of this sketch was born un- der the German empire, and came of a line of German ancestors extending back beyond the time of recorded history, being a native of Sunderhine-on-the-Rhine, where he first opened his eyes, in the year 1841. He was reared in his native place to the age of six- teen, when, alone and with barely enough

money to pay his ship passage, he took a steamer at one of the principal German ports for the New World. He landed at New Orleans, where he found employment in due time, and resided for the next five years. "In the meantime he married a young lady of that place, Selma Reissland, born in Coburg, Saxony, but reared in the Crescent City, where her parents settled in her in- fancy.

In the spring of 1865 Mr. Stubenrauch, after a brief but successful career as a shoe merchant on his own account in New Or- leans, came to Texas with a stock of boots and shoes for the purpose of trying his for- tune in this new country. He settled at Houston, and, opening his stock of foot gear in a small frame building on the west side of Main street, between Franklin and Commerce avenues, entered on his career as . a Texas merchant. The results proved that he had not been mistaken in his calculations, for his sales were large and his profits good even from the beginning, and he did a pros- perous business for many years, -as long, in fact, as his health would permit him to give his attention to business matters. About 1878 or 1879 he began to suffer with a spinal trouble, and this, rapidly growing worse, necessitated his retiring from business in 1882, after which time until his death he did but little except to seek a restoration of health, which he did partly by a quiet life with his family and partly by visiting noted health resorts, the waters of which were supposed to be beneficial to such cases as his. He thus spent considerable time at Hot Springs, Arkansas, and had himself at one time and another under the treatment of perhaps a score of physicians, seeking, by every means, relief from . the dread disease which had laid siege so immediately to the

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seat of vitality. But all his efforts were in vain. After a great deal of suffering and the expenditure of hundreds of dollars, he died, April 6, 1894. He left a large estate, worth probably $100,000 or $125,000, the result of his twenty years' active business life, most of which consists of real estate in the city of Houston, which is not only val- uable now, but is yearly increasing in value. Surviving him also he left a widow and four children, two sons and two daughters, who are thus not only well provided for, so far as the material comforts of life are concerned, but whose way he sought to make smooth by every means suggested by the tenderest · solicitude and deepest affection.

In any attempt to give a further account of Mr. Stubenrauch's career, or analysis of his character, but little can be added to the statement that he was a type-well nigh a perfect one-of the sturdy, independent, thrifty German, such as is familiar to us both in life and literature, -a man of settled habits, social nature, faithful as a citizen, kind and affectionate to his family. He took but little interest in anything beyond his business and his home, though he always voted and usually held decided opinions on public matters. But his home was his chief place of enjoyment. Its friendships and as- sociations, books, pictures and flowers af- forded him ample means of pleasure, and here he spent most of his time.

J AMES S. LUCAS, son of Thomas and Ann Lucas, was born in Notting- ham, England, on the 16th day of February, 1836. His father being a contractor, James S. learned this trade under him and followed it for a number of years in his native place. On August 8,

1862, he married Emily Haywood, daughter of Alfred and Mary Haywood, of Sheffield, and ten years later emigrated with his family and older brother, Thomas, to the United States. He sailed from England direct to Texas, and first settled at Galveston, whence after a year's residence he moved to Hous- ton, and here spent the remaining fifteen years of his life. He followed his trade as a brick-mason and engaged in contracting and building in this city, at which he found steady employment and inet with reasonable success. He always maintained a good standing, both as a workman and as a citi- zen, and in his death every one recognized the loss of a valuable member of the com- munity. He died June 17, 1888. His widow and four children, -Alfred Thomas, Samuel James Sherwood, Herbert, and Emily, wife of P. B. Goodwin, -are still residents of this city. His brother Thomas returned to England the year after coming to Texas.

Mr. Lucas was much attached to the home of his adoption, greatly esteemed its people, and was held in high esteein by them. Following the bent of a naturally reverent and kind disposition, he early in life con- nected himself with the Methodist Church, and at one time seriously thought of devot- ing himself to ministerial work, going so far as to prepare himself for entry to the pulpit. He never fully carried out the purpose, but settled down, as before stated, to pursuits of a different nature. Still his interest in church work never abated, and he lived a most orderly and consistent Christian life. Identifying himself with Shearn Memorial Church, of this city, on his removal here, he was to the day of his death an earnest mem- ber of that congregation. He never took any interest, to speak of, in fraternity matters,

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his church being all in all to him. But into the spirit which lies at the foundation of all benevolent organizations he fully entered and in his own humble and unpretentious way gave emphasis and meaning to those broad and generous impulses and tender

sympathies and sentiments, which, under so inany varying forms, hold mankind together. His devotion to his family was most marked and in accordance with his means he made every reasonable provision for them.

EORGE FUNK .- The question of food supplies is one of the first with which the human family have to grapple, and viewing the com- petition from a commercial standpoint it will be admitted that the well-appointed grocery establishment furnishes the largest share toward the solution of the problem of feed- ing the masses.

In such connection we make reference to the well-appointed and popular house owned and managed by George Funk, who is a pushing and honest and consequently thriving man of business. He is a product of the city of New Orleans, where he was born on the 2d day of August, 1853, his parents, Jacob and Eva Funk, having both been born in Germany, and having been pos- sessed of many of the most worthy traits of character of that people, being honest, in- dustrious and thrifty. They came to the "land of the free " in their early manhood and womanhood, and here endeavored to establish a home for themselves, in which laudable endeavor they met with reasonable success. At the age of fifty-three years the father passed away, his wife having died at the untimely age of twenty-eight years. A family of five children were given them,

three of whom survive them: Lena, wife of Thomas Glispin, a resident of Galveston, Texas; Louisa, wife of J. C. Robb, of Hempstead, Texas; and George, the sub- ject of this sketch. When the last was but four years of age he was taken by his parents to Natchez, Mississippi, where he was reared, receiving the advantages of the public schools, and acquiring a practical com- mon-school education. Upon attaining the age of eighteen years, he followed in the

footsteps of the average German and ap- prenticed himself to learn a trade, and in

due course of time learned all there was to

be learned of the baker's trade, after which lie followed it in Houston, Texas, whither he had come in 1872. He was for some time in the employ of Charles and Christian Bollfrass, and was then with the firm of Browne & Bollfrass for some time. With the usual German thrift he had by this time saved considerable means, and he then pur- chased the establishment owned by Joe Springer, on Dallas avenue, near San Felipe street, but two years later moved to his present place of business at 312 San Felipe street, where he is doing a prosperous busi- ness in the grocery line, having abandoned his trade. In the conduct of his affairs he brings long, practical experience to bear, evidence of which is amply attested by the liberal patronage he now controls. The premises occupied by him are of ample dimensions and contain a fine stock of staple and fancy groceries and country produce that will bear favorable comparison with that displayed by any similar first-class establishment of the city. Popular prices prevail, too; in short, no effort on the part of Mr. Funk is spared to please and satisfy each and every one of his numerous patrons.

He has never asked for or aspired to

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political office, but always is interested in politics and talks intelligently and reason- ably upon the subject, and is usually a dele- gate from his ward to the city, county and State conventions: He is a firm believer in the city of Houston, and has proven this by investing considerable of his capital in city real estate, and is the owner of about twelve residences, that he rents, besides other valu- able property.

He is of a social disposition and is a member of the American Legion of Honor. He was married in 1875, to Miss Amelia Kruger, by whom he has six children: Os- car, Ella, Rena, Eva, George and Idabelle; and the family are regular attendants of the Presbyterian Church.

0 R. JOHN L. BRYAN, now de- ceased, was for many years a resi- dent of the city of Houston, and a pioneer dentist of Texas. He was born in Kingston, North Carolina, August 17, 1813, and was a son of Lewis and Mary Dudley Bryan, both of whom, also, were natives of North Carolina, born in or near Newbern, in which locality their ancestors settled early in the last century. John L. Bryan was reared partly in Kingston, North Carolina, and partly in Washington, Missis- sippi, to which latter place his parents moved during his boyhood. He was edu- cated under the direction of his father, who was a man of superior mental attainments, and a teacher by profession. He was pre- pared for the practice of dentistry, and began the pursuit of this profession in Nash- ville, Tennessee, but came shortly after- ward to Texas, this being in 1836. For a number of years he was engaged in the pur- suit of his profession as an itinerant, visit-

ing the scattered settlements along the Brazos, going west as far as Austin, and covering all of the coast country in his cir- cuit. He located permanently in Houston, about 1843, and here followed the practice of dentistry the remainder of his life. He was prosperous in his profession and a suc- cessful business man, accumulating a large amount of property, represented by invest- ments in real estate. He was never in public life, though not lacking in public spirit, and he gave but little attention to general interests, although he was an asso- ciate of the leading promoters of Texas' early enterprises, with whom he was in active sympathy.

Dr. Bryan was twice married, marrying first about 1832, by which union he had four sons, Lewis Woodson, Mordecai Alex- ander, William Hardy and Thomas Paschall, all of whom became grown. His second marriage took place near La Grange, Texas, June 2, 1847, and was to Miss Mary A. Fitchett, daughter of Daniel T. and Mary Fitchett, mention of whom will be found in the sketch of Levi Bostick, appearing else- where in this volume. By this marriage he had five children, two sons and three daugh- ters: John Lewis, Mary E , Edward Wads- worth, Caro A. and Johnelle.

l'ew of the many sufferers during the great conflict of 1861-65 made as heavy a sacrifice for the "lost cause" as did Dr. Bryan. Four sons, Lewis Woodson, Mor- decai Alexander, William Hardy and John Lewis,-being all who were then living and old enough to bear arms, -entered the Con- federate army at the opening of hostilities, and three were lost, falling gallantly in the field of battle; two were drowned, -one while on the way to join a new appointment in the signal corps, then in Galveston. Such a

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

loss was too much for a deep an affectionate nature like Dr. Bryan's to bear, and the grief, preying constantly on his mind, led to his death, which occurred July 18, 1867. His widow and four surviving children by the last marriage are residents of Houston, the son being a member of the dental pro- fession; the eldest daughter the wife of Dr. C. S. Vance, and the two younger daugh- ters teachers.

Dr. Bryan was for many years a meill- ber of the Methodist Church, he and his first wife being charter members of the first Methodist Church organized in the city of Houston. He was also an active inember of the Masonic order, holding at one time the position of Master of Holland Lodge, No. 1, of Houston. He became a Knight Tem- plar in the order, and in an earlier day made, of silver, many of the jewels worn in the lodge.

ATHAN ALLTMONT, son of Meyer Alltmont, was born in 1823, in Bavaria, Germany, where he was reared and learned the trade of a merchant tailor. He married Caroline Cramer, of his native place, in 1843, and in 1848 sailed for America. His destination was New Orleans, but the vessel on which he sailed being wrecked off the coast of South Carolina, he made his first landing at Charleston, in that State. He proceeded immediately from that point .to New Or- leans, where he opened a merchant-tailor- ing establishment, which he conducted suc- cessfully until 1864. This establishment was then succeeded by a general store, which he carried on with still better success until 1872. At that date he came to Texas, and, locat- ing at Houston, 311 Travis street, here

started a general mercantile establishment, with which he was actively connected until his death, December 8, 1893. Mr. Allt- mont was a gentleman inuch respected both in business and social circles in this city, and although at the ripe age of seventy-one years at the time of his decease, his death was much regretted by all who enjoyed the pleasure of his friendship and acquaintance. He was preceded to the grave one week by his estimable wife, her death occurring De- cember 1, 1893. They were the parents of a number of children, most of whom be- came grown, six marrying. Their eldest born was Alfred, now deceased, who left a widow and four children: Nettie, Bertha, Charles, and Alfred. The second child, Jeannette, now Mrs. Max Hart, has two children: Bertha and Meyer. The third child, Jonas, was born in New Orleans, April 15, 1851, graduated at Dolbar's Com- inercial College at the age of fifteen, was bookkeeper for Levi & Navra for about one year; was a partner with his father from 1884 to' 1888; was married July 2, 1884, to Florence Meyer, daughter of L. H. Meyer, and has two children: Julia and Alfred Meyer. The fourth child, Noah, was born in New Orleans, June 17, 1856; was married November 26, 1882, to Ella Ries, daughter of Solomon Ries, and has one child, Solo- mon. Noah is manager at the store for his brother Sam. The fifth child, Henrietta, wife of Mose Kahen, has four children: Eu- gene, Meyer, Alfred, and Sadie. The young- est of the family is Sam, who was born, at New Orleans, March 20, 1863. He re- ceived a commercial education, graduating at Euston's Business College, in Houston, Texas, August 6, 1878, at which time he entered his father's store, of which he be- came manager and remained such till his

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father's death in 1893, when he succeeded to the business. He was married August 25, 1891, to Miss Florence Sachse, a daughter T. C. Sachse; and has two children: Etta and Nathan.

Mr. Nathan Alltmont, the subject of this brief memoir, was a representative of that large class of German-born American citizens, who, coming to this country with- out means, and with only an imperfect knowledge of the English language, rise by their own unaided efforts, through industry, economy and correct business methods, fromn poverty to positions of comparative ease, and who, in so doing, also discharge their full duty as citizens. For a quarter of a century he was in business in New Orleans, and for an almost equal length of time in this city, thus being, in point of actual time spent in business pursuits, one of the oldest merchants in the city at the time of his death. His career here and elsewhere was always marked by the strictest integrity, and by the observance of the most liberal methods of dealing. He assisted public enterprises to the extent of his means, and gave freely to charity. Like all successful merchants, he was chiefly concerned with his business pursuits, but he was social by nature, kind and companionable, and toward his family was a model husband and father. le pro- vided well for those dependent on him, and was, in return, the recipient of the sincerest affection, his children and grandchildren showing now the tenderest regard for his memory.

Q HARLES WOESSNER. - Among the popular grocers doing business in Houston, Texas, it can truly be said that none enjoy a better repu- tation or are conducting a more thriving

business than Charles Woessner, and the secret of this is, without doubt, owing to the fact that he is at all times the soul of honesty in his business transactions, that he keeps an excellent and well-selected line of goods, and that he looks after the interests of his customers with zealous care, and guarantees all orders being filled with the best the market affords.

In' his veins flows sturdy and honest German blood, his natal day and place be- ing December, 24, 1858, Wurtemberg, Ger- many. His parents were Gottleib and Caro- line Woessner, who were intelligent, ener- getic and peacable people, highly honored in the section in which they lived. The early days of the subject of this sketch were spent in the manner of the average German boy, that is, he attended school until he at- tained his thirteenth year, and during his vacations and leisure moments he lent his assistance to his parents in whatever manner they saw fit, and, upon reaching a suitable age, began learning the trade of machinist, at which he labored in his native land until 1881, when he decided to "seek green fields and pastures new," and first set foot on American soil in the city of New York. November 11 of the same year he arrived in Houston, and fortunately at once secured work at his trade from Simpson & Wiggin, with whom he remained for about two and a half years.

The spirit of adventure then possessed him, and he was very desirous of seeing more of the United States before settling down to business; so he left Houston and spent about one year in traveling, during which time he visited many cities, and could have secured work in almost any one of them had he so desired, for he was a very skillful and rapid workman, but this was not liis object.

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He finally drifted back to Houston and re- entered the service of Simpson & Wiggin, and, although he received excellent wages, the life was not suited to one of his am- bitious and energetic nature, for his great desire was to rise in the social and business circles of Houston, and as a means to this end he decided to engage in merchandising. In 1885 he opened a family grocery store, on a small but safe scale, on the corner of Mc- Kinney and LaBranch streets, and by judic- ious management and earnest endeavor he has attained the goal of his ambition and is considered one of the foremost merchants of the city, as well as being prominent in her social circles. He has the utmost faith in a grand future for the city, and from time to time has judiciously invested means in real estate, and is now the owner of five lots and · residences near his place of business, three vacant lots on Chartres street and three lots just outside the city limits, all of which prop- erty is valuable.

Although Mr. Woessner is not a member of any church, he is possessed of the "milk of human kindness," is charitable to the faults and failings of others, is liberal in his support of the Christian cause, and is a be- liever in and one who practices the teach- ings of the golden rule. He is well posted ou the current issues of the day, gives all important subjects his serious consideration, and rarely speaks before he thinks, but when called upon to pass his opinion does so freely and unhesitatingly. All efforts that are calculated to advance the interests of the city or county in which he lives find him a liberal supporter, both personally and financially. He deserves the greatest credit for the success to which he has attained, for it is entirely due to his own exertions, as upon his arrival in this country his means

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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