New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 74

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

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William T. Carter was a native son of East Texas, the land of the yellow pine. He was born the fourth of February, 1856, at Tyler, Smith County, Texas, the third son of Joseph J. and Jane Carter of Georgia, who came to Texas and settled in Cherokee County in 1849. As a boy William Carter grew up amid the environment of the lumber mill, of the pine trees, and it was but natural that, when choosing his life vocation, he should turn to the lumber industry. The Carter family was of the old South, and well to do, but, as was so often the case, the Civil War reduced their fortune and left them in straitened financial circumstances. Mr. Carter's father was Senior Captain of Hubbard's regiment, and made a record for valor during the Civil War. After that struggle he became a school teacher, and the subject of this sketch studied un- der him, and later under Professor Steele, at Pen- nington, Texas. One of his boyhood heroes was an uncle, George T. Anderson, known as "Old Tige" and who served in the war with Mexico, in one cam- paign against the Indians, and in the Civil War, rising under General Lee to the rank of Brigadier General. And it was Old Tige's example and grit that nerved his nephew to heroic struggles in his youth. Governor Hubbard of Texas was also a close relative of the family.

Mr. Carter's real career began when a boy of seventeen; without funds or financial assistance, he entered the saw mill business for himself, trading raw lumber in payment for men and teams to build his first mill. This mill, opened in 1873, was during the next several years moved from time to time, following the forest. In 1881 the building of the railroad from Trinity to Colmesneil, opened up a vast virgin forest, and Mr. Carter moved his mill here, locating it at Barnum, in 1882, where it re- mained until destroyed by fire in 1897. He then rebuilt in the midst of his vast timber holdings, and the town of Camden was founded, a typical saw mill town, where he located his mill. This mill was later to meet the fate of the mill at Barnum, and was replaced by the huge steel structure which stands a monument to the achievement of its builder.

Mr. Carter was married in 1879, at Pennington, Texas, to Miss Maude Holley, a native of East Texas, and the daughter of Porter Jackson Holley and Frances Mathews Holley of Alabama, who came to Texas in the early days and was a planter the rest of his life. In speaking of his marriage Mr. Carter often said that he considered it the finest investment he ever made, and out of that happy

union six children survive: Lena Lister, wife of J. J. Carroll of Houston, and a member of the firm of the W. T. Carter Lumber Company; Jessie Gertrude, wife of Dr. Judson L. Taylor of Hous- ton, Texas; W. T. Carter, Jr., of the W. T. Carter Lumber Company of Houston, and who married Miss Lillian Neuhaus; Agnes Jayne, wife of F. Haywood Nelms, a cotton man of Houston; Aubrey Leon, who married Miss Marjorie Leachman of Dallas, and Frankie, wife of R. D. Randolph of the Carter Investment Company. The Carter home in Houston, at 14 Courtland Place, is one of the finest homes in the city, and Mrs. Carter has continued to reside here since the death of Mr. Carter, the twenty-third of February, 1921.

William T. Carter was not only a great lumber- man, but as a citizen was equally distinguished. On more than one occasion he showed, in a material way, his regard for Houston and the welfare of his fellow citizens. A man of distinguished bearing, thoughtful, kind and hospitable, he impressed his influence on the life of those about him, and won the admiration and respect of all who knew him.

ENERAL HENRY BATES STODDARD. In chronicling the records of men who were factors in the development of the Lone Star State, there is no name more worthy of note than that of General Henry Bates Stoddard, who since 1860 was active in all matters pertaining to the good of his State. During this long period General Stoddard exerted an influence for good throughout a wide range of activities. A resident of Bryan, Brazos County, since 1865, before this prosperous little city was a village, he was ever a worker for the progress and advancement of this community's welfare. He had a wide and varied business career, from which he retired only a few years prior to his death, May 29th, 1925, and as a pioneer among the men of his various professions, was an active figure in the development which has taken place in the process of a small settlement becoming a busy, thriving, little city. After locating here, General Stoddard engaged in the cattle busi- ness, but this field of activity was destined to be- come short lifed for him, as the call came for his aid of the South in the great conflict which separ- ated the population of this great country, into the two kinds-North of the Mason and Dixon Line and South of same. He answered the call of his country, among the first and served throughout this con- flict, and at the end of which he brought into private life the soubriquet of major general. He joined the army at Mckinney, Texas, and was a first lieutenant under Captain Thomas Jefferson Brown, who was Chief Justice of Texas. Much of the service of General Stoddard was in the States of Missouri and Arkansas, and he was taken prisoner and held as such for many months. He had the unique distinction of having served on the staff of Prince Cornelius Julius de Poliguac, prince of the House of Bourbon, and was a major general on the staff of this distinguished man for one year. After the close of the Civil War General Stod- dard returned to Brazos County, and with the other ragged veterans of the lost cause courageously set about the task of rehabilitating their neglected for- tunes. The cattle herds had been increased during the period of the war, until they rivaled the buffalo themselves in point of number on the great plains

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of Texas. Land was free for the asking, and the question that faced the returning cattle men was a market. They naturally turned their faces to the North. The railroad had just been built into Kan- sas, and from there, cattle could be easily transported to the Eastern points of demand. The route to the Kansas market was not an unfavorable one, but had its disadvantages, chief among which was the several tribes of Indians through which these pioneers were obliged to pass, and at the practical time for driving cattle to market was the time when swollen streams were encountered, and also a lack of experience in long drives such as these. But men who had served their country for four years could not wait on such obstacles as these and General Stoddard with many of the old pioneers made these trail drives in order to get their cattle to a market, and reach it they would even though the way lay over an Indian-infest- ed wilderness. At one time General Stoddard was president of the Live Stock Association of Texas, and one of the best known pioneer cattle men of the Lone Star State. In the early 80's General Stoddard engaged in. the grocery business at Bryan, and for about eight years continued in this line of activity, with cotton buying along with the business. He later left the grocery business, and devoted his en- tire time to the cotton business, and was known as one of the leading spot cotton buyers of the State. He continued in the cotton business, until he re- tired from active business pursuits. He was always active in the educational life of Bryan and one of the organizers of the public school system here. He served this city as alderman for many years, and throughout his residence here of almost three score of years, did much to make Bryan the city that it is today. He gave guidance not only to much of the yesterday in this little city's life,' but was a leader in some of the largest industries of its present day history. As a Mason, General Stoddard was not only known throughout the United States, but in Europe as well. He had been a member of this order since 1871, making him also one of the oldest members in this State. He received every honor possible within the gift of the Masonic fraternity. He had held every chair and office in both the York and Scottish Rite bodies, and was a member of El Mina Temple Shrine of Galveston. He was a 33rd degree honorary member, and past grand com- mander of Texas, and most eminent grand master of the United States of America, and was a life mem- ber and honorary member in many other branches of the A. F. and A. M. He was through- out the more than half a century in which he had been a member of this body, an ar- dent worker, and was among the most prominent Masons in the United States.

A native of Essex County, New York, General Stoddard was born on June 22nd, 1840. His parents, Henry Stoddard and Margaret Stoddard, were well known and highly esteemed farmers and land owners of New York State. His education was obtained in the schools of Essex County, New York.

General Stoddard was married here in 1869 to Miss Ross English (who died in 1904), a native of the Lone Star State and a daughter of Joshua English, a well known farmer, land owner, cattle man and a pioneer settler of Montgomery County. Of this union, one child was born, Miss Charlotte Stoddard, who is an educator of note and is en-

gaged in the San Antonio High School. In 1909 he married Miss Hortense English, a sister of his first wife. General Stoddard was truly "a gentleman of the old school," and his influence was felt through- out the State during the long period in which he made Texas his home. He was an inspiration of all that is good and true in humanity, giving out to all his friends and acquaintances the qualities that increase the capacity to better perceive and ap- preciate the good accomplished by a good man. The imperishable romance of the Southern Confederacy and the bold romance of business that has brought magic to full bloom in Texas were one in the life of General Henry Bates Stoddard of Bryan, Brazos County.

ILLIAM A. MOORE for the past two decades has been one of the most public spirited citizens of Houston, taking an active part in the civic and commercial advancement of this city, and as a public official filling his posi- tion in a capable, satisfactory manner. Mr. Moore is City Secretary of the city of Houston, a position carrying with it a wide range of duties and respon- sibilities. He was appointed to this position the fifteenth of October, 1918, entering at once on the duties of his office, and has since retained the confi- dence of the people of Houston, and filled the office in a most capable way. As City Secretary Mr. Moore has charge of all records, seals, and like equipment pertaining to the municipal government, and also has many other minor duties, all of which are per- formed efficiently, and with a view to the best inter- ests of the city.

William A. Moore was born in the Lone Star State, at Hallettsville, in Lavaca County, the twenty- sixth of January, 1886. His father, M. A. Moore, also a native of Hallettsvile, has spent his entire life in that city and still makes his home there, tak- ing an active interest in the business and civic life of the city. His mother, whose maiden name was Miss Martha Caroline Garner, is a native Texan, and has lived in Hallettsville for many years. Mr. Moore attended the public schools of his native city, and after graduating from the high school there came to Houston, and went with the Wells-Fargo Express Company, in 1902, beginning as wagon

driver. He went through all clerical departments, and agency departments, and later became traveling auditor, with headquarters at Beaumont, New Or-

leans, Louisiana, Little Rock, Arkansas, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Lake Charles, Louisiana, and then back to New Orleans. He resigned this position the fif- teenth of October, and for the following year took things easy, relaxing from the strain of his busi- ness cares. In September, 1916, he began with the city of Houston, as accountant, in the Controller's Department, and was later, in October, 1918, ap- pointed Secretary.

Mr. Moore was married at Houston the thirty- first of December, 1917, to Miss Willie Barrett, a native of Austin, and the daughter of the late William Barrett, of Huntsville, and Mrs. Emma Bar- rett, who now makes her home in Los Angeles. Mr. and Mrs. Moore reside at 206 Maplewood Avenue. Mr. Moore is a Mason, Blue Lodge, Perfect Union Lodge, No. 1, New Orleans, one of the oldest and most historical lodges in America. Mr. Moore takes an active interest in the civic advancement of Hous- ton, and is in every way a substantial, worth while citizen of his community.

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OHN CURTIS McKALLIP-In recounting the history of the development of the great oil fields of Texas, the name of John Curtis McKallip, veteran oil man, recurs many times, and each time with an increasing signifi- cance. One of the first in the field at the time of the discovery of oil in the Lone Star domain, Mr. McKallip remained faithful to the industry until his death and took a prominent part in the opening up of many of the richest fields in the state. Oil men began to watch him with keen interest, knowing him to be a man of exceptionally keen judgment in matters regarding the oil industry. Mr. McKallip had little of the plunger about him, mak- ing his investments after looking thoroughly into each project from a strictly development stand- point, and as a consequence was usually successful.

John Curtis McKallip was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, the twelfth of July, 1869. His father, William Taylor McKallip, for many years a lum- berman of Clarion County, removed to Cripple Creek in his latter years, and from there to San Francisco, California, in search of health. He was injured in the San Francisco earthquake, his death occurring shortly afterward. Mr. McKallip's moth- er, before her marriage, Miss Laura Mckinley, was a native of Akron, Ohio, and closely related to Presi- dent Mckinley. Mr. McKallip attended school at Reedsburg, Pennsylvania, graduating from a school for boys there.

When he attained his majority he went to West Virginia to work on an oil rig on Judge Woodford's properties, and later became superintendent of the gas company there. He was then at Weston, West Virginia, for three years, after which he was sent to Athens, Ohio, as superintendent of the gas com- pany's pipe lines and drilling activities, remaining in that city for five years. At that time he was attracted to the Spindle Top district, to which he went, being one of the first in the field. Reaching Texas his first step was to secure two drilling out- fits, after which he immediately secured contracts to drill at Damon Mound. After spending some time in drilling operations there he went to Sour Lake, where he drilled a number of wells on contract. He also drilled on a lease owned by him and Jack Crosley, in the shoe string district and brought in a big well.

While he was in the Sour Lake district Mr. Mc- Kallip saw that with increased drilling the demand for oil well timbers would increase rapidly, and bought a sawmill, beginning the manufacture of these timbers, a venture that made him quite a for- tune. He also put in a tram road, which was a great success, after which he left the Sour Lake field and went to the Matagorda district, where the attention of operators was beginning to center, drilling a number of wells in that field for the Santa Fe Company. He then began operations in the Humble field, where he drilled one of the largest gushers that has ever been brought in in that field. He then went to Oklahoma and was there for a time, but did not take personal charge, leaving the management of his interests there to his brother, W. T. McKallip, who still remains active there. W. T. McKallip was associated with his brother as a partner and much credit should be given him for the success of this partnership. About this time he began to buy leases in the West Columbia fields

and began drilling operations there, but finding his capital limited sold most of his interests to the Texas Company, who finished the wells, which came in as gushers, and made Mr. McKallip and his part- ners in the venture rich. Mr. McKallip then bought a large tract of land on the ship channel, which he turned into an oil tank farm, and also purchased valuable business property on Texas Avenue, in addition to other properties and royalties.

Mr. McKallip was married at Allegheny, Penn- sylvania, the fourteenth of May, 1891, to Miss Mary Edna Rhader, a native of Virginia. Her father, Frank Rhader, came to the United States as a child with his parents and was reared in Virginia, later mov- ing to Latrobe, Pennsylvania, when Mrs. McKallip was a child of three years old. He was a building contractor the greater part of his life. Her mother, before her marriage, was Miss Mary Hegan.

Mr. and Mrs. McKallip had one child, John Curtis McKallip, a graduate of Texas University, and now president of the Clarion Oil Company and promi- nent in the business world at Houston. He was married first to Miss Alice Griffith, a native of Austin, who died and left one child, Mary Edna, one of the most attractive children of Houston. He was then married to Miss Carrie Jones, also a native of Austin, and a great friend of his deceased wife. The family make their home at 3522 Garrott Avenue, in the beautiful residence where they have resided for the past eighteen years.

John Curtis McKallip died at his home in Houston the twenty-fourth of June, 1921. At the time of his death he was known and admired by every oil man in the Lone Star State and claimed as his friends some of the most prominent operators in the Texas fields. While Mr. McKallip made a fortune in the oil industry in Texas, his was not the luck of a chance investor, but the result of many years of hard work, of study and a never failing optimism. Small failures, the almost inevitable companion of success in the oil industry, did not discourage him, but rather spurred him on. He knew the game for what it was, played it square, and won out. And there was not one of his many hundreds of friends but who wished him well, honored him and respected him, and rejoiced in his successes. His death, a loss to the industry he served so well, was sincerely regretted, and his name will ever hold a place in the oil history of the State.

SWALD S. FLINT-The history of the Gal- veston Cotton Exchange, one of the most important in Texas, is replete with mention of men, nationally known on account of their activities in cotton circles of the state, and of these men Oswald S. Flint was for years a leader. Mr. Flint was not only a cotton expert, and an authority on cotton, from the growing of this prod- uct to its final consumption, but was a business man of many attainments, and a thoroughly public spirited and patriotic citizen. During his many years connection with E. S. Flint and Company, one of the oldest cotton firms of Texas, Mr. Flint had much to do with shaping the destiny of Galveston as a cotton center, and advocated the highest stand- ards of cotton dealing, influencing the upward trend of the cotton business in the state and in the South.

Oswald S. Flint was born at Galveston, the third day of November, 1872, the son of E. S. Flint, who was for many years one of the leading cotton men of

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the South, and came to Galveston from his native state of Virginia, during the reconstruction period following the close of the Civil War. Arriving in Galveston in 1866, Mr. Flint shortly became inter- ested in the cotton business, and in 1880 established the firm now known as E. S. Flint Company, Inc., at that time cotton merchants and factors. The firm has continued to the present time making the name of Flint one of the oldest in the cotton business. Oswald S. Flint spent his boyhood in Galveston, attending the public schools, and after completing the prescribed course in the Galveston schools entered Virginia Military Institute, grad- uating with the C. E. degree in the class of 1891. Following this Mr. Flint spent some years as as- sistant engineer on government work at Galveston, and was connected with that work up until 1894, when he resigned in order to engage in the cotton business. He entered his father's firm, and in the years that followed was identified with the various branches of the cotton business, studying this busi- ness from every angle, and few cotton men were more thoroughly conversant with the cotton busi- ness. In 1921 E. S. Flint and Company was incor- porated, and Oswald S. Flint made president of the corporation, with R. A. Wheeler as vice president and W. C. Budd as secretary and treasurer. These three names, widely known as leaders in cotton circles, had a firm with one of the strongest direc- torates in Galveston and made it one of the out- standing firms in the state. The firm concentrated their cotton at Galveston, where seven experienced cotton men were employed, four buyers traveling in the interior of Texas.

Mr. Flint was married in Virginia in June, 1911, to Miss Melanie Holt, who was residing in Galveston at the time, and who is a member of a well known family of Mobile, Alabama. They resided for some years at 1003 Ninteenth Street. Mr. Flint was a member of the Galveston Cotton Exchange, the Gal- veston Chamber of Commerce and the Galveston Country Club, and various social and civic organi- zations of the city. He took a deep interest in civic and educational work and gave generously of his time and means toward the furtherance of both. During his. career of more than thirty years in the cotton business he was identified with every movement for the advancement of this business and of Galveston as a cotton center, and it is due in no small measure to this interest that Galveston is the leading cotton concentration point of Texas.

Oswald S. Flint died at Fincastle, Virginia, where he was spending the summer with his wife, his death occuring Saturday, August the twenty-third, 1924. The flag of the Galveston Cotton Exchange flew at half mast in respect to him, and many tributes were paid his memory both by cotton men of the city, and others who knew him personally and had felt the influence of his personality.

ALCOLM GRAHAM-There are in every M city men who stand out above the rest by reason of business acumen and diligence in the pursuance of civic duties, and of these few are more prominent in the history of Gal- veston than Malcolm Graham, for two decades one of the forceful and progressive business leaders here, and a man who was active in every forward looking movement. Mr. Graham was a financier of conservative principles and recognized executive

ability, and occupied a high place in the financial world at Galveston, and was also known over the State for his activities in this field. For many years active in shaping the policy of one of the strong trust companies here, where his genius for the han- dling of financial affairs had an important bearing on the confidence in which the institution was held, Mr. Graham was one of the men in the banking world bearing heavy burdens of responsibility. He did not let this, however, deter him from giving consideration, and as large a part of his time as was permissible, to civic activities, and he was chair- man of finance on the local school board, as well as a leader in every progressive civic work of the day, and the organizer and guiding spirit of the first cotton carnival.

Malcolm Graham was born at Tuskegee, Alabama, the twenty-fifth day of February, 1866, the son of Judge N. S. Graham, one of the most prominent of Alabama's illustrious jurists. Mr. Graham ob- tained his early education in the public schools of Alabama, and after finishing high school entered the University of Alabama, of which he was a grad- uate. He came to Texas as a young man, locating at Austin, where he was a prominent figure in the publishing world for some years, with a definite leaning toward finance. He came to Galveston in 1904, as general credit man at Moody's and was recognized as one of the most conservative and care- ful men with that organization, working for and with Mr. Moody to build the institution up along constructive lines. In 1912 Mr. Graham left Moody's to assist in the organization of the Security Trust Company, one of the strong trust companies at Gal- veston, and he was secretary and treasurer of the institution until his death. Mr. Graham served for many years as chairman of the finance committee of the Galveston School Board, and was active in all work for the educational advancement of the city, as well as directing the policies of the school sys- tem along an economical and sound business basis. Mr. Graham, as has been mentioned, was the or- ganizer of the first cotton carnival, and was very active in all civic affairs and movements which would result in the growth of Galveston.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 74

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