New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 145

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

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Mr. Sweeney is an enthusiastic booster of the fruit industry of Galveston County and especially the growing of figs. He believes a few thousand dollars invested in fig culture in Galveston County will yield an independent income in a few years and that the industry in this section will soon rival that of California.

NATHAN BLEICH is a pioneer merchant of Galveston, Texas, where for more than forty years he has been actively identi- fied with the business and financial life of this city. Mr. Bleich is a dealer in groceries, feed, hay and grain, which he sells to the retail trade. In 1885, Mr. Bleich strated his business in a small way at the corner of 31st and M1/2, and in 1894, after he had constructed the building which he now occu- pies, at a cost of $88,000.00, he removed to his pres- ent location at 2801 Avenue D, where his business has grown to large proportions. Mr. Bleich employs twenty experienced people, and has his own de- livery system. He makes service a feature of his establishment, and says that the people of the pres- ent time must have quick service, or the establish- ment will soon be regarded as out of date. Mr. Bleich came to Galveston in 1882, six months after his arrival in the United States from Austria. His first work in this city was in the old oil mill where he worked and saved in order to get a start in the business world.

A native of Austria, Mr. Bleich was born on November 15th, 1869. His parents were well known and highly esteemed citizens of their native country. His education was obtained in the public schools of Austria, but the liberal education which he received later in life was largely through self help. He is a great reader and is well posted on all subjects, par- ticularly those having to do with world events.

Mr. Bleich was married at Galveston in 1889 to

Miss Julia Block, a member of a prominent French family who came to America from Alsace-Loraine. They have one son, Emanuel Bleich, who is asso- ciated in business with his father, and is regarded as one of the leading young business men of his generation in this city. He was born and reared in Galveston and is popular in the business and social circles here, where he has a host of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Bleich reside over the store at 2801 Ave- nue D. Mr. Bleich is a member of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce and takes a keen interest in this organization. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias for more than thirty-five years and during this long period, has been active in his organization. Mr. Bleich is optimistic as to the future of Galveston and says that with the co- operation in business affairs which is gradually be- ing accomplished, that the business outlook is ex- ceedingly bright along all lines for this city. He planned and ventured in the convictions that this city was destined to supremacy, and he has lived to see his judgment completely vindicated. Mr. Bleich is a man of sterling qualities, loved by those who know him and intuitively esteemed by those who have the honor of his acquaintance. An honorable, and highly respected merchant, esteemed alike by cus- tomer and competitor. He wisely builded his busi- ness institution on a foundation that will endure. Mr. Bleich has throughout his residence in Galveston been ready at all times to contribute his material aid and time toward the upbuilding of his city.

ANIEL McBRIDE, JR., who has been asso- ciated with industrial affairs at Galveston for many years, has for a number of years past given his time to the development of a woodworking business of the better type, building up a plant that is an asset to Galveston. Mr. Mc- Bride is secretary, treasurer and manager of the Island City Woodworking Company, a plant estab- lished in 1908, since which time it has met with a progressive and well deserved growth. The Island City Woodworking Company occupies a modern two- story concrete building at 1801 Avenue C, covering almost three-fourths of a city block. The plant is modernly equipped, the finest of woodworking ma- chinery having been installed at great expense, and every facility is at hand for turning out the highest type of mill work. This plant, one of the larger of such plants in Galveston, does special mill work only, manufacturing sash, doors, windows and mill work for interior finishing. A stock of around three-quarters of a million feet of lumber is kept on hand, and some fifteen employees are engaged in turning out the high class woodwork for which a heavy demand has been created. A retail lumber business is also handled. M. C. Bowden is president of the Island City Woodworking Company; Fred Hartel, vice president, and Daniel McBride, Jr., the subject of this sketch, is secretary, treasurer and manager.

Daniel McBride was born at Galveston the eighth of February, 1887, the son of Daniel McBride, stevedore for the Elder-Dempster Steamship Com- pany, and Mary McBride. £ Daniel McBride was educated in the schools of Galveston, and after com- pleting his public school work attended St. Mary's University for two and a half years. He then began in the printing business, continuing in that business

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for six years, after which he was connected with the Santa Fe Railroad for five years. He then went with the Island City Woodworking Company, and was made manager of the company in 1920.

Mr. McBride was married at Galveston in 1912, to Miss Beulah Collins, daughter of M. C. Bowden. Mr. and Mrs. McBride have four children, Daniel Mills, Beulah Edmee, Frances, and Cornelius James, and own their home at 1227 J Street. Mr. McBride is a member of the Kiwanis Club, and fraternally is an Elk and a Knight of Columbus, 3rd degree.

DUARDO SEVILLA of Galveston, Texas, is well known in the financial and cotton cir- cles of the South, where before locating in the Island City, he was for a period of twenty-seven years a leading cotton merchant of New Orleans. Mr. Sevilla is president of E. Sevilla and Company, steamship agents and cotton export- ers, and employs four experienced men in his office. He came to Galveston in 1915 and organized his present firm, and since that time have been among the largest exporters of cotton located here. Mr. Sevilla is also steamship agent of the Pinillos Line of Barcelona and they use Pier 15 on the Galveston wharf, where their shipments are loaded. The larger portion of their export cotton goes to Barcelona, Spain. Associated with Mr. Sevilla in the cotton firm of E. Sevilla and Company, and as steamship agents for the Pinillos Line is his son, A. Sevilla, who has been reared in an atmosphere of the cotton business, and is regarded as one of the leaders among the younger generation of this great indus- try, and is well known in the business and social circles of Galveston and throughout the South.

A native of Spain, Mr. Sevilla was born at Val- encia on August 19th, 1861. His father, V. Sevilla, also a native of Spain, where he was widely known in the financial and shipping circles, never came to America. His mother was Miss B. Montolin, a mem- ber of a prominent family of Spain. His education was obtained in the private institutions of his na- tive country, where he held the rank of captain of the sea, and served for a period of six years as cap- tain of passenger steamships from Spain to Cuba and the United States. He then entered the cotton and shipping business and settled at New Orleans, where he remained until coming to Galveston.

Mr. Sevilla was married at New Orleans in 1888 to Miss Manuela del Corral, a native of New Orleans, but of Spanish parents who were among the most prominent settlers of the Crescent City. They have one son, Adriano, born in New Orleans, and now as- sociated with his father in business. Mr. and Mrs. Sevilla reside at the Hotel Galvez. On the tenth of April, 1919, he was appointed vice consul for Spain by the King of Spain. The appointment was ratified by the United States government July 3rd, 1919. Mr. Sevilla has jurisdiction over the entire state of Texas, except the ports of Brownsville and Houston. Mr. Sevilla is a member of the Galveston Cotton Exchange and is an active worker in this or- ganization. In social organizations, he holds mem- bership in the Galveston Country Club and the Artil- lery Club. For meritorious service, Mr. Sevilla was given the Grand Cross of Merit Mary of Spain by King Alfonso XIII and the Grand Cross of St. Syl- vester by the Pope Pius IX. He is also a member of the Catholic Church. Since coming to Galveston Mr.

Sevilla has become identified with all matters having to do with the progress and advancement of the city. He is regarded as one of the most progressive and public spirited citizens, and has exerted an influence for good throughout a wide range of the city's ac- tivities, and is a leader in the cotton profession, being a steadfast exponent of its highest standards.

ILLIAM TSCHUMY, one of the progressive business men at Galveston who contribute to the prosperity of the city as a com- mercial center, has long held a place as one of the leading jewelers here and has been identi- fied with this business throughout his career. Mr. Tschumy is the owner of Tschumy's Jewelry Store, one of the finest jewelry stores in Galveston, located at 2115 Avenue D. Mr. Tschumy carries an excep- tionally fine stock, including the better known lines of sterling flatware, all kinds of handsome cut glass, fine beaded bags, mesh bags as well as fine gems and jewelry of various kinds. Mr. Tschumy's stock of diamonds is particularly worthy of note, and is one of the most expert judges of diamonds in Gal- veston, as well as an authority on this stone and familiar with its history from the earliest days to the present time. Mr. Tschumy makes a point of adding to his stock the newest in jewelry and fads, and the ultra-modern here finds place with the more conservative, making the store especially interest- ing. Tschumy's dates back some thirty years, when the business was established by the late Louis Tschumy, Sr., who began with a little workshop in a wooden structure on the site of the present Haden Building. Later, as the business grew, he moved to 2219 Avenue D, where the store and stock have been gradually enlarged. After five years of suc- cessful operation of this business, Mr. Louis Tschumy, Sr., met with an accident which resulted in his death in 1917. The business was then taken over by his widow, Mrs. Louis Tschumy, who ap- pointed her son, William Tschumy, as manager. In 1918, the business was moved to 2115 Avenue D (Market Street), the present location, and a larger and more complete stock put in, the store at present being one of the finest in Galveston, and carrying one of the finest stocks in the state.

William Tschumy was born at Galveston, the six- teenth day of December, 1884, the son of Louis Tschumy, Sr., founder of Tschumy's, and one of the pioneer business men of Galveston, of which city he was a resident for more than forty years. Mr. Tschumy obtained his early education in the public schools of Galveston. Later he went to Peoria, Illinois, where he entered the Bradley Horological School, learning the watch and clock makers craft. He had worked in his father's jewelry store as a boy, and after returning to Galveston from Peoria, he entered the store, a few years later taking over its active management, and has since been a factor in making Tschumy's one of the finest jewelry houses in the state.

Mr. Tschumy was married at Galveston, the thir- ty-first of January, 1920, to Miss Myrtle Cargill, a native of Cameron, Texas. They reside at 2321 N Street, and have one child, William Tschumy, Jr. Fraternally Mr. Tschumy is an Elk. He is widely known among jewelers of the state as an expert in the jeweler's art, and is highly proficient in more than one phase of this business.

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6. Mevillage

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

L. STEVENS for a quarter of a century has been allied with that group of progres- sive business men who have been factors in the development of Galveston, and throughout his business career has been identified as a representative of the manufacturing stationers, lithographers, printing and office supply business. Mr. Stevens is general manager of Clarke and Courts, Inc. and is also one of the directors of this corporation. Clarke and Courts was established at Galveston, as a partnership business, in 1879 and incorporated under Texas laws in 1887. This Gal- veston institution is now known throughout the Southwest and beyond, and is regarded as one of the largest houses of its kind in the United States, and is the most important house of its kind south of St. Louis. Clarke and Courts are manufacturing sta- tioners, lithographers, printers and also dealers in office supplies and allied lines, selling retail, direct to the consumer, and manufacturing a fine line of specialties for the trade. Artistic lithography and printing which command admiration and respect by their beauty of design, material and workmanship, copper and steel engravings are among the special- ties of this well known firm, and they have one of the most complete plants in the Southwest, equipped to turn out this type of work, employing a large force of skilled workmen, many of whom are real artists in their line. Every detail of the business is handled in a most systematic and efficient man- ner, all orders coming into the house being carefully gone over in the office and detailed instructions as to the character of work, the kind and quality of stock and other information being transmitted to the workroom. Clarke and Courts have a force of nine- teen salesmen on the road, representing the firm in their trade territory, including the states of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, New Mexico, Cuba, Porta Rico and Mexico. Starting with three employees, Clarke and Courts has grown to such proportions that a force of some two hundred employees is now maintained. The plant is located at 2402 Avenue C, and the officers are Sealy Hutch- ings, president; and R. W. Shaw, vice president, sec- retary and treasurer. Mr. Stevens, the subject of this sketch and one of the directors of the corpora- tion, as well as general manager of the business, has been with the firm since 1897, during the intervening years filling varied positions, both in the sales and administrative departments and has been general manager since 1917.

G. L. Stevens was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the twentieth of September, 1870, and spent his early years in that city, securing his education in the public schools there. At the age of eighteen years he came to Texas alone, going first to Palestine, where after some years engaged in various lines, he came to Galveston to go with Clarke and Courts, and has since been associated with this firm. Mr. Stevens is also a director of the American Indemnity Company, and is otherwise active in the business and commercial world.

Mr. Stevens was married at Gainesville, Texas, the fifth of October, 1899, to Miss Louise Comegys, daughter of Professor Comegys, superintendent of the public schools at Gainesville, and one of the prom- inent educators of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Stev- ens reside at 1612 Tremont Street, and have one child, Louise Stevens, a native of Galveston. Mr

Stevens is a member of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club and the Galveston Coun- try Club and the Aziola Club and through this firm the United States Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Stev- ens has found Galveston ripe in business opportun- ities during the quarter of a century of his residence here, and in speaking of the future offered here brings out the point that due to location and like ad- vantages, this city will always offer opportunities to legitimate business. He is himself a business man with definite executive ability, thoroughly familiar with the business with which he is asso- ciated in all its phases, and while he has limited him- self to this line, much that he has done in a busi- ness way has been of vital importance to the pros- perity of Galveston, and he is held in high esteem as a public spirited citizen who stands ready to do his part and more when the growth and progress of the city is at stake.

APTAIN S. F. BLACKADAR, local mana- ger of the Atlantic Coast Shipping Com- pany, with offices at 925 American Nation- al Insurance Company Building, while a resident of Galveston for only a few years is well known in shipping circles on the Gulf Coast.

The Atlantic Coast Shipping Company is one of the largest concerns of its kind in the country, do- ing a general stevedore business and loading and discharging vessels. Offices are also maintained at Houston and in all the important seaport cities of the Atlantic and Gulf seaboard. The company does an enormous business and employs a great number of people in its various departments.

Capt. Blackadar is a native of Canada and was born September 16th, 1879. His father was Benja- min Blackadar, a seafaring man of the early days.

Capt. Blackadar went to sea in sailing vessels in 1895 at the age of 16. He left sail to go into steam vessels owned by W. R. Grace and Company in 1902 and remained with that firm continuously until 1920 excepting during the war when he served with the army transport and later with the U. S. N.

In 1906 he was sent to Chili and Peru to act as coast superintendent for the Grace Line, returning to New York in 1908 when he was given his first command.

He left the sea in 1920 and accepted a position as marine superintendent for the West Coast Line (Wessal Duval Co.), New York, with which firm he remained until he came to Texas in June, 1922.

During the World War Captain Blackadar ren- dered valuable service to the naval forces of the United States and was commanding officer or cap- tain of the United States ship, Santa Clara, engaged in transport service for eighteen months. The San- ta Clara had a prominent part in the transportation of soldiers and supplies for the American forces on duty in France. He received his discharge from the navy in August, 1919.

Captain Blackadar is one of the really big men in marine circles of Galveston and enjoys the utmost respect and confidence of those who know him. He has had many wonderful experiences but his modest, retiring nature makes it exceedingly difficult to in- duce him to speak of them. The captain is a mem- ber of the Masonic order and takes an active inter- est in civic affairs. His residence is at 1609 Post- office Street. He has one son, Thomas.

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ILLIAM P. H. McFADDIN, whose career is an essential part of the history of Beau- mont, has for half a century been associated with the life and progress of this South- east Texas city, and is one of the honored and dis- tinguished pioneers of the State. The McFadden family, more than any other, has contributed to the advancement and development of this part of the State. Throughout his career, Mr. McFaddin has been closely identified with every progressive move- ment, headed every worthy cause, whose purpose has been for the upbuilding of Southeast Texas, and in the list of the builders of Beaumont, his name stands at the top. Railroad building, oil development, rice growing and cattle raising have played an important part in the development of this section of the State, and in all of these Mr. McFaddin has been active. In 1878 William McFaddin, the father of the subject of this sketch, organized the Beaumont Pasture Com- pany, that owned sixty thousand acres of land. This land was fenced and used as a cattle range until 1895, at which time the land was sold to A. E. Stillwell and associates for $6.25 per acre. The sale of this land made possible the bringing of the K. C. and Southern Railroad to Beaumont and Port Arthur. The City of Port Arthur was laid out on this land, on what is known as Sabine Lake. By reason of the coming of the railroad, and of the laying out of this town site, the Port Arthur Chan- nel was dug twenty-five feet deep from Sabine Pass to Port Arthur. In 1900 Mr. W. P. H. McFaddin leased what is known as "Spindletop" to A. F. Lucas, who brought in the Lucas gusher that produced seventy-five thousand barrels of oil per day for a period of ten days before it was capped. This well marked the beginning of the modern Beaumont. Mr. McFaddin still receives one-eighth royalty from twenty-two wells at Spindletop. By reason of this discovery, and the development attending same the Gulf Refining Company, who took over the Guffy and Gaily interests, who had in the mean time purchased the Lucas properties, built the large petroleum refineries of Port Arthur. Later the Texas Company built their refinery there, and the Magnolia built a refinery in Beaumont. Much of the subsequent development in this district is at- tributable to these enterprises. They have made Beaumont and Port Arthur one of the leading re- finery centers in the world. The sale of the above mentioned sixty thousand acres of land by Mr. Mc- Faddin and his father directly made all of this possible. Mr. McFaddin is president of the McFad- din, Wiess, Kyle Land Company, of which he was one of the organizers in 1901. This company built a pumping plant of a capacity of 200,000 gallons per minute, and a system of canals of about thirty miles. This system has watered as much as 18,000 acres of land in one year. This marked the beginning of rice growing in this section, and from then on to the present time Mr. McFaddin has encouraged this in- dustry. He built rice mills, and for many years was active in the growing and milling of rice.

In keeping with the growth of his city, he has from time to time been putting on city additions, the more recent of which are McFaddin Place, McFaddin Heights, of 600 lots, and an addition of 2000 lots between Beaumont and Port Arthur. In 1924, he sold 120 acres at McFaddin Station, to the K. C. and Southern Railroad. This is used for a round house

and headquarters, a certain part of which is set aside for residence lots for the employees. In 1925 he sold a right-of-way to the Neches Canal to be used to carry fresh water to Port Arthur. He is ever glad to co-operate with any industry that wishes to locate in Beaumont or to make improvements here, and sells land only to such interests. In building activities he has taken a part, and erected the Plaza Hotel, several garage buildings and many dwellings.

Mr. McFaddin was born at Beaumont, the fifth of February, 1856, the son of William McFaddin, pio- neer of the pioneers, who came to Beaumont with his father, James McFaddin in 1833, and was one of the most prominent men of the early days. At this time there were only three citizens here, namely, Noah Tevis, Thomas Lewis and Jack Hillebrant. He fought in the Battle of San Jacinto, and returning home, laid the foundations of the Beaumont of to- day. A man of great wealth, he used that wealth for the advancement of the city whose growth lay close to his heart, and Beaumont will pay tribute to this fine old pioneer throughout the years to come. He was married to Miss Rachel Williams, the daughter of Hezekiah Williams, also one of the pioneers of this section, and a man who was active in the de- velopment of that day. To this union was born William P. H. McFaddin, who has followed his illustrious father as city builder and business leader. As a boy, Mr. McFaddin attended the Beaumont pub- lic schools, and in 1873 entered Texas Military In- stitute, where he attended until 1874. Later, in 1876 and 1877, he was in St. Louis, where he rounded out his practical education through a business course.

Before he had finished his education, in the early seventies, Mr. McFaddin had already begun his business career, starting in the cattle business, with the active support of his father. Each year saw his herds increase until he was one of the largest cat- tle owners in this part of the State, and one of the vanguard in this industry that has held a place of primary importance from the early days. While increasing his herds he also increased his land hold- ings, and from time to time bought land in this section, until he has a total of more than one hun- dred thousand acres of land in this county, and also owns sixteen thousand acres in Knox County. At the present time he owns about nine thousand head of cattle, pastured entirely on his own land.

Mr. McFaddin has commercialized the raising of musk-rats, and operates one of the largest musk rat farms in the South, producing about two hundred thousand pelts annually. He also owns many other enterprises and is one of the largest landowners in this part of the State. He has some eight thousand acres of land between Beaumont and Port Arthur, of which over two thousand acres is on the river front, and traversed by two highways, an interurban and two railways.

Mr. McFaddin was married first to Miss Emma Janes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Janes. Mr. Janes, one of the earlier settlers of Beaumont, and one of the largest land owners and slave holders of the pre-war days, was a factor in the early develop- ment of Beaumont. Mr. McFaddin has three children by his first wife, who are: Mrs. Shipwith Duncan of Huntington, West Virginia; Mrs. Di Vernon Hunk, of Springfield, Missouri, and William Valentine Mc- Faddin of Beaumont. Mr. McFaddin was married

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 145

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