New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 129

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

USA > Texas > New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2 > Part 129

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).

ILL HENRY ALLEN has devoted his entire life to mechanics of various kinds and is regarded as one of the most skilled men in in his line in the oil fields of South Texas. Mr. Allen is master mechanic and superintendent of machine shops at Goose Creek for the Humble Oil and Refining Company which is one of the most important departments of the company as he makes special tools used by the company and all materials and quality of same must be perfect. The Humble Oil and Refining Company have one of the largest and most complete machine shops of any of the big companies operating in the coastal fields and is supplied with all the most modern and necessary equipment-lathers, power hammer, pipe threading machines, etc. The fishing tools used by the Hum- ble Oil and Refining Company are made under the supervision of Mr. Allen and he has made and patented some of the best and most practical tools for efficiency in oil well drilling. Twelve men are employed in the machine shops at Goose Creek.

A native Texan, Mr. Allen was born in Polk County, July 12th, 1884. His father, Will Allen, was engaged extensively in the lumber business in East Texas and was the owner and operator of several saw mills. His mother was Miss Maggie Atkinson, a native of the Lone Star State and a member of a well known East Texas family. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of Houston. Soon after leaving school, Mr. Allen entered the mechanical department of one of the railroad sys- tems and remained in this line of work until 1908. He then went with the Texas Company at Humble in their mechanical department, after which he opened a machine shop of his own in the oil fields of Louisiana and remained there for two years. He then returned to Texas and with the Texas Company, where he remained until 1919 when he came with the Humble Oil and Refining Company, where he has since remained, and throughout his career has always been in mechanical work, and is known as one of the best oil field mechanics and machinists in the business.

Mr. Allen was married in Houston in 1909 to Miss Florence Cook, a native Texan and a daughter of Harry Cook, who has for many years been connected with the Southern Pacific Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Allen reside at Goose Creek. Mr. Allen is a mem- ber of the Scottish Rite body of Masonic fraternity, and various other organizations. He is well and fa- vorably known in the oil circles of South Texas and is regarded as one of the most skilled and effi- cient men in his line.

1920

a B Laurence

Mro Varuna Hartmann Lacarence

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

TTO F. HARBECK, for a decade active in oil field development, and whose qualifica- tions have been proven by his many suc- cesses has been one of the active developers of the field at Dayton, and made his headquarters here since this field first came into prominence. Mr. Harbeck is manager of the Old Colony Oil Com- pany, and the Dayton Oil Company, which operate jointly, and directs all operations of these two com- panies in the Dayton field, where their operations center. These companies are incorporated under the Texas laws, and the directors are men whose stand- ing in the business and commercial world augurs well for its success. Joseph Riviere is president of the Old Colony Oil Company, and D. J. Harrison of Houston, president of the Dayton Oil Company. The Old Colony Company has an especially valua- ble lease in the Dayton field, and brought in their first producing well, a good one hundred barrel well, in 1919. The Dayton Oil Company also has a good lease here, and has brought six hundred to one thousand feet, the immedate drilling program calls for drilling for deep production.

Mr. Harbeck has been identified with oil activi- ties since 1913, when he went with the Trinity Oil Company. His progress since that time has been uniform, and he has had a number of successes to his credit. He came to the field at Dayton on a wild- cat proposition, which he was handling for outside operators, and after the conclusion of that experi- ence went with the Dayton and Old Colony com- panies, in charge of the work here. Hr. Harbeck has operated for many years in the Dayton field and thinks it one of the most promising in the state. The leases held by the companies he repre- sents are all well located, adjoining the leases held by major companies, and near the proven field. At present he is selling all production to the Sun Com- pany Pipe Line, and operations are going steadily forward.

Mr. Harbeck was born in Germany, the third of June, 1879, and as a boy attended the gymnasium in Germany. At the age of fourteen he came to Daven- port, Iowa, to join his father, M. Harbeck, who for many years was in the milling business there, but has now retired. His mother's death occured in Germany. After coming to Davenport Mr. Harbeck attended the public schools there and went to night school. His first business experience was in the milling business, and he later became a steam engi- neer, working for the state for some time. He spent his time in Davenport prior to coming to Texas. At the time he came here, his father-in-law, C. H. Lamp, was drilling at Dayton, and got him to come down and look after his interests. He drilled one well for Mr. Lamp, and after his death began with the pres- ent operators, at that time interested in the Trinity Oil Company.

Mr. Harbeck was married at Davenport, Iowa, the twenty-first of September, 1900, to Miss Clara C. Lamp, whose death occurred the eighth of January, 1923. Mr. and Mrs. Harbeck had three children, Catherine, Clara and Helen. Mr. Harbeck and his daughters are making their home in Dayton. The family attend the Methodist Church, with the excep- tion of Mr. Harbeck who attends the Lutheran Church, in which denomination he was reared. Mr. Harbeck belongs to the National Association of Stationary Engineers, the South Texas Motor League, and is one of the men actively interested

in the civic advancement of Dayton. His work in the Dayton Oil Field is well known to the oil fraternity, and he has from the opening of the field been one of its most enthusiastic developers. He has been a close student of developments here, and has studied all available data with reference to this field, and is a real authority on any matter pertaining to oil development in this section.

D. PRUETT, cattle man of Dayton, Texas, inherited his liking for the cattle business and grew up in the atmosphere of this great industry. Mr. Pruett is the owner of two large ranches-his main ranch, consisting of nine thousand acres, is located five miles North of Day- ton and another ranch of two thousand acres is South of Dayton, and this ranch is the old home place of the Pruett family. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the old homestead, south of Dayton, and has lived here all his life. On the death of his father, he inherited this splendid ranch and home. During 1923, Mr. Pruett sold two thousand head of cattle, keeping upward of one thousand head of stock cattle, all of which are pastured on the large ranch or run on the open range. During this same year, he grazed six hun- dred head of steers in Butler County, Kansas, ship- ping these animals theere in May, and in August they had gained in weight from 250 to 300 pounds each. Mr. Pruett loves the out of doors and has spent the greater portion of his life in the open, and has been riding horseback since he was large enough to sit on the back of a gentle cow pony, and has been successful in his chosen line of endeavor. He has had many opportunities to sell his holdings here at a great price, but says that he could never feel at home any other place except in the wonder- ful South Texas climate and with his cattle in- terests.

A native Texan, Mr. Pruett was born at Dayton on January 8th, 1891. His father, Edmund Pruett (deceased since May 2nd, 1918), was born on the home place near Dayton in the early 40's, and the father of Edmund Pruett, Beasley Pruett, came to Texas from Virginia about 1820, and engaged in the cattle business and Edmund Pruett grew up in the cattle business here, and was one of the biggest cattle men in this portion of the state. He was the owner of much land and thousands of head of cattle which was entirely free of debt. His mother was Miss Minnie Frances Day, a member of a prominent pioneer Texas family. His education was obtained in the public schools.

Mr. Pruett has been twice married. His first marriage was on October 8th, 1907, to Miss Katherine McConnell. Of this marriage, one child was born-Lillian Ruth Pruett of Dayton. His second marriage was on June 6th, 1923, to Miss Ruth Elizabeth Walker, a member of a family well known in Oklahoma. Mr. Pruett is a member of the Cattleman's Association and is active in this organization. He also takes an active interest in politics and all things having to do with the good of his state and county, having inherited a desire for these important citizenship activities from his father, who served as county commissioner for several years and at different times, which was for the good of his county and not for any gain that could come of this office.

1923

MEN OF TEXAS

HARLES FAHRENTHOLD, for almost half of a century has been associated with the life of Weimar, and has contributed in a constructive way to the development of the town through the building of business struc- tures and the establishment and operation of the largest merchandising house, as well as by sup- porting any movement for the progress of this section. Mr. Fahrenthold has a large general mer- cantile store, handling a complete line of dry goods, groceries, hardware, clothing, implements, feed and flour, these two last named being handled in car- load lots as well as smaller quantities. Mr. Fah- renthold is the local dealer for B. F. Avery & Sons, manufacturers of farm implements, and has a large implement building, in the rear of his store building, where some thirty by one hundred and twenty feet are devoted to the display of farm im- plements. In the operation of his store Mr. Fah- renthold has always made a policy of helping the farmer in every possible way, through the extension of credit, and in other ways, and he has done much to encourage agriculture in this section. He rep- resents Sanders and Company, cotton factors of Houston, buying cotton for this large firm, and is one of the most successful judges of the cotton mar- ket here, and an expert in judging this staple. Mr. Fahrenthold owns the building occupied by his store, a modern structure, forty-five by one hundred and ten feet, and employs a force of six people in the store. He also owns the other corner in the same block in which the store is located, and has five new brick business buildings, including three store build- ings in this block. Across the street he has three brick store buildings, and on the side street across from these, he has two brick store buildings. He also owns property on the side street, fronting on the main road leading into town, and as the grow- ing business section demands business buildings will improve this property to suit prospective tenants. Mr. Fahrenthold has been a leader in the develop- ment of the business section of Weimar, and him- self constructed streets and laid sidewalks in or- der to secure the highest type of development. In addition to his property interests in Weimar, Mr. Fahrenthold also has extensive farming interests, including three hundred and twenty acres of land adjoining town, of which seventy-five acres are in cotton and the rest used as pasturage for cattle and mules; six hundred and forty acres in Fayette County, cultivated by eight Mexican and white ten- ant families, and devoted to the growing of cotton and corn; and three hundred and twenty acres of pasture land in Columbus County. In addition has banking interests and is a stockholder in the First State Bank of Weimar, owns property in Eagle Lake, Glidden and Rock Island, lots and acreage, also some seventy-five lots about fifteen miles east of Hous- ton at Aldine, Texas, and property in Lavaca County.

Charles Fahrenthold was born in Fayette County, Texas, the seventh of August, 1859, son of Louis Fahrenthold, who came to Texas in 1840, and was subsequently a farmer and ginner of this state un- til his death. As a boy Charles Fahrenthold at- tended the country schools, and like the average boy whose home was on the farm in those pioneer days, spent a large part of his time working in the fields, and was a lad of fourteen before he had his first pair of shoes. As a young man he often walked

six miles or more to a dance, and was a leader in social activities of this section. As a boy he came to Weimar, with only thirty-five cents in cash in his pocket, but a generous endowment of faith in the future, and a capacity for hard work. He went to work for George Herder, Sr., with whom he was reared, and with the definite aim of going in business for himself began to save his money until he had ac- quired the small capital his first venture required. In the years that followed the business prospered and Mr. Fahrenthold began looking around for means of investing his profits. With a belief in the future of Weimar, he invested in Weimar real estate, and as the growth of the city justified built store and business buildings that have proven a factor in the development of the town.

Mr. Fahrenthold was married at Weimar in 1886, to Miss Adeline Schawe, daughter of Henry Schawe, a pioneer merchant, land owner and farmer on an extensive scale of the Weimar section. Mr. and Mrs. Fahrenthold had no children, but reared the three children of Mrs. Agusta Konz. Mr. Fahrenthold is a member of the Luthern Church and the Retail Merchants Association. Mr. Fahrenthold is a man of distinctive personality, with a keen and twinkling eye, responsive to humor, quick to get at the main points of a business proposition, and genial. He is the type that looks ahead and builds for the future, and to this characteristic Weimar owes much of its civic development. Mr. Fahrenthold is deeply in- terested in all that concerns Weimar, and stands ready to do anything, whether it be build a new building, support a new industry, or contribute to the success of a civic movement, to insure the continued growth and prosperity of the town.

ENRY R. FROBESE, secretary-treasurer and general manager of the Cuero Buick Auto Company; J. R. Frobese, president; B. Schiwetz, vice president, has been identified with the life at Cuero for many years, and much of the success of his present company has been due to his managership. The Cuero Buick Auto Com- pany, Inc., was established in 1916, since which time it has sold a record number of Buick cars in the Cuero territory, and has done much to popularize this car in this section. A complete service and parts department is operated in connection with the sales department, the firm occupying a modern building, built for this business by H. Runge & Company. A force of eleven people is employed by the firm in the various departments. Mr. Frobese is also interested in the Yorktown Motor Company, established in 1921, with himself as president, J. R. Frobese, vice president; Ed. Zedder, secretary-treas- urer, and W. C. Smith, manager. He is also one of the directors of the Cuero Building and Loan Association, and has various interests in this section.

Henry R. Frobese was born at Cuero the seven- teenth of April, 1881, son of William Frobese, a pioneer of this section, and member of the old firm of H. Runge and Company until his death. Mr. Frobese received his early education in the public schools of Cuero, and after leaving high school here entered the San Antonio Academy, later taking a business course at Hill's Business College. He re- turned to Cuero, entering the banking house of H. Runge & Company. Here he began at the bot- tom, working up from a clerkship paying twenty

1924

ChFahrenthold

a los Swenson

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

dollars a month, to one of the most responsible positions in the organization. After seventeen and a half years with the bank Mr. Frobese left that institution, and in 1920 effected the organization of his present business, the Cuero Buick Auto Com- pany, Inc.

Mr. Frobese resides in Cuero and is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Cuero Chamber of Com- merce, the Rotary Club, and for the past fourteen years has served as treasurer of the Cuero Fire Department, and took an active part in the devel- opment of that department. He enjoys a wide ac- quaintanceship in this section, and is regarded as one of the most progressive business men, and public spirited citizens, of Cuero.

W. SWENSON of Yoakum, Texas, has for more than a decade been engaged in the automobile business, in which field of ac- tivity he has met with great success. Mr. Swenson is the sole owner of the Swenson Motor Company here, dealers in Ford and Lincoln cars and Fordson tractors. He purchased this business from the Cook Motor Company on September 1st, 1922, and has operated it since that time. The ter- ritory in which Mr. Swenson sells his cars extends in all directions out of Yoakum. He owns the build- ing in which his business is located, which was con- structed in 1924 of reinforced concrete, and is a substantial structure, modern in every detail. Mr. Swenson's business has had a phenomenal growth since locating at Yoakum, which is borne out by the fact that in 1923 three hundred and seventy-five cars were sold by the Swenson Motor Comapny and in 1924 this company sold and delivered five hundred and eighty-three cars.

Mr. Swenson started his career in the business world in the mercantile business, where for several years he was located at Brady and Sample, Texas. He later went to Cuero, DeWitt County, where he engaged in the automobile business, remaining there for more than seven years, where he was associated with the Cook-Day Motor Company, until he took over this end of the business, divided their affairs, and he is selling more cars than the old firm. Sev- enteen experienced people are employed in the oper- ation of the Swenson Motor Company at Yoakum.

A native Texan, Mr. Swenson was born in Will- iamson County on September 30th, 1889. His father, Oscar Swenson, came to Texas soon after the close of the Civil War, and was a pioneer railroad man and farmer of Texas and Williamson County. His education was obtained in the schools of Williamson County, and graduated from Trinity College at Round Rock, Texas, Banking and Commercial De- partment.

Mr. Swenson was married at Cuero, Texas, in 1919, to Miss Ernie Wofford, a member of a pioneer family of Southwest Texas. The Wofford family have been known through several generations as extensive cattle raisers and large land owners of DeWitt and adjoining counties. Mr. Swenson is a member of the Yoakum Chamber of Commerce, the State Automobile Association and many of Yoakum's business and social organizations, in which he is very popular. Since locating in Yoakum, Mr. Swen- son has identified himself with the business life of this city, and has many interests here. He is active in all matters having to do with the civic improvement

and betterment of Yoakum along all lines. Mr. Swenson is regarded as one of the best automobile men in this portion of the state along the many lines ranging from salesmanship to executive man- agement. He is well liked in the territory in which he sells the Ford products and makes service the watchword of his establishment, next to fair dealing and courteous treatment of the public.

L. GARDIEN, JR., member of the firm of Gardien and Company, a firm conducting an insurance, abstracting and building loan business at Gonzales, is one of the younger element of progressive business men here. Gardien and Company was established in 1918, and is the outgrowth of the old firm established by W. L. Gardien, Sr., a score of years earlier. The present members of the firm are W. L. Gardien, Jr., and his brother, Kent E. Gardien. A general insurance business is handled, the firm representing a number of old line companies, and writing every kind of insurance with the exception of life. The Republic Insurance Company of Texas is the principal com- pany represented, and through the activity of this firm this home insurance company has on its books a large per cent of the insurance business in Gon- zales. Gardien and Company also own and operate the Gonzales Abstract and Title Company, one of the principal abstract companies doing business in this section. Mr. Gardien is also secretary and man- ager of the Gonzales Building and Loan Association, incorporated in 1924 by local capital, and operating in the Gonzales territory. He is secretary and treasurer of the Gonzales Cotton Warehouse, a local company established in 1924, and operating a state bonded warehouse for the storage of local cotton. With his brother, Kent Gardien, Mr. Gardien also has charge of the management of farming interests, held by his mother, in Bastrop County.

W. L. Gardien was born at Gonzales, in November, 1892, the son of W. L. Gardien, Sr., and Mrs. Maude K. Gardien. W. L. Gardien, Sr., a nataive of Ala- bama, came to Gonzales at the age of eighteen years and was subsequently an insurance man here, and also served as mayor of Gonzales for eight years. His death occurred in 1921. Mrs. Gardien is still living, making Gonzales her home. Another son of the couple, Kent L. Gardien, was born at Gonzales in December, 1887, and was educated here and at Texas A. & M. College. He is married to Miss Mattie Lee Dilworth, and is associated with his brother, W. L. Gardien, Jr., in business.

W. L. Gardien, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Gonzales, and after- ward took preparatory work for the Naval Academy. After completing his education, Mr. Gardien entered upon his business career at Gonzales, and with the exception of a period spent at Houston, has been at Gonzales since.

Mr. Gardien was married, at Gonzales, the twen- tieth of February, 1918, to Miss Mabel Morrison, a member of a local family. They have one child, Frances Gardien, and reside in Gonzales. Mr. Gar- dien is a Knight of Pythias, past chancellor; a Ma- son, past master, and past high priest, Scottish Rite, No. 5, San Antonio. He belongs to the State League Building Association, the fire department, is a di- rector of the Chamber of Commerce and the Gon- zales Fair Association, and is one of the most pro- gressive business men of Gonzales.

1927

MEN OF TEXAS

OEL HUDGINS, a native of Wharton Coun- ty, and a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of this section, is one of the leading stockraisers and planters of the county, and has also served six years as tax assessor of Wharton County. Mr. Hudgins has a ranch at Hungerford, comprising five hundred acres in cultivation, and devoted to the growing of cotton and corn, and twelve hundred acres in pasture and woodland. He has a herd of several hundred cattle, bred up from Texas range cattle, through years of breeding to high grade Brahma bulls until the Brahma strain is very high. Mr. Hudgins has re- cently added some nearly full blood Brahma cows, of the Borden herd, to his herd, and expects to develop one of the finest herds in this section. Mr. Hudgins makes his home in Wharton, where he moved to give his children educational advantages, and in 1918 was elected tax assessor of Wharton ing for re-election.

Joel Hudgins was born in Wharton County, Tex- as, the fourth of March, 1882, on the farm which had been his father's birthplace, the son of Alex- ander Richey Hudgins and Julia (Compton) Hud- gins. Joel Hudgins is a grandson of Joel Hudgins, the founder of the Hudgins family in Wharton Coun- ty. A native of North Carolina, where he was born the seventh of November, 1800, Joel Hudgins came to Texas in the early days, building the first saw mill in this part of the country. He also became inter- ested in the cattle business, acquiring a small herd and some land of which he cultivated sixty acres, growing feed stuffs. As his family reached the age where educational advantages were necessary, he moved to Chapel Hill so they could go to school, and his death occurred there, in 1862 (1873). In 1873 the family returned to the estate in Wharton County, the eldest son having been in charge in the meantime. Joel Hudgins married Rachel Ann Northington, a native of Kentucky, where her birth occurred in 1821. She was the daughter of Major Andrew Northington, who had charge of the women and children who were leaving the country ahead of Santa Anna's army just prior to the battle of San Jacinto. Mrs. Hudgins was first married to a Mr. Mckenzie, three children being born of this union. After his death she married Joel Hudgins, who at his death left four sons, William A. Hudgins, now deceased, J. D. Hudgins, Green C. Hudgins deceased and Alexander Richey Hudgins, the father of the subject of this sketch, and who is now deceased. Mrs. Hudgins died in 1903, many years after the death of her husband, and after her death the estate was divided among the four sons, Alexander Richey Hudgins carrying on his share and adding to it, at the same time extending agricultural development. At his death, the sixth of March, 1918, the estate was left to his three children, Joel Hudgins, Jennie Hudgins Border and A. G. Hudgins, and has since been divided equally among them. The Hudgins family was established in the United States in the early ninteenth century, by five brothers who came here from Holland, among them Humphrey Hudgins, the great-great grandfather of Joel Hudgins, the subject of this sketch. Humphrey Hudgins had eleven sons, of whom Joel Hudgins, the grandfather of the subject was one.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 129

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