New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 127

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

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Mr. Fox was actively interested in civic affairs, being especially interested in the Houston Harbor development work, to which he gave his liberal support. His faith in Houston and its future was apparent by his heavy real estate investments. He was very popular in social and commercial circles alike. In amassing a large fortune Mr. Fox never lost sight of the fact that as a mere lad he was compelled to face the world single handed, and it was his greatest pleasure to lend a helping hand to every ambitious boy with whom he came in con- tact, and many successful business men of Houston today will tell you of the kindnesses shown them in their youth by Henry S. Fox, Sr. Mr. Fox was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Elks, the Hous- ton, and Houston Country Clubs. He was president of the Clearing House Association, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

1908

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

M. (MITCHELL) SEELIGSON for many years has been active in industrial affairs at Cuero and Goliad, and has been especially interested in the development of the grain resources of this section. Mr. Seeligson is presi- dent and general manager of the Cuero Mill and Feed Company and of the Cuero Gin Company, two large concerns built and operated with local capital. The Cuero Mill and Feed Company, built in the early part of 1924, and capitalized at fifteen thou- sand dollars, produces corn products of all kinds, and also mixed feeds, horse feeds, dairy feeds and poul- try feeds. The plant is equipped with the best and most modern machinery, including a special steel corn cutter, and is operated under thoroughly modern conditions. The Chix Feed is one of the lead- ing specialties of the plant, the brand, "Turkey Trot" under which it is marketed, being registered at Washington, D. C. Mr. Seeligson originated the idea of developing these feeds for this particular part of Texas, and has been very successful in build- ing up his plant. Railroad connections here, offering the advantage of transit privileges, greatly en- hance the value of the plant from a commercial standpoint, and all indications are that it will de- velop into one of the largest mill and feed plants in this section. Mr. Seeligson has taken an active part in protecting grains in Texas in their indemnity insurance rates, and has worked indefatigably to secure a fair deal for grains. Mr. Seeligson is also president and general manager of the Cuero Gin Company, organized in 1917, and which oper- ates one of the largest cotton gins in this section. All equipment in this plant, as in the mill and feed plant, is modern and the plant has handled a large volume of the ginning business in this section since its opening. In addition to these interests Mr. Seeligson is vice president and general manager of the Riverdale Corporations, which include the River- dale Gin Company and the Riverdale Mercantile Company. These interests were established by Mr. Seeligson in 1912, with a capital of five thousand dollars, and under his management have grown and expanded until they now have a capital and sur- plus of seventy thousand dollars and are among the more important enterprises of this section. Mr. Seeligson also has a three hundred and fifty acre farm in cotton and corn, which is also under his per- sonal management, as all his interests. He is a thoroughly progressive agriculturist, and em- ploys the latest and most scientific methods on his farm, including a fertilization program and the use of calcium arsenic on his cotton in the control of the boll weevil.

W. M. (Mitchell) Seeligson, was born at Goliad, Texas, the twenty-ninth of August, 1887, son of L. Seeligson, who was born at Rio Grande City, and whose death occurred in 1914. His grandfather, L. Seeligson, was a pioneer merchant of Cuero, and his great-grandfather, M. Seeligson, one of the pioneers of Texas, served as mayor of Galveston in 1859. Mr. Seeligson's mother was Miss Bell Coffin, before her marriage, and was born at Indianola, Texas. Her father, Captain Coffin, of the Morgan Line Boats from New York, and later lighthouse keeper at Salaeria Pass, was a direct descendant of Trystan Coffin, who landed with the Pilgrims from the Mayflower, at Plymouth Rock. Mr. Seeligson was educated in the public schools. He served as

commissioner for the port for eight years at Fannin Park, and during the World War was secretary and in active charge of the exemption board for three years, and adjutant general, United States Army. Later he was in charge of clearing the delinquent list, and was at Austin for some time, clearing the records of many thousand men who were carried as deserters but who were actually in service. Con- cluding this work he came to Cuero.

Mr. Seeligson was married at Bastrop, Texas, in 1910, to Miss Maud Maynard, daughter of Judge W. E. Maynard of that point. Mr. and Mrs. Seeligson reside at Goliad, and have one child, Mary Isabell. Mr. Seeligson is a member of the Episcopal Church, having served as vestryman for ten years. He is a Mason, both York and Scottish Rites, Consistory at San Antonio, Shrine at Austin, belonging to Ben Hur Temple Shrine. He belongs to the Cuero Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Ginners Association, serving as president of that organization in 1923. Mr. Seeligson is a thoroughly public-spirited citizen, and has contributed in a very material way to the development of this section.

ERVANT MAXUDIAN, president and gen- eral manager Coastal Oil Fields Company, Inc., is regarded as one of the leading oper- ators in the oil fields of South Texas. Mr. Maxudian has been coming to Houston from New York at intervals since 1919, and this company was organized in 1923 with a capital stock of $1,000,- 000.00 operating under a New York Charter with a Texas permit, and has acquired properties in South Texas. The company has producing wells and owns approximately fifty acres in fee and leases in the proven area on the southwest flank of Barbers Hill and seven hundred and fifty acres in wildcat leases farther to the west, as well as leases in Big Creek, Fort Bend County. Offices are at 25 Broad- way, New York. The success of the Coastal Oil Fields Company, Inc., is largely due to Mr. Maxudian, who personally organized the company. Mr. Maxudian is extensively interested in Lake Maracaibo, District in Venezuela.

Mr. Maxudian was born in Armenia, November 6th, 1889. His father, H. Maxudian, killed during the war, was a prominent professional man of Armenia, where he was extensively interested in railroads. His mother was, prior to her marriage, Miss Santought Seferian, a member of a prominent family of Armenia, and is now residing in Constan- tinople. During his early boyhood, Mr. Maxudian studied at various schools of Europe, and after com- ing to America, entered Cornell University and graduated from this institution in the class of 1914, with the degree of B. S., after two years of special work in engineering and the sciences, with four years spent in Cornell University. After his gradua- tion, Mr. Maxudian became associated with the Edi- son Company in their sales department in New York State, where he remained from 1914 to 1917, when he entered the army and was assigned to the air service, and during the one and one-half years spent in this service, he served at Kelly Field, San An- tonio, Texas, where he was an instructor in Air Service. Mr. Maxudian is now an officer in the Reserve Corps Air Service. He is a member of the Gulf Coast Oil Association and the University Club in Houston; the Racket Club in Washington, D. C., and the Cornell Club in New York.

1909

MEN OF TEXAS

OHN JOSEPH DAVIDSON, for the past several years a factor in oil production at West Columbia, has attained an enviable reputation among his associates and is re- garded as a real authority in his line of work. Mr. Davidson is superintendent of production of the Humble Oil and Refining Company at West Colum- bia, coming here to take charge of production in 1919. He had prior to that time been with the Humble Oil and Refining Company for several years, in the production department at Goose Creek, and is one of the younger men to make a record for his activities in this line. The Humble Oil and Refining Company has at the present time around fifty producing wells in the West Columbia field, and is getting production of better than three thousand barrels daily. There are around sixty-five employees in this department, under the direct supervision of Mr. Davidson, and he has one of the best organized and functioning departments in the field. His equipment is all of the best and most modern type, and he makes it a point to see that each detail under his direction is carefully worked out, and the highest efficiency maintained. This is no small factor, and considering the large amount of work this entails, and the investment of the Humble company in this field, Mr. Davidson is working under a heavy responsibility.

John Joseph Davidson was born at New Iberia, Louisiana, the fifteenth of October, 1887. His father, J. A. Davidson, a builder and carpenter of Loui- siana, now makes his home at Vinton, in that state. His mother before her marriage was Miss Tillie Beelman. Mr. Davidson attended the schools of his native state, and when a boy began work in the oil fields there. Since that time he has been in every position in connection with oil field operation and knows at first hand, and by experience, all phases of this great industry. From Louisiana he came to Goose Creek in 1917, and went with the Humble Oil and Refining Company, in the production depart- ment, and was three years later sent to West Columbia by this company as superintendent of pro- duction here.

Mr. Davidson was married at Crowley, Louisiana, the fifteenth of July, 1911, to Miss Jennie Hender- son, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Henderson, Mr. Henderson being a well known oil field opera- tor. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are now making their home in West Columbia, and take their part in the social life of the community. Fraternally Mr. David- son is an Odd Fellow. He has made many friends in the coastal field and is regarded as a man whose years of experience and real knowledge of his work justify the responsibility that has been placed on him, and who faces a real future in the oil industry.

ONROE CHANCEY for several years was a factor in oil development activities at West Columbia and is regarded as one of the most enterprising men associated with the industry. Mr. Chancey served as superintend- ent of properties for the Peer Oil Corporation, a position he assumed in 1920. Mr. Chancey demon- strated his ability in the handling of oil field activi- ties in West Columbia, and dispatched some diffi- cult work in this field.

Monroe Chancey was born in Montgomery County,

Texas, on the twelfth of September, 1898. His father, Robert Chancey, has been for many years a farmer, land owner and stock raiser of that county and is well known there. His mother's maiden name was Miss Lou Craty. Mr. Chancey received his education in the schools of Montgomery County, growing up in a wholesome out-of-doors atmosphere. As a boy he helped his father on the farm and spent his life there until he went to Humble to engage in oil field work. He spent two years with the Texas Company in the Humble field, after which he came to West Columbia and wa's with the Monarch Oil and Refining Company until that com- pany consolidated with the Peer Oil Corporation. He then became superintendent of properties of the consolidated corporations and attained the reputa- tion of a capable oil field executive.

Mr. Chancey was married at West Columbia in July, 1923, to Miss Eva Lynch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Lynch, the father a farmer and land owner of this section. Mr. Chancey is regarded as one of the younger men in the oil fields who have a real future, and the next few years should see his rapid advancement in the industry.

OSEPH P. UNDERWOOD is a pioneer in the mercantile business of South Texas and has operated a general store at West Co- lumbia for more than fifty years. He is also a large land owner of this county and for many years was one of the leading cattle men of Brazoria County, owning thousands of head of cattle in the early days of the Lone Star State. At that time there were no railroads in Texas and the cattle were driven along the several cattle trails to mar- ket in St. Louis, Kansas City and other points. Mr. Underwood was born in the house where he now lives and is the oldest man living, who was born here or in this vicinity. He has spent his entire life here and has been engaged in many lines of en- deavor. At one time Mr. Underwood was immensely wealthy and used to buy thousands of bales of cotton each year and ship same by boat to Galveston for export. In addition to his farming interests here, he also has city property, and still gives his per- sonal attention to his general merchandise store. Mr. Underwood is a veteran of the Civil War, hav- ing served for three years in the Confederate Army, and has given his time and means to assist in all other conflicts in which his country has been engaged since that time.

Mr. Underwood was born on February 26th, 1845. His father, Almon Underwood, was a pioneer settler of South Texas and one of the largest land owners in this county. He was for several years a member of the state legislature and has always been engaged in the mercantile and cattle business, besides his large farming interests. He is getting along in years now, but is still active. His mother was born in Louisiana and came to Texas at the age of four. His early education was obtained in the schools of his native town and county, after which he attended Austin College at Huntsville for one year.

Mr. Underwood was married at Columbia, Texas, in 1867, to Miss Louise Hanks, a daughter of Dr. John Hanks, an eminent and noted physician of North Carolina. They have three children: Laura Underwood, Mrs. Louise Munson and John H. Un- derwood. Mr. Underwood has always been active

1910

I.l. Davidom

JA. Baum

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

in the Masonic circles of his city and of the state. The town of Columbia has the unique distinction of having the first Masonic Lodge in the State of Texas, and Mr. Underwood was master of this lodge for two terms, and is also past high priest of the Columbia Chapter. Mr. Underwood has seen many changes in the state during his long life here, which has affected every line of business-mercantile, cattle, farming, banking and all others have given over their old methods to the spirit of modern times, but the retrospection on the old times in the Lone Star State is not without its many pleasures to the pioneers who lived the pioneer life.

OHN FLEMING BOZEMAN, for the past three years associated with oil activities at West Columbia, has won recognition as a drilling expert, and has to his credit the designing of a number of drilling tools that have proven very successful. Mr. Bozeman is superin- tendent of drilling for the Humble Oil and Refining Company at West Columbia and Damon's Mound, and has charge of all drilling operations of this major company in these fields. He has under his direction a well organized department of from for- ty-five to fifty operatives, and is at the present time engaged in active drilling operations. The Humble Company is the second largest producer in this field, and Mr. Bozeman has had opportunity to demonstrate his ability to fill his position on many occasions. He has had some unusual condi- tions to meet and has on every occasion proven equal to the emergency, directing his force with a sure knowledge of conditions and method of pro- cedure. In 1922 Mr. Bozeman was presented by the Humble Oil and Refining Company with the fourth gold medal ever issued for his bravery in rescuing a fellow worker from the derrick floor when the well blew out and demolished the derrick. Mr. Bozeman performed this act at great risk to his own life. Mr. Bozeman has designed a number of drilling tools, primarily for his own use, but which have proven so successful that the Hughes Tool Company is now making and selling them.

John Fleming Bozeman was born at Arkadelphia, Arkansas, the fourteenth of December, 1897, son of James William Bozeman, a farmer and land owner of Arkansas, and Sibilla Harper Bozeman. He was educated in the public schools of Arkadelphia, grad- uating from the high school there. Like most boys he tried out various lines of work until 1916, when he entered the oil industry and went to work for the Fondren Drilling Company at Humble, Texas. A little later he was transferred to Sour Lake, re- maining there fifteen months, then to Goose Creek for one year, and from there to Stratton Ridge, immediately preceding his transfer to West Colum- bia, and his promotion to superintendent of drilling.

Mr. Bozeman was married at Humble, Texas, in July, 1919, to Miss Katie Alma Porter, daughter of John T. Porter, a teaming contractor, and vari- ously identified with industrial activities. Mr. and Mrs. Bozeman are making their home at West Co- lumbia and have one child, John Fleming, Jr. Mr. Bozeman is identified with the Masonic order. In addition to his distinctions in the oil industry has has also won distinction in other fields, and is the holder of the state championship for the long dis- tance motorcycle race of 108 miles, which he won

in 1914. He is known throughout the country as the "King of Wheels." Mr. Bozeman is considered by the oil fraternity as a young man to whom the future promises much, and his career is being watched with interest.

OBERT MCFARLAND, for upwards of four decades a prominent figure in the life of West Columbia, was one of the most honored pioneers of this section, and gave largely of his time and means for the development of his community. Mr. McFarland came to West Columbia in 1882, and until his retirement took an active part in the cattle business, and was at the time of his death, November 8, 1923, one of the large land owners of this city. There were few activities incident to the development of this sec- tion, that had not claimed his attention at one time or another, and much that he did in a business way was for the general upbuilding of his community. During the oil boom, in 1920 and 1921, when oil was produced in large quantities, he leased much of his land, and took an active interest in the develop- ment of this important resource.

Robert McFarland was born near Windsor, Can- ada, the second of June, 1857, son of Andrew and Margaret McComb McFarland. His father was for many years in the lumber business and engaged in farming and merchandising activities. He took part in the Civil War, having come to the United States and settled in Michigan in 1859. Mr. McFarland spent his boyhood in the wholesome out of doors, and while his educational opportunities were few, he knew a vast store of things gleaned from per- sonal experience. He lived in Michigan up until 1882, when he came to Texas, locating at West Co- lumbia. Since coming here he engaged in many things, during the early days operating a trans- fer and hauling business. Mr. McFarland always saved his money, making investments in land, city property and cattle. At times, during the last thirty years, he had as many as a thousand head of cattle, but some two years ago sold his entire herd.

Mr. McFarland was married in West Columbia, the eighteenth of December, 1895, to Miss Mamie Tinsley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henderson Tin- sley of West Columbia. Mrs. McFarland is the granddaughter of I. T. Tinsley, one of the very first settlers of this section who bought land for 25 cents per acre. Mr. Tinsley was for many years a farmer, land owner and general business man of this community. Mr. and Mrs. McFarland made their home at West Columbia throughout their mar- ried life. The McFarland homestead, a fine old place in the center of a large city block, in the heart of West Columbia, being one of the most attractive homes in the city. They had four children: Mar- garet, Alice, Robert Lee, and Geraldine. Margaret is married to Mr. W. Hanson, son of one of the pioneers of this part of the state. Mr. McFarland was a member of the first Masonic Lodge in Texas, and was a Royal Arch Mason. He took a vital part in the life of his community, prospering as it pros- pered, and West Columbia can boast of no truer, more generous citizen, than this splendid man who gave so largely of his time and means for the development of the resources of this section. He died November 8th, 1923, and was buried in West Columbia in the oldest cemetery in Texas.

1913

MEN OF TEXAS

UBERT G. SHOOK, for around half a

decade, has been closely associated with the advancement and development of the oil resources at West Columbia, and is considered one of the most competent drillers in the field. Mr. Shook is general superintendent for the Texas Company, and in active charge of their work in this territory. He has under his supervision some forty or fifty producing wells, on the valuable leases of the Texas Company here, and a large camp of eighty cottages, where the employees, engaged in drilling, working over wells, and other activities, are housed. The Texas Company is the largest operator in the West Columbia field, and have more than ten thousand barrels daily production. The Abrams lease, owned by the company, on which is located the Abrams well Number One, was one of the largest wells ever brought in here and produced more oil than any well in the coastal fields. They also own the Hogg lease, on which is located Num- ber One, Hogg well, the largest well in the field, and which produced over thirty thousand barrels a day. The investment of the Texas Company in this field totals more than two million dollars. Mr. Shook has been in charge of the work at West Columbia for around five years, during which time he has supervised all the drilling in this territory, and has been with the Texas Company since 1909.

Hubert G. Shook was born at Salem, Arkansas, the thirteenth of April, 1889, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Shook, his father a contractor of that city. Mr. Shook spent his boyhood in Arkansas, attend- ing the schools near his home, until 1907, when he began work in the oil fields. He spent two years at Sour Lake, after which he went to Saratoga, where he remained four years, then returned to Sour Lake for a period of five years. He then came to West Columbia at the time the first well was brought in in this field, and has since handled all the drilling for the Texas Company in this field.

Mr. Shook was married at Lufkin, Texas, in 1911, to Miss Bessie Tomerlin, whose father has spent many years in the maintenance department of the railroad business. Mr. and Mrs. Shook make their home at the Texas Company's camp, at West Co- lumbia, and have four children: Bertha, Grace, Evelyn, and Huberta. Mr. Shook is well known throughout the coastal fields, having had drilling experience in the various fields in this section, and is regarded by oil men as an authority on drilling operations. Since coming to West Columbia he has not only built up an excellent organization, but has been interested in the welfare of the employees in the field, and has done much to improve the usual oil field mode of living.

AWSON E. BALES, one of the best known production experts in the coastal fields, for about eight years has been associated with oil development activities at West Co- lumbia, and is one of the men in this section carry- ing heavy responsibilities. Mr. Bales is superin- tendent of production for the Texas Company, the largest operators in the West Columbia field, and has had charge of all oil production and preparing of oil for the pipe lines of this company since 1918, when the field was first brought in. There are in the various holdings of the Texas Company here around fifty producing wells, all of which are under the supervision of Mr. Bales. The Texas Company

has a number of very valuable leases in this section, among them being the W. C. Hogg lease, on which is located the Hogg Number One well, the largest well in the field. A total of around one hundred and fifty men are now in the Texas Company camp at West Columbia.

Lawson E. Bales was born at Montpelier, In- diana, the eighth of September, 1883, son of Leander Bales, for the past twenty years active in oil field work, and Flora Bales. Mr. Bales received his education in his native state and also gained his first oil field experience in that state. He came to Texas in 1905, and was at Saratoga with the Producers Oil Company until 1918, when he came to West Columbia with the Texas Company. During his many years' connection with the oil industry in the fields Mr. Bales has always given his attention to the production end, and has become known to oil men in the various Texas fields as one of the best trained, most experienced production men in the fields today.

Mr. Bales was married at Montpelier, Indiana, in 1904, to Miss Edith Burson, daughter of James Bur- son, a minister and builder of that city, and Mrs. James Burson. Mr. and Mrs. Bales have a family of five children, Sybil June, Lee Burson, Margaret Elizabeth, Richard Lawson and Merle Joyce, all of whom are with their parents at the Texas Com- pany camp at West Columbia. Mr. Bales is a Mas- ter Mason, and going up in that order. His posi- tion in the West Columbia field is one carrying heavy responsibilities, and requiring an expert knowledge of production, and there are few men who could fill it in so capable a manner as Mr. Bales. He is congenial, well liked by his men, and qualified in every way to handle the production crews and dispatch the many duties which devolve on him as production superintendent.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 127

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