New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 122

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

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W. F. Arnold was born in Alsace, France, the twenty-seventh of July, 1875, the son of Frederick and Madlon Arnold, the father a native of the United States and a contractor of well drilling, and at one time a resident of Pennsylvania. Mr. Arnold began his education in France, later continuing his education in this country, after the removal of the family to the United States in 1887. Leaving school Mr. Arnold spent two years with his father in the Bradford oil fields of Pennsylvania, and in 1898 came to Nowata, Oklahoma. From there he came to Corsicana, later going to Spindle Top and later to Petrolia. In 1902 he went to California, remain- ing there until 1920 when he returned to Texas. After a short time at Ranger, Eastland and Breck- enridge he became deputy supervisor of the Oil and Gas Division of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Mr. Arnold was married at Fort Worth, in 1920, to Miss Georgia Martin, daughter of George and

Harriet Baldwin Martin. Mr. Martin has been for almost four decades in civil service, at Mare Island, California, in the ammunition magazine on the Pacific Coast. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have main- tained their home at 2705 Fannin Street, Houston. They have one child, Harriet Madlon. Mr. Arnold is a Mason, and is advancing rapidly in this order. He has written many articles for publication on improvements and betterment of conditions in the oil industry and advanced some excellent ideas in this respect, and has attained the respect and ad- miration of the entire fraternity.

BUCKNER COLEMAN, deputy governor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, has been identified with the banking business of Texas for about twenty years, and although a young man, is well known throughout the State.

A native Texan, Mr. Coleman was born at Dallas, May 22nd, 1888. His father, L. W. Coleman, a native of Princeton, Arkansas, came to Dallas from Memphis, Tennessee, in 1875. He was engaged in educational work all his life and was one of the pioneers in this profession, and was principal of the Dallas public schools in the early 90's. He was superintendent of Dallas County schools in 1900-01-02, and was connected with Buckner's Or- phan Home until he retired from active work in 1917. He died August 15th, 1923, and many of the younger generation of North Texas secured their education under the able guidance of this well known educator. His mother was, prior to her marriage, Miss Mary Belle Buckner, a daughter of Dr. R. C. Buckner, the founder of Buckner's Orphan Home, located near Dallas, which stands as a monument to the memory of this great man, who did so much for the orphan children of the State. Mr. R. Buckner Coleman was one of six children, four girls and two boys, and was educated in Dallas and Weatherford under the tutelage of his father, and later spent two years at the Baylor University at Waco, and left that institution in order to enter the employ of the Gaston National Bank of Dallas, where he remained with the latter bank until going with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas on July 7th, 1915, as clerk in the auditing department. Mr. Coleman was later made manager of cash and still later was made assistant cashier in 1918, and re- mained in this position until going to Houston as manager and director of the Houston branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, in 1923. Mr. Coleman began his career in the banking business as a runner for the Gaston National Bank, and by close attention to the details of his work in all departments, made his way to the present high position which he holds today, where he is regarded as one of the leaders in his profession among the younger generation of bankers.

Mr. Coleman was married at San Antonio, Texas, July 25th, 1912, to Miss Ruth Cathryn Clark, a native of Chicago, and a daughter of Gibson M. Clark, a well known manufacturer of Chicago. They have one son, Buckner Clark Coleman. Mr. Coleman is a member of the A. F. and A. M., with member- ship in Metropolitan Lodge, No. 1182, of Dallas, and has attained to the 14th degree in the Scottish Rite body of this order and is a Knight Templar of Commandery No. 6, and also a member of Hella Temple Shrine of Dallas.

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HEODORE F. (TEDDY) HEYCK was for a period of thirty-four years a resident of Houston, Texas, and one of its prominent citizens-a leader in the business, civic and church circles. For more than thirty years he was general manager of the Consumers Cotton Oil Com- pany in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana, with Hous- ton as headquarters, and much of the success of this organization was due to his able management. Coming to Houston in 1892, he started in the cotton business, with the Inman Cotton Company, one of the oldest cotton firms of the South, but remained with this firm for only one year when he was made general manager of the Consumers Cotton Oil Com- pany. Prior to locating in Houston, Mr. Heyck was connected with one of the banks at Big Springs, Texas, where he became well known in the financial world as a conservative and far-sighted business man.

A native Texan, Mr. Heyck was born in Port Lavaca on June 16th, 1869. His father, Theodore Heyck, was a well known business man of Lavaca County. His mother, Mrs. Sophie (Wissing) Heyck, was a member of a well known South Texas family, who were pioneers of this part of the state. When he was three years of age, his parents removed to Galveston, Texas, and later moved to West, Texas, locating at Abilene, where he grew to manhood and began his business career with the Abilene National Bank.

Mr. Heyck was married at Houston on February 21st, 1900, to Miss Frances Giraud, a daughter of Richard A. Giraud, a native of New Orleans, but who had been since two years of age a resident of Houston, where for many years he was cashier and vice president of the Commercial National Bank, and was well known in the financial circles of the South- west. Her mother, Mrs. Annie (Ott) Giraud, was a member of a prominent family of Lynchburg, Virginia, who removed to Houston, where she was married. Her brothers are numbered among the leading business men of Houston: S. A. Giraud, with the Humble Oil and Refining Company and R. T. Giraud, well known insurance man. Her sisters are: Edith, the wife of George Westerfield of Hous- ton and Miss Stella Giraud. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Heyck are: Theodore R. Heyck, one of the leading electrical engineers of this city, and Joseph Giraud Heyck, a student of the Rice Institute here, and one of its leading football players, and two daughters: Anne Catherine, a student of the Rice Institute and Frances. The Heyck home is lo- cated at 240 West Alabama Street.

Mr. Heyck was for many years a director and vice president of the Houston Chamber of Commerce, was director of the Cotton Seed Crushers Asso- ciations, both of Texas and Interstate organizations. For many years he took an active interest in local and state military affairs and was second lieutenant of the Texas National Guard. In fraternal and so- cial organizations he held membership in the B. P. O. E., the Rotary Club, the Turnverein, Houston Club, Houston Country Club, and the Catholic Church. In the fraternal organizations in which he held mem- berships he had filled official positions and was a past exalted ruler of the B. P. O. E. of Greenville. Mr. Heyck died at Houston on July 27th, 1925. He had a host of friends in this city and the South- west where he was loved and respected for his busi-

ness ability, integrity and fine traits of character. He loved Houston and foresaw a great and steady growth which would make it the commercial metrop- olis of the state, and demonstrated his faith by both words and deeds.

OSEPH COURTENAY RALSTON, pioneer of Waller County, and for years identified with history making events and closely as- sociated with the men of his time who were making history, has been active in developing and cultivating the lands of this section, and has ex- tensive farm and ranch interests here. Captain Ralston was the true type of pioneer, safe, sane, and capable of great endurance, a great worker and a cheerful giver, and in the life of the early days when such men were in demand it was but natural that he took a place of leadership. His first arrival in Texas was in 1864, when he came to Houston as aide-de-camp on the staff of General John G. Walker of Confederate fame. After the war he set- tled in Waller County, devoting his time to cattle raising and farming, his home being in the center of the Polly Perry League, one and one-half miles to the outside fences.

Joseph Courtenay Ralston was born in Barren County, Kentucky, the twenty-ninth of October, 1840. His father, William Wallace Ralston, also a native Kentuckian, was born in that State in 1809 and in 1838 was married to Miss Margaret Courte- nay Walker of Springfield, Missouri, and the fifth child of John Walker, who was state treasurer of Missouri for a number of years before his death, the twenty-sixth of May, 1838, and Sallie Caffery Walker. Nine children were born to this union, who were: Joseph Courtenay, the subject of this sketch; John Walker, Sarah Helen, George William, Robert Wallace, Thomas Alfred, Charles Samuel, Jacob Meade, and Edward Chesterfield. The elder Mr. Ralston owned a saw mill and grist mill op- erated by water power on Moreau Creek, in Cole County, Kentucky. Joseph Courtenay Ralston at- tended the country log house school during the win- ter months and helped his father operate the mill in the interim until he was seventeen years of age. He then entered the high school at Jefferson City, Missouri, and while there formed the ambition to become a physician. The beginning of the Civil War found him hospital steward for the Missouri penitentiary and studying medicine under Drs. Ed- wards and Snodgrass of that city. The course in medicine was never completed, although his hos- pital experiences during the war were replete with incidents which would ripen and increase his am- bition in medicine and surgery.

Joining the Missouri State Guard in July, 1861, Captain Ralston was actively engaged in the Con- federate service until, and even long after, Lee's surrender. Most of his experiences were west of the Mississippi, under Generals Ben Mccullough, Sterling Price, Marmaduke Parsons, Kirby Smith and John G. Walker, by turns, and he was in nearly every battle of consequence in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. At the close of the war General E. Kirby Smith, a relative of Captain Ralston's wife, was in command of the Trans-Mississippi Depart- ment, and his forces were the last of the Confed- eracy to surrender. General Smith was at the home of Colonel Jared E. Kirby awaiting developments

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when joined by Generals Magruder, John G. Walker, his uncle, and others, who later fled to Mexico, un- der the impression that as they had been officers in the regular United States army before the war and left the service for the Confederate army, that they would be dealt with severely. General John G. Walker's division was disbanded near Hemp- stead, but never surrendered and was never pa- roled. Captain Ralston accompanied Generals Ma- gruder, Walker and others as far south as San An- tonio, where he gave his horse to General Walker, his own having been crippled. A little later he set- tled in Waller County, where he made his home, and where he was active as a farmer and rancher.

While Captain Ralston has never been a poli- tician in the sense of seeking political preferment, he is well informed as to political events, and has always used his influence in the selection of good men to office. In 1906 he was induced to represent Waller County in the Thirtieth Legislature (house), and was chairman of the Committee of Public Health and took a prominent part in securing the passage of some very important legislation relating to the pro- motion of public health and the regulation of the practice of medicine.

Captain Ralston was married the twenty-second of July, 1869, at Alta Vista, the most magnificent home in Waller County, to Lucy Tate Kirby, the only daughter of Colonel Jared E. and Indiana Tate Kirby. Mrs. Ralston was a very beautiful woman, the daughter of a wealthy planter, with some three hundred negro slaves before the war. She was edu- cated at Chapel Hill, Texas, an educational center in pioneer days, and later completed her education in a seminary in New Orleans. Mrs. Ralston's father, Colonel Jared E. Kirby; a cousin of John Henry Kirby, was born in Mississippi, in 1819, and came to Texas in 1845. He was conscripting of- ficer for the Confederate service and filled the po- sition with credit to himself and to the cause which he represented. He made many enemies by.so do- ing, and it is believed that his assassination in the city of Houston in October, 1865, came largely as the result of this enmity. Alta Vista, the girlhood home of Mrs. Ralston, is now the Prairie View branch of Texas A. and M. College.

George Walker, maternal grandfather of Captain Ralston, several times removed, was mentioned by Tyler in his "Cradle of the Revolution" as a "wealthy gentleman, living on Back River in 1697, and was storekeeper and governor of the battery (fort) in 1722." His grandson, George, married Mary Meade, daughter of David Meade and Susan- nah Everard, daughter of Sir Richard Everard, 4th, Bart, and colonial governor of North Carolina from 1724 until 1729.

Captain and Mrs. Ralston had a family of seven children, all born in Waller County, with the excep- tion of the last two. There children are: Helen Maude, who married Gus Cashell; Dr. William Wal- lace Ralston, who married Miss Ella Kate Mc- Callum; Lucile Eugenia, who married Dr. Binto Van Zant; Dr. Joseph Courtenay Ralston, who married Miss Marie Martin Smith; Lila Kirby, who married Dr. William M. Brumby; Gertrude Mayer, who mar- ried Joe Johnson Goode, and Margaret Tate, who married Dr. Boyd Reading. Captain Ralston's early professional inclination was evidently imparted to his children, for both of his sons became prominent

surgeons, and of his five daughters, four married physicians. Captain and Mrs. Ralston make their home in Waller, in Waller County. Captain Ralston is an almost lifelong member of the Baptist Church, in which faith he was reared. He is a member, al- ways under tongue of good repute, of the Hemp- stead Masonic Lodge, and is one of the best liked residents of Waller County, and one who has done much for the development of this section.

Note: Since this sketch was written Captam Ralston died April 27, 1924.

OHN G. SUPER, pioneer cattle man of South Texas, where he was one of the lead- ing cattle raisers and dealers until he re- tired from active business pursuits in 1918. Mr. Super spent nearly all of his life in the differ- ent branches of the cattle industry, and has always been regarded as one of the best posted men in this business. In 1882, he moved to Houston and entered the live stock commission field, buying and selling cattle extensively. His work in this field also brought him in touch with real estate ventures in which he was successful.

A native Texan, Mr. Super was born in Houston November 11th, 1852. His father, Daniel Super (deceased since 1863), came to Texas from Pennsyl- vania in 1838, and was one of the pioneer settlers of the Lone Star State. His educational advantages, in the early days in Houston, were meager, and the liberal education which he obtained was begun in the schools of Houston and continued by young Super, who devoted himself diligently to home study.

In 1861, his father purchased a cattle ranch, and Mr. Super, who was then nine years of age, was eager to take up life on the cattle ranch, which he did, and this fascination, after reaching manhood never left him. He continued the business after the death of his father, buying and selling mostly. They had large pastures adjacent to Houston, and also pastured cattle in four of the nearby counties and was very successful in this business. Later, he had his cattle handled by other men, and removed to Houston, but still retained his interest in the cattle business. His brother, Daniel Super, now living on the Harrisburg Boulevard at the age of seventy- seven years, was engaged in the cattle business with him.

Mr. John G. Super was married in Houston, No- vember 18th, 1873, to Miss Lucy Kegans, a daughter of John Hamilton Kegans, one of the pioneers of Texas. Her brother, Willie Kegans, is now en- gaged in work for the city of Houston. They have three children: Grover Cleveland Super, Samuel Austin Super and Mrs. B. V. Turner. Also two granddaughters: Mrs. F. M. Bailey and Mrs. Jarves Burkhead. The Super home is located at 2404 Capitol Avenue, where he settled more than forty years ago. Mr. Super has seen Houston grow from a village to the busy, thriving city that it is today, and his dream of a big city emerging from the village has become a reality, and he believes that even greater things are in store for Houston. Mr. Super has always been an ardent worker for the progress and advancement of his city, where he is known as one of the most progressive and pub- lic-spirited citizens.

Note-Since this sketch was written, Mr. Super died June 25th, 1924.

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MEN OF TEXAS

AMES REAVIS PARKS. It is given to few men to exercise a more benign influence over their communities than that exerted by J. R. Parks, for many years a resident of Houston, and a man of outstanding Christian vir- tues. Mr. Parks was unfailingly on the side of right, a true friend, a staunch Christian, and a kind and tender husband and father. He was ready to champion any cause that was for the betterment of Houston, giving with a benevolence that was as fine as it was unostentatious to all organized work along this line. In addition to this Mr. Parks always had a deep sympathy for his fellows and was quick to see situations where help was needed, and his individual charities were no less important than his contributions to organized work. Those to whom misfortune had come frequently took their troubles to Mr. Parks, sure of a sympathetic listener, and sure too of material help in passing the crisis they were facing. Through him countless men, women and children of Houston came to know the true meaning of benevolence for he had a talent of giv- ing, not as if he were offering alms, but as if he were holding out a friendly hand to a comrade in distress. This talent set him apart as one who had a genuine sympathy with his fellows, and won him hundreds of friends from every walk of life.

James Reavis Parks was born near Turnersville, Coryell County, Texas. His parents were James Madison Parks and Elizabeth (Reavis) Parks, who were early settlers of Texas, coming here from Se- dalia, Missouri, in the early forties and settling near Austin, where Mr. Parks, Sr., engaged in farming for many years. Mr. J. R. Parks, the subject of this sketch, attended private schools near his home and Baylor University and in 1885 went to Gatesville, where he engaged as a merchant until 1900. At that time he sold his mercantile interests and went to Spindle Top, then just coming into prominence as the center of a rich oil field and for the ensuing six years was engaged in the oil business. In 1903 he came to Houston, continuing his connection with the oil business, and later went into the insurance business with the New York Life Insurance Com- pany, and became one of the leading insurance men in the state, writing a large volume of insurance annually, as long as the New York Life Company operated in Texas. He was vice president of the Southern Division of this company for some years, and after severing his connection with the New York Life Insurance Company went with the Great South- ern Life Insurance Company at the time of its or- ganization and remained with that company until shortly before his death. Mr. Parks was also ac- tive in the real estate business, accumulating a con- siderable amount of Houston property.

On the sixteenth of February, 1888, Mr. Parks was married to Miss Hallie Claxton, at Gatesville, Texas. Mrs. Parks is the daughter of Edward A. Claxton and Virginia (Cayce) Claxton. Mr. Claxton, a na- tive of Tennessee, came to Texas shortly after the close of the Civil War and was a prominent lawyer of Central Texas thereafter until his death. Mrs. Claxton was a native Texan, and was born in Bra- zoria County. She was a daughter of Col. H. P. Cayce, of Civil War fame. Mr. and Mrs. Parks had an ideal married life, she being a true and gentle wife and mother, finding her greatest happiness in home, husband and children, and he taking a

great pride in his family and being a kind and gen- erous husband and father. They had two children, James Claxton Parks and Virginia May Parks. Mr. Parks belonged to the Houston Club, the Houston Country Club, the Elks, the Masons, Knight Tem- plar, Scottish and York Rites, and was a member of Arabia Temple Shrine. Mr. Parks was a mem- ber of the First Methodist Church for many years, and for twenty years was a member of the board of stewards. While in Gatesville he was active in Sunday School work and was superintendent of the Sunday School there for eight years. Mr. Parks' death occurred at Houston on the fifteenth of May, 1925, and perhaps no more fitting tribute could be paid than that written into the resolutions passed by the official board of the First Methodist Church, of which he was a member: "In the life of Mr. Parks we were afforded an exemplification of the art of true Christian living, in public and in private . .. He was a noble friend; his domestic relations were ideal; he was a Christian gentleman."

B YRON FRANKLIN GRIFFITH. In the his- tory of the development of the Lone Star State, there stands out a group of men, of sterling qualities, of stern adherence to duty, who made up the vanguard of the prosperity of today, and in this group the name of Byron Frank- lin Griffith finds honored place. A pioneer of the Lone State State, who throughout the years of a busy life never faltered in his duty as he saw it, but was always ready to do his part, and more, he has many memorials in the state, and his name is associated with all those activities that made for progress. Especially at Weatherford, a city which for many years claimed him as a citizen, was he ac- tive in community advancement, and in Houston, where he resided for a decade and a half, at the close of a busy life.

Mr. Griffith was born in Tennessee, the twenty- sixth of May, 1850, the son of Byron Franklin Grif- fith and Matina Katherine Griffith. As a child he attended the schools of that day when education and public schools were not so common as they are now. In his early boyhood the family removed to Ken- tucky, and a little later, while still a boy, Mr. Grif- fith entered the Confederate Army, to serve in the Civil War. A boy in years, and far below the enlist- ment age, he was a man in stature, and in the try- ing years that followed, when he fought in many en- gagements, he proved himself a man in deed and action. He was wounded in battle and carried a bullet scar through life.

After the close of the struggle, Mr. Griffith spent some time in Kentucky, in 1878 coming to Arkansas, where until 1884 he was supervisor of a large ranch. In that year, however, he came to Milsap, Texas, and then to Weatherford, where he made his home for many years. In this city he soon made many friendships, and took a prominent part in develop- ing the community. For many years he was street and bridge commissioner, giving to the duties of this office a real enthusiasm and proving his interest in the best interests of his community. Later the strain of an active life, with long hours of strict attention to duty, and little recreation, began to tell, and his health broke. The twenty-third of August, 1898, he removed to Houston, there to regain his health. But he was not the type of man to remain inactive, and soon after coming to this city he opened a grocery

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store, which, with his sons, he operated until his death. The climate and conditions at Houston proved favorable to Mr. Griffith, and he soon improved in health, and at the time of his death weighed three hundred and thirty-six pounds.

Mr. Griffith was married in Prairie County, Ark- ansas, the twenty-third of November, 1881, to Miss Sarah Blanche Howell, daughter of Riley Howell, a veteran of the Civil War and a native of Mississippi, who later removed to Arkansas, where he was a planter until his death, and Sarah Brown Howell, a native of Springcreek, Lee County, Arkansas. Wil- liam Ransom Howell, the father of Riley Howell, was also a war veteran, having fought in the Mex- ican War. Mrs. Griffith was not only a compan- ion to her husband and his inspiration throughout the trying years of pioneer life, but reared a family of six children, five of whom are living. These chil- dren are Kate, widow of George Winstead, and who has one child, George Byron; Pearl, wife of C. G. Lee, of Houston, and who has one child, Blanche Lee; A. R. Griffith, a prominent oil man, and who married Mrs. May Huey Griffith, the widow of his deceased brother, Riley, and they have one son, A. R., Jr .; William Frank Griffith, with the Simms Oil Company, of Houston, and who married Miss Grace Segel, and has two children, William Frank, Jr. and Grace Segel; and Bessie May Griffith, a stu- dent in the Houston public schools; Riley Howell Griffith, the second child, died of influenza on Feb- ruary 28, 1920.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 122

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