New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 132

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

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Family portraits look down upon the old ma- hogany furniture and closets and chests hold in their keeping letters and documents which could many a tale unfold of personages who played an important part in the history of Texas.

ENRY HOLT LUMMIS-Houston can boast of no truer, more generous citizen than Henry Holt Lummis, who gave so largely of his time and means for the development of the resources of this section and took so promi- nent a part in the activities of his day. A lawyer of distinction and a keen student of civic conditions, he steadily advanced in that profession to a place among the foremost lawyers of his day. As a

business man he was a factor in the lumber indus- try, wherein his career had many distinctions, and he impressed himself on the commercial world of his city as a man of signal achievement. He knew the working side of the lumber business, and had at his command a world of information regarding the progress and development of this industry in the Lone Star State, using this knowledge to advantage in the management of his own and the Rice inter- ests.

Mr. Lummis was born at Anderson, Texas, the seventh day of November, 1856. He was the son of that honored pioneer physician, Dr. Hiram Holt Lummis, who came to Texas, in 1855, to practice his profession at Anderson, where his death oc- curred shortly afterward. Dr. Holt was a native of Connecticut, and for many years a practitioner at Russelville, Kentucky, prior to coming to the Lone Star State. Mr. Lummis' mother, before her mar- riage Miss Ann Gilbert, was a native of Russel- ville. Mr. Lummis received his early education at Dr. Richard Malcolm Johnson's School for Boys, later going to Sewanee, Tenn., where he took the legal course and where he received the LL.B. degree in 1879. Mr. Lummis came direct to Houston and went with the legal firm of Hutchinson and Car- rington, as junior partner. After a number of years' practice, during which time he displayed re- markable natural aptitude for his profession, and built up a large clientele, Mr. Lummis retired from legal practice and turned his attention to the de- velopment of the lumber industry. He was for many years associated with his father-in-law, F. A. Rice, in the lumber business, and later took over the management of the Rice interests, looking after the estate until two years prior to his death, at which time he became an invalid.

Mr. Lummis was married the tenth of May, 1882, at Houston to Miss Minnie Rice. Her father, Fred- erick A. Rice, one of Houston's best known pioneers, was a native of Massachusetts, who settled in Hous- ton in 1850. He was one of the builders of the first railroad to come to Houston, the Houston and Texas Central, and in many other ways contributed to the upbuilding of the city. His death occurred in 1901, at which time he was seventy-one years of age. Mr. Rice is honored today as one of the real founders of the city of Houston and his name is linked with the beginning of many things that laid the founda- tion of Houston today. Mrs. Lummis' mother was Caroline M. Baldwin, a daughter of Horace Baldwin, who was mayor of Houston during the days of the Republic, and who was a brother-in-law of A. C. Allen, one of the founders of the city. His family is of old revolutionary stock, of sturdy Scotch-Irish ancestry, of Colonial days. His Great-grandfather Hall was one of those wounded at the Battle of Lexington, in 1775, despite which injury he lived to be one hundred and two years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Lummis had two children, Dr. Fred- erick Rice Lummis, prominent young physician of Houston, and Patty Hogg Rice Lummis, wife of Walter Bedford Sharp, well known oil man of Hous- ton.

Mr. Lummis died at Houston, the sixth of May, 1906, after a period of two years of invalidism. His death was the cause of a sincere regret on the part of his many friends and associates and a dis- tinct loss to the business world at Houston.

857

MEN OF TEXAS

HILIP R. CARSON during his lifetime was held in high esteem in Houston for his many activities connected with civic progress and development, his integrity as a business man, and his endearing qualities as an individual citizen. Mr. Carson was for many years promi- nently identified with commercial enterprises and was firmly established as a business man whose influence was felt in every walk of life. A vital factor in the mercantile world, he established and built up a wholesale grocery business which under his direction became one of the largest of such enterprises in the city.

Mr. Carson was a native of the State of Alabama, where he spent his early years. During his boyhood his mother and children came to Texas, locating at Houston, and in this city Mr. Carson received his education, attending the public schools here. His father, J. B. Carson, was killed in the last year of the Civil War. After leaving school Mr. Carson went to work with the William D. Cleveland Com- pany, wholesale grocers, and while with that firm learned the wholesale grocery business from the ground up. Later he left this firm and went into business for himself, organizing the firm of Car- son, Ellis & Company, wholesale grocers, a firm that was for many years a factor in the mercantile world here. Later this firm was reorganized and the name was changed to Carson, Sewall & Com- pany, with Mr. Carson as the largest stockholder. He was active in the management of the business and a vital force in its success until his death, in 1906. Since Mr. Carson's death the firm has con- tinued to hold the high place in the business world that was accorded it during his lifetime and is known today as Gordon-Sewall & Company.

Mr. Carson was married the sixteenth of June, 1897, to Miss Julia Baker, a native of Austin, Texas, and a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Boulds Baker. Her father, a native of Alabama, came to Texas before the Civil War and was thereafter one of the most prominent citizens of the Lone Star State, and one of those real Texans who played so important a part in moulding the state and laying a foun- dation for its present greatness. At one time he was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, being de- feated by a small majority. He spent many years in Washington, D. C., taking an active part in the interest of his state, and was well known in po- litical circles there. He was also a cotton factor in Galveston for many years. Mrs. Baker, prior to her marriage, was Miss Ophelia Randle, a native of Georgia, but reared in Texas.

Mr. and Mrs. Carson made their home continu- ously in Houston, where they were honored members of various social and civic organizations. They had four sons, Robert Baker Carson, a graduate of Rice Institute; John Raymond Carson, now a student at the University of Virginia; Boulds Burnett Carson, a graduate of Princeton University, now a student of Oxford University, and Philip R. Carson, a stu- dent at Hills Preparatory School at Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Carson is charming and cultured lady, who during the lifetime of Mr. Car- son, was shielded from all business cares and re- sponsibilities. In the passing away of her hus- band her duties were manifold in directing the fam- ily affairs and in the rearing of her four small boys.

Much credit is due her for the successful perform- ance of these obligations. The family residence is at 3904 Brandt Street.

Mr. Carson was one of the most highly respected of Houston's citizens, and a man qualified by na- ture to assume a place of leadership in the busi- ness world. His integrity and business acumen were proverbial, and his friends found in him a man at all times true to his duty as he saw it, plac- ing his honor above financial gain, and a citizen of the highest type. His death, which occurred at Kenosha, Wis., the thirteenth day of October, 1906, was a loss to the business world, and to his many friends drawn from every walk of life. He will long be remembered for his many benevolences, his char- ity toward his fellowman, and his untiring efforts in behalf of a greater Houston.

OHN KING CARLISLE. In the history of the development of the Lone Star State, the name of John King Carlisle, pioneer of Washington County, holds prominent place and recalls many incidents of those days when the banks of the Brazos River were a part of the fron- tier of Texas. A man of determination and vision, Mr. Carlisle foresaw that the rich lands of Wash- ington County represented a great farming territory and in investing in this land laid the foundation for the great fortune that he accumulated. A man of many interests, Mr. Carlisle took an active part in the development of this county and had banking and other interests in Brenham. He was one of the largest landowners in the state and at the time of his death owned, and had under intensive cultiva- tion, over ten miles of farming land fronting on the Brazos River, comprising thousands of acres.

John King Carlisle was born at Louisburg, North Carolina, the twenty-first of January, 1845, son of Thomas Carlisle, a manufacturer and planter of North Carolina, in which state he made his home his entire life, and Sarah Sledge Carlisle, a native of Virginia. Mr. Carlisle attended the schools of his native state, taking special course in journalism and newspaper work and after finishing school he joined the Confederate army and remained during the Civil War. After the war he went to Memphis, Tennessee, and was employed in a bank. He then came to Texas, at the age of twenty-two, first going to Gal- veston, where he was for a time with a cotton and wholesale grocery house. He then came to Wash- ington County, where he saw a great future for the ambitious young man, and started a small news- paper. He also began buying up land in the Brazos River bottom, adding from time to time a tract of desirable land to his holdings, until he had acquired many thousands of acres of fertile farming land. These farms represented more than a business; they became a hobby and Mr. Carlisle took an especially keen delight in going over his farm, noting improve- ments, planning the addition of new features, trying experiments along scientific lines, and his work as an agriculturist and farmer was of much importance in this section and throughout the United States.

Mr. Carlisle was married the sixth of December, 1893, to Miss Natalie Alston Taylor, daughter of Colonel Nathaniel Taylor, a native of North Caro- lina, who came to Texas before the Civil War, prior to which time he made his home at San Antonio. During the war he served with distinction as a

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Philip & larson.

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Mrs. Philip basso

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

colonel in the Confederate army and after the close of the conflict came to Houston. Here he became a newspaper correspondent for five eastern newspapers and was also on the local paper. Colonel Taylor was a great writer, the author of "Two Thousand Miles on Horseback in Texas," or the "Coming Empire" and other works, and his name will ever be accorded a place of honor in the list of famous authors of the Lone Star State. Mrs. Carlisle's mother, before her marriage Miss Alice Grainger, was a native of Hous- ton and daughter of Charles Grainger, pioneer of the pioneers.

Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle spent much of their time on the Carlisle farms in Washington County, where they had many friends and where they reared a fam- ily of four children, Miss Zehrali, who is a graduate of Chapel Hill Female College; John Taylor Car- lisle, a graduate of Texas A. & M. College; Miss Grace Carlisle, a graduate of the Houston high school, and Miss Natalie Carlisle, who is a student at Rice Institute. Since Mr. Carlisle's death, Mrs. Car- lisle has made her home at Houston at 404 West Ala- bama Avenue.

Mr. Carlisle died the fifth of March, 1909. A man of sincere purpose, generous and public spirited, he was a leader in every advancement in his commun- ity, and always ready to contribute to any movement directed toward development and progress. One of the first to see the opportunities that Washington County offered, he had the vision and faith to face the future with assurance and established a record as an agriculturist. Yet he did not confine his ef- forts to this one phase of development but in every enterprise that made for growth, he gave the help that was often a turning point along the road to ul- timate success and the entire citizenship of Washing- ton County found in him a staunch advocate of prog- ress and honors his memory as one of the real build- ers of this section.

H. (HENRY) KUHLMANN, JR., florist, one of the younger members of the business fraternity of Houston, is nevertheless well known and the name of Kuhlmann in the city is synonymous with flowers. Mr. Kuhlmann is president and owner of the Kuhlmann Floral Company, located at 1511 Main Street, which was established by his father, H. H. Kuhlmann, Sr., and incorporated in 1916. Mr. Kuhlmann has an old, established trade and enjoys a fine business both in Houston and in all parts of the State where he ships large quantities of flowers. He furnishes special flowers and decorations for weddings, and house decorations, both in cut flowers and potted plants, palms, ferns, etc., and also makes special funeral designs to order. Mr. Kuhlmann employs five people at his establishment, where he buys all flowers used and sold, and carries a large and com- plete stock. During the disastrous storm which visited Houston in 1915 the entire greenhouses of the Kuhlmann Floral Company were completely destroyed, with a loss of $100,000.00.

A native Texan, Mr. Kuhlmann was born in Hous- ton in 1894. His father, H. H. Kuhlmann, Sr., one of the leading florists of the State, was also born and reared in Houston. His mother was, before her marriage, Miss Mary Ellen Powers, a member of a well known Pennsylvania family. His educa- tion was obtained in the public and high schools

of Houston.

Mr. Kuhlmann has grown up in the atmosphere of the floral business. After leaving school, he entered the floral business with his father in Hous- ton and in 1915 his father turned the business over to Mr. Kuhlmann and removed to Kerrville, where he operates large greenhouses. Since having charge of the Kuhlmann Floral Company, Mr. Kuhlmann has created much new business.

Mr. Kuhlmann was married in Houston in 1916 to Miss Mary Ellen Dunn, a daughter of Mrs. C. A. Dunn, a well known resident of Houston. They have two children, Henry H. Kuhlmann the third, five years of age, and William, aged three years. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhlmann reside at 1006 Missouri Avenue. In fraternal and social organizations Mr. Kuhlmann is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Kiwanis Club. He is looking forward to an era of great business prosperity in all lines, and expects Houston to become the greatest city in the Southwest.

H. WHISENANT for almost two decades has been identified with the funeral direct- ing and embalming profession in the Lone Star State, for the past several years con- ducting one of the finest undertaking establishments in Houston. The Burgess-Whisenant Company, of which Mr. Whisenant is president and general man- ager, was incorporated in 1922, succeeding the C. J. Wright Company. Mr. Whisenant, since establish- ing the present organization, has made many im- provements, materially building up the business and making a number of changes along progressive lines. One of the most important of these changes was the building of the new funeral home occupied by the Burgess-Whisenant Company, a fine stucco build- ing, fifty by one hundred feet, with two floors. This home was opened in 1922 and features a chapel, per- fectly appointed, where funerals are conducted, and the usual show rooms, embalming and morgue of the funeral directing establishment. Mr. Whisenant has three competent employees, operating a motor am- bulance and having motor equipment for funerals. The new funeral home is located at 700 Bell Avenue, with the following men as officers, W. H. Whise- nant, president; Charles Paggi, of Beaumont, vice president; and John H. Crooker, of Houston, vice president, and Thomas W. Hopkins, secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Whisenant was born in Collin County, near Mckinney, son of R. B. Whisenant, a native of Ken- tucky who moved to Collin County shortly after the close of the Civil War and for many years was a stockman but is now retired, and Harriete Coffey Whisenant, also a native of the Blue Grass State. Mr. Whisenant was educated in the public schools of Collin County, later attending Baylor University at Waco. He began in the undertaking business with the Hill Undertaking Company at Wichita Falls, where he spent one year, later going to Dallas, where for a decade he was connected with the undertaking establishments of the Weiland and Brewer Under- taking Companies. He spent four years in Fort Worth as assistant manager for the Fort Worth Un- dertaking Company, then coming to Houston to open his present business.

Mr. Whisenant is a member of the Salesmanship Club, the Conopus Club, and fraternally is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias and Dokies.

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MEN OF TEXAS

HARLES REDMOND CUMMINGS. A his- tory of the lumber industry of the Lone Star State would be incomplete without mention of the name of Charles Redmond Cummings, veteran lumberman, and for many years a leader in the development of the timber resources of the State. A resident of Houston since 1895 until his death, in 1917, this sturdy pioneer was a leader in the lumber industry, many of the well known lumbermen of today receiving their training under him, and learning from his vast store of knowledge, covering every phase of this industry. He took a keen interest in Houston, contributing materially to its early growth, and was highly esteemed and hon- ored by his associates.

Charles Redmond Cummings was born at Port Huron, Michigan, the second day of November, 1860, son of R. S. Cummings, a native of Maine, and a lumberman all his life. His mother before her mar- riage was Miss Martha Shepard. Mr. Cummings was educated in the public schools of Chicago, later attending Allen Academy. After finishing his edu- cation he went to work with the Hatch-Holbrook Lumber Company, of Chicago, remaining with this firm until going into business for himself. From the beginning of his business career Mr. Cummings applied himself diligently to the operation of the various phases of the lumber business, and with his keen insight and close application to detail he soon mastered all the intricacies of the industry. Having thus acquired a practical knowledge of the lumbering business he determined to make this his life work, and with this in view came to Fort Smith, Arkansas, with his brother, and launched out for himself, buying standing timber, cutting it, and shipping it to the mills. In 1895 Mr. Cummings came to Houston, and began buying East Texas timber, for the first two years in association with his brother, until 1897, at which time he began op- erating alone, as the C. R. Cummings Company. In a short time his name was known throughout the lumber districts as that of a man of expert knowI- edge of the industry. His business was constantly expanding, and included lumber yards and mills in East Texas and Houston, as well as his interest in forest lands. He came South to lumber black wal- nut and when this was gone he turned to the South- ern pine. He was among the first to send the latter product to the Faber pencil manufacturers in Europe and practically all of his business was in exports. This required frequent trips to Europe. Six months before his death, on February 17, 1917, Mr. Cum- mings retired from active business life.

Mr. Cummings was married in Chicago, in 1882, to Miss Gertrude H. Wilson, a native of Michigan, and the daughter of Henry Wilson, whose birthplace was in Wisconsin, and Marietta Newell, a native of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings had a family of four children, Hazel, wife of Dusten M. Filler; New- ell, deceased; Helen, wife of J. M. Trahin, and who has one child, Helen Jeanette; and Robert C., a busi- ness man of Lufkin, Texas.

Mr. Cummings took an active interest in the various civic events of his time, and was one of the active promoters of all movements that had for their purpose the development of Houston. His part in the early growth of the city was no small one, and the success of many of the first civic move- ments were due in large part to his influence. Mr.

Cummings had not only a practical knowledge of the lumber industry, but a deep insight into the more technical details. It gave him great pleasure to go out of his way to help some promising young lumber- worker, and he made possible the advancement of many of those working under him. Mr. Cummings was a member of the Houston Club, a charter mem- ber of the Houston Country Club, the Elks Lodge and the Houston Lumbermen's Club, where he was one of the most popular and honored members. He was a man of striking personality and distinguished · bearing, and had those qualities of leadership that made him a favorite in any gathering.

ICHARD T. GIRAUD, for upwards of a quarter of a century identified with the business world at Houston, has recently entered the field of insurance, his former experience and wide acquaintance among Houston business men having proven a factor in his success. Mr. Giraud established the Giraud Insurance Agency, April 1, 1923. In March 1, 1924, Mrs. Adair Lock- man came into the firm as a partner. In the short period since its organization a large business has been built up. The Giraud Insurance Agency has offices in the First National Bank Building, and handles a complete line of insurance, representing the old-line companies, including two casualty com- panies and four fire insurance companies, as follows: Law Union and Rock of London, England; Fire In- surance, International Underwriters of Republic In- surance Company of Texas, Allied Underwriters of the Union of Canton, American Central Insurance Company of St. Louis, Ocean Accident and Guaran- tee Corporation, Limited, and the General Accident Corporation.

Richard T. Giraud was born at Houston, Texas, the twenty-seventh of October, 1877. His father, the late R. A. Giraud, was one of the most prominent of Houston's pioneer citizens, and was Cashier of the Commercial National Bank, from its organiza- tion until his death in October 19, 1896. He was active in all civic work at Houston. Richard T. Giraud obtained his education mostly in the paro- chial schools and later in the public schools at Hous- ton, and as a boy of sixteen entered the business world, with the Henke-Pillot Grocery Company, re- maining with that firm twenty-six years, twenty- four of which he was cashier and credit manager. In 1920 Mr. Giraud resigned his position with the Henke-Pillot firm, and for the ensuing year was with the Houston Construction Company at Houston, after which he spent two years with the Oliver- Cranston Grain Company, leaving that firm in March, 1923, to launch his present insurance busi- ness. A brother, Jas. A. Giraud, whose death oc- curred at Houston in February 15, 1923, was also prominent in the insurance business and for many years was head of the Kirkland Insurance Company.

Mr. Giraud was married at Houston the twenty- fifth of April, 1916, to Miss Louise Brown, the daughter of O. H. Brown, head of the firm of Brad- ford Brown Paint Company, and a member of. a prominent family here. Mr. and Mrs. Giraud have two children, Margaret Louise, and Richard T. Gi- raud, Jr., and reside at 4900 Caroline Street.

Mr. Giraud is a member of the Houston Country Club and the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree. He has a large circle of personal acquaintances at

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C. R. CUMMINGS

Gertrude Helin Commungo

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

Houston, and this, with his thorough knowledge of local business conditions makes the outlook for his newly established insurance business especially promising.

OHN CALVIN MCCULLOUGH .- The name of John Calvin McCullough was for many years one of the outstanding names in pe- troleum engineering circles in Houston, where he made his headquarters for more than twenty years. Mr. Mccullough, as his accomplish- ments in the business world indicate, was a man of high technical attainments, and as an engineer was qualified to speak with authority in his chosen field of oil construction work. He was identified with the Texas Company for many years as super- intendent of construction and equipment, taking an active part in the construction of the various plants of this company and demonstrating an un- usual ability from an engineering standpoint, as well as the ability to handle men and direct large undertakings. As a citizen Mr. Mccullough was representative of the highest type of Christian citi- zenship, interested in community betterment in all its phases, and a generous contributor to various civic causes. During the years of his residence in Houston he formed many friendships, having those qualities which attract and hold friends, and few men were held in higher esteem or more generally admired.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 132

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