New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 121

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

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Mr. Miller has been with the Marland Refining Company since July, 1920, at which time he became assistant manager in the New York division and ex- port office, and, with Mr. Hood, established the of- fice there on a sound basis. He was then transferred to Texas City, and with a modernly equipped plant, safeguarded in every way, already established, he has been able to devote a large measure of his time to the export end of the business, and the diversion of foreign trade shipments through this port.

Mr. Miller was born the seventeenth of November, 1896, at Franklin, Pennsylvania, and received his education in the public schools, complementing his school work with practical work along exporting lines, and giving special study to foreign trade prob- lems. His first business experience was at Frank- lin, Pennsylvania, his native city, in the compound- ing plant of the Wolverine Lubricants Company. He was assistant manager of that plant for four years, enlisting in the army at the expiration of that time: After his discharge he resumed his business career, going with the Advance Oil Company, at Oil City, Pennsylvania, and later with the Biery Oil Com- pany, as district manager of the Pittsburg office, and later in the export office in New York, handling portions of the export business of that company. He then came with the Marland, with which he has since been associated. Mr. Miller enlisted in military service the twenty-fifth of May, 1916, with the Six- teenth Pennsylvania Infantry, which unit later formed a portion of the 112th Infantry. He served overseas with the Twenty-eighth Division, and was discharged the twenty-fourth of April, 1919. Mr. Miller graduated from the Third Officers Training Camp, but never accepted his commission, enlisting as a private.

Mr. Miller was married in New York City, in 1922, to Miss Minerva C. Schlemmer, a New York girl. Although a resident of Texas City but a short time, Mr. Miller has been active in all industrial advance- ment, and is a factor in the commercial world. He has impressed his associates with his ability to com- mand foreign trade and built up a large export busi- ness, and his cosmopolitan outlook has had a broad- ening influence over the business life of the city. A man just at the beginning of his career, and with the ambition and ability to make export trade his life's work, the future promises much.

1869

MEN OF TEXAS

ILLIAM H. SCHNEIDER has devoted his entire business life to the cotton industry and since 1911 has been associated with the firm of William Schneider and Company, which is one of the largest cotton firms not only of Galveson, but of the entire state. This firm, with office at 21161/2 Avenue B was established by Mr. Schneider's father, William Schneider, in 1896, and handle from 150,000 to 175,000 bales of cotton annually. In addition to the main office located here, William Schneider and Company have branch offices at Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, Texas. Seven experienced people are employed in the Gal- veston office, and this firm are numbered among the largest cotton factors and brokers in the country. Mr. Schneider entered the cotton business at the age of nineteen years, and was with several of the lar- gest firms here until engaging in business with his father. For several years he was associated with Kuhn and Fransen, and T. W. Stewart and Company of Galveston, and during this period, he applied him- self very closely to the details of the cotton busi- ness, having always in mind the object of mastering a business which will always be the greatest in the Southland. He wished first to master the details of the business before seeking admission to the firm as a partner. This he did and was admitted to part- nership in his father's firm in 1911.

A native Texan, Mr. Schneider was born in Gal- veston on July 15th, 1877. His father, William Schneider (deceased) was also a native of Galveston, and was one of the pioneers of this city in the cot- ton business and was closely identified with the so- cial, civic and commercial life of Galveston through- out his entire life. He exerted an influence for good throughout a wide range of the city's activ- ities, and was a leader in the cotton industry and a steadfast exponent of its highest standards. He was ever ready to contribute his material aid and time toward the upbuilding of his beloved Galveston. His mother was Miss Emma Cordes, also a native of the Island City and a member of a pioneer family. His education was obtained in the public schools of Gal- veston.

Mr. Schneider was married at Galveston in 1915 to Miss Louise Cox, a member of a well known South Texas family. They have one daughter, Doro- thy Schneider, seven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider own their home at 1705 Avenue M. Mr. Schneider is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and has attained to the 32nd degree in the Scottish Rite body of this order, is a Shriner of El Mina Temple of Galveston, is a life member of Arabia Temple of Houston and is an honorary member of Hella Temple of Dallas. He is Past Potentate of El Mina Temple of Galveston, also Past Master of Tucker Lodge No. 297 of Galveston. He has been the leader of the Shrine band of Galveston since 1912. He is a mem- ber of the Galveston Cotton Exchange and is active in this organization, and is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Schneider is interested in all agencies working for the greater development, civic improvement and advancement of this city.

city.

ICHARD PETER WILLIAMSON is a native of Galveston, Texas, where for many years he has been an active figure in the busi- ness, financial and political circles of his Mr. Williamson is the owner of the R. P.

Williamson Stevedore Company, which is one of the largest and is the third oldest company of its kind here. Prior to entering business for himself, Mr. Williamson was for many years associated with the leading steamship agents of this city, in official capacities. It is conceded that the R. P. Williamson Stevedore Company has for many years done the largest business of any contracting stevedore com- pany in this city, constantly employing from one hundred to two hundred men in the unloading and loading of ships. This company has splendid, mod- ern equipment for this work, which is valued at about $20,000.00, and their work is not confined to Galveston, but work in any and all of the gulf ports. Mr. Williamson began his business career as a mes- senger boy in a local railroad office, and remained for eight years in the service of the railroad, serv- ing in various capacities. After leaving the employ of the railroad, he became superintendent of the Steamship and Lighter Company here, and remained in this position for a period of five years. He then became superintendent of the docks for the Jens- Moller and Company, and remained with this well known company for a period of twelve years, and then went with Langben Brothers, steamship agents, and remained with them for fourteen years, and then engaged in business for himself, in 1919. Mr. Williamson was financially interested in the various companies with which he was associated prior to entering his present business, in which he has met with unusual success and is doing a large and pros- perous business. Mr. Williamson has always been deeply interested in the civic and political matters of Galveston and in 1923 was elected to the office of city commissioner of water works and sewers, on the business ticket. He is very popular in Galveston in all circles, and long ago his executive ability was recognized by the citizenship of this city, who made every effort to persuade him to enter the race for mayor, but he always declined.

Mr. Williamson was born on September 10th, 1868, at Galveston. His father, John Williamson, was a well known contractor and builder of Galveston. His mother was Miss Mary Erb, a native Texan, and a member of a prominent family of South Texas. His education was obtained in the public schools of this city.

Mr. Williamson was married at Galveston in 1892 to Miss Mary Ellen McGivney, a daughter of P. McGivney, of this city, who for many years was a prominent contracting ship carpenter. They have five children, Jens C. Williamson, twenty-seven years of age, who went overseas during the World War and saw service in the trenches; C. E. Williamson, aged twenty-nine years, who was an engineer on a battleship during the World War, and who had many thrilling adventures and narrow escapes while at his post of duty; R. P. Williamson, Jr., twenty-four years of age, who served at an Officers Training Camp, and Ellis Williamson, the youngest son, and one daughter, Eilleen, who is now the wife of W. T. Glass. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson reside at 1310 Ave- nue H. In fraternal organizations, Mr. Williamson holds membership in the B. P. O. E., Woodmen of the World and the Maccabees, in which he takes an active interest. For many years, Mr. Williamson has been identified with the leading business institu- tions of Galveston, and takes a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the betterment, of his city. He

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

is vice president of the Galveston Baseball and Amusement Company, and has always been an advo- cate of clean sports. Mr. Williamson is endowed with vigorous intellectual powers, lofty ideals of commercial and civic virtue, and a strong person- ality. He has, since reaching manhood, occupied a place of leadership in the business and civic life of his city on which, indelibly, he has impressed the seal of his usefulness. He takes a keen interest in the young men who aspire to better their conditions, and many of the younger generation of Galveston today were assisted in many ways to higher posi- tions in life, by Richard Peter Williamson.

ERBERT LEMONIUS of Galveston, Texas, has since 1919 owned and operated the Galveston Cotton Pickery, which was estab- lished in this city in 1871 by George P. Dobson and is the oldest cotton pickery in the Lone Star State. Mr. Lemonius was for a period of nine years employed by Mr. Dobson and learned every branch of the business while working for him. On June 30th, 1919, Mr. Dobson died, and soon there- after Mr. Lemonius took over the business which he has since operated successfully. The cotton which is baled and sold by the cotton pickery is purchased as loose cotton and worked over by the special machinery with which the cotton pickery is equipped. The Galveston Cotton Pickery is lo- cated at 602-20 Thirty-first Street. Before engag- ing in his present business Mr. Lemonius had a wide business career. He came to the United States in 1887, and first settled at Norfolk, Virginia, but after a short time came to Galveston and has always regarded the Island City as his home. He has been a cow puncher on the big Texas ranches, a wild west rider, show rider and is one of the best known horsemen in the entire country. Mr. Lemonius has crossed the sea thirty-one times, but his last voyage was made in 1896, when he returned to Galveston permanently. He was employed by the Magnolia Compress Company in Houston before he entered his present line of business. Mr. Lemonius is a great lover of horses and for some time owned and operated a riding stable in Denver, which later burned. He is also known on two continents as a polo player, and is famous as an exhibitor of horses and horsemanship in shows, both riding and driving. For many years he was the chief promoter of the racing events on the beach at Galveston. He raced for sport only, and as soon as the idea of getting nothing but the proceeds from racing became the prime movement, he left the racing game entirely. He maintained his own mounts, among which "The Whip" was famous and is remembered by the sport loving Galvestonians. Mr. Lemonius has a collec- tion of ribbons and prizes, which were given to him in various portions of the country, for both riding and driving.

A native of England, Mr. Lemonius was born at Liverpool on July 8th, 1864. His education was obtained at Malvern College, Eton and Oxford Uni- versity.

Mr. Lemonius was married at Galveston on April 20th, 1893, to Miss Stella Willis, a member of one of Galveston's oldest and most prominent families. Mrs. Lemonius died at Denver in 1907. Mr. Lemon- ius is a charter member of the Houston Riding Club, and is a member of the Galveston Country and Golf Clubs. Mr. Lemonius is optimistic as to the

future of Texas and Galveston and believes that each year larger crops of the fleecy staple will be produced in the Lone Star State, which will always remain the money crop, regardless of diversification.

J. BROWN, president of the company bear- ing that name, has been an active figure in the cotton circles of Galveston since he located the main office of his firm here. The firm of J. J. Brown Cotton Company, with of- fices located at 20101/2 Avenue B, are cotton ex- porters and merchants shippers, both foreign and domestic. This firm was organized and established in Texas and in Galveston in 1916, and have branch offices at Houston, Texas, and Lawton, Oklahoma, with agencies throughout the country. Seven peo- ple are employed in the Galveston office and this firm handle, mostly for export, from 50,000 to 60,- 000 bales of cotton each year. Mr. Brown has been engaged in the cotton business since 1906, when he started in this industry at Lawton, Oklahoma, where he conducted his business alone until 1916, when he came to Galveston and organized the present firm. Associated with Mr. Brown in the firm of J. J. ^ Brown and Company are his two sons, J. L. Brown, and B. F. Brown, the former being vice president and the latter secretary and treasurer, both of whom are well known in the business and social circles of the Island City and are numbered among the leaders of the younger generation in the cotton industry. Mr. Brown started his business career in the cattle business, and for a number of years had entire charge of his father's ranch. Later ranching for several years in West Texas. In 1901 Mr. Brown moved to Temple, Oklahoma, where he engaged in merchandising and banking until 1907, when he moved to Lawton, Oklahoma, and entered the cotton export business, remaining there until 1916, when he moved to Galveston.

Mr. Brown was born in Atala County, Mississippi, on February 27th, 1871. His father, R. F. Brown, also a native of Mississippi, came to Texas in 1878 and settled on a ranch West of Fort Worth where he engaged in the cattle business on a large scale, and during his entire life was a cattle man, having a great love for the open ranges and cattle. His mother was formerly Miss Mary Quimby, a member of a prominent Mississippi family. His education was obtained in the public schools at various places in Texas.

Mr. Brown was married at Grandbury, Texas, in 1898 to Miss Lillian E. Barnes, a native of the Lone Star State and a member of a pioneer family of Hood County. They have four children, Flossie, now the wife of J. N. Spangler; Jay L. Brown, Ila Cloyce and Byron F. Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Brown reside at 1723 23rd Street. In fraternal organizations, Mr. Brown is a member of the following: A. F. and A. M., Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Galveston Cotton Exchange and is active in this organization, and is also a member of the Galveston Country Club. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Brown quickly indentified him- self with the building up of Galveston after taking up his residence here, and he has always taken an active interest in the progress and advancement of this city.

1873

MEN OF TEXAS

NO. M. MOORE, a member of one of the real pioneer families of Texas, ranchman and farmer of long and varied experience, has taken a prominent part in the devel- opment of Fort Bend County, of which he is a na- tive, and is one of the largest land owners of this section. Mr. Moore owns extensive farm and ranch interests in Fort Bend and Wharton Counties, his holdings totaling more than forty-eight thousand acres of land. His three sons have for many years assisted him in the management of his ranch inter- ests, while he carries on all farming operations by tenant farmers, making cotton the principal crop. Mr. Moore has a herd of twenty-five hundred head of cattle, of Hereford strain. Beginning with the original Texas range cattle he has developed his herd, crossing with Hereford stock, until the herd is tended toward Hereford, and is one of the best in Fort Bend County. Mrs. Moore owned the orig- inal grant of four thousand four hundred and twenty- eight acres of land granted by the Mexican gov- ernment to Nancy Spencer, of the old Austin Col- ony, and who married Thomas Barnett, who was Mrs. Moore's grandfather. On July the first, 1924, this land had been in the family for one hundred years, and has always, and still is, used as ranch land. The development of Mr. Moore's interests in Fort Bend and Wharton Counties was started in 1883, since which time he has been adding to his interests, and developing one of the finest ranching and farming interests in this section. In recent years Mr. Moore has also been active in developing the petroleum resources of this section, and Jan- uary, 1926, an oil field was discovered on his land, bringing in a flowing well. Other wells are being drilled. He is president of the Richmond and Damon Mound Oil Company, which owns valuable oil land in fee, at Blue Ridge and Damon Mound, where development work is going forward with good re- sults. Mr. Moore is a director of the Richmond Cotton Company, and a director of the Richmond Waterworks Company and other business interests at Richmond. He has also been a prominent figure in state politics for some years, in 1897 having been elected to the twenty-fifth state legislature, and in 1905 elected to the United States Congress, from the Houston district, serving until 1912, when he retired, refusing to stand for re-election.

Jno. M. Moore was born in Fort Bend County, near Richmond, the eighteenth' of November, 1862, on the farm his father owned. His parents, Dr. M. A. and Henrietta (Huddleston) Moore, came to Texas from Alabama in 1852, and resided in Fort Bend County for many years. Mr. Moore received his early education in the schools near his home, in 1878 entering Texas A. and M. College, where he attended two years. He then returned home, and after a short time spent in the mercantile business began in the cattle business in 1883, and has so continued to the present time.

Mr. Moore was married at Nashville, Tennessee, in July, 1883, to Miss Lottie Dyer, daughter of J. Foster Dyer, whose mother was a daughter of Thomas Barnett, one of the original members of the Austin Colony, and a signer of the Texas De- claration of Independence. Mr. Barnett was twice a member of the Congress of the Republic of Texas. His wife, Nancy Spencer Barnett, was also a mem- ber of the Austin Colony, her first husband having

been killed by the Indians shortly after her arrival in the republic. Mr. and Mrs. Moore had five chil- dren: R. E. Moore (deceased), J. F. D. Moore and J. M. Moore, Jr., both of whom are cattle men, and Mrs. Ivy Moore Morrison, a widow, who makes her home with her father, and Mrs. Etta Mae Moore Little, of Houston. Mrs. Moore was a life member of the Daughters o_ the Republic of Texas, and was greatly interested in the history of Texas, a history in which her family had played so important a part. Her death occurred the ninth of April, 1924. Mr. Moore has also taken a deep interest in the history of his native State, and interest fostered during his boyhood, when he listened to Mrs. Long, widow of General Long, one of the pioneer settlers of the State, recount the tales of the early days of Texas' history. Mr. Moore is the true type of out-door man, his family having been ranchers since the days of the republic. He was for a quarter of a century a member of the Cattle Raisers Associa- tion but is now resigned, continuing, however, to take a deep interest in the advancement of this industry.

WING NORWOOD, for nearly thirty years engaged in the banking business in Texas, is the executive head of the First National Bank of Navasota, and is vice president of the First State Bank of Montgomery. The First National Bank of Navasota is one of the leading financial institutions of this section, and has played an important part in building up this part of the State. Mr. Norwood has been active in the general business and social life of South Texas during his career and his influence has ever been felt.

A native Texan, Mr. Norwood was born at Old Washington, March 11th, 1871. His father, Walter N. Norwood (deceased), was a native of Alabama and came to Texas as a child with his parents, who first settled at Houston, later at Old Washington and still later located at Navasota, Texas, where he spent the latter part of his life, and was first en- gaged in farming, then in the drug business and later in the cotton warehouse business. His mother was Miss Annah Evans, a native of Mississippi and a member of a well known family of that State. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of Navasota, Texas, where soon after leaving school he began his business career in the private bank of E. F. Baxter, and remained with this bank for a period of seven years. In this bank there was only two employees and Mr. Norwood was the junior employee, but at this institution he learned every branch of the banking business. He remained with this bank until 1897, when he went with the First National Bank of Navasota as assistant cashier, and during the same year was made cashier, and in 1907 was made vice president, and was the execu- tive head of that bank until coming to Houston in June, 1923, as vice president of the National Bank of Commerce. The directors of the First National Bank of Navasota would not accept his resignation, and he held the title of president and director of that institution during the time he was in Houston. In February, 1925, he resigned from his Houston position and returned to Navasota.

Mr. Norwood was married at Navasota, Texas, on April 12th, 1898, to Miss Mattie Brosig, a native of Navasota and a daughter of F. W. Brosig, one of the leading business men of Central Texas. They

1874

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JE. AMONG

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

have one daughter, Mildred, the wife of Robert W. Armstrong, a young attorney of Bryan, Texas, and a son of Judge Armstrong of that city. Mr. Nor- wood is a member of the Masonic fraternity, with membership in Navasota Blue Lodge No. 299; he is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Knight Templar, a Shriner of Arabia Temple, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and Knights of Pythias. During Mr. Norwood's connections with the various banks he has proved his value as a man and a citizen, and is numbered among the leading bankers of Texas.

F. DYER MOORE, one of the younger rep- resentatives of a family which for a century has been identified with the history of Texas and the development of the cattle industry in the State, is one of the leading cattle- men of Fort Bend County, and one of the large land owners of this section. Mr. Moore has a well de- veloped ranch in Fort Bend County, having started for himself in 1908, since which time he has been adding to and expanding his interests. Mr. Moore owns in excess of three thousand acres of land, a part of this land comprising part of the old Nancy Spencer League, which land has been in the family for a hundred years, and which was granted to Nancy Spencer by the Mexican government. Nancy Spencer later married Thomas Barnett, great-grand- father of Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore occupies the house

which was built by his grandfather, J. F. Dyer, in 1872, and which he has remodeled and made into a modern and highly decorative place, with all con- veniences. The home of Mrs. Barnett, built of hand- sawed timber, was erected on this place in 1836, and is still standing. In addition to looking after his ranch Mr. Moore, in association with his brother, has taken over the management of his father's estate. In handling this estate Mr. Moore is giving his attention toward developing the thousands of acres of land comprising the estate into small, pro- ductive farms, operated by tenant farmers, and later expects to encourage these farmers, all of whom are white families, to become home owners. Mr. Moore, although referring to Fort Bend County as the mother country of the cattle industry, shares the opinion that the cattle must eventually give way to agricultural development, and this section is too highly productive, and consequently too valuable, to be used for a cattle range. His work toward the establishment of small, productive farms, which small farmers may purchase, is a step toward this agricultural development, and a venture into the encouragement of home owning, for which Fort Bend County is greatly indebted to Mr. Moore.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 121

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