New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 63

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

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years, he purchased a grocery business which he con- ducted for four years, and during the next four years was engaged in the dry goods business. In 1890, Mr. Bering came in the present business.

Mr. Bering was married in Houston in 1903 to Miss Katie Landram, a native of Virginia. They have one daughter, Florence Katherine, fifteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Bering reside at 3402 Fannin Street. Since Mr. Bering's birth in Houston in 1858, many changes have been wrought. Houston was at that time an ambitious village, and Texas a pioneer State. The broad western plains stretched for hun- dreds of miles over an empire of open cattle ranges. Today, Mr. Bering lives in the transformed, pro- gressive, thriving, busy city, with the world's com- merce brought to her very doors by ocean-going ves- sels, and as Houston has grown and prospered, so has the Bering Manufacturing Company in propor- tion. Mr. Bering has always been prominently iden- tified with all movements tending to promote the growth and importance of Houston, and believes the time is near at hand when she will become the great metropolis of the Southwest.

AROLD REIN, one of the younger element of progressive and forceful business men who are factors in the commercial life at Houston, has spent his entire business ca- reer in the printing business, for the last seven years operating one of the highest class printing plants in the city. The Rein Printing Company, Incorpo- rated, of which Mr. Rein is president, was established in 1916, operating as a partnership until the first of January, 1923, when the business was incorpo- rated. Mr. Rein specializes in the finest class of printing, giving attention to color work and the preparation of pamphlets and catalogues. He also devotes especial attention to direct mail advertising and fine book-binding. The imprint of the Rein Printing Company, Inc., is a recognized mark of quality, and this corporation has the distinction of being the highest class printing plant in Houston, or Southeast Texas. The plant, located at the cor- ner of Mckinney and Caroline Streets, occupies a modern building, eighty-six by one hundred feet, and equipped throughout with the finest and most modern equipment. In addition to the operatives the firm also employs three salesmen. The officers are: Harold Rein, President; Donald Rein, Vice- President and Manager; Carroll Blanchard, Secre- tary, and Ernest Derr, Treasurer.

Harold Rein was born in Illinois, the eleventh of April, 1885, son of the late Chas. M. and Esther Teague Rein. Chas M. Rein was, for many years, identified with the publishing business, coming to Houston in 1905, and in that year founding the Rein Printing Company, later known as the State Print- ing Company, and still later the Rein & Sons Print- ing Company. Mr. Harold Rein was educated in the Orange public schools, and, after leaving school, was associated with his father in the printing busi- ness. Prior to this active association he spent much of his time, after school and during vacation, in the printery, and became thoroughly conversant with every phase of the business. In 1916 he established the present business.

Mr. Rein was married at Houston in December, 1920, to Miss Ruth Weikerth, daughter of Captain Joe Weikerth, pioneer resident of Houston. They have one son, Harold J. Rein, Junior.

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MEN OF TEXAS

P. STERLING is one of the pioneers of the oil industry in Texas, having engaged in this field of activity soon after the discov- ery of oil in South Texas. As Vice-President of the Humble Oil and Refining Company, he is in charge of production in South Louisiana and South Texas, which amounts to about 24,000 barrels daily. Mr. Sterling was one of the organizers and a Vice- President of the Humble Oil Company, which was organized in 1911, and when the Humble Oil and Refining Company was organized, he again was made a Vice-President and a Director. The Humble Oil Company had, at one time, 14,000 barrels oil per day before reorganization; their production being in the Coastal fields. They later branched out, and obtained a 14,000-barrel well in Sour Lake and this well flowed 1,000,000 barrels of oil, after which it was placed on the pump and has pumped 1,250,000 barrels since it ceased to flow, and has for many years been producing 100 barrels per day. This well was known as the Hardin County No. 14, and is the record oil well of the State of Texas. It came in on December 5, 1915, and is now owned and operated by the Humble Oil and Refining Company.

A native Texan, Mr. Sterling was born in Cham- bers County, October 26, 1869, and is one of a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. His father, Captain Benjamin Franklin Sterling, a Veteran of the Civil War, was born in Mississippi in 1831 and died in Houston, Texas, in 1917, he hav- ing removed to Houston from Chambers County, where he was a farmer and business man for many years. Mr. Sterling's mother, Mary Jane Bryan, was born in Liberty County, Texas, in 1838 and died in Chambers County in 1888. The Bryan family is one of the oldest families of Texas, a member of which fought at the Battle of San Jacinto. Both parents were of Scotch-Irish descent and their American an- cestors were among the early settlers in Virginia. His opportunities for securing an education were limited, and the liberal education which he obtained in later years was through self help, and Mr. Sterling is today a well read and well educated man.

Mr. Sterling's business career began in 1903, when he entered the wholesale and retail grain business at Sour Lake with R. S. Sterling and Company, and remained in this line of endeavor until 1914, but during all of this period, he was engaged in the oil business, but was not active until 1914. Since com- ing to Houston in 1914, Mr. Sterling has been closely associated with the business and financial interests of the city, where he is Vice-President of the Ster- ling Investment Company, and associated with other of the city's financial and industrial institutions. He is also a Director in the following institutions: Hum- ble State Bank, Saratoga State Bank, Hull State Bank, First Capital State Bank of West Columbia and the Dayton and Goose Creek Railroad. Mr. Sterling was married at Saratoga, September 20, 1907, to Miss Isla Carroll, a native of Caldwell, Bur- leson County, Texas. Her father, C. L. Carroll, also a native of the Lone Star State, was for many years engaged in farming. She is a niece of the Rev. B. H Carroll, celebrated Minister of Texas. They have two children, Lewis B. and Isla Carroll Sterling, both of whom are attending school. Mr. Sterling is a member of the American Petroleum Institute, Mid- Continent Oil and Gas Association, Houston Country Club, Kiwanis Club, Campus Club and the South End Christian Church. The Humble Oil and Refin-

ing Company has aided greatly in making Houston an oil city. Its large payroll and investments in Houston and in Texas make for it one of the leading concerns of its kind in the State, and has the good wishes of the citizens here because of the fine per- sonnel of its officers and people. Mr. Sterling is strictly a home man and has never sought any po- litical honors, but is a good citizen, taking a keen interest in the progress of Houston, where he quick- ly identified himself with the building up of the city after taking up his residence here. Mr. Sterling is optimistic as to the future of Houston and believes that it has the brightset prospects of any city of the Lone Star State. He is popular with his asso- ciates, his men and the citizenship of Houston and the State where by hard work and close attention to his duties and the details of his business, has be- come an efficient oil man and executive, and has accomplished results for his company, his city and the State of Texas.

OYAL L. NELMS is well known in the busi- ness circles of Houston, where, prior to or- ganizing the Brazelton, Wessendorff and Nelms, Inc., of which he is president, he was for seven years associated with the Peden Iron and Steel Company. The Brazelton, Wessendorff and Nelms, Inc., was established in June, 1922, and are wholesale dealers in tools, equipment and sup- plies of all kinds for machine and garage equipment. In their store, located at 317 Preston Avenue, they have a floor space fifty-two by one hundred and twenty-five feet. This company employs twenty people in their store, and have five men on the road, who cover the lower half of the State. Their business has increased one hundred per cent since its establishment. They are exclusive agents for Thor Pneumatic and Electric Drills, Simonds Hack Saw Blades, Precision grinding wheels, Rego Weld- ing apparatus and Manley Garage Equipment. Other officers of the Brazelton, Wessendorff and Nelms, Inc., are T. B. Wessendorff, of Richmond, Texas, vice president, and L. E. Brazelton, secretary and reasurer. Mr. Brazelton was for thirteen years with the Bering-Cortes Hardware Company in the capacity of sales manager.

A native Texan, Mr. Nelms was born in Fannin County in 1889. His father, T. R. Nelms, also a native of Fannin Conuty, has been engaged all his business life in the mercantile business in Fannin and Grayson Counties; he is now a resident of Deni- son, Texas. Mr. Nelms' education was obtained in the public schools of Denison and Sherman, Texas.

Mr. Nelms developed a liking for tools and ma- chinery and when sixteen years of age, started in this business at Dallas, where he remained for a period of ten years from 1905 to 1915, during which time he had devoted his every moment to the study and practical application of the business and mas- tered it. In 1915, he came to Houston and became associated with the Peden Iron and Steel Company, where he remained until 1922, when he resigned his position with this firm, in order to organize the present company. Mr. Nelms was married at Col- orado, Texas. in 1912, to Miss Exa McLure, a native of Arkansas, but reared and educated at Colorado, Texas. They have three children-Thomas McLure, Frances Ann and Exa Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Nelms reside at 1405 Kipling Avenue. Mr. Nelms has great faith in the future of Houston.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

B ENJAMIN B. RICE, in addition to being a member of one of Houston's distinguished and pioneer families, is one of the best known business men in Houston, where he is connected with many of the city's enterprises and industries, and for the past thirty years has been vice-president and general manager of the Merchants and Planters Oil Company. This plant, occupying an area of twenty-five acres of ground, and employing two hundred people, was estab- lished in 1890, and is one of the largest plants of its kind in the entire State. The Merchants and Planters Oil Company are manufacturers of cotton- seed products, lard substitute and lard compound, of which they make ten million pounds annually. They are the manufacturers of the well-known "Polar White" brand of lard compound. They also manufacture cotton seed cake, hulls, linters and soap stock, all of which they sell at wholesale only. The Merchants and Planters Oil Company have a refinery, in connection with their plant, and are purchasers of large quantities of crude oil, which is refined in their plant for use in their own prod- ucts, and for sale as refined oil. Other business enterprises with which Mr. Rice is connected is the wood and coal business of which he is the Senior member under the firm name of Rice and Coles, which is the largest retail business of its kind in the city. He is secretary and treasurer of the board of trustees of the Rice Institute, and devotes a great deal of his time to this institution, which was found- ed by his uncle, William Marsh Rice. This great institution has a working capital of ten million dol- lars, and has back of it a valuation of thirteen mil- lion dollars, making it the largest endowed school in the entire South. Mr. Rice is vice-president of the Grant Locomotive Works, which is one of the big industrial institutions of Houston, and is en- gaged principally in the re-building of locomotives and the buying, selling and repairing of locomo- tives. He is president of the Rice-Land Lumber Company, one of the big lumber concerns of Hous- ton and South Texas.

A native Texan, Mr. Rice was born at Houston in 1872, and was the sixth son of a family of ten children-seven boys and three girls. His father, F. A. Rice (deceased since 1901) was one of the early settlers of Texas; coming to this State from Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1850. He was a pioneer merchant and planter of the Brazos River Valley. Later, he was, for many years, treasurer of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, and, still later, was engaged in the banking business in Houston, and was one of the original trustees of the Rice Institute. His mother was Miss Charlotte M. Baldwin, a daughter of Horace Baldwin, who was Mayor of Houston during the days of the Re- public, and was a brother-in-law of A. C. Allen, one of the founders of Houston. Her paternal an- cestors were the founders of Baldwinsville, New York. Mr. Rice's family is of old Revolutionary stock, sprung from the sturdy Scotch-Irish and English pioneers of Colonial days in America. His great-grandfather Hall was one of the wounded at the Battle of Lexington in 1775, but despite the fact that he received this wound, he lived to reach the age of one hundred and two years, dying in Massachusetts at that age. Mr. Rice's four broth- ers, J. S., H. B., W. M. and David, are prominent

business men of Houston, where H. Baldwin Rice served the city with distinction as Mayor for several years. Mr. Rice was educated in the Houston schools and the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee. After leaving college, Mr. Rice was for several years associated with the wholesale gro- cery firm of Carson, Sewall and Company. In 1893, he severed his connection with this firm, and entered his present business.

Mr. Rice was married in Houston in 1900 to Miss Mary Calder, a native of Fort Bend County, and a daughter of John Calder, a prominent citizen of that County. They have four children: Calder, George Porter, Lillie and Mary Calder. In fra- ternal and social organizations Mr. Rice is a mem- ber of the B. P. O. E., the Houston Country Club and the University Club. He is a staunch and con- sistent member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Rice has lived practically all of his life in Houston, and has seen this city grow from a small village to the thriving, busy, commercial city of today, and con- siders that no city in the South has the bright pros- pects for the future that Houston has. He has al- ways been active in the business, social and civic life of Houston, and in the midst of his private work, Mr. Rice finds opportunity to give his time and assistance to all movements tending to the wel- fare and advancement of his city, where he is re- garded as one of its most progressive and public- spirited citizens.

AX H. NATHAN, for upwards of 14 years, has been one of the vital forces of progress in mercantile circles at Houston, and en- joys the highest esteem of his fellow-citi- Nathans, Incorporated, of which Mr. Nathan is president and manager, was established in De- zens. cember, 1917, and incorporated a year later, at which time Mr. Nathan was made president; Law- rence Sochat, Vice-President, and Seymour Nathan, Secretary and Treasurer. Nathans carries a line of men's clothing, hats and furnishings, most of the goods being sold under the company's name, the Nathan guarantee being sufficient to recommend their garments and furnishings to men who appre- ciate the best of clothing. The company occupies a modern retail establishment at the corner of Main Street and Capital Avenue. They have 15 employes. Mr. Nathan has given especial attention to store ar- rangement, and has the most expensive fixtures. He also pays attention to his displays, and the Na- thans windows have the distinction of showing the best in men's clothing.

Mr. Nathan was born in Europe in 1886, and came to the United States at the age of 17 years. He landed at Galveston in 1904, working in a mercan- tile establishment there as clerk until 1909. He came to Houston in that year and started in busi- ness for himself, opening a shop in the Brazos Ho- tel. This he ran until 1916, when he opened at his present location, 620 Main Street.

Mr. Nathan was married at Galveston, Texas, in January, 1908, to Miss Rebecca Sakowitz, a native of Galveston. They make their home at Houston, at 4801 San Jacinto Street, and have three chil- dren; Dorris, Charles David and Leah. Mr. Nathan is a member of the Retail Clothiers Association of Texas. Fraternally he is a mason, being affiliated with Holland Lodge No. 1, Galveston and Arabia Temple Shrine.

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MEN OF TEXAS

R L. BLAFFER, pioneer oil man and vice- president and treasurer Humble Oil and Refining Company, came to Beaumont, Texas, in 1902, from New Orleans, where he had been engaged in the coal business, supplying the Southern Pacific Railroad and American Sugar Refinery with this fuel. He was connected indirectly with the Southern Pacific Railroad in Beaumont, furnishing them with crude oil as fuel instead of coal, prior to the organizing of the Rio Bravo Oil Company, in which Company the Southern Pacific Railroad was largely interested. Mr. Blaffer re- signed from the Southern Pacific during the latter part of 1902 and became associated with Mr. W. S. Farish, who is now the president of the Humble Oil and Refining Company, and operated in Spindle Top and all the Coastal fields. He and Mr. Farish continued their operations together until the organ- izing of the Humble Oil and Refining Company in 1917, Mr. Blaffer being one of the organizers of this company. He and Mr. Farish at that time had considerable production, and they with others put in their holdings to make the company, there being $3,715,000.00 par value of the original stock paid for by the transfer of various properties to the company of an estimated value of $7,204,142.06. Mr. Blaffer has been vice-president and treasurer of the Humble Oil and Refining Company since its organization in 1917, and with the knowledge and experience which he brought to the company, makes him a valuable executive to the company, a great asset to Texas and to Houston on account of the vast amount of development accomplished, the large investments made on the strength of their faith in Texas and Houston, which amounts, in Texas alone to more than $100,000,000.00. The pay-roll of this community at this time amounts to more than $9,000,000.00 annually, which is by far the largest in the state, and is a factor in the business institutions of the entire state when put into cir- culation. Last, but by no means least of the great things accomplished by the Humble Oil and Refin- ing Company, is the contented employees of this company, and the Humble spirit that permeates the Humble Building-that of courteous service to all.

Mr. Blaffer was born in New Orleans on August 5th, 1875. His father, J. A. Blaffer, was engaged in the brick, lumber and banking business in New Orleans and was a leader in the business and finan- cial circles of the Crescent City. His mother was Miss Clementine Amelia Schneider, born in Louis- iana, but her parents were from Alsace-Loraine. His early education was obtained in the public and private schools of New Orleans, after which he attended Tulane University, finishing from that in- stitution in the class of 1897. Mr. Blaffer then en- gaged in the coal business in New Orleans and remained in that business until 1902 when he came to Beaumont, Texas, and engaged in the oil busi- ness. Since coming to Houston, Mr. Blaffer has been closely connected with the commercial and financial interests of the city. He is a director in the South Texas Commercial National Bank, one of the strongest financial institutions in South Texas, and a director in the Gaurdian Trust Company and is interested in many of the city's commercial and industrial enterprises.

Mr. Blaffer was married at Lampasas, Texas,

on April 22nd, 1909, to Miss Sarah T. Campbell, a daughter of W. T. Campbell, (deceased) who was one of the best known oil men in the state; was one of the originators of the Texas Company and the Hogg-Swayne Syndicate, and many other com- panies of that time. They have three children- John Hepburn, Sarah Jane and Cecil Amelia. In fraternal and social organizations Mr. Blaffer is a member of the A. F. and A. M., the University Club, Houston Club, and Houston Country Club, and the Episcopal Church. Mr. Blaffer is a type of the true Southern gentleman, courteous and kind to all with whom he comes in contact. He is recognized as a capable executive, and had a credit- able part in the rapid rise of the Humble Oil and Refining Company to the position of one of the leading oil companies in the United States.

Mr. Blaffer has great faith in the future of Houston and believes that the ship channel will as- sure it a rapid industrial and commercial growth, and that the time is near at hand when this city will become the great metropolis of the Southwest.

A. KING, although a comparatively recent addition to the oil fraternity of Houston and South Texas and one of the younger oil men of the Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast fields. is well known as an oil executive. Mr. King is vice president of the Sinclair Oil and Gas Company, and has charge of the interests of this company in the Gulf Coast territory. This company was active in the development of the Orange, Blue Ridge and Da- mon Mound fields in the Gulf Coast, and has produc- ing wells in these fields, where they are still oper- ating. The Sinclair Oil and Gas Company are large buyers of oil in West Columbia and other fields, and this, with their own production, makes them one of the leading companies in this section. They have maintained offices in Houston since 1917, and Mr. King was made vice president of the company in 1922, when he came to Houston, and has charge of the organization here, consisting of about one hun- dred and ninety-seven people. Mr. King has been associated with the Sinclair interests since 1916; serving as attorney for the Sinclair Pipe Line Com- pany until made vice president of the Sinclair Oil and Gas Company.

Mr. King was born in Franklin County, Georgia, in 1881. His father, C. L. King, was a large land owner and planter of that state. His mother was Miss Julia Vaughter, a member of a prominent Georgia family. Mr. King's early education was ob- tained in the Young Harris College, a preparatory school, after which he attended the University of Georgia, graduating from that institution in the class of 1905 with the L. L. B. degree. That year he established his home and office in Hazlehurst, Georgia, and began the practice of his profession, where he remained for six years. In 1911, he re- moved to Oklahoma City, where he was engaged in the general practice of law until 1916, when he be- came associated with the Sinclair oil interests.

Mr. King was married in Cochran, Georgia, Feb- ruary 6, 1907, to Miss Josephine E. Kelsey, a na- tive of Georgia and a daughter of W. F. Kelsey, a prominent Georgia attorney. They have three chil- dren, William K, Julia Elizabeth and H. A. King, Jr. He is a member of the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, the American Petroleum Institution, the Houston Country Club and the Methodist Church.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

APTAIN CHARLES CROTTY has for the past two decades been identified with engi- neering activities in and around Houston, and has been a prime factor in harbor de- velopment operations during this time, his work in this field winning recognition, both from an engi- neering and civic standpoint. Captain Crotty was ap- pointed Assistant Port Director of the Harris Coun- ty Navigation District, in April, 1920, and has held that responsible position since that time. All har- bor development work is being carried forward co- operatively, the United States Government, Harris County and the city of Houston working together toward this end, and Captain Crotty has under his direction construction work, the harbor and termi- nals.

Captain Crotty first became connected with the development of the Houston Ship Channel in 1904, when he came here for the United States Govern- ment, as inspector of dredging operations. He was resident engineer in charge of the work from 1912 until 1917, in which year he entered active military service. After the war he returned to Houston, as Supervisor of all floating plants in Galveston engi- neer district, until 1920, when he was appointed As- sistant Port Director, the position he now holds.

Captain Crotty was born in Manchester, England, the seventeenth of June, 1876, the son of James Crotty, who came to the United States in 1881, bringing his family with him, and located at Kerr- ville. His death occurred in April, 1923. Captain Crotty was reared at Kerrville, attending the public schools there, and later entered military service. He was with the First Engineering Expedition, Third U. S. V. Engineers, in Cuba, during the Spanish- American War, and with the Second Engineering Expedition, First Battalion, U. S. Engineers, U. S. A., Sergeant Companies A and D, in the Phillipines. Leaving service he worked for the United States Government on various engineering projects until coming to Houston. At the beginning of the World War, Captain Crotty again entered active military service, and was commissioned Captain, Engineers, U. S. A., in April, 1917, and assigned to the 23rd Engineers, and was with them until June 24, 1918, when he was put in charge of harbor operations at Base No. 1, in France, where he remained until the close of the war. He was discharged in August, 1919, returning to Texas, where he has since been active in harbor development work.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 63

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