New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 75

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

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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Graham was married at Waxahachie, Texas, to Miss Portia Fearis, a graduate of Trinity Univer- sity, and the daughter of Bervadis Whipple Fearis, an old settler of Waxahachie, and a druggist there for around half a century, and Beatrice Fearis. Mrs. Graham is a woman of high cultural attain- ments and accomplishments, and is prominent in social and civic circles at Galveston. She has a charming personality, and the grace and beauty of the women of the South, and as president of the Psychology Club, and as a leader in musical and literary circles, Mrs. Graham has demonstrated qual- ities of leadership. Mr. and Mrs. Graham resided for many years at their attractive home, 2924 Ave- nue R, where she continues to live with her children, Malcolm M. and Aylette Graham, since her hus- band's death. Mr. Graham was a member of the Galveston Country Club and a Knight of Pythias. His death occurred at Galveston on the twenty-fifth of February, 1924, this being his fifty-eighth birth- day. A man just in his prime, keenly awake to his duties, both in the civic and financial world, his loss was deeply felt throughout the city, and it will be long before his place is filled.

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MEN OF TEXAS

HARLES H. MILBY. The career of Charles H. Milby is an essential part of the history of Harris County. He was the type of sturdy citizen who took a pride in his cit- izenship, and gave his best to the community in which he lived. Although the city of Harrisburg had the honor of claiming him as its resident, yet the entire county and in fact South Texas felt his influence. He was always in the lead of every forward movement, often in advance of his time. He had the extraordinary courage that qualified him for leadership, and gave him equanimity to face grave responsibility without flinching. Success came to him in worldly affairs, but it also came to those with whom he was associated, and to those for whom in time of need he made employment. His friends were many. He knew the needs of the humblest, and the sick and frail turned to him; he took the hand of the helpless, and with prodigal generosity responded to every call, and it is true that his name will ever be recorded in the history of his county and State. As the years go by, brave men of this type will be recognized more and more for their true worth and work.

Charles H. Milby was born in Indianola, Texas, the son of Wm. P. and Mary Y. (McCurdy) Milby. He came to Harrisburg in 1872, where he resided the remainder of his life. His first business here was a market and a country store. In 1879 he be- came associated with Andrew Dow, under the firm name of Milby and Dow, and was interested in large coal holdings in Oklahoma. He later organized the Milby Hotel Company and built the Milby Hotel in 1910, of which he was the sole owner at the time of his death. He was one of the original stockhold- ers of the Planters and Mechanics Bank, and served as county commissioner for a number of years. His father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. P. Milby, came to East Texas in 1842. He was from Dela- ware and she from Maryland. He was a member of the Texas Congress from 1842 to 1844 and was a merchant during his lifetime.

Many years ago Mr. Charles H. Milby stood at the front of his palatial residence in Harrisburg, near the ship channel of today, and had a vision of an un-ending line of vessels coming up the Buf- falo Bayou to a deep water port. Not only did he live to see this dream come true, but contributed probably as much as any one man to making this a reality. The idea of a deep channel at Houston originated with Mr. Milby and a few other pioneers of his type. He was the chairman of the citizens' committee that obtained concessions for the right of way for the proposed waterway before the gov- ernment would consent to lend its aid. After the petition for a survey was sent to the government he was one of a number of citizens who made a trip to Washington in the interest of the project, making several other trips to the capitol at his own expense. He also served as one of the committee which bought an island in the channel, putting up his own money with the others, the island later be- ing sold at cost to the navigation commission. His interest in the channel never ceased, giving money and services wherever needed. He owned land from Harrisburg to Brays Bayou, which he sold to J. R. Cheek at a price that would permit development in this section. This part of the channel is now known as Manchester. He also sold land to various large

industries along the channel.

When the county court house building was pro- posed he was one of a committee of twenty-five to promote the project. It would be difficult to list all of the deeds of Charles Milby during his fifty years residence in Harris County, but suffice it to say that his benefactions were many and his interest ever keen for the benefit of his community and its citizens.

Charles H. Milby was united in marriage in Gal- veston on December 17th, 1879, to Miss Maggie G. Tod. To this union were born the following chil -. dren: John Milby of Harrisburg and Mrs. George Hamman, and Abbie Louise, who died at twelve years of age. The home life of Mr. Milby was ideal, and his companionship with Mrs. Milby was inter- rupted only by death. Mrs. Milby is the daughter of John G. Tod, who came to Texas in June, 1836. He was shipwrecked at the mouth of the Brazos River. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and served in the United States Navy as midshipman. He resigned his commission during the Texas Rev- olution. He was the courier to President Polk, car- rying the message that Texas had voted to become a part of the United States. After annexation he became prominent in State affairs. He was one of the first stockholders of the first railroad in Texas. From 1864 on for several years he served as treas- urer of the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railroad.

Mrs. Charles H. Milby came to Harrisburg in 1866 and still resides in the Milby residence there. She has devoted her life to her family and to doing deeds of charity and kindness wherever possible. For fifty-five years she has taught a Sunday school class in the same Sunday school and has always been active in the Methodist Church affairs. She is beloved by all who know her and is of the fine type of Christian womanhood. She is a life mem- ber of the Eastern Star and is a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.

Mr. Milby was active in various civic organiza- tions in which he held membership. He was a Ma- son, a member of the Ruthven Commandery, the Scottish Rite and a life member of the Shrine and Eastern Star. In the passing of Charles H. Milby on July 19th, 1925, Texas lost one of her noblest sons. Rev. John E. Green, Methodist minister, said of him, "Charles H. Milby, one of the noblest men we have known, has passed from successful engage- ment on earth to glorious coronation in heaven. Others have spoken of C. H. Milby as a successful business man and an enterprising, public spirited citizen; I would present the social and religious sides of his exemplary life. Nearly forty years have I known him well and favorably; in his home, in business enterprises and in church work. He was a devoted husband, a faithful and affectionate father. He was a kind neighbor and an ideal em- ployer. He learned the secret of sympathy and fellow-feeling for his workmen. He practically solved the problem of capital and labor by fair and friendly treatment of all who worked for him. Never have I known the slightest friction between him and his many employees. With Mr. Milby at the head of an enterprise, a strike among his work- men would have been simply impossible. He man- ifested a personal interest in his men and in their families. Special attention was given to the chil-

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

dren. He was ever careful to secure good school and church privileges. When the S. P. shops were moved to Houston from Harrisburg, that town was nearly deserted, and the few who remained had no means of livelihood, Mr. Milby put a large handle factory in one of the vacant shop buildings, and big brick yards were soon in operation. The brick yard he operated for about twenty years. In a short time there was not an idle man in the town. This one good man caused Harrisburg to take on new life. A good school was started, but as yet there was no regular church service, but Sunday school had always been kept running. At the earnest request of Mr. Milby, this preacher was induced to organize a Sunday school by the Methodists and he was appointed superintendent, and faithfully did he serve, and for about fifty years he taught a Sunday school class. Soon a vacant church build- ing was bought and a Methodist Church was organ- ized, and although Mr. Milby was not a member of our denomination, he showed a broad Christian spirit and he has been the most liberal supporter of the Methodist Church all these years. A truer friend the preachers never had. After working with him several happy years, I was sent out of Houston a while. As he bade me goodbye, he said, 'Brother Green, a preacher is liable to get out of money sometimes, and wherever you are, if you need money, just draw on C. H. Milby for what you want, and if you are ever able to pay it back all right, and if not able, it's all right.' A prominent man of our city said to me yesterday, 'Mr. Milby came nearer attending to his own business than any man I ever knew.' I am glad to say he did not neglect the Lord's business. Other preachers can testify to his exceedingly great kindness. A real calamity has come to our city in the loss of this high class business man and splendid Christian gentleman. Not a few of us are constrained to take our place with chief mourners and weep with those who weep."

The Houston Chronicle of July 20th, 1925, in its editorial column said "The death of no citizen of Houston would have caused more widespread or sincere sorrow than will that of Charles H. Milby. From his boyhood up through the years of a vig- orous, active, efficient manhood and even when he had passed the scriptural limit of three score years and ten with his faculties unabated he had been a forceful factor in the promotion of the industrial, social and religious interests of Houston. He led in every worthy enterprise. He gave freely not only of his time and wise counsel, but of his per- sonal means. He entered into the activities of the schools and the church and the lodge. He treated his wealth as a trust of which he was the steward, and modestly and unostentatiously used it to pro- mote the happiness of his neighbors. Houston has lost a liberal, kindly, genial Christian gentleman, whose memory will linger long in this community like the savor of sweet incense."

REDERIC H. SAGE. Among those con- structive business pioneers of Galveston, who through their sacrifices and sturdy adherence to ideals of citizenship and de- velopment made possible the progress of today, the name of Frederic H. Sage stands out as one who contributed in a very material way to the up- building of Galveston, his home for around four decades. Mr. Sage was identified with shipping and

port interests and a close student of foreign mar- kets, finances and maritime affairs, and his counsel in these matters was often sought. He was for al- most a quarter of a century the manager of the Texas Transport and Terminal Company, and was active in various organizations of a maritime charac- ter. When the United States entered the World War, Mr. Sage was one of the first to offer his services to his country, and he rendered this serv- ice in a high spirit of patriotism. He represented the British Ministry of Shipping and the allied na- tions in forwarding army munitions and all kinds of supplies, including ariplane timbers, tractors, ma- chinery of various kinds, canned tongue, and food products. The Housatonic, the first vessel sunk by the enemy after the United States entered the war was loaded by Mr. Sage, in Galveston Harbor. Each year during the war he exceeded every other shipping firm in the number of boats loaded. Mr. Sage gave his entire time and attention to this heroic and important war work to such an extent that the strain told on his health and there began a period of ill health which resulted in his death, the seventh of March, 1922.

Frederic H. Sage was born in New York City, the fifth of May, 1859, the son of Carlton Livingston Sage, at one time United States minister to France, and a great-nephew of the late Russell Sage, New York financier. Mr. Sage was educated in New York, at Trinity University, and after his gradua- tion there entered the office of Williams & Guion, bankers and shipping merchants of New York, re- maining there ten years. Mr. Sage came to Texas in 1885, spending his first several years on a ranch in the western part of the state, later coming to Galveston, where he located permanently in 1887, since when he engaged in shipping activities until his death.

Frederic H. Sage was married at Navasota, Texas, in 1898, to Miss Bertha Preston, the daughter of J. Earl Preston and Nancy Elizabeth Preston. Mr. Preston, a noted attorney of Texas, and one of the old settlers of Navasota, served with distinction during the Civil War, on the side of the Confederacy, ranking as captain. Mrs. Sage is a woman of many accomplishments, and is closely identified with the social and cultural life at Galveston. Mr. and Mrs. Sage had two children: a daughter, Selwyn, now the wife of Dr. W. E. Huddleston of Galveston, and a son, Frederic H. Sage, Jr. The family reside at 1611 Church Street, and are communicants of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Mr. Sage was reared in this faith, as a boy serving as choir boy at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in New York.

Mr. Sage was a member of the Galveston Com- mercial Association, the Galveston Cotton Ex- change, the Houston Cotton Exchange, the Galves- ton Maritime Association, the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Aziola Club, the Galves- ton Country Club, and the Garten Verein. At the time of his death, which occurred the seventh of March, 1922, Mr. Sage was, and had been since 1900, manager of the Texas Transport and Terminal Company, and one of the veteran steamship men of the state. His passing was a great loss to the port of Galveston, for as an exponent of a greater South- west and a greater Galveston he had few equals, and throughout his life here had been a leader in all progressive activities, and especially those which had to do with the advancement of Galveston.

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MEN OF TEXAS

APTAIN JOSEPH CHAPPELL HUTCHE- SON. In chronicling the achievements of men of Texas whose lives stood out pre- eminently as the real builders of a com- monwealth, there is no name more significant of progress or attainment than that of Captain Joseph Chappell Hutcheson, Sr., and the story of his long and interesting career is a bright page in the history of the Lone Star State. He was a stellar beacon light of the Texas bar, which he honored for a period of nearly three score years, during which time he was an acknowledged leader without a peer at the bar of Texas. No name was more revered by the citizenship of South Texas, or more re- spected by the members of the legal profession than that of Captain Hutcheson, whose life left an im- print on the Texas institution, which will endure for all time.

Captain Joseph Chappell Hutcheson was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, May 18th, 1842. His parents were Charles Sterling and Mary Hutcheson. He received his academic education in the Randolph College, Virginia. In 1861, at the opening of the Civil War, he joined the Confederate forces as a private in Company C, 21st Virginia Regiment. He fought under General Stonewall Jackson in the Valley of Virginia and through his personal courage received promotion and was captain of Company E, the 14th Virginia Regiment, at the time of the sur- render of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox.

At the close of the war Captain Hutcheson at- tended the University of Virginia, where he com- pleted the law course in 1866, having received the signal honor of being awarded the Debator's Medal.

His brother, J. W. Hutcheson, had come to Tex- as before the war and opened a legal practice here, but at the beginning of the conflict, had joined the Confederate Army and commanded a company in Hood's Texas Brigade, and while leading his com- mand into battle at Gaines Mill, Virginia, fell mortally wounded and died, June 27th, 1862.

On completing his legal education, Captain Joseph C. Hutcheson came to Texas and opened his prac- tice of law at Anderson, Grimes County. Here he remained until 1874 when he moved to Houston and opened his practice in this city. He quickly climbed to the front in his profession and became one of the most eminent lawyers in the Lone Star State. He was a deep student of the law, possessed remark- able judgment, and the happy combination of being not only a deep thinker but a most fluent and eloquent orator. As a trial lawyer he had no su- perior at the bar of Texas and no one had a greater number of legal victories. His thorough knowledge of the fundamental problems was luminous and his great and vigorous mind was resourceful in every emergency. He acquired victory in nearly every one of his cases. He always fought a case on a high and honorable plane. He never sought an unfair advantage of an opponent. He also possessed an ex- tremely courteous bearing, both toward the opposing council and the court and in cases of defeat never attempted to place the blame upon the court but accepted it as the ultimate fate of battle, and it is these many admirable attributes that placed him on so high a plane of respect among his associates in the legal profession.

Captain Hutcheson served for a period in the state legislature and while a member of this body draft-

ed the bill which organized and put into effect the University of Texas. He was elected by his con- stituents to United States Congress for the 53rd and 54th sessions and, while a member of congress he introduced the bill to deepen Buffalo Bayou to a sufficient depth to make the city of Houston a deep water port. Thus, Captain Hutcheson may truly be said to be father of the Houston Harbor.

Captain Hutcheson was married April 10th, 1867, to Miss Mildred Carrington, daughter of Dr. Fon- tain and Elizabeth (Venbale) Carrington of Vir- ginia. She died in Houston, Texas, in 1882. They were the parents of eight children: Elise, Mary, Stella, Mildred, Sterling, Joseph C., Jr., Allen and William. He was again married August 11th, 1886, to Mrs Bettie Palmer Milby, the widow of Edward Milby of Houston, Texas. She was the daughter of Judge Edward and Martha Winifred Branch Pal- mer of Virginia, who had moved to Texas in 1847. He served in the state senate from 1852 to 1856, and later was elected to the bench of the District Court and served as Judge until his death in 1862. They became the parents of two children: Palmer Hutch- eson, who married Miss Eleanor Thomson of Austin, and has three children: William Palmer, Jr., Thadeus Thomson, Edward Chappell, and Rosalie Winifred, the wife of Laurence S. Bos- worth of Houston, who have three children: Betty Palmer, Laurence S., Jr., and Rosalie Moore.

Captain Hutcheson took into partnership two of his sons, Joseph C., Jr., and Palmer Hutcheson, who continued the practice and upheld the high standards of their eminent father. Mrs. Hutcheson has also taken a very active interest in the progress of Hous- ton and has lent a helping hand to every worthy enterprise.

Captain Hutcheson died May 25, 1924, at his sum- mer home on Signal Mountain, Tennessee. The news of his passing was felt as a distinct loss to the legal fraternity of his city and the State Bar As- sociation held a meeting and drafted a resolution of condolence to the family of one of their most dis- tinguished representatives who had practiced before the Texas Bar.

ALMER HUTCHESON, attorney at law, has been prominently identified with the legal fraternity of Houston for a period of over fifteen years, during which time he has attained a creditable position at the Texas bar. He is a member of the firm of Baker, Botts, Parker and Garwood, the strongest legal organization in the South.

Mr. Hutcheson was born into the legal profes- sion; coming from a family of eminent lawyers. His father, the late Capt. Joseph Chappell Hutche- son was one of the greatest lawyers that practiced before the Texas bar. His uncle, J. W. Hutcheson, came to Texas and began the practice of law before the Civil War, and was killed at the battle of Gaines Mill, Virginia, while leading his company in Hood's Texas Brigade. His grandfather on his mother's side, Judge Edward Albert Palmer, was one of the noted jurists of the pioneer days of Texas, having come here in 1847; he was an honored member of the legal profession, having also served in the house of representatives and state senate and later as Judge of the district court, which position he held at the time of his death in 1862. His brother, Judge

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Joseph C. Hutcheson, Jr., has been Judge of the United States District Court of the Houston dis- trict since 1918, having resigned the office as mayor of Houston to accept this position.

Palmer Hutcheson was born in Houston, Texas, August 1, 1887. His parents were Joseph C. and Betty Palmer Hutcheson. They were both pioneer Texans; his father having come to Texas in 1866 from Virginia and his mother was a native of Houston, and a daughter of Edward Albert Palmer and his wife, Martha Winifred Branch of Virginia. He attended the public schools of Houston; later at- tending Hills Preparatory School at Pottstown, Pennsylvania, graduating in the class of 1905, after which he attended Princeton University from which he was graduated with the class of 1909. He then returned to Texas, took his legal course at the University of Texas, graduating from the law school with the class of 1911. He was then admitted to the bar and began practice of law with his father and brother, J. C. Hutcheson, Jr., under the firm name of Hutcheson and Hutcheson. He continued with this firm until 1916.

At the beginning of the World War Mr. Hutche- son volunteered for military service as a private in the 79th Field Artillery, then stationed at Camp Logan, Houston, Texas. After several months' service with his regiment he was detailed to the officers' training camp at Leon Springs, near San Antonio, Texas, where he was selected with three hundred other young men for higher military train- ing and was sent to the famous French Artillery School at Saumur, France. Graduating from this artillery school where he received his commission as second lieutenant, he was assigned for active duty with the 157th Brigade Field Artillery, com- manded by Brigadier General-later Major General -Chas. Rhodes, with which command he had his first experience in active service in the battle of St. Mihiel. He was attached to the service of 320th Field Artillery Headquarters 33rd Division, A. E. F. He was later placed on the staff of General George Bell and received his promotion with a commission as first lieutenant. Mr. Hutcheson was in the bat- tles of the Meuse, Argonne, and Verdun Front. He received a citation and was authorized to wear one silver star and one gold chevron. He was in active service at the front when the Armistice was signed. On returning to America he received his honorable discharge, February 17, 1919.

On returning to Houston Mr. Hutcheson entered into the legal practice again with the law firm, Baker, Botts, Parker and Garwood, with which firm he is still associated.

Mr. Hutcheson was married June 8, 1912, to Miss Eleanor Thomson, daughter of Thadeus and Ann Anderson Thomson, of Austin, Texas. They are the parents of three children: William Palmer, Jr .; Thadeus Thomson and Edward Chappell Hutcheson. Mr. Hutcheson has taken an active interest in the educational and civic affairs of Houston and has contributed liberally both of time and means to every enterprise of a public or progressive nature. He is a member of the Houston School Board, the Houston Country Club and the University Club.

T. CARTER, JR., president W. T. Carter Lumber and Building Company, is well known in the lumber and financial circles of Houston where he has been engaged in

the lumber business during all of his business life. Mr. Carter personally came into the business in 1909 and is one of the organizers of the W. T. Carter Lumber and Building Company. W. T. Car- ter and Bro., another of his interests, are manu- facturers of both pine and hardwood lumber with mills located at Camden, Polk County. Their pine lumber mill has a capacity of 125,000 feet per day and their hardwood mill has a capacity of 30,000 feet per day of oak, magnolia and gum lumber. About five hundred people are employed in the two mills. Mr. Carter's brother, A. L. Carter, is in charge of the mill and manufacturing end of the business, while J. J. Carroll is in charge of the sales. The yards of W. T. Carter Lumber and Building Company occupy a space of five acres, and all kinds of building supplies are manufactured and sold by this company. Their building at the yards is two hundred feet by three hundred feet in size and twenty-three people are employed. The W. T. Carter Lumber and Building Company was organized in 1909 and incorporated in 1910. It does a great deal of building and selling of residences. Other officers of the company are: A. L. Carter, vice president, and Y. M. Holston, secretary and treasurer. Offices are located at 1201 Capitol Avenue.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 75

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