New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 101

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

USA > Texas > New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1 > Part 101

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Since this sketch was written Mr. Erlewine moved his headquarters to Dallas and maintains offices at 1411 Southwestern Life Building.

614

Clarence O. Erlewine

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

HOMAS W. BROWNE, throughout his pub- lic career, covering a period of more than a decade, has made an exceptional record as a public official at Houston, and has administered the affairs of his office in a highly commendable, efficient manner. Mr. Browne is city tax assessor and collector of the city of Houston, a position to which he was appointed by Mayor Ben Campbell, in 1913, and to which he has been ap- pointed by each succeeding mayor and board of com- missioners. Mr. Browne's official record has met with the entire approval of the people of Houston, and he has conducted the affairs of the tax col- lector's office in such a way as to win and retain their highest confidence. All records have been efficiently kept, the office conducted in a business- like way, and the office methods employed and the management of the office force of around twenty- five employees, reflects credit on the business and executive ability of Mr. Browne.

Thomas W. Browne was born at Houston, the twenty-sixth of November, 1873. His father, John T. Browne, a pioneer of this city, and a real city builder, has served two terms as mayor of Houston. A man of recognized ability as a leader, the elder Mr. Browne has for many years been active in civic work, and has done much for the civic and com- mercial advancement of Houston. Mr. Thomas W. Browne's mother, whose maiden name was Miss Mary J. Bergen, is a member of one of the pioneer Texas families. As a boy Mr. Browne attended the Catholic schools at Houston, and began his business career directly after leaving school, with the Texas and New Orleans Railroad. He later went with the Houston & Texas Central, and still later with the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, and then with the International and Great Northern, spending a decade with the different roads, as bill clerk. He then entered the district clerk of Harris County's office, and spent twelve years in that office, under Henry Albrecht, as district clerk. In 1913 he was appointed city tax assessor and collector of the city of Houston, which position he has since held. Mr. Browne is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, serving during that war with Company C, First Tex- as Regiment.

Mr. Browne was married at Houston, the four- teenth of February, 1900, to Miss Gertrude Duggan, the daughter of Mrs. Margaret Duggan. Mrs. Browne's father died during her early childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Browne reside at 3309 Lyons Avenue, and have six children, Thomas E., Allie Bess, J. Gerald, Andrew G., Gertrude M., and Jane. Mr. Browne is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

ENJAMIN R. HARDIN, veteran retail lum- ber dealer of Houston, has been identified with this important industry for the past two decades, and during this time has taken an active part in the development of this business. In 1912, Mr. Hardin bought out the lumber business of Henry House, which had been established for thirty years. This included the Travis Street yard and the yard in the Fifth Ward. The business car- ried on by Henry House was a loan business. Mr. Hardin continued this side of the business, and has developed it to its present high state of efficiency. Mr. Hardin is president of the Hardin Lumber Com- pany, which he established and incorporated in 1907, and has since developed along modern lines, and in

addition to conducting a modern retail lumber yard, also operates a service department and financial de- partment. These branches enable him to furnish financial assistance and expert building advice to his patrons, as well as the lumber for the house to be constructed.

Mr. Hardin handles much construction at Houston under this loan policy, furnishing the material bill on the house and carrying the account on the monthly payment plan. The Hardin Lumber Com- pany does an exclusively retail business, the prin- cipal trade territory being in and around Houston. The business occupies an entire city block at 2700 Texas Avenue, where both yards and offices are located. He has here railroad frontage, adequate housing facilities for his stock, and yards providing fifty thousand square feet of lumber buildings. Mr. Hardin specializes in yellow pine and cypress lum- ber, but carries complete stocks in every variety. In addition to being president and treasurer of the Hardin Lumber Company, Mr. Hardin is also vice president of the Sunset Realty Company. Other officers of the Hardin Lumber Company are, J. W. Blalock, secretary, and Mrs. Blanche Rodgers, vice president. Mr. Hardin developed the art of scien- tific management early in his career as a lumber- man; so much so, that a former member of the firm received three times his original investment when he sold his interest to Mr. Hardin. He has continued his efficiency methods, as is evidenced by the fact that the close of 1923 showed the best conditions in the history of the business. He received congratu- lations from many men in the lumber business, who recognized the achievement of Mr. Hardin, particu- larly Mr. Menefee, with whom he started in the lumber business.

Mr. Hardin came to Houston in 1898, shortly after leaving school, and has since been identified with the retail lumber trade in South Texas. His first connection was with the L. B. Menefee Lumber Company, with which firm he remained until estab- lishing his present business in 1907.

Mr. Hardin was born at Fort Worth, Texas, in 1876, son of John R. and Jane Hardin, his father for many years a well known contractor and builder of that city. Mr. Hardin's education was acquired in the public schools of his native city. A little later he came to Houston, which has since been his home and business headquarters. Mr. Hardin makes his home in Houston at 2619 Travis Street. He has un- limited faith in Houston and believes it to be the one city in the South that can properly be called "City of Homes."

EORGE B. CAMPBELL has for a decade been a resident of Houston, where he is well known for his activities in industrial af- fairs. Mr. Campbell is manager of the Na- tional Lumber and Creosoting Company, the largest firm of its kind in the southern part of the state. The National Lumber and Creosoting Company oper- ates a modern plant, representing an investment of a half a million dollars, and manufacturing rail- road ties, bridge timbers, telephone and telegraph poles, and any and all lumber using creosote treat- ment. The plant covers thirty-two acres, with one hundred and twenty-five employees and with a capa- city of twenty cars a day. The officers of the Na- tional Lumber and Creosoting Company are, John T. Logan, of Texarkana, president; Page Harris, of

617

MEN OF TEXAS

Houston, first vice president; George E. Rex, of Kansas City, Missouri, second vice president. The Houston offices of the company are located in the Union National Bank Building. In association with Mr. W. H. Dempsey, Mr. Campbell organized the Radium Fuel Company with plant at 205 St. Eman- uel Street.

Mr. Campbell was born at Arcadia, Missouri, in 1887, son of W. H. Campbell, a farmer and land- owner, and Elizabeth Campbell. He was educated in the public schools of Arcadia, graduating from the high school there. He came to Texas in 1902 and for the ensuing sixteen years was with various railroads in various departments. Mr. Campbell served as general manager for the Moscow, Cam- den and San Augustine Railroad for four years and then as auditor for the New Iberia and Northern Railroad, resigning from this position in 1918 to come to Houston and take the position of manager of the National Lumber and Creosoting Company.

Mr. Campbell was married at Lufkin, Texas, in 1913 to Miss Essie May Cowart, daughter of S. J. Cowart, a lumberman and farmer of Lufkin, and Sarah Cowart. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have three children, George B., Junior, Jackson W. and Warah Elizabeth. They reside at 5615 Sherman Street. Mr. Campbell is a Knight of Pythias and a Mason. He is interested in the development of his city, which he believes will have a continued growth and advancement civicly and commercially.

E. JAPHET, of Houston, Texas, is the president and general manager of the South- ern Blue Print and Supply Company, Inc., the largest and most completely equipped blue print and photo copying plant in the South. Mr. Japhet has been engaged in the engineering profession and the various branches of the blue print business all his business life, and has estab- lished an enviable reputation in his chosen fields of activity. The Southern Blue Print and Supply Company, Inc., was established in 1920, and since that time has built a reputation in Houston and the surrounding territory by giving satisfactory service on both small and large commissions. In order to enable the company to give such service, the very latest in equipment and the very highest class of workmanship has been obtained by the company. A floor space of six thousand four hundred square feet is occupied by this plant, and an average of twenty efficient people are employed in its opera- tion. With a full complement of latest Pease con- tinuous blue printing machines, vacuum frames, Revolute printers, washing and fixing tanks, drying machines and a daily capacity of ten thousand square feet of various colored prints, the company is in a position to give service to the public. One of the services rendered is the reducing to any prac- tical size any maps, so that prints may be made from them from one sheet, mounting maps or charts on paper or cloth equipped with rollers or cabinets, reclaiming and rendering serviceable old maps and charts, enlarging maps and charts, coloring maps and charts with the air brush process, reproducing maps or charts by the photo-copying process. The photo-copying department contains a giant camera- graph, one of the largest ever built, which will make reproductions as large as 18 by 24 inches from any zize map, chart or document, such as deeds, wills,

abstracts, applications and certificates. Such re- productions are accepted everywhere with the same legal status as the originals. The capacity of this department is 500 letter-size reproductions daily, which makes it one of the largest of the entire country. Another feature of the company, which is popular and greatly appreciated by the public, is a large fire and burglar-proof safe for the protection of all documents and maps entrusted to their care. A full and complete line of engineers and drafts- men's supplies is carried at all times in the stock rooms.

Mr. Japhet is a native son, born in Houston, Janu- ary 30th, 1886. His father, I. Japhet, was a native of Germany, and came to Texas about 1863, being one of the pioneers of the Lone Star State and one of the builders and developers of Houston. His mother, Mrs. Ida (Wipprecht) Japhet, was a native Texan and a member of one of its pioneer families His early education was obtained in the schools of Houston, both public and private institutions, after which he became a student of the A. and M. College of Texas, graduating in 1904 with B. S. degree in civil engineering. He then entered Cornell Univer- sity, from which he graduated in 1908, with the de- gree of civil engineer. He later served as civil engi- neer for various railroads and oil companies. For three and one-half years he was employed in the engineering department of the Producers Oil Com pany, one and one-half years in the same depart- ment of the Galena Signal Oil Company, during which time he was engaged in construction of the Galena plant, and three and one-half years in the engineering department of the Humble Oil and Re- fining Company. Other officers of the Southern Blue Print and Supply Company are: T. B. Hoffer, vice president, and E. N. Lutz, secretary and treas- urer. Mr. Lutz has spent almost a score of years in mtensive study and practical application in this line of work. Among their corps of workmen there are many who have spent the greater portion of their lives in this line of activity.

Mr. Japhet was married at Houston, Texas, on October 7th, 1912, to Miss Edith T. L-Toombs, a daughter of Alfred L-Toombs, who was born and reared in London, England, and was a member of a prominent family there. Her mother, Mrs. Ellen Page (Chandler) L-Toombs, was also a native of London, England. Mr. and Mrs. Japhet have four children, W. E. Japhet, Jr., George T., Ellen A. and Edith L. Japhet, all of whom are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Japhet reside at 520 Colquitt Avenue. Mr. Japhet is a member of the A. F. and A. M., with membership in Temple Lodge No. 4, of Hous- ton, where he also holds membership in the Rotarv Club, the Houston Chamber of Commerce, the Sales- manship Club, Golfcrest Country Club, Houston Engineers' Club, and other of the city's social and business organizations. His church affiliation is with the Episcopal faith. Mr. Japhet has made a great success of his business, and says that the greatest asset of a blue printing establishment is service, meaning high class workmanship done quickly. Mr. Japhet is a leader in his chosen field of work and is a steadfast exponent of the highest standards in the business which he heads. Since reaching manhood's estate he has been identified with the social, civic and commercial life of his city.

618

n. E Japhet.

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

OE M. GREEN, whose activities throughout his business career, have identified him with the city of Houston, has contributed materially to mercantile progress here, but is associated with the J. C. Leonard Company, who represent the financial department of the Massachu- setts Mutual Life Insurance Company. In this con- nection Mr. Green is equipped to finance any large business enterprise through his present connections, with offices at 703 Bankers Mortgage Building. Mr. Green's business methods have been along the lines of progress, and he has already built up an exten- sive patronage, in his new field. Mr. Green was active in the work of the Retail Clothiers Associa- tion during the time he was engaged in this line and is past Secretary-Treasurer and Vice-President of this organization. He is also active in work of a civic nature, and is past first Vice-President of the Kiwanis Club and is now Secretary-Treasurer of this club, and has been Director for several years.

Mr. Green was born at Houston, Texas, the 8th of January, 1887, the son of Rev. John E. Green, a Methodist Minister, who is loved and admired by all. He has built nine churches in Houston, and is one of the finest and most highly regarded ministers in this city. Mr. Green was educated in the Houston public schools, later attending Southwestern Uni- versity at Georgetown, taking a straight course, and graduating in 1908. He returned to his native city and entered the employ of Ed. Kiam, dean of Hous- ton merchants, and whose store has furnished the starting place for at least half of the real merchants of Houston today. After two years in the clothing department of this store, Mr. Green went with Leopold-Price, and for four years was with this firm. He then organized the Landers-Green Cloth- ing Store, Inc., of which he was Secretary and Treasurer until September, 1918, when he sold his interest, and organized Green and Bridges. He built up a fine business for his firm and continued in this field until 1923, when an attractive offer was made for his six-year lease and so he closed out his stock and shortly thereafter entered the mortgage loan field. He is now having the usual success that marked his career in the mercantile business.

Mr. Green was married in Oklahoma City, in 1910, to Miss Helen Richardson, of that city. They make their home in Houston at 3816 Roseland Street, and have two children, Joe M., Jr., and Helen Martha. Mr. Green is a member of the University Club, and is a Blue Lodge Mason, Reagan Lodge No. 1037, Washington Chapter No. 2, R. A. M. Also Ruthven Commandery No. 2, Knights Templar, and Arabia Temple Shrine.

O. BURCHFIELD came to Houston from Galveston in 1914 in order to enter the real estate business with his brother, W. G. Burchfield, and since that time the firm has been known as W. G. Burchfield and Brother. This firm is engaged in a general real estate busi- ness, with office in the Kress Building. Mr. Burch- field was also one of the owners of The Best Map Company, formerly makers of all kinds of maps, but now out of existence. They first started with ship channel maps and later engaged in public work, in which they took the complete data, and made the maps. W. G. Burchfield and Brother real estate business has grown considerably in a comparatively short time. Mr. Burchfield is a prac-

tical engineer and surveyor. He was associated with his brother, W. G. Burchfield, and W. J. Matthews, in the manufacture of maps.

Mr. Burchfield was born at Lady Lake, Florida, December 28th, 1889. His father, J. Burchfield, was a well known real estate dealer and contractor of Florida. His mother (deceased since 1897) was Miss Hannah Davis, a member of a well known Florida family. His education was obtained in the public schools of Galveston and at Allen Academy, Bryan, Texas, where he graduated in the class of 1908. After leaving school, Mr. Burchfield entered the employ of the Santa Fe Railroad at Galveston and remained there with that railway for six years. During the World War he was taken into the engi- neering department of the Southern Pacific Rail- road by W. J. Matthews, and remained in this de- partment of the railroad until March 1st, 1919. While in the service of the Southern Pacific Rail- road, he learned engineering by practical experience and was head draughtsman for the valuation depart- ment of this railroad.

Mr. Burchfield was married at Galveston Septem- ber 3rd, 1919, to Miss Naomi Helmann, a native of the Lone Star State and a daughter of G. A. Helmann, who died in 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Burch- field now reside at 5701 Texas Avenue. Mr. Burch- field is a member of the B. P. O. E., the Knights of Columbus, and the Engineers Club of Houston. He is a loyal member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Burchfield takes an active interest in all matters having as their object the civic improvement and advancement of Houston.

RED B. FINKENBURGER came to Houston in June, 1918, as Manager of the Merry Op- tical Company and the growth of the busi- ness since that time proves that Mr. Fink- enburger has a genius for management. The Merry Optical Company are manufacturers of all kinds of optical supplies and equipment and manufacture an average of one hundred and fifty pairs of glasses daily. Nineteen people are employed by this com- pany. Their office, display room and manufacturing plant are located in the Kress Building.

Mr. Finkenburger was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1897. His father, J. B. Finkenburger (deceased) spent practically all his life in St. Louis, where he was a well known business man. Mr. Finkenburg- er's education was obtained in the public schools of St. Louis.

Mr. Finkenburger has spent practically all his life in the optical business, which he began in St. Louis when quite young. After learning the business thor- oughly he came to Dallas in 1908, where he became associated with the F. A. Hardy Company and re- mained with this firm for ten years. During this period he worked in practically every department and was advanced to the position of Assistant Mana- ger. In 1918 he resigned his position with the F. A. Hardy Company at Dallas and came to Houston as Manager of the Merry Optical Company. Mr. Finkenburger was married at Dallas May 18, 1912, to Miss Frances Hutchinsen, a native Texan and a member of a well known family of North Texas. They have one son, Fred B. Finkenburger, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Finkenburger reside at 1520 West Alabama Street. Mr. Finkenburger is interested in all agencies working for the greater development and civic im- provement of Houston.

621

MEN OF TEXAS

ALTER J. DALY, who has recently come to Houston to make his home, is widely known throughout Texas and in adjoining states as one of the foremost interior dec- orators in the country. Mr. Daly has his home offices in the Keystone Building, and has the largest interior decorating, designing and general painting contracting business in the State. The scope of Mr. Daly's work is broad and general, and he han- dles decorating work in residences, ranging from the ten thousand dollar home to the residence cost- ing half a million dollars and upward, and in bus- iness buildings from the small building to the structure costing up in the millions. Mr. Daly's work is known throughout the South, and he has handled important contracts in all Southern States, specializing in interior decorating, designing and painting of the better type. Among the represent- ative buildings in which he has done the interior decorating, designing and painting work are the Houston Cotton Exchange, the Houston Art Mu- seum, the Sam Houston Hotel Building, the War- wick Apartment Hotel and the Sidney Lanier Junior High School in Houston, the San Antonio Country Club, the Robert Green Memorial Hospital, the National Bank of Commerce, the Maverick Building and the Brookfield Hangar in San Antonio, and many others in and out of Texas. In addition to the Houston office an office is maintained in the Gunter Building, San Antonio, and an associate office at 1040 Sheridan Road, Chicago.

Walter J. Daly was born in Brenham, Texas, September 11th, 1882, son of Andrew O'Brien and Nettie M. (Thompson) Daly, natives of Tennessee. His grandfather was a land owner in Texas and his father and mother came to this State in Sep- tember, 1882, to look after these interests. His father was skillful and talented in interior deco- ration and ornamental work, and secured the con- tract for all the ornamental and sculptural work in the State Capitol Building at Austin. The sub- ject of this sketch as a boy helped his father in the performance of this contract. Walter J. Daly received his elementary instruction in the public schools of Austin, and as a child showed marked artistic talent. He then attended the Preparatory University of Colorado, studying geology. After one year under Professor Wm. Craigen he gave up this study to follow his natural talents in color harmony. He then attended several of the leading schools of interior decorating and designing. After completing these courses of study he returned to Texas, going to Port Arthur, in 1906, where he remained four years, during which time he forged rapidly forward in his chosen work. He then went to Austin where he spent four years, after which he removed to San Antonio. It was while in that city that his work began to attract attention out- side of the city, and in a short time he was known throughout the State, and the South, as one of the leading interior decorators of the entire South. The first of 1924 Mr. Daly came to Houston, estab- lishing an office here, retaining his office in San Antonio to handle work in that part of the State. In Houston he will soon open a studio to display high class draperies, period furniture and other artistic things. It will be the only institution of its kind South of St. Louis, and equal to the one found there.

Mr. Daly was married to Miss Ruby Hooper, a native of Texas and the daughter of the late John E. Hooper and Elvira Hooper, of Lampasas. Mr. Hooper was a prominent merchant of West Texas, owning a string of dry goods stores in that sec- tion. Mr. Daly is a Mason, Alamo Blue Lodge, San Antonio; a member of the Scottish Rite bodies to the thirty-second degree, Alzafar Temple Shrine, San Antonio, and is an Odd Fellow. He is president of the Houston Lions Club and holds membership in the Houston and San Antonio Building Ex- changes, the San Antonio and Houston Chamber of Commerce, the Master Decorators and Painters Association of San Antonio, president of the Hous- ton Master Decorators and Painters Association, and a member of the San Antonio Exchange Club. Houston is rapidly forging ahead as an artistic center, and is proud to number Mr. Daly among its citizenship. Already it has felt the influence of his talents, and his work here will have far- reaching value in beautifying the city.

W. WARD, president of the Ward Realty Company, Inc., of Houston, has been a fac- tor in the business world here for a score of years, and has taken a deep interest in the development of Houston. The Ward Realty Company, Inc., was established and incorporated under state laws in August, 1924, and since that time has been very active in buying and selling Houston real estate. The company has given its major in- terest to buying up tracts of land in and adjacent to Houston, and subdividing this property, and im- proving it, putting these modern subdivisions on the market. Offices are in the Second National Bank Building. Mr. Ralph H. Ward, is secretary-treasurer of the company.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 101

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