New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 138

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

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In 1869 Mr. Reiffert was married to Miss Helen Tipps, whom he had met at New Braunfels, while on a business trip for his firm. She was his life companion, inspiring him in his business career, and also was an ideal wife and home maker, and the mother of the son, Walter Reiffert, born the seven- teenth of January, 1974, who is now one of the heads of the firm of H. Runge & Company. Mr. Reiffert's death occurred in 1910, Mrs. Reiffert sur- viving him.

Although many pages could be written of the

things Emil Reiffert accomplished, perhaps the best testimonial of his worth as a man and financier, are the monuments he left behind, which due to the splendid foundations laid by him and his associates, have prospered and grown. Mr. Reiffert was a self-made man, from the standpoint of education, as well as from that of financial success, and the record of his life, richly lived, and with a clearly defined objective, is an inspiration to the young manhood of his community to emulate his example.

ILLIAM FROBESE-For nearly a half cen- tury William Frobese, pioneer of Texas, was one of the outstanding business men of South Texas, a leader in civic and com- mercial development, and today his name is honored as one of the real builders of the Cuero of the present. A partner in the management of the pioneer business house of H. Runge & Company, one of the oldest business firms in Texas, Mr. Fro- bese was in a position to influence in large measure the prosperity of his time, taking a leading part in the development of Cuero and the surrounding territory. He was a director in many of the earlier commercial and business enterprises of this section, and his name on the list of directors was regarded by those who knew him as assurance of the integ- rity of the business. As a business man his out- standing traits were a reputation for fairness and square dealing that marked his every move, and a conservative policy of development that was a factor in laying the sound foundation on which rests the present prosperity of the firm of H. Runge & Com- pany, and which resulted in the building up of this business establishment, of which not only Cuero but South Texas, is proud.

William Frobese was born in Alfelt, Hanover, Germany, in 1838, and attended a German grade school and university of that country. As a youth of twenty-one he left Germany to seek his fortune in America, the land of freedom which offered so many advantages to the ambitious youth. Landing at the port of Galveston in the early part of the year 1859, Mr. Frobese took the first boat for In- dianola, then an important and fast growing port. His first job here was with H. Iken, a commission merchant, at a salary of fifteen dollars a month. In 1861 he accepted a similar position with H. Runge & Company, then conducted under the name of Runge & Dove. A few months later, he, with Emil Reiffert and others of the firm's employees, an- swered the call of the confederacy in the war between the states, and was a member of Capt. J. M. Reuss' company, serving through the conflict under him. At the close of the war Mr. Frobese returned to the employ of H. Runge and Company, and on the twenty-sixth of September, with Emil Reiffert, was made a member of the firm, with Mr. Runge. A year later Mr. Runge disposed of his interests to these young men, and retired to Galveston to enter business and make his home. The business continued at Indianola until that port was destroyed in '86, when it was transferred to Cuero, where it has continued to the present time. During those years a conservative, yet consistent, growth marked each year, and the business grew steadily and surely as the surrounding country was developed. Mr. Frobese also became interested in other business concerns, and while he is best known

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MEN OF TEXAS

for his connection with the old established firm of H. Runge and Company, many other business enter- prises owe their success to his early influence.

William Frobese was married at Indianola to Miss Charlotte Rolle, and after her death to Miss Alfreda Reuss, daughter of the late Dr. J. M. Reuss, also a well known figure in Cuero history. Mrs. Frobese survives her husband, whose death occurred in 1911. A son, William Frobese, Jr., born at In- dianola in 1874, is now a member of the firm of H. Runge & Company, and is carrying out the fundamental business principles established by his father and his associate, Emil Reiffert.

William Frobese was a conservative and far- sighted business man, finding joy and companionship in his work, and conducting his business on a basis principle of fairness and impartiality. He held up before his employees high ideals and a lofty con- ception of business policies, and in the many years of his connection with the firm of H. Runge & Company he adhered to these principles. Mr. Fro- bese was active in civic work, and took a deep inter- est in the education of the youth of that day, serving as a member of the school board from 1897 until his death. Mr. Frobese will live in the memory of Cuero as one of the finest men this city has ever claimed as a resident, and the record of his useful and well spent life will serve as an inspira- tion to the youth of today to follow in his example.

SAVAGE has for more than twelve years been a potent factor in the business life of Yoakum, Texas, where he is the owner of the Home Steam Laundry. He came to Yoakum as foreman of this laundry and for a period of six years remained in this position, buying the plant in 1918. Since that time he has increased the equipment from a valuation of $7,000.00 to $15,- 000.00 and in a few years' time had the plant en- tirely clear of debt and on a money-making basis. He has installed all modern machinery, making the Home Steam Laundry one of the most sanitary and modern plants of its kind in the state. A feature of this laundry is the sending of trucks out of the city for the business from Eagle Lake, Hallettsville and intermediate points. Mr. Savage makes good work and quick service the watch-word of the Home Steam Laundry and attributes the growth of his business to these two features. Fourteen experi- enced people are employed in the Home Steam Laundry, which is regarded as an innovation in work of its kind by the people of Yoakum and vicinity.

Prior to locating at Yoakum, Mr. Savage had had ten years' experience in the various branches of the laundry business, which began in 1901 at San Angelo, Texas, where he remained for seven years, later was associated for three years with a large laundry plant at Big Springs, Texas, and during this period he learned every branch of the laundry business through practical application.

A native Texan, Mr. Savage was born at Kyle, Hays County, on November 15th, 1884. His father, W. R. Savage, was a well known farmer of Hays County. His mother, Mrs. Emma (Brown) Savage, was a member of a prominent family of Missouri. Both his parents came to Texas from Missouri as children. His education was obtained in the public and high schools of Bertram, Texas.

Mr. Savage was married at Big Springs, Texas, in April, 1910, to Miss Lola Scarborough, a native Texan and a member of a pioneer family of the Lone Star State. They have one child, Irma Myrl. Mr. Savage is a member of the Yoakum Chamber of Commerce, the State and National Laundry Own- ers' Association, and many of Yoakum's businesses and social organizations, in which he takes an active interest. Since locating here, he has taken a keen interest in the civic matters of Yoakum and gives liberally of his time and means to further any project for the betterment and advancement of this city. Mr. Savage is regarded as one of the most progressive laundry men of Southwest Texas, ever ready to assist in building this industry up to the highest standard of efficiency. He is a consistent booster for Yoakum, where he is regarded as one of its leading business men. Mr. Savage is ambi- tious for his business and his city and lends his every effort to the upbuilding and betterment of both.

RED T. MUGGE is the owner of the Cuero Wood and Coal Yard, a firm selling whole- sale wood, coal, cement, lime and brick, in the Cuero territory. This firm, established in 1888, is one of the oldest firms, handling this line, at Cuero, and was bought by Mr. Mugge in Jan- uary, 1919, at which time the business was greatly expanded. Since Mr. Mugge has been owner of the business the trade territory has been extended, and the business has been operated on a very profitable basis, with a constantly increasing demand for the products handled. A large stock of wood, coal, cement, lime, brick and plaster is carried, and the company operates its own delivery system, serving the Cuero territory from the Cuero plant. A force of four people is employed, and a large and well equipped plant is occupied. Mr. Mugge gives his personal attention to its management, and his abil- ity as an executive has been a factor in the success and prosperity of the business under his manage- ment.

Fred T. Mugge was born at Cuero the first of August, 1880, son of Edward Mugge and Pauline Mugge. Edward Mugge was born in Germany the seventh of March, 1839, and came to the United States at an early age, settling at Indianola. He was one of the founders of the pioneer Texas firm of H. Runge and Company, and one of the best known merchants of his time. He came to Cuero the eighteenth of March, 1873, and was thereafter a leader in the mercantile business here until his death, which occurred the sixteenth of May, 1897. His son, Fred T. Mugge, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the Cuero schools, graduating from the high school here, after which he entered the brokerage business, engaging in that line until 1919, when he bought his present business.

Mr. Mugge was married at Cuero, in 1912, to Miss Hilda Reiffert, daughter of Mr. Emil Reiffert, pioneer of this section, and one of the original mem- bers of the firm of H. Runge & Company. His son, Walter Reiffert, is the present head of that com- pany. Mr. and Mrs. Mugge reside at Cuero. Mr. Mugge is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Cuero Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, and is one of the most public spirited men of Cuero, contributing generously to all civic work.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

ILLIAM FROBESE, head of the grocery, machinery and credit departments of H. Runge & Company, and junior member of that firm, has for upward of twenty years been a factor in the commercial life of Cuero, and is one of the leading business men of this section. Mr. Frobese became connected with the old estab- lished firm of H. Runge & Company in 1901, enter- ing the grocery department at that time, and in 1911, on the death of his father, William Frobese, Sr., for more than fifty years connected with this substantial South Texas business house, he became junior partner in the organization, with Walter Reiffert as senior partner. Mr. Frobese heads the grocery department, handling a retail grocery bus- iness and employing around eleven men; the ma- chinery department, selling wholesale and retail machinery and hardware in a territory including some eighteen counties in Southeast Texas, and employing eight men, and also has charge of the credit department, and in addition to these depart- ments coming under his special supervision, jointly with Mr. Reiffert has charge of the extensive inter- ests of H. Runge and Company. These interests include gins, mills, ranch and farm lands, cattle, and other holdings, making the firm of H. Runge and Company a prime factor in the commercial world at Cuero, and one of the contributing factors in the growth of the entire section.

William Frobese was born at Indianola, Texas, in 1874, the son of William Frobese, a member of the original firm of H. Runge and Company, and one of the business and civic leaders of his day. William Frobese, Jr., came to Cuero as an infant, and spent his early years here, attending the public schools of the town. When he reached the age of twelve years of age his father, William Frobese, Sr., sent him to Germany, his native country, to continue his education there. He attended school at Bremervoerde, Germany, until he was eighteen years of age, when he returned to America, con- cluding his academic education at St. Edwards Col- lege, at Austin. He further equipped himself for his practical business career by a six months course at Hill's Business College, at Waco, which at that time was one of the leading commercial colleges of Texas. After leaving school Mr. Frobese went to Galveston, where he became connected with the firm of George B. Dobson & Company, cotton fac- tors of Galveston, learning the cotton business while with that firm. He remained with George B. Dob- son & Company for a period of two years, and until the storm of 1900, when he went to Austin, taking a position as bookkeeper with W. B. Walker & Son, wholesale grocers, where he remained until 1901, when he came to Cuero to take a similar position with H. Runge & Company. He remained in the constant employ of this firm until 1911, when on the death of his father he succeeded him as head of the business, with Walter Reiffert, son of Emil Reiffert, one of the original members of the firm.

William Frobese was married in October, 1907, to Miss Sophia Gramann, a native of Victoria, at which place the marriage took place. Mrs. Frobese is the daughter of H. C. Gramann, a member of a prominent family of Victoria, and for many years engaged in the grocery business here. Mr. and Mrs. Frobese reside at Cuero and have one child, William Henry Frobese. Mr. Frobese is a Knight of Pythias,

Cuero Lodge, a member of the Cuero Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Cuero Retail Merchants Association and the Texas Retail Merchants Asso- ciation. He is held in high esteem by his many friends and business associates at Cuero and throughout South Texas, and supports every civic and business enterprise which has for its purpose the advancement and development of Cuero. Mr. Frobese is a man of conservative policies, building his business on sound and fair principles, and the resulting organization, with its founders and its present management, is one of which Cuero is justly proud.

S. SPOONER has been associated with the management of public utilities since his en- trance into the business world at Gon- zales, and under his management the light, water and power facilities at Gonzales have kept pace with civic development. Mr. Spooner is sec- retary and manager of the Citizens Electric Light and Power Company, which was established and incorporated in 1898. This plant furnishes light and electric power in Gonzales and the surrounding country, and under Mr. Spooner's management the lines have been extended to meet the growing de- mands for this utility. Gonzales has the advantage of water power, the dam on the Guadalupe River furnishing power to plants and industrial enterprises here. Mr. Spooner is manager of the Gonzales Water Power Company, directing the power plant, and organized in 1894. He is also secretary and treasurer, as well as manager of the Gonzales water- works, which was organized and incorporated in 1891.

M. S. Spooner was born at Gonzales the twenty- first of March, 1891, son of T. H. Spooner and Mollie Elizabeth (Allen) Spooner. T. H. Spooner was born in Mississippi, in 1849, coming to Gonzales as a boy of fifteen. He was later admitted to the bar and served as district attorney and district judge, during his legal career. He cleaned up Gonzales during the old days, when this town was headquar- ters for some of the criminals of that time, and was one of the few who ever attempted such a thing to live to tell about it. Later, he gave up his po- litical career and his law practice and became inter- ested in public utility work, placing the utilities of Gonzales on a paying basis. His son, M. S. Spooner, the subject of this sketch, attended the Gonzales public schools and later Texas A. & M. College. In 1910, he entered the utility business with his father, and was with the ice plant until 1912, the elder Mr. Spooner having organized and put in operation an ice plant, of which he was manager for many years. M. S. Spooner's hobby, however, was water power, and it has been largely due to his influence that the dam, giving water power to Gonzales, has been built. Since the death of his father, M. S. Spooner has been in active charge of the various utilities and has proven himself an unusually capable executive.

M. S. Spooner was married at San Antonio, the fourteenth of March, 1917, to Miss H. Marion Rice. They reside at Gonzales. Mr. Spooner is a director of the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce, and is a Mason, past master of the Gonzales Lodge, four- teenth degree Scottish Rite, San Antonio, and is tak- iing a leading part in securing and advancing the industrial development of Gonzales.

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MEN OF TEXAS

ALTER REIFFERT, head of the banking institution, gins and farm interests of H. Runge & Company, and senior partner of this firm, is one of the outstanding business men of Cuero, and has been for many years a factor in the civic and commercial life of this section. Mr. Reiffert became senior partner of H. Runge & Com- pany, on the death of his father, Emil Reiffert, for half a century a member of this pioneer firm and a factor in its development. The Runge interests under Mr. Reiffert's direction include the banking institution at Cuero, and extensive ranching inter- ests in this section, including five thousand acres in Live Oak County, and a tract of eight thousand acres known as Chicollette Ranch, and some twelve hundred head of cattle, mostly Herefords, on the various farm and ranch lands. The Runge Company at one time owned thirty thousand acres of land, at the time the Aransas Pass Railroad was built, establishing the towns of Woodheim and Runge, where this land was located, and which has now been nearly all sold off as city lots, small farms, etc., only about forty-five hundred acres remaining of the original tract. At Whitsett, to which point Mr. Reiffert helped built the "Sausage" Railroad, land interests held by the company are being like- wise developed, and a small acreage is now ready to be placed on the market. The cattle interests are largely concentrated at Runge, Mr. Reiffert en- gaging in the cattle business from the standpoint of the shipper and feeder, selling his fattened stock at advantageous prices. In addition to his position of senior partner of the firm of H. Runge & Com- pany, Mr. Runge is connected with many enterprises at Cuero, and in this section. He is vice president of the Guadalupe Valley Cotton Mill, vice president of the Gonzales Cotton Mill, vice president of the Cuero Cotton Oil Manufacturing Company, vice president of the Cuero Compress and Warehouse Company, a director the Breeden and Runge Company, a director of the First National Bank at Runge, Texas; president of the Runge Town- site Company, president of the Whitsett Townsite Company, and president of the Fairview Par Land Company at Cuero.

Walter Reiffert was born at Indianola, Texas, the seventeenth of January, 1874, son of Emil Reiffert, and Helen Tips Reiffert. Emil Reiffert, pioneer business man of South Texas, and for fifty years connected with Runge & Company, was a native of Germany. Mrs. Reiffert was a native of New Braunfels. Walter Reiffert attended the public schools of Indianola until 1885 when he was sent to Germany by his father to continue his studies there. He remained in Germany until 1890, attend- ing the schools of that country, in 1890 returning to Texas, and entering the University of Texas, where he spent one year, then going to St. Edwards College for two years. Walter Reiffert went to Galveston after completing his college work, ob- taining his first position with the firm of J. Moeller & Company, a large shipping agency at Galveston. He remained with that firm from 1895 until 1900, when he returned to Cuero and became identified with the cotton department of H. Runge & Com- pany. After the death of Mr. Henry Reiffert in 1900, Mr. Reiffert also became manager of the grocery department, a position he held until 1907, when he became connected with the bank and cot-

ton departments. On the death of his father, Emil Reiffert, he became a member of the firm and has been active in its management to the present time.

Walter Reiffert was married at Cuero, Texas, in 1901, to Miss Anna Mugge, daughter of the late Edward Mugge, prominent banker of Cuero and a member of the firm of H. Runge & Company for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Reiffert have four chil- dren: Walter Reiffert, Jr., Ralph, James and Mildred Reiffert. Mr. Reiffert is a member of the Texas Bankers Association, a director of the Texas In- dustrial Congress, an ex-president of the Rotary Club, a director of the Chamber of Commerce, mayor pro-tem of Cuero, and is active in all lines of civic endeavor. Mr. Reiffert is one of the most valued of Cuero's citizens, and has hundreds of friends throughout this section who hold him in high esteem, not alone for his connection with the business world and the position he occupies therein, but as a man whose high ideals and sound integrity are building character and happiness in his com- munity.

H. GRANT, one of the younger and pro- gressive business men of Gonzales, has been engaged in the lumber business here for a number of years, and has built up a large and prosperous business. Mr. Grant owns the J. H. Grant Lumber Company, which was established by his father, J. H. Grant, prominent Texas lumberman, in 1913. The firm does a retail business, selling in the Gonzales territory, and has a large patronage in this section. A complete line of lumber and build- ing material is carried, and adequate facilities are provided to give prompt and satisfactory service. Since taking over the management of this firm, Mr. Grant has given special attention to developing and expanding the business, with the result that it has built up rapidly, and he is regarded as one of the leaders among the younger business men of Gon- zales.

J. H. Grant, Sr., founder of the business, was one of the pioneer lumbermen of Texas, coming here in the eighties, from Kansas, where he had been in the lumber business for many years. After coming to Texas, he established a string of lumber yards for W. P. Carey and was associated with him for many years. In 1909, Mr. Grant, with his brother, John F. Grant, of Houston, established a string of retail lumber yards in Texas, and in 1913 established the Gonzales yard.

J. H. Grant, Jr., was born at Brownwood, Texas, the eleventh of July, 1895, son of J. H. Grant, Sr., and Myrtle Selzer, a native of Illinois. J. H. Grant, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Texas, attending the Ball High School, at Galveston. He practically grew up in the lumber business, and after leaving school went in this business with his father. In May, 1917, he en- listed in the navy and was assigned to torpedo boat duty, as chief pharmacist mate, and was in active service until his discharge in December, 1919. He is now staff sergeant, Medical Corps, Texas National Guard. Mr. Grant resides at Gonzales, and belongs to the American Legion, the Forty and Eight, the Elks Club, the Odd Fellows, the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce and the Gonzales Fair Association, and takes an active part in all civic work pertaining to the development and growth of Gonzales.

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NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

W. McCORMICK, SR., pioneer of De Witt County, where he has extensive farming interests, for the past several years has been engaged in the mercantile business at Concrete. Mr. McCormick is a member of the firm of W. W. McCormick and Sons, in which he is associated with his sons, W. W. McCormick, Jr., and P. I. McCormick. W. W. McCormick and Sons en- gage in a general merchandise business, selling dry goods, hardware, proprietary medicines, sundries, automobile accessories, groceries and meats. Coun- try produce is bought and sold, and the firm also does a big business in Guadalupe River pecans and cotton. The firm has been in operation since the sixth of October, 1919, when the mercantile business of Stubbs Bros. was bought out and reor- ganized. A modern building is occupied, and the stock carried is unusually large and complete. W. W. McCormick, Sr., also has farming interests, in- cluding an undivided interest in a farm of around three hundred acres, on which he lives, but which is run by tenant farmers, and his sons likewise have farming interests in DeWitt County.

W. W. McCormick, Sr., was born in Murray County, Tennessee, in November, 1869, coming to Texas in 1886, at the age of seventeen years. His first year in Texas he worked for ten dollars a month, and the next year engaged in farming on the halves. The following year he had acquired sufficient capital to buy a yoke of oxen and a mare, and with this equipment went to farming for himself, and has since been engaged in farming. After the close of the World War, in which his sons served, Mr. McCormick, in partnership with them, bought the mercantile business in which he has since engaged, and has built up a large and prosperous business, handling annually, in addi- tion to the regular mercantile lines, many thou- sands of dollars worth of produce and turkeys, and several thousand dollars worth of pecans.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 138

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