New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 110

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

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Fred M. Burton was married at Galveston in 1902, to Miss Margaret Sealy, the daughter of George Sealy, one of the founders of Hutchings Sealy Com- pany, and until his death in 1901 a factor in the banking world at Galveston, and Mrs. Magnolia (Willis) Sealy. Mr. and Mrs. Burton reside at 2323 I Street, and have four children, Miles Kirk, Mar- jorie, Caroline and Jane Burton. Mr. Burton is a charter member and a past vice president of the Rotary Club, and is a member of the Galveston Country and the Aziola Clubs. He has for many years been prominent in insurance work at Galves- ton, serving as president of the Galveston Insurance Board in 1916 and 1917. He has also contributed to the literature of the insurance business, and when the "Texas Insuror" recently issued the Galveston number he was asked to contribute the sketch of Galveston from the standpoint of the marine under- writer, a field in which he is especially well quali- fied. Mr. Burton is also interested in the growth of Galveston from a civic standpoint, and has for many years given his support to all important civic measures, and has done much to assure the position of Galveston as the leading Texas port.

AMES GLEAVE for around a quarter of a century has been associated with marine engineering activities at Galveston and else- where, and although he has been a perma- nent resident here less than a decade, he has taken a large part in shaping the trend of maritime de- velopment here. Mr. Gleave is a marine surveyor and appraiser and consulting marine engineer of note, attaining international prominence in this field and is considered an authority on all questions along these lines. He has his offices in Galveston at 810 American National Insurance Building and is sur- veyor to Lloyds agent, acting surveyor to Lloyds Register, acting surveyor for the Salvage Associa- tion of London, England, correspondent for the New York Board of Underwriters for hull and cargo dam- age, and is consulting engineer for various steam- ship lines, Mr. Gleave covers a district extending from Port Arthur to Corpus Christi, and has a corps of expert engineers working under him as occasion demands.

James Gleave was born in England, the sixth of October, 1875, the son of Edwin Gleave, a cotton mill operator and manufacturer there, and Jane (Conolly) Gleave. Mr. Gleave was educated in Eng- land, the usual literary education being supplement- ed by special courses in technical schools and in engineering and ship building. He served an ap- prenticeship of seven years in marine engineering and ship building in England, on completion of which he went to sea, and for the ensuing seven years ran on trips principally to Galveston from England, and to the East and West Indies, serving in the en- gineering department. In 1904 Mr. Gleave became interested in marine surveying, engaging in this business in England for around a decade and a half prior to coming to Galveston. In 1914 Mr. Gleave enlisted in the British army, and after completing his training was detailed to marine and general sur- veying work, serving in England for most of the

time. He was given a two years leave of absence, when he came to Galveston, and when officially dis- charged, in 1920, determined on this city as his permanent headquarters.

Mr. Gleave was married at Liverpool, England, in 1904, to Miss Jane Atkinson, daughter of John Atkinson, an architect of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Gleave reside at 1015 Seventh Street, in Galveston, and have one child, Dorothy Jane Gleave. Mr. Gleave is a Mason and, although his profession de- mands are too great to allow active membership in social or civic organizations, he takes a great interest in all work organized for the upbuilding of Galveston.

ARL S. BINNINGS of Galveston, Texas, has devoted his entire business life to the vari- ous branches of the shipping industry. He came to this city from New Orleans in De- cember, 1921, as local manager of the Texas Trans- port and Terminal Company, Inc., and is the steam- ship agent for various lines engaged in regular steamship service to the principal ports of Europe and the Orient. The Texas Transport and Terminal Company, Inc., was established in 1895 and incor- porated at that time under the laws of New Jersey. The idea originated with Mr. E. L. Simpson of New York, and he had a wonderfully clear vision of the future possibilities of Galveston as a port. This firm operates freight charters between Galveston and other Texas ports to Continental Europe. At the time of the organization of this firm, Fowler and McVittie was the only firm engaged in this business in this city. J. Moller and Company became the first agents of this company at Galveston; then F. H. Sage was for a quarter of a century the com- pany's representative. He died in March, 1922. The first companies did all charter business after which began the era of regular shipping from Galveston, of which Mr. Simpson had a well formed idea, when organization of the Texas Transport and Terminal Company, Inc., was in progress. Mr. Binnings has well located offices in the Marine Building. Mr. L. H. Spence of New York City, well known in the business and financial circles of the country, is the president of this company. Mr. Binnings is the agent for the following: Compaynie Generale Trans- Atlantique; Navigagrone Alta Italia, Creole Line, carrying cotton to Mediterranean ports; Toyo Kissen Kaisha, Japanese steamship company to the Far East; "Head" Line and "Lord" Line to Dublin and Belfast; Compaynie Trans-Atlantique Belge. Before locating in Galveston, Mr. Binnings was for many years engaged in the towboat business, after which he was associated with steamship companies at New Orleans.

A native of Louisiana, Mr. Binnings was born at New Orleans on September 14th, 1893. His educa- tion was obtained in the public and high schools of his native city, after which he entered the marine business.

Mr. Binnings was married at New Orleans on July 4th, 1915, to Miss Marie Rateau, a member of a prominent family of New Orleans, who came from Paris, France. Mr. and Mrs. Binnings reside at 3314 Avenue O. Mr. Binnings is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and of the Scottish Rite bodies of this lodge at New Orleans. Mr. Binnings is a mem- ber of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce and takes and active interest in this organization.

1803

MEN OF TEXAS

K TIDEMANN of Galveston, is well known in the financial and cotton circles of the State, where for many years he has been active in the cotton industry. He came to Galveston from Fort Worth, where he was regarded as one of the leading cotton men of North Texas. Mr. Tidemann is the owner of the K. Tidemann Com- pany, cotton merchants and exporters, with office located at 20051/2 Avenue B, and are among the largest dealers and exporters in this city. This firm was organized in 1903, and beside the Galves- ton office, they have agencies in all portions of the United States; also European agencies. Mr. Tide- mann quickly identified himself with the building up of Galveston after taking up his residence here and has at all times taken a keen interest in the progress and advancement of this city, where he is regarded as one of the most progressive and public spirited citizens.

Mr. Tidemann started his career in the cotton business at a very early age, and has devoted his entire business life to this line of endeavor, in which he has met with unusual success. In the midst of his private work he finds opportunity to give his time and assistance to many improve- ments of a public nature, and is active in the business, social and general community life of Gal- veston.

OUIS C. ELBERT is a native of Galveston, Texas, where he has been associated with the Galveston News for sixteen years, which period includes all of his business life. Mr. Elbert is the vice president and general manager of this well known Texas newspaper, which was es- tablished in 1842 as a daily paper, and has been known since that time as one of the leading dailies of the entire Southwest. The Galveston News has a Sunday circulation of 16,000 and a week day cir- culation of upward from 12,000. More than one hundred people are employed at the Galveston plant, with twenty carriers in the city, with six collectors and three city solicitors. Two traveling men, who visit every portion of the state are employed by this paper during the entire year. Four people are employed at the Houston Bureau, one at Washing- ton, D. C., one at Austin, Texas, with special repre- sentatives through advertising agencies and the cor- respondents throughout Texas for this paper number about one hundred and fifty. Other officers of the Galveston News are W. L. Moody, Jr., president, and S. B. Ragsdale, secretary, treasurer and managing editor. Mr. Elbert began with this well known daily newspaper in the advertising end of the business and has held in turn all the various positions, managing editor up to his present executive position, of vice president and general manager. He was made man- aging editor in July, 1919, and came into his pres- ent place in 1923. Mr. Elbert is one of the best known newspaper men of Texas, and can justly be proud of the strides he has made with this great daily, and the wonderful improvement in the news- paper which has taken place under his management. It is a matter of comment in the Lone Star State that this paper has shown a remarkable improve- ment since Mr. Elbert became active in its manage- ment.

Mr. Elbert was born on January 11th, 1886. His father, A. Elbert, is a well known business man of

Galveston, and his family has resided in this city for more than seventy years, making it one of the oldest families here. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of Galveston.

Mr. Elbert was married at New Orleans on July 5th, 1919, to Miss Marie Peters, a member of a pioneer New Orleans family. Mr. and Mrs. Elbert reside at 1017 Market Street. He is a member of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce and for many years has been director of this organization. He is also a member of the Rotary Club, the B. P. O. E. and the Young Men's Progressive League. Mr. El- bert is not only a booster for Galveston, with his paper as a medium, but personally never loses an opportunity to speak a good word for his city. The industrial survey which has just been completed, shows Galveston's industrial development to be the greatest in the city's history. It is known that no newspaper in Texas or perhaps elsewhere, has done more in aiding in the development and telling of the wonderful resources of its state than has the Galveston News. Mr. Elbert is regarded as one of this city's most progressive citizens, ambitious for his paper and his city and state and lends his best efforts to the upbuilding of both.

EORGE S. KING of Galveston, Texas, began his career in the hotel business as a mere boy and has spent his entire life in the va- rious branches of this field of activity. Mr. King came to Galveston in February, 1922, as assistant manager of the Hotel Galvez and three months later was made manager, and it is obvious that his regime as manager of this great hostelry has been a complete success. The Hotel Galvez, which is one of the finest hotels in the Southwest, stands in a plaza of palms and oleanders, fronting the Sea Wall and overlooking the Gulf. Of the two hundred and fifty rooms in the Hotel Galvez, two- thirds of them overlook the beautiful blue Gulf of Mexico and the magnificent Beach which extends to either side for thirty miles, and the great sea wall-a marvel in construction and a feat of en- gineering skill which one never ceases to admire. The Hotel Galvez is a modern, six-story building constructed of solid fire-proof concrete in Spanish mission architecture. The building and furnishings of this magnificent structure represents the out- lay of more than a million dollars. The cuisine and dining service is under the direction of one of the most capable stewards in this country. The capa- city of the dining quarters is eight hundred guests at a single meal period. About one hundred and seventy experienced people are employed in the operation of the Hotel Galvez. Mr. King started in the hotel business in 1904, when a boy, with the Washington Hotel at St. Louis, and after occupying various positions in several hotels in that city, he came to Texas and was first associated with the Angeles Hotel at San Antonio and later the St. Anthony Hotel and the Hotel Gunter. He later came to Houston when the New Rice Hotel in that city was opened to the public, and remained with this institution for a period of six years. He began at the Rice as clerk and left as assistant manager. In 1918, he was located at Eagle Pass, Texas, with the Third Infantry during the World War, and upon his return to Houston with the Rice Hotel for six months, when on account of ill health, he left and

1804

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

went to California, where he remained for two years. He returned to Texas at the end of this period, and became associated with the Texas Hotel of Fort Worth, when that hotel was opened to the public, but remained there for only five months, when he re- signed his position with that hostelry in order to come to Galveston.

A native of Virginia, Mr. King was born at War- renton on September 10th, 1890. His education was obtained in the various schools of his native state.

Mr. King resides at the Hotel Galvez. He is a member of the B. P. O. E. and is active in this or- ganization. Since coming to Galveston he has made a host of friends here, and is very popular and well known with the traveling public who have known him for many years as one of the most efficient hotel men of the entire country. Although a com- paratively young man, Mr. King is one of the best known and most successful men engaged in the hotel business of the country and with his well organized and efficient staff at the Hotel Galvez has made this hostelry one of the finest and best in the Southwest, withal one with a homelike, refined and restful en- vironment.

H. W. STEELE, a resident of Galveston for more than a quarter of a century, during which period he was a factor in the cotton and shipping industries of this city, was president of the Shipside Density Compress Com- pany, which was one of the largest concerns of its kind in the Southwest, handling not less than 750,000 bales of cotton annually. During Mr. Steele's business career in Galveston, extending over a period of more then twenty-five years, he was en- gaged in shipping and allied business projects. Be- fore becoming associated with the compress com- pany here, he was engaged in the brokerage and steamship business and was successful in this line of endeavor. In addition to his cotton and ship- ping interests, Mr. Steele was interested in many of the city's largest financial and industrial concerns. He was vice president and director of the State Bank and Trust Company and a large stockholder in the Gulf Ports Stevedore Company, and many others. Mr. Steele began his business career at the early age of thirteen years as a messenger boy in New Or- leans for the Illinois Central Railroad. He remained with this railroad for several years and received many promotions and later went to Dallas as traffic manager for a large cotton firm of that North Texas city. He remained in Dallas with this cotton firm until coming to Galveston, where he became inter- ested in the cotton shipping business and continued in this business until the organization of the Ship- side Density Compress Company, when he was made president. Most of his business interests were sold when he moved to San Francisco, California.

Mr. Steele was born at Huntsville, Alabama, on April 1st, 1866. His father, William A. Steele, also a native of Alabama, was well known banker of that State. His mother was prior to her marriage, Miss Kate Murphy, a member of a prominent family of Florence, Alabama. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native State, which he left early in order to enter the business world.

Mr. Steele was married at Tuskaloosa, Alabama, on July 31st, 1895, to Miss Mary Bernard, a native of

the State of Alabama, and a member of a prominent family. Mr. Steele was always active in the busi- ness, social and general community life of Galves- ton and his removal from the city was a distinct loss to the community.

ONATHAN D. KNOX has for the past five years been a dominant factor in the cotton circles of Galveston and has the reputation of being an expert in all phases of the cot- ton business. He is vice president and manager of the Oleander Compress and Warehouse Company, one of the leading institutions of its kind in Galves- ton. The compress and warehouse cover an area of one and one-half city blocks, the buildings being of modern brick and concrete ocnstruction with a storage capacity of twenty-five thousand bales of cotton. In addition to being vice president of the Oleander Compress and Warehouse Company, Mr. Knox also acts as agent for the Tarver Steele Com- pany of Dallas, one of the largest cotton firms in the State. The Oleander Compress and Warehouse Company was organized in 1909, but since Mr. Knox took active charge the business of the company has increased enormously until it now ranks among the biggest and best of its kind. Other officers of the company are: Charles L. Tarver, president; G. W. Hardin, vice president, both of Dallas, Texas; Mr. Knox being resident vice president. The compress employs from twenty-five to one hundred and fifty people, depending on the season.

Mr. Knox first started his business career in 1896 with the firm of Knox and Vincent of Vicks- burg, Mississippi, doing general work. He remained with this firm until 1902, when he came to Houston and entered the service of E. Gussoni, an Italian cotton firm, as a cotton classer. He remained with this firm until 1904, when he went with Hermann Lobe at Shreveport, Louisiana, in the same capac- ity. From there he went to Dallas, Texas, in 1909, joining the organization of W. D. Felder and Com- pany as classer. He left this company to go with the Tarver Steele Company in 1914 at Dallas and in 1919 was transferred to Galveston to take over his present position, in which he has been eminently successful.

Mr. Knox was born at Vicksburg, Mississippi," November 29, 1879, the son of J. H. Knox, a native of Vermont, but who lived practically all of his life in Mississippi and was one of the best known cot- ton men in that State, being for years a member of the firm of Knox and Vincent at Vicksburg. His mother, prior to marriage, was Mary Ellen Askew, also a native of Mississippi, and a member of one of its pioneer families. He was united in marriage at Fort Worth, Texas, December 11, 1906, to Miss Harriet Studebaker, whose father, George Stude- baker, was a well known chain store merchant of Iowa, but who now makes his home at Buhl, Idaho. Her mother, Emma Susan Brown, is a member of a well known Kansas family. The family residence is at 3215 Avenue N1/2. Fraternally Mr. Knox is an Elk and is a member of the Rotary Club of Gal- veston and the Chamber of Commerce. He holds membership in the First Presbyterian Church of Galveston.

Mr. Knox is held in high esteem by his business associates and is a firm believer in the continuance of Galveston as one of the world's great cotton ex- porting centers.

1805

MEN OF TEXAS

RNEST STAVENHAGEN, thoughout his business career connected with the whole- sale grocery business at Galveston, has attained the reputation of a merchant of progressive policies and executive ability. He has given his energies not alone to his private business interests but for the prosperity of his city. Mr. Stavenhagen is a partner of the well known whole- sale grocery house of E. Stavenhagen and Son, a business organized by his father, the late E. Stav- enhagen, in 1900, just three weeks after the Gal- veston storm of that year. Since the death of the elder Mr. Stavenhagen the business has been suc- cessfully carried on by the son. They occupy their own building at 2114 Avenue B. The firm handles groceries and produce, doing a large wholesale busi- ness in Galveston City, as well as supplying dredges, tow boats, tugs, barges and other craft in and about Galveston harbor.

Ernest Stavenhagen was born in Galveston, Texas, October 26th, 1879, the son of Ernest Stavenhagen, who came here from Germany in 1860, and who fought through the Civil War. The elder Mr. Stav- enhagen was for many years a city salesman and partner in a wholesale grocery house, which dis- solved partnership soon after the 1900 storm. Soon after this the present business was organized, and the son, the subject of this sketch, was taken in as an active partner. His mother is the only other partner in the business, having retained the interest formerly held by her husband. Mr. Stavenhagen re- ceived his education in the public schools and Smith's Business College of Galveston.

He was married in Galveston, the third of June, 1918, to Miss Henrietta Kressman, the daughter of the late H. C. Kressman, who was an ice dealer in Galveston for many years. The family own their home at 1701 Avenue F, and have two children, Ernest III and Etta Lou.

Mr. Stavenhagen is a member of the American Wholesale Grocers Association, the Chamber of Com- merce and the Young Men's Progressive League. He is prominent in Masonic circles, and is Past Master of Harmony Lodge No. 6, Past High Priest of San Felipe de Austin Royal Arch Chapter No. 1, and Past Commander of San Felipe de Austin Command- ery No. 1. He is a member of Galveston Council No. 16, R. and S. M., Texas Consistory No. 1, A. and A. S. R., and Temple A. and A. O. N. M. S. of Galveston. Mr. Stavenhagen has also served a term as District Deputy Grand Master, and is a char- ter members of Galveston Chapter No. 716, Order of the Eastern Star. He is also a member of the Masonic Temple Board of Directors, of which he has been auditor for many years. During the lifetime of Mr. Stavenhagen's father, both father and son were Past Masters, Past High Priests and Past Command- ers of the same Masonic bodies, a distinction that is considered unique in the annals of Free Masonry.

Mr. Stavenhagen is a deacon of the First Presby- terian Church of Galveston. He has had the advan- tage of education that comes from extensive travel, having visited practically every city of note on the European continent, as well as those in his own coun- try and Canada. This has given him an unusually broad point of view and enables him to analyze prob- lems that present themselves to him in his business. Mr. Stavenhagen is a citizen who reflects only credit upon his city, and is highly esteemed by all.

RED C. PABST, for four decades and more has been vitally associated with the prog- ress and development of Galveston. For almost two decades he was identified with the wholesale grocery business here, building up a large enterprise in this line. He has had other busi- ness interests from time to time, but it is per- haps as a realtor that he has best served Galveston, representing as he does that type of real estate man who makes it a life policy to buy undeveloped city property, and to develop it into residence addi- tions that promote and encourage civic expansion. Mr. Pabst is the owner of the Pabst Realty Com- pany, one of the leading real estate firms of Gal- veston, and in which he is associated with his son. The Pabst Realty Company was established in 1903, and was operated by Mr. Pabst alone, until his son, William F. Pabst, came into the firm. This firm handles an extensive loan business, and also buys and sells business and residence property, making a specialty of lots and additions within the city, and also owns extensive acreage on the mainland. In the two decades of its history the Pabst Realty Com- pany has handled some of the most important real estate transactions made at Galveston, and has con- summated deals which have played an important part in the trend of development. Mr. Pabst has his of- fices in the Pabst Building, at 2304 Avenue B., Gal- veston.

Fred C. Pabst came to Galveston the thirteenth of November, 1885, landing here the day of the big fire of that year. He went to work for a whole- sale fruit importing company, remaining with that firm until he started in business for himself. His first venture was a wholesale grocery and fruit business, which he operated for about eighteen years, and which he developed from a small con- cern to one of the largest wholesale grocery and fruit houses here, and also established a branch at Houston to care for the increasing business in that territory. He withdrew from this business in 1913, establishing the real estate business in the same year. He has been a director in many different in- dustries and commercial enterprises at Galveston, and has been instrumental in placing many of the important business houses here on a permanent foundation, but has recently retired from active business life, disposing of these interests.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 110

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