New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 89

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

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ALLACE E. PRATT, a Director of the Hum- ble Oil and Refining Company, came to Houston in 1916, as a petroleum geologist.

Mr. Pratt was born at Phillipsburg, Kan- sas, on March 15, 1885. His father, W. H. Pratt, (deceased) a native of Orange County, New Jersey, was for sixteen years judge of the 17th Judicial District of Kansas. His mother, formerly Miss Olive B. Bostetter, was born in Ohio. Mr. Pratt entered the University of Kansas in 1903 and grad- uated with the following degrees: 1907, A. B., 1908, B. S., 1909, M. A., 1914, E. M.

From 1909 to 1915, Mr. Pratt was geologist with the Division of Mines of the Government of the Philippine Islands, becoming Chief of the Division in 1912. In January, 1916, Mr. Pratt came to Hous- ton as geologist for the Texas Company, one of which was spent in Mexico and Central America, he became Chief Geologist for the Humble Oil and Refining Company, succeeding to the position of Director in charge of the acquisition of oil lands, in January, 1925.

Mr. Pratt was married in Tokio, Japan, on De- cember the 30, 1912, to Miss Pearl M. Stuckey, daughter of Albert Stuckey, of Formosa, Kansas. Three children were born to this union, Fletcher Stuckey, Nancy Jane, and Houston Wallace.

Mr. Pratt was President of the American Associa- tion of Petroleum Geologists 1922. He is a member of the Geological Society of America, the Society of Economic Geologists, Sigma XI, a national hon- orary Scientific Society, the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, and the Amer- ican Seismological Society. He is author of about fifty short papers dealing with economic geology and mineral resources in general. Most of his pub- lished work has to do with petroleum, but a number treat of the geology and resources of the Philippine Islands.

Mr. Pratt is a member of a number of local social organizations, including the Houston Country Club, the Houston Club, the University Club and the River Oaks Country Club.

522

Rufarist

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

AVID S. PRICE is well and favorably known in Houston and South Texas, where, for the past eighteen years, he has been at the head of a successful clothing business. Mr. Price is president of Leopold and Price, Inc., which was established in Houston in 1906, and the busi- ness of this firm has had a phenomenal growth since that time, and was incorporated in 1915. The Leopold and Price, Inc., located at 509 Main Street, carry a full and complete line of men's clothing, hats and furnishings. It is a store of real service for men. This establishment occupies two floors, each twenty-five by one hundred feet, and employ from eighteen to twenty-five experiencd people. Other officers of the Leopold and Price, Inc., are A. P. Todd, Vice-President and Treasurer, and A. G. Carter, Secretary.

A native Texan, Mr. Price was born at Bastrop in 1876. His father, R. J. Price, came to Texas from Alabama, in 1842, when Texas was a pioneer State, to which men from the older Southern States flocked in search of fortune in the land of oppor- tunity. Texas history was in the making. Mr. Price's education was obtained in the public schools of Bastrop.

Mr. Price began his businesc career in Bastrop with a mercantile establishment, where he remained for several years. He came to Houston in 1901, where he became associated with the establishment of Ed Kiam in the men's clothing department. He remained with this store until 1906, when he es- tablished the present business as Leopold and Price, which was later incorporated. Mr. Price was mar- ried at Bastrop, in 1898, to Miss Lasaphine Green, a native of the Lone Star State, and a member of a prominent Bastrop family. Mr. and Mrs. Price reside at 3619 Main Street. Mr. Price has been closely connected with the commercial interests of Houston for many years, and in the midst of his private work, he finds opportunity to give his time and assistance to many improvement of a public nature. He has always been prominently identified with all movements tending to promote the growth and importance of Houston.

LINSEY CALHOUN, better known to his many friends as "Link" Calhoun, has been a resident of Houston for almost three decades, holding various positions in the in- dustrial world, and has for some years past been a factor in the oil, oil products and gas business. Mr. Calhoun is a member of the firm of the Bay Oil Com- pany, a partnership established in February, 1921, and composed of himself and J. D. Francklow. The Bay Oil Company handles an extensive jobbing and brokerage business in refined oil products, prin- cipally in Texas and Oklahoma. They sell oil, gas and grease under their own name, conducting an ever increasing business in this line, and ship oil out of the city in large quantities. They also operate an auto filling station, selling their own products, and have a number of men on the road representing them to the trade. Since establishing this business, located at 1710 Austin Street, Mr. Calhoun, through his understanding and knowledge of oil handling and filling station requirements, has made rapid strides forward and the Bay Oil Company is daily placing new business on their books.

J. Linsey Calhoun was born in De Witt County, Texas, the eighteenth of October, 1879, son of J. R.

Calhoun, a native of Tennessee, and for sixty years a resident of De Witt County, where he still makes his home. Mr. Calhoun was educated in the public schools of De Witt County and as a young man began with the Santa Fe Railway and held positions as agent all over their lines in Texas and Oklahoma. He remained with the Santa Fe for many years, leaving them to become general agent for the Pierce Oil Corporation, with headquarters at Houston, a posi- tion he held from 1916 until 1922. While with the Pierce Oil Corporation, Mr. Calhoun gave special study into the requirements of filling station opera- tion and oil handling and became an authority on this phase of the oil industry. Since entering his present business, this experience has been of material value and a factor in the success of the Bay Oil Company.

Mr. Calhoun was married at Palestine, Texas, the twentieth of October, 1901, to Miss Lodema Barnes, a native of Nebraska, and reared in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun make their home at 5001 San Ja- cinto Street. They have one child, Marguerite. Mr. Calhoun is a Mason, Alvin Blue Lodge, 32nd degree Scottish Rite, and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine. He is known to oil men throughout the state and Oklahoma and is regarded by the fraternity as a business man of sound judgment and with the na- tural qualifications for success.

G. LINDSAY, whose home and business headquarters have been at Houston for the greater part of two decades, is a prime factor in the grain and flour industry here, and has taken an active part in the industrial de- velopment of this territory. Mr. Lindsay operates the F. G. Lindsay Company, dealing extensively in flour and grain for retail trade. His flour trade is confined almost exclusively to bakery supply, in which he does a big business. He also has a large trade in grain, hay, chicken and stock feed. Mr. Lindsey carries a big stock of these commodi- ties in his warehouses at 2102 Congress Avenue, where he has more than twenty thousand square feet of space. He has a city patronage only, his flour business being his principal trade.

Mr. Lindsay came to Houston in 1905 and bought the grain business of Charles E. Patton, operating this as Lindsay Brothers until 1918, since which time he has owned the business alone. During the two decades that he has been in this business Mr. Lindsay has developed this concern from a small store to one of the most prosperous businesses in the city, this development being largely the result of his consistent methods of operation and his de- sire to give his customers the best goods obtain- able.

Mr. Lindsay was born at Waucoma, Iowa, in 1867, son of Alexander and Margaret Lindsay, his father a farmer and land owner of Iowa. He was edu- cated in his native state, after graduating from high school attending Upper Iowa University for two years and finishing there in 1890. He returned to the farm and spent the time up until 1893 farm- ing, then engaging in the carpenter business for six or seven years. He came to Texas in 1905, locating at Houston, where he has since been active in the grain and flour business.

Mr. Lindsay was married at Kansas City, Mis- souri, in 1909, to Miss Rena Twitchell, daughter of a farmer there.

525

MEN OF TEXAS

R OBERT R. KELLY, although a resident of Houston but several years, has made his influence felt in refining circles, and has been a factor in the development of Hous- ton along industrial lines. Mr. Kelly is president of the Houston Oil Terminal Company, Houston Oil and Transport Company, Houston Terminal Refin- ing Company, and Houston Oil Warehousing Com- wany. He came to Houston in 1919, to take charge of the construction of the plant of the Crown Oil and Refining Company, on the Houston Ship Channel at Pasadena. During the building of this plant the Crown and Clarendon interests, together with P. J. White and associates, organized the White Oil Cor- poration, and after the completion of the plant Mr. Kelly was retained as manager of the refineries for the White Oil Corporation and the Crown Oil and Refining Company. In December, 1921, he left these companies, organizing the Houston Oil Terminal Company, which company constructed a public oil terminal at the Turning Basin, installing tankage and extending pipe lines and laterals for bunkering steamships at all municipal wharves by pipe line direct from the terminal tanks. This is one of the most valuable facilities of the Port of Houston, and in assisting in its construction Mr. Kelly was a factor in building up the port. Mr. Kelly purchased the property of the Turnbow Oil Corporation, on the north bank of the Ship Channel, in the vicinity of the Turning Basin, in 1922, and after extensive alterations is now being operated by the Houston Terminal Refining Company, a corporation organ- ized by Houston capital.

Before leaving the Crown and White companies, in the latter part of 1919, he organized the Houston Oil and Transport Company, which owns and oper- ates tug boats and bulk oil barges on the Houston Ship Channel.

Robert R. Kelly was born in Greenville, Jersey City, New Jersey, on the thirteenth of November, 1888, the son of John Joseph and Mary H. Hunter Kelly. During his infancy his parents removed to Bayonne, New Jersey, and Mr. Kelly was educated in the public schools of Bayonne. At the age of fifteen he began as messenger boy in the employ of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, at Bayonne. He attended Drake Business College, in the night school, and later studied through night and extension courses, at Cooper Union, Pratt Insti- tute of Technology and Columbia University. Mr. Kelly remained with the Standard Oil Company for thirteen years, at which time he had advanced to executive assistant to the general superintendent of the Bayonne works, the largest complete oil re- finery in the world. During those years his promo- tion was steady, and in advancing he passed through practically all the various departments, acquiring a complete knowledge of the refining business. In 1917, Mr. Kelly became associated with the Claren- don Refining Company, and in 1918 removed to War- ren, Pennsylvania. After spending about one year at Clarendon, Pennsylvania, rebuilding and enlarg- ing the refinery there, the Clarendon interests be- came associated with the Crown Oil and Refining Company, Houston.

Mr. Kelly was married in Bayonne, New Jersey, the eighteenth of September, 1912, to Miss Edna M. Fagan. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have had four children, two of whom, Edward Fagan and Robert R., Jr.,

survive. Aside from his business activities, which have been of great importance to the industrial ad- vancement of Houston, Mr. Kelly has maintained an active interest in the social and civic life of Houston, and is a member of the Houston Club, the Rotary Club and the Houston Country Club.

B ROWNE B. RICE has, for the past twelve years, has been associated with the Insur- ance firm of Rice and Belk; the last five years of which have been as a member of the firm, and, during this period, their business has increased in proportion to the growth and progress of Houston. The Insurance firm of Rice and Belk, with offices at 301-9 Chronicle Building, conduct a general insurance business, which includes insur- ance of every kind. They are general agents for the Southern Surety Company for Southeast Texas, and are general agents for the Interstate Casualty Company for the entire State of Texas. They are also local agents for seven other well known com- panies. The firm of Rice and Belk have thirteen people in their organization, and their business has experienced a rapid growth until it has become one of the substantial institutions of the city. Asso- ciated with Mr. Rice in the partnership of Rice and Belk is Mr. Craig Belk, who is well and favorably known in the business circles of Houston.

A native Texan, Mr. Rice was born in Houston February 11, 1893, Mr. Rice's ancestors, both paternal and maternal, are of the oldest and most prominent families of Texas. His father, David Rice, is a prominent cotton man of Houston, and is interested in many of the industries and enterprises of the Bayou City. His mother was Miss Mattie Botts, a daughter of Judge W. B. Botts (deceased) one of the founders of the widely known law firm of Baker, Botts, Parker and Garwood. Mr. Rice's early education was obtained in the public and high schools of Houston, after which he entered the Bar- nett Preparatory School and later was a student at the A. and M. College of Texas.

In 1911, when eighteen years of age, Mr. Rice en- tered the employ of the firm of which he is now a member, as a stenographer. His father was one of the founders of the firm and the name has re- mained the same as when first established. In the history of the lives of successful men it will be found that a majority of them have been compelled to make their own way in their earlier days. Some have done so through necessity, others through choice. Young Rice could have chosen the easier way, but he preferred to be the architect of his own future, and wished first to master the details of the business before seeking admission to the firm as a partner. This he did and was admitted to partner- ship in 1918, taking over his father's interest at that time.

In addition to the insurance business, Mr. Rice is interested in various other of the city's enter- prises, and is vice-president of the National Bond and Mortgage Company. Mr. Rice was married in Houston, November 20th, 1919, to Miss Lottie Kath- leen Blakely, a daughter of Bassett Blakely, a prominent cattle man and capitalist of Houston. They have one son, Browne B. Rice, Jr. Mr. Rice is popular in the business circles of Houston, and is active in all social activities and organizations. He holds membership in the Houston Country Club and the Houston Club.

526

ROBERT R. KELLY

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

B REPSDORPH has, for a period of forty- five years, been associated with the busi- ness interests of Houston, and, for more than thirty years of this time, he has been the owner of the Repsdorph Tent and Awning Com- pany. Mr. Repsdorph came to Houston in 1878 and started this business at that time. The factory of this company is located at 402-404 Capitol Avenue, and is a modern two-story brick structure, fifty by sixty feet in size. The Repsdorph Tent and Awn- ing Company are makers of tents and awnings of every kind. They have a big plant and splendid equipment. From fifteen to twenty people are em- ployed at this plant, about one-half of whom are women. The factory, with all buildings, is located on seven city lots and the property of this company is very valuable. Mr. Repsdorph owns much other city property, which has grown in value by leaps and bounds during the past few years, or since the building of the Ship Channel and the locating of many industries thereon.

Mr. Repsdorph was born in Denmark January 26th, 1855. His father, John H. Repsdorph (de- ceased) was a well-known citizen of Denmark. His mother, Laura Repsdorph, is still living, and very active at the age of ninety-four years. His parents came to America in 1873. Mr. Repsdorph's early education was obtained in the public and private schools of Denmark. Mr. Repsdorph is a linguist of note, speaking fluently five languages. He came to America in 1873 and located at Chicago, where he remained for four years, and then came to Houston, where he was employed in the Post Office for a period of nine years. He then went with the Wells Fargo and Company's Express, and was agent for this company for four years. He then returned to the Post Office and remained for two years. His father died in 1892, and he took over the present business at that time, and has been active in the business since.

Mr. Repsdorph has been the recipient of many positions of honor and trust at the hands of his fellow men. He served the city of Houston as Al- derman for two years, and has been Chairman of the Board of Appraisement, and a member of the Finance Committee and many other places, in which he could serve his city and its citizens. Mr. Reps- dorph was married in Houston in 1880 to Miss Lula Brunson, a native of the Lone Star State, but whose ancestors came from Alabama to Texas in the pio- neer days. They have nine children, John H. Reps- dorph, Mrs. Fannie Goldapp, Mrs. Laura McCain, Mrs. Lula Risdon, Mrs. Kate Bonner; Allen, with the First National Bank of Houston; William and George, in the business of their father, and Miss Alice Repsdorph, at home with parents. The Reps- dorph home is located at 400 Capitol Avenue. Mr. Repsdorph holds membership in the Woodmen of the World, in which organization he takes an ac- tive interest. Mr. Repsdorph has seen Houston grow from a small town to the busy, thriving city of to- day, with the world's commerce brought to its very doors through the medium of the Ship Channel. He has always been active in the business, and general community life of this city, and is interested in all matters having to do with the progress and ad- vancement of Houston, where he is regarded as one of her most progressive and public-spirited citizens.

OWARD R. PROCTOR, one of the recent re- cruits to the business world at Houston, has, since his arrival in this city, taken an active part in commercial enterprises, and has been a factor in the storage battery industry. Mr. Proctor came to Houston in 1922 to take charge of the Houston Branch of the Chain Battery Sys- tem of Louisiana, incorporated in 1920. He is the secretary and treasurer of this corporation, en- gaged in the manufacture of plates and all lead parts of storage and lighting batteries for automo- biles, radios and farm lighting systems. The Chain Battery System keeps material for over one thou- sand batteries in stock at all times, doing a whole- sale business only, and operating over an extensive territory. The Houston plant covers five thou- sand square feet of floor space, in a modern brick building and employs twenty-five men. The com- pany also operates five other factories in other states. The officers of the Chain Battery System are: G. B. Zigler, president, of Jennings, Louisiana; Charles Noble, vice-president, also from Louisiana, and Mr. Proctor, secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Proctor was born at Guilford, Indiana, in 1885, son of William H. Proctor, a millwright and carpenter of that place, and Sebra Proctor. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, graduating from high school. He farmed for several years after leaving school, and held various posi- tions up until 1908. In that year he went into the automobile business as a mechanic and shop owner. Later, from 1914 until 1918, he was a Ford dealer, operating a complete Ford Agency, the following year selling Fordson Tractors for the Ford Motor Company. In 1920 he went in the battery business, at Nashville, Tennessee, coming to Houston in 1922, in the manufacturing battery business.

Mr. Proctor was married at Jennings, Louisiana, in 1917, to Miss Jessie L. Clayton, daughter of David Clayton, assistant postmaster at Jennings. They have two children, Ruth and Jane. Mr. Proctor is an Elk and a Knight of Pythias.

HE HOUSTON CONSTRUCTION COM- PANY is one of the largest companies of its kind in the state doing construction work. Their construction consists mostly of dock wharves, roads of all kinds, paving of all kinds, sewerage systems, etc. They are interested almost entirely in big contracts and confine their work to this class of business. Their warehouses and supply yards are located in Beaumont and Orange, Texas, Shreveport, Louisiana, and Little Rock, Arkansas. They employ about four hundred people. The Hous- ton Construction Company built the following: Con- crete Highway from Orange to Beaumont, The wharves at Orange, concrete paving in the city of Orange, road paving in Jefferson County to the extent of $600,000.00, Magnolia Park Sewerage Sys- tem at a cost of $500,000.00, Municipal Railroad for the City of Houston, fifty-nine miles of asphalt road five inches in thickness in Liberty County, and all lateral lines, in that county and much other work in the city and different portions of the state. The of- ficers of the Houston Construction Company are: W. F. Warfield, president; W. A. Vinson, vice president; E. E. Clancy, vice president and treasurer, and M. O. Bock, secretary. Their office is located at 120912 Capitol Avenue.

529

MEN OF TEXAS

ULES H. TALLICHET, for a decade and a half a lawyer, business man and citizen of Houston, has during his period of practice in this city attained an enviable reputation as an authority on questions concerning railroad law and litigation, and holds an important place in the legal fraternity of this city. Mr. Tallichet is a member of the law firm of Baker, Botts, Parker and Garwood, one of the largest in the Southwest. Mr. Tallichet is General Attorney for the Southern Pa- cific Lines. Mr. Tallichet became associated with the firm of Baker, Botts, Parker and Garwood in 1909, and was made a member of the firm in 1917. The firm maintains a handsomely appointed suite of offices in the Commercial National Bank Build- ing, occupying the entire fifth and sixth floors. Mr. Tallichet also has a number of business interests in Houston and is Vice-President and Director of the Public National Bank, of the Southern Pacific Terminal Company, of the Direct Navigation Com- pany and the Texas Townlot Company. He is also interested in various other enterprises, and takes an active part in commercial and civic affairs.

Jules H. Tallichet was born at Nashville, Tennes- see, the twentieth of April, 1877. His father, Henry Tallichet, a native of France, came to the United States as a young man, after several years removing to Texas, and was Professor of Modern Languages at the University of Texas from the time that insti- tution was founded until 1892, when he retired, his death occurring two years later in 1894. His mother, prior to her marriage, Miss Virginia McAlester, a native of North Carolina, is also deceased. Mr. Tallichet was educated in the public schools of Aus- tin, and after graduating from the high school there entered the University of Texas, receiving the Bach- elor of Law degree in 1900, and the Master of Law degree in 1901. He then entered upon the practice of his profession, engaging in general practice, alone, at Austin, until 1909, when he came to Houston with his present firm, Baker, Botts, Parker and Gar- wood.

Mr. Tallichet was married at Austin, the twenty- second of September, 1904, to Miss Estelle Montelin, a native of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Tallichet reside at 3220 Fannin Street, and have a family of four children, Virginia, Mary, Emily, and Jules H., Jr. Mr. Tallichet is a Mason, being affiliated with Temple Lodge No. 4, of which he is Past Master. He is also a Knight Templar, a member of Galveston Consistory and of Arabia Temple Shrine. He be- longs to the Houston Club, the Houston Country Club, the University Club, and is identified with the various Bar Associations, including the Harris Coun- ty and Texas Bar Associations.

OHN A. MOBLEY, attorney at law, in com- ing to Houston in 1912, added an element of judicial ability to the upbuilding legal forces of the city. Bringing with him an experi- ence gained as assistant attorney general in charge of criminal appeals and Supreme Court of the United States, he at once took his place among the men who are advancing the city's importance. Mr. Mobley is a member of the well known law firm of Andrews, Streetman, Logue and Mobley, which is recognized as one of the strongest law firms in South Texas. Mr. Mobley came to Houston from Austin and joined the present firm, which at that time was Andrews, Streetman, Burns and Logue,

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 1, Part 89

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