New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 111

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

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Fred C. Pabst was born at Tyler, Texas, the first day of January, 1864, the son of Julius Pabst, a man of the pioneering type, who went to California with the "Forty-niners," later, in 1851, returning to Texas, locating at Tyler, where he spent the remain- der of a busy life. Fred C. Pabst was educated in the schools of Tyler, and attended East Texas Uni- versity at Tyler, one of the old educational insti- tutions of the state, graduating there in 1885. He came to Galveston immediately following his gradu- ation, and has since made this city his home.

Mr. Pabst was married at Galveston in 1890, to Miss Cora La Barthe, the daughter of J. A. La Barthe, pioneer of Galveston, and for many years in the real estate business here. Mr. and Mrs. Pabst have two children: Mrs. George S. Murphy, wife of Major George S. Murphy, U. S. A., and William F. Pabst, who is associated with his father in business. Mr. Pabst has for many years been active in civic work, serving as port commissioner of Port Galves-

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ton for twenty years, and was four times elected county commissioner of finance. He was appointed U. S. collector of customs, serving eight years under the Wilson administration, and is a member of the Seawall Boulevard Commission, serving as chair- man, and is a member of the Causeway Commission. In speaking of the future of Galveston, Mr. Pabst stressed the coming importance of this city as an industrial center, due to the raising of the West End grade, thus offering industrial sites that will attract manufacturers to locate here, and also pointed out the fact that new residence additions were available to keep pace with industrial ex- pansion, and the resulting demand for more homes.

ETER M. GENGLER of Galveston, Texas, after leaving school, entered the law office of Weeler and Rhodes and remained there one and a half years. He then went with the Leon and H. Blum Dry Goods Company, re- maining there for fourteen years, after which a period of thirteen years was spent with the Gerbade Eiband Company. In 1914 he bought out the sec- retary's interest of Peter Gengler Company and be- came secretary. In 1917 he bought out the pres- ident's interest and became president. The Peter Gengler Company, Inc. is the leading establishment of its kind in this city, and few grocery stores of the Southwest are in the class with this establish- ment. The wonderful business of Peter Gengler Company, Inc. had its origin in 1851, not on the splendid paved street, nor plate glass fronted store, with electric lights, automatic cash registers and all other modern conveniences, but with a horse-drawn cart, selling family supplies to the inhabitants of the Island City. Peter and John Gengler were the own- ers of this grocery and produce store on wheels, which has eclipsed anything of its kind ever oper- ated in Galveston. The next step in the growth of this business, was in 1852 when a small bakery and grocery was opened near the corner of 20th Street and Avenue D. In 1853 a two-story wooden building was built at 2005-7 Market Street. The firm continued to grow, the business increased, and new space was added for the stock of groceries. In 1890, Peter Gengler died, and the sons of the two men who started the business have continued it. In 1893 the two story wooden building was torn down to make room for a modern brick building. In 1918 the corner at 2001-3 Market Street was pur- chased and both buildings were combined into one large store 84 by 120 feet. In 1908 the business was incorporated under the name of Peter Gengler Company, Inc. In 1916, Peter M. Gengler became president and their splendid building, modern in every detail, which is located at 2001-7 Avenue D, was erected. The main business of this store is for the retail trade, but some groceries are sold at whole- sale, and this business is limited to hotels, ships and various other institutions of the Island City. In this store can be found everything, both domestic and imported, for the table, and the finest goods obtain- able are handled here, together with a complete fruit, vegetable, fish and bakery departments, which are full and complete at all times. The Peter Gengler Company are among the largest importers of gro- ceries in the Southwest, besides their immense busi-

ness in domestic goods. The capital stock of this company is $150,000.00 but the plant, property and everything listed as the property of this concern represents an investment of more than twice that amount. Seventy-five people are employed in the operation of this establishment, and many of these have been associated with the company for more than twenty years. They have a complete de- livery system, and Mr. Gengler believes that serv- ice is the next thing to give to the customer, after superior things to eat. Six auto trucks and four wagons are used in the delivery system of this store, and deliveries are made in every portion of the city, several times each day. Many of the employees of the Peter Gengler Company, Inc. own stock in the business, and this firm has many customers who traded with this store when the present owners were small children. This grocery establishment, in addi- tion to being one of the leading stores of the South- west, is one of the most attractive also, and a visit to Galveston is not complete without seeing this beautifully arranged, modern, sanitary grocery store.

A native of Galveston, Texas, Mr. Gengler is the son of John Gengler, who came to this city from Bohlendorff, Germany, in 1851. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of Galves- ton, and his business career started before he fin- ished school, as he worked in his father's store dur- ing spare time, while in the schools of this city, and the valuable lessons which he learned from his fa- ther and uncle, the founders, have been of untold value to him throughout his successful business career.

Mr. Gengler was married at Galveston, Texas, on September 18th, 1893, to Miss Theresa Schulte, a daughter of Henry Schulte, who came to Galves- ton from Germany and was a well known business man of this city, where Mrs. Gengler was born, reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Gengler are the parents of three children, all of whom died in infancy. The Gengler home is located at 2020 Avenue K. Mr. Gengler has always taken an active interest in the civic improvement and progress of Galveston, and gives of his time and means to any project having as its object the betterment of his city. He is a director of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, a director in the Galveston Merchant Retail Associa- tion, a director and officer in many other organiza- tions of this city. He is also a member of the Rotary Club, the B. P. O. E., the Galveston Country Club and other social organizations of this city. He is a consistent member of the Catholic Church, and is treasurer of St. Joseph and is active in all church work. Mr. Gengler's father was one of the members who started St. Joseph Church, which was erected in this city seventy years ago. As the executive head of the Peter Gengler Company, Inc., Mr. Geng- ler has shown himself to be one of the leading busi- ness men of the Lone Star State. He is a worthy and honored citizen, esteemed alike by customer and competitor. Mr. Gengler has wisely builded his institution on a foundation that will endure, and no citizen of the Island City has ever been more ready to contribute his material aid and time toward the upbuilding of his beloved Galveston than has Peter M. Gengler.

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OORE AND GOODMAN, retail lumber deal- ers, with plant and yards which occupy one entire block, located at 602-24 Thirtieth Street, between Avenues F and G, are num- bered among the leading business organizations of the Island City. This lumber firm was established in 1888, when C. H. Moore took over the firm inter- ests of A. J. Perkins and Company, with whom the elder Mr. Moore had been associated since 1881. The lumber firm of Moore and Goodman deal in lumber only, and have no loan department or con- tracting business in connection with their retail lumber business. They carry a full and complete line of lumber and mill work, and employ fifteen people at their plant and office. Mr. Bartlett D. Moore and Mr. H. B. Goodman are active in the firm.

E. HAVILAND, identified with industrial affairs at Galveston throughout his busi- ness career, has been a factor in the mill- ing business, and as a representative of this business has been particularly active in advance- ment along modern and scientific lines. Mr. Havi- land is vice president and general manager of the Texas State Flour Mills, an industry founded in 1878, and one of the oldest businesses at Galveston. The Texas State Flour Mills have a large and mod- ern mill at 21 Avenue A, with a daily capacity of five thousand barrels of flour, mill feed and corn products. Their products are milled from raw ma- terials from Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, and the output of the mill is shipped to a trade in Texas, Louisiana, New York and Florida, and export trade to the West Indies, Mexico and Central Eu- rope is also handled. Products of the Texas State Flour Mills are placed on the market under the trade names of "New Way," Ambrosia and Tidal Wave, which latter is the oldest. The mill furnishes employment to a force of about one hundred and fifty people. Mr. Haviland has been with the Texas State Flour Mills since 1904. He came with the organization as office boy, and has grown up with the business, working in all departments, and becom- ing thoroughly familiar, through practical experi- ence, with every phase of the milling business. Un- der his direction the Texas State Flour Mills has enjoyed a period of growth and expansion. Other officers are: Ed. Lasker, of New York, president, and H. M. Brenheimer, secretary and treasurer.

J. E. Haviland is a native of Galveston, born the seventh of July, 1886. His father, F. G. Haviland, also a native of Galveston, is a veteran railroad man here. His mother, Mrs. Mary Louise Haviland, is a native of New Orleans, her marriage to Mr. Havi- land occurring in 1884. J. E. Haviland was named for his grandfather, J. E. Haviland, one of the real pioneers of Galveston, and who was for many years active in Masonic work here, holding many chairs in Masonic bodies. He was particularly active in the organization of the Scottish Rite at Galveston. J. E. Haviland was educated in the schools of Galves- ton.

Mr. Haviland was married at Houston, the nine- teenth of June, 1919, to Miss Georgia Nunn, a native of that city, and whose parents resided there until their death during her young girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Haviland reside at 1502 Twenty-third Street. Mr. Haviland has been active in the work of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce for many years,

and has served as a director. He was elected presi- dent for 1924, but the press of his business com- pelled him to resign. He is also a director of the Rotary Club, and a member of the Country Club. Mr. Haviland has been very much interested in Boy Scout work for some years and has done a great deal in this line for the boys of Galveston. Frater- nally he is a Mason, Harmony Blue Lodge, both York and Scottish Rite bodies, and a member of El Mina Temple Shrine.

ARRY NEVELSON, who has recently come to Galveston to establish his business head- quarters, is a factor in importing circles, the large volume of import business brought into this port by the concerns which he controls contributing to the economic advancement of Gal- veston. Mr. Nevelson is third vice president and manager of the Southern Banana Corporation and secretary of the Snyder Banana Corporation, two of the large importing companies located at Galves- ton. Through these companies some nine boats of bananas enter the port of Galveston each month, the fruit being unloaded here and distributed, shipping in carload lots to the markets of the United States. The office here looks after all distribution and handles all business for the boats in port, including drydocking, and other matters, and furnishes em- ployment to a large number of men. The J. Pearce Stevedoring Company, in charge of the unloading of the boats of the two companies, uses some three hundred and fifty men for this purpose. In addi- tion a permanent office force of around fifteen em- ployees is maintained. The Southern Banana Cor- poration and the Snyder Banana Corporation are one of the important businesses in Galveston, both in point of business brought into the port, and in point of money spent in the city. This latter includes around thirty thousand dollars annually for repairs, an amount closely approximating this for new barges, and large sums for food, hardware and ship supplies purchased in the city. Only around one- eighth of the bananas imported by these companies enter the country through Galveston, the others en- tering the port at New Orleans, where lower freight rates to eastern cities facilitate shipping. The companies maintain offices at Fronteria, and Villa Hermosa, Mexico, and have extensive plantations in the state of Tabasco, Mexico, shipping the bananas grown here to Galveston and New Orleans for dis- tribution throughout the country. The Southern Banana Corporation and the Snyder Banana Cor- poration own a number of the boats used in their importing business, operating others under charter. The vessels owned by the company were designed for the banana trade. Economy of operation is ob- tained by using kerosene engines. Mr. Nevelson, who has charge of operations at Galveston, is third vice president and secretary of the two companies, and maintains his offices at Pier 19.

Harry Nevelson was born in New York City the eleventh of October, 1889, and was educated in the schools of that city. He entered the importing business, coming to Galveston in 1922, to establish headquarters in this city.

Mr. Nevelson was married at Galveston the twen- ty-fourth of February, 1924, to Miss Doris Paskow- itz, daughter of one of the leading merchants of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Nevelson make their home at the Hotel Galvez. Mr. Nevelson is a member of

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the Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, and is a charter member of the Galveston Country Club. He belongs to a number of fraternal orders, the Elks, Knights of Pythias and Dokeys. Mr. Nevelson has taken a deep interest in the commercial develop- ment of Galveston, and in speaking of the future of this city states that the primary need is for more cooperation in business affairs, which would result in increased business for all concerned.

LEMENTE NICOLINI, pioneer in the ship- ping business at Galveston, and for upwards of four decades a resident of this city, repre- sents the progressive type of business man and has been a factor in the growth of Galveston in recent years, while as Italian consul agent at this place he has been a prominent figure in inter- national affairs. Mr. Nicolini is a member of the firm of C. Nicolini & Company, steamship agents, a firm established in 1907 and for some years there- after a factor in shipping. Later the firm was in- active for a time, but in May, 1920, was re-estab- lished and has resumed its former place of im- portance in the shipping world. C. Nicolini & Com- pany are general agents for the Odero Line, an Ital- ian line operated by N. Odero Fu Aless & Company. While a sub-agent is stationed at various gulf ports the office is at Galveston and all business centers here. This line has a ship in about every twenty days, running to Mediterranean ports and handling freight only. Mr. Nicolini has been a passenger agent at Galveston since 1885 and can book passage to any port. In the firm of C. Nicolini & Company he is associated with his son, Frank Nicolini, and U. Bernardoni, who is also active in the manage- ment of the business. Offices are at 310 Twenty- first Street and one man is kept permanently on the wharf, in charge of work there.

Clemente Nicolini was born at Sestra Levante, near Genoa, Italy, the thirteenth of January, 1853, and spent his early boyhood there. As soon as he was old enough to go to sea he signed as cabin boy on a vessel leaving Genoa, and for the following sixteen years followed the sea, sailing all the seas, and working up to captain. His educational oppor- tunities were only such as he made for himself, but with an ambition to succeed far above the average he applied himself and made the most of every oppor- tunity. He came to Galveston in 1884, and made the decision to make this his permanent home. He be- came an American citizen in 1888, having taken his first papers in 1884, the year of his arrival in this country. However, his career since that time has proven that he retained his love for the sea and ships, and has been largely concerned with shipping in- terests, although for a time he was one of the big- gest wholesale liquor dealers here, being the first to ship in California wine in car load lots.

Mr. Nicolini was married in Italy, while in that country on a visit, in 1899, to Carmen Linaro, whose parents were neighbors to his family in Italy. Mr. and Mrs. Nicolini reside at the attractive home which Mr. Nicolini built at 1922 Twenty-third Street and have four children, Frank, who is with his father in business, Theresa, Louis and Dominic. The Nico- lini family are devout members of the Catholic Church, attending the cathedral here. In 1886 Mr. Nicolini was appointed Italian consul agent, a post which he held up until his resignation early in 1924, a period of thirty-eight years. He has for

many years been active in his work in behalf of Italians in Galveston and works with the Italian Colony Fund, a fund to help stranded Italians here, and with La Star Italia, a mutual benefit society for the relief and advancement of his compatriots. He has also taken a great interest in young men just starting their business career and there are today in Galveston many very successful citizens whom he was instrumental in starting along the road to success. Fraternally Mr. Nicolini is an Odd- fellow.

ARL W. WERNER, one of the younger busi- ness men at Galveston to achieve success in the industrial field, has throughout his business career been associated with the sheet metal business, and with his father, George P. Werner, pioneer in this field, and for almost half a century a business man of Galveston, has built up one of the largest sheet metal businesses here. Carl W. Werner, with his father, George P. Werner, owns the firm of George P. Werner and Son, which the latter established at Galveston in 1879, and which has been at its present location, 1628 Avenue G, since the early eighties. George P. Werner and Sons are equipped to handle any and all kinds of sheet metal work, and also handle all kinds of metal and as- bestos roofing. The business has been for a number of years past largely under the direction of Carl W. Werner, his father, George P. Werner, being con- sulted only on the more important details of the business, and helping solve those problems where his judgment and experience, based on half a century in this business, are invaluable. George P. Werner and Sons have a completely equipped plant and em- ploy around ten experienced sheet metal workers.

George P. Werner was born at New Orleans, Louisiana, the twenty-sixth of February, 1856, and came to Galveston eleven years later, in 1867. He established the firm now known as George P. Wer- ner and Son, in 1879, and has been continuously in the sheet metal business since that time. Mr. Wer- ner is the oldest man in Texas in this line, both in point of years and in point of service. He was married at Galveston the fifth of November, 1879, to Miss Mary K. Elbert, daughter of Nicholas Elbert, a resident of Galveston since 1842, and a pioneer shoemaker here. Mr. Werner has served for the last decade and a half as first vice president of the National Sheet Metal Contractors Association, and is first vice president of the State Association of Sheet Metal Contractors.

Carl W. Werner, son of George P. Werner and Mary (Elbert) Werner, was born at Galveston, the fifth of December, 1891, and was educated in the schools of this city. After finishing high school, he went to New York City, where he attended the New York Trade School, specializing in sheet metal work. He engaged in the sheet metal business in and around New York City for two years, after which he returned to Galveston and entered the business here with his father.

Carl W. Werner was married at San Antonio, Texas, in 1918, to Miss Louise Chatfield, daugh- ter of A. W. Chatfield, with the San Antonio Sheet Metal Works. Mr. and Mrs. Werner reside at 3729 Q Street, and have one child, Alberta. Mr. Werner has given special study to the sheet metal business for many years and is considered one of the most capable men in this field in Texas.

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RED HARTEL came to Galveston, Texas, in 1890 and since that time has been a factor in the business circles of this city where he has been engaged in the various branches of the sheet metal industry. Mr. Hartel is the ex- ecutive head and partner in the Fred Hartel Com- pany, dealers in sheet metal and roofing, located at 2321 Avenue F. This business was established in 1904 when Mr. Hartel purchased the Galveston part of the combined business, with which he had been associated for many years. Associated with Mr. Har- tel in the Fred Hartel Company is his son, Elmer D. Hartel, and the are engaged largely in contract- ing sheet metal, roofing and kindred lines. The Fred Hartel Company maintain a wholesale slate yard, and cover all Texas territory with roofing slate, and their business in this particular line is among the largest in the state. They carry a full and complete line of metal supplies of all kinds and are among the largest contractors in the city for local business. About forty-five men are em- ployed by this firm, and five experienced people comprise the office force. In addition to his inter- ests in the Fred Hartel Company, Mr. Hartel is in- terested in many of Galveston's financial and indus- trial institutions, and is vice president of the Island City Wood Working Company, and is a director in the United States National Bank. In 1914, Mr. Har- tel was elected to the office of county finance com- missioner of Galveston County, and is still serving in this capacity, where he has established an enviable record in the handling of the county's funds. He is president of the Boy Scouts Council, and is very active in this work and takes a keen interest in the welfare of boys and has always been an ardent work- er in all matters having to do with the education and training of boys along all lines. Mr. Hartel has devoted his entire business life to the sheet metal industry and knows this line of endeavor as few men know it. He came to Fort Worth, Texas, in 1879, where he remained until coming to this city in 1890, and is well known in the business circles of the state.

A native of Wisconsin, Mr. Hartel was born at Waukesha on March 12th, 1860. His parents were also natives of that state, where they were well known. His education was obtained in the public schools of Wisconsin.

Mr. Hartel was married at Meridian, Texas, on January 1st, 1890, to Miss Doris Dillard, a native of the Lone Star State and a daughter of H. M. Dil- lard, a well known Texas educator. They have two children, Elmer D. Hartel, associated with his father in business, and was born in Galveston, Texas, on February 22nd, 1892. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of Galveston. Young Hartel saw service in the World War, having enlisted in May, 1917, and entered the first Officers Train- ing Camp and was commissioned a second lieuten- ant and was assigned to the 90th Division, 360th Infantry, and went overseas with this division. H. was promoted to a first lieutenant, and then to cap- tain of Infantry with this Division. He was dis- charged on July 7th, 1919. He was commissioned a captain of Infantry of the Second O. R. C. of the Eighth Corps and assigned to the 360th Infantry. The other child is a daughter, Bernice Mitchell Har- tel. Mr. and Mrs. Hartel reside at 2702 Avenue J.

Mr. Hartel is a member of both the York and Scot- tish Rite bodies of the Masonic order and is a Shriner of El Mina Temple. His membership in the A. F. and A. M. is with Tucker Lodge of this city. He is also a member of the Galveston Country Club and is a past president of the Rotary Club and is now a director in this organization. Mr. Hartel is opti- mistic as to the future of Galveston, and is look- ing forward to an era of great business prosperity in all lines.

P. MC DONOUGH for a quarter of a cen- tury has been a factor in the industrial world at Galveston and has contributed greatly to general prosperity here as the builder of one of the largest iron and marine works in this locality and also through the construction of dry docks of vital importance to the maintenance of Galveston's position as a port city. Mr. McDon- ough is president of the McDonough Iron Works, a business established at Galveston in 1897, and which he has operated since. The plant was established in a small way, gradually expanding as conditions justified, and is now the leading iron works at Gal- veston. Mr. McDonough handles all kinds of iron work and specializes in marine repairs. He manu- factures marine parts, parts for marine engines, propellers and like items, and also a deep oil well pump for the Texas and California fields. Mr. Mc- Donough also organized and built the first Dry Dock and Construction Company at Galveston, this being the result of an idea he had when he estab- lished the iron works and which had gradually taken shape during the years which followed. When the United States government said it was necessary for Galveston to have big docks during the World War the company Mr. McDonough had organized some years before was incorporated and enlarged to meet this need and still retained the same name, the Gal- veston Dry Dock and Construction Company. The McDonough Iron Works is now located in a modern plant at 2701 A Street and in normal times employs around three hundred men, although this number reaches as high as 1000 at times. Associated with Mr. McDonough in the iron works are J. Moore Mc- Donough, and J. P. McDonough, Jr., his sons, and E. McDonough Bens, his nephew, and R. C. Johnson, secretary. Mr. McDonough holds the position of president of the McDonough Iron Works, vice pres- ident of the Galveston Dry Docks and Construction Company, and vice president of the Security Trust Company.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 111

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