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 83

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 83
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 83

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Mr. Dolson resides at No. 1412 Post Office street, where he purchased property in 1871 and has made a pleasant home.

AVID WEBER was born October 27, 1875, in the Province of War- saw, Prussia, Germany, where he spent his boyhood and youth, com- ing thence, in 1846, to Texas as a member of Fisher & Miller's colony. In 1848 he en- tered the United States army for service against Mexico, and served till the close of that war. He then took up his permanent

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abode in Galveston, where he went to work at his trade as a moulder in the foundry of Hiram Close, for whom he worked for a period of nineteen years, until February, 1866, when Mr. Close was succeeded in business by the firm of C. B. Lee & Com- pany, of which Mr. Weber became a mem- ber, and so continues at this time.

In 1850 Mr. Weber married Miss August Henck, of Galveston, and the issue of this union has been ten children, six of whom are living: Robert, Jennie, Harvey, Lillie, Oscar and Gussie, -all married and com- fortably settled in life.

J OHN NELSON .- Since the dawn of civilization in Europe the countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the islands of the Baltic sea have fur- nished a large quota of the world's sailors and those who have, in the various capacities of shipbuilders, ship-owners and ship agents, had to do with the seafaring life. Wherever the white-winged messengers of commerce have touched, there these hardy sons of the North have gone, and as a result many of them are found scattered in all quarters of the globe.

The subject of this brief sketch is a na- tive of the island of Gothland, lying off the east coast of Sweden, in the Baltic sea, and was born December 21, 1832. His father was a farmer, and John was brought up on the farm. At the age of nineteen he went to sea, engaging in the coast wise trade on the Baltic until 1855, when he made his first trip across the Atlantic on a vessel bound for New York city. Following that date he voyaged to Australia, China, and the western coast of North America, making, in his rounds, the port of Galveston in 1858. He was here

again early in 1859, and on the occasion of each trip he was most favorably impressed with the city and its surroundings. In the fall of the year last named he returned to Galveston to make it his home. For the past thirty-five years, except the period covered by the civil war, he has been connected with the shipping interest at this point, during which time he has succeeded in winning a fair reputation and accumulating some means. He is and has been since the war a member of the firm of Nelson & Dolson, stevedores, in which capacity he is well known to the ship- pers and business inen of the city. Mr. Nelson enlisted in the Confederate army, as a member of Cook's regiment of heavy ar- tillery, at the opening of the late war, and served in the vicinity of Galveston until the close of hostilities.

On August 23, 1863, he married Miss Catherine Kelley, who is a native of Ire- land, having come to Galveston in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have a comfortable home at 1414 Post Office street.

J OHN FALKENHAGEN .- The sub- ject of this sketch is one of the early acquisitions to the German colony of Galveston. He is a native of Prus- sia, and, in 1849, came with his parents direct from Germany to Galveston at the age of fourteen. He was born near Berlin, Germany, in the year 1835. Upon his ar- rival at Galveston he found employment on the sailing vessels and other crafts that plied the Gulf coast, and held various subordinate positions thereon. Later he abandoned the sea, and at Galveston took up the business of draying, which he successfully pursued for several years, -- up to about 1858. He then, in company with his father, George

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Falkenhagen, engaged in the business of house-moving, being the first to take up this kind of work in Galveston. He followed it successfully about twenty years, doing nearly all the business in that line on the island.

His father died in 1886, having been en- gaged in active pursuits of one kind and an- other up to the time of his death. He left a small estate and an honorable name.

Owing to a partial failure of health and advancing years the subject of this sketch retired from active business some time ago, and now lives quietly at his home on Broad- way, between Thirty-first and Thirty-second streets, Galveston.

Mr. Falkenhagen has been three tinies married. He first married, in 1856, Dora Laursen. a native of Germany." She died of yellow fever the following year. In 1858 he married Louisa Bartold, who died in Jan- uary, 1878, leaving five children: George, William, Louis, Louisa, and John. In July, 1878, Mr. Falkenhagen married Minnie Traubanis, of Houston, and by this union has one son, August H.

F REDERICK GIBBERT .- The name of Frederick Gibbert has long been actively and prom- inently identified with the building up of Galveston, and the erection of many of her largest and most stately edifices. He brings vast practical experience to bear, coupled with sound judgment, and he occu- pies a high and honored position among the business men of the city. His natal coun- try is Prussia, where he was born January 5, 1833, and the year 1852 dates his arrival in the Lone Star State.

He manifested a mechanical turn of mind when very young, and, accordingly, was ap-

prenticed to the carpenter's trade, the details of which he thoroughly learned. Upon his arrival in Galveston, Texas, at the age of nineteen years, he secured employment at his trade with Jules Kauffinan, and, for about twenty-seven years, or until 1879, was associated with him. During the civil war, however, he served in the Confederate army, first enlisting for six months and then re-enlisting for the remainder of the war as a member of Cook's regiment.

After the cause was lost he returned to his former occupation, to which he has since devoted his attention, with the result that he has accumulated a comfortable com- petency, and lias made a name for himself as an experienced and reliable contractor and builder, and a substantial, law-abiding citizen. In the latter part of the year 1857 he led to the altar Miss Regina Moser, whose birth occurred in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, and a family of seven children, six daughters and one son, have blessed their union: Caroline, widow of Charles Schneider; Pauline, who is the wife of Williamn Meier; Louise, the wife of Robert Bautseh; Bettie, wife of Henry Thomas; Mary, who married Henry Rutzel; Frances is now Mrs. William Muller; and Charley, who is now eighteen years of age and still lives with his parents.

ERDINAND A. MARCHAND, farmer and fruit-grower of Galves- ton county, was born in the city of Galveston, August 24, 1852, being a son of Ferdinand and Octavia March- and, natives of Alsace, France, who settled in Galveston in 1851 (see sketch of Ferdin- and Marchand elsewhere in this volume).

Ferdinand A. Marchand was reared in Galveston, wliere he was engaged in differ-

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HISTORY OF TEXAS.

ent industrial pursuits until after his father's death, in 1889, when, having settled up the latter's estate, he purchased two ten-acre tracts of land, near Lamarque, on which he took up his residence and began the profit- able industry of fruit-growing. Mr. Marchand has a well-located and nicely improved place, and, in his unpretentious way, is adding to the reputation of the Texas coast country as a fruit-growing region. He has tried all the staple fruits which have been found to do well in this section, such as pears, peaches, plums, figs, apricots, grapes, and several varieties of berries, with each of which he has also done well.

On January 15, 1891, he was united in marriage with Miss Lillie Wrench, a native of New Braunfels, Comal county, and a daughter of Henry and Johanna Wrench, who came to this State about 1860. Mr. Marchand has living one daughter, Octavia, and one son, William A., -a daughter, Mary, and a son, Ferdinand H., being deceased.

ENRY ELLMERS, deceased. - The subject of this sketch was born in Schambeck, Hanover, Germany, October 8, 1845, and came of sturdy and industrious German parentage. When but a boy in years he decided to follow the sea, and about 1870 or 1871 he made his first appearance in Galveston. In 1873 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Speace, who died two years later, in 1875. March 2, 1876, he married Miss Helena Holleroth, a native of Bremen, Germany, and daughter of Fredrick and Annie Holleroth, also na- tives of that city. Mrs. Ellmers came to Texas alone and settled in Galveston, where she was married.

Afterward Mr. Elmers engaged in the

grocery business on Thirty-fifth and North streets, built up a sucsessful trade, and car- ried it on at that location for some time, when he moved to Thirty-seventh street and O avenue. His death occurred on February 6, 1881. In all his business relations he was an honest, upright man, of large capa- bilities, extraordinary energy and progressive spirit. In his social relations as a citizen, as a neighbor and as the head of a family, he was alike respected and loved. He was domestic in his tastes, and his pleasure was chiefly with his family. All his acts were open to the public, and those who knew him best respected him the mnost. He was reared in the Lutheran faith and was an earnest member of that church. Socially he was an Odd Fellow, a member of Har- mony Lodge, No. 5: He and his brother, Lewis Ellmers, who now resides in Galves -. ton, were the only ones of the family to cross the ocean to America. To Mr. and Mrs. Ellmers were born three children, only one of whom survives, Henrietta. Mrs. Ellmers has two sisters and a brother in this country. One sister, Mrs. Fritz Wedemyer, makes her home in Galveston; the other, Mrs. Garrett Ripkin, resides in lowa; and the brother, Fredrick Holleroth, is a resident of Jefferson City, Missouri. Mrs. Ellmers and her daughter hold membership in the Lutheran Church. After the death of her husband Mrs. Elliners continued the busi- ness at Thirty-seventh and O avenue for ten years, and was very successful, her's be- ing the only store in the neighborhood. Al- though at the time of her husband's death they were considerably in debt, Mrs. Ell- mers paid this off, and, by her industry and excellent business management, accumu- lated sufficient means to buy a number of lots, on which she has erected six residences,

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the rental from which yields her a fair revenue. Mrs. Elliners is a thorough busi- ness woman and deserves much credit for the capable manner in which she has carried on business.

ENRY BEISSNER .- The subject of this brief sketch bears a name long familiar to the people of Gal- veston island, being a nephew of Charles L. and George W. Beissner, the former of whom settled here in 1842 and the latter in 1843, and having himself been a resident of the city for a period of forty years. Born in Welsede, Hessen, Germany, June 1, 1837, Henry Beissner resided in his native country till he reached his nineteenth year, when, in September, 1855, he took passage aboard the sailing vessel " Weser " from Bremen to Galveston, at which place he landed two months later. Here he was given employment by his kinsmen, working for his uncle, Charles L., the pioneer hotel keeper of this city; for his uncle, George W., then engaged in the liquor business; and for others, -in all, spending some five years in different pursuits. He then married, in 1861, finding a companion in the person of Miss Helena Kaper, a native of Germany, who had come to Galveston three years be- fore, and, reinforced with her aid and coun- sel, he settled down to business for himself. His first venture was a coffee-house, opened on the corner of Market and Thirty-second streets, and there he did a small but suc- cessful business until the stagnation in trade brought on by the war forced his abandon- ment of the enterprise. In 1864 he was conscripted into the Confederate army and served until the close of the war. Return- ing then to Galveston be bought a lot,

erected a small building on it and embarked in the grocery business, which he followed for about ten years, at the end of which time he engaged in the lumber business, and was so engaged first in partnership with W. F. Stewart and C. H. Moore, and then alone, until March, 1893. Having accumulated an amount of this world's goods sufficient for one of moderate tastes like himself, Mr. Beissner disposed of his business at the date just mentioned, and for a year and a half past has devoted his time to winding up his affairs preparatory to retiring altogether from business pursuits.

While the career of Mr. Beissner does not differ in kind from that of many of his countrymen and old-time associates, it does differ materially in degree of success at- tained. But what is perhaps the most noticeable and most commendable, is his determination, lately expressed, of with- drawing from business, and, during the re- mainder of years allotted to him on earth, devoting his efforts to the rational enjoy- ment of what he has earned. This is not only philosophical, but is highly praise- worthy; for it shows in him the existence of something more than the instinct of gain, and also helps to widen the field of effort for the rising generation of business men.

Mr. Beissner holds considerable invest- ments in real estate in Galveston and some stocks in local enterprises, and he has al- ways favored, and, as far as he felt called on, has helped with his means whatever measures have been set on foot for the promotion of the welfare of the community. Hle lias affiliated with no orders and has taken only a nominal interest in politics.

He has two children, -a daughter, Mrs. R. Voelcker, of San Antonio, Texas; and a son, Henry, not yet of age.

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EV. JOHN H. DAVIDSON .-- For many years the name of Mr. David- son has been inseparably linked with the religions history of Texas, whose annals bear testimony to his valuable services as a divine and his deep religious fervor. He has also clearly demonstrated that there is much more goodness, wisdomn and love in the world than is generally sup- posed, has now grown gray in the service of his Master and rests upon the record of a busy and useful life which should inspire the youths of the present and coming genera- tions to lives of usefulness.

He was born in Jefferson county, Missis- sippi, July 21, 1814, his father being John Alexander Davidson. and his grandfather, General William Davidson. The latter ob- tained his title in the Revolutionary war and gave his life for the cause of liberty, his death resulting from the gunshot wounds of a Tory. Jolin Alexander Davidson was mar- ried to a daughter of Thomas M. Green, who was a conspicuous figure in the early history of Mississippi and son of Hon. Thomas M. Green, who was the first mem- ber of Congress from what was then Missis- sippi Territory.

Rev. John H. Davidson spent the days of his youth and early manhood on the plantation owned by his father in Mississippi, . and was wisely brought up under religious influences. In 1839 he presented an appli- cation to the Mississippi Methodist Episco- pal Conference as a probationer, and was, two years later, received into full member- ship. He traveled several years in the Con- ference, and was then sent as a missionary to the colored people on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi river. In 1852 lie came to Texas and worked as a missionary under the direction of Rev. James W. Wessen

until his final transfer from the Mississippi Conference, which official transfer had suf- fered some unavoidable delay, and upon its formal accomplishment he was stationed about twelve miles below San Felipe, in Austin county, in the service of the Texas Conference, in which portion of the State he labored until 1866, when he came to Galves- ton. He was a minister of this city until about 1888, when he was superannuated.

Mr. Davidson was first married in east- ern Louisiana, in St. Helena parish, to Miss Martha Higganbotham, but was left a wid- ower with five children in 1853. Two years later he again married, his second wife being Mrs. Louise S. Tousley. Three of Mr. Da- vidson's children reached maturity: Thomas G., a successful lawyer, who became crim- inal Prosecuting Attorney for the district embracing Washington, Fayette and Burle- son counties; William W., who died at Brenham; and John G., who died at Galves- ton in December, 1886. Besides these children, Mr. and Mrs. Davidson adopted, reared and educated two orphan children of the late Rev. J. W. Shipman, a pioneer di- vine of Texas and a strong personal friend of Mr. Davidson. Their names are James W. and Ida May, the latter being the wife of Bernard M. Temple, a successful civil engi- neer of Galveston. During their declining years Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are surrounded with every comfort, and are happy in the confidence, love and respect of a wide circle of friends.

OLONEL N. B. YARD .- Nahor. Biggs Yard was born in Trenton, New Jersey, March 12, 1816 He was descended from William Yard, who came from Yorkshire, England, long before the American Revolution and settled

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at Trenton in the then Province of Jersey. His ancestors were loyal to the principles for which the Colonists contended and bore an honorable part in the struggle for inde- pendence. One of them, Benjamin Yard, a gunsmith by trade, made many of the fire- arms which were carried by Washington's army and also erected, in the city of Tren- ton, the ironwork of the triumphal arch under which the "Father of His Country" passed on his way to be inaugurated first President of the United States.

Nahor B. Yard was reared in his native place, in the schools of which he received a common English education, leaving home at the age of twelve and going to Philadel- phia, where he entered the employ of a clothing merchant, Jacob S. Brinley. He remained there until he reached his twenty- first year, when, having contracted a cold which left him a severe cough, he was ad- vised by his physician to seek a warmer climate, and in the fall or early winter of 1837 started for Texas. He left Philadel- phia with a sinall schooner, the "Texas," purchased by himself and adventurous friend named Thomas Gilroy, and aboard this vessel they placed the material for a house, ready to be erected, and a few articles of furniture, with necessary supplies for bachelor housekeeping. They coasted along the Atlantic and the Gulf, and finally sailed into Galveston bay, landing on the island January 18, 1838. When he reached this place Colonel Yard found a few settlers, living mostly in tents, no city organization having yet been effected and there being as yet no wharf or public buildings. The only place of rest or refreshment was the brig "Elbe," kept by Captain Joseph Taylor, who had converted the wreck of the " Elbe" into a restaurant, hotel and place of general

resort. The custom house of the Republic of Texas was the wreck of another vessel, the " Perseverance." Colonel Yard and his friend landed their cargo, and, after paying tribute to Gail Borden, Jr., first collector of customs, proceeded to erect their building on the east bank of a bayou, near the site of H. M. Trueheart & Company's offices, it being the ninth house erected on the island after the gale of 1837.

The partnership between Colonel Yard and Gilroy was dissolved by mutual con- sent, Gilroy taking the schooner and pro- ceeding on his career of adventure, while Colonel Yard retained the house and its contents as his portion of the joint property. Among the effects brought by Colonel Yard was a stove, which was probably the only one at that time in all Texas, and which was regarded by its owner as a treasure, In transferring this from the vessel to the shore the apron was broken off in some way, which, in the opinion of Colonel Yard, in- jured it considerably, and he demanded dam- ages from the captain, who had undertaken the job of unloading the schooner. The cap- tain refused to allow anything in the way of damages, and Colonel Yard sued him. This suit, filed before John N. Reed, Justice of the Peace of Galveston county, was the first ac- tion at law ever brought in the county.

Having been engaged in the clothing business, Colonel Yard hoped to find some- thing to do here in that line, but on account of the sparsely settled condition of the island, there was no opening of that sort, and he turned his attention in another direc- tion. He and John Jackson built a row-boat and put it in trade to ply between vessels in the channel and the shore, and for some months they did a profitable business in con- veying freight and passengers back and forth.

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On the organization of the city govern- ment, in August, 1839, Colonel Yard was elected Alderman, helped to put the ma- chinery of the new government in motion, and served for a time as City Secretary. The same year he assisted in organizing the Galveston Guards, of which he was elected First Lieutenant, this being the first military organization on the island, and remaining one of the chief sources of reliance against Mex- ican invasion until annexation, in 1846. From 1839 to 1841 he served at intervals as a ranger and helped to protect the settlers on the frontier against the Indians and marauding Mexicans.

About 1841 Colonel Yard opened a clothing house in Galveston, and continued this alone until 1845, when he formed a partnership with Jacob L. Briggs, which association continued until the death of Mr. Briggs, who, with many other old Galves- tonians, went down on the ill-fated steam- ship, "Verona," October 19, 1870. After that Colonel Yard was in business alone until his retirement in 1876.

During his forty years' active career in Galveston Colonel Yard was connected with many of the business enterprises of the city, and, from first to last, held numerous positions of public trust. He assisted in organizing Ilook and Ladder Company No. 1, said to be the first fire company ever or- ganized in Texas. He was one of the projectors of the Galveston, Houston & Henderson Railroad, a pioneer . line of the State, and of the Brazos Canal & Naviga- tion Company, serving as a member of the board of directors of each. He was one of the originators of the Union Fire & Marine Insurance Company, of which he was. for many years a director. From its organization, in 1855, to 1879 he was di-

rector and president of the Galveston Gas Company. In 1853 he was appointed Superintendent of the Public Schools of Gal- veston county and aided materially in build- ing up the county's public-school systemin. He was foreman of the first grand jury ever empaneled in the county, and always lent his influence to the maintenance of order and good government. He was a member of the Howard Association from its organi- zation until his death, and from 1857 to 1879 was its president. In 1861 he was elected First Lieutenant of the Galveston Rifles, the first Confederate company or- ganized in the city, was subsequently elected Captain of the same, and was commissioned Colonel, serving throughout the war in the Trans-Mississippi Department. He was one of the most prominent Masons in Texas, being a Knight Templar and having taken all the degrees in the Ancient York rite, up to and including the thirty-third, and was probably the only man in Texas during his day who held the diploma of the "Aulac Honoris Equiti Magistri," an intermediate degree between the thirty-second and thirty- third degrees of the Ancient Scottish rite. He held every office in the gift of his brethren, from that of Tyler to Grand Com- mander of the Knights Templar, San Felipe de Austin Commandery, Past Grand Commander of the Commandery of the State. He became a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Galveston, in 1841. He sang in the choir, "God Moves in a Mys- terious Way," for the Rev. Benjamin Eaton at his first sermon, and for him at his last sermon, "Nearer, My God, to Thee," when Mr. Eaton, while dismissing his congregation was stricken with death, after a service of thirty years for the same people.

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On February 15, 1846, at Galveston, Colonel Yard married Miss Caroline, daugh- ter of William B. and Caroline Nichols, Mrs. Nichols being a native of New York, born October 4, 1827. Her parents came to Galveston in 1838, lier father going thence, in 1849, to California, where he died in 1877. To Colonel Yard and wife were born six children: Elizabeth Caroline, born December 5, 1846; William Nahor, born November 29, 1847; Hitty Jane, born Janu- ary 15, 1849; Mary Hamilton, born January 10, 1851; Edward Jacob, born January 12, 1860; and George Nichols, born September 17, 1863. Of these three are deceased, - William Nahor, who died April 7, 1848; Mary Hamilton, who died May 12, 1853; and Hitty Jane, who died February 27, 1870. Elizabeth Caroline was married to Fred A. Sinith, and resides at Alvin, Texas; Edward Jacob is chief engineer of the Rio Grande Western Railway, with headquar- ters at Salt Lake City, Utah; and George Nichols is assistant cashier and paymaster of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway, at Galveston, Texas.

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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