New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 112

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

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Mr. McDonough was born in Alabama in 1867, the son of J. P. McDonough, of that state. He ob- tained his education in the public schools near his home and as a young man learned the blacksmiths and iron workers trade. He came to Galveston in 1887 at the age of twenty years, and worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for three years. At the end of that time he opened a small shop here, in partner- ship with another man, this shop being located on the waterfront. While operating that shop the possibilities of an iron works specializing in ma- rine work appealed to him and he broke away from his first business, establishing the McDonough Iron Works in 1897.

Mr. McDonough was married at Galveston, in 1890, to Miss Annie C. Moore of this city. They have a family of nine children, J. Moore McDonough and

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

J. P. McDonough, who are associated with their father in business, a younger son, Edwin B. McDon- ough, and six daughters. The family reside at 1604 Avenue E. Mr. McDonough is a member of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, and takes an ac- tive part in the civic work carried on through that organization. Mr. McDonough is an excellent ex- ample of the old school self made man, and has achieved his present position in the industrial world entirely through his own efforts, and through his application of the early learned maxim that real suc- cess is bought by industry. Mr. McDonough, how- ever, is unusual as a self made man in that he is progressive, taking a deep interest in all new devel- opments, and is at all times ready to incorporate modern and better ways in his business. The result of this tendency is that he has achieved a success above the average, and stands at the head of indus- trial executives in Galveston.

OSEPH NUSSBAUM, one of the pioneers of Texas, came to Galveston around a half a decade ago, and although he has not par- ticipated in an active way in the commer- cial world here, he is one of the most highly es- teemed Galvestonians, and has contributed gener- ously to the various movements of importance to civic growth. Mr. Nussbaum was for many years active in the business world at Mexia, and had an interest in many of the more important enterprises in that Central Texas city. He founded the First National Bank of that city, built the ice plant, the opera house, the telephone plant, electric light plant and compress. He was also interested in the Dal- las Cement Company, being active treasurer for some time, and was largely responsible for putting it on a paying basis. At the time oil was discov- ered at Mexia he turned his attention largely to the development of this resource, and attained both wealth and prominence for his participation in the petroleum industry. In oil circles, Mr. Nussbaum was regarded as one of the sturdy pioneers in this field, who had the judgment to see advantages and the ability to organize and execute his development plans, and his contribution to the development of the fields in which he was interested was an impor- tant factor in this work.

Joseph Nussbaum was born in Germany, the six- teenth of August, 1848, the son of Reuben Nuss- baum, a farmer in that country. He was educated in the schools of Germany, coming to America in 1866. Mr. Nussbaum went to. St. Louis, spending one year in that city, and engaged in the land busi- ness in Missouri for a year and a half. He came to Texas in 1869, going to Mexia, where he entered the general mercantile business, and also engaged in the land business, buying large tracts of undeveloped land, subdividing it and selling it to farmers. He gradually developed his mercantile business, ex- panding to meet the demands of the growing town, and at the same time acquiring heavy real estate interests, both in city property and in acreage around Mexia. When oil was discovered this acreage, lo- cated in the petroleum areas, rose rapidly in value, and he sold much of his land to the Humphries Com- pany, in which company he was a large stockholder until his retirement from active life. Other property he retained, and at the present time owns both business property in Mexia and valuable oil land

in the oil fields there.

Mr. Nussbaum was married at Galveston in 1877 to Miss Carrie Newman. They have a family of seven children, Herman, Jack, Louis, Emil and Les- ter, all of whom are prominent business men in various Texas cities, Miss Ida, and Mrs. Ruby Arch- enhold of Waco. Mr. and Mrs. Nussbaum reside at 1710 E Street. Mr. Nussbaum is a member of the Galveston Country Club. He is an interesting conversationalist, and since coming to Galveston has formed many friendships, both in a social way and among the business men who appreciate the sound- ness of a judgment based on years of experience and success.

ARRY HANSON, SR., sole owner of the Hanson ship yards, located at Pier No. Nine, has been a well known resident of Galveston for a decade or more, having permanently located in this city in 1914. Prior to that time Mr. Hanson had been very well known in shipping circles of the various gulf ports and with the estab- lishments of his business here, found a ready clien- tele among a large circle of friends and business acquaintances.

The business of the Hanson ship yards is con- fined principally to repair work, although complete equipment and facilities are maintained for the con- struction of smaller boats, including the entire job from the laying of the keel to installation of motors and testing. The yards have three shipping ways and machinery sufficient to handle boats up to a capacity of fifty tons. From twelve to fifteen men are employed in the yards at all times and usually from eight to fifteen boats are found in the Hanson yards undergoing repairs and replacements. The carpenter and machine shops of the Hanson yards are especially well equipped and expert mechanics are employed in each department, assuring to cus- tomers the best grade of work at all times. The business has enjoyed a steady increase since its es- tablishment here in 1914 and is now one of the most prosperous along the Galveston water front.

Mr. Hanson is a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, and was born in September, 1871, a son of Olie Han- son, stone cutter and brick layer. When nine years of age he came with his parents to America and for a time lived on a farm, later engaging in pub- lic work and as deck hand on a river steamer.

He served a term of enlistment in the Army and was discharged in April, 1896. After leaving the Army he came to Galveston and was employed by the construction firm of O'Connor, Land and Smoot for two years in work on the Galveston jetties. After this he established a ship yard business at Port Boli- var, across the bay from Galveston, which he con- tinued until 1914, when he removed his plant and equipment to Galveston.

In 1895 Mr. Hanson was married at Laredo, Texas, to Miss Nellie Honeyman, a native of Scotland. They have four children, Harry Jr., Robert C., Helen and Norman. The three sons are associated with their father in the ship yard business. The family home is at No. 828 Avenue G.

Mr. Hanson is a man of quiet and unassuming manner, a hard worker and little given to ostenta- tious display. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Order of Red Men.

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F. RYDER came to Galveston in 1914, as manager of the Rosenbaum Grain Corpora- tion, grain exporters, and has had much to do with the growth and success of this firm's business here since that time. The Rosenbaum Grain Corporation owns and operates the Sunset Elevator, which is constructed entirely of rein- forced concrete and is absolutely fireproof, and has a capacity of one million bushels. The local busi- ness and plant of this firm was established about 1903, and the Galveston office attends to the physical end of the business, unloading cars and loading boats. They ship by charter to European and Mediterranean ports. In 1923, this firm shipped the largest exclusive grain cargo ever shipped from gulf ports. The Dutch steamer "Germania" lifted 424,000 bushels of grain, which was loaded at the Sunset Elevator with Rotterdam as its destination. More than one hundred people are employed by the Rosenbaum Grain Corporation at Galveston, the of- fice of which is located on the second floor of the Cotton Exchange. Mr. Ryder has spent his entire business life in the various branches of the grain industry and knows grain as few men know it, and he is regarded as an authority on all matters having to do with any branch of the grain business.

Mr. Ryder was born at Decatur, Illinois, on Feb- ruary 13th, 1884. His parents moved to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1914, where his father is engaged in the railroad business. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of Decatur, Illinois, and he entered the grain business immediately after leaving school and has so continued.

Mr. Ryder was married at Galveston on April 23rd, 1919, to Miss Frances Crotty, a native of Gal- veston, and a member of a pioneer family of this city. They have one daughter, Marjorie Jean. Mr. and Mrs. Ryder reside at 1609 Avenue F. He is a member of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, serving on the advisory board. He is also a mem- ber of the Galveston Country Club, and of various civic organizations. Mr. Ryder is optimistic as to the future of Galveston. He has made a host of friends since coming here and is popular in the business and social circles of this city.

L. BEVERIDGE, for many years active in the business and industrial world at Gal- veston, for a quarter of a century has been one of the leading' representatives of the shipping business at this port, and is an expert on all matters pertaining to shipping. Mr. Bever- idge is a steamship agent, operating his business under the firm name of J. L. Beveridge and Com- pany. Mr. Beveridge handles and is agent for the "K" Line, Suzuki & Co., Ltd., general agents, oper- ating to Far East and European ports, and hand- ling freight exclusively. Sixty-five boats operated by these lines enter the Port of Galveston during the year, and Mr. Beveridge has charge of all ship- ping on these lines. He has his offices in the Amer- ican National Insurance Building, and maintains a force of fourteen permanent employees, others being added at times.

Mr. Beveridge is a native of England, where he was born in 1865, the son of English parents. He was educated in the private schools of his native country and came to the United States as a young man, going first to San Antonio, in 1884. After spending some time along the border he came to

Galveston and for several years was engaged in rail- road work. He began his sea experience in July, 1900, all of his experience in shipping having been gained at the Port of Galveston. He was with J. Moller and Company and Langben Bros. from 1900 to 1919. He then went with Harris Magill and Company, who were bought out by Trosdal, Plant and LaFonta. Mr. Beveridge was appointed agent for this organization and remained with them until he went into business on his own account under the name of J. L. Beveridge and Company. In speaking of his railroad experience Mr. Beveridge makes the statement that he considers the experience gained in this work has been very beneficial to him in his subsequent career, and advises young men desiring practical business training to spend a few years in railroad work.

Mr. Beveridge was married at Galveston, the twenty-second of June, 1901, to Miss Elizabeth Wat- kins, of England. Mr. and Mrs. Beveridge have two children, Walter L. Beveridge, with the Southern Beverage Company, and Miss Dora May Beveridge, and reside at 3324 Avenue O. Mr. Beveridge is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Cotton Exchange and the Aziola Club, in which he is a director. He is a close student of economics, and keeps in touch with market conditions throughout the world, finding that the prosperity of the ship- ping at Galveston depends largely on the Texas cotton crop and market conditions generally. Mr. Beveridge represents the progressive type of busi- ness man, and his influence on the business world at Galveston is conducive to prosperity and ad- vancement.

ILLIAM ANDREW WANSLEY for around two decades has been identified with busi- ness activities at Galveston, and as a factor in towing and shell production enterprises, has contributed much to the constructive develop- ment of these two important enterprises, and to the general prosperity of Galveston. Mr. Wansley is vice president and general manager of the firm of W. D. Haden Company, the largest producers of shell in the world. This business, established by W. D. Haden, is one of the most important industrial en- terprises at Galveston, and since its organization has met with rapid growth, building a business that is adding materially to the business wealth of the city. The company owns all their own barges, dredges, boats, and other equipment used in digging the shell and also employs a large force of operativse in this work. They also own transportation facilities, in- cluding a fleet of trucks, for the transportation of the shell. The business has been under the man- agement of Mr. Wansley since 1920 and during this time its development has been particularly rapid, the annual volume of business showing a gratifying increase, while operation has been systematized and brought to a high standard of efficiency.

Mr. Wansley is also vice president of the Bay Tow- ing Company, a towing company operating four seagoing tug boats, and handling a large volume of coastwise towing. The Bay Towing Company also handles an extensive business in towing ships up the Houston Ship Channel, to Houston, operating a num- ber of tug boats on the channel. This company is handling a constantly increasing business.

William Andrew Wansley was born at Flatonia, Texas, the fifteenth of December, 1882, the son of

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W. A. Wansley, a stock raiser and landowner of that section, and Emma Wansley. Mr. Wansley attended the public schools of Flatonia, both in the elemen- tary and high schools, and also attended private schools. He further equipped himself for his busi- ness career through courses at a commercial college and afterward came to Port Arthur, where he spent some four years engaged in the mercantile and ship chandlery business. He then came to Galveston in 1908, accepting a position as general manager of Charles Clark and Company. He remained with that firm up until 1920, during that time directing river and harbor improvement work and harbor and sea wall construction. In 1920 he came with W. D. Ha- den as general manager and at about the same time became vice president of the Bay Towing Company.

Mr. Wansley was married at Galveston, in 1912, to Miss Bernice Keathley, from Fort Worth. They now reside in Galveston at 3210 Q Street and have one child, Elizabeth Wansley. Mr. Wansley is a mem- ber of the Galveston Country Club, the Lions Club, and fraternally is a Mason, York and Scottish Rites, and a member of El Mina Temple Shrine at Gal- veston.

EVI FRY, who, since coming to Texas City a number of years ago, has contributed ma- terially to the educational and scholastic advancement of the city, is known and valued as an enthusiastic and progressive represen- tative of the pedagogic profession in the Lone Star State. Prof. Fry is superintendent of the public schools at Texas City, an office he has held since 1919, during which period many improvements have been made. Under his administration a school for Mexicans and a grade school have been built, bring- including a modern high school, four grade schools for white children, a school for negroes and a school for Mexicans. Both the high school, offering twen- ty-three and a half credits, and the grade schools are rated first class by the State Department of Educa- tion. The high school has academic courses, special domestic science courses, on the Smith Hughes plan, and also manual training and mechanical drawing courses for the boys. All equipment in both courses is exceptionally good, and in the science depart- ment a complete laboratory has been equipped, and the school also has an excellent library. At the time Prof. Fry became superintendent of the schools, in 1919, there were but thirteen teachers, which num- ber has been increased under his administration to thirty; the grade schools have received their first class rating, and the high school curriculum has been improved, increasing the credits given from eigh- teen to twenty-three and one-half. The total at- tendance numbers around seven hundred and fifty, of whom more than one hundred are high school students.

Levi Fry was born at Corsicana, Texas, the ninth of April, 1890, the son of B. C. Fry, a farmer, now living near Amarillo. During his boyhood the fam- ily removed from Corsicana to Stevensville, and he attended the schools in that city, graduating later from John Tarleton College, with the B. S. degree in 1909. He has been active in educational work since leaving college, teaching in Stevensville, and various parts of the Panhandle prior to coming to Texas City, as principal, in 1917. After one year in this city he spent a year in West Texas, returning in

1919, as superintendent.

Prof. Fry was married at Panhandle, Texas, the twentieth of August, 1922, to Miss Onie O'Keefe, daughter of J. E. O'Keefe, well known Texas cattle- man and farmer. Prof. and Mrs. Fry have since made their home at Texas City, and are members of the Christian Church. He belongs to the State Teachers' Association, and is active in all education- al work. He is a man of high intellectual attain- ments, and as an executive shows a splendid dis- crimination and ability, and Texas City is fortunate in having him to direct the educational policies here.

E. ROBERTSON, who for several years past has been identified with petroleum refining activities at Texas City, has been associated with the oil business in the coastal fields for around two decades, and is one of the most experienced refining men in this section. Mr. Robertson is superintendent of the Terminal Oil and Refining Company, having come to Texas City in 1921 to assume this position. As superin- tendent of this company, now engaged in active op- erations in this field, Mr. Robertson has been a fac- tor in the development of the petroleum resources of Texas City, and has built up his company and materially increased the amount of business done by that company. He is particularly interested in the development of the shipping business at Texas City, and foresees a rapid increase in oil exports from this point.

Mr. Robertson is a thoroughly practical and ex- perienced refinery man, conversant with all phases of the refining business. He began with the Texas Company, in 1906, in the refining department, his first work being the inspecting of barrels. Since that time he has worked in practically every de- partment of the refining end of the business, re- maining with the Texas Company in various ca- pacities until 1910. At that time he went with the Gulf Company, remaining with them, also in the re- fining department, until 1913. In that year he went with the Pierce Oil Corporation, and was at Fort Worth, and in Oklahoma, until 1915, when he be- came associated with the Freeport and Mexican Fuel Oil and Refining Company, and for the ensuing three years was with that company. In 1918 he went with the Humble Oil and Refining Company, and was refining superintendent at San Antonio and Bay Town until he came with the Terminal Oil and Refining Company at Texas City in 1921, which posi- tion he now holds.

Mr. Robertson was born in Williamson County, Texas, the tenth of December, 1888, the son of J. F. Robertson, who came here from Tennessee and was a farmer for many years. He was educated in the schools near his home, remaining on the farm until the oil business attracted his attention, through the future it offered the man who was willing to train in the school of experience for a responsible position. Since that time he has been in this busi- ness, learning through practical experience, and ad- vancing rapidly along the road to success.

Mr. Robertson was married at San Antonio, Texas, the eighteenth of December, 1918, to Miss Maude Phillips of a Little Rock, Arkansas, family. They re- side at Texas City. Mr. Robertson is widely known to the oil fraternity as one of the most versatile refinery men in this section, and is one of the coming men in the industry.

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M. HOPKINS of Galveston, Texas, began work in the cotton business when twelve years of age, and since that time has had experience in every branch of this great industry, and knows the fleecy staple as few people know it. Mr. Hopkins is manager at Galveston for E. H. Perry and Company of Austin, Texas, well known buyers and exporters of cotton. He estab- lished the firm's business in this city in 1910 and come here in charge in 1912 from Alabama. The E. H. Perry and Company, with offices at 210 29th Street, have their own warehouse for concentration, which is known as the Magnolia warehouse. The average annual exports of this firm is 70,000 bales of cotton, which goes to various European ports and some to Japan. Eight experienced people are em- ployed in their offices, and labor is employed as needed. The headquarters of the E. H. Perry and Company are located at Austin, with Mr. Hopkins in full charge of the Galveston office, which is one of the most important offices of this firm. After working in the various cotton offices at Mobile, while a mere boy, Mr. Hopkins gained a valuable experience. He came to Texas first in 1899 and became associated with Rally Bros. and was in charge of the office of this firm at Schulenberg for two seasons. He then went to San Antonio, where for two years he was connected with McFadden Bros. and later went to Luling, Texas, with this firm and still later was sent to Montgomery, Alabama, where he handled all of McFadden's spot cotton in New York. He later spent eight months with the scales in New York, then returned to Montgomery, where he remained for some years and then went to Mobile, where he bought cotton for the People's Warehouse Company. After some time spent there in that line of the business, he came to Texas and became associated with the E. H. Perry and Com- pany interests.

Mr. Hopkins was born at Mobile, Alabama, on De- cember 23rd, 1869. His father, Captain Jack Hop- kins, was a sea captain and it was he who brought all the old Morgan Line boats to Galveston. He at one time ran boats from Mobile to New Orleans, then New Orleans to Galveston, then Morgan City to Gal- veston, moving on as the various railroads were built. Many of the old time Texans remember Cap- tain Hopkins, who was admired and esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Mr. Hop- kins' education was obtained in the public schools of Alabama.

Mr. Hopkins was married at Mobile, Alabama, on February 8th, 1893, to Miss Eugenia B. Homer, a member of a prominent Alabama family. They have six children, C. Allen Hopkins, engaged in the insurance business at Montgomery, Alabama; W. H. Hopkins, with the Stone and Webster Company at Columbus, Georgia; J. M. Hopkins, Jr., a student at the Rice Institute at Houston, Texas; Mrs. J. F. Gil- fillen of Atlanta, Georgia; Mrs. F. L. Ross of Hous- ton, Texas; and Miss Margaret, student at Ball High School, Galveston. Mr. Hopkins is a member of the A. F. and A. M. with membership at Montgomery, Alabama, and is also a member of the Scottish Rite body of this order and of the Shrine at Montgomery. He is an active member of the Galveston Cotton Exchange and represents his firm on this exchange. Mr. Hopkins is optimistic as to the future of Texasand progress of his beloved Galveston.

and the cotton industry. The continued development of the matchless resources of the state, will, Mr. Hopkins believes, bring greater development to Gal- veston and he takes pleasure in contemplating the future greatness of this city.

OS. M. SMITH, Galveston, Texas, is a pioneer in the cotton compress business of Texas, having been actively engaged in this industry for more than thirty-five years. Mr. Smith is manager of the Merchants and Planters Compress Company of this city, which was built in 1914 and is one of the largest and most complete plants of its kind in Texas. This compress is con- structed throughout of reinforced concrete to con- form in every particular to the standards of the state fire insurance companies. The plant of the Mer- chants and Planters Compress and Warehouse Com- pany covers an area of fifteen acres, has a storage capacity of 150,000 bales of cotton and employs one hundred and seventy-five people in its operation. From September, 1923, to February 1st, 1924, there was handled by this compress 277,324 bales of cot- ton. This firm handles all classes of the cotton busi- ness, including commission cotton, cotton merchan- dising, factors and exporters. The buildings of this plant were constructed under the direct supervision of Mr. Smith, who planned the physical outlay and worked directly from the office of the First Insur- ance Commission at Austin, Texas. He has suc- ceeded in developing a wonderful organization of loyal, efficient men, who take great pride in doing their full share in the progress of the firm. Mr. Smith believes in training men to carry responsi- bilities, and says that a manager of a plant owes a personal responsibility to the force of men who are under his jurisdiction. Mr. Smith began his career in the cotton compress business when fifteen years of age at the old Taylor Compress in 1887. Mr. I. H. Kempner stored cotton there and in 1898 purchased the Taylor plant. Mr. Smith became superintendent in 1905 of the old plant, and continued in this capa- city until the increase in business necessitatd the building of a larger plant, and he has had entire charge of the new plant since its construction. In fact, he has been handling the cotton business of Mr. Kempner since 1887. Other officers of the Mer- chants and Planters Compress and Warehouse Com- pany of Galveston are I. H. Kempner, president; D. W. Kempner, vice president, and Jos. Seinsheimer, secretary. The plant and office is located at 4602 Avenue J.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 112

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