New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 149

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

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In the construction and operation of these vast in- dustries no expense was spared to secure every new idea suggested that could in any way better conditions or add to the producing capacity of the mills. So thoroughly were these ideas worked out that mill owners of various parts of the country have for years patterned after these properties. Up to the time of Mr. Lutcher's coming to Orange, cypress had been the main product of the mills in this section and pine had not taken its place. He had a conviction that there was a great future in Southern pine, and he backed his judgment with great investments of money, securing the necessary amount of credit that was needed. Fighting his way through many obstacles that always confront the pioneer, he built up a business with enormous as- sets, which made rich men of those who had the

good fortune to be associated with him.

Mr. Lutcher was a widely traveled man, a deep student, a logical reasoner and an interesting con- versationalist. He possessed a fine library, of which he made frequent use, despite his many cares and responsibilities. Here he found the best thoughts of the world's greatest scholars and thinkers, from which he partook not only to expand his views, but that he might confer the results of his reading and research upon those with whom he came in contact. He left a large fortune, an unsullied name and a wide reputation for probity of character which will stand for all time as an illustration of what can be accomplished by pluck, energy and perseverance.

On January 23rd, 1858, Mr. Lutcher was united in marriage to Miss Frances Ann Robinson, daughter of David Robinson of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Two children were born to this union, Miriam, wife of W. H. Stark, and Carrie Luana, who married the late Dr. E. W. Brown.

W. H. Stark today is the president of the Lutcher and Moore Lumber Company, with which he has been identified for many years. He has contributed much to the carrying on of this business as well as most all of the leading financial and industrial con- cerns in Orange. An interesting incident of his life is that as a boy, employed as a sawyer in the lumber mill of R. B. Russell, he sawed lumber and timber that built the first Lutcher and Moore Lum- ber mill in Orange. Although of a retiring and mod- est disposition, Mr. Stark is today considered one of the leading men of Texas and of the South. There is probably no business man in the state who is more highly respected, honored and beloved than he is. His office is ever open, not only to capitalists and men of big affairs, but to working men, and to those less fortunate in material things. Of the union of W. H. Stark and Miss Mariam M. Lutcher were born two children, Frances Ann, who died in infancy at the age of twenty months, and H. J. Lutcher Stark. The latter, although a young man, has rapidly forged to the forefront in business, civic and educational affairs in Texas, serving at this time as a regent of the University of Texas.

Mrs. H. J. Lutcher, who survived her husband twelve years, devoted much of her life to the welfare of humanity, and for her Chrisitian deeds was hon- ored and respected by the citizenship of Texas. Her thoughts were ever for the welfare of the less fortunate in this life. As a memorial to her hus- band she built the First Presbyterian Church of Orange, one of the finest edifices of its kind in the United States. Being close to the large industrial plants of her husband, she came to realize the num- ber of unavoidable accidents that come to the men who labor, and after mature thought she estab- lished the Frances Ann Lutcher Hospital in Orange at a cost of $500,000. Provision was made whereby no remuneration should ever be received by the owner, but any compensation received should go to the upkeep fund, and it was Mrs. Lutcher's ex- pressed desire that the doors should always be open to the sick and suffering. At the time of the dedi- cation of the hospital the following was said of her, which sums up the life of one of Texas' noblest women: "Her loving, womanly character, deeply spiritual, is a study in the responsibility of great wealth. Her life is beautiful because it is simple and honest. It is the simplicity that makes

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it touching. It is said, the right use of money is to accomplish what you wish with it, then Frances Ann Lutcher can give a good account of her stew- ardship, for 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto Me.'"

Mrs. W. H. Stark inherited the fine Christian qualities of her father and mother, and devotes much of her time to carrying out their policies and wishes in social and civic affairs. She is a kindly type of woman, beloved by all of the citizenship of her community.

In the passing of H. J. Lutcher in October, 1912, one more of Texas' hardy pioneers returned to his Maker. His loss was not only felt in the city of his adoption, but throughout the state. His mourn- ers were not only scores of leading lumbermen and prominent business men, but his former employees and associates af a lifetime. At the funeral there were more than eight hundred of his working men, both white and black. Every business house in the city was closed for two hours during the funeral. His influence was always for good, and it continues on to the present day, his policies being carried out by those of his family and associates, who had learned his methods, and who had become imbued by his Christian spirit. The memory of his well lived life will ever fill a bright page in the history of Texas.

UDGE JAMES LOCKHART AUTRY, an honored resident of Houston for many years, and one of the ablest lawyers of the Lone Star State, dignified this pro- fession by four decades of practice and service, earning a noteworthy prominence in corporation practice and a high place in the Bar of Houston.

Judge Autry was a man of distinguished bearing and of irreproachable character. He was active in educational and religious work, exemplifying the highest type of Christian citizenship, helping his fellowman and giving freely to all worthy causes.

He was always kind and considerate of the younger members of the Bar, one of his last acts of philanthropy being a contribution of $15,000.00 for the Harris County Law Library, with the re- quest that it should always be open to the free use of struggling young lawyers.

Judge Autry was born at Holly Springs, Missis- sippi, the fourth of November, 1859, son of Colonel James Lockhart Autry, who was a native of Jack- son, Tennessee. Colonel Lockhart Autry was a lieutenant colonel of the 27th Mississippi Regiment C. S. A., and was killed at the Battle of Stones River, December 31st, 1862. His mother, Mrs. Jeanie Autry, nee Valliant, was a native of Ala- bama, later living in Mississippi, and, still later, coming to Texas with her son, the subject of this sketch. Judge Autry's grandfather, Micajah Autry, was born in Simpson County, North Carolina, about 1794, and came to Texas in 1835, from Jackson, Tennessee. Going to New Orleans, he joined a band of volunteers for service in the Texas Revo- lution against Mexico, later joining Colonel Travis' command at Nacogdoches, thence marching through to San Antonio on the Old Spanish Trail. He fought and died at the Siege of the Alamo, the sixth of March, 1836. This sturdy pioneer was a lawyer and had expected to practice in Texas.

After finishing his education in the schools of

Mississippi, Judge Autry came to Texas in Novem- ber, 1876, to take charge of the ranch, situated in Navarro County, that had been given his grand- father, Micajah Autry, for distinguished service during the brief period he spent in Texas fighting for the freedom of the State from Mexico.

Judge Autry took over the management of this ranch, and in the meantime began the study of law under Judge Sam Frost, of Corsicana, one of the leading lawyers of his day. He was admitted to the Bar at the age of twenty-one years, and form- ing a partnership with Judge R. C. Beale, began the practice of his profession at Corsicana. Retir- ing from this partnership he served two terms as County Judge of Navarro County. Later he was associated with Judge W. J. McKie, until 1904, at which time he moved to Beaumont as General At- torney for The Texas Company. In 1907 he re- moved to Houston with his family, continuing as General Attorney for The Texas Company until November, 1913. The following year, with others, he organized the Farmers Petroleum Company, of which corporation he was vice president and general attorney. He also participated in the organization of Fidelity Trust Company of Houston and became its president and general counsel. Judge Autry also participated in the organization of American Republics Corporation and its subsidiaries in 1916, and served as its general counsel until his death. His masterly handling of vast corporation prob- lems and legal ability won him not only prominence but great wealth. For twenty years he was a close friend, business associate and legal counsel of J. S. Cullinan. His career as a citizen, business man and lawyer, which was terminated by his death September 29th, 1920, was one of the most brilliant in the history of Texas. A devout Episcopalian, he served for years as a vestryman in this church.

Judge Autry was married at Corsicana, Texas, the twenty-fourth of June, 1896, to Miss Allie Kins- loe, a native of DeKalb, Illinois. Her father, H. E. Kinsloe, was a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Texas when Mrs. Autry was a small girl, locat- ing at Corsicana, where he at once took his place among the prominent business men, and was en- gaged in the merchandising business until his death, the twenty-seventh of October, 1917. Mrs. Autry's mother was before her marriage Miss Katie A. Spangenburg, a native of Brooklyn, New York.

Judge and Mrs. Autry made their home at 5 Courtlandt Place. They had two children, a son, James Lockhart Autry, III, and Allie May. James Lockhart Autry, III, was graduated from the Hous- ton High School, later attending Rice Institute, from which he graduated with honors. He was a bril- liant young man, attaining rapid success in the busi- ness world, and at the time of his death, on the thirty-first of August, 1922, was vice-president of the American Petroleum Company. The daughter, Miss Allie May, a graduate of Houston High School, is now a student at Rice Institute.

Mrs. Autry gave the Autry House as a memorial to Judge Autry, to the Episcopal Church for the benefit of the faculty and students of the Rice Institute. She also established the Autry Memo- rial School and Hospital, under the direction of the City of Houston, as a memorial to her son, James Lockhart Autry, III.

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ILLIAM H. STARK, whose name stands out as a captain of industry whose sturdy ad- herence to ideals of growth and develop- ment have resulted in an era of prosperity and civic expansion at Orange, has been vitally con- cerned with the advancement of this section for half a century, and not only Orange, but the surround- ing territory has felt the force of his influence. Mr. Stark has organized and successfully operated enterprises of such wide scope that there are few industrial or commercial ventures that have not come under his influence, or in the success of which he has not been a determining factor. As a busi- ness executive Mr. Stark is unusually versatile and discriminating, and he is not only thoroughly fa- miliar with the commercial situation in Southeast Texas, but is a keen student of economic conditions throughout the world and has a wealth of informa- tion and constructive ideas regarding the adminis- tration of those enterprises which have made Orange a prosperous municipality and one of the leading cities of the coast. With a natural aptitude for directing large endeavors and a courage to face heavy responsibility, Mr. Stark has been a leader not only in commercial activities, but in civic affairs, and it would be hard to estimate the part he has taken in the development of Orange.

Mr. Stark holds the office of president in half a score of the more important industries and commer- cial enterprises at Orange, these being the Lutcher- Moore Lumber Company, the First National Bank of Orange, the Gray Oil Company, the Sabine Hotel Company, the Yellow Pine Paper Mill Company, the Orange Box Manufacturing Company, the Vin- ton Petroleum Company, the Orange Grocery Com- pany, the Orange Rice Milling Company, the Stark- Hillard Warehouse Company, the Lutcher-Moore Cypress Lumber Company and the Dibert-Stark- Brown Cypress Company. In addition to holding the presidency in the above mentioned companies, Mr. Stark is vice president of the Texas Creosoting Company, and is also one of the largest property owners at Orange, having built and retained the ownership of many of the finest business buildings that make up the business center at Orange, and also owning much residence property here. Mr. Stark has heavy farming and ranching interests in this section.

William H. Stark was born in San Augustine County, Texas, the nineteenth of March, 1851. His father, John T. Stark, a native of Missouri, came to Texas in 1836, a pioneer of the pioneers, and located in San Augustine, later removing to Burk- ville, Newton County, where he was living when the Civil War began. He fought through the war on the side of the Confederacy, and at the close re- turned to Burkville, later going to a farm, located between Newton and Jasper, Texas. Here he read law, and during his latter years came to Orange, building up a successful practice here. William H. Stark's mother was Miss Martha Ann Skidmore before her marriage to John T. Stark. Her parents, natives of Indiana, came to Texas in 1836, and were among the most honored pioneer families of the state. From his parents William H. Stark received a splendid heritage and the traditions of the sturdy pioneers who left comfortable homes to come to Texas, then an unbroken land of possibilities, and make a new home. As a lad of ten, at the outbreak

of the Civil War, he took his father's place when the latter enlisted with the first of the volunteers, and operated the farm at Burkville. Later, when John T. Stark returned to Burkville at the close of the war, he went with his parents to the farm near Newton and remained there until he was almost twenty-one, when, anxious to seek his fortune he started to Orange, having been engaged to lead a horse here for which he was paid one dollar and a half. He arrived at Orange without a dollar in his pocket, but that did not greatly concern him, for he immediately found work with R. B. Russell and Sons, in the lumber mill they were operating here, his first job being that of throwing the bark out of the mill. Later he was made a sawyer, and it was during this time that he personally sawed the lumber that built the first mill of Lutcher and Moore in 1877. After three years with the saw mill he saved enough money to buy a small livery stable, which he developed until it was one of the largest livery business activities here. As success came to Mr. Stark in his livery stable venture he looked around for other opportunities, and became repre- sentative for a Houston grain firm, namely Robert Hall, selling grain for them in this territory, and building up a large trade. Then followed a period of years when as one industry was placed on a pay- ing foundation another would be started, until Mr. Stark is not only one of the richest men in Texas, and one of the best known, but a business man whose opinions of the economic problems of today are high- ly valued and eagerly sought.

Mr. Stark was married at Orange, Texas, the twenty-second of December, 1881, to Miss Miriam M. Lutcher, the daughter of the late Henry J. Lutcher, founder of the Lutcher-Moore Lumber Company, and one of the most prominent lumber men and capitalists of his day in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Stark had two children, Frances Ann, who died as a child of twenty months, and H. J. Lutcher Stark, one of the leading figures in the business, civic and educational world in Texas, and who is vice president, or secretary-treasurer of the various companies of which his father is an officer. H. J. Lutcher Stark is also a regent of the University of Texas and one of the most active Rotarians in the state. William H. Stark has one of the finest homes at Orange, where he and Mrs. Stark, both of whom are among the most admired and respected citizens of Orange, have made their home for many years. While Mr. Stark is a Rotarian and a mem- ber of the Golf Club, he is essentially a home man, and aside from his business interests, and his public spirited interest in the civic welfare of Orange, he has given but little time to other outside interests.

J. LUTCHER STARK. Of the younger generation of men of Texas today, H. J. L. Stark is probably one of the best known. This is true because his activities, of a worth while and constructive nature, are of interest to citizens of every locality in the State. By nature a leader, by breeding, education and training a gen- tleman, by inspiration a vital force for all that is good in education, government and business, he has within the past few years made his influence felt and recognition has come to him for services rendered his native State. As chairman of the board of regents of the University of Texas, his name has especially come into prominence and to

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this office he has devoted much of his time. As one of the leaders among Rotarians he has con- tributed much to fraternity and improved business methods in commercial circles. Although a large part of his time is devoted to the above matters, yet he is also a business executive with interests of a diverse and extensive nature.

Mr. Stark's business interests include the fol- lowing, in which he is an officer or director, or both: Lutcher-Moore Lumber Company, First Na- tional Bank of Orange, Gray Oil Company, Sabine Hotel Company, Yellow Pine Paper Mill Company, Vinton Petroleum Company, Orange Grocery Com- pany, Orange Rice Mill Company, Stark-Hillard Warehouse Company, Lutcher and Moore Cypress Company, Dibert-Stark-Brown Cypress Company, Texas Creosoting Company, Orange Cameron Land Company, Sabine Packing Company, San Jacinto Life Insurance Company, Capitol City Oil Company, Sabine Supply Company, Josephine Advertising Company, Orange Furniture Company, and others. He achieved unusual success in the upbuilding of the Orange Light and Power Company. He over- hauled and modernized this small plant, probably spending less than a million dollars and which he later sold to Stone and Webster for $2,500,000. His influence has been felt in Southeast Texas by reason of his interest in agriculture, poultry and cattle raising, fig and orange culture. The Lutcher Stark experimental farm has done much to encourage farmers and has led the way for them. A field of industry that is little known to the public at large is the trapping business, but Mr. Stark has delved into this field and on the 200,000-acre ranch owned by the Orange Cameron Land Company he conducts a fur business on business principles so that the muskrats, the principal product, shall not be exterminated. He has made successful exper- iments with land planted to oranges and figs and is now turning his attention to the canning business with the idea of planting the cut-over timber lands to vegetables and fruits. The Sabine Packing Com- pany, recently organized, will serve as an outlet for the cattle of this district. He has devoted considerable time to management of the estate of his grandmother, the late Mrs. Frances Ann Lutcher, in whose will he was named the sole executor. Although his interests are diverse, still he selects trained people to assist him in his many business affairs and he usually gets results.

H. J. L. Stark is a native son of Texas, born in Orange, December 8th, 1887, the son of William H. and Miriam M. (Lutcher) Stark. William H. Stark is one of the outstanding men of Texas today, beloved by all who know him. A sketch of William H. Stark and Henry J. Lutcher, the founder of the Lutcher interests in Texas, will be found in these volumes. Mrs. William H. Stark is of the fine type of Southern womanhood and has done much good for those about her, being especially inter- ested in the welfare of the working people and in philanthropy. Recently she gave an art collection of rare chinas, tapestries and original paintings by great masters to the University of Texas, and val- ued at $500,000. In addition she gave $150,000 in cash for the erection of a building to house the collection, which is considered one of the finest of the South. H. J. L. Stark was educated in the public and high schools and entered the University of Texas in the fall of 1906, receiving his A. B.

degree in 1910. During his college career he was popular with the student body and was active in social and athletic circles. One year he served as assistant manager of the football team and one year as manager. He has never ceased to take a live interest in athletics since that time. A di- rector of athletics at the University of Texas said of him, "Were it not for Lutcher Stark and his generous personality, athletics at Texas could never have reached the satisfactory stage in which we now see them". "With all his money and position and in spite of all his many gifts to the univer- sity, there is still that absence of haughtiness and pride; he still retains that magnetic personality and attractiveness that makes one love the man at first meeting."

After leaving college Mr. Stark entered into a life of usefulness in business, social and civic af- fairs. He could have easily chosen a life of ease and uselessness, but chose to devote himself to a life of doing good. Space will not permit a de- tailed account of his record since that time, but it might be said that he has accomplished much not only for Southeast Texas but for the State as a whole. He has contributed to the building of good roads and to the opening of the road from Orange to Port Arthur. As vice president of the Gulf Coast Reclamation and Drainage Association he has given of his time to the good work of this organization. As a Rotarian he has helped elevate business practice. He was a charter member and the first president of the Orange Rotary Club, that was organized in 1919. His good work in this office caused him to be elected governor of the district. During his incumbency of this office he added 20 clubs to the district and the attendance increased in the district from 55.33 per cent to 75.25 per cent, and the total membership from 2274 to 3566. At the International Convention at Edinburgh, Scot- land, in 1921, he was elected third vice president of the International Organization of Rotary clubs. Since that time he has made speeches before the Rotary clubs in various parts of the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, France and Spain. In 1924 he ran second for the office of president of the Rotary International. It is his idea and ideal to make business in Texas, so far as within his power, a practical exemplification of Rotary prin- ciples, that service comes before self, that he profits most who serves best.

As chairman of the board of regents of the Uni- versity of Texas, Mr. Stark is doing an excellent work and fights for the proper and thorough-going education at the State University. He was ap- pointed regent by W. P. Hobby to fill the unexpired two years of the term of John Sealy. Governor Pat Neff appointed him to a six-year term and he was re-elected chairman of the board. Governor Miriam A. Ferguson appointed him to another six- year term. His path has not always been easy, for he has been placed under fire at various times by reason of his stand in education. Thus far he has usually come out victor because he has always stood for right, and no one has ever questioned that. As to principle, some have differed with him. He is a fundamentalist, and so during the past few years when religious matters have been brought to the forefront, he was made to stand by his guns, and it seems that the majority of people of

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Texas are of his religious beliefs. It is said that he lives for the University of Texas and that he has made many sacrifices for it. It is his hobby, and Texas is fortunate in having such a man at the head of its great school of learning.

A field in which Mr. Stark has done good work, which is second to none, is that in which the in- vestment probably pays the greatest in dividends. Reference is made to his boys' club in Orange. His success is this field should give inspiration to leaders in other communities to undertake similar activities. Mr. Stark organized, with the co-opera- tion of a few interested boys, a boys' Sunday school class in the Presbyterian Church and also the boys' band of some fifty pieces. This band has been directed by experts and has come to be known throughout the State and elsewhere. It has given concerts in various cities and over the radio. It travels in especially constructed motor busses, and in 1926 Mr. Stark took the band overland to the Rotary Convention in Denver. The work counts, as is evidenced by the juvenile records of Orange. In 1924 there were seventy juvenile cases in the courts of Orange and in 1925 there were but three. Another unusual record is that the Presbyterian Sunday School at Orange is the only one of all the Presbyterian churches where boys and men generally outnumber the women and girls.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 149

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