New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 146

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

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

A native of Louisiana, Mr. Collins was born in New Orleans in 1870. His parents, D. M. Collins and Mary E. Collins, were well known citizens of New Orleans where his father was for many years en- gaged in railroad work. Mr. Collins' early education was obtained in the public and high schools of Dallas, after which he attended Malcom's Academy at Dallas for a period of seven years, and was a student at the Dallas Jesuit College for three years. Mr. Collins formed a liking for the plumbing busi- ness while a student in school in Dallas, where his parents had removed when he was a youth of ten years, and it was as an apprentice plumber that he started his business career. Mr. Collins came to

Houston in 1893 and worked for a few years as a master plumber and then engaged in his present business.

Mr. Collins was married in Houston to Miss Har- riett E. Talley, a member of a pioneer Texas family. They have four children, J. B. Collins, Jr., Mrs. R. A. Huston, Edward R. Collins and Margaret E. Collins. Mr. and Mrs. Collins reside at 2016 Harvard Street. In fraternal and social organizations, Mr. Collins is a member of the B. P. O. E., Knight of Pythias, Knights of Columbus and the Knights of Columbus Luncheon Club. Mr. Collins has always been active in the business, social and general community life of Houston and gives liberally of his time to all projects tending to the welfare and advancement of this city, which he has seen grow into a busy, thriv- ing metropolis.

M. C. GAYLOR has had an experience ex- tending over a period of more than fifteen years in the sales branch of the oil industry and is considered one of the best posted men in his line in Texas. Mr. Gaylor is owner of the Gaylor Oil Company, whose plant is located at 4103 Leeland Avenue on the Santa Fe Railroad, where he has a storage capacity of 24,000 gallons of gasoline, 16,000 gallons of lubricating oil and 12,000 gallons of kerosene. Mr. Gaylor's plant covers an area of one and one-third acres of ground, where he has ware- houses, pumps and garages for cars and trucks. His business is with the wholesale trade, and he has three trucks in his delivery department-two one- ton trucks and one two and one-half ton truck. Mr. Gaylor established this business in November, 1922, and is selling upward of 90,000 gallons per month, since starting his business. He deals in oil, lubri- cators, gasoline and kerosene, and employs seven people in his business.

Mr. Gaylor was born at Meriden, Connecticut, November 7th, 1878. His father, Gilbert Gaylor, was for many years connected with the Aeolian plant in Connecticut for the manufacture of organs and pianos. His early education was obtained in the public and high schools and later he attended a busi- ness college at Hartford, Connecticut.

Mr. Gaylor began his career in the oil business in 1908 with the Waters-Pierce Oil Company at Okla- homa City, where he remained until 1913, when he became associated with the Magnolia Company. In January, 1915, he entered the service of the Pro- ducers Oil Company at Gainesville, Texas, and in 1917 opened the business for that company at Hous- ton, and built their business up to 80,000 gallons per month, but finding that many changes were to be made in the Producers Company, he left their em- ploy and started his present business. He was asso- ciated with the Producers Company for seven years. Mr. Gaylor was married at Meriden, Connecticut, in June, 1902, to Miss Anna M. Magee, a member of an old and prominent family of Connecticut. They have four children, Mildred, Rhea, Bayard and Gar- land. Mr. and Mrs. Gaylor reside at 4016 Mckinney Avenue. Mr. Gaylor is a member of the A. F. and A. M. with membership in Holland Lodge No. 1 of Houston, Texas, and is a Shriner of Arabia Temple. He is also a 32nd degree Mason of the Galveston Lodge. Mr. Gaylor has great faith in the future of Houston and believes that within a period of ten years it will be the metropolis of the entire South- west.

2024

Kissfabulein

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

INAR H. STUBEE of Einar H. Stubee Com- pany, Architects, with offices at 4510 Main Street, Houston, has won a reputation as an architect of original ideas and ability. Mr. Stubee inherited his constructive gifts from his father, who was among the prominent architects of his time. Mr. Stubee came to Houston in 1918 and for two years was associated with the Russell Brown Company, after which he entered bsuiness for him- self. He does residential work mostly and has de- signed over two thousand residences in Houston, av- eraging at this time about 200 per year. Mr. Stubee was the architect of the following beautiful homes in Houston: R. M. Farrar, $80,000.00; T. W. Blake, $35,000.00; Craig Belk, $35,000.00; J. B. Black, $35,- 000.00; C. T. Fuqua, $25,000.00; Raymond Pearson, Charles R. Westmoreland and John A. Embry, each of which cost $15,000.00; the Houston Post Ideal Home and scores of others, and in many sections of the State, among which is the magnificent home of E. W. Brown, Jr., at Orange, which was constructed at a cost of $90,000.00. Einar H. Stubee Company maintain offices in Hearne, Texas, to look after their business in that section of the State. While Mr. Stubee has won a reputation for his ability as an architect of residences, he is equally efficient in his designs of commercial buildings.

Mr. Stubee was born at Minneapolis, Minnesota. His father, Henning Stubee, was for many years a leading architect, and is now residing in Houston. His mother was Miss Patricia Aam, a member of a well known Minnesota family. His early education was obtained in the public and high schools of In- ternational Falls, Minnesota, and later was a stu- dent of the University of Minnesota for three years, when he entered the World War. He volunteered for service May 15, 1917, and was assigned to the Engi- neering Corps. He was first sent to Jefferson Bar- racks, St. Louis, and then to Camp Fort Bliss, at El Paso, Texas, after which he was sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, then to Camp Humphreys, Virginia, and later to Camp Logan, Houston, where he was dis- charged March 6, 1919, with the rank of Lieutenant. At this time he holds a commission of First Lieu- tenant in the Reserve Corps. He was associated with Joseph Finger, architect, for a short time fol- lowing his discharge from the army, when he went with the Russell Brown Company, and later in busi- ness for himself.

Mr. Stubee was married in Houston February 17, 1919, to Miss Marie Blackwell, a native of Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Stubee reside at 4315 Garrott. Mr. Stubee is a member of the City and County Club, and is optimistic as to the future of Houston and believes that there is more building activity here than in any city of its size in the United States; all of which is of a substantial character and of modern design and construction.

L. SCRIVNER came to Houston more than a decade ago, and since that time has been allied with the printing industry, for the past several years operating one of the successful and progressive printeries of the city. Mr. Scrivner established the O. L. Scrivner Printing Company the first of May, 1922. This firm does a general printing business, specializing in pamphlet printing and direct by mail advertising. Mr. Scriv- ner occupies a modern building at 1014 Mckinney Avenue. He has the most modern equipment and

employs none but men of broadest experience in his business. Mr. Scrivner has a large city trade, built largely on the reputation he has established for high class work and promptness.

Mr. Scrivner was born in Jasper County, Texas, in 1877, on a farm. His father, T. W. Scrivner, came to Texas as a young man, locating in that county, farming there for many years, and later removing to Williamson County. His mother, prior to her marriage, was Miss Irene Marguerette Har- grave, a native of the Lone Star State. Mr. Scriv- ner was educated in the public schools of William- son County, and after leaving school went to Fort Worth, where he began in the printing business in the shops in that city, in 1894. He remained in Fort Worth up until 1900, when he went to Kansas City, spending four years there, and then going to Chicago in 1904. He was in Chicago until 1912, en- gaging in the printing business, as he had also at Kansas City. Mr. Scrivner came to Houston in 1912 and went with the Rein and Sons, Printers, re- maining with this firm until this firm was sold to the Hercules Printing Company, when he was made Assistant Manager, a position he held until May, 1922, when he resigned to go in business for him- self.

Mr. Scrivner was married at Fort Worth in 1900, to Miss Lulu Mae Lumbattis, a native of Illinois. They make their home in Houston at 716 Dallas Avenue. Mr. Scrivner is a Mason, Temple Lodge, Thirty-Second Degree, Scottish Rite, and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine.

C. ELROD came to Houston several years ago and since that time has taken an ac- tive part in the cleaning and dyeing industry in this city. The A. Cleaners and Dyers, Incorporated, of which Mr. Elrod is President and General Manager, was established by him in 1919, shortly after his arrival in the city. This business, started in a small way, has been very successful since its organization, growing rapidly, and Mr. El- rod has recently found it necessary to enlarge his business materially. He has a new fireproof build- ing at 1419 West Webster Avenue, one of the most modern and complete in the city, with every pro- vision for the efficient operation of the business. Large windows provide plenty of light and make working conditions ideal for the twenty-five em- ployees in the plant. All the machinery is of the most modern type and every provision made to in- sure absolute safety at all times. The dyeing room is equipped to do the most delicate and fancy dyeing, and all machinery is of the latest type. After the work is finished it is sent to the delivery room, where five trucks take care of the carefully worked out delivery system.

Mr. Elrod was born in Anderson County, Texas, in 1891, son of Reverend L. B. Elrod, a native of East Texas. His mother, prior to her marriage was Miss Mamie Mills, a native of East Texas. Mr. Elrod was educated in the public schools of Rusk County, later attending Southwestern University. After fin- ishing his education he began in the cleaning and dyeing business at Dallas, later coming to Houston.

Mr. Elrod was married at Marshall, Texas, in 1915, to Miss Bertha Phillips, a native of Louisiana. Mr. Elrod is a member of the National Association of Master Cleaners and Dyers, and also a member of the Master Cleaners and Dyers Association of South Texas.

2027

MEN OF TEXAS

HARLES E. GIRTEN, president, treasurer and manager of the Girten Belting and Sup- ply Company, one of the leading supply houses of Houston, has attained a commend- able reputation for his activity in this field since coming to Houston some years ago. The Girten Belting and Supply Company was established in 1912 and since that time has handled a large wholesale business in belting of all types, oil field and oil well supplies, rubber packing, mechanical rubber goods, and like products, representing a number of the leading manufacturers of these commodities in the Gulf Coast territory. Mr. Girten carries all his products under his own trade name as follows: "Alamo" is found on the packing goods and "Red Rex" on the drilling hose. Buyers of goods so marked know that Mr. Girten and his company guar- antee them and that they have never failed to make good their promises. A force of eight men are em- ployed by the company, and men are on the road representing the house in the oil fields of this dis- trict. The Girten Belting and Supply Company is lo- cated at 511 Washington Avenue, and in addition to Mr. Girten, the officers are: F. W. Meyers, vice pres- ident, and Miss Laura Palmer, secretary.

Charles E. Girten was born at Covington, Ken- tucky, the seventh of August, 1873, the son of John Girten, now deceased, and for many years a machin- ist of Ohio. Charles E. Girten attended the schools of Ohio, in which state he was reared, later going to Mississippi, where he remained for a time. Later he came to Texas with a view to making this state his place of residence, and looking Houston over, de- cided to move here. He learned the machinist's trade in Ohio and Mississippi, and until coming to Texas, engaged in this work. After coming to Texas in 1904, he went with the Kirby Lumber Company, as superintendent of machinery, and made his head- quarters at Beaumont for a time. He then came to Houston, going with the Shelp Rubber and Supply Company, as partner and manager, two years later organizing his present firm.

Mr. Girten was married at Meridian, Mississippi, the twenty-fifth of April, 1895, to Miss Pearl Rub- ush, a native of Mississippi. Mr. and Mrs. Girten have one child, Ruby L., now Mrs. Addison Lyman. Mr. Girten is a Mason, Blue Lodge, Houston, 18th degree, Scottish Rite, a Knight Templar and a mem- ber of Arabia Temple Shrine. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club, in which he is active and for whom he organized the Kiwanis Glee Club, of which he is a member. His interest is not confined to business alone, for he is a deacon in the South End Christian Church, and he is interested in the wel- fare of young people. Recently he was one of the organizers of the National Good Games Company, the purpose of which is to foster clean games for young folks in the homes, and was elected secretary- treasurer of the company. He takes a deep pride in the growth and development of Houston, and is ready to aid in any possible way in this growth and de- velopment.

OHN J. WALLACE, Managing Editor of the Houston Post; a newspaper man with twenty-three years of work as his back- ground, the subject of this sketch, prefers to be known as "The Fellow Who Helped" than as a great and renowned doer of wonderous deeds.

Born in Macon, Georgia, so many years ago that the event is shrouded in the mists of antiquity, he describes himself as a "fat, formless feller with a roll-top neck, overstuffed upholstery and a refusal to worry over anything more important than prickly-heat."

After a decade of general newspaper work, which comprised the general reportorial experience, copy- desk and special writing, he entered the news- paper executive field as managing editor of sev- eral newspapers, most noteworthy of which were the Boston Record, subsequently sold to W. R. Hearst, and the Houston Post.

Mr. Wallace took charge of the Post's news de- partment January 5th, 1922, and since that time has added to the paper an entirely new dress, a new and modern feature service, a magazine supplement and eight instead of four pages of comics.

He is noteworthy for but one thing-a refusal to pose before the public as the "Know-all" type of newspaper man, or as an explainer of his own per- sonal views on questions of the day. Here is his newspaper philosophy, summarized:

"Tell it and get it done with. Be fair enough to lean over backward when writing about your enemy. Remember the news executive of a newspaper is like the judge on the bench-a considerer of both sides of the case, and a partisan of neither. Keep your eyes open and your big mouth shut. Smile-no matter how much it hurts."

Note: Since this sketch was written, Mr. Wal- lace has moved to New York.

HRIS J. MILLER, for nearly three decades a factor in building activities at Houston, and one of the leading building contractors in this city, has for a number of years spe- cialized in fine homes, and has planned and directed the construction of many of the better residences in this city. Mr. Miller has his office at 3904 Austin Street and is in business alone, operating under his own name. He has for many years made a study of beautiful homes and their construction, and is equip- ped to look after all the building details of the finest homes. He has added steadily to his reputation from year to year, and with the background of many beautiful homes built by him, is regarded as one of the most reliable builders in the city. He keeps on an average of around fifty men working, and personally supervises all construction work. Among the finer homes which he has built are those of K. E. Womack, D. Japhet, H. H. Dickson, E. T. Sims, D. D. Peden, Underwood Nazro, as well as the River Oaks Country Club, one of the most attractive club houses in this section, and many other beautiful homes in Houston.

Mr. Miller was born in Denmark, the eighth of April, 1872, son of Olie Peter Miller, a merchant and manufacturer of shoes, and Caroline Miller. He received his education in his native country, attend- ing a technical school there, and receiving a fine edu- cation along technical lines. He came to America in 1892, going first to Nebraska, where he spent three years. In 1895 he came to Houston and for eight years was with Mr. Heidelburg, a well known con- tractor, and for three years with W. H. Young, also a contractor. In 1911 he went in business for him- self, and has so continued, building up a successful business, and the reputation of one of the most competent residence builders in the city.

2028

Chas. L. Browne

NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS

Mr. Miller was married at Columbus, Texas, in 1900, to Miss Lena Grillet, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Grillet. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two children, Ola Christine and Chris J., Junior. They have an attractive home at 3904 Austin Street, and take an active part in the various social and civic affairs of their community. In religious belief the family sup- port the Methodist Church and attend St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Fraternally, Mr. Miller is a Mason, York Rite, and a member of Arabia Temple. He also belongs to the Builders Ex- change, taking an active part in this association. Mr. Miller takes a deep interest in the development of Houston, and is greatly interested in all move- ments fostering home ownership and the improve- ment of the residence districts. He has many friends in this city and is regarded as one of the foremost builders in Houston.

HARLES L. BROWNE has been actively identified with the architectural profession in Houston for a number of years, con- tributing constructive ideas instrumental to furthering civic development. Mr. Browne estab- lished his headquarters here in 1920 and since that time he has planned and supervised the construction of many fine buildings. Mr. Bowne engages in a general achitectural work, specializing in the con- struction of reinforced concrete factories. He has had exceptional training, with experience both in America and in foreign countries and his work shows the influence of this experience. Since coming to Houston, Mr. Browne has been an instructor in ar- chitectural engineering at Rice Institute. His of- fices are located in the West Building.

Mr. Browne was born at Cleveland, Ohio, June 23rd, 1885, son of John Lewis and Mary Jane (Peak) Browne. John Lewis Browne, lawyer and banker, was for many years one of the leading pub- lic men of South Dakota, serving two terms as speaker of the House of Representatives and one term as state senator and was a candidate for governor of the state. Mr. Browne was educated in the public schools of Aberdeen, graduating from the high school there. He then attended the Uni- versity of Michigan, Kenyon College and Cornell University, receiving the degrees B. S. from Kenyon and B. Arch. from Cornell. He returned to his home in Aberdeen, South Dakota, following his gradua- tion from Cornell and spent a year there, engaged in architectural work. In 1910 he went to Paris, France, where he attended the National Academy of Fine Arts, and of which he is a graduate. In 1916 he went with the Westinghouse, Church-Kerr Company. During the recent war he served as first lieutenant, Engineer Corps, H. Q. L. O. C., in France, and now holds a commission as captain in the Engineers O. R. C. After the close of the war he returned to America to fill a position on the faculty of Rice Institute.

Mr. Browne was married in France, in 1911, to Mlle. Amelie Neveaux, a native of that country. They have two children, Charles W. and John L. Mr. Browne is the commander of the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and is secretary of the Houston Officers Club. He is a member of the American Society of Military Engineers and the American Institute of Architects. Fraternally he is a Mason and a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon college fraternity.

F. BATES has been active in the real estate circles of Houston for the past fif- teen years, where he is the owner of the Bates Investment Company. Mr. Bates deals in investments of all kinds-farm lands, oil lands, ranches, and in city property. He owns the mineral rights in lands of many of the coastal oil fields, having at one time owned the land in fee, and when selling some retained the mineral rights, and has royalties from Goose Creek, Humble and Fort Bend County oil fields. Mr. Bates came to Texas in 1904 and settled in Trinity County, where he purchased one thousand acres of land and estab- lished a commercial peach orchard, and bought some smaller farms that had been already planted to peaches. A severe freeze came, and destroyed all of the fruit in that immediate section except his, which he protected with smudges. This freeze and the results of it, changed his mind in reference to the raising of peaches being a commercial propo- sition and he developed his acreage into a planta- tion and for several years farmed this plantation with tenant farmers, and was very successful, but finally he became tired of the prosaic life on the farm and removed to Houston in 1908, where he has since remained. Having established himself here in the confidence of men of affairs, on account of his fair and unbiased business methods, he is enabled to get in on investments and make deals where and when he desires to do so; he does not care for much activity in business now, as his in- come from past investments has reached a mag- nificent sum annually.

Mr. Bates was born in Benton County, Iowa, September 3rd, 1856. His early education was ob- tained in the public schools of Iowa and later he attended Tilford College. After leaving school, he engaged in the real estate business, and has had an experience in real estate and investments which extends over the entire period of his business life. For twenty years he was engaged in this business at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and sold all the townsites owned by the B. C. R. & N. R. R., between Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Watertown, S. D. He moved many families into Southeast Dakota, into Moody, Lake and Brookings Counties. His last big deal in South Dakota was when he bought thirteen quar- ter sections of land in Hand, Hyde, Potter and Sully Counties, for $1500.00 and sold this acreage at an average price of from $12.00 to $60.00 per acre. Mr. Bates has a winter home at Daytona, Florida, where he spent sixteen winters; he also had a summer home at Spirit Lake, Iowa, until he moved South. Mr. Bates is a direct descendant from the original Bates family, who were prominent in the early history of this country. They came to America from England and some of them settled in New York and some in Virginia; he is a descend- ant of the New York branch. Mr. Bates has for many years been famous as a rifleman and pistol shot, and up to a few years since was active in all the meets of this kind throughout the country.

Mr. Bates has been twice married. Of the first marriage, two daughters were born-Mrs. Bessie Hambright of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Mrs. Nina L. Crum (deceased since September, 1922), who was the wife of Prof. Crum of Ames College, Iowa, and well known in educational circles throughout the country. Mr. Bates was again married in Houston,

2031

MEN OF TEXAS

in January, 1910, to Florence Hyde Jenks, famous as an opera singer and who had the distinction of having sung before all the crowned heads of Europe. After locating in Houston, she had a famous class here and people came from all parts of Texas and from other states in order to obtain instruction from her, and her charges for instruction was at the rate of $4.00 per hour. She died in October, 1911. Mr. Bates is a staunch and consistent mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church and has sung in the choir of this church for the past ten years. He has always been known as an active participant in all civic matters to help in the progress and ad- vancement of Houston, and gives liberally of his time and means to further all moves of this kind, and especially the lending of a helping hand to "down and out" old men.

RED W. GARTNER is well known in the business circles of Houston where he has spent all his business life in the contract- ing and construction business. Mr. Gartner is owner of one-half interest in the F. W. Gartner Company, located at 3315 Mckinney Avenue, and sells contractors' equipment which consists of con- crete mixers, hoists, dredges, excavating machinery, cranes, powers, in fact everything used by con- tractors. He represents such well known firms as Insley Manufacturing Company of Indianapolis, manufacturers of concrete placing equipment and derricks; Parsons Company, Newton, Iowa, trench- ing machines; George Haiss Company, New York, conveyers and wagon loaders; National Hoisting En- gine Company, Harrison, New Jersey; Le Roi Com- pany, Milwaukee, gas engines; Blystone Manufac- turing Company of Pennsylvania, plaster and mortar mixers and cement tile machines; Joseph Honhorst Company, Chicago, asphalt kettles; Paige Engineer- ing Works, drag line buckets. He started this busi- ness in 1923, and although it is a new company, with the large acquaintance and experience Mr. Gartner has had, his success is assured and is doing a big business. His trade territory comprises all of South Texas. They have large warehouses and carry a large and complete stock. Mr. G. W. Gartner is the owner of one-half interest in the F. W. Gartner Company, and is also active in the work.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 146

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