New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 118

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

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A native of Michigan, Mr. Ritter was born at Petoskey on February 2nd, 1883. His education, up to the age of sixteen years, was obtained in the pub- lic schools. On leaving school, Mr. Ritter entered the railroad business, in which he was continuously engaged until his return from the Canal Zone.

Mr. Ritter was married at Galveston on December 4th, 1916, to Miss S. T. Gilder, a daughter of D. L. Gilder, who is the vice president of the Galveston Model Dairy. They have two children, David Pres- ton and Margaret Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Ritter own their home at 3420 Avenue O, which is con- sidered one of the handsomest and best constructed in the city. Mr. Ritter is a member of the A. F. and A. M. with membership in Tucker Blue Lodge of this city. He is also a member of Consistory No. 1 and El Mina Shrine, both of Galveston. He holds mem- bership also in the Lions Club, Galveston Chamber of Commerce, the Y. M. P. L. and the Retail Mer- chants Association. Mr. Ritter is one of the most progressive men engaged in the dairying business of South Texas and believes in the use of mod- ern methods in his business and along all other lines. He is largely interested in the fig development on the main land and believes that this will soon be- come one of the leading money crops of this portion

of the state. He is optimistic as to the future of Galveston and South Texas, and is looking forward to an era of great business prosperity in all lines.

H. CROTHERS came to Galveston in 1913 and in May of 1921 established the Sanitary Creamery in this city, which has proved a great success financially for Mr. Crothers, besides giving Galveston one of the most complete creamery plants in the Southwest. The Sanitary Creamery, of which Mr. Crothers is the sole owner, is the maker of the well known Oleander butter, used and liked throughout South Texas for its super- ior quality and flavor. Milk and cream are handled at this plant, and the butter is sold at wholesale to stores and restaurants, while the milk is sold at both wholesale and retail. The supply of milk used in the Sanitary Creamery comes from the towns on the mainland, and the cream for the butter making is purchased by the various purchasing agents, who are located in the Central Texas territory. The Sani- tary Creamery, which is located at 1902 Avenue D, has its own delivery system, consisting of eight Ford trucks, and has its own garage and mechan- ics. The machinery in this plant is the latest and also the fastest that can be obtained. The butter output of the Sanitary Creamery is one thousand pounds daily, with nine hundred gallons of milk, but this is greatly increased during the summer months. The output from this plant during 1923 exceeded $200,000.00 in value. Mr. Crothers began his career in the Army at an early age, and his service has been along many lines. He first joined the Army and served in the 19th Infantry, where he saw service in Mexico. In 1913, he was discharged in Galveston and remained here, where he entered the employ of the Model Dairy as a bookkeeper, and did general work in order to obtain the experience which he de- sired. During his spare moments he read all the books which he could obtain on the subject, with the idea always in mind of entering business for him- self. While thus engaged, the World War came, and he went to the Second Officers Training Camp in order to better fit himself for duties, and on Novem- ber 27th, 1918, he was commissioned first lieuten- ant and assigned to the Third Officers Training Camp as an instructor. After serving for some time in this capacity at this camp, he was sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, where he won his captaincy, and later to Camp Perry school of small arms practice. He was assigned later to the 812th Pioneer Infantry at Camp Grant, Illinois, and from there was sent to Camp Merritt, New Jersey. At this time the armis- tice was signed, and Mr. Crothers was returned to Camp Grant, Illinois, where his regiment was de- mobilized. He, however, was re-assigned to a dis- charge unit for special duty. He obtained his dis- charge March 3rd, 1919, when he returned to Hous- ton, Texas. He was employed in Houston by the York Engineering and Supply Company and re- mained with them for a short time, when he came to Galveston and founded his present business.

Mr. Crothers was born in Maryland on April 27th, 1890. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native state, which he left at an early age to engage in business.

Mr. Crothers was married in Galveston on Jan- uary 19th, 1924, to Miss Mary Agnes Cross, a native of Galveston and a member of a pioneer family of

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

this city. Her father, C. W. Cross, was also a native of the Island City and her grandfather, T. L. Cross, was one of the very early pioneers here. Mr. and Mrs. Crothers reside at 3327 Avenue 012. Mr. Croth- ers is a member of the Galveston Chamber of Commerce, the Retail Merchants Association and the American Legion, in all of which he takes an active interest. Mr. Crothers is popular in the busi- ness and social circles of Galveston and is regarded as a leader among the younger business men of this city.

AN JACINTO GAIDO of Galveston, Texas, began his career in the business world when eleven years of age, and has 1902. been engaged in the cafe business since In 1916, Mr. Gaido established Gaido's Cafe in this city, and is one of the few cafes which are operated throughout the year. He caters particu- larly to people who desire good, wholesome food, and who take a delight in eating over the waters of the Gulf. Mr. Gaido knows every branch of the cafe industry, from buying, cooking and serving up to the management and ownership. Forty exper- ienced people are employed at Gaido's Cafe, and this number is greatly increased during the busy tourist season. The location of Gaido's Cafe is at 23rd Street and Boulevard, and a trip to Galveston is not con- sidered complete unless the tourist has had a meal at this famous over-the-water cafe. In May, 1924, a supplementary cafe was opened downstairs for the convenience of those who wished to dine in their bathing suits. This addition has been highly pop- ular, as high as 2100 people having been served in one day. Only the very best foods as served, a specialty being made of waffles.

A native of Italy, Mr. Gaido was born in 1886. He came to the United States when two years of age, an orphan, and was placed in an orphanage here where he was reared. His education was obtained in the public schools of Galveston, and he speaks the English language without a trace of accent. To Mr. Gaido's great credit, is the fact that he has made his way in the world since he was eleven years of age, and has developed into a keen, alert business man, highly esteemed by all who know him for his fair dealings with the public, and his clean business methods.

Mr. Gaido was married at Galveston, Texas, on April 6th, 1911, to Miss Josephine Smith, a member of a pioneer Galveston family. They have three children, M. J., Frederick James and San Jacinto Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Gaido own their home at 2115 Avenue 012. Mr. Gaido is a member of the Galves- ton Chamber of Commerce and takes an active in- terest in this organization. He is also a member of the Beach Association, the Young Men's Pro- gressive League, the M. M. M., and the Bayshore Golf and Country Club, the Italian associations of Galveston, the Galveston Credit Mens Association and the Optimist Club. Mr. Gaido is active in all matters having to do with the civic improvement of Galveston, and is a constant worker for all things tending to make this city an all-the-year resort. He believes that all danger from storm damage to Gal- veston passed with the building of the new sea wall, and that this fact, together with the many attrac- ions offered by this city as a resort, will make it one of the most popular pleasure resorts of the en-

tire country. Mr. Gaido has shown his faith in the future of Galveston by his investments here, and he believes that this city is entering on an era of business prosperity in all lines. Mr. Gaido is a wor- thy and honored citizen, a man of vision, far seeing yet conservative. An honorable and highly respected business man, esteemed alike by customer and com- petitor. Mr. Gaido has wisely builded his business on a foundation that will endure.

O. BERGSTROM has for more than a score of years been associated with the business interests of Galveston, Texas, and the mer- cantile establishment at 317 Twenty-third Street bearing his name has since 1902 been the popular headquarters for sporting goods, fishing tackle, guns, ammunition, etc., in this city. Mr. Bergstrom is also wholesale jobber for Winchester and Western Cartridge Companies. Prior to engag- ing in his present business, Mr. Bergstrom was for a period of twenty-seven years employed in the freight department of one of the railroad compa- nies entering this city, and is well known in the railroad circles of Galveston and of Texas. In 1902, while he was in the service of the railroad company, he purchased a bicycle shop on Twenty-third Street, and began his present business in a small way in that shop. He later left the service of the railroad in order to devote his time to the business which he has succeeded in making one of the largest of its kind in the Island City. Associated in business with his father, and active in the management of

the store is his son, W. F. Bergstrom, one of the leading young business men of Galveston, who is popular in the social as well as the business circles of this city. Before entering the service of the railroad here, Mr. Bergstrom was engaged in boat- ing on the bay and other lines of endeavor. He says it took him many years in which to make up his mind to enter business for himself, and get away from the salaried position, but he has met with great success in his chosen line of work, and his son has been raised in an atmosphere of this particular business.

Mr. Bergstrom was born near the mouth of the Brazos River, Texas, in 1854, and was brought to Galveston when one year of age, and consequently feels that this city is his native home. His father, Swen Bergstrom, came to the United States from Stockholm, Sweden, where he became well known in the business circles of the Lone Star State. His education was obtained in the public schools of Galveston, which he left at an early age in order to enter the business world.

Mr. Bergstrom was married at Galveston in 1880, to Miss Mary Simpson. They have three children, the son mentioned above, Mrs. Jennie Eckert and Mabel Freeze. The Bergstrom home is located at 3218 N12. Mr. Bergstrom is a member of the Gal- veston Chamber of Commerce, the Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World and the United Charities, and many of the civic organizations of Galveston, in which he takes an active interest. Mr. Bergstrom has seen every storm which has visited this city since 1854, but the severe storms which have visited the Gulf Coast since the com- pletion of the sea wall is sufficient proof that this city is now safe from winds or tides, which fact along with many other advantages makes this city one of the most desirable places in the Southwest.

1851

MEN OF TEXAS

ARRELL COX, one of the younger genera- tion of business men in Galveston and rec- ognized as a factor in the life insurance field, maintains offices at 706 American National Insurance Building. He represents the Reliance Life Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, one of the strongest and most conservatively man- aged companies in the country. They write com- plete protection policies, that are considered to be unique in the life insurance field. Mr. Cox special- izes in life insurance but also does a large volume of business in other lines such as fire, tornado, bonds, plate glass, health and accident, etc. The following are a few of the companies he represents: Security National, American Fire and Marine, In- surance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, Norwich Union Indemnity, and Atlas Company. Mr. Cox first began his active business career with the American National Insurance Company where he formed the foundation for his present business, prior to entering the military service of his country dur- ing the World War.

He entered the First Officers Training Camp at Leon Springs May 8th, 1917. After his training period was over he was commissioned as second lieutenant and served on the staff of General Will- iam H. Johnson, commander of the 180th Brigade at Camp Travis, San Antonio, January 1st, 1918. He was later transferred to the 360th Infantry serving as battalion intelligence officer overseas where he spent one year; six months in France, where he saw active service at St. Mihiel and the Argonne, and six months with the Army of Occupa- tion in Germany. He went overseas June, 1918, and returned to this country June, 1919, receiving his discharge at Camp Travis July, 1919. He is a mem- ber of the O. R. C., being battalion adjutant, Third Battalion, 360th Infantry. After his discharge he returned to Galveston and entered his present busi- ness, in which he has been continuously engaged since, except for a period of a few months spent in Seattle, Washington during 1921.

Mr. Cox was born in Galveston, January 1st, 1896. His father, Eben S. Cox, a native of Kentucky, came to Texas when quite a young man first settling in Alice, Texas, and later moved to Galveston, where he was recognized as one of the city's foremost physicians. He was county health officer for twen- ty-five years. He passed away June, 1922. His mother prior to marriage, was Miss Rhoda Ann Lamb, a member of a well known family of Lagarto, Live Oak County. She died in August, 1924.

Barrell Cox received his preliminary education in the schools of Galveston, being a graduate of Ball High School. He spent two years at the University of Texas at Austin, and one year in the medical department at Galveston. He gave this study up in order to enter the insurance business in 1916, being associated with the American National Insurance Company for one year.

He was married at Galveston, December 31st, 1917, to Miss Farquhar Price, who was born in St. Louis, but who was brought to Texas when four years old by her parents. Her father, Alexander Price, was for many years Texas representative of Warren, Jones and Gratz. He died in 1916. Her mother died when Mrs. Cox was very young. They have three children: Mary Farquhar and Charles Barrell, Jr., and Rhoda Ann. The family make their

home at 3028 Broadway. Fraternally Mr. Cox is a Mason, holding membership in Tucker Lodge, Scottish Rite and El Mina Temple Shrine, Galveston. He is a member of the Rotary Club, and the Gal- veston Insurance Board, Kappa Alpha and Alpha Mu Pi Omega fraternities. Mr. Cox is recognized as one of the real comers in the insurance business and his friends do not hesitate to predict for him a splendid future.

T. KLEPINGER came to Houston, Texas, more than fifteen years ago as Special Agent of the New York Underwriters Agency for the Southern half of Texas. This office was established here at that time in order to take care of the business of this portion of the State. There are one hundred and fifty agents in this territory and Mr. Klepinger looks after the agents and the company's interests in the counties embodied in his territory. He started as a very young man in the insurance business and has spent his life in the various branches of this industry. He is considered an authority on insurance matters and is a leader in this line of endeavor, and in his every day business, no detail is too small for him to work out. Mr. Klepinger's office is located at 1602 Second National Bank Building. He first engaged in the insurance business at Dallas, Texas, for the New York Underwriters Agency and had charge of the entire State of Texas until the business of this com- pany grew to such proportions that another office was necessary. Accordingly, the Houston office was opened, and he was made Special Agent here.

Mr. Klepinger was born at LaFayette, Indiana, on July 27, 1871. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Indiana, after which he at- tended Normal College in Kansas and Nebraska.

Mr. Klepinger was married at Dallas, Texas, on November, 26, 1914, to Belle Kimmel, a native of Dallas County and a member of a well known North Texas family. Mr. Klepinger is a member of the A. F. and A. M., with membership in Holland Lodge No. 1 of Houston, and has attained to the 32nd de- gree in the Scottish Rite Body of this order, and is also a Knight Templar of the Houston Commandry, and a Shriner of Arabia Temple of this city. Since coming to Houston Mr. Klepinger has identified himself with the business and social life of this city, where he is regarded as one of the leading insurance men of South Texas. He has for a period of twenty- three years been associated with the New York Un- derwriters Agency, the greater portion of this time as Special Agent. When it was found necessary to open an office in Housotn, the agency looked around for a good man, knowing that it would require a master hand to handle the large business here, and Mr. Klepinger was selected for the position and has successfully piloted the business of his company since that time. Mr. Klepinger has made a host of friends in the Southern portion of the State for himself and the company he represents. He is op- timistic as to the future of the insurance business here and says that each year will find a much greater business in this section of Texas. He is enthusiastic as to the future of Houston and says that with the deep water facilities, low freight rates and its many other advantages that manufacturing concerns will continue to locate here, as the history of all that have been in operation here has been one of unusual success.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

COTT MARSHALL for many years has been associated with the customs service at Tex- as City, winning an enviable reputation for his work in this field, and in other branches of government service, and also taking an active part in the commercial life of the city. Mr. Marshall is customs collector in charge of the United States customs service at Texas City, a position he has held since 1908. Mr. Marshall has made an exceptional record in this office, handling all customs matters in an efficient, capable manner, and one reflecting much credit on his executive and business ability. In addition to his service in the customs office, Mr. Marshall has also been deeply interested in the ad- vancement of Texas City, and has made investments here of a substantial nature. He is also heavily interested in real estate in Eastland County, having 1500 acres of ranch property on which oil has been found. He established the First National Bank, and was president of that institution for the eight years following its organization, directing banking ac- tivities in the same efficient manner that he has dispatched his duties as customs officer. He later sold his interest in the First National Bank and later became a director of the Texas City National Bank, also one of the strong and capably directed financial institutions of this city. Mr. Marshall is also financially interested, and is a director of the Home Building and Loan Association, an organiza- tion that since its establishment has enabled many residents of Texas City to become home owners, and that has been of special importance as a medium of community progress.

Scott Marshall was born at Kentucky Town, Texas, the twenty-first of April, 1880. His father, Jackson Richardson Marshall, was also a native of this place and lived there for many years. He was the son of Thomas Jackson Marshall, one of the real pioneers of the Lone Star State, who came here in the early thirties from his native State of Kentucky, and named the town in honor of the Blue Grass State. Scott Marshall spent much of his boyhood in Sherman, to which place the family had removed, and attended the public schools of that city. After leaving school he became a telegraph operator, work- ing for the Western Union. Later he spent several years with Cecil Lyon, and it was through his influ- ence that Mr. Marshall finally entered the customs service. Prior to coming to Texas City he spent four years on the Mexican border, and established an enviable reputation for his service there. He was at Rio Grande City during the troublesome days of the early part of the twentieth century, and his fine example of patriotism and bravery was worthy of note, and reflected credit on the service. He came from border duty to Texas City in January, 1908, and has since been stationed at this city, in charge of the United States customs service at this point.

Mr. Marshall was married at Sherman, Texas, the seventh of September, 1904, to Miss Sophia Dick, a member of a well known Sherman family. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have made Texas City their home for many years, and are valued and popular members of the community. They have two chil- dren-Mary Mildred and Janet Aline. Mr. Marshall is a Mason, Texas City Blue Lodge No. 1118; Gal- veston Consistory No. 1, and a member of El Mina Shrine at Galveston. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, Knight Commander of Court of Honor, and active in all Masonic work. Few men have taken a

more interested and active part in furthering the development of Texas City along progressive lines than has Mr. Marshall. From the early days of his residence here he foresaw in this city a future that the passing of the years has seen realized, and the busy, prosperous city of today owes much to his early influence. He is a public-spirited citi- zen, ready to do his part and more in all civic ac- tivities, and interested in the welfare of the city and its residents. A natural leader, with those qual- ities of friendship and citizenship that have made him one of the best liked citizens of Texas City, he has taken a place of leadership, entirely without ostentation, and few men occupy a more vital place in the life of Texas City.

L. GRANT, for many years associated with refining activities at Texas City, is a thor- oughly practical refining man, whose years of experience in the refining of petroleum and as a practical engineer qualify him to speak with authority on this phase of the oil business. Mr. Grant is superintendent of the oil refinery of the Pierce Oil Corporation at Texas City, a position to which he was appointed in May, 1922. The plant employs about two hundred people, except when construction is in progress, when the force is in- creased, and is one of the large refineries in this city, manufacturing petroleum products that are shipped from this point to all the oil marts.

Mr. Grant came to Texas City in February, 1909, to work for the Texas Refining Company, builders of the plant taken over by the Pierce Oil Corporation in 1911. At that time he was engaged in construc- tion work, but already had a practical knowledge of engineering, from some time spent on a steamboat, and he made the decision to study refining opera- tion and engineering. Nine years later he had ad- vanced to assistant superintendent, and was active in the refining business at Texas City. He was then sent to Fort Worth, as superintendent of the plant of the Pierce Company at that point, and after a year there was transferred to Sand Springs, Oklahoma, as superintendent of the plant there, and in 1922 was sent back to Texas City, as superintendent.

Mr. Grant was born at Chesterfield, South Caro- lina, the fourteenth of April, 1881, and was edu- cated in the public schools of that State, engaging in his first business there. He came to Texas City from Galveston, where the ship he was on was laid up for repairs, in 1909, and has since made this city his home, with the exception of the two years as su- perintendent of Pierce plants at other points.

Mr. Grant was married at Galveston, Texas, the tenth of November, 1909, to Miss Alice McKay, daughter of H. B. Mckay of Chambers County, Texas, and a member of the well known Lawrence family, for many years associated with the cattle business. Mr. and Mrs. Grant have two children, Verna and D. L. Junior, both of whom were born at Texas City, where the family make their home. He is a director of the Home Building and Loan Association, and takes a deep interest in the de- velopment of Texas City. Fraternally he is a Ma- son, Texas City Lodge No. 1118; Consistory at Gal- veston, and a member of El Mina Temple Shrine at Galveston. Mr. Grant's position in the refining world has been achieved entirely by his own efforts, and his engineering knowledge has been gained in the practical school of experience.

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MEN OF TEXAS

AUL E. COOPER, for the past eighteen years actively identified with the business life of Galveston, has established an en- viable reputation in the State as a teacher of modern business methods having been president and treasurer of Draughons Practical Business Col- lege of Galveston since 1908. For over a quarter of a century he has been engaged exclusively in this work and is thoroughly alive to the needs of both pupil and prospective employer alike.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 118

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