New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 124

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

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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Since coming to Houston Mr. Deas has made a host of friends for himself and his firm, and he is popular in both the business and social circles of the city. He is deeply interested in the civic advancement of Houston and gives liberally of his time and means to the furtherance of any project having as its object the advancement and progress of this city. Mr. Deas makes his home at the Macatee Hotel and is regarded as a valuable acqui- sition to the business and social circles of the South Texas Metropolis.

Note: Since this sketch was written Mr. Deas moved to Lumber City, Georgia.

I. WHITLEY has been for many years a name well known to the oil fraternity, and associated in a progressive way with the development of the oil resources of the Lone Star State. Mr. Whitley has been for a num- ber of years active in the development of the field at Dayton, and since he has established his head- quarters here he has had a wide influence on the life of the community.

Mr. Whitley is general manager of the South Liberty Oil Company, a company in which he is financially interested, and is taking and active part in forwarding development work in this field. He is at present engaged in actual development and has rigs in the field, with work going forward at a gratifying rate. The South Liberty Oil Company holds almost three hundred acres of land in this field, in the center of one of the most promising areas, and where the big companies hold acreage on all sides. Oil in commercial quantities seems assured and operators

everywhere are watching the progress of the work with interest.

Mr. Whitley is a real "Old Timer" in the oil bus- iness and has been associated with its fortunes since the days of the boom at Beaumont in 1901, when he began as a roughneck, on the twentieth day of February of that year. Mr. Whitley remained at Beaumont for four years, learning the rudiments of the oil business rapidly, and advancing to a responsible position in the field. In 1905 he went to Sour Lake and drilled there for Moon and Skin- ner, and also for the Betty Brown Syndicate. He spent one year in Sour Lake, after which he went to Humble, and was with Clint Wood, Noble, and Sharp, when they were developing the Oriole Lease. Later he went with the Sun Company, and put in an air compressing station for them. In 1907 he went to Electra, with the Hone Acre Develop- ment Company, and drilled in that field for them. This was followed by a wildcatting experience at West Houston, drilling for the Indianapolis Oil De- velopment Company. He next went to San Antonio, with Jose and Juan Hamil, later returning to Hum- ble where he was with the Woods Company. He went from Humble to Hainsville, where he finished a 2015 foot well in six months, later going to Grand Saline, where he dug two holes. He then went to Huntsville, and organized the Citizens' Oil Com- pany, remaining there for a year and a half, until 1917. In that year he came to Dayton, with the Empire Gas & Fuel Company, and was with them, with the exception of eight months spent at Orange with the Monarch Company, until the first of Jan- uary, 1923, when he organized the South Liberty Oil Company, which he has since directed. Mr. Whitley's experience in the oil business has been one of constant advancement, and he has attained a reputation among members of the fraternity of being one of the most experienced drillers in the business.

Mr. Whitley was born in Robertson County, Texas, the sixteenth of April, 1878. His father, N. J. Whitley, a farmer, moved to Robertson County from Georgia, his native state, just after the Civil War, in 1865. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Wright, is a native of the Lone Star State, and the daughter of W. T. Wright, also a native Texan, whose father, Ace Wright, settled in San Augustine County when this state was Mex- ican Territory. Mr. Whitley attended the public schools near his home, and after leaving high school became a stationary engineer and worked at various places until going to Beaumont in 1901 and enter- ing the oil business.

Mr. Whitley was married at Kosse, Texas, the fourteenth of June, 1903, to Miss Nora Clarke, daughter of Dr. Clarke, well known physician of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Whitley have five chil- dren: Julia, Cora, Clauzell, Louis, and Mattie Lou. The family have made their home in Dayton for a number of years, and take an active part in the social life of the community. They attend the Bap- tist Church. Mr. Whitley is a Mason, Blue Lodge, at Dayton. Mr. Whitley is a man of wide exper- ience in all oil field activities, and not only knows how to direct work, but just how it should be done. His accurate knowledge of the various fields, their formations, and his integrity, makes any drilling program of his of especial interest.

1895

MEN OF TEXAS

WENTWORTH DEXTER, for many years a resident of Houston, Texas, was one of the best known men in the field of journal- ism of the Southwest, having published many of the leading publications of the State. He was the owner and editor of the Texas Bankers Journal, one of the strongest publications of its kind of the South, which Mr. Dexter edited in this city for ten years. He was a fearless writer, giving expression at all times to what he considered right, regardless of public opinion. In addition to being a talented and accomplished writer along many lines, Mr. Dexter was known throughout the State as one of the most humane and kind-hearted men, which extended beyond the human family and into the animal kingdom. He established the Texas Humane Society and was for many years the president of this organization. To try to enumerate his many known kindly acts would be to fill several pages in a book, for the reason that they were of daily oc- currence and he was known to go out of his way, spend time and money on many an outcast animal, whom he found without home or friends.

A native of Alabama, Mr. Dexter was born at Montgomery on June 29th, 1851. His father, Samuel Dexter (deceased), was a native of Boston, Massa- chusetts, where he was a member of a prominent family. His mother was a member of a well known family. His education was obtained in the schools of his native State. His first work was as a clerk in Alabama, but after a few years came to Galves- ton, Texas, where he became associated with the Gal- veston News, and later with Bradstreet's Agency, and still later with the Dunn's Agency of the Island City. He then removed to Fort Worth, Texas, where he published the Fort Worth Business Re- view, later coming to Houston, where he first pub- lished the Houston Review, during which time he established the Business League of Houston, and edited several publications for Houston, Galveston, Dallas and other cities. Perhaps his most import- ant publication was the World's Fair Book on Texas, which was eagerly read by all Texans and throughout the country, being given prominence in the Texas Building at the World's Fair.

Mr. Dexter was married at Brownsville, Texas, and May 8th, 1908, to Miss Evelyn Barbour, a daughter of J. M. Barbour (deceased), a native of Morganstown, Virginia, where he was well known in the business and financial circles. Her mother, Mrs. Mary (Henry) Barbour, was native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where her family was prominently identified with the business and social life. Mr. Dexter was married to Mrs. Maggie An- derson Abercrombie (deceased), some years prior to his second marriage. The Dexter home is located at 3102 Brazos Street, where he resided until his death on January 19th, 1914. He had continued the publishing of the Texas Bankers Journal up to the time of his death, after which, Mrs. Dexter, who is well known in the field of journalism, continued to publish this journal for a period of four years, when she disposed of it, in order to devote her time to other activities. Mr. Dexter was a member of the B. P. O. E., the United Confederate Veterans, Dick Dowling Camp, Texas Press Association, National Editorial Association, Houston Chamber of Commerce, Houston Country Club and many other fraternal, commercial, civic and social organizations,

in all of which he took a keen interest. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and throughout his life was active in all church work of this denomi- nation, assisting every movement which this church sponsored. Mr. Dexter was a man with a keen and clear mind, a pure and clean heart, and his purposes were magnanimous; he was indeed a high priest in friendship's holy temple, a patriot, a gentleman, one of God's noblemen. The world is poorer by the death of W. Wentworth Dexter.

BE MEYERHOFF. Among the pioneer mer- chants of the Lone Star State, few names stand higher or are accorded more honor, than that of Abe Meyerhoff, who for three decades and a half was not only a leader in the com- mercial development of Halletsville, but was a factor in the civic life of the community and took an active part in every forward movement. Mr. Meyerhoff came to Halletsville as a young man, full of the en- thusiasm of youth, and began in the mercantile busi- ness in a small way. Prospering, as the city pros- pered, he kept pace with development in a pro- gressive way and built up a mercantile establishment ranking as the largest at Hallettsville, and charac- terized by the highest merchandising standards. A business man of sound policies, Mr. Meyerhoff di- rected his business in accordance with recognized standards, influencing the trend of business opera- tion in his community in a favorable way and there was ever attached to his name an integrity that was one of his most prized assets.

Abe Meyerhoff was born in Austria, the fifth of April, 1867, the son of Irvin Meyerhoff, who came to the United States shortly after his son came here, and who lived in Chicago for many years. Mr. Mey- erhoff was educated in his native country and lived there until he was nineteen years old, when he came to the United States, going to New York City, where he spent his first year in this country. He then came to Columbus, Texas, working there for two years, after which he removed to Halletsville, which was to be his home for so many years, and began in the mercantile business in a small way. This small dry goods store grew in time to be the largest in Hal- lettsville and was operated by Mr. Meyerhoff until 1920, when he gave the management of the business, which he incorporated as Meyerhoff Company, to re- latives, and retired from active life. During the years of his business life at Halletsville, Mr. Meyerhoff also dealt in real estate, lands and cotton, and in- vested in many enterprises of importance to the ad- vancement of that city. After his retirement, he left Halletsville, coming to Houston in 1921, where he built a fine home at 3812 Yoakum Boulevard, where he spent his declining years.

Mr. Meyerhoff was married at Halletsville, the nineteenth of January, 1896, to Miss Donna Silber, a native of that place and the daughter of Theo. and Johanna Silber, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Silber, a native of Germany, came to the United States and Halletsville around 1872, and was a mer- chant there until his death. Mrs. Meyerhoff is a woman of high accomplishment and during the years of her husband's practical career was his constant inspiration. She created an ideal home atmosphere, and was that charming type of wife and mother of whom our country is justly proud. Mr. and Mrs.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

Meyerhoff had one child, Sylvia, a student in the Houston high school.

Mr. Meyerhoff throughout his lifetime was active in all civic work at Halletsville, taking a special in- terest in education and in the general welfare of the community. He was ever ready to contribute generously to every movement that had for its object the welfare or advancement of this city, and his name is honored as that of one of the real builders of Halletsville. He was a member of a number of fraternal orders, the Sons of Herman, the Oddfel- lows, and the Masons, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Halletsville, 32nd degree Scottish Rite and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine at Houston. His death, which occurred at his home in Houston the seventeenth of December, 1923, was deeply felt at Halletsville and the memory of his useful life will long be recalled.

US DREYLING, pioneer in the laundry industry in the Lone Star State, has been identified with this important phase of progress and industry at Houston for al- most three decades. In 1896, Mr. Dreyling, in asso- ciation with L. A. Hamburger, established the Model Laundry Co., of which industry he is now president. This firm has made a wonderful record of growth and progress, the first year finding the industry housed in a small plant and operating twelve em- ployees, with only a modest business. Each year since has found the Model Laundry forging steadi- ly ahead, the plant expanding to meet the increas- ing demands that a rapidly increasing patronage has thrown upon it, and adding to equipment and operatives. The past year finds this industry housed in a modern plant, a building into which they moved in 1910, and comprising three floors and basement, each seventy-nine by one hundred and fifty feet. The plant is located at 602-4-6 Prairie Avenue. One hundred and sixty-five skilled opera- tives are required to turn out the large valume of business and twenty-five delivery trucks are kept busy collecting and delivering bundles in the city. Every modern equipment for the handling of laundry work of the highest class is to be found in the plant of the Model Laundry Company, and every class of work from the inexpensive wet wash, to the finest family finished work, and delicate silken garments is handled competently and efficiently. The Model Laundry also makes a specialty of mail order and out of town business, their laundry agencies in a radius of one hundred and twenty miles sending in a large volume of business daily.

To this sturdy pioneer in the laundry industry the laundry owners of Texas owe much. He has stood for every movement that would make for the advancement of this industry, backing it with his time and money. He has been an indefatigable worker in the Texas Laundry Owners Association, and in the Laundry Owners National Association. Mr. Dreyling began in this business as a boy of twelve, working for a Chinese laundry, and a few years later, with L. A. Hamburger, entering the business for himself.

Mr. Dreyling is a native of Houston, having been born in this city January, 1875, son of Gus Dreyling of Germany, who came here as a boy, in 1842, and was widely known in Houston, where he was one of the pioneer barbers and barber shop operators. His mother, prior to her marriage, Miss Annie Maxx, was a native of Houston. Mr. Dreyling was edu-

cated in the public schools of his native city, enter- ing the laundry business at an early age, as pre- viously mentioned.

Mr. Dreyling was married at Houston, the twelfth of April, 1899, to Miss Blanche Settegast, daughter of J. W. Settegast, pioneer real estate and property owner of Houston. She is a sister to J. J., Jr., C. S. and C. Ed Settegast, well known Houston business men. Mr. and Mrs. Dreyling live at 219 West Alabama Street. They have two chil- dren, both of whom are adopted, Blanche Gray and Sophia May. Mr. Dreyling is an earnest civic worker, taking an active interest in whatever con- cerns the progress of Houston. He is a member of various clubs, and is president of the Houston Turnverein Club. Fraternally he is a Mason, Gray Lodge, thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, and a member of Arabia Temple.

Note: Since the above sketch was written, Mr. Dreyling died September 30, 1925.

APTAIN WILLIAM R. DREXEL made many friends in Houston when stationed here during the World War as adjutant of Ellington Field, and after his discharge in 1920, he returned to Houston and entered the au- tomobile business, and in November, 1920, organ- ized the W. R. Drexel Company, of which he was the sole owner. The W. R. Drexel Company was distributors for the Jordan motor car, with a terri- tory of thirty counties. The firm was located at 2107 Main Street, their sales rooms being among the most spacious and attractive in the city. During the time in which Captain Drexel was distributor for the Jordan cars he was responsible for a marked in- crease in the sales of this popular car.

Captain Drexel was born in Washington, D. C., in 1886. His father, Charles F. Drexel, a native of Baltimore, has been engaged in the banking business all his life and is widely known in banking circles of the East. Captain Drexel's education was ob- tained in the public schools of Florida.

Captain Drexel started in the automobile indus- try in Saint Louis in 1911. Later he was a distribu- tor for four years in California, located at Oak- land and Los Angeles. In 1917, on Friday 13th, Captain Drexel entered the United States Army, and was assigned to the air service and as a private served at Fort McDonnell. In October, 1917, he was commissioned second lieutenant, shortly after he was made a first lieutenant and later was made captain. He was sent to Ellington Field, Houston, as adjutant of Ellington Field. Later he was placed in command of San Leon Army Gunnery School. He was dis- charged in March, 1920, when he came to Houston and became associated with the Nash Company, where he remained until November of the same year, when he organized the Drexel Motor Company, becoming president of the company which at that time handled the Ranger products. He continued in this business until taking over the distribution of the Jordan motor car, which he continued until his removal to California.

Captain Drexel was married in 1917 to Miss Doris Whilton, a member of a prominent California family. Captain Drexel is a member of the B. P. O. E. in which he takes an active interest, as well as other social and civic organizations of the com- munity in which he lives.

1897

MEN OF TEXAS

O. KOPPERL, one of the most prominent attorneys of Texas, and for many years associated with the men of the State who were moulding and shaping public opinion, was throughout his career identified with the city of Galveston, where he was regarded as one of the most public spirited of citizens, and where his name has many memorials. Whether as lawyer, citizen or business man, Mr. Kopperl was a leader, and one of those men of purpose, met all too rarely, who are equipped by nature to bear heavy responsibility. As an attorney at law Mr. Kopperl represented the very flower of the Texas Bar, achieving eminence both as a trial lawyer and as a counsellor. He was not only familiar with law and procedure, but was an eloquent speaker, with a convincing platform manner, and withal a man of masterful personality, and his connection with many of the most important cases of his time brought him prominently into the public eye. As a citizen he held his duty in high regard, unself- ishly working to the end that Galveston might prosper and grow, and using his influence to secure the advancement of his city. Mr. Kopperl was also a business man of unusual attainments and sound judgment, and had it not been for his distinction as a lawyer his activity in this field alone would have been sufficient to attract attention to his name. Especially in the matter of investments, in lands and properties at Galveston, was he success- ful, and while these investments were with profit to himself, they were also investments that were of direct importance to the prosperity of Galveston, and often resulted in direct growth and improve- ment.

M. O. Kopperl was born at Galveston, the fif- teenth of March, 1875, the son of M. Kopperl and Isabella Dyer Kopperl. Mr. Kopperl, Sr., was one of the leading men of his day, the first president of the First National Bank to be established in Texas, and president of the Santa Fe Railroad for many years, as well as active in every line of civic endeavor. M. O. Kopperl was educated in the pub- lic schools of Galveston until his graduation from high school, when he entered the University of Virginia, taking the B. A. degree there, and later entering the University of Texas, where he took his law degree. Returning to Galveston he went with the law firm of Austin and Rhodes, remaining with that firm about five years, when he began his practice alone, so continuing until his death. Mr. Kopperl was also vice president of the Magnolia Park Land Company that developed Magnolia Park, a suburb of Houston, and was president of the Mer- chants National Bank for a short time. He has other interests of an investment nature in Texas.

Mr. Kopperl was married at Austin, Texas, in 1898, to Miss Waldine Zimpelman, the daughter of the late George B. Zimpelman, a noted politician of Texas, a former Texas Ranger and a close per- sonal friend of Theodore Roosevelt, and for many years postmaster at Austin, where his death oc- curred in 1907. Mrs. Kopperl is a direct descendant of Lawrence Washington, brother of George Wash- ington, the first president of our country. She is a highly accomplished woman, having spent con- siderable time in travel and study. Mr. and Mrs. Kopperl had two children: George Matthews Kop- perl, Yale, class '29, who died June 12, 1926, and M.O.

Kopperl, Jr., a graduate of Stevens Technology School, class of '23, and now with the American Can Com- pany of New York City, and who married the twelfth of June, 1923, to Miss Lorna Delano of Mamaroneck, N. Y., the wedding taking place at Vassar College, where Mrs. Kopperl graduated. Since Mr. Kopperl's death Mrs. Kopperl sold the fine Kopperl home in Galveston, which is now used as a memorial. She maintains a permanent apartment in New York City, and when in Gal- veston resides at the Galvez Hotel. She has taken her late husband's place as vice president of the Magnolia Park Land Company, and has the entire management of his estate, proving herself a woman of business as well as social attainments.

M. O. Kopperl died the twenty-fifth of July, 1917, the Texas Bar losing one of its most able and dis- tinguished members and the city of Galveston one of its most illustrious citizens.

ENJAMIN GARLAND STERLING .- The life of Benjamin Garland Sterling, who, throughout a business career filled with many distinctions, remained true to his na- tive state of Texas, is significant of achievement in many lines. Mr. Sterling, true to the Sterling tra- dition, brought to the world of business a clearness of vision, a recognition of his duty to his fellow- men, and the fine qualities of honesty, straight-for- wardness and perseverance that marked his entire life. He found in the city of Dayton, Liberty Coun- ty, opportunities for advancement, for development and inspiration, that strengthened his decision to make that city his home, and until his death he was a factor in commercial enterprises there, leav- ing the imprint of his personality on the life of the community.

Mr. Sterling was a native of Chambers County, Texas, born the twenty-eighth of November, 1878. The Sterling family has, for many years, been one of Texas' most honored and respected families, and has contributed many distinguished men and women to the citizenship of the state. Mr. Sterling was one of a large family, and there are today six living brothers and four sisters. These brothers and sis- ters are: James B. Sterling, of Dayton, Texas, and twin of the late Benjamin Garland Sterling, the subject of our sketch; R. S. Sterling, of Houston; F. P. Sterling, of Houston; A. A. Sterling, of Hous- ton; O. B. Sterling, of Houston; John L. Sterling, of Galveston; Miss Florence M. Sterling, of Houston, and Mrs. Annie Barrow, of Houston; Mrs. Cora Barrow, of Houston, and Mrs. Catherine Koehler, of Houston.

Reared in a home of refinement and culture, Mr. Sterling was educated in the schools near his home, and, until 1907, remained in Chambers County. In that year he went to Dayton, Liberty County, where he spent the remainder of his life, and where his death occurred in 1921. He had many business in- terests, both in that place and elsewhere, and, with his brothers, was a factor in the development of the oil resources of the State.

Mr. Sterling was married the twenty-third of April, 1908, to Miss Lillye Oldham, at Caldwell, Texas. She is the daughter of E. M. Oldham, both of whom were born in Burleson County, Texas. Mrs. Sterling's mother, before her marriage to Mr. Old- ham, Miss Hepsy Clark, was a native of Kingston,' North Carolina, and came to Texas in childhood, with

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

her parents, first living at Mount Pleasant, and later coming to Burleson County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Oldham are now living in Burleson County, and besides Mrs. Sterling, have three daughters, Launa Ransom of Caldwell, Texas, and who has two sons; Leona, wife of J. C. Garrison of Mission, Tex- as, and who has two daughters; and Lenna, wife of Dave Betton, Jr., of Ralls, Texas, and who has two sons. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling had one child, Mary Katherine, who, with her mother, has made her home in Houston since 1921, living at 3815 Travis Street. Miss Sterling is a student in the South End High School.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 124

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