New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 117

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

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Two years after moving to Houston, Mr. Mac- Gregor was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Stevens, a native Houstonian, daughter of O. E. and Mary A. Stevens. A beautiful family life followed, in which husband and wife were an inspiration to each other. There were no children, but the Mac- Gregors devoted much time and means and affec- tion, to the happiness of the children of others.

He also was active in the business, social and civic life of the city, contributing much to the work of the Houston Business League, the Fruit and Flower Festival and the No-Tsu-Oh. He held mem- bership in the various social and civic organizations of the day, which included the Houston Country, Thalian and Z. Z. Clubs, Caledonian Society and the Chamber of Commerce. Always a protectionist, Mr. MacGregor adhered to the faith of his fathers and was a dominant figure in the Republican lead- ership of the State. He served as Republican Na- tional Committeeman from 1912 to his death in 1923. In the early days the Houston Ship Channel was only an idea; Houstonians had to convince the Fed- eral government of the feasibility of the project, and he helped to fight the battles which made pos- sible its success. Mr. MacGregor was one of the three trustees succeeding J. L. Watson of the Hous- ton Post, and for many years he served as director and treasurer of that publication. He had many other interests and was a director of the State Land Oil Company, the Bay and Bayou Company, the Glen Park Company, the South Texas Commer- cial National Bank and the Home Market Club.

In 1904 Mr. MacGregor withdrew from active management of the Street Railway Company to de- vote his full time to real estate developments and other interests. He laid out residential districts in the South End section of Houston, and was con- nected with developments extending from Hadley Avenue south thirty-three blocks to Hermann Park. He contended for continuity of subdivisions and wide streets, and deserves great credit for the contin-

uously uniform plattings of the South End east of Main Boulevard. His influence assisted in keep- ing the street cars off of Main Boulevard and he did the preliminary work that made possible Almeda Boulevard. Much of the South End bears the im- print of his judgment and foresight, to the benefit of posterity. His death precluded his personal de- velopment of Riverside Terrace section of the city, which his executors sold undeveloped, preserving as far as possible the carrying out of his plans.

In 1918 he was selected as a member and chair- man of the Board of Trustees of the Hermann Hos- pital Estate, but he did not live to see the com- pletion of the magnificent building he and his fel- low trustees worked out.

Mr. MacGregor was everywhere admired as a man of strict integrity, rare judgment and ability, and for his patient and unselfish consideration of all men and measures. His thought was always for the public weal. As a culmination of this desire to serve his community, at his death on September 3rd, 1923, he willed the greater part of his fortune to his executors for a public benefaction in Hous- ton. Co-operating with the city commissioners and the park board, the executors have planned as his major benefaction, the gift of a park, parkway and drive, to preserve the beauty of Bray's Bayou, a wooded water course lying south of the city, for public use. Besides this, his executors have deeded Peggy Park, situated on Almeda Boulevard, to the city, on which the executors are erecting a water fountain provided by Mr. MacGregor's will as a devotional to his wife, Elizabeth Stevens Mac- Gregor. A third benefaction is the gift of a park and library building in the town of Derry, New Hampshire, his boyhood home, dedicated to the early pioneers of Derry.

ENRY H. DICKSON. For many years Henry H. Dickson was a sterling citizen of Houston, and who found an outlet for an en- thusiastic nature in business and civic chan- nels that were of vital importance to progress. Per- haps few enterprises in a city count for more than its manufacturing concerns, and for this reason, if for no other, Mr. Dickson, who through the building up of a successful manufacturing plant contributed to the development of Houston and ranked as one of its builders. But, however much he contributed to the commercial advancement of the city through his business activities, he achieved through his con- stant striving for community advancement above any private ambition, a more important thing, and the record of his life and his unswerving interest in the welfare of Houston will be recalled for years to come.

Henry H. Dickson was born in Louisville, Ken- tucky, the sixteenth day of April, 1861, the son of John F. and Louise McDougall Dickson. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of Louis- ville, graduating from the high school there. Later the family removed to Texas, and in 1878, Henry H. Dickson became general manager of the Marshall Foundry and Machine Company at Marshall, Texas, under his father, John F. Dickson. In 1886 he ac- cepted a position with a railroad in Iowa, and the following year became connected with the L. and N. Railway at Louisville. In the fall of 1887, Mr. Dick- son returned to Texas, locating at Houston, where with his father and mother, a car wheel manufac-

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

turing plant was organized and incorporated. This was known as the Houston Car Wheel Company and was located on Buffalo Bayou. Later, in 1889, the name was changed to the Dickson Car Wheel Com- pany. In 1906 the business had outgrown the Buf- falo Bayou location and moved into the new plant on Washington Avenue at the Southern Pacific tracks, where the company is now located. Mr. Dickson had been president of this corporation for many years at the time of his death, and the plant was a monument to his foresight and business ability.

Mr. Dickson was married at Houston, in 1906, to Miss Mamie Fisher, the daughter of Judge A. B. Fisher of Georgetown. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson had three children: Henry H., Jr., Louise and Mamie Allen Fisher Dickson. Mrs. Dickson and the chil- dren continue to live at the attractive Dickson home, at 3614 Montrose Boulevard. Mr. Dickson was a member of the Episcopal Church.

Mr. Dickson was for many years especially in- terested in educational and welfare work, and was active in all movements established to secure the beautification of Houston. He was president of the Public Library Association, and for many years had done an important work in building up the Hous- ton libraries of which Houston is so justly proud. Mr. Dickson was also a trustee of the Houston Art League, an association that has done much to ad- vance Houston as an art center. Mr. Dickson was a life member, and a former president of the Hous- ton Chamber of Commerce, and served one term as alderman, during which time he accomplished much good for the city. He belonged to various clubs and lodges, among them the Houston Lumber- man's, Houston Country, River Oaks Country, and the Elks clubs. A man entirely without ostentation, he went his way, doing his duty as he saw it, and serving his community when opportunity presented, and his death, which occurred at his home in Hous- ton at 8:30 a. m., on the morning of Friday, May the sixteenth, 1924, left vacant a place in the life of Houston that will long go unfilled, yet the memory of his richly lived life will be recalled, and will be an inspiration to all those who came in contact with him and felt the force of his influence.

OLONEL JAMES WARREN JONES, an honored resident of Houston for many years and one of the ablest lawyers of the Lone Star State, dignified this profession by more than a quarter of a century of practice in this city. Colonel Jones took a keen interest in con- structive public affairs, and was a leader in activi- ties of a civic nature throughout his career, and was one of the most esteemed men in his commun- ity. As a lawyer his connection with many of the important cases of the day brought him into prom- inence, and he was regarded as an authority in his profession. He had intellectual talents of a high order, was honest and steadfast in his political con- victions, and in private and social life congenial, generous and kind hearted. Few men of his time were so universally admired and respected, and his name is revered by all Houstonians.

Colonel James Warren Jones was born at Clarks- ville, Tennessee, the twenty-fourth of February, 1843, his parents dying during his early childhood. After their death he was adopted by an uncle who reared and educated him in Clarksville, where he

lived until the outbreak of the Civil War. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Confederate army at Clarksville, and after being in active service for a time, was badly wounded and spent eighteen months in a hospital. After recovering from his injury, he was made colonel of staff and was pres- ent at the surrender of General Lee. After the war he returned to Clarksville and taught school until he had saved enough money to go to Lebanon and study law. He received his law degree and returned to Clarksville, where he practiced until 1870. In that year his uncle died and he received some money from his estate. He came to Houston shortly after- ward and formed a partnership with John Brashear, practicing with him for a short time. He then prac- ticed alone for a number of years, after which he formed an association with Mr. M. W. Garnett which lasted until the latter's death. Colonel Jones then practiced alone until his health began to fail, when he took in Mr. W. C. Oliver. For three years prior to his death he was retired, due to ill health.

Colonel Jones was married the twenty-fourth of November, 1875, in Houston, to Miss Sarah Brashear, the daughter of I. W. and Sarah Trott Brashear. The Brashear family were real pioneers of Houston, com- ing to this city in 1837. Mr. Brashear took an ac- tive part in the early development of the community and was prominent in the life of that day. The Brashears acquired a great deal of property in and around Houston, among which is what is now known as Houston Heights. They also owned property in the court house and market squares and elsewhere. Some of the above is still owned by the family, a part of which has been in the family for over sev- enty years. Colonel and Mrs. Jones had an ideal married life and their home life was made delight- ful by the presence of a family of children, two of whom, Judge Murray Jones, and Irma, wife of W. C. Hunt, survive. Judge Murray Jones, formerly judge of the County Court at Law, Harris County, is a well known Houston attorney and active in political and civic circles. Mrs. J. W. Jones, Colonel Jones' widow, makes her home with the daughter, Mrs. W. C. Hunt, wife of W. C. Hunt, a prominent shipper of Houston, and a factor in maritime activities in that city. Mrs. Hunt and her brother, Judge Mur- ray Jones, live in adjoining homes in Courtland Place, and have two of the finest residences in Houston.

Colonel James Warren Jones passed away at his home in Houston, the sixteenth of September, 1902, after three years of ill health. He was buried in Glenwood Cemetery. The funeral was attended by the hundreds of friends in Houston, and by prom- inent people from other parts of the state. Col- onel Jones held many positions of honor and dis- tinction during his lifetime, and was for six years a member of the state Senate. He was active in the Bar Association, took a deep interest in the de- velopment of his community and in the advancement of all important causes of the day. In the late nine- ties he was a member of a committee that went to Washington to secure an appropriation for the ship channel. His name has many memorials here and the record of his life, so full of kind deeds and dis- tinctions, forms a bright page in the history of his city and is not soon to be forgotten.

Note: Since the above sketch was written, Mrs. Sarah Brashear Jones died on October 3rd, 1925.

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OLONEL JOHN THOMAS BRADY. The name of Colonel John Thomas Brady stands out in the annals of Houston's history as that of a sturdy pioneer who gave his best for the advancement of his community. Prominent in both legal and civic matters, Colonel Brady was instrumental in securing many advantages for his city, and no movement of his day for a worthy or civic cause but found him well in the lead. Colo- nel Brady came to Houston in 1856 when the city was just a small village, and at once took a place of prominence among men of affairs. His ability as a lawyer brought him distinction before the bar, and he was thereafter a force in his commuinty.

Colonel Brady cast his lot with the Confederacy, serving on the staff of General Magruder and re- ceived special mention for his courage at the Battle of Galveston. After peace was declared he served two terms in the State legislature and was among the first lawyers of the State of Texas to appear before the Supreme Court of the United States after the State was readmitted into the Union. In 1870 he organized the Harris County Fair Association and was its first president.

Colonel Brady was one of the pioneer exponents of the movement to secure the ship channel for Houston, foreseeing in the channel an opportunity for development and expansion, and was the first man in the city to spend his own money to further this work. In 1867 he had the channel dredged along where the turning basin now is, and developed land along the course of the channel, taking an ac- tive interest in all progress in this important work.

Colonel Brady bought two thousand acres of land, a part of which was later used to developed Mag- nolia Park, now a beauty spot in Houston, and sur- rounded by one of the finest residence districts in the city. It was Colonel Brady's delight to picture in this acreage a beautiful addition to the city, and it would be a great sight if he could see the dream realized as it now is. He was one of the organ- izers of the Houston Belt & Magnolia Park Railway Company, and took an active interest in this or- ganization until his death.

Colonel Brady was the son of John T. Brady, a large planter of Charles County, Maryland, in which place his birth occurred in 1831. Later the family removed to Washington, D. C., but not until Colonel Brady had secured an exceptional education in the schools of Maryland. He attended Charlotte Hall College, one of the leading educational institutions of that day, and after graduating from that college, went to his home town in Maryland, where he studied law under the guidance of some of the most distinguished lawyers of that time. After being admitted to the bar, he went to the western part of Kansas and was appointed by President Buchanan as United States district attorney for the Territory of Kansas. He also engaged in news- paper work in Kansas for sometime. It was at this period of his life that his attention was at- tracted to Texas, as the land of opportunity, and he came to Harris County in 1856, and thereafter took an active part in the development of the Lone Star State.

Colonel Brady was married twice, his first mar- riage was to Lennie Sherman, daughter of General Sidney Sherman. From this union there were two children, a daughter, Lucy S., wife of W. S. Hunt,

well known lawyer of Houston, and a son, Sidney Sherman Brady. His second marriage was to Miss Estelle Jenkins, daughter of the late Judge George P. Jenkins, and Henriette Davis Jenkins, prominent Maryland pioneers. They have one child, Etta B., wife of J. W. Garrow, whose parents were well known residents of Houston.

Colonel Brady's death occurred the 26th of June, 1891, at his home in Houston. A man of superior education, and studious habits, he had been a leader among the attorneys of his time, gaining a wide reputation as a jurist well versed in all branches of his profession. As a legislator he impressed his influence on much of the important legislation of that day. As a citizen his influence was ever on the side of right. His interest in the development of his city was of an active nature, and he was an indefatigable worker to this end, contributing not only his time, but of his means, that Houston should become a great city.

UDGE BRANCH T. MASTERSON. The name of Judge Branch T. Masterson, who for more than half a century dignified his profession by his distinguished service to the bar, will ever be accorded highest honors in the Lone Star State, and will be remembered with pride by its citizens. While Galveston claimed him as a resident, yet Houston was his headquarters for several years prior to his death. His fame as a land lawyer was statewide, and his individual influ- ence served to accompilsh a great many material im- provements throughout the country. As a lawyer, he occupied a high place in the confidence of the people, and this faith he never betrayed. At various times, when called upon to fill positions of trust, he demonstrated his ability and his devotion to the best interests of his city and state. Few lawyers of his time were more expert in their perception of the basic principles of a proposition, or displayed intel- lectual talents of a higher order.

Judge Masterson was born in Brazoria County, Texas, the twentieth of March, 1845, and never at- tended school, receiving his early education at home. He was one of those self-reliant young Americans who did not require a college education to become a leader in his field. In his teens he made up his mind to become a lawyer, and at the earliest pos- sible opportunity set about realizing his ambition. He went to Galveston and began the study of law, spending some time in the John W. Harris law of- fice, and his studies in that direction completed, was admitted to the bar and began practice with Mr. Harris as junior member of the firm of Harris and Masterson. After the death of Mr. Harris, Mr. Mas- terson took his two sons, Branch, Jr. and John Har- ris Masterson, into the firm, changing the name to Masterson and Masterson, the firm continuing until the death of his sons. After the Galveston storm of 1915, when his office building was destroyed by fire, and his valuable library, together with his pa- pers, were lost, Judge Masterson moved his inter- ests to Houston and spent the remainder of his life looking after his affairs, but did not practice much.

Judge Masterson was married in Galveston to Miss Annie Wilmer Dallam, daughter of Wilmer Dallam, one of the greatest pioneer lawyers of the state, who wrote many law books, among them the Dallam Digest. His death occurred when his daughter was

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a child. Mrs. Masterson was born in Matagorda County, Texas, and moved to Galveston as a child of three years. During the storm of 1900, she was lost, leaving her husband and five children to mourn her loss. These children are May, wife of Judge Lewis Fisher, a prominent attorney of Houston, and for- merly of Galveston, of which city he was mayor, and who has four children, Lewis Dallam, Wilmer Rollins, May Masterson and Rebecca Branch; Thom- as W., a prominent attorney of San Antonio, and who married Miss Beatrice Thomson, and who has four children, Thomas W., Junior, Beatrice, Mary Lee, and Horace Thomson; Miss Rebecca Master- son, a prominent geologist of Houston; Wilmer Dal- lam, of Galveston, who married Miss Marilla An- thony, of Denver, and who has four children, Wil- mer Dallam, Junior, Marilla Masterson, Lillian Branch, and Reba May; Wilmer Dallam Masterson is an electrical engineer, employed by the city of Galveston; two sons, Branch T. Masterson, Junior and John Harris Masterson, who were prominent attorneys of Galveston, are deceased.

Judge Branch T. Masterson died the sixteenth of August, 1920, his death a loss to the legal profession of Texas as well as to his hundreds of friends. Few lawyers have been accorded the honors that came to him during the richly-lived years of his life, and few indeed have been so well worthy these honors. Not only a city builder, but a state builder, the record of his life is a bright page in the history of his native state and is not one to be soon forgotten.

EN A. RIESNER, pioneer resident of Hous- ton, and veteran structural iron and steel man, has been identified with the life and progress of this city for more than half a century, taking part in the civic development of his community and building up an industrial enter- prise of which Houston is justly proud. B. A. Ries- ner & Son Company was established by Mr. Riesner in 1875, and is one of the oldest and best plants in Houston, representing an investment of a quarter of a million dollars. The firm operates a plant de- voted to structural steel work, machine forging, wagon repairs, and also operates machine bolt works. The buildings cover fifteen thousand feet of space, and are modernly equipped, with an em- ployment of fifteen operatives. The company will be incorporated in the near future, and the scope of work extended.

Mr. Riesner has many other business interests in Houston, and is president of the Houston Ice and Brewing Company, president of the Houston Arizona Copper Company, vice-president of the Harris Coun- ty Investment Company, and director Houston Light- ing and Power Company. He also owns much valu- able business property in the produce section of Commerce Street, and is one of the largest tax- payers in Houston. To him is due the credit of building up Commerce Street as the commission business center of Houston. Mr. Riesner's position in the industrial and commercial world represents achievement over difficulties. Beginning at the age of fourteen, as a blacksmith's apprentice, he made the most of every opportunity for advance- ment. Five years later, years of hard work and frugal living, Mr. Riesner bought the shop in which he began his apprenticeship. After acquiring this shop Mr. Riesner devoted himself to his business, building up his trade, and, as this growth demand-

ed extending the scope of that business, until today it is one of the largest of its kind in the city.

Mr. Riesner has always found time, even during the days when the demands of his business were greatest, to take an interest and active part in the development of the community in which he lived. In 1887 he was elected a member of the City Coun- cil, serving six years. Then he was appointed chair- man of the Board of Public Works, holding this re- sponsible office for eight years. In 1883 he was appointed chief of the Houston Volunteer Fire De- partment, an office which he held for one year. Later, as a member of the city council, in 1889, he changed the volunteer fire department to a paid de- partment, an important step forward in Houston's progress as a city.

When he went into a blacksmith shop in 1870 as a boy he used to repair stage coaches, and in 1875 and later, he manufactured wagons. In 1883 he built the first real jail, which was located in Orange, and also built two jail cages at the County seat of Hardin County. Mr. Riesner made the machine bolts for the H. E. and W. T. Railroad, when it was a narrow gauge road, and his plant today is the only one outside of the railroad shops that makes these bolts in Houston.

Mr. Riesner was born in Brazoria County, near Houston, in 1856, son of Anton and Wilhelmina Ries- ner, pioneer residents of the Lone Star State. The elder Mr. Riesner, a cooper by trade, came to Texas in 1848, and lived for a number of years in Houston, which city is proud to claim him as a pioneer. Mr. Riesner attended the private schools at Houston until he was fourteen, in which year he began his apprenticeship, after which he continued his studies at night.

Mr. Riesner was married at Houston, in 1880, to Miss Sophie Laritze, daughter of a pioneer Hous- ton family. They have a family of six children, Mrs. Mary Fraser, Ben A. Riesner, Jr., associated with his father in business; Mrs. Sophie Lockhart, Mrs. Bessie Powers, Mrs. Daisy Long, and a son, Ed- win L. Riesner, who was killed in the recent war. The family live at 61 Riesner Avenue, this street being named for Edwin L. Riesner, in honor of his distinguished service in the World War. Mr. Riesner is an Elk and a Catholic Knight of America.

Edwin L. Riesner was graduated from St. Ed- wards College at Austin, then attending Texas A. & M. College for four years, and taking the B. A. Degree from this institution. When the United States entered the World War he volunteered, or- ganizing the First MacLemore Marines in Texas and received his commission from Governor Ferguson as Lieutenant. He was sent to Pensacola, Florida, where he was appointed a Rifle Field Manager for the government. Then followed a period at the Officer's Training Camp in Virginia, after which he joined the Regular United States Marines. He was sent to France the ninth of February, 1918, and killed in action June the Fourteenth, 1918, in the Battle of Chateau Thiery. Two days before he was killed he had been commissioned Captain. Cap- tain Riesner was buried on the battle-field, the watch which had been his graduation present being buried with him. Later, when the body was removed for burial in the National Cemetery of France this watch was removed and sent to his father, who treasures it highly.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 117

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