New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 126

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

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1902

13.9. Weens.

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

HOMAS ALFRED JOHNSON, one of the best known cotton men of the Lone Star State, during the latter years of his life made his home at Houston, where he en- joyed the esteem of his fellow citizens and business associates. Mr. Johnson made cotton not only his business, but his hobby, and gave to this great in- dustry of the State an appreciative and interested study that made him one of the best informed cot- ton men of his time. While few men were more favorably known among business men than Mr. Johnson, he was throughout the years of his busi- ness career a man of exceptionally modest habits and never sought the limelight. His home and his business were his interests, and in the quiet pur- suance of these interests he was content.

Thomas Alfred Johnson was a native Texan, born in Paris, Lamar County, the fourth day of May, 1870, son of T. W. and Lizzie Dickens Johnson. His father came to Texas as a young man, later serving throughout the Civil War, on the Southern side, and afterwards returning to his home in Lamar County. He engaged in the cotton business under the name of T. W. Johnson and Company.

T. A. Johnson was educated in a private school in Paris, A. and M. College, and in the business college at Lexington, Kentucky. As a young man he became associated in business with his father, the firm being T. W. Johnson and Company, Cotton Factors. After his father's death the name was changed to T. A. Johnson and Company. In 1916 he came to Houston, where he also engaged in the cotton business under the same name. He was the active head of this business until his death. Mr. Johnson was one of the leading independent cotton operators, and by his close application to business, his careful study of all phases of the industry and his attention to detail, advanced to a place among the outstanding cotton men of the Lone Star State, and has a wide acquaintance in this field.

Mr. Johnson was married in Oklahoma, to Miss Nell Easton, a native of Paris, Texas, and daughter of Eugene and Allie Bonner Easton. Mr. Easton was a native of Kentucky, who came to Paris, Texas, as a young man, later removing to Oklahoma, where he took a prominent part in the practice of law. Allie Bonner Easton was born in Paris, Texas, a member of an old Texas family. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had one child, a daughter, Virginia, wife of Randolph Cooper West. Mrs. Johnson is a charming and talented woman, a devoted mother and was the inspiration of her husband during his career. Mr. Johnson was a home loving man, and never happier than when with his family. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson bought the Johnson ancestral house in Paris and in 1906 had it remodeled into a typical Southern man- sion, which for years has been one of the show places of that city. The original Johnson house was built in the forties by the grandfather of T. A. Johnson.

Mr. Johnson died in Washington, D. C., on the 18th day of January, 1921, following an operation in that city. Modest and retiring to a marked degree, Mr. Johnson never sought to assume a place of lead- ership, but delighted in quietly associating with his friends, talking of his hobby, cotton. His friends were many, men from the highest walks in life, as well as the humbler, to all of whom he was endeared by his high Christian ideals, and simple, unassum-

ing manner. His death was sincerely regretted throughout Houston, and his former home, Paris, and he will be remembered as a real friends, a busi- ness man of distinction, and loyal citizen.

DMOND BROWNE, pioneer resident of Houston, gained a wide personal esteem for his active part in the development of his city, being identified with the early growth of the community, and as a building contractor, building many of the first houses here. Mr. Browne invested his money in lands, foreseeing the rapid growth of the city with its consequent increase in property values, and also in farming lands and other real estate holdings. He took an active part in the development of the ship channel project, and was a leader in securing the first ship channel. He was also interested in fine horses and in the race track events of that day. Any movement that had for its object the betterment of the city was sure to find in him an active supporter. and he gave freely of his time and means to this end. Mr. Browne established the firm of the Browne Build- ing Supply Company, large dealers in bricks, ce- ment and contractors supplies, and also headed a large contracting business.

Edmond Browne was born in Ireland, in 1836, son of John and Lucy (Burke) Browne, natives of that country. His father died there, and after his death his mother came to the United States, to Philadelphia, remaining in that city until her death. After coming to Philadelphia, Mr. Browne engaged in business there several years, coming to Hous- ton in 1868, and thereafter taking an active part in the business and civic life of the city.

Mr. Browne was married at Philadelphia, the twenty-eighth of October, 1866, to Miss Margaret Connolly, a native of Erin's Isle, who came to this country from her home in Belfast, with her brother, Joseph Connolly, as a small girl. Her parents had died in Ireland and she was reared by relatives in Philadelphia, residing there until her marriage.

Mrs. Browne has many recollections of the early days of Houston, recalling the time when many of the now big business men, at the head of large in- dustries and commercial enterprises, were small boys. She, with true hospitality, opened her home and her heart to these citizens of her adopted city, and no woman was more beloved than she. Mrs. Browne was a devoted wife and a true mother, and in addition to being the inspiration of her hus- band's career, reared four children. These children are Harry Browne, now deceased, and who left a widow, Doris Young Browne; Lucy, wife of O. J. Lorehn, well known architect of Houston, and who has three children, Edmond, Margaret and Law- rence; Katherine, widow of Robert Ault, and who has one child, Aileen; and J. E., who married Miss Hattie Salome Clarke.

Edmond Browne died at Houston, the sixteenth of May, 1916, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a member of the Catholic Church, the faith of his boyhood and his country. He took an active part in the organization of the Elks Lodge and was identified with various civic movements. This ven- erable pioneer, giving as he did his best to his com- munity and fellowmen, could truly count his years well spent, and his death was cause for a sincere grief among his many friends.

1905

MEN OF TEXAS

R. FRANK BAYLOR HOGG, whose emin- ence in his chosen profession made him a leader in the field of medicine and surgery at Houston, was one of those outstanding physicians qualified by nature to achieve distinc- tion in their own profession and at the same time win the respect of an entire citizenship and the ad- miration of a large patronage. Dr. Hogg's contri- butions to the medical advancement of his time were very real, and his leadership in the local fraternity impressed his influence on the medical standards of his community indelibly.

Dr. Hogg was a native of the Lone Star State, having been born in Rusk, Cherokee County, Texas, the sixth day of November, 1871. He came of a dis- tinguished family, his father, Judge Thomas E. Hogg, being a leader in his own community, a great man and a great attorney, the first lawyer in Rusk. His father's brother, the late Governor James Ste- phen Hogg, was one of the truly great men of the Lone Star State, and his name is honored by every true Texan. Dr. Hogg's mother, before her mar- riage Miss Annah McMath, was also of a prominent Texas family.

Dr. Hogg began his education in the public schools of Denton, Texas, to which place the family had removed, and after finishing the public school course with honors, went to Winchester College, Tennessee, where he took his A. B. degree. He then took his course in medicine and surgery in the medical de- partment of the University of Texas, graduating from that institution with the M. D. degree, in 1896. He then began his medical practice at Denton, which he continued until the outbreak of the Spanish American War in 1898. He entered the service and was appointed first lieutenant and assistant sur- geon of the First Texas Regiment. He served throughout the conflict, and was with the Army of Occupation in Cuba. After the close of the war, General Sternenberg selected him to go to Galves- ton to help in the work of mustering out the men. He was discharged in that city and at the advice of his uncle, Governor Hogg, came to Houston to re- sume his medical practice.

Coming to this city, Dr. Hogg opened his office in the old Mason Building, where his favorable reputation and his real ability soon gained for him an extensive practice. He rapidly made his way to a place of leadership in his profession, at the same time keeping pace with the advances of medical science. He later removed his offices to the First National Bank Building, and when the new Temple Building, at the corner of Main and Capitol, was fin- ished, a suite of offices was equipped especially for him. Here he devoted his talents to the service of humanity along the lines that best promoted the development of his life's vocation, until his death, the twenty-first day of March, 1909.

Dr. Hogg was married at New Orleans, Louisiana, the twenty-third of November, 1898, to Miss Jose- phine Connolly, this wedding being one of the so- cial events of the season, attended by prominent people from Texas and New Orleans, of which city the bride was a native. Mrs. Hogg was the daugh- ter of Thomas Connolly, a native of Ireland who came to New Orleans as a young man, rapidly mak- ing his way to a place among this city's most prom- inent citizens. Her mother, Miss Marie Louise O'Connor, was also a native of Erin's Isle, coming

to New Orleans as a girl and meeting in this city Thomas Connolly, whom she later married. Dr. and Mrs. Hogg had one child, a daughter, Marie Louise, who graduated from Rice Institute, in 1921, with the B. A. degree, and who is married to Dr. Robert Alexander Johnston, a graduate of Johns Hopkins Medical College and a practicing physician in Hous- ton. Dr. and Mrs. Johnston have one daughter, Marie Josephine.

Dr. Hogg was not only a leader in medical activi- ties at Houston, building up a lucrative practice and an enviable reputation, but made himself one of the substantial citizens of this city, investing in numer- ous enterprises. He took an interest in all civic affairs, particularly those which had to do with the betterment of his community, and questions of public health especially appealed to him. He was well worthy the obligations and honors associated with his profession, and his death was a distinct loss to his city.

OHN EVERETT WEBB. A sketch of the development of the petroleum resources of Texas, and especially of the Gulf Coast District, however brief, would be incom- plete were mention not made of John Everett Webb, pioneer operator in that field, and a man who took a prominent part in its development. Essentially a business man, Mr. Webb had the vision to foresee results, the courage to take a chance, and withal the sound and practical judgment that characterizes the successful oil operator, and few men who have entered the oil business from a development angle had more successes to their credit. Aside from his position as a leader in an industry ranking as one of the most important of Texas, Mr. Webb was the type of man who would naturally attain a great measure of esteem and distinction in any commun- ity, and during the years he spent at Humble he became known as the true type of Christian man- hood, ready to help those in less fortunate circum- stances than himself, as well as ready to enter heartily into any important movement of the day, whether of civic or commercial character.

John Everett Webb was born at Hillsville, in Car- rol County, Virginia, the son of D. Smith Webb and Mary Ellen (Edwards) Webb. The father, a Bap- tist minister of Virginia throughout his life, and still active in religious work, makes Virginia his home. The mother is deceased. As a boy Mr. Webb attended the schools of Hillsville, Virginia, after- ward graduating from the State Normal College at Danville, Indiana. As a boy he had gone to work in the mines of his native State, studying mining at night, and after his graduation he went to the mining camps of Colorado, Montana, and other states of the Northwest, his adventurous spirit finally leading him to the gold fields of South Africa. He was at Johannesberg, South Africa, when the Boer war began, and the subsequent par- alyzing of business resulted in his going to Central America. Here he spent some time prospecting at Guatemala, and while there made the decision to return to the United States, the news of the dis- covery of oil in Texas, in the early part of 1901 being the immediate cause of this decision. June, 1901, found Mr. Webb at Spindle Top, where he was first engaged as manager of the Kansas City Oil and Rice Land Company and the New England and Beaumont Oil Company, remaining in charge

1906

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

of their interests until May, 1903. At that time he went to Sour Lake, in the interest of D. R. Beatty, and under his management the first Ham- ilton-Prince well was sunk. Afterward it was upon his suggestion that Beatty No. 1, now famous as a gusher, was sunk. Mr. Webb continued to rep- resent the Beatty interests until 1910 when he began to operate independently, organizing the Webb Oil Company, which company made one of the big suc- cesses of the Humble field, Mr. Webb's lease in that field having some fourteen producing wells, with a daily production averaging many thousands of barrels of oil.

John Everett Webb was married at Beaumont, Texas, the first of June, 1904, to Miss Ida Mae Kaiser, a native of Temple, Texas, and the daughter of C. L. Kaiser, one of the pioneer operators of the Gulf Coast oil fields, and one of the best known oil men of Texas. Since Mr. Webb's death Mrs. Webb has succeeded him as president of the Webb Oil Company, managing his interests in a capable and efficient manner. He father, C. L. Kaiser, is vice president and general manager of the Webb Oil Company.

John Everett Webb was killed by a fall from one of his derricks, on the twenty-second day of December, 1919, while helping his men work on the well so that they might finish it before Christmas and not have to work on that day. His death occurred just a few hours after the fall, ending the career of one of the best known oil men of Texas, and a man who was loved by all who knew him, from the highest executives in the oil business to the humblest helper in the fields. Mr. Webb's last act, that of helping his men, is typical of his entire life, for he was a man simple and without ostenta- tion, with the courage to look the world squarely in the face with the conviction that he had nothing to hide, and exerting an influence which ever in- spired confidence and created happiness.

D. L. MARTIN, vice president of the Myers-Spalti Manufacturing Company, has for the past seventeen years been an active figure in the business circles of Houston.

The Myers-Spalti Manufacturing Company are manufacturers and wholesale distributors of furni- ture, mattresses, springs and general house furnish- ings. This firm was established in Houston in 1904 and enlarged in 1907, in 1910, and again in 1923, making it the largest manufacturing plant of its kind in the Southwest. The plant of the Myers- Spalti Manufacturing Company is located at 2115 Runnels Street and the I. & G. N. Railroad tracks and covers a space of four acres. One hundred and seventy-five people are employed by this company in the mill and factory. Their office force consists of fifteen experienced employees and four traveling representatives of this company are on the road. Other officers of the Myers-Spalti Manufacturing Company are: W. S. Myers, president; J. A. Grieves, secretary and A. Hellberg, treasurer.

A native of Mississippi, Mr. Martin was born in Yalobusha County in 1857. His father, R. Martin, was a pioneer Methodist minister, a native of Ala- bama, but spent most of his life in Northern Missis- sippi. His mother was Miss Elizabeth Mims, a mem- ber of a prominent Virginia family. Mr. Martin's education was obtained in the public schools of Mississippi.

Mr. Martin began his business career in the furni- ture business in Owensboro, Kentucky, and later was engaged in the same line of business in Mem- phis, Tennessee. In 1906 he came to Houston and became associated with the Myers-Spalti Manufac- turing Company as secretary of this company. later being made vice president.

Mr. Martin was married in Ocean Springs, Mis- sissippi, in 1880, to Miss Virginia F. Perin, who was born in White Sulphur Springs Virginia, but is a member of a well known Mississippi family. They have two children, Frank L. Martin of Dallas, and Anna Clyde, now the wife of H. C. Plunkett of Houston. The Martin residence is at 1217 Richmond Avenue. Mr. Martin has an abiding faith in the future of Houston and expects this city to continue its steady, consistent growth and is looking forward to an era of great business prosperity in all lines.

E. MOON, for more than a decade a factor in the business life at Houston, has since 1920 been associated with the development of the city as a real estate man whose greatest success can be attributed to the develop- ment and sale of unimproved properties. Mr. Moon is a realtor and contracting builder, with offices at 313 West Building. He is taking an active part in home construction, building homes and placing them on the market on terms that will appeal to the man of limited means, and has rendered real service to the community in this field. Since Mr. Moon has been in business he has successfully promoted and handled much business of this type, financing and constructing homes in all parts of the city. Through his interests in home building and civic improvement he has been instrumental in building up a number of new residential additions, additions like South End, Montrose, Manchester and Mandell, that have contributed to Houston's claim to the title, "A City of Homes." He has also taken an active part in securing improvements of the highest type for these additions, including street car extensions, schools and other public improvements. In this construc- tion work Mr. Moon is in full charge of the business.

He maintains his own construction crews, consist- ing of rough carpenters, skilled carpenters and fin- ishers, painters, paperers, masons, and all skilled and unskilled workmen required for these building operations. He has under way at all times con- struction aggregating around a hundred thousand dollars, and as fast as one home is completed an- other is under way. He employs some forty work- men.

Mr. Moon was born at Frankford, Indiana, the fifth of April, 1882, son of O. P. Moon, a contractor, and native of Indiana. He was educated in the pub- lic schools of Indiana, graduating from high school, after which he began his business career. He came to Houston in 1910, and was variously engaged until the opening of his present business in 1920.

Mr. Moon was married at Houston in June, 1911, to Miss Evelyn Wheeler, daughter of Henry Wheeler, of Houston. They make their home at 3604 Fannin Street. Mr. Moon is a member of the Advertising Club, the Real Estate Board, the Builders Exchange, and fraternally is an Elk. He is not only familiar with all phases of the building industry, but has an expert knowledge of real estate values, and is re- garded by his fellow citizens as a real city builder.

1907

MEN OF TEXAS

OHN HENRY LANG, SR., one of the real pioneers of Houston, and citizen whose highly successful efforts in behalf of the development of the oyster business made him a figure of state wide prominence, was for many years a factor in the commercial and civic life of his community and one of the most re- spected and generous men of his time. Mr. Lang was a real industrial leader and organizer and one of the first men of his time to see in the oyster business an industry of more than local scope. He gave to the development of this resource of the Lone Star State many years of an industrious and useful life, encouraging the establishment of oyster fisheries, as well as conservation, and his efforts in behalf of this industry will be remembered for many years to come. In political affairs, he took an interest and served as alderman of First Ward, in the early days.

Mr. Lang was a native of the Lone Star State, and the son of Frank Lang, a native of Prussia, who came to Galveston as a young man, bringing with him his young wife, Katherine Lang, the mother of the subject of our sketch. Mr. Lang spent his boy- hood in Galveston, attending the schools of that day. At the opening of the Civil War, Mr. Lang ran a blockade out of Galveston and was captured in Mexico, but was later released and served as a soldier later in the Confederate Army. He came to Houston in 1866. Reared in a coast city, where fishing was one of the principal occupations of many of the residents, he had early made the de- cision to make this industry the basis of his career. With this in mind he established a wholesale oyster business shortly after his arrival in Houston, and in a short time had broadened the scope of his business to such an extent that he was not only supplying a heavy demand for shell fish in the vicinity of Houston, but was sending out large shipments to all parts of the state.

His wife, too, took an active part in the business life of the day, and in 1877 established an oyster parlor which she ran for four decades, proving her- self a business woman of real ability and executive capacity. In 1911 her sons took over this interest, running it very successfully until 1922, when they sold it.

Mr. Lang was married the twenty-fifth of March, 1877, to Miss Ida Kumke, a native of Prussia, who came with her parents, Carl and Anna Wiese Kumke, to the United States in 1870.

Mr. and Mrs. Lang spent much time in travel, and during the months when the oyster business did not require their constant presence in Houston, de- lighted in going to various parts of this country. They were the parents of five children, the surviving are: John Henry Lang, Jr., of Houston, and who is married; Edward Henry Lang of Houston, and who is married and has three children; and Dollie, wife of R. B. White.

Mrs. Lang is a woman of many accomplishments and sound and constructive business ability. Her home at 1104 Austin Street, is the seat of a gracious hospitality, and she has hundreds of friends in this city and Galveston who admire her many fine qualities. She takes a deep interest in the affairs of the day, especially those concerning public welfare, and is well informed on all cur- rent events. She and her family are large property

owners both in Houston and in Galveston, and it has been her privilege to watch the progress of both these cities from the small towns of her child- hood to their present state of development.

Mr. Lang died on April 26th, 1907, his death being deeply felt throughout the city, and a distinct loss to the business world. A man of sterling worth in his community, there was ever associated with his name an integrity that gave him prestige in his community. Of simple tastes, and endowed with those virtues which make for leadership, he not only took a leading part in the development of the oys- ter business, but was the friend of all who knew him, and a real citizen in the highest sense of the word.

ENRY S. FOX, SR. Among the outstanding men in the history of Houston's banking circles Henry S. Fox, Sr., occupies a prom- inent place. In 1870 Mr. Fox founded the Henry S. Fox Bank, of which he was president. The bank continued under this name until 1876, when it was changed to the Houston National Bank, and the splendid institution of today stands as a memorial to the ambitions and high ideals of Henry S. Fox, Sr., who continued as its president until his death, February 12th, 1912.

Henry S. Fox was born in Germany, October 15th, 1835, son of Henry S. Fox. The life of Mr. Fox is an example of what courage, indomitable will and ambition can accomplish. In the year 1849, as a lad of only fourteen years of age, he left his native home in Germany in order more ably to assist in the support of the family. He spent two years in New York, employed in the mercantile business. In 1851 he came to Texas, where he continued in the mercantile business, sometime later becoming senior member of the hardware firm of Fox and Heitmann, retiring from this firm when he founded the Henry S. Fox Bank.

Mr. Fox was twice married, his first marriage being to Miss Lena Gohlman, daughter of Henry Gohlman, pioneer Houston merchant. Mrs. Fox died leaving two children, Henry Fox, Jr., (deceased) and Mamie Fox Twyman, wife of Wm. G. Twyman (deceased), who was vice president and director of the Houston National Bank. In 1889 Mr. Fox was married to Miss Leonora Harby. To this union was given one daughter, Louise Fox Campbell, wife of J. C. Campbell.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 126

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