New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 124

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

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788

Richard Rodgers

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

ness, and after a year with the firm in Savannah he spent one year in traveling in Europe, studying conditions there. He returned to Savannah and went with Duckworth and Company, large cotton export- ers, and remained with that firm about eight years. He then spent two years as Manager of Savannah business of A. Norden and Company, after which he went to New York City, as buyer for the American Cotton Company, of which he later became Treas- urer. He came to Houston in 1901 and organized the firm of Hubbell, Slack and Company, one of the largest firms in the city, and of which he was Pres- ident until his death in 1911. The firm continued under this name until 1920.

Mr. Hubbell was married the sixth of April, 1896, to Miss Julia Porter, a native of New York. Her father, William R. Porter, was a native of New York State. Mrs. Hubbell's mother was before her marriage Miss Esther Gregory, of a well known New York family. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbell had an ideal married life and Mrs. Hubbell was her hus- band's inspiration throughout his career. They had two children, Porter Thompson Hubbell, who was born in Savannah, and who is a cotton buyer for Anderson-Clayton Company. He married Miss Mar- tha Duff, daughter of R. C. Duff, of Houston. They have two children, Porter Thompson Hubbell, Ju- nior, and James Elliott Hubbell. Miss Marion Hub- bell resides with her mother and is a student of Rice Institute. The family attend Trinity Church and live at 415 Westmoreland Avenue.

Mr. Hubbell died at his home in Houston the thir- teenth of November, 1911. A man of high intellec- tual attainments he had early won success and at the time of his death, at the age of thirty-nine, he was one of the foremost cotton authorities in the State and an outstanding success in the commercial world. Mr. Hubbell had many friends in Houston and was a member of the Houston Club, the Hous- ton Country Club, and the Houston Gun Club. He was interested in the development of his city, tak- ing time from a busy life to participate in the var- ious movements directed toward civic growth. A man of integrity, in the business world, and in private and social life congenial, generous and kind hearted, the record of his life will remain a bright page in the history of this city and will not be soon forgotten.

AMES RUSSELL CHRISTIAN, for upwards of four decades one of the best known rail- road men in the Lone Star State, and an honored resident of Houston, in which city he was one of the most patriotic and unselfish citi- zens, had a career of usefulness and distinction in the railroad world. Mr. Christian was a man of purpose, sensible, capable of great endurance, a cheerful giver and a good loser. Realizing early that success is bought by industry he paid the price, and beginning as a boy of nineteen, at the death of his father, as agent for the Southern Pacific rail- road at Harrisburg, Texas, rose steadily in the railroad world until he achieved a real success. After a short time at Harrisburg as agent, he was transferred to Seguin, Texas, as freight agent, re- maining there for two years, then going to Del Rio, as agent for one year, later spending like periods at Marion and La Grange, after which he was trans- ferred back to Houston, where he spent eighteen months. He was then sent to Cuero and later to

Galveston, at which place he was commercial agent. In 1901 he was again transferred to Houston and made assistant general freight agent, and in 1903 became general freight agent, a position he held until his death in 1916. In all of these positions Mr. Christian achieved results that marked him as a man of more than average executive ability, and his promotion was rapid and well deserved.

James Russell Christian was born at Memphis, Tennessee, the eighth of August, 1861, son of Dr. James Russell Christian, and Ellen McGravock Christian. Dr. Christian was a native of Kentucky, later spending some years in both Tennessee and Mississippi. He built the first oil mill on the Mis- sissippi River, and was well known throughout this section for his various activities. His death occur- red at Holly Springs, Mississippi, when his son, the subject of our sketch, was nineteen. Mr. Christian's mother, a native of Tennessee, had died when he was a child of three, and he was, at the death of his father, practically thrown on his own resources. Perhaps his early training had given him breadth of vision, for, hardly through with his education in the schools of Mississippi, he came to Texas, lo- cating at Harrisburg, and took his place in the busi- ness world, achieving success from the start. His entire business career was spent in the railroad bus- iness, and was marked by the highest integrity and a habit of seeing whatever he started through to a finish.

Mr. Christian was married the twenty-seventh of March, 1885, at Seguin, to Miss Mattie Humphreys, a native of the western part of Texas. She was the daughter of Dr. B. W. Humphreys, a native of Tennessee, who moved to West Texas the year after Texas became independent. He received a fine edu- cation, and after finishing in the schools near his home, took a medical course, and after receiving his M. D. degree returned to Seguin, where he prac- ticed medicine until his death. Dr. Humphreys was married to Miss Mary Jane Meriwether, a native of Tennessee. A man well worthy the obligations of his profession, he built up a large practice in Seguin and the adjoining territory and was one of the best beloved men in that section. Mr. and Mrs. Chris- tian made their home in Houston for many years, and Mrs. Christian delighted in making this home a hospitable and cheerful place that was a real haven of rest. She was greatly interested in her husband's career, proud of his successes, and sym- pathetic with all that he did. They had a family of three children-a daughter, Mary Ellen, wife of Harry Pennington, well known oil man of Dallas, and who has one child, a son, Harry Junior; and two sons, Benjamin Humphreys Christian, who mar- ried Miss Willie Ruth Porter, and who has three children, Ethel Mae, Margaret Joyce and Ruth Joceylin; and James Russell Christian, who, with his brother, is in the lumber business at Houston, operating the Christian Brothers Lumber Company.

Mr. Christian died at Houston, the thirtieth of June, 1916, and was buried at Seguin, Texas, which had been his home for some years. He was active until a week before his death, and his passing was sincerely mourned by his many friends in the rail- road world and in various parts of the State. Mr. Christian will be remembered as a man of high ideals, a true christian, and a lover of humanity.

791

MEN OF TEXAS

RANK WILLIFORD, Houston, Texas, was one of the pioneers of the cattle industry of the Lone Star State, his extensive ranch in- terests being located in Fort Bend County, where he engaged in the ranching and stock raising business practically all of his life, beginning in the early seventies when the "Texan longhorn" held possession of the open range; when the "chuck" wagon, long tedious weeks of gathering and hold- ing the herds, made cattle raising and marketing as dangerous as it was difficult. He was among the first stock raisers to visualize the improvement in the grade of cattle if that industry was to become one of profit, and the first venture was the import- ing from India the prized Brahma cattle, and the famous Khedive the Second was added to his herd!, later the Hereford strain of cattle, thus developing a sturdy stocky cattle of much greater commercial value. When it became necessary for better pro- tection of the industry, the Cattlemen's Association was organized, and Mr. Williford became an active member, rendering much effective service. He was conceded by all to be absolute authority on all mat- ters pertaining to the stock business, receiving com- munications on the subject from all parts of the country. "His word was his bond", and his integ- rity and sterling worth merited for him friendships which are legion, and no man was more loyal and true to his friends, deeming it the greatest privilege to help in the time of need. He was a philanthropist in the truest sense, his kindly sympathetic feeling for the under privileged of humanity, especially mothers with little children, gave expression in countless deeds of mercy and benevolence.

Frank Williford was born in Quitman County, Mississippi, March 3rd, 1855, coming to Texas with his parents when four years old. His father, George Washington Williford, was born in Quitman County, Mississippi, March 20th, 1830. His mother, Martha (Dougherty) Williford, was born at Citronelle, Ala- bama, January 3rd, 1836. They came to Texas in 1859, located in Hardin County, Texas, six years later moving to Cypress, Harris County, Texas, where his father died December 30th, 1872. His mother died in his home at Houston, Texas, June 20th, 1917. Mr. Williford's educational advantages were very limited, as the county schools at that time were in a comparatively primitive state, the school houses for the greater number being built of hewn logs, and the instructors available not of a very high grade. He attended the school of his com- munity during the winter months, walking several miles for this privilege, but his greater education was obtained later in life through the wonderful school of experience in contact with men and things. He felt very keenly the importance of an education, and it was his chief delight to encourage and assist financially many young men and young women in securing an education which would enable them to be fitted for a better citizenship. Being of a retiring disposition he had never become affiliated with public life, but his undaunted interest and support was a potent factor in the advancement of all civic projects for the substantial improvement of the city and state. He had great faith in the future of a greater Houston, as he had watched with pride its growing from a town to the mag- nificence of a metropolitan city.

Mr. Williford was married in Fort Bend County,

Texas, November 4th, 1885, to Miss Louise Hunter, daughter of Thomas Johnson Hunter, one of the earliest settlers of Fort Bend County, coming from the state of Ohio with his parents in 1821. Her mother, Mrs. Josephine (Estes) Hunter, a native Texan, daughter of a pioneer family of Bell County, Texas. To Mr. and Mrs. Williford were born five children-Frank, Jr., lawyer; Pat Johnson, auto ac- cessories; Vola Hunter, contractor; Louis Estes, Junior, student in the School of Medicine at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mary Lou- ise, at home.

Mr. Williford died at his home, 1418 McGowen Avenue, August 6th, 1924. Although not a native of the Lone Star State, his love and loyalty to Texas is unsurpassed by her most fervent sons.

LEXANDER SCHWARTZ was, for many years, held in high esteem for his work in the upbuilding of his community, and his activities in the civic and business life of Houston. He first came to this city in 1895, after a brief business experience at Hot Springs, where he engaged in chinaware merchandising. For a number of years, after coming to Houston, Mr. Schwartz was associated with the late M. L. West- heimer, who, until his death engaged in the transfer business, under the firm name of the Merchants Transfer Company, at that time one of the leading businesses of its kind in the city. After Mr. West- heimer's death, Mr. Schwartz continued the busi- ness, and, after the disposition of same, he went with the John McClellan Company. He was there- after on the road for this firm for several years, travelling out of Houston, and during this time established an extensive clientele and was one of the best liked salesmen on the road. In 1909 he established a mercantile business, now known as A. Schwartz, Incorporated. Under his management this business grew from a comparatively small be- ginning to one of the largest china and gift shops in the city. From the first, while the business was still in the experimental stage, Mr. Schwartz gave great promise as a merchant of exceptional ability, and enthusiastically planned for a constant improve- ment and expansion, watching his business grow from year to year, until at the time of his death, in 1913, his store had grown to substantial pro- portions.

At the death of Mr. Schwartz his widow, Mrs. Rosa L. Schwartz, assumed the management of the business, and her operation of this establishment has proven her to be a business woman of excep- tional keenness of perception. She has so directed the affairs of the business that the growth and pros- perity inaugurated by Mr. Schwartz has continued uninterruptedly, and the firm of A. Schwartz, In- corporated, is considered one of the most complete china and gift shops in this section of the state. Mrs. Schwartz caters especially to the highest class of retail trade, and has built up a very exclusive patronage. In the up-building of this establish- ment she has been greatly assisted by her three sisters, Miss Aurelia Westheimer, Miss Mollie West- heimer and Mrs. Hettie W. Ray. The business is located at 815 Main Street, in an attractively ap- pointed building, and employs a force of twelve carefully trained people.

Alexander Schwartz was born at New Orleans,

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

Louisiana, the twelfth day of May, 1870. He spent his boyhood in this city, attending the schools there, and after his graduation moved to Hot Springs, Ar- kansas, where he gained his first experience in this line of merchandising. He applied himself dili- gently to the details of this business, with the re- sult that when he opened his own store in later years, he was especially well prepared to operate the establishment wisely.

Mr. Schwartz was married in 1901, to Miss Rosa L. Westheimer, daughter of M. L. Westheimer, one of Houston's pioneer business men and builders. Much that Mr. Westheimer did in a business way had direct bearing on the prosperity of his city and his influence was always used to this end. He helped to get many of those citizens, who, today, are lead- ers in the business world, to come to this city, urg- ing them to come to this city of opportunities, and, after bringing them here, he helped them to get established. He built one of the first brick build- ings in the city at Milam and Congress, where Henke and Pillot are now located. In the early days, and for many years, he owned and conducted the Bayou City Livery and Sales Stable. In his death Houston lost one of the most honored of the pioneer busi- ness men and a leader of proven ability. Mrs. Schwartz's mother, before her marriage, Miss Bettie Hirsch, is also deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz had a family of two chil- dren, a daughter, Frances Louise, now Mrs. J. D. Rothschild, a graduate of Rice Institute, and a son, Richard L. Schwartz, a graduate of the University of Texas, and now a student of Harvard. Mrs. Schwartz makes her home at 3807 Montrose Boule- vard.

Mr. Schwartz died at Houston the fifth of Au- gust, 1913, and, while the hand that guided the helm of the business he had established so short a time before is at rest, this business still continues, a dominating factor in the commercial life of a great city, and a monument to its founder.

ICHARD GODDARD QUALTROUGH. The railroad world has developed many great men, but few, from the ranks, have attained the popularity accorded Richard Goddard Qualtrough, and have been admired and respected alike by the President of the road, and the men in the shops. Mr. Qualtrough, a veteran railroad man, and one of the most honored of Houston's pioneers, was associated with many early developments of the transportation system, and was at the time of his death one of the oldest railroad men in the Lone Star State, and one of the best conductors in the entire South. Throughout his railroad career, cov- ering a period of more than three decades, he made a perfect record, and a train in his charge never had an accident.

Richard Goddard Qualtrough was a native of England, where his birth occurred the twenty-second day of December, 1854. His mother died during his infancy, and his father's death occurred during his early manhood. As a boy he attended the schools of his native country, and at the age of twenty-one, in company with his brother, Walter Qualtrough, now a resident of Houston, he came to Canada, and went to work on the Grand Trunk Railroad. He later came to Texas, in 1878, and went with the Texas and New Orleans Railroad as trainman. He later became a conductor, a position he held until his

death. These years were marked by a strict at- tention to business, that won him the perfect record that was his pride, and the respect of the entire railroad world. Friendships outside the railroad circles were also formed, and Mr. Qualtrough count- ed his friends by the hundreds, men, women and children, from all over the State, whom he had shown true courtesy, and in whom he had taken a real interest while they were passengers on trains in his charge. He was keenly interested in Masonry and was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Knight Templar and a member of the Shrine.

Mr. Qualtrough was married the eleventh of No- vember, 1878, at Houston, Texas, to Miss Matilda Schwerin, the daughter of Simon and Pauline Frank Schwerin. Her father came to the States from the old country, and was for a number of years a resi- dent of New Orleans, where Mrs. Qualtrough was born, and where his death occurred when she was a small girl. Her mother removed to Houston in 1870 and Mrs. Qualtrough finished her education in the schools of this city. She was from girlhood a leading figure in the life Houston, taking an in- terest in the welfare of her community, and was one of the most admired and popular young matrons of the early days. At the time of the storm, in 1900, she was Chairman of the Relief Committee, and spent over three months in charge of the storm suf- ferers at the City Hall. During these months she was a real angel of mercy, and spent her time, day and night, ministering to the suffering and starving people, who appealed to her for aid, with no thought of herself. The entire funds for the relief work were turned over to her, and these she dispensed where the need was greatest. Her noble actions, and unselfish devotion to these unfortunates won her the love and admiration of the entire citizenship, and not only Houston, but Texas, is proud of her, and accords her a place among the true heroes and heroines of the State. As a wife and mother she was no less steadfast to duty, no less tender and de- voted, and her home was all that a home can mean to the husband and sons and daughters who spent so many happy years within its confines.

Mr. and Mrs. Qualtrough had four children, John Qualtrough, conductor for the Southern Pacific lines, and who has been a railroad man since he was twelve years old. He, like his father, is establishing one of those perfect records that is the ambition of every railroad man, and is one of the most reliable men in the railroad world today. He was married to Miss Mamie Joe Bland and makes his home in Houston. The second son, William Qualtrough, is Secretary and Treasurer of the Mosehart-Keller Company, and of the Mosehart-Schleeter Company, and is married to Miss Viola Wileman, and has one child, Henry Mosehart Qualtrough. Of the two daughters, Jeannette, is the wife of J. C. Woodworth, and has one child, Bernice, and Emma is the wife of George B. Jurgens, and has one child, George B., Junior.

Richard Goddard Qualtrough died at his home in Houston the fifth of November, 1911, his death a distinct loss to the railroad world, wherein he had served so well and faithfully. By reason of years of faithfulness to duty, and to his ideals of service, his name will live in the hearts of his fellowmen, and he will ever be accorded a place of honor, both as a railroad man and as a citizen.

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MEN OF TEXAS

DWARD EMMET SANDS-Among the out- standing names of the engineering pro- fession is that of Edward Emmet Sands, under whose direction Houston enjoyed one of the greatest building eras of its history, and who for many years was prominently identified with engineering activities of wide scope, both in Hous- ton and in the East. Mr. Sands was a man of pur- pose, careful and sensible, and capable of great endurance, who was endowed by nature to bear great burdens of responsibility without flinching, and qualified, both by unusual mental endowments and highly specialized training, to occupy positions of leadership, and his direction of the municipal development program of Houston during a critical period bore rich fruit.

Edward Emmet Sands was born in Columbus, Ohio, the fifth of January, 1877, the son of Louis K. Sands, a native of Ohio and now a prominent insurance man of Milwaukee, where he has resided since 1902, and Emily (Green) Sands, also a native of Ohio, and who is deceased. Mr. Sands received his elementary education in the public schools of Sparta, Wisconsin, later graduating from the high school in that city. He continued his studies at the University of Wisconsin, from which he grad- uated with high honors in 1900, being at the head of his class in civil engineering. He remained at the university as an instructor for two years fol- lowing his graduation, and he also engaged in teach- ing for a short time at Rice Institute during the World War, without pay. Mr. Sands was for a time engaged in the United States Geological Survey Department, and later associated with the Gov- ernment Reclamation Service. Still later he had charge of the engineering problems connected with the irrigation of the Columbia River, and also served with the Canadian Pacific Railroad as chief engi- neer at the time that road had under way their first irrigation work at Alberta, Canada. This was followed by a year in the East and one year with the Canadian Dock and Dredge Company, as con- sulting engineer. At that time he made the decision to engage in business for himself and came to Hous- ton, where his capability in his profession brought him great renown and remuneration. Unsolicited, the appointment of city engineer of Houston came to him, in spite of the fact that there were many aspirants to this position, during the first admin- istration of Mayor Ben Campbell. He served during the Campbell, Pastoriza and Hutchinson adminis- trations, 1913-1918, directing municipal development and handling the great construction program of that time. This included many miles of paving, curbs, sewers, sidewalks, schools, viaducts and bridges, and the first development at Port Houston, and also the north and south side disposal plants, one of these being the first septic disposal plant to be completed in the United States. During the World War Mr. Sands' knowledge and experience resulted in his being called by the government in an advisory capac- ity and he materially assisted in the solution of many problems in aviation, sanitation and other engineering problems, and directed the laying out of Camp Logan. He built the sewer and water system at Kelly Field, San Antonio; Gerstner Field, Lake Charles, and at other training camps. After resigning from the city service be went to New York, later returning to Houston to engage in gen-

eral contracting business, and was prominent in engineering circles until his death.

Mr. Sands was married the fifteenth of June, 1903, in Denver, Colorado, to Miss Isabel Garrison, a native of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and the daughter of John Garrison, a native of Canada, and a well known mechanical engineer, and Ann (Stew- art) Garrison, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Sands was an ideal wife, and in addition to being the constant companion and inspiration of her hus- band was the mother of five children, four of whom- Grace, Ruth, Emily Ann, and Edward Emmet, Jr., survive, one child, a son, meeting a tragic death as the result of accidental drowning. Mrs. Sands and her children reside in Houston, at 5418 Austin Street.

Mr. Sands was president of the Planning Com- mission of Houston, president of the Texas Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers, a mem- ber of the Municipal Engineers Association of Texas, the University Club of Houston, the Houston Coun- try Club, the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, a director of the Rotary Club, and was also a member of the Wisconsin division of the Sons of the American Revolution. In spite of his many activities he al- ways found time to pay homage and tribute to his Heavenly Father and worshiped in the Episcopal faith, a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Houston, and one of its most active parishioners. Fraternally he was a Mason, Hiram Lodge No. 5, of Madison, Wisconsin; Knights Templar, at Den- ver, and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine of Houston. His death occurred at Milwaukee, Wis- consin, the twenty-seventh of October, 1923, ending a life of service and accomplishment. Few men have been more generally admired, have served more nobly their city than he, and it may truly be said that he lived so that his life will be an inspiration to those who knew him, and an example to the youth of tomorrow.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 124

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