New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 144

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

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Mr. Christensen was married at Galveston, the twenty-second of January, 1901, to Miss Josephine Magna, daughter of Joseph Magna, pioneer Galves- ton grocer, and Josephine Magna. Mrs. Christen- sen's death occurred in 1912. Mr. and Mr. Chris- tensen had a family of six children, Karen, Joseph- ine, John, Jr., Magna, George and Ellen.

The family attend the Catholic Church and Mr. Christensen is a Knight of Columbus, fourth de- gree. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Merchants Association of Galveston, and also belongs to the State Automobile Dealers Association. In addition to his business Mr. Chris- tensen is a director in the Crystal Palace Company, the San Leon Fig Orchard Company, and is presi- dent of the Christensen Building Company, Inc., and has recently purchased the St. Charles Hotel

property, with the intention of remodeling it to take care of his rapidly growing business. He is also interested individually in fig growing, planting acreage on the mainland. Mr. Christensen is a splendid example of the self-made man, and his present position in the business world is but just recognition of his ability.

RANK A. LALLIER, president of the Lal- lier Steamship Company, Incorporated, with offices on the third floor of the Steele Building, is one of the best known men in shipping circles in Galveston, having been identified with the commercial and shipping interests of the city for a number of years. The Lallier Steamship Company acts as agents for a number of the larger steamship lines making the port of Galveston and the business has shown remarkable increases since its establishment in August, 1921.

When the business was first organized it was a partnership and was known as Lallier and Lotta Steamship Agents. In January, 1923, Mr. Lallier purchased the interest of his partner and reorgan- ized the business as a corporation under the laws of Texas. The company is amply financed and ably managed and in position to render splendid service to both the marine transportation lines and shippers.

Besides acting as agents for various lines the Lallier Steamship Company are ship brokers and also handle a great deal of stevedoring work. This is done largely through the regular union organiza- tions under the supervision and direction of an of- ficial of the Lallier Company.

Among the larger shipping lines for which the Lallier Company acts as agents are the United American Lines, which work jointly with the Ham- burg-American Lines; Lloyd Brazilian Lines, Mitsui Steamship Line, the large Japanese shipping con- cern, the Gans Steamship Line and various others.

Mr. Lallier is a native of the Lone Star State and was born at Cameron on November 18th, 1885. He was educated in the public schools at Cameron.

Upon leaving school Mr. Lallier's first experience in the business world was in railroad traffic work. He continued in this for several years and was made assistant traffic manager of the Houston Chamber of Commerce. He held this position for two years and then came to Galveston as traffic manager for the Galveston Chamber of Commerce. He resigned his position with the Galveston commercial organ- ization to become identified with Sgitcovich and Company and in his four years service with this concern was promoted from traffic manager to the position of general manager. Leaving Sgitcovich and Company in 1921 he engaged in business for himself and has developed a large clientele among large shippers.

Mr. Lallier was married at Fort Worth to Miss Ona Wood, member of a well known Texas family. They have two children, Frank A., Jr., and Mary Katherine. The family home is at 2926 Avenue O.

Mr. Lallier has taken an active interest in civic and commercial affairs in Galveston during his en- tire residence here and is a member of a number of civic organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a director; the Elks Club, Rotary Club, Artillery Club, Country Club, Cotton Exchange, Houston Cotton Exchange and the Hous- ton Traffic Club.

967

MEN OF TEXAS

RANK P. MALLOY of Galveston, Texas, entered the business life of this city when twelve years of age as a seller of news- papers, and the determination which he had at that time to be a success has never deserted him. Mr. Malloy is the owner and executive head of F. P. Malloy & Son, Undertakers, which is one of the finest establishments of its kind in South Texas. Frank R. Malloy, his son, is interested in the busi- ness with him, and is a licensed embalmer. Mr. Malloy has been engaged in the undertaking busi- ness here since 1901, and owns the property in fee at 2317 Avenue E, where the splendid undertaking establishment is located. The building, which is a three-story brick structure, has a frontage of about two hundred feet on Avenue E. Among the splendid equipment of the F. P. Malloy and Son are two beau- tiful hearses, a pallbearer's coach, four Hudson fu- neral cars, two Packards, three Cadillacs, three am- bulances, which are used in the general service, and one private ambulance for residence and private patient service. This firm carries a large and com- plete stock of caskets, coffins, and all other mer- chandise carried in a modern establishment of this kind. It also has garages, storage rooms, painting rooms, and a complete shop for all kinds of repairs. Mr. Malloy has been a resident of Galveston for a period of fifty-seven years, and from 1880 to 1886 he was engaged in selling newspapers, and from 1886 to 1901 he was a member of the Galveston Fire Department. In 1892, while connected with the Fire Department, he engaged in the livery business, but since 1901 he has devoted his entire time and at- tention to the undertaking business. Mr. Malloy has been progressive throughout his life and busi- ness experience, and was chief of the Fire Depart- ment of this city from 1918 to 1920.

Mr. Malloy was born at Liverpool, England, on February 13th, 1868. His father, Frank Malloy, was well known in the business circles of Liverpool. His mother was prior to her marriage Miss Jane Ferrins, a member of a prominent English family. He was brought to America by his parents when one year old, and they settled in Galveston and his education was obtained in the public schools of this city.

Mr. Malloy was married at Galveston in 1888 to Miss Rosie Dillon, a native of New Orleans, and a member of a well known Louisiana family. They had four children-Mrs. Rosie Kimball, Mrs. Collis Suderman, Frank R. Malloy, associated with his father in business, and Bessie Malloy Neff, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Malloy reside at 2309 Thirty-ninth Street. In fraternal organizations he holds member- ship in the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of Pythias, the Eagles and the Red Men, in all of which he takes an active interest. Having spent his entire life in Galveston, Mr. Malloy is known to practically every resident of this city, where he is popular among all classes. He has shown his faith in the future of the Island City by his large investments in real estate here, which have grown to be very valuable. He is interested in all matters having to do with the civic improvement of the city, and gives liberally of his time and means to further any project for the betterment of his city.

W. KEENAN, pioneer merchant and bus- iness man, now president of J. W. Keenan and Sons, Inc., at 418 Twenty-third Street, has been a resident of Galveston for many

years. For more than two decades he has been the head of this firm and its active manager, having acquired the business from its former owners in 1904.

The business operated by J. W. Keenan and Sons, Inc., was originally established in 1875 and was known at that time as the Texas Lamp and Oil Company. The principal items handled by the orig- inal firm were oil lamps and oil stoves and other oil-burning devices and these are still carried in stock by the present firm, but the onward march of progress and the development of other methods of lighting has brought about a change and now the once familiar oil lamp is but one of scores of articles carried in a stock that comprises a com- plete line of hardware, tools, etc.

In the early days when Galveston was the prin- cipal supply point for nearly all of Texas, the Texas Lamp and Oil Company, predecessors of J. W. Kee- nan and Sons, did a large jobbing business in oil lamps and stoves. With improved railroad and dis- tributing facilities, however, the wholesale and job- bing trade fell off and now the retail sales comprise by far the greater portion of the business.

Mr. Keenan is a native of Texas and was born at Huntsville on July 18th, 1850, a son of Dr. C. J. and Eliza N. (Ward) Keenan. His father came to Texas from Tennessee during the early days of the Republic of Texas and was a close friend of General Sam Houston. Mr. Keenan attended the public schools at Austin during his boyhood, with the children of the noted Texas leader.

He came to Galveston in 1872, when he was twen- ty-two years of age, when the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway was building its line to the Island City. He worked for the railroad until 1880, when he became identified with the Waters-Pierce Oil Company as cashier. He remained with this com- pany as cashier and manager of the South Texas division until 1904, when he took over the business of the Texas Lamp and Oil Company, which was owned by the Waters-Pierce interests.

In 1876 Mr. Keenan was married at Huntsville, Texas, to Miss Ella Thomason, daughter of Dr. J. A. Thomason. They have three sons-C. L., born in San Saba County in September, 1878; J. H., born in Galveston in March, 1886, and Alan T., the youngest, born in Galveston and now living in Sweet- water, Texas. C. L. Keenan married Miss Renee Thiebaud, daughter of the French consul at New Orleans in 1909. They reside at 1404 Twenty-fourth Street. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Keenan with their son, J. H., reside at 2828 Broadway. Each of the sons has an official position with the firm, C. L. being vice president, John H., treasurer, and Alan T., sec- retary. Each of the sons are Masons, Harmony Lodge No. 6, and are members of El Mina Temple at Galveston.

Mr. Keenan is a splendid example of the steady, industrious business men of the old school. While now advanced in years, he maintains still an active interest in commercial and civic affairs and keeps in close touch with the progress and development of the City of Galveston, which he has seen grow from a small coastal fishing village to its present commanding position among the ports of the United States. He is a member of the Chamber of Com- merce, Young Men's Progressive League and the Galveston Retail Merchants' Association.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

H. WILSON of Galveston, Texas, is a pioneer of the rice industry of Texas, hav- ing been engaged in this field of activity for more than a score of years. Mr. Wilson is vice president of the Seaboard Rice Milling Com- pany, which was organized and established in Gal- veston in 1902, with W. S. Davis, as president, and who still remains as executive head of the company. He resides in New York City, but maintains his official residence as Galveston, Texas. The Sea- board Rice Milling Company, which is located at 4028 Avenue G, specializes in package rice under the nationally advertised Comet Brand, and this is practically the only rice interest which is produc- ing under a nationally advertised brand. It ships its products to all portions of the United States and exports much rice to European points, but the export business is more or less spasmodic on account of conditions in Europe, which is principally on ac- count of the difference in exchange. The bulk of the rice exported by the Seaboard Rice Milling Company goes to South America and the West Indies-a very stable business with these countries. The raw material used at this plant comes from Texas and Louisiana. The capacity of this plant is more than 2,000 barrels per day, and employs one hundred and thirty-five men, including salesmen. The Seaboard Rice Milling Company occupies a large brick and steel structure which was purchased from an old cotton mill company in 1902. This company maintains an office in New York and the secretary and treasurer have their offices there, with an assistant secretary at Galveston. Mr. Wil- son began his business career as a runner at the Galveston Cotton Mill, and later became bill clerk at this mill, and was employed in this capacity when the rice company purchased the cotton mill build- ing, and he went with them as shipping clerk. He has been advanced to the different positions, and in starting at the bottom and occupying practically every position up to and including the vice presi- dency, he has mastered every detail of the working and executive ends of the rice milling industry, and is regarded as one of the best posted men in this field of endeavor in South Texas.

A native Texan, Mr. Wilson was born at Seguin, on October 6th, 1889. His father, H. T. Wilson, came to the United States from England soon after the close of the Civil War, and located in Mississippi, where he remained for a few years before coming to Texas. H. T. Wilson was a well known civil engineer, and was one of the engineers engaged in the construction of the Santa Fe Railroad, and later became city engineer of Galveston, and held this position until his death. Mr. Wilson's education was obtained in the public and high schools of Galves- ton, after which he attended a business college in this city.

Mr. Wilson was married at Galveston, on August 21st, 1906, to Miss Annie Lee Rogers, a native of Huntsville, Texas, and a member of a prominent family of that place, her father being one of Hunts- ville's pioneer merchants. They have three children: Patrick Henry Wilson, Jr., George Sanford, and Elizabeth Marie. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson reside at 1904 Avenue H. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce and for many years was a director in this organization. He is vice president of the Rice Millers Association of

Louisiana and Texas. He is also a member of the Rotary Club and the B. P. O. E. Mr. Wilson regards the outlook for business for Galveston as being the best in this city's history, and is expecting an era of business prosperity in all lines.

W. ZEMPTER, of Galveston, Texas, has for almost a quarter of a century been one of the leading contractors and builders of this city. He is engaged in the general con- tracting business and is entitled to be known as one of the builders of Galveston, through the fact that he has built more than one thousand residences and cottages, and is credited with having constructed the finest home in this city, which is now owned by Mayor Harris. The Y. W. C. A. Building, which was completed May, 1924, is another example of his skill as a builder, and cost $200,000.00 and is a model of modern art, workmanship, comfort and beauty. Among the most prominent buildings which Mr. Zempter has built in Galveston are the Chris- tian Science Church, the Steele Office Building, Wiley Nichols Warehouse and many others. He has built many of the cotton sheds, docks, wharves and warehouses of this city, and has built the largest and best equipped bath houses which have been con- structed on the beaches here. Outstanding in the work of Mr. Zempter is the construction of the Gal- veston Reservoir, which was completed in 1921. The reservoir has a capacity of four million gallons. Mr. Zempter rebuilt Pier No. 10 in this city, in the con- struction of which three millions of feet of lumber was used. Mr. Zempter's office is located at 2321 Avenue F, where he has a staff of trained and effi- cient assistants. In June, 1924, the name of the firm was changed to J. W. Zempter and Company.

A native of Kentucky, Mr. Zempter was born in 1875. His father, Henry Zempter, was well known in the business circles of that state, where Mr. Zemp- ter secured his education.

Mr. Zempter was married at Galveston in 1905 to Miss Agnes Mary Webb, a native of England, but who was raised and educated in America. They have one child, Shelby, sixteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Zempter reside at 1813 Twenty-fourth Street. In fraternal and social organizations, Mr. Zempter is a member of the B. P. O. E. and I. O. O. F. and the Rotary Club, in all of which he takes an active in- terest. Since locating in the Island City, Mr. Zemp- ter has seen many changes take place, and takes a keen interest in the progress and advancement of this city. In his business life, he is constantly asso- ciated with the men who toil, and he has the deep- est interest for those who aspire to better their con- dition and is at all times ready and willing to render helpful service to his fellow man. Mr. Zempter has done as much, or more, building here than any other contractor, and many of the most prominent build- ings here will ever stand as a monument to this builder, who builds not entirely for the gain there is in it, but in order to see his city advance to the forefront in this line. He is a director of the Peo- ples Loan Company, the American Marine Insurance Company, the Rosenthal Packing Company, and president of the Women's Specialty Company. It is a policy of Mr. Zempter to encourage the public to build the best of structures and use only first class materials, put together by men skilled in the sev- eral branches of the builders' art. He is optimistic as to the future of Galveston.

971

MEN OF TEXAS

ENRY A. EIBAND is head of one of Gal- veston's best known families and is the sole owner of one of its leading enterprises. His life has been closely identified with the progress of the Island City.

Mr. Eiband came to Galveston in 1884 from Gon- zales, Texas, to take a position as salesman with E. D. Garratt and he remained with this firm until 1894, when the present business bearing his name was first organized. It was during his career with E. D. Garratt that he first met Mr. Garbade, with whom he was to be associated as an active partner for so many years. The business was first organ- ized as Garbade, Eiband and Company, occupying a small store at practically the same location as the present store. The growth of the business kept pace with the growth of the city until today it occupies three complete buildings, a fourth floor having been recently added. The available space is approximate- ly sixty-four thousand square feet. In 1919 Mr. Garbade retired from active business selling out his interest to Mr. Eiband, who then became sole owner and proprietor. The store is modern and up to date in every respect and specializes in all kinds of merchandise for women and children. They han- dle a general line of dry goods, ready-to-wear cloth- ing, women's and children, notions, linens, carpets, rugs, millinery, housefurnishing goods, toilet arti- cles, ladies' and children's shoes, etc. Only the very best quality articles are sold, many of them being imported from European centers through the firm's New York office. Mr. Eiband maintains a force of 165 employees, all of them trained in their particu- lar duties. Courtesy is a watchword in the policy of this store and has served to make it one of the most popular institutes in South Texas. In point of years this is one of the oldest stores that has remained in continuous operation in this section of the state.

Associated with Mr. Eiband in the active manage- ment of the store are his two sons, Mr. Joe G. and Mr. Henry C., both of whom are buyers and assist- ant managers. The office force totals twelve and is in charge of Mr. N. J. Niederman, who is con- ceded to be one of the best credit men in the entire state. There are employed in the store today many employees who started with Mr. Eiband when the store was first organized, Miss Emma Schneider, Miss Mary Gay, Mr. Henry Schaper, Mr. Bernard Meyer, Mr. William A. Abercrombie, Mr. Bernard McManamon, Mr. George V. Wichlep and Mr. L. H. Newman, being among the oldest in length of serv- ive. There are also quite a number who have had twenty years service.

Henry A. Eiband was born at New Braunfels, Texas, February 5th, 1864. His father was Anselm Eiband, a native of Frederickshafen, Germany, who came to this country when a young man. He was for many years publisher of the New Braunfels Zeitung. His mother was Miss Johanna Young, a na- tive Texan and daughter of Rev. H. P. Young, who for many years was widely known as a Presbyterian minister of Galveston. Both parents are deceased. He received his preliminary education in the schools in New Braunfels. After leaving school he went to work in a dry goods store at New Braunfels, later going to Gonzales to take up a similar position and from there he came to Galveston with the E. D.

Garratt Company.

Mr. Eiband was married at Galveston, Texas, De- cember 27th, 1893, to Miss Clara Franklin, daughter of Judge Joe Franklin, for many years a well known member of the bar, but who is now deceased. Her mother, who was a member of a well known Texas family, died at the age of eighty-six years. The family home is at 1503 Twenty-third Street. Mr. and Mrs. Eiband have seven children, Clara, wife of Henry Wilschusen, manager of the carpet depart- ment of Eibands; Joe G., assistant manager at Ei- bands; Irene, wife of Dr. Curlin Calvert Craven of Rye, New York; Esther, wife of Ernest Hendrie, cotton man of Tyler; Henry C., assistant manager and buyer of Eibands; Ida, wife of J. F. Reed, with the City National Bank of Galveston, and Ursula, at home. Fraternally Mr. Eiband is an Elk, Wood- man of the World and a member of the Sons of Hermann. He is a member of the Chamber of Com- merce and the Rotary Club, of which he is a past president. Mr. Eiband is a devout Catholic, holding membership in St. Marys Cathedral.

Mr. Eiband has always been vitally interested in the welfare of Galveston and has given much of his time and means to further its interests. He is a director of the First National Bank and is its sec- ond vice president, and is actively identified with the Guaranty Building and Loan Company. He is a director of the Chamber of Commerce and is past president of the Retail Merchants Association. Dur- ing the World War he rendered every service within his power to his country and served as chairman of the Galveston County Council of Defense.

It is conceded that few men have done more for Galveston than Mr. Eiband and he holds the highest regard and respect of the citizenship of the Island City.

HARLES J. SWEENEY, well known mer- chant and civic leader of Galveston, is known personally to hundreds of sportsmen who throng the hunting and fishing grounds near Galveston and who make his establishment at 2202 Avenue C their headquarters. Mr. Sweeney is the proprietor of C. J. Sweeney and Company and operates one of the largest sporting goods houses in Southern Texas, carrying a complete line of fishing and hunting equipment as well as the equip- ment and paraphernalia for all kinds of indoor and outdoor sports.

The business was established by Mr. Sweeney in 1914 and was a splendid success from the very start. An enthusiastic sportsman himself, Mr. Sweeney was devoted to his business and to the interests of other sportsmen who were his customers.

Mr. Sweeney was born at Galveston on February 18, 1888, a son of Thomas H. and Matilda Ella (Brown) Sweeney, both pioneer residents of the city. His father, now deceased, came to Galveston from Boston, Massachusetts, in 1875. His mother, who is still living, was born in Galveston and her mother, a member of the Rhodes family, came to Galveston and lived on the farther end of the island when the present city was but a village of fishing shacks.

After receiving his preliminary education in the public schools of his native city, Mr. Sweeney at- tended the West Texas Military Academy at San An- tonio, graduating with the class of 1906. After com- pleting his studies he became connected with the

972

Henry X Eiland

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

electrification department of the Pennsylvania Rail- way in New York City and remained there for sev- eral years. Upon returning to Galveston he was identified with a freight forwarding company until the establishment of his own mercantile business in 1914.

On December 27, 1906, Mr. Sweeney was married in New Jersey to Miss Guinevere Graham. They have one son, Charles J. Jr. The family home is at 1911 M1/2 Avenue.

Always taking an active interest in civic affairs, Mr. Sweeney was one of the organizers in Galveston of the Young Men's Progressive League and in 1922 was elected president of the organization. He has been very active in the work of the league, giving special attention and effort toward bringing the mainland and its interests into closer touch with the island and its people. He has also given much time and effort toward helping the farmers and fruit growers of Galveston County and has been success- ful in interesting local financial institutions in giving assistance in financing the growing and marketing of their crops. Mr. Sweeney has been active in per- fecting several organizations on the mainland of Gal- veston County which have co-operated in the work of the Young Men's Progressive League and afforded invaluable assistance in bringing the various inter- ests of this section in closer harmony. Besides his work with the league Mr. Sweeney is also an active member of the Kiwanis Club and chairman of one of its most important committees.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 144

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