New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 116

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

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A native Texan, Mr. Leopold was born at Hous- ton on December 10th, 1879. His father, William E. Leopold, was well known in the business circles of South Texas. His mother was Miss Mary Dagen- heart, a native Houstonian also, and a member of a prominent and pioneer family of that city. His education was obtained in the public schools of Houston, where he grew to manhood and started his business career, which has been wholly suc- cessful.

Mr. Leopold was married on May 15th, 1900, to Miss Linna Butts, a member of a prominent Mich- igan family. Mr. and Mrs. Leopold own their own home at 1323 Twenty-fifth Street. Mr. Leopold is a member of the A. F. and A. M., with membership in Harmony Lodge No. 6, of Galveston, where he is a member of the Scottish Rite body of this organ- ization, and is also a Shriner of El Mina Temple of this city. He is a member of the Bayshore Coun-

try Club, the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, the Retail Merchants Association, and all the civic or- ganizations of the city, in which he takes an active interest. Mr. Leopold is ever ready to aid in the development and progress of Galveston, where he is regarded as one of the most able and active figures in the merchandising business, and a staunch, wise, resolute and constructive citizen.

AM J. WILLIAMS, a native of Galveston, Texas, has throughout his business career been actively identified with the financial, commercial and industrial life of his city. Mr. Williams is the owner of the men's clothing and furnishing establishment bearing his name at 2113 Avenue D, which he established in 1908. This store is strictly a man's store, and sells only high class furnishings, clothing, hats, etc. and Mr. Williams takes great pride in this feature of his business, and says that in order to make good in Galveston, the best merchandise must be carried in stock by the merchant. From twelve to sixteen experienced peo- ple are employed in Mr. Williams' store, as the busi- ness and seasons demand. His store is very attrac- tive from both within and without and in addition to the splendid stock of merchandise carried, the fixtures are ornate and assist in showing the goods to the best advantage to prospective customers. Mr. Williams' stock is valued at approximately $50,- 000.00. All of Mr. Williams' business experience has been along the line in which he has now engaged. He started in this work with Robert I. Cohen and remained with this firm for a period of seventeen years, and during this time he mastered all the de- tails of the business. He has his own delivery sys- tem, using Ford trucks and also makes his delivery system a feature of the business, and says that serv- ice is necessary to any business. Mr. William says that the retail business of Galveston is affected very little by outside conditions, and that the Galveston business in general is fundamentally sound, there having been very few failures in his line in the his- tory of the city.

Mr. Williams was born on November 3rd, 1876. His grandfather, John Williams, came to Texas in 1854. His father, also named John Williams, was for many years engaged in the grocery business here. His mother and grandmother resided at San Antonio, Texas, as do also his brothers, who, along with Mr. Williams, obtained their training in the store of Robert I. Cohen. They are engaged in business for themselves at San Antonio. Their education was obtained in the public and high schools of Galveston.

Mr. Williams was married at Galveston on May 12th, 1898, to Miss Adele Turck, a member of a well known Galveston family. They have three children, Anita, Gladys, now the wife of Mark L. Stroud, man- ager of the Southern Tire Repair Company, and Sam J. Williams, Jr., who is a student at the Rice Insti- tute and a leader in athletics of that institution. Mr. and Mrs. Williams reside at 1818 Avenue I. Mr. Williams is a member of the B. P. O. E. and has been a trustee in this organization for five years. He is also a member of the Redmen, the Galveston Country Club, the Knights of Columbus, and has attained to the fourth degree in the latter organiza- tion. He is a member of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce, being on the advisory board of the latter. He is past president of the Retail Clothier's Association of Texas and is former di.

1836

NELepold

A Eicher

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

rector of the National Retail Clothier's Association, and is a member of the Catholic Church. He is also a member of all the civic organizations of the city, and is a director of the Galveston Playhouse Com- pany. Mr. Williams has shown his faith in his city by investments in real estate here, which, together with his business, constitute his interests, all of which are centered in the Island City. He has al- ways been prominently identified with all movements tending to promote the growth and importance of Galveston, and has an abiding faith in the future of his city. He has seen it grow into a busy, thriving metropolis, and is confident that its wonderful op- portunities will cause it to become the leading city of the Southwest.

ILLIAM A. EICHER, one of the progres- sive and constructive young business mer at Galveston, who are exerting a favorable influence over the prosperity of the city, since coming here fourteen years ago has been ac- tive in the plumbing, paint and mill supply business. Mr. Eicher is manager of the Paul Shean Company, a business established in 1874 by Paul Shean, whose death occurred in 1915. The business is now owned by the estate, Mr. Eicher having been appointed manager, conducting the business for the estate. Paul Shean Company handle a complete line of plumbing, steam and mill supplies, boat supplies, paints, representing the Peaslie-Gaulbert line, the largest paint makers west of Cleveland, and also carry other products in the paint line. The estab- lishment is located at 2021 and 2023 Avenue B., and is one of the oldest businesses of its class here.

William A. Eicher was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, the twentieth of June, 1881, the son of Frank Eicher, for a half a century superintendent of passenger car equipment for the Big Four Railroad, and Anna Eicher. Mr. Eicher obtained his early education at St. Michaels School, later entering St. Xavier College, where he was a student from 1893 until 1899. Leaving college he went on the yards of the Big Four Railroad, washing cars, and later as air brake inspector. Still later he went with the Pull -. man Company, as conductor, and was on the road five months, when he was made night agent for the Pullman Company, at Cincinnati, Ohio. Later, when the Mobile, Alabama, office was opened, he was sent there as the first agent, and in 1906 was sent to Galveston as agent for the Pullman Company here. Three years later he was sent to St. Louis, as assist- ant superintendent for the Pullman Company, re- maining there until coming to Galveston to take over the management of the Paul Shean Company for the Shean estate.

Mr. Eicher was married at Galveston the sixth of October, 1909, to Miss Joan Shean, daughter of Paul Shean, founder of the Paul Shean Company, and pioneer of Galveston, whose death occurred in 1915. Mrs. Eicher's mother, Mrs. Paul Shean, is now living at Galveston. Mr. and Mrs. Eicher reside at 1914 Avenue M. Mr. Eicher is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Advisory Board, and chairman of the Public Comfort Com- mittee. He is a charter member, and was the first secretary of the Rotary Club, and has been pres- ident of the Playgrounds Association for five years. Mr. Eicher served during the war as secretary and director of the Red Cross and was very active in war

work. He is a member of the Artillery Club and the Galveston Country Club. Mr. Eicher belongs to the Catholic Church, and is a Knight of Col- umbus, fourth degree. He is very optimistic as re- gards the future of Galveston, considering that this city will continue to maintain its position as the leading port city of the state, and will expand along industrial and commercial lines.

J. SMITH, plumbing and heating contractor, with offices, display rooms and shop at Twenty-third Street and Avenue H, has been engaged in the plumbing and heating business in Galveston for a number of years. Care- ful attention to the minute details of every job en- trusted to him has built for Mr. Smith a most en- viable reputation as a careful, conscientious con- tractor and his business has experienced a steadfast growth as a result.

The shop operated by Mr. Smith is thoroughly complete and modern in every respect and equipped to handle practically any job in plumbing, hot water installations or steam fitting. The display room ad- joining the shop is neat and attractive. A com- plete line of modern plumbing fixtures is carried in stock and the display room affords suggestions that are timely and helpful to those planning to build or remodel a home or business establishment.

Only the most competent workmen are employed by Mr. Smith and he insists upon strictly high grade work on even the smallest of repair jobs. Five and six men are employed the year round.

Mr. Smith is a native of Texas and was born in Galveston County on January 31, 1890. He is a son of Captain T. J. and Johanna Smith, pioneer resi- dents of this section. Captain Smith was a sea cap- tain and spent nearly his entire life on the water. He died in 1901.

Mr. Smith studied in the schools of Galveston and early in life entered the plumbing business as ap- prentice helper. Close application to his duties won for him in a few years a master plumber's certificate and for some years he was employed by other con- cerns of the city before engaging in business for himself.

In 1918 he established his own shop, which at that time was operated as Smith and Fisher, plumbing and heating contractors. In 1922 he purchased the interest of his partner in the business and since that time has operated it alone.

An important event in the life of Mr. Smith oc- curred in 1910 when he was married in Galveston to Miss Gertrude Matley, daughter of Fred Matley, well known in marine circles of Galveston, and an en- gineer on a sea going tug. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children, T. J., Jr., Gertrude and Katherine. The family own their home at 3123 R Street.

A typical representative of the self-made business man, Mr. Smith is a splendid example of the type of citizen upon whose shoulders the burden of civic development largely rests. He has forged his way to the front in his own particular line of business and has done so by reason of his splendid workman- ship and a live and let live spirit of fair and honest dealing. He is an enthusiastic Galveston booster and takes an active interest in its civic and commer- cial welfare. Mr. Smith is a member of the Wood- men of the World and the Galveston Chamber of Commerce.

1839

MEN OF TEXAS

O. CLINTON first came to Galveston in 1908 from Port Bolivar to attend Draughons Business College as a foundation for his business career which has been spent largely with the major oil companies of the State. Since 1923, and until accepting his present position in the tax assessors office, Mr. Clinton was fuel inspector for the Humble Oil and Refining Com- pany in Galveston. His duties were varied, such as supervising the delivery of fuel to United States Shipping Board vessels, and the making of labora- tory tests on all incoming and outgoing shipments of oil.

Mr. Clinton first began his business career in Galveston as collector for the Southwestern Tele- graph and Telephone Company in April, 1909. He gave up this position in 1910 to go with John Chris- tensen Company as bookkeeper, cashier, secretary and manager. He remained in this position until the summer of 1917, when he entered the service of the United States Army and served during the war. After being discharged from the service he resumed his business activities. He joined the Gal- veston organization of the Pierce Oil Corporation, March 22nd, 1919, as a salesman, and held this posi- tion until November 15th, 1919, when he was ap- pointed local agent for the same company. He re- mained in this capacity until June 1st, 1921, when he was appointed assistant manager of the North Texas Division of the Pierce Company at Ft. Worth, Texas. In April, 1922, he was transferred to the Louisiana Division at Shreveport as cost accountant. In October of the same year the Louisiana and Ar- kansas divisions were consolidated and headquar- ters moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. On account of this change, Mr. Clinton was transferred to Little Rock as assistant credit manager for the combined divisions. He remained at Little Rock until January 1st, 1923, when he returned to Galveston.

Mr. Clinton enlisted in the Coast Artillery Corps of the Texas National Guard June 26th, 1917. A short time later he was transferred and attached to the Quartermaster Corps, U. S. A., and appointed as sergeant, with location at Fort Crockett, Gal- veston. He was discharged from the service Feb- ruary 13th, 1919. On December 2nd, 1919, he was commissioned first lieutenant of cavalry in the Texas National Guard. He retained this commission until March, 1923, at which time he resigned. On August 7th, 1924, he was commissioned as captain of infantry of the Texas National Guard to or- ganize the division headquarters company of the 36th Division of the Guard in Galveston. This com- pany is now functioning as an efficient military unit. On January 5th, 1925, he was appointed a captain of infantry in the Officers Reserve Corps. Mr. Clinton was also active in the creation of what has since become the American Legion in Galveston. In March, 1919, he organized, and obtained a char- ter for the United World War Veterans' Camp No. 1, Galveston, Texas. In a short space of time the mem- bership grew to seven hundred. In the meantime the American Legion was in process of formation, and after it had obtained national importance, the United World War Veterans merged with the legion to form Post Number Twenty of Galveston.

J. O. Clinton was born at Port Bolivar, Texas, Sep- tember 21st, 1892. His father, E. H. Clinton, is engaged in boat building at Harrisburg, and is well

known in this field. His mother was, prior to her marriage, Miss Cora Eve, a member of a well known New Orleans family. His preliminary education was obtained in the public and high schools of Galveston, also at St. Mary's College. Mr. Clinton has also devoted a great deal of his time to study by correspondence courses, comprised of auditing, cost accounting and business administration. Fra- ternally he is a Mason with membership in Harmony Lodge No. 6, of Galveston, the Texas Consistory Number One, and is a Shriner of El Mina Temple. He is a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church.

ANLY C. ABRAHAMS, automobile dealer and one of the proprietors of the Galvez Garage, operated near the water front and conveniently adjacent to the Galvez Hotel, has been a resident of Galveston for about fifteen years, having come to this city from Houston in 1910. His first experience in the automobile busi- ness was gained in Houston as early as 1908 and he is known as one of the successful and popular dealers in South Texas.

In the operation of the Galvez Garage Mr. Abra- hams is associated with Sam Boyd, and these men with their sixteen employees render the people of the Island City and visiting tourists splendid service.

The Galvez Garage was purchased in April, 1922, and its operation under the management of Mr. Ab- rahams and his partner has been successful. The business is housed in a fine concrete building near the water front and affords a practically complete automobile service, including a modern and well ar- ranged sales and storage room, completely equipped repair shop and a paint and upholstering depart- ment.

Mr. Abrahams is the local dealer for the Hupmo- bile and believes thoroughly in his car. He sold the first Hupmobile in South Texas many years ago and is very proud of the fact that this car is still running in service and affording its owner com- plete satisfaction.

The first experience had by Mr. Abrahams in the automobile business was with the City Motor Car Company at Houston in 1908, when he began selling Hupmobile cars. He came to Galveston in 1910 with the contractor engaged in building Fort Crock- ett and after a year re-entered the automobile busi- ness in 1911.

A native of Texas, Mr. Abrahams was born at Temple in Bell County on July 27th, 1889. His fa- ther came to Texas from Mobile, Alabama, and was connected with the Santa Fe Railway at Temple for a number of years. He died when the subject of this sketch was a mere boy and Mr. Abrahams has made his own way in the world since that time. He completed the public school course in his native town and entered the business world several years before reaching his majority.

On October 13th, 1923, Mr. Abrahams was mar- ried at Galveston to Miss Mamie Arnold of Forney, Texas, a member of a well known Kaufman County family. The family home is at 368 S Street, where Mr. Abrahams recently completed a new dwelling.

Mr. Abrahams is an active participant in many of the civic activities of Galveston and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Texas Automobile Dealers Association and the Young Men's Progres- sive League.

1840

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

HEODORE CHRISTIE, expert caterer and owner of the Sandwich Shop, located at 503 23rd Street, came to Galveston, Texas, in 1912, bringing with him an experience of many years spent in the service of the finest and best cafes of the United States. His first venture here was the Victory Cafe on the beach, which he owned and operated until the Crystal Palace was constructed, when he leased a cafe in this building. He operated this cafe with success until he secured his present location. Mr. Christie had during this entire period an interest in Snug Harbor, one of the Island City's most popular cafes, but throughout this time he was making preparations and plans for the es- tablishment of his present business. He obtained a lease on this building which he now occupies, dur- ing the latter part of 1921, and opened for business in May, 1922. Mr. Christie's Sandwich Shop has proved a wonderful success, being among the first enterprises of its kind in the State. A feature of the Sandwich Shop is the coffee, which is Mr. Christie's own blend, the result of many years experience in blending experiments. Another feature of the es- tablishment, and one in which it specializes, is sand- wiches, fish, shrimp and crab meats and light ap- petizing meals served in a thoroughly sanitary and satisfactory manner. At the lunch hour each day people form in line on the sidewalk waiting to secure seats, and the seating capacity has been doubled since the opening of this popular cafe. Each day the minimum number of meals served reach fifteen hundred, while on Saturdays the number reaches two thousand. Twenty-two people are em- ployed in the shop, each an expert in their partic- ular line and have been trained by Mr. Christie. All the equipment is modern in every detail, with sanitary methods as the watchword. Every por- tion of garbage and scraps from table and kitchen are removed every four hours. Only the freshest and best food stuffs are used. Everything in the cafe is under the personal supervision of Mr. Christie, who knows every branch of the cafe business.

Mr. Christie was born of Grecian parents at Con- stantinople, Turkey, on October 14th, 1885. Both his parents are now deceased. His education was ob- tained at Roberts College, Constantinople, an Ameri- can institution of learning famous throughout the world. Mr. Christie speaks fluently the French, Italian and English languages. He came to the United States in 1905 and immediately engaged in the cafe business. After he had gained the rudi- ments of American business methods, he spent several years in such well known cafes and hotels as Rector's Waldorf Astoria, Knickerbocker Hotel, Murrays and others where he was employed in the culinary departments. His knowledge of the opera- tion of a modern cafe is manifested in the efficient conduct of his personal business at Galveston, Texas.

Mr. Christie was married at New York City on August 15th, 1915, to Miss Elefteria Elefterion, a native of Athens, Greece, where she was a member of a prominent family. Both her parents, natives of Greece, also, are deceased. Mrs. Christie is active in the operation of the Sandwich Shop and is a woman of keen business judgment. Mr. and Mrs. Christie reside at 505 23rd Street. Mr. Christie is a mem- ber of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, and takes an active interest in this organization. His

church affiliation is that of his forebears, the Greek Orthodox Church. Mr. Christie is optimistic as to the future of Galveston and believes that the Island City is entering on an era of prosperity in every line. Since locating in Galveston Mr. Christie has become an outstanding figure in the cafe and busi- ness circles of the Island City, where he is regarded as one of its most progressive and public-spirited citizens.

AM BOYD, one of the pioneers in the auto- mobile business at Galveston, is held in high esteem here for his progressive participa- tion in automotive affairs and in the busi- ness world generally. Mr. Boyd is a member of the firm operating the Texas Garage and the Galvez Garage, a partnership composed of himself and M. A. Abrahams. The Texas Garage, established in 1909, is under the active management of Mr. Boyd, while the Galvez Garage is under the direction of Mr. Abrahams. The Galvez Garage has charge of the sales end of the business, selling the Hupmobile in this territory, and has been instrumental in sell- ing this dependable car to a large number of satis- fied owners in this section. The Texas Garage has charge of the service end of the business, operating a repair department, a large general storage depart- ment and selling tires, accessories and batteries, and with equipment for tire and battery service. A fleet of six cars and two wreckers assure adequate and prompt road service, the Texas Garage being the first in Galveston to realize the need for road service and to organize a fleet of trouble cars for the convenience of their patrons and car drivers here. The Texas Garage is located at 2422 and 2428 Avenue F, where a large and modern automotive building is occupied and every facility provided to give car owners here real service. A force of twen- ty-five people, in which number are included trained mechanics, each specialists in their field, assist Mr. Boyd in making the service offered by the Texas Garage the best. Mr. Boyd has been identified with the automobile business at Galveston since 1907, when he opened his first business on Twenty-fourth Street, selling Regal cars at that time. Later he moved to Winnie Street, between Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Streets, selling Overland cars at that time. In 1913 he moved to his present location, this building having been built especially for a serv- ice station.

Sam Boyd was born at Galveston, the fourteenth of August, 1873, the son of William Boyd, a cotton merchant well known at Waco, Houston and Galves- ton, where he had business interests, prior to his death. Mr. Boyd attended public schools through high school, after which he entered Baylor Univer- sity, finishing there in 1890. He then returned to Galveston, where up until 1907 he was variously employed, in that year going in the automobile busi- ness, in which he has since engaged.

Mr. Boyd was married at Dallas, Texas, the sixth of October, 1912, to Mrs. Pequigney, a member of an old Galveston family, and who has one son, Frank Pequigney, by her former marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Boyd reside at 811 Eighteenth Street. Mr. Boyd is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Young Men's Progressive League and has been a leader in the automobile business here, working for the advancement of this business and the adoption of the highest business standards.

1841

MEN OF TEXAS

AMUEL P. FLEMING for two decades ha: been a factor in the warehouse and for- warding business at Galveston, and has perhaps done more for the development of these industries so closely related to the develop- ment of Galveston as a shipping center, than any other one man. Mr. Fleming is secretary, treasurer and manager of the American Warehouse Company, one of the largest companies at Galveston handling a general warehouse and forwarding business. The American Warehouse Company was organized at Galveston in 1907, starting with broom corn as their big business, and has gradually developed into the general warehouse and forwarding business. Asso- ciated with this company and having a direct work- ing connection with them is the American Ware- house Company of Wichita, Kansas, exclusive broom corn dealers. The Galveston company also own the New Orleans Broom Supply Company and the New York Broom Supply Company at New York and Bos- ton, and operates a branch at Havana, Cuba, which sell broom corn and broom supplies to the broom makers. The American Warehouse Company is lo- cated on Pier B, Southern Pacific docks, having a long time lease on the Southern Pacific Warehouse, providing seventy thousand square feet of floor space, and three thousand feet of railroad trackage. The warehouse is of concrete and steel construc- tion. This provides a fine ship side warehouse and trackage, and in addition to this the American Ware- house Company also owns the property and ware- house at Thirty-sixth to Thirty-seventh Streets and facing Church and Winnie Streets, a property cov- ering an entire square block and providing more than one hundred thousand feet of floor space. This warehouse is used for cotton storage. The Ameri- ican Warehouse Company handles any and all lines that are manufactured and shipped from Galves- ton by boat or rail, that are to be re-shipped and loaded for export or import, specializing in manu- factured goods originating with eastern seaboard manufacturers and reaching Galveston via coastwise steamers. Officers of the company are H. K. Linds- ley, president, of Wichita, Kansas, and J. H. Hill, of Galveston and Denver, vice president, with Mr. Flem- ing as secretary, treasurer and manager. The T. R. Rogers, Inc., operating package car lines from east- ern seaboard territory in conjunction with the Bald- win Universal Company, 140 Rector Street, New York, is affiliated with the American Warehouse Company, and all goods stored with the American Warehouse Company, when shipped to interior cities of the state, are routed in care of T. R. Rogers, Inc., at considerable freight savings for their customers. The T. R. Rogers, Inc. accumulate less than carload lot shipments in eastern seaboard territory into car- load lots, saving the different between L. C. L. and C. L. rates.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 116

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