New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 100

Author: Davis, Ellis A.
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?]
Number of Pages: 1262

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Mr. Ball was born at Elm Creek, Nebraska, the fourteenth of January, 1885, son of T. J. Ball, and Gussie E. Ball. The family came to Texas in 1892, going to Fort Worth, where the elder Mr. Ball was in the coal business, coming to Port Arthur in 1896. After coming to this city he again engaged in the coal business, operating a large wholesale and retail business. He is now with the Gulf Refining Com- pany. Munger T. Ball received his elementary edu- cation in the public schools of Fort Worth and Sa- bine, Texas. He later entered Southwestern Uni- versity in Louisiana, where he graduated in 1902, and after which he returned to Port Arthur, and in 1904 became connected with the shipping industry. He organized his first towing business in 1910, and has since developed an organization that is the leader in its field and has the most efficient fleet on the Gulf Coast. Mr. Ball is a director of the First National Bank, a director of the Home Agency In- surance Company, a director of the Jefferson Coun- ty Building and Loan Association, and is vice presi- dent and director of the Neches Shipyard at Beau- mont.

Mr. Ball was married at Sabine, Texas, the 10th of January, 1911, to Miss Kate Harper, a native of that city. They reside in Port Arthur at 346 Mar- shall Avenue, and have two children, Leslie Munger, and Dorothy Bell. Mr. Ball is a Mason, Cosmopoli- tan Blue Lodge, Port Arthur Chapter, Texas Con- sistory, No. 1, Port Arthur Commandery, No. 73, is potentate of El Mina Temple Shrine, of Galveston, and is a Port Arthur Eastern Star. He is a mem- ber of the Port Arthur Shrine Club, the Rotary Club,

the Port Arthur Country Club, the Beaumont Club, the Port Arthur Rod and Gun Club, the Port Ar- thur Tarpon Club, Aziola Club of Galveston, and is a director of the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ball has taken an active part in civic work, and has done much to make Port Arthur one of the leading Gulf Coast cities, encouraging and aiding in all harbor and channel development work.

ALLACE B. LIVESAY, in the several years since he came to Beaumont, has established an enviable record in the field of architec- ture, and is one of the younger business men to take an active part in the civic advancement of this city. Mr. Livesay is a member of the firm of Livesay and Wiedemann, Architects, a partner- ship composed of himself and Newell E. Wiedemann, and organized in 1921. The firm has offices in the San Jacinto Life Insurance Building, and employs a force of trained men to assist them in their work. Mr. Livesay is the type of architect who instinctively wants to develop and improve, replacing crude con- struction with beautiful homes and fine business and public buildings, and is not only technically equipped for this work, but is by temperament essentially a builder. Since the establishment of the firm of which he is a member, a gratifying business has been handled, and Mr. Livesay has personally secured a number of important clients. Among the buildings that they have been architects for are a large number of beautiful homes, churches, schools and business buildings.

Wallace Livesay was born at Frankford, West Virginia, the twentieth of January, 1886. His father, John G. Livesay, was for many years a farmer and land owner of that section, later removing to Staunton, Virginia, and has taken an active part in its agricultural development. His mother's maiden name was Miss Emma Robison. Mr. Live- say attended the public schools of West Virginia, and after finishing high school entered Virginia Polytechnic Institute, where he spent five years, in the engineering department, taking the B. S. degree. He then entered the University of Illinois, taking the post-graduate course in civil engineering, and after two years there had the A. E. degree conferred on him. He went with the Virginia Bridge and Iron Company, at Roanoke, Virginia, and spent the three years from 1909 until 1912 with that company, as designing and estimating engineer. He then went with the Pyrites Company, Ltd., and for the ensuing two years had charge of all engineering work. He later spent one year at the University of Illinois, as instructor in architectural engineering, after which he went with The Texas Company, at Port Neches, and was with that company three years, as chief draughtsman, in the engineering department, after which he came to Beaumont and established his present business.

Mr. Livesay was married at Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1917, to Miss Julia Payne Bryan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Bryan, of Indianapolis, and formerly of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Livesay have one child, Margaret Tyler, and reside at 2580 South Street. They attend the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Livesay is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and is a licensed architect in Louis- iana. He has won the highest esteem of all who know him at Beaumont, and is one of the sterling citizens of this community.

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MEN OF TEXAS

EORGE M. CRAIG, of Port Arthur, Texas, has, since coming to this city on January 1st, 1898, participated in a most substan- tial and active manner in all moves and enterprises that had for their object the upbuilding of Port Arthur and its citizenship. Mr. Craig is president of the Merchants National Bank of Port Arthur, which was organized in 1912, when he and his associates purchased the Merchants State Bank, which had been in operation for two years, and increased the capital from $25,000.00 to $50,000.00, and in June of 1918 increased the capital from $50,- 000.00 to $65,000.00, and in June, 1919, the capital was again increased to $100,000.00. In 1921 this institution became a National Bank, but Mr. Craig has been the chief executive since its organization. During 1913, this bank erected its own building, which is modern in every detail, and was built at a cost of more than $50,000.00. Prior to the organ- ization of the Merchants National Bank, Mr. Craig was president of the First National Bank of Port Arthur, and was the head of this institution from 1900 to 1910. The Merchants National Bank, with a capital of $100,000.00, had at the close of business in June, 1924, surplus and undivided profits of $135,- 500.00, and deposits of $1,930,152.31. This institu- tion has since its organization closely identified it- self with the business interests of Port Arthur and this district, supplying a complete banking service on the highest plane, keeping pace with the re- quirements of its community and anticipating them. It is a progressive bank, though a thoroughly con-

servative one, and a friendly bank, always ready to work with and for its customers. Other officers of the Merchants National Bank of Port Arthur are: John W. Tryon and M. J. Painton, vice presidents, and E. P. Tucker, cashier. Prior to coming to this city Mr. Craig was associated with the land depart- ment of the Kansas City Southern Railroad and came to Port Arthur for this department; they being the owner of the Port Arthur Land and Townsite Company, of which Mr. Craig was manager here. He has helped locate the many big plants here, and has had a very important part in the building of Port Arthur, and is probably the only man living today in the city who knows from first hand knowl- edge the history and building of his city from the beginning. Among his many activities is the organ- izing of the Ice, Light and Power Company here, of which he was president for several years. For more than a decade he looked after the John W. Gates interests here, and built many of the leading build- ings in this city, which will ever stand as a silent monument to this progressive and public spirited citizen, who is beloved by the entire citizenship of Port Arthur and its environs.

Mr. Craig was born at Bentonville, Arkansas, on September 16th, 1863. His father, J. T. Craig, also a native of Arkansas, was for many years engaged in the mercantile business at Bentonville. His edu- cation was obtained in the public schools of Benton- ville, where he entered the business world at the age of eighteen years, and engaged in the mercan- tile business at Bentonville, and remained there in that line of endeavor for twelve years.

Mr. Craig was married at Bentonville, Arkansas, in 1888 to Miss Jane Taliaferro, a member of a prominent Arkansas family. They have three chil- dren, Bennette, now the wife of E. B. Germain,

manager of the Dunlop Tire Company of Buffalo, New York; Louise, now the wife of E. D. Dorches- ter, Jr., of Port Arthur, and George T. Craig, who, until the time of his death on May 31st, 1924, was active vice president of the Merchants National Bank of Port Arthur, and one of the most progres- sive young business men of this city. Mr. Craig is a member of the Port Arthur Chamber of Com- merce, is active in this organization and for many years was its president. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Craig has built up a very strong banking institution which is growing rapidly, and is considered the pioneer citizen of this city, of which he is one of the builders. He has one hobby -hunting and fishing, and is regarded as one of the

leading sportsmen of this portion of the state. Mr. Craig is a man of sterling qualities, loved by those who know him, and intuitively esteemed by those who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance. En-

dowed with vigorous intellectual powers, lofty ideals of commercial and civic virtue, a personality ener- getic, strong, magnetic, gracious in its high sense of honor and probity, Mr. Craig has throughout his residence in this city of more than a quarter of a century occupied a place of leadership in the busi- ness and civic life of his city on which, indelibly, he has impressed the seal of his goodness and useful- ness, to his city and state.

ARRY F. BANKER, for many years one of a group of business men whose names have been of special significance at Port Arthur, has given his time not alone to his private business interests, and the development of one of the finest abstract plants in the city, but has been foremost in civic achievement, and one of the most progressive men who have ever served as president of the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Banker is a member of the firm of the Port Arthur Abstract Company, a partnership composed of himself and Robert L. Rutan. The business dates back to the early days of Port Arthur, when, in 1897, Robert L. Rutan's father began abstracting land records, and organized a firm for the abstract- ing of land titles and conveyances. The business has continued in operation since that time, Harry F. Banker and Robert L. Rutan coming into the firm in 1910. The Port Arthur Abstract Company now has a complete index to all lands in Jefferson County, and owns one of the most complete plants at Port Arthur. Mr. Banker is an expert authority in land title and county record matters, and is con- sidered one of the best title officers in this section. The business is well organized in every depart- ment, and has a force of eight employees all of whom are experienced abstractors.

Harry F. Banker was born at Douglas, Kansas, the first of January, 1878, the son of J. P. and Mary Fager Banker, of Pennsylvania. J. P. Banker moved to Kansas from Pennsylvania in 1868, and was a contractor there for many years, later be- coming a farmer, and holding public office in that state. He retired in 1908 and he and Mrs. Banker now make their home in Colorado Springs. Mr. Banker was educated in the public schools of Doug- las County, and at Lawrence, Kansas, and later took a commercial course at a business college in that state. When he attained his majority he entered the retail lumber business at Douglas, Kansas, and

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

after a number of years there came to Louisiana as manager of his uncle's estate at Denton, Lou- isiana. He remained there for ten years, gaining a wide business experience, especially in land titles and conveyances. In 1910 Mr. Banker came to Port Arthur, to go in his present business, and has since made this city his home.

Mr. Banker was married in Kansas the twenty- fourth of December, 1922, to Miss Florence Badger, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of the late E. W. Badger, a resident of Kansas for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Banker reside at 1100 Fifth Street, and have one child, Mary Frances. Mr. Banker is a director of the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, and served as vice president in 1922, and as president in 1923. He is a director of the Merchants National Bank of Port Arthur, and presi- dent of the Port Arthur Investment Company. Mr. Banker is a member of the various civic organiza- tions, and is president of the Rotary Club, and president of the Boy Scouts of Port Arthur. Mr. Banker has been chairman of the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for a decade, and for the latter half of that time has been on the building committee. He is a Blue Lodge Mason, Port Arthur, thirty-second degree Scottish Rite, and a member of El Mina Temple Shrine at Galveston. Mr. Banker's activities as president of the Chamber of Commerce, and his intense inter- est in Port Arthur's development, has been one of the factors of the remarkable growth that this city has undergone in the last few years. The Chamber of Commerce has, under Mr. Banker's direction, been active in securing new industries and businesses for this city, and has encouraged a constant expan- sion and extension of the various utilities and like improvements. This organization has also been ac- tive in broadcasting the advantages Port Arthur has to offer as one of the fastest growing cities in the state, and has been instrumental in placing much publicity of this kind. While working with this or- ganization, Mr. Banker has not neglected to take an interest, as an individual, in his city, and he is allied with all the various movements whose pur- pose has been the advancement of Port Arthur. He is a man with those qualities of leadership, and of unselfish devotion to his city and its high develop- ment, who make possible civic growth, and it would be hard to estimate how much Port Arthur owes to him the place it occupies as a city, and its present state of development.

ERRY PACE has for more than a decade been held in high esteem for his work in the development of Port Arthur, and has for the past several years been associated with merchandising activities. Mr. Pace is secre- tary, treasurer and manager of the Vaughan-Pace Hardware and Furniture Company, one of the lead- ing hardware and furniture houses in the city, and one that has more than doubled its business in the several years of its organization. The business was organized in June, 1921, with the "Store Ahead" for its slogan, and an earnest desire to give real service, and to combine low prices with high qual- ity. This policy has been largely reflected in the rapid growth of the company, and the business has met with a well deserved patronage. The house- furnishings department, complete in every detail, of- fers to the citizens of Port Arthur the highest grade

of furniture and the lowest prices consistent with quality, and has been especially popular with resi- dents of the city. In this department the man- agement has taken into consideration the fact that the purchase of furniture for the home, either of a single piece, or a complete outfit, is no small matter, and that proper selection requires deep thought, and a careful consideration of the question of harmony, as well as quilty and economy. Here the trained sales force is ready to aid the customer, assisting him in every possible way to make selec- tions that will prove a source of pleasure. This service has been a' means of trade building that has been one of the factors in the success of the de- partment, and makes the store distinctive. In the hardware department the same policy of service, quality and price that has governed the furniture department prevails, and this feature of the busi- ness has likewise found favor with the public, and has been patronized to a gratifying extent. Every article that belongs in the best stocked hardware store is to be found at Vaughan-Pace and this de- partment is unusually complete. The business is located in the heart of the business district, at 617- 619 Procter Street, and occupies a modern, well equipped building. Dr. E. W. Vaughan is president; W. O. Vaughan, vice president, and Perry Pace is secretary, treasurer and manager of the company.

Mr. Pace was born at Farmersville, Union Par- ish, Louisiana, the fourth of July, 1886, the son of A. L. Pace, and Clara (Marony) Pace, both natives of Louisiana, where they now reside in the same home they have occupied for more than fifty years. Mr. Pace spent his boyhood in Louisiana, attending the schools of Farmersville, and after finishing school was employed in various mercantile estab- lishments in Louisiana for a time. He came to Texas in 1911, and went with the McAshan Lumber Company, in East Texas, remaining with that firm for six years, in their mercantile store. He then came to Port Arthur, a city of which he had heard much, and began with the Crowell-Gifford Company. He was buyer for that company for the ensuing six years, resigning that position to organize the present company.

Mr. Pace was married at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the second of October, 1913, to Miss Eva Chenault, then a student of Louisiana State University, a native of Rayville, Louisiana, and the daughter of C. C. Chenault, of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Pace have three children, Perry, Jr., Gordon Lane, and Ingram Chenault Pace. They reside at 3437 Seventh Street, Model addition. Fraternally Mr. Pace is a Mason, being affiliated with Cosmopolitan Lodge, No. 872, Port Arthur Chapter, R. A. M., No. 250. He takes an active interest in all Masonic work, and is secretary of the Masonic Building Company at Port Arthur. He is a director of the Young Men's Business League, a director of the Chamber of Commerce, and president of the Lions Club, a mem- ber of the school board and works with these organ- izations for the civic advancement of the city. Mr. Pace is also vice president of the Retail Merchants Association, and is active in the field of merchan- dising, encouraging the highest business standards. There have been few civic movements of recent years with which he has not been affiliated, and he has been an indefatigable worker where the future of Port Arthur has been concerned.

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MEN OF TEXAS

P. WOOD, well know Texas banker, has since coming to Port Arthur, Texas, in Sep- tember, 1922, been an active figure in the financial circles of this city. As vice presi- dent of the Seaboard State Bank and Trust Com- pany, he has had an important part in shaping the destinies of this institution. Mr. Wood has devoted his entire life to the various branches of the bank- ing business, in which he is widely known as a careful and conservative banker, and has the con- fidence of the public in the different portions of the Lone Star State. Since Mr. Wood became asso- ciated with this institution the deposits have more than doubled, and he is rapidly building up his bank in every way, and the rapid growth of this insti- tution is marked and unusual. Mr. Wood has be- come one of the most popular business men of Port Arthur, and he belongs in the class of the modern school of up-to-date bankers. He began his busi- ness career, which was also his career in the bank- ing business, in 1909 with the Planters National Bank at Honey Grove, Texas, and remained with this institution until 1912. He then went to Fort Worth, and for two years was associated with the Texas State Bank at that place. In 1914 he re- moved to Hawkins, Texas, where he opened a private bank and remained at Hawkins and continued in the private banking business until 1917, when he went with the First National Bank at Paducah, Texas. He remained with this North Texas institution until 1918 as cashier, when he resigned in order to ac- cept the position of State Bank Examiner. He then became general liquidating agent for the banking department of the State of Texas and remained in this important position until 1922, when he came to his present position with the Seaboard State Bank of this city.

A native Texan, Mr. Wood was born at Honey Grove on November 1st, 1888. His father, W. W. Wood (deceased since 1910), was brought to Texas by his parents from Kentucky when fifteen months of age. The family removed to Texas in 1846, where Mr. Wood remained until his death. He was edu- cated in Texas and for many years was one of the leading wholesale and retail grocery merchants of that section, and was engaged in this business at Honey Grove, where he was known as one of the most progressive and highly esteemed citizens of Fannin County. His mother was Miss Mary Joanna Pierce, a native of Tennessee, and a member of a prominent family of that state. She came to Texas in the early '40s and was one of the pioneers of this state. Mr. Wood's early education was obtained in the public and high schools of Honey Grove, Texas, where he graduated from the latter. He then en- tered Southwestern University at Georgetown, and remained for some time in that institution, after which he became a student at the Eastman Business College of Poughkeepsie, New York, where he grad- uated, and later took a course at the Metropolitan Business College of Dallas, Texas, where he pursued the various courses which would be of benefit to him in his career as a banker.

Mr. Wood was married at Honey Grove, Texas, on June 15th, 1911, to Miss Bobbie Lala Fielding, a native of Honey Grove and a daughter of J. M. Fielding, a well known farmer and land owner of Fannin County. They have two children: F. P. Wood, Jr., and Mary Ann. Mr. Wood is a director

of the Y. M. B. L., a member of the A. F. and A. M., the Lions Club, the Tarpon Club, and the Port Ar- thur Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the finance committee of the last named organiza- tion. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Since coming to Port Arthur, Mr. Wood has identified himself with the business life of this city, and is popular in the business and social circles. He is regarded as a progressive and wide- awake citizen, ambitious for his bank and his city, and lends his best efforts to the upbuilding of both. Mr. Wood's executive skill has been developed by having spent practically all of his life in the at- mosphere of the banking business. He is a leader in the profession of banking and is a steadfast expo- nent of its highest standards. Throughout his ca- reer as a banker, Mr. Wood has proven his value as a man of sound judgment, fully competent to handle the important positions he has held, and the respon- sibilities involved. During his association with the Seaboard State Bank and Trust Company of Port Arthur, the bank has become one of the substantial institutions of the city.

OE S. PARK has for the decade of his resi- dence at Port Arthur been actively iden- tified with banking affairs, and has taken an interest in the commercial and civic ad- vancement of this city. Mr. Park is active vice president of the First National Bank of Port Ar- thur, one of the strongest financial institutions in this section of the state. The First National Bank was founded by John W. Gates and his associates in 1900, two years after the founding of Port Ar- thur. Later the institution was taken over by R. H. Woodworth, a banker of conservative banking policies, and was operated by him and the present directorate until Mr. Woodworth's death in 1923. The year immediately following his death, until the election of Travis Holland as president, the bank was under the direct executive direction of Joe S. Park, and D. P. Sheeks, active vice presidents. The First National Bank of Port Arthur has, from the first days of its existence to the present time, fur- nished, uninterrupted, constructive banking service to this city. The bank has the reputation for taking an interest in each depositor as an individual, and is known locally as the "Bank of Hospitality." The bank, enjoying at all times the highest confidence of depositors and the public in general, has met with a steady consistent growth, the deposits, from around one hundred and forty thousand dollars in 1900, mounting upward until in June, 1924, they had reached nearly four million dollars. The bank owns its own home, a substantial brick structure that is a distinct addition to the business center, and has the strongest board of directors of any bank in South Texas. These men, all business leaders in this section of the state, are: G. N. Bliss, vice presi- dent; D. P. Sheeks, active vice president; Joe S. Park, active vice president; A. C. Reichle, cashier; W. L. Weatherall, assistant cashier; E. L. Canada, assistant cashier, with M. T. Ball, G. N. Bliss, Dr. W. E. Crumpler, R. C. Holmes, M. R. Kleas, F. T. Manley, Joe S. Park, D. P. Sheeks, W. C. Tyrrell, J. W. Williams and Mrs. R. H. Woodworth as di- rectors.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 100

Author: Davis, Ellis A. Publication date: 1926 Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?] Number of Pages: 1262

Author: Davis, Ellis A.
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Dallas, Tex. : Texas development bureau, [1926?]
Number of Pages: 1262