New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 106

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

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Mr. Dismukes was married in San Antonio the sixteenth of November, 1909, to Miss Addie Watts, a native of the Lone Star State. Mr. and Mrs. Dis- mukes reside at 235 Dryden Place, and have two children, Ruth Marie, and Charles M., Jr. Mr. Dis- mukes is a member of the Lions Club, the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, being on the organ- ization and sport and attraction committees, a direc- tor of the Young Men's Business League, and is a business and civic leader, taking an active part in all development work.

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MEN OF TEXAS

OHN D. McCALL, attorney at law, has prac- ticed his profession in Beaumont, Texas, for the past fifteen years and during this period has been identified with much of the litigation that has come before the courts of Southeast Texas. During the greater portion of the time in which he has been in this city, he has prac- ticed independently. He has gained a substantial reputation as a lawyer throughout the state and his years of practice have been interwoven with a con- tinuous business activity, and he is attorney for several of the large oil companies of Southeast Texas and is regarded as an authority on oil mat- ters. Mr. McCall began his career as a school teacher in Guadalupe County where he taught for two years, after which he became principal of the school at Runge, Texas, where he remained for one year. He then became superintendent of the schools at Karnes City, Texas, and remained at the nead of this institution for two years, after which he be- came superintendent of the schools at Sour Lake for one year, this marking the end of his career as a pedagogue. During the entire period in which Mr. McCall was engaged in educational work, he was devoting all of his spare time to the study of law and was admitted to the Bar in 1910. During the summer of 1911 he conducted a summer normal at Woodville, Tyler County. He established his law offices at Beaumont, August 29, 1911, and began the practice of his profession. His office is located at 310 Gilbert Building.

A native Texas, Mr. McCall was born in Lam- pasas County on August 29th, 1882, and he is a member of Texas' earliest families, and is loyal to the traditions of the Lone Star State. His father, Robert Marshall McCall, also a native Texan, was born in Red River County, and Mr. McCall's paternal grandfather came to Texas when this state was a re- public, and was one of the pioneer ranchmen and cattlemen of the very early days. His mother was Miss Joyce Lewis, also a native of Texas, and her family were among the earliest settlers of East Texas, having settled in Jasper County in 1830. Mr. McCall's early education was obtained in the public schools of Lexington, Texas, after which he attended Jordon Institute in Hays County, where he pursued a general college course. He then became a student of the Texas State Normal College at San Marcos, where he remained for three years, when he en- gaged in teaching. Many of the younger generation of South and East Texas obtained their education under the able guidance of John D. McCall.

Mr. McCall was married at San Antonio, Texas, on August 29th, 1906, to Miss Bammer Boyles, a na- tive of Meridian, Mississippi, but was brought to Bell County, Texas, by her parents when a child, and was reared and educated in San Antonio. Mr. and Mrs. McCall reside at 2180 Victoria Street. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. with membership in No. 286 of Beaumont, and is a member of the Chapter and Council and the Knights Templar in Lodge No. 38 of this city. He is also a member of El Mina Temple Shrine of Galveston, and of the American, Texas and Jefferson County Bar Asso- ciations. He also holds membership in the Wood- men of the World and is a member of the National Geographical Society of America of Washington, D. C. During his residence in this city he has found the time to devote to the civic improvement.

L. APPLING, one of the younger group of progressive business men who are shap- ing the commercial program of Beaumont, in the half decade of his residence here has established a prosperous drug business, and has taken an active part in the civic advancement of the community. Mr. Appling is the secretary, treas- urer and manager of the Citizens Drug Store, In- corporated, one of the finest suburban drug stores in the city. The Citizens Drug Store is well located, at the corner of Magnolia and Weiss Streets, just across from the Magnolia City Park, and has estab- lished a growing business in this part of the city. The business was established in August, 1919, since which time it has expanded consistently, and has filled the demand for a high class neighborhood drug store in this section, one of the newer residence districts of the city. O. B. Sawyer is president of the Citizens Drug Store, Inc., and Mr. Appling is secretary, treasurer and manager.

Mr. Appling was born at Beckville, Texas, the thirtieth of August, 1895, the son of J. L. Appling, a farmer and land owner of that section, and Mrs. J. L. Appling. He was educated in the public schools of Carthage, Texas, graduating from high school there, after which he entered Baylor Medical Col- lege, at Dallas, where he was a student for two years. He then spent six months at Southern Meth- odist University, at Dallas, leaving to join the army in May, 1918. He enlisted in the infantry, and was later transferred to the medical department, serving at Camp Travis during his entire period of enlistment. He was discharged in December, 1918, coming to Beaumont at this time, and after eight months with the P. O. Drug Store went with the present organization when the Citizens Drug Store was established.

Mr. Appling was married at Beaumont, in 1923, to Miss Gertrude Seale, daughter of Albert B. Seale, postmaster at Beaumont, and a lumber man of this city for more than three decades, and a factor in the development of the lumber resources of this section for around four decades. Mr. and Mrs. Appling have an attractive home at 1685 Park Ave- nue, and are popular members of the younger social set of the city. Mr. Appling belongs to the Lions Club, the Neches Club, and fraternally is a Mason, York Rite, member of El Mina Temple Shrine at Galveston and a member of El Mina Patrol. He is regarded as one of the most prom- ising of the younger business men of the city, and is a leader in all progressive movements.

ILAS OLIVER HAMPIL for around a quar- ter of a century has been one of the busi- ness and industrial leaders of Beaumont, taking an active interest in the develop- ment and growth of this city, and in building up one of the largest industrial concerns here. Mr. Hampil is secretary and treasurer of the Gulf Coast Machine and Supply Company, a large company established in 1919, and incorporated at that time. The concern manufactures oil well specialties and supplies, mak- ing special tools for pipe line work, special equip- ment for refineries and a complete line of drilling tools. The entire organization, including the mod- ern forge plant and large machine shops, is equipped with the best of equipment, and is turning out only the highest class work and furnishes employment for about 40 employees. The officers of the Gulf Coast

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JE. Withers

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

Machinery and Supply Company are J. D. Butler, president; R. M. Pyron, vice president, and Mr. Hampil, secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Hampil was born in Lavaca County, Texas, the twenty-second of September, 1879, the son of Charles W. Hampil, a farmer and land owner, and Louisa Jane Hampil. He was educated in the public schools of Lavaca County, finishing high school there. He then began in the office of Hill and Hill, attorneys, later going to Sugarland, where he spent one year with the Sugarland Sugar Refining Company. He then came to Beaumont, and spent one year in a railroad office in this city, and the following year and a half with the Industrial Lumber Company, leaving that firm to go with the First National Bank as assistant cashier. After eighteen years with that institution, he resigned to identify himself with the present business, of which he is secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Hampil resides at 1994 Hazel Street, and is a member of the Beaumont Club, the Neches Club, the Kiwanis Club, and is an Elk, and a Mason, Scottish Rite, and a member of El Mina Shrine at Galveston. Mr. Hampil is a conservative business man, familiar with the highest business principles, and an able executive. He is one of the most useful and pop- ular business leaders at Beaumont, and is active in every movement for the commercial and civic ad- vancement of this city.

E. WITHERS, pioneer railroad man of the Lone Star State, and for three decades one of the sterling residents of Beaumont, has been associated with the development of this city during that time, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Withers has been with the Santa Fe Railroad since 1893, and is the oldest man in Beaumont on this division, in point of seniority. He has been running a passenger train out of Beau- mont since 1895, and as conductor has made many friends among the traveling public. During his service with the Santa Fe he has made an excep- tional record, and is one of the valued men of that organization.

Mr. Withers is a native of the Lone Star State, and was born in Jasper County, the ninth of Septem- ber, 1866. His father, Horace Withers, a pioneer of Jasper County, was a farmer, cattle raiser and land owner here for many years. His mother's maiden name was Miss Mary Melvina Huffman, also a mem- ber of one of the early Texas families. As a boy, Mr. Withers attended the schools of Jasper Coun- ty, and, when a boy, in 1877, went to work for the Texas Tram and Lumber Company, working for that concern until 1883. He first came to Beaumont in 1881, while with the Texas Tram and Lumber Com- pany, but did not stay here at that time. In 1893 he again returned to Beaumont, beginning with the Santa Fe Railroad at the same time, and has since made this city his home. He has always been in the transportation department, beginning as brake- man on a freight train, and after only three weeks being promoted to conductor and in 1895 becoming conductor on a passenger train.

Mr. Withers was married in Tyler County, in 1890, to Miss Mary A. Clifton. They have four children, Mrs. V. J. Gibbs, Forest C. Withers, K. C. Withers, and Miss Blanche Withers. The family reside at 2180 Calder Avenue. Mr. Withers has from time to time invested in Beaumont real estate and in busi-

ness enterprises in this city and is vice president of the Security State Bank and Trust Company. Fra- ternally he is a Mason, York and Scottish Rites, and a member of El Mina Temple Shrine. He is one of the best known railroad men in this part of the state and has many friends, both at Beaumont, and over the state. Mr. Withers has taken an active interest in the development of Beaumont, and has done much to help this city achieve its present prosperity and growth.

NTHONY EDWARD BRULIN for around a quarter of a century has been held in high esteem at Beaumont, and as the leading undertaker of this city has rendered a dig- nified service to his community. Mr. Brulin is sec- retary, treasurer and half owner of the undertak- ing firm of Pipkin and Brulin, with J. F. Pipkin as president and other member of the firm. This is the oldest and largest undertaking business in the city, occupying a fine building, ideally situated and arranged, at 260 Broadway Street. The offices, chapel, embalming rooms, display rooms and stock rooms are located here, and the entire arrangement of the building shows the result of thoughtful plan- ning and a desire to render a superior service to the patrons. Mr. Brulin has an unusually large stock of caskets, showing some of the most ex- pensive stock, and also has a complete motor equip- ment, including one motor hearse, one casket car, and two special cars. A fleet of three motor am- bulances, with competent drivers and attendants, are also at the call of the people of Beaumont twenty-four hours a day. Mr. Brulin is assisted by his wife, who is a licensed embalmer. Mrs. Brulin is an accomplisehed, talented woman, and her assistance in the business has resulted in a service of unusual dignity, and has been no small factor in the success of the business.

Mr. Brulin was born at Galesburg, Illinois, the eighth of January, 1872, the son of A. F. Brulin, a milling, flour and feed man of that state, and now living at the advanced age of eighty-five, and Bes- sie Elizabeth Olsen Brulin. Mr. Brulin was educated in the public schools of Illinois, and after graduating from high school, entered Bethany College, at Linds- burg, Kansas, where he went for two years. He then came to Houston, where he was in the under- taking business for one year, following this with two years at Houston, also in the undertaking business. He then came to Beaumont, in 1899, and went with S. K. Stone, undertaker, for one year. At the ex- piration of that time, he, with Mr. Pipkin, bought the present business, which they have since op- erated.

Mr. Brulin was married at Beaumont, in 1919, to Miss Lorena Wunderle, daughter of Jacob and Mary Dantin Wunderle. Mr. Wunderle was manager of a large plantation in Louisiana. Mr. and Mrs. Bru- lin reside at 260 Broadway, and attend the Meth- odist Church. Mr. Brulin is a director of the Uvalde Rock Asphalt Company, and owns much city prop- erty at Beaumont. He belongs to the Beaumont Club, the Beaumont Country Club, the Neches Club, of which he is past president and past exalted ruler of the Elks, a Knight of Pythias and a Mason, York Rite, and a member of El Mina Temple Shrine at Galveston. Mr. Brulin takes a deep interest in Beaumont, and is active in all civic and welfare work.

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RANK J. IMHOFF, for many years iden- tified with the industrial and commercial advancement of Port Arthur, has been as- sociated with enterprises of wide scope in the building and transportation fields, and has ac- complished much in a business way that has direct- ly influenced the prosperity of the community. Mr. Imhoff is manager and a member of the firm of J. Imhoff & Sons, one of the leading enterprises of the city and including a number of important de- partments. The business was established in 1900, by J. Imhoff, and was at that time a small drayage business, operating with one team and wagon, and gradually expanding, and including new interests until it has reached its present place of importance. In 1906 Frank J. Imhoff entered the firm, and the period of expansion began, until the firm is now one of the largest in the city, and one of the most substantial. The firm of J. Imhoff & Sons handle an extensive line of whoesale and retail building

materials, dealing in all classes of building material, with the exception of lumber. They are the dealers in this locality for Acme Brick, and other standard products, and operate this department of the busi- ness on a very large scale. The firm also has a string of fuel, coal and wood yards, handling both a wholesale and retail business, in various parts of Port Arthur, and sell a large volume of this com- modity, both to the local trade and to retail dealers of this section. The company also operates a fleet of moving trucks, both for heavy, light, household and mercantile hauling, and handles a large per cent of the drayage business in this city. They have the equipment to handle efficiently any kind of drayage, regardless of class, and employ trained men, who give careful and considerate attention to the inter- ests of the patrons. The company also does a gen- eral storage business, with warehouses on both railroad tracks, and with provision for storing house- hold and mercantile goods. The firm furnishes em- ployment to a force of thirty-five men, and up- wards, and is one of the large industries of the city. The members of the firm are, Mrs. Elizabeth F. Imhoff, widow of J. Imhoff, the founder of J. Imhoff and Sons; Frank J. Imhoff, and W. E. Im- hoff, sons of J. Imhoff.

J. Imhoff, the founder of the firm of J. Imhoff and Sons, was a native of McLean County, Illinois, where he was reared and spent his early manhood. He came to Texas at the age of thirty-six, coming to Port Arthur in 1898. After six months here he went to Nederland, Texas, ten miles north of Port Arthur, where he engaged in farming for two years, returning to Port Arthur at the end of that time. On his return here he established the drayage busi- ness, which has since become a great industry, and put in operation the plans that have resulted in this growth. In the years that followed Mr. Imhoff was interested not only in his own private affairs, but in the growth and prosperity of the community, and he was one of the real builders of the city. He re- tired from active business a year and a half prior to his death, leaving his sons, Frank J., and W. E., to carry on the business he had founded, and this they have ably done, with the result that the name of J. Imhoff will live here throughout the years. Mr. Imhoff was married to Miss Elizabeth F. Maurer, a native of Illinois, and the mother of Frank J. and W. E. Imhoff. She now resides at

the family home, and is active in the firm, for the success of which her husband gave her credit be- cause of the sympathetic interest she always took in the business, and her abiding confidence in its success.

Frank J. Imhoff was born the sixteenth of Decem- ber, 1883, in McLean County, Illinois, where he spent his boyhood and attended school. When the family came to Port Arthur he began work for Samuel O. Latimer, working in his insurance office for a year and a half, after which he went with the Gulf Refining Company, in the auditor's office, where he spent one year. He then became manager of the Kramer Lumber Company, which position he resigned three years later to enter business with his father. At that time the firm of J. Imhoff and Sons was engaged in a storage and drayage business exclusively, but on account of Frank J. Imhoff's lumber experience the decision was made to add a line of building materials, and with the success of this venture the other departments were added, until the business is now the largest of its kind in this part of the state.

Mr. Imhoff was married at Port Arthur the twen- ty-second of June, 1909, to Miss Marie Philips, a native of Burlington, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Imhoff make their home at 1111 Procter Street, and are the parents of one child, Elizabeth, a student in the Port Arthur schools. Mr. Imhoff is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, of which he was the first president, the Elks Club, of which he was secretary and treasurer for nine years, the Port Arthur Country Club, and is a Ma- son, being affiliated with Cosmopolitan Lodge No. 872 of Port Arthur, Port Arthur Commandery, and El Mina Temple Shrine at Galveston. He has been active in every field of civic endeavor, taking a deep pride in the accomplishments of his city, and is one of the outstanding men of Port Arthur.

SCAR F. SPENCE, throughout the decade and a half of his residence at Port Arthur, has been a factor in the paint business, and has been instrumental in building up an enterprise that is a distinct asset to the city, and one of the most important firms in this locality dealing in paint and allied lines. Mr. Spence is secretary-treasurer and general manager of Alfred Spence and Company, Incorporated. The business was established in 1896 by Alfred Spence, an uncle of the subject of this sketch. The business was incorporated in February, 1923. The firm is one of the largest in the city, handling all kinds of paints, varnishes, wall paper and glass, in fact everything that goes into the building of a home, large or small, except lumber and plumbing. They do both a wholesale and retail business, and handle a large volume of trade annually. The yards and offices are located at 428 Fifth Avenue. The officers are: Alfred Spence, president; W. H. Frantz, vice presi- dent, and Oscar F. Spence, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Spence is also secretary and treasurer of the Spence and Howe Construction Company.

Mr. Spence was born at Duluth, Minn., the 12th of February, 1886, the son of C. F. and Matilda Spence, both natives of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1872. Mr. Spence was educated in the public schools of Duluth, and began in the lumber business in Minnesota, after finishing his education. He was a lumber inspector in that

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

state, later going to Wisconsin and Canada, and all through the Northern lumber districts until coming to Texas, and Port Arthur in 1909, to take charge of his uncle's business, Alfred Spence Company, Inc.

Mr. Spence was married at Port Arthur the 20th of February, 1915, to Miss Eura Black, a native of East Texas, and the daughter of M. L. Black, a native of the Lone Star State, and now a resident of Port Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Spence have one child, Lorraine, and make their home at 1547 Sixth Street. Mr. Spence is a Mason, belonging to the Cosmo- politan Blue Lodge at Port Arthur. He is a thorough- ly public spirited citizen, interested in all civic prog- ress, and in the general welfare of the community, and takes an active interest in all movements di- rected toward the growth of the city.

EORGE E. STOVALL, one of the progres- sive business men of Port Arthur, has found this city ripe in business advantages and is securely established as one of the leading furniture merchants here. Mr. Stovall is vice president and general manager of the Phoenix Furniture Company of Port Arthur, a firm estab- lished in 1917, and taken over by the present man- agement in April, 1923. The Phoenix Furniture Company has a well located store, at 525 Procter Street, where they occupy a modern three-story building, fifty by one hundred and twenty-five feet, and also have a large warehouse on the K. C. S. tracks. The Phoenix Furniture Company has an unusually complete stock, from which selections may be made that will be in harmony with the finest homes. All stock is attractively displayed, and every item needed for the complete furnishing of a home may be found in the store. The firm fur- nishes employment to a force of thirty employees. The Gulf Furniture Company, occupying a modern building, fifty by one hundred and forty feet, at 600 Houston Avenue, is also owned by the company owning the Phoenix Furniture Company, and is under the same management. Mr. S. O. Latimer is president of the business; George E. Stovall, the subject of this sketch, vice president and general manager; A. N. Peckham is treasurer, and R. L. Munay is secretary. The directors com- prise these four officers and A. M. Kaufman of Beaumont, Texas.

Mr. Stovall was born at Eufaula, Alabama, the twenty-fifth of January, 1879, the son of George W. Stovall, a native of that state, and who spent his entire life there, and Virginia (Garland) Stovall, also of Alabama. Both parents are deceased. Mr. Stovall attended the public schools of Eufaula, and after finishing took a business course. He then went to Birmingham with the Maberry Hardware Com- pany of that city, where he remained seven years. He next went to Montgomery, Alabama, where he was with the Frank Tennille Furniture Company for twelve years, after which he went to Augusta, Georgia, with the Rhodes Furniture Company, re- maining there three years. He then came to Port Arthur, organizing the Phoenix Furniture Company, with which he has since been associated.

Mr. Stovall has been married twice, his first wife, Edna (Kerlin) Stovall, whom he married in Mont- gomery, in 1904, being deceased. She left one child, Bernice, a student in the Port Arthur schools. He was married the second time to Miss Blanche Briley Cantwell, a native of Bonham at Port

Arthur, the tenth of August, 1922. There is one child to this union, George E. Stovall, Jr. The fami- ly reside at 3341 Fifth Street. Mr. Stovall is a civic leader at Port Arthur, taking an active part in all development work. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Port Arthur Country Club, the Rotary Club, and the Port Arthur Tarpon Club. Mr. Stovall feels that Port Arthur has a wonderful future and is mighty happy to be a part of the most rapidly growing city of the Southwest.

ALTER A. MARTIN, although a resident of Port Arthur but a few years, has impressed his influence on the prosperity of the com- munity, and is recognized as one of the most progressive lumber dealers in the city. Mr. Martin is president and general manager of the Martin Lumber Company, Incorporated, a firm es- tablished at Port Arthur in the early days by E. A. Laughlin, and taken over by Mr. Martin in Decem- ber, 1922. The Martin Lumber Company is the largest lumber business in Port Arthur, and, in addi- tion to selling a large amount of lumber and build- ing materials, handles a large volume of lumber yard mill work. The business furnishes employment to a force of twenty men, and is one of the rapidly growing businesses of Port Arthur. The yards occupy almost an entire city block, and all build- ings, lumber sheds, and offices, as well as trucks and other equipment, are modern. In addition to Mr. Martin as president and general manager, other officers are, R. R. Stafford, vice president, and W. S. Martin, secretary and treasurer.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 106

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