New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 100

Author: Davis, Ellis A.
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?]
Number of Pages: 1416

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Mr. Griffin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Feb- ruary 23rd, 1885. His father, Charles M. Griffin (deceased), was a native of New York State, but spent most of his later life in Ohio. His mother was Miss Lucy A. Blackmore, a native of England, who is now living in Ohio. His education was ob- tained in the public and high schools of Greenwich, Ohio, where he graduated from the latter. Soon after leaving school, Mr. Griffin entered the employ of the Rauch-Lange Carriage Works, and remained with this large firm for a period of eleven years, during which time he served in practically all de- partments. While with this firm, he learned the electrical business, and during the last few years of the time in which he was employed by this firm, he was on the road and made all the states east of the Mississippi River. He then entered business for himself at Cincinnati under the name of Fisher- Griffin Storage Battery Company, and was the dis- tributor for the Exide and Willard batteries for five years. He then came to Houston in 1917, and dur- ing the following year established his present busi- ness, which is one of the largest of its kind in Hous- ton. Mr. H. M. Harvin of Dallas is the vice pres- ident of the Battery Equipment and Storage Cor- poration.

Mr. Griffin has been twice married and has two children by the first marriage. He was married the second time in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1915 to Mrs. Ada Blagge Harvin, a native of Galveston, Texas, and a daughter of Hamilton Blagge (deceased) who for many years was prominent in the business circles of the Island City. Her grandfather, Mr. Alfred H. James, was one of the early pioneers of Galveston, where he was known as one of the city's builders and developers. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin reside at 610 Avondale Avenue, Montrose, where they have one of the most beautiful homes in that portion of the city. Mr. Griffin is a member of the Temple Lodge of the A. F. and A. M. of Houston, and is an 18th degree Scottish Rite Mason at Houston and 32nd de- gree at Galveston, and a Shriner of Arabia Temple. He is also a member of the B. P. O. E. and is a director of the American State Bank. Since coming to Houston, Mr. Griffin has made many friends, and is popular in business and social circles of the city.

RANK HECKER, Doctor of Comparative Medicine, for many years employed by the United States government in tick eradica- tion work, is an enthusiast on the subject of better dairying and has devoted much thought and study to the task of building up and keeping in prime condition many of the finest herds that supply the residents of Houston with milk. It is a source of no little gratification to Dr. Hecker that careful tests of the herds around Houston show less than one per cent tuberculosis in tendencies as against as high as ten per cent in some sections of the North and East. The Houston climate and other natural con- ditions, according to Dr. Hecker, cause this section to be splendidly adapted to dairying.

Dr. Hecker came to Houston in 1916 in the employ of the government tick eradication service, and, see- ing the wonderful possibilities here, resigned his position in 1919 and engaged in general veterinary practice. His principal work, however, is caring for the dairy herds, and large animal practice in Hous- ton and Harris County and looking after the animals of various transportation companies, oil, lumber and express companies, where it is essential that draught animals be kept at their highest point of efficiency. His work is more of a prophylactic rather than a curative nature, his patrons finding it far better to have Dr. Hecker use preventive measures, and in this manner largely keep their animals free from disease.

Dr. Hecker was born at Albany, New York, on April 12th, 1875. His father, Lorenz Hecker, came to America in 1850, settling at Albany and estab- lishing a boot making business. He made boots for the Union soldiers during the Civil War and reared and educated a family of twelve children. In his later years he retired from the shoemakers' trade and became a minister of the Baptist church and died at the age of 88. Dr. Hecker's mother lived to be eighty-six years of age.

Acquiring some knowledge of veterinary work with his brother, while a young man, Dr. Hecker, after completing his work in the public schools at Albany, attended the Chicago Veterinary College, graduating there in 1906. He practiced at Sara- toga Springs for two years and then as the automo- bile began to displace the coach horses and the de- mand for coach horses grew less, he joined the forces of the United States government and was assigned to tick eradication work in Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky. This was before the days of the dipping vats when cows were caught every two weeks and treated with grease. Dr. Hecker continued to repre- sent the government for eleven years and came to be recognized as an authority and a real expert in the elimination of the dairyman's greatest menace, the fever tick.

In 1902 Dr. Hecker was married at Albany to Miss Edith Goewey. They reside at 702 Reichman Street. Dr. Hecker is a Mason, a member of Blue Lodge No. 1178 and a member of various veterinary societies, including the American Veterinary Medical Associa- tion, United States Live Stock Sanitary Association, Texas State Veterinary Medical Association and others. He is also a member of the Lions Club of Houston and is affiliated in his church relationship with the Baptist denomination. Dr. Hecker has his office and hospital in a large mule sales barn at 417 Preston Avenue.

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MEN OF TEXAS

H. JOHNSTON, whose career as a Hous- ton business man has been definitely asso- ciated with oil development, has as an executive directed petroleum activities in this section along progressive channels. Mr. John- ston is president of the Petroleum Supply Com- pany, one of the leading companies in this section. General offices are maintained in Houston, at 2108 Mills Street, where all executive and business mat- ters are handled. The company maintains offices also in New York City.

Mr. Johnston, although but a young man, has made a record as an executive. Reared in an oil atmosphere from his early youth, he has acquired an extensive fund of information pertaining to his business. He came to Texas in 1911, at which time he went with The Texas Company, in the capacity of stenographer and bookkeeper. He re- mained with that company about a year. In March, 1912, he accepted a position with the Southern Trust Company, as stenographer and bookkeeper, remaining with that company until September, 1912. At that time he went to San Benito, Texas, with Sam Robertson, also as stenographer and book- keeper, and spent several months in that city. On the nineteenth of January, 1913, he returned to the Southern Trust Company, as assistant secre- tary, holding that position until the fourteenth of October, 1914. On that date, which marks a mile- stone in the career of Mr. Johnston, he went with the Fidelity Trust Company, at the request of Mr. Cullinan, who was interested in him, as assistant secretary. He remained with the Fidelity Trust Company, as assistant secretary, until May, 1916, spending the remainder of that year at Tampico, Mexico, with W. F. Buckley. Returning to the states in December, 1916, he began the year 1917 as private secretary to T. P. Lee, with whom he remained until March, 1919, when he went to New York, as private secretary to Mr. Cullinan. In July, 1920, he became secretary of the American Repub- lies Corporation, a position he held until November, 1920, when he became president of the Petroleum Supply Company, with which he has since been associated.

Mr. Johnston was born at Eldred, Pennsylvania, the eighteenth of September, 1889, the son of H. A. Johnston, a druggist of that city for many years, and Leona Chapel Johnston, also of Pennsylvania. His maternal grandfather, Leonard Chapel, one of the real pioneers in the oil industry, operated a lease in the old Allegheny field, and to his influ- ence Mr. Johnston owes his first interest in the petroleum industry. The major part of his boy- hood was spent on this lease, with his grandfather, and in an oil atmosphere, and acquiring at first hand experiences, which later, as executive of an oil well supply company, were to directly influence his success. He attended the public schools near his home, and further equipped himself for a prac- tical business career through a business course, several years later coming to Texas.

Mr. Johnston was married at Galveston, the sev- enth of June, 1917, to Miss Elizabeth Howard, a member of a prominent family of Crockett, Texas, of which city her father was a pioneer settler. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston reside at 1817 Missouri Ave- nue. Mr. Johnston is a Mason, Blue Lodge, Sharon 598, Pennsylvania; a member of the Houston Scot-

tish Rite bodies and is a charter member of Arabia Temple Shrine at Houston. He is a director of the Petroleum Export Association and his name is found on the rolls of the Houston Club, River Oaks Coun- try Club and the American Petroleum Institute. Mr. Johnston has taken an active interest in all that concerns the commercial and civic advancement of Houston since coming to this city to make his home, and has gained the respect and confidence of all with whom he has had dealings. He has exerted a favorable influence in his field.

UY E. BROWNE, since coming to Houston in 1912 has been an active figure in the business circles of the city and as Vice- President and General Manager of the Van- daveer, Browne and Stoy Company has had an im- portant part in shaping the destinies of that organi- zation. The Vandaveer, Browne and Stoy Company are wholesale and retail dealers in Builders' Sup- plies, which includes gravel, sand, lime, tile and brick. They are Manufacturers Agents for practi- cally everything used in the building of modern, fire- proof buildings, among which are included the fol- lowing: Interlocking Tile from the Fraser Brick Company, Steel Fire Doors from the Variety Manu- facturing Company, Lockers and Steel Shelving from the Lyon Metallic Manufacturing Company, Steel Window and Door Sash from the William Bayley Company, Copper Shingles from the Ana- conda Copper Company, Ornamental Iron and Bronze from the Flour City Ornamental Iron Com- pany. They are State agents for the Austral Win- dow Company, in wood or metal; this is an automatic window that is gaining in the public favor, and rap- idly coming to the front; is now in use in some of the largest and best office buildings. Other offi- cers of the Vandaveer, Browne and Stoy Company are Jennings Vandaveer, President; G. E. Stoy, Vice- President, and A. D. Buskill, Secretary and Treas- urer. This company was incorporated in 1919 and their headquarters are located at 2202 Polk Avenue, and their plant occupies one-half of a city block, and employ from sixteen to eighteen people. They have splendid supply yards on the railroad, good material warehouses, trucks and full equipment.

Mr. Browne was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, No- vember 17th, 1883. His father, E. L. Browne, was well known in the business circles of Lincoln. His mother was Miss Lida Bristah, a member of an English family. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of Edgar, Nebraska. After leaving school, Mr. Browne was for a period of twelve years engaged in lyceum work, but when he came to Houston in 1912, he became associated with a building firm as secretary and treasurer, where he remained until 1914, when he became connected with the present firm as Manufacturers Agent, and later became associated in the business as an officer of the company, where he has since remained. Dur- ing the World War, Mr. Browne was engaged in Y. M. C. A. work at Camp Logan for about nine months.

Mr. Browne was married in Carney, Oklahoma in 1911 to Miss Mabel Montgomery, a daughter of W. H. Montgomery (deceased) for many years a well known merchant of Oklahoma. Mr. and Mrs. Browne reside at 525 Woodland Avenue. Mr. Browne is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and the Salesman- ship Club, and is interested in all movements having to do with the progress and advancement of Hous- ton.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

E. BOURK has been for the past several years actively identified with commercial affairs at Houston, enjoying the esteem of his fellow citizens, and capably direct- ing the management of the Houston branch of the Ruud-Humphrey Water Heater Company. Mr. Bourk came to Houston in 1919, establishing his residence and business headquarters here at that time, and since coming to this city has directed the operations of this nationally known corporation in such a way as to materially affect the prosperity of his company. After taking over the management of the Ruud-Humphrey Water Heater Company he re-organized the business, strengthened the sales department, and built up and extended the patron- age, with the result that there has never been a time since the branch was established here when sales have been so gratifying. He has done much to increase the popularity of this splendid type of water heater, and through advertising and various sales policies has installed an unusually large num- ber in the homes that have been built in Houston during the past several years, and also has placed many in homes which heretofore had had no pro- vision for hot water. The Ruud-Humphrey Water Heater Company are pioneers in the water heater manufacturing business, placing on the market the first satisfactory water heater supplying unlimited hot water. Of these heaters there are now six thousand installed in Houston, a large percentage of these installations being the direct result of Mr. Bourk's progressive sales policies. A large stock of heaters are kept on hand at all times, adequately meeting the steady demand, and careful attention is given to every phase of this business by Mr. Bourk. He maintains his offices in the Kress Building.

Mr. Bourk was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1892, son of E. J. and Kathryn Bourk, his father still living in Kansas City where he is well known as a building contractor. Mr. Bourk attended the elementary schools of his native city, then grad- uated from the high school there, after which he entered the Kansas City School of Law, where he took the LL. D. degree. He spent two years with the Ruud Water Heater Company in Michigan and Indiana, then came to Texas in 1914 and was for four years located at Dallas where he was connected with the same concern. He came to Houston in 1919 to take over the management of the branch here, and has since made his home in this city.

Mr. Bourk was married in Dallas, the second of December, 1914, to Miss Irene Pulliam. Mr. and Mrs. Bourk live at the Cotton Hotel, and have one child, Kathryn. Mr. Bourk is a member of various fraternal and civic organizations, belonging to the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Elmhurst Country Club, and the Park Place Country Club. He takes an active interest in civic development, is a busi- ness man of the highest ideals and integrity, and since coming to this city has made hosts of friends, who wish him continued prosperity and success.

LWOOD E. STOWE, Architect, came to Houston in 1920, and, since that time, has had a share in the vast amount of architec- tural work and construction that has been done in this city. Mr. Stowe is a member of the architectural firm of Stowe and Stowe, with office

at 1018 Carter Building, and his reputation has pre- ceded him from Galveston, where this firm has done a great deal of the large work of the Island City. Mr. Stowe does any and all kinds of architectural work, and is laying the foundation for a big busi- ness in Houston. This firm has done the leading work in Galveston for years, and does only the best and highest class of work. Among the buildings this firm has built in Galveston are the United States Immigration Station, Club House for Gal- veston Boat Club, Orphans' Home, Improvement Loan and Trust Company Building, and the Gal- veston Wharf Company Warehouse, which is three hundred by twelve hundred feet in size. They also built the Gilbert Building at Beaumont, and have drawn plans for schools, churches, business houses, and are responsible for some of the handsomest and most artistic private homes and residences in the city. The other member of the firm is Mr. George B. Stowe, of Galveston, where their activities are still continued.

A native Texan, Mr. Stowe was born in Galveston November 15th, 1881. His father, W. N. Stowe (de- ceased since 1915) was well-known in the business and financial circles of Galveston, where he was vice-president of the First National Bank of Gal- veston. His mother was Miss Maretta Beadles, a member of a well-known Texas family. His educa- tion was obtained in the public and high schools of Galveston. Soon after leaving school, Mr. Stowe entered the architectural work with his brother and has continued in this line of endeavor during all of his business life.

Mr. Stowe was married in Galveston in 1901 to Miss Irene Benish, a daughter of J. M. Benish, of Galveston, who, for many years, was engaged in educational work in that city, where he was well known and highly esteemed. They have one daugh- ter, Irene Mildred Stowe, sixteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Stowe reside at 709 Hadley Avenue. Mr. Stowe is a member of the Houston Club, the Cham- ber of Commerce, and is popular in the business and professional circles of Houston, where he has made many friends since coming to this city. He is a firm believer in the future of Houston, and is confident that this city will soon become the lead- ing city of the Southwest.

UGENE A. GREGORY, although a recent addition to the business circles of Houston, has entered into the spirit of the South Texas Metropolis and has been a factor in building up a splendid business in his line. Mr. Gregory is district manager of the American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company, which is located at 2620 Maury Street, and is one of the largest plants of its kind in Texas. Mr. Gregory came to Hous- ton in 1923, and the plant was then located at Danville and Ryan, on the Southern Pacific and Belt Railways, started during the same year. The American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company are engaged in the manufacture of brake shoes only for railroads and street car companies. The head- quarters of this company is in New York City, and the Houston branch employs thirty people. Mr. Gregory is known as an expert in his line, and has spent the greater part of his business life in the mechanical departments of railroads, where the ex- perience gained has been a valuable asset to him

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as an executive.

Mr. Gregory was born at Nashville, Tennessee, March 22nd, 1880. His father, Alfred E. Gregory, was for many years engaged in the railroad busi- ness, and was well known in the state of Tennessee. His early education was obtained in the public and high schools of Nashville and later he was a stu- dent for four years at Vanderbilt University, where he graduated with the degree of Mechanical Engi- neer. After leaving college, Mr. Gregory entered the employ of the Nashville Terminal Railroad, where for a period of six years he was connected with the mechanical department. In 1909 he went with the American Brake Shoe Company, where he has worked in various capacities until his trans- fer to Houston.

Mr. Gregory was married in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1906, to Miss Alice Work, a daughter of S. D. Work, a well known newspaper man of New York City. Her mother was Miss Victoria Hogan, a mem- ber of a well known family of Tennessee. They have one daughter, Mary Victoria Gregory, seventeen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Gregory reside at the Savoy Apartments. Mr. Gregory is a member of the York Rite body of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Shriner of Kerbella Temple, Knoxville. He is also a member of the Houston Country Club, River Oaks Country Club, Elks and Knights of Pythias. Mr. Gregory is popular in the business and social circles of Houston, which he believes will soon be- come the largest city of the Southwest.

LARENCE D. ERLEWINE, General District Manager, Southern District, of the Marion Machine, Foundry and Supply Company, of Marion, Indiana, after making a careful survey of his district, decided to make Houston, Texas, his headquarters. The first district office in this city was established by Mr. Erlewine in Jan- uary, 1922, but owing to continued expansion of business more commodious quarters were obtained in the Electric Building. The Southern district comprises all of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Business in Mexico and South America is also handled through the Houston office.

The Marion Machine Foundry and Supply Com- pany is one of the largest concerns in the United States manufacturing oil well equipment such as underpull band wheel powers, steel bull wheels, calf wheels, jacks of special construction, steel derricks, power pumping plants and the famous Marion gas engine. In addition to oil well equipment they manu- facture and sell soot blowers, boiler fronts, rocking and dumping grates, hand stackers. They also spe- cialize in bronze and grey iron castings. All cast- ings used in the Marion Rig Irons, Powers and En- gines are made of the famous MA-YA-R&ON spe- cial iron mixtures, which possess a tensile strength of twenty-five to thirty-five thousand pounds per square inch as compared with the tensile strength of ordinary cast iron of sixteen thousand five hun- dred pounds. Every article handled by this com- pany is built to the most exacting specifications and accuracy of workmanship. They own and control many patents in oil field equipments, one of which, the "Hi-Test" sucker rod, has met with the approval of oil men everywhere.

The Marion Machine, Foundry and Supply Com- pany are pioneers in deep well pumping through the use of their underpull band wheel powers. Years

ago they pumped wells up to three thousand feet. With recent improvement on their equipment, much greater depths are now obtainable. The "Marion Line," which is the trade name for the products manufactured by this company, is known and is highly thought of wherever oil is found.

Mr. Clarence D. Erlewine is in a large measure responsible for the company's success, as he has played an active part in its growth from the begin- ning. Mr. Erlewine is a native of Ohio and was born at Cameron, March 8, 1885. He is the son of John C. and Magdalene Erlewine, residents of Cam- eron for many years, but now of Marion, Indiana. After attending the schools at Cameron, he took college courses in business training in West Virginia and upon leaving school he associated himself with a Rochester, New York, concern for eighteen months as a salesman. He was the star salesman in a force of six hundred. After leaving this concern he bought an interest with his present company, first going into the production department and later the sales department. His duties have taken him to all parts of the United States and Canada. Mr. Erlewine has spent thirteen years in the Mid-Continent field, and has personally sold and supervised the installation of over 400 power plants since starting the first store in 1911. He is that unusual combination, an expert salesman who is also an expert practical engineer, in fact he has several very valuable pat- ents on oil field equipment to his credit. The name "Erlewine," is synonymous with real endeavor in the oil business as there are four brothers beside himself who are actively identified with the Marion line-Mr. Henry L. Erlewine, Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager since the organization of the company in 1902; Oscar Erlewine, General Superin- tendent of the Marion Foundries; Allen J. Erlewine, Ardmore, Oklahoma, District Manager, and Walter W. Erlewine, Assistant to the General Manager.

Mr. Erlewine is the Organizer and President of the Master Builders Realty and Investment Company of Houston, Texas. This organization will handle the financing and building of better class residences in Houston. Mr. Fred L. Wadley is General Mana- ger of this concern. Mr. H. L. Erlewine is Vice- President, and Mr. A. L. Feighner is second Vice- President.

Mr. Erlewine was married November 30, 1911, at Marion, Indiana, to Miss Laura Feighener. They have three children, Ralph Le Roy, Erma Mosalene and John Albert.

Since coming to Houston Mr. Erlewine has parti- cipated in many of the civic activities of the city. He is an enthusiastic member of the Optimist Club, also a charter member, and the Houston Chamber of Commerce. He is also an active member in church work, being a member of the Board of Dea- cons of the First Christian Church. Mr. Erlewine is an ardent disciple of the "Big Brother" movement and is continually assisting young men to get a real start in life.

A man of pleasing personality, congenial, big hearted, and in every sense a real booster for his adopted city, Mr. Erlewine is joining hands with other progressive citizens in their efforts to make Houston the commercial and industrial center of the great Southwest.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 100

Author: Davis, Ellis A. Publication date: 1926 Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?] Number of Pages: 1416

Author: Davis, Ellis A.
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?]
Number of Pages: 1416