New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 71

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

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a part of his every-day life and he radiated the sunshine and love to all of those with whom he came in daily contact. His death on December 18th, 1923, was a distinct loss to the university, and to the bar of Texas.

As a tribute to the memory of Judge Townes the following resolutions were adopted by the Board of Regents of the University:

In the death of Judge Townes the University of Texas has sustained an irreparable loss. He became a member of the faculty in 1896, had served about twenty-eight years as professor of law, and during. sixteen years of that time, from 1907 to 1923, he was dean of the school of law, from which he vol- untarily retired, retaining, however, until his death, his position as a member of the law faculty. At the time he entered the law faculty in 1896 he came from an active general practice, well qualified to discharge the duties of professor of law.

He left behind him many valuable works on law, of which he was the author. He was especially interested in building up the law library of the university to its present size of 26,000 volumes. He raised the entrance requirements to the law school. He was active throughout his life in wel- fare work for his city, state and nation.

Judge Townes was a profoundly religious man. He early became a member of the Baptist Church. For many years he was superintendent of the Sun- day School and taught a large Bible class composed of university students. Later he became chairman of the Board of Deacons of the University Baptist Church and was active in the establishment of that church. He lived his religion daily. He was always close to the hearts of the students of the institution and had the friendship and confidence of the fac- ulty as well. Thousands of ex-students of the University of Texas counted him as their close personal friend. There was no man perhaps ever connected with the university better loved than he. His attainments, his strong personal character, and the impress he left upon the men of his day and generation made him one of the outstanding figures of his time.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, that in the death of Judge Townes this institution has sustained a dis- tinct loss, not only so, but his death was a distinct loss to his city, state and wide circle of friends.

We extend tho the members of his family our deepest sympathy in the loss of this good man, and in recognition of the worth of his character and the long period of his untiring and devoted service rendered to this institution, we recommend that a copy of these Resolutions be spread upon the min- utes of this board, and that copies be furnished to the members of his family and to the press.

(Signed)

FRANK C. JONES, C. M. CALDWELL, R. G. STOREY,

Committee. DGAR E. TOWNES, Attorney at Law, has for a score of years practiced before the Texas Bar. The date of the beginning of the practice of his profession in Beaumont, Texas, was practically simultaneous to the begin- ning of the oil industry in Texas. Under these cir- cumstances it is not unnatural that the greater part of the practice of Mr. Townes was interwoven with the oil industry and men engaged therein. Mr

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

Townes is General Counsel of the Humble Oil and Refining Company and is the head of the legal de- partment. He is also a Director of the company, and in accord with the general division of the work among members of the board, he has general super- vision of the Land, Tax and Claim Departments, in addition to the Legal Department. At the time that Mr. Townes began the practice of law, Beaumont was the headquarters of the oil business in Texas and the majority of those actively connected with the Humble Company were then located there. Mr. Townes represented a number of the individuals and corporations which pooled their interests in the for- mation of the present company, and at the time the plans for the Humble Company's organization began to take shape, Mr. Townes became connected with the enterprise, and moving to Houston in April, 1917, he has since devoted his entire time and at- tention to the company's business. While the Legal Department represents his chief responsibility, Mr. Townes has never restricted his efforts to that work, and has felt that it is his duty to assist wherever possible; this willingness has led to his having a larger part in the general carrying on of the com- pany's business and the shaping of its policies than would usually be the case. Eleven lawyers are in Mr. Townes' organization in the Houston office, be- sides attorneys at various other places whose policy is directed from this office. Mr. Townes' office is located at 427 Humble Building.

A native Texan, Mr. Townes was born at San Saba, September 11, 1878. His father, Judge John C. Townes, was a distinguished member of the legal fraternity of the State, and was Dean of the Legal Department of the University of Texas from 1895 to 1923, prior to which he had practiced law since 1872, and was recognized as one of Texas' leading attor- neys. While Mr. Townes' father was born in Ala- bama, he was brought to Texas by his parents when two years of age, and was reared here, consequently he always felt Texas to be his native State, and was essentially loyal to all the customs and traditions of the Lone Star State. His mother was Miss Kate Wildbahn, born in Alabama, but brought to Texas by her parents when one year old, where her parents settled in Travis County. Mr. Townes' early educa- tion was obtained in the public and high schools of Austin, and the Webb School at Bell Buckle, Ten- nessee. He later became a student of the University of Texas, where he finished his academic education, and graduated from that institution in the class of 1900 with the Bachelor of Literature degree, and in 1902 graduated from the Law Department of this institution with the L. L. B. degree. Before begin- ning the practice of law, at the solicitation of Dr. David E. Houston, who was President of the A. and M. College, Mr. Townes accepted a position in the Department of English in this institution, where he remained for one year. It will be remembered that afterward, Dr. Houston became President of Wash- ington University at St. Louis, and later Secretary of Agriculture under President Woodrow Wilson. After one year spent at the A. and M. College he began the practice of his profession in Beaumont in 1903, but soon thereafter becoming associated with Mr. L. A. Carlton, and Mr. F. C. Proctor, and later the firm became Carlton and Townes, and still later, his brother, E. W. Townes (now deceased) became a member of the firm and the name at that time was changed to Carlton, Townes and Townes. Upon the

dissolution of this firm he formed the partnership of Townes, Foster and Hardwich, which continued until Mr. Townes came to Houston with the Humble Oil and Refining Company in 1917, where he has since remained.

Mr. Townes was married at Brenham, Texas, June 15, 1904 to Miss Elsie Garrett, a daughter of Judge C. C. Garrett, who was a lawyer of renown, and Judge of the Court of Civil Appeals at Galveston at the time of his death. They have four children, Elsie, Edgar, Jr., Christopher and John Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Townes reside at 4510 Rossmoyne Boule- vard. Mr. Townes is a member of the American Bar Association, Texas Bar Association, Harris County Bar Association, Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, of various clubs, and the Beta Theta Pi College Fraternity. Mr. Townes is a member and a Deacon of the South Main Baptist Church and Sun- day School, where he conducts a Bible Class, con- sisting of a large member of business and profes- sional men of all denominations, and many who are not affiliated with any church, or denomination. This Bible Class is a unique institution in Houston, and a large number of men seeking the truth, gather every Sunday morning to enjoy the enlightening dis- cussions of the Testament under his tutelage. Judge Townes is a true Christian gentleman, and his per- sonality radiates the sunshine and good will that is a part of his every day religion, and a great many of the substantial business and professional men have been made better citizens for having asso- ciated with him in his Bible Class and elsewhere. Mr. Townes believes that within a few years Hous- ton will be the largest city in Texas, and that the city is just now beginning to feel the great benefit of the ship channel. Mr. Townes is popular, not only with the legal fraternity, and members and executive of the oil industry, but with all classes, and he occupies an important place in the oil de- velopment of the State. It has been said that one of the most important parts played in the oil de- velopment of Texas, from the securing of the lease, to the actual production, is by the man who never sees the land on which the lease exists, or the pro- duction, the company's lawyer.

OHN C. TOWNES, JR., Attorney at Law, began his professional career at Houston a decade and a half ago, and has since ad- vanced to a place among the foremost legists of the Lone Star State, and has attained a noteworthy prominence in the field of oil litigation. Mr. Townes is General Attorney of the Humble Oil and Refining Company, a position he has held since leaving the army, in May, 1919. Mr. Townes has given special study to corporation problems, and the field of jurisprudence touching on oil matters, and has made a splendid record in this field. His mas- terly handling of the legal problems of the Humble Company has won the respect of the legal fraternity, and his success in this field is well merited, and in proportion to his genuine qualities as a lawyer. He maintains his office in the Humble Building.

John C. Townes, Jr., was admitted to the bar in 1907, at Austin, Texas. After coming to Houston he shortly thereafter entered the firm of Baker, Botts, Parker and Garwood, a firm that ranks among the leading firms of the United States, both in point of professional standing and in the volume of busi- ness transacted. His practice during the next six

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years was of a general nature and largely in cor- poration and general business matters. He left this firm at the end of 1916 and entered the independent practice, interrupting that to enter military service, at the time this country entered the World War, and after returning to Houston and the close of the con- flict, was made General Attorney for the Humble Oil and Refining Company, the position he now holds.

Mr. Townes was born at Georgetown, Texas, the fourth of July, 1886. His father, John C. Townes, Professor and Emeritus Dean of the Law Depart- ment of the University of Texas, for around three decades, was one of the outstanding men at the Uni- versity, and had the admiration and respect of fac- ulty, students, and ex-students alike, until his death in December, 1923. As a boy John C. Townes, Jr., attended the Whitis School of Austin. Graduating from the Whitis School there he entered Marion Military Institute at Marion, Alabama, and then the University of Texas, in the Law Department, where he took the L. L. B. degree in 1909, after which he came to Houston. In 1917 Mr. Townes joined the army and after reeciving his commission as Major, U. S. A., he was assigned by the War Department to supervise the Administration of the Selective Service Law in Texas under the Provost Marshal General.

Mr. Townes was married at Palestine, Texas, on the fifteenth of September, 1910, to Miss Helen Markle, a member of an old and prominent family of the Lone Star State. Mr. and Mrs. Townes have made Houston their home since their marriage, and have one of the fine residences of the city, at 4300 Montrose Boulevard. Their three children, Helen, Dorothy, and Anne, are all native Houstonians. Fra- ternally Mr. Townes is a Mason, Houston Lodge, York and Scottish Rites, and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine. He is a member of the Thomas Dismuke Post of the American Legion. He was elected State Commander of the American Legion in August, 1922, holding this position until August, 1923, and during this time did much for the advance- ment of World War Veterans, especially along the lines of vocational work, and continues to take an active interest in all that concerns the veterans. Al- though his professional duties, and his Legion work make exacting demands on his time, Mr. Townes has always taken a deep pride in the accomplishments of his city, especially along the lines of civic devel- opment, and has done much to further the progress of Houston, as well as for its beautificaiton, and the welfare of its citizens.

RANK EMILE RUSSELL, whose name for more than three decades was of special significance in the financial and commer- cial world at Houston, was one of the vital forces of progress in his community and one of the men carrying heavy burdens of responsibility. Mr. Russell had a genius for handling financial affairs, was familiar with the soundest financial principles, and during the many years of his association with the First National Bank of Houston, devoted him- self with characteristic thoroughness and energy to the welfare of that institution.

Mr. Russell was born at Galveston, Texas, the third of October, 1871, son of Percival and Mary Catherine Nichols Russell. His father was a native

of London, England, and came to New Orleans as a young man, where he married Miss Nichols, a na- tive of that city. Later the young couple moved to Galveston, where Mr. Russell's death occurred when the subject of this sketch was a small boy. After his marriage his mother made her home with him in Houston, and now resides in this city with his widow.

Until the age of fourteen Mr. Russell attended the schools of Galveston, but in that year went to France, and spent one year, attending the schools of that country. He then returned to Galveston, where he spent a short time working for a law firm there. In 1887 he came to Houston and after a few months with Milby and Dow, came to the First Na- tional Bank, at the age of nineteen, as bank runner. He worked himself from that position, through every department of the bank, until finally he became a vice president. At the time of his death he had seen thirty-three years of continuous service with that institution.

Mr. Russell was married the thirtieth of October, 1902, at Galveston, Texas, to Miss Fannie Menard, the wedding occurring at the Sacred Heart Church in that city, the Rev. Father George Rittmeyer, S. J., officiating. Mrs. Russell was the daughter of Joseph Odin Menard, a native of Galveston, and prominently identified with activities there, and Caroline Sherman Menard, grand-daughter of Gen- eral Sidney Sherman, commander in the Battle of San Jacinto, and whose birthplace was on the bay, near where Sylvan Beach is now located.

Mr. and Mrs. Russell made their home at Hous- ton and had a family of five children: Odin Menard, who was educated at Georgetown University, at Washington, D. C. and is now in the lumber business at Houston; Frank E., Junior, a graduate of St. Thomas College at Houston; Sue Sherman, a stu- dent at St. Agnes Academy at Houston; Fred Root, a student at the Sacred Heart School; and Mary Catherine, also a student at Sacred Heart. Mrs. Russell and the children reside at 1317 Gray Avenue.

Mr. Russell died at St. Joseph's Infirmary at Houston, the seventh of April, 1923, after an ill- ness of five months duration. His funeral was held the following Monday. Requiem High Mass being sung at Sacred Heart Church, with Reverend Father Morgan Crowe officiating. Mr. Russell was known as a bank builder, gifted with the natural ability to handle big finance. He was one of the few really big and busy men who found time to do considerable church work. He was a Catholic by faith, and treas- urer of Sacred Heart Church. He was also a trus- tee for St. Thomas College at Houston, and a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus, fourth degree. Mr. Russell had enshrined himself, as few men have ever been able to do, in the hearts of those with whom he came in daily contact. He was the very soul and expression of courtesy and kindliness. There was in his life nothing of the spectacular, nothing of pretense. Modesty, integrity, industry and kindliness were his unfailing characteristics. Charitable, without being ostentatious, he quietly helped those around him who were in need of aid, and many benevolences will never be known. At his death the entire city felt their loss deeply, and his memory will be recalled and honored through the years to come as one of the best beloved of Houston's citizens.

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EORGE M. BEVIER came to Houston, Tex- as, in 1921 as chief geologist of the Gulf Coast District for the Atlantic Oil Produc- ing Company and since that time has done extensive geological surveys for this company. On January 1, 1925, he became associated with the Mc- Collum Geological Exploration Company. Prior to coming to Houston, Mr. Bevier had much to do with the successful development of oil in various portions of the United States, Central and South America and is considered one of the leading men of his profession of the entire country. He started his career in his chosen profession with the State of Pennsylvania as Assistant State Geologist, and remained in this position from 1913 to 1915. He then went to Central and South America with the Sinclair Oil and Gas Company, and while in the last named Latin-American country war was de- clared and he was unable to join the forces of the United States. He entered the Department of Mili- tary Intelligence as Investigator and was stationed at Panama, and after one year there, he returned to the United States and joined the oil and lubrica- tion branch of the air service at Washhington, D. C., as a private, and remained in this branch of the service until the close of the war, being discharged as a sergeant. While in the service at Panama he had the distinction of capturing a German spy who had been in the United States and was on his way to South America. Mr. A. A. Olsson worked with Mr. Bevier in this capture. He came to Texas in 1919 and for a time was making geological ex- aminations for others and investigating the surface conditions of Texas until he came with the Atlantic Oil Producing Company. Mr. Bevier is regarded as an authority on geological matters and prior to his association with the above company his advice was eagerly sought by men planning to develop large enterprises in which a thorough knowledge of geo- logical indications was necessary for successful op- erations. In his present work Mr. Bevier is using a new method in finding geological structures. This method is based upon seismographical principles, and its success has been proven.

Mr. Bevier was born at Brookville, Pennsylvania, on March 2nd, 1888. His father, Edwin Bevier, a native of New York State (now deceased), was engaged in the lumber and real estate business dur- ing his life, and was well known in the business and financial circles of New York State and of Pennsylvania. His mother, Mrs. Mary (Heber) Bevier (now deceased), was a native of Brookville, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of a well known and highly esteemed family. His early edu- cation was obtained in the public schools of Brook- ville, Pennsylvania, after which he entered the Uni- versity of Pittsburg and graduated from that in- stitution in the class of 1913 with the B. S. Degree in metallurgy. He then took a complete course in geology at this university, making a total of six years spent in this college, after which he began work in his chosen profession.

Mr. Bevier was married at Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, on June 2nd, 1919, to Miss Henriette De Beaulieu, a native of Paris, France, and a member of a prominent French family. Mrs. Bevier resided in Paris at the time the war broke out and served on the Flanders front for fifteen months as nurse and was wounded in service, South of Calais. She

was with her uncle, Major R. V. de Beaulieu, who was in the medical corps and was made a member of the Legion of Honor. She was sent to New York for medical treatment. After coming to America she rendered valuable service for the or- phans of France. Mr. and Mrs. Bevier reside at 708 Pecore Street. Mr. Bevier is a member of the A. F. and A. M. with membership in Blue Lodge No. 680 of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the Association of Petroleum Geologists of America, and is active in this organization. He has written articles covering technical subjects for the Bulletin of this association as well as for other oil journals. He is enthusiastic as to the future of the oil industry in the Gulf Coast district, and believes that many good wells will be drilled in this field, and that much of this region will yet be de- veloped. He believes much of the Texas oil acreage is yet undeveloped and that additional oil fields will be found in the near future.

RED JENNINGS, superintendent of drilling and production at Goose Creek, Texas, for the Gulf Coast Oil Corporation and the United Central Oil and Refining Company, has had many years of experience in the coastal fields where he has learned the various formations and peculiarities existing here, and is regarded as one of the best and most valuable men in his line in South Texas. Mr. Jennings handles all drilling, production and operations in this field for this com- pany, where they have sixteen producing wells with a daily production of from seven hundred to eight hundred barrels. They have a large and complete stock of supplies which are kept on hand at all times together with a complete plant and equipment. The organization in this department consists of forty men.

A native Texan, Mr. Jennings was born in Gon- zales County, Texas, January 10th, 1892. His father, "Mid" Jennings was a well known and highly re- spected farmer of Gonzales County. His mother was Miss Ella Roberts, a member of a pioneer Texas family. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of Gonzales County. Soon after leaving school, Mr. Jennings began work at the Port Arthur refineries with the Texas Company, where he remained for one year. He then went to the Somerset oil field, near San Antonio, where he worked with the drilling crew for one year, and during this period he gathered a practical knowl- edge of the drilling business. He then came to Goose Creek with the Humble Oil and Refining Company, and remained with this company until 1918, when he became associated with the present company in charge of all operations at Goose Creek, where he has since remained, and during this period he has succeeded in increasing the production of the company in this field to great proportions.

Mr. Jennings was married in Gonzales County in 1914, to Miss Willie Cooley, a native of the Lone Star State and a daughter of Harry Cooley, a well known farmer of Gonzales County. They have three children: Maurice, Lorine, and Naurice. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings are residing at Goose Creek, Texas. Mr. Jennings is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Dokies. He has a host of friends among the oil fraternity of South Texas, and is re- garded as one of the most capable men in his line in the Southwest.

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IELS PETER ESPERSON. History of Texas, written today, must give a lead- ing place to the pioneers of the oil in- dustry. These men of courage and energy blazed the trail in like manner as those hardy pioneers of other days, overcoming obstacles, and enduring hardships, but ever maintaining a firm stand until the task at hand was consummated. Among such men, the name of Niels Peter Esperson will be recorded and any story of the development of the Gulf Coast oil fields and the building of the City of Houston would be incomplete without a brief resume of the life of this good citizen. Al- though his residence in Houston was but little more than two decades, yet few men accomplished more for this city than he, and today, many of the outstanding business enterprises here owe success to his guiding hand and inspiration.

Niels Peter Esperson was born in Ronne, Den- mark, June 3rd, 1857. He came from a long line of army people, his father having been an officer in the Danish Army. His great-grandfather, also an army man, lived through many turbulent experiences during his lifetime of one hundred and five years. His mother, Julia Anna Marie Funk, descended from the sturdy stock of Danish seamen, had among her ancestors men who pioneered in the gold fields of California in the famous days of '49. Mr. Esperson completed the public school course in his home town at the age of fifteen years, after which he was sent to the United States to carve out his future for him- self. The liberal education which he received was mostly through self help and practical experience. He arrived in New York City July 3rd, 1872, where he received assistance to the extent of $5.00 and a ticket of transportation to San Francisco from a relative of his mother, a man who after having breathed the free and wholesome atmosphere of a creditable and successful career of his own carv- ing, planted the seed of hope and good citizenship in young Esperson's breast. The trip of fourteen days across the continent was attended by many ex- periences to this young lad; such experiences that broadened the faith and strengthened the hearts of so many pioneers who were privileged to cross the continent at that early date. After reaching his destination he found employment with a Danish family who lived on a cattle ranch. His first year's salary amounted to the sum of $130.00, $100.00 of which he sent to his parents, brothers and sisters to enable them to join him in this new country. Dur- ing his three years' work on the cattle ranch he studied English from the Webster's dictionary, and soon acquired a vocabulary by which he could con- verse in English. He then took up the study of assaying and geology under Prof. Ireland, the state geologist of California, and later went to the gold fields in California and prospected for himself until 1889; he then went to Oklahoma and took up some lands at El Reno and opened a real estate office there which he continued until 1895. He then went to Cripple Creek, Colorado, and engaged in the mining business there until 1901, when he went to Chanute, Kansas, and began operating in oil in Oklahoma and Kansas. In 1904 he came to the Humble, Texas, oil field, and was active in the de- velopment of this field and practically all of the other oil fields of the Gulf Coast. From 1904 until the date of his death, he resided in Houston, which

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 71

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