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 93

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 93
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 93

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DMUND DREW, deceased, was a resident of the city of Galveston for a number of years, having set- tled on the island about 1840. He was an employee of the city corporation, serving nearly ten years as sexton of the city cemeteries. He married Miss Cath- erine Quirk in this city February 7, 1847, by whom he had eight children, four of whom, three sons and one daughter, are liv- ing. His eldest and youngest sons, William and James J. Drew, reside in Galveston, as does also his daughter, Mrs. Mary Poueigh, wife of T. A. Poueigh, of the city police force. Mr. Drew died in Galveston October 6, 1859. His widow was subsequently mar- ried to Robert Phillipson and resides in this city.

William Drew, son of Edmund and Catherine Drew, was born in the city of Galveston January 8, 1855. He learned the trade of butcher under Robert Mellor in

this city, and engaged in business for him- self as a butcher in January, 1874, since which time he has followed it with very satisfactory results. On June 6, 1887, he married Miss Laura Antinovick, daughter of Lazarus Antinovick and a native of Harris county, Texas.

James J. Drew, son of Edmund and Catherine Drew, was also born in the city of Galveston May 29, 1860, where he was reared. At the age of sixteen he became a clerk in the dry-goods business in this city and was at this about a year, when he en- tered the employ of the J. S. Brown Hard- ware Company, where he has been for the past twelve years, now occupying the re- sponsible position of head-salesman in that establishment. On November 29, 1886, he married Miss Carrie Lang, a daughter of J. P. Lang and a native of the city of Galves- ton, where her parents settled more than forty years ago. To Mr. and Mrs. Drew four sons and one daughter have been born: James J., Viola L., Arthur J., Cedric E. and Marie S.

a D. HOLMES. - The parents of Charles D. Holmes were Charles and Annie Holmes, who were born, reared and married in New Eng- land, whence they moved about the close of the first quarter of the present century to Ohio and settled in Sandusky county. There on a farm Charles D. was born, March 7, 1829, and there he was also reared to the age of eighteen, when he was sent to New York city to be apprenticed to the trade of bell-hanger and gas-fitter. This sort of work not being to his taste, he returned to Ohio, and, selecting a calling for himself, entered the employ of the old Mad River

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Railroad, one of the pioneer lines of the "Buckeye State." Quitting the service of this road as conductor, to which position he had risen by promotion, he came to Texas in the fall of 1859, stopping at Houston. He shortly afterward obtained work in the shops of the old Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado River Railroad, at Harrisburg. Displaying some knowledge for construction, he secured a contract from this road to put up cars and build warehouses along its line, which work he carried on first with this road and later with the Galveston, Houston & Henderson Railroad until the opening of the war.

He entered the Confederate army, en- listing in the Twenty-sixth Texas Cavalry (De Bray's regiment), with which he began service on the Texas coast, followed by more active service in Louisiana, where he took part in all the engagements incident to Banks' Red river campaign, in one of which he re- ceived a slight flesh wound, but remained with his regiment until its final dissolution at the close of hostilities.

After the war Mr. Holmes settled in Galveston, where he had, in 1860, partially taken up his residence, and here engaged in the mercantile business as clerk for Adolph Flake. As soon as he was able he embarked in business for himself, opening a small re- tail grocery store. With his past twenty- five years' business career the people of Galveston are familiar. He is reckoned as one of the largest retail merchants in the city and has met with unqualified success. Asked the question to what he attributed his success, he gave the brief answer, "by at- tending to my business." He has made it a point never to have but one business, and to give that his undivided attention, -to meet his obligations promptly and to insist

on others doing the same with him. Mr. Hohines has occupied very few public posi- tions since he has resided in Galveston, hav- ing been once a member of the Board of Health; but he contributes to such public enterprises as commend themselves to his judgment, gives to charity as he feels the cause deserves, votes for those whom he considers to be the most honest and most capable for public office, and leaves the re- sults to take care of themselves.

a HARLES TILLEBACK .- Success is more often a matter of experi- ence and sound judgment than it is of genius, however bright; for when we trace the career of those whom the world acknowledges as successful, and of those who stand highest in public esteem, we find in almost every case that they are those who have risen gradually.

The subject of this sketch, Charles Tille- back, is a native of Denmark, born at Copen- hagen, February, 1841, and in his native land grew to manhood and received his edu- cation. Learning the butcher's trade he followed that successfully until 1866, when he decided to try his fortune in the United States. 'Ile came direct to Galveston and worked at his trade for Allen, Pool & Com- pany, who were for many years extensively engaged in the dressed meat business in that city. In his selection of a life companion he chose Miss Delia Burns, a native of Gal- way, Ireland, born in 1834, who came to Texas in 1862. Their union was celebrated in 1868, and was blessed by the birth of one son, Charles, who was born August 16, 1869. After working for Allen, Pool & Company for a number of years, Mr. Tille- back started in the butchering business for

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himself, owning a stall in the city market house, where he continued for two years. Later he purchased a tract of land lying south and west of Galveston, twenty-five acres, five acres of which is high land, and to this he has added until he now owns ninety-six acres, sixty-one acres of which are oyster beds. This he cultivates and produces the finest bivalves in the market. On his place are fine picnic grounds, with all necessary appointments for a good time, --- shade, seats, tables, swings, dancing pa- vilion and two fine gridirons especially con- structed for baking oysters. Mr. Tilleback's oysters are celebrated, and a trip to the Island City by the tourist is incomplete without a feast at Tilleback's. Mr. . and Mrs. Tilleback are the most hospitable and social of people, always full of good humor and ready to tell side-splitting anecdotes appropriate to one of these feasts.

EORGE BOEHL .- This gentle- man is a veteran of the Mexican war, a native of Germany, and has been a resident of Texas since 1844, when he made his way thither on an emigrant ship called the, "Apollo" from Bremen. He was born at Mecklenburg, ou the 6th of December, 1816. Shortly after his arrival in Galveston he proceeded to Indianola, Texas, in the vicinity of which place he was engaged in farming until the opening of the war with Mexico, when he joined the Fourth Texas Infantry for a ser- vice of six months. He was under coni- mand of General Taylor and took part in the various battles of his campaign during the four months that he was in the service, after which he received an honorable dis- charge. He now has in his possession a

medal issued by the United States Govern- ment to Mexican war veterans, as a token of esteem and gratitude for his faithful ser- vices and his loyalty to the Government in its time of need. He also draws a pension for the service which he rendered at that time. Since that war he has followed agricultural pursuits on Galveston island, in which oc- cupation he has attained good success. In 1850 he married, and has two sons now living: George, Jr., and August.

ENRY SCHNEIDER (deceased). - In order to perpetuate for his de- scendant the record of one of the old and respected citizens of Galveston county, Texas, now passed to his final re- ward, a brief account of the life of Henry Schneider is placed on the pages of this volume.

He was born March 4, 1855, and was brought to this country from his native land of Westphalia, Germany, when he was about four years of age. His father, for whom he was named, took up his residence in Galveston upon his arrival, and at first found employment in various cotton presses, but later located on the island, where he became the owner of, and successfully con- ducted, a vegetable farin. He there reared his family, and there his son Henry, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood. In 1873 he married Miss Caroline, daughter of John Figge, a cabinet-maker of Galves- ton, who emigrated from Westphalia, Ger- many, in 1872, with his wife and six daugh- ters and one son. Mr. Schneider's mar- riage resulted in the birth of the following named children: Mary, born September 12, 1874, now the wife of Fred Kleimann, a dairyman on Galveston island; Henry, born

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January 20, 1876; Caroline, April 6, 1878; Christina, October 17, 1880; John, April 27, 1882; and Fritz, October 22, 1885. Besides rearing this family, Mrs. Schneider has kindly adopted a little niece, Paula, who was born February 17, 1885, the child of a deceased sister, Mrs. William Miller. Mr Schneider's life was active and useful. His death occurred May 27, 1892, the result of being thrown from a fractious horse.

0 AVID MORLEY was born at Isles- worth, near Richmond, Middlesex, England, July 16, 1843, where he grew to manhood, coming thence in 1871 to the United States. He first lo- cated at Dickinson, Texas, and spent two years there engaged in farming, after which he removed to Galveston, where he located on the Woollam lake property. He resided on this place until 1876, when he moved further west on the island, about five miles out froin the city hall, and in company with Charles Drake was engaged in the dairy bus- iness up to 1889. Selling his interest in this Mr. Morley started in business for himself on twenty acres of his present home. As he had received a good education in his native country and had there been thor- ouglily trained in business pursuits, he was well prepared to take his chances in this country. Success has crowned his efforts and he is classed among the substantial men of his section. In his business career, in his social life, in his domestic affairs, in all his varied relations, Mr. Morley impresses those with whom he comes in contact as a man of integrity and character.

In 1869 he married Miss Emma Bash- ford, a native of Clapham, London city, England, born March 22, 1856, the daugh-

ter of trades-people who were engaged in the retail fruit trade in London. The fol- lowing children have been born to this union: Charlotte Fannie, born on Balls- pond road, Islington, in the city of London, February 8, 1869, and was married in September, 1888, to Alfred Briscall, a na- tive of Birmingham, England. They have had two children: George, born August 18, 1889; and Walter, born February 30, 1893.

Mr. Morley is energetic and persevering, and in the face of serious reverses by flood and epidemics has prospered, and has one of the prettiest homes on Galveston island. He is a minister of the gospel, preaching occasionally, if not regularly, in local pul- pits. He stands high in the community for probity and good citizenship.

ENRY KANKEL was born in Prus- sia, Germany, May 22, 1843, when about fifteen years of age shipped as a sailor before the mast at Liver- pool, England, and came to America, land- ing in New York. He came to Galveston in 1866, and after following boating two years he engaged in farming, buying a small place west of the city, where he took up market-gardening, which he has followed with very fair success.

Mr. Kankel married Miss Reka Boehl, daughter of John Boehl, deceased, who was one of Galveston's respected German citi- zens, Mrs. Kankel having been born in Ger- many and brought by her parents to Texas when she was twelve years old: Of the eight children born to their union only four now survive, as follows: Henry, born Feb -. ruary 21, 1875; Marquis, January 7, 1878; . Annie, July 4, 1881; and Minnie, January IO, 1885.

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a OL. WILLIAM BALDWIN DEN- SON was born in Macon county, Alabama, in December, 1837. His father was Col. John N. Denson, who was a native of Georgia, a planter by occupation and a soldier in the Florida In- dian wars of 1836, in which he served with distinction as the commander of an Alabama regiment under General Andrew Jackson. He died in Alabama in 1839.

The mother of William Baldwin Denson bore the maiden name of Amanda Baldwin, and was also a native of Georgia, born at Milledgeville, the old State capital. Both hers and her husband's families settled in Georgia at an early date, coming originally from Virginia. She was married, however, in Alabama, whither her parents had emi- grated during her childhood. After the death of her husband Mrs. Denson moved with her family in the early '4os to. Louisi- ana and thence, in December, 1853, to Texas, settling in what was then Polk county, but now San Jacinto county.

William B. Denson was sixteen when his mother caine to Texas. His youth was passed in Mansfield, Louisiana, where his early education was mostly obtained. He attended Baylor University at Independ- ence, Washington county, at which he graduated in December, 1857, with the first honors of his class. Having selected the law as his profession he went to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he entered the office of Colonel B. L. Hodge, with whom he read law something over a year and then gradu- ated in the law department of the Univer- sity of New Orleans in 1859.

Returning to Shreveport Mr. Denson opened an office and began the practice of his profession; but before he got fairly started hostilities between the North and

South broke out, and as thousands of oth- ers did he abandoned civil pursuits to take up arıns in defense of his section, enlisting, April, 1861, in a company raised at Shreve- port, of which he was made Color Sergeant, and with which he immediately repaired to the scene of active operations in Virginia. He served with his command in the vicinity of Richmond until February, 1862, when under orders from the Secretary of War he returned to Shreveport, and raised two companies of "partisan rangers," which were consolidated with several other com- panies into the Sixth Louisiana Cavalry, and of this he was inade Lieutenant Colonel. Entering the Trans-Mississippi Departinent with this command, he took part in some of the most important movements in Arkansas and Louisiana following that date. He was captured by the enemy at the battle of Ar- kansas Post in January, 1863, but effected hiis escape from them a few days afterward. After the retreat of our army from Little Rock his command was placed on picket duty and spent about two months of the time at Tulip, Arkansas, assisting in the pro- tection of General Price's army. His com- mand was disbanded at Mansfield, Louisi- ana, on the 20th of May, 1865, when Gen- cral Kirby Smith disbanded his army.

After the war Colonel Denson went to Lake Providence, Louisiana, where he en- gaged in planting for two years, when, in the spring of 1868, he returned to Texas and settled at Cold Springs, in San Jacinto county. He resided there engaged in plant- ing and practicing law until 1876, at which date he moved to Galveston. .During his twenty years' residence in this city he has devoted himself exclusively and with a fair share of success to his profession. He practices mostly in civil cases, and has the

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handling of interests representing a consid- erable amount of capital, his clientage com- ing mainly from the business men of the city. He served for six years as a member of the Board of Education of Galveston, two years of which time he was chairman of the board.

March 26, 1865, Colonel Denson mar- ried Miss Mary Shelby Blackburn, a daugh- ter of Dr. Flournoy and Kate Shelby Black- burn, of Kentucky, and a cousin of the present United States Senator Joe C. S. Blackburn, and the late ex-Governor Luke P. Blackburn, of Kentucky. The issue of this union has been two daughters: Fan- nie, widow of Lee Willis; and Ada B., wife of Milton H. Potter, both of Galveston.

Colonel Denson has been a life-long Democrat, a Mason since 1868 and a mem- ber of the Baptist Church for forty years, in which he has for seventeen years past been a Deacon and for nearly half that length of time Superintendent of Sunday- schools, in which he takes an active, earnest interest. He has a beautiful and happy home in Galveston, around which gathers his loving interest and tenderest care.

J ACQUES TACQUARD, deceased, was born in Alsace, France, on the 29th day of December, 1836. At the age of ten, in 1846, he came to Texas and took up his abode in the vicinity of San Antonio, where he remained until the opening of the late Civil war, when he went to Mexico. He remained on the Mexi- " can side of the Rio Grande engaged in civil pursuits until the restoration of peace in this country, when he returned to Texas and settled at Galveston. He had saved some means from his previous years' labors, but

not enough to enable him to engage in any business pursuits, and for some time after settling here he worked at the carpenter's trade, which he had picked up during his residence in Mexico. About 1869 or 1870 he began to invest in cheap country lands, buying at that date a considerable tract in the vicinity of Hitchcock, Galveston county, to which he moved in the last named year. There he embarked in the cattle business, and in the finsh times for cattle men which followed he made a considerable amount of money. His surplus was thus regularly in- vested, and through industry and good management, aided somewhat by circum- stances, he laid the foundation of a comfort- able fortune, being at the time of his death one of the largest real-estate owners and cattle dealers in Galveston county.

Mr. Tacquard was purely a man of busi- ness. He never held a position of any note in his life, and took only a passing interest in matters of public concern. He was pub- lic-spirited, however, and charitable, as be- came one of his means. He believed in the strict enforcement of the laws and in foster- ing all of those factors and influences that tend to give a healthy moral tone to the community. He was reared a Catholic and was a liberal contributor to the support of his church.

In January, 1863, Mr. Tacquard mar- ried Miss Julia Jacobs, a native of Switzer- land, who emigrated to Texas in company with her sister, Pearline, now Mrs. F. Ren- can, when they were young. The issue of this union was eight children, namely: George, now deceased; Adolph H., Emma, Louisa, Jacques, Frederick, August and Julia. Mrs. Tacquard died in 1881. In 1882 Mr. Tacquard married Miss Faustine Bouthery, a native of Galveston and a

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daughter of Alexander and Marie Bouthery, who emigrated from France to Texas in 1855 and settled at Galveston. The off- spring of this union was four children, viz .: Clemence, Georgiana, Gabrella and Estella.

On the 23d day of September, 1894, after a brief illness, Mr. Tacquard died, deeply mourned by his family and greatly missed by the community of which he was a valued member.

LEXANDER ALLEN was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, March 23, 1818. His father was Worthing- ton Allen, who was a native of the same place, a farmer a'd tanner by occupa- tion. The mother of Alexander Allen died when he was young, and his father marry- ing again and having a large family of chil- dren by his second wife, Alexander was taken by Mr. Amos Flemming, his uncle by marriage, into whose family he was adopted and by whom he was taught the trade of marble cutter. Mr. Flemming moved to Geneva, New York, and there the youth and early manhood of the subject of this sketch were passed. In that place, on Oc- tober 17, 1839, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen and Lydia Capron, who was born at Spring Mills, near Syracuse, New York, September 10, 1821, Mrs. Allen's father being a Revolutionary soldier and man of some means, having been for Several years engaged in the furniture busi- less in Auburn and Beech's Island, New York. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Allen settled at Seneca Falls, New York, at which place and at Canandaigua, Beech's Island and at Penn Yan in that State, he fol- lowed his trade until 1852.

Having formed the acquaintance of C.

B. Adams, who had come to Texas about 1837 and settled at Galveston, he was in- duced by that gentleman to move to the Lone Star State, and in 1852 came out and took up his residence in the Island City. Here he became the pioneer marble man of Texas, and followed his trade successfully in this city for a period of thirty years, until his death, which occurred December 20, 1882. Mr. Allen was a steady-going, in- dustrious, upright business man; a good citizen, kind neighbor and faithful friend. Surviving him he left a widow, who is still living; one son, Loyal Allen, a marble dealer, residing at San Antonio, Texas; and two daughters, Marcia E., wife of Cap- tain Joseph Aiken, of Hitchcock, Galveston county, Texas; and Sarah E., who was twice married, -- first to a Mr. Bennett and sec- ondly to a Mr. Jarvis.

APTAIN JOE AIKEN, a represent- ative citizen of Galveston county, Texas, was born in Portland, Maine, August 9, 1836, being a son of Robert Aiken and Martha Minot, the former of whom was a native of New Hampshire, and the latter a native of Maine. On his father's side Captain Aiken descended from Scotch ancestry and on his mother's side from French. Family tradition has it that three brothers of the name of Aiken emi- grated from Scotland to America in 1700 and settled in New Hampshire. Their names were Samuel, Peter and James. Samuel was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He was a volunteer in the war with Great Britain and lost his life at Bunker Hill. He left a family of nine chil- dren: Rosanna, who became the wife of A. McGregor; Lucy, who was married to

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Thomas Ray, James; Catherine, William, Samuel, Robert, Mary, who was married to Levy Whitney, and Nancy. The seventh of the above, Robert Aiken, was the father of Joe of this article. He was born and reared in Chester, New Hampshire, whence after attaining his majority he went to Port- land, Maine, where he formed a partnership with two men named Frothingham and Cox, under the firm name of Aiken, Frothingham & Cox, ship-owners and granite workers, for several years furnishing the stone that went into Government buildings and other publis improvements in the Eastern States. In 1836 they took the contract to furnish the stone for the erection of the first custom- house ever put up in New Orleans, at which time and to look after which contract, Mr. Aiken went to that city. There, during the yellow-fever epidemic of the following year, he was taken with the disease and died. He had large business interests, owning in con- nection with his partners four sailing vessels, the Citizen, Teaser, Thetis and Boxer, which plied between Portland, Maine, and New Orleans, via Havana, and commanded a large patronage, in addition to his con- tract business.

Martha Minot, the mother of the sub- ject of this notice, came of a French family that settled in Maine in an early day. Her father was in the American Revolution and lost his life in the cause of liberty. Mrs. Martha Minot Aiken was the youngest of a family of six children, the others being Sarah, who was married to Gideon Stickney, Thomas, Ed- ward, Henry and Jantes.

Captain Aiken was reared by his aunt, Mrs. Whitney, at Boston, Massachusetts, up to the age of fourteen, when he went to sea and sailed till 1853. Being then in Australia he was taken with the gold fever

and spent several months mining in the in- terior of that country. Resuming life on the sea he followed this until 1858, when he came to Texas, landing at Galveston in Oc- tober of that year, and soon afterward en- gaged in the book and stationery business at Houston. At the opening of the late war he entered the Confederate army, enlisting in Captain Saunders' company, which was mustered into service as part of Bates' regi- ment. He was stationed with his com- inand for a while at Velasco, Texas, after which he was transferred to the marine de- partment, becoming signal master on board the Harriet Lane after her capture, signal master on board the Clifton at Sabine Pass, and later served in the signal corps and in the adjutant's office.

In the summer of 1865 Captain Aiken became the agent of the Houston Direct Navigation Company, and was connected with this company for sixteen years. He then became connected with the Galveston Wharf Company, of which he was secretary for eight years. In 1889 he retired from active business, and, moving to Hitchcock, in Galveston county, turned his attention to fruit-growing. He owns an elegant place at this truly beautiful suburban spot, and is doing his full share toward attracting atten- tion to this portion of the county and secur- ing for it a desirable class of citizens.

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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