New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 155

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

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HESS LAIRD, for a number of years asso- ciated with the real estate business at Houston, has taken an active part in the development of the city, and is represent- ative of the modern type of realtor who is a true city builder. Mr. Laird first began dealing in real estate in 1918, and since that time has consum- mated many sales, concentrating his attention large- ly to property in Magnolia Park, Central Park, Engel Addition, and Manchester, on the ship chan- nel. He sold for the Magnolia Park Land Company, on a commission basis, more than a million dollars worth of property, and has made a good showing in all the additions he has been interested in. He also sells ready built homes on a commission basis, acting as the agent for builders, and has made a success of this class of real estate brokerage. Mr. Laird has his offices at 6911 Harrisburg Boulevard. He makes many personal investments in real estate and has business property on Harrisburg Boulevard and other property on Avenues H and J in Central Park, and in other parts of the city. He also holds land in West Texas, which he purchased for a dollar and a half an acre, and on which he has refused fifty dollars an acre.

Chess Laird was born at Birmingham, Alabama, the twenty-ninth of August, 1884. At the age of nine years he was left alone, and came to Texas by himself, his education thereafter being along practical lines and pursued alone. During his boy- hood and early manhood, he worked as a cow hand,

and at breaking horses for driving, during these years riding in every cow state in the union. He later went with The Texas Company, at Taylor, Texas, working for two years as driver, and for eight years as manager at Harrisburg, following this with a period with the railroads. During the World War he worked for one year in the ship yards, and then came to Houston, entering the real estate business, in which he is now engaged.

Mr. Laird was married at Houston, Texas, the twenty-sixth of May, 1917, to Miss Lena Bridge- man, a native of Louisiana, and the daughter of Charles Bridgeman, who at one time owned the town of Haynesville, in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Laird make their home at 6516 Avenue H, Central Park, Houston, and have two children, Dorothy Maye, and Chess, Junior. Mr. Laird is a Mason, Blue Lodge 494, Alabama, Corbin Hill. Since coming to Hous- ton he has taken a deep interest in all civic activ- ities, and is especially interested in the develop- ment of East End. Mr. Laird is typical of the man reared to the cattle industry, firm in his belief that a man's word is as good as his bond, and his name in the business world at Houston has ever had associated with it an integrity that is one of his greatest assets.

RANK WILLBORG has for many years been identified with the boiler-making and sheet-metal industries at Houston. For the past seven years Mr. Willborg has been the owner of the Willborg Boiler and Sheet Iron Works, which he established in February, 1916, and which has since met with rapid expansion. The factory operates along the most progressive and approved lines, manufacturing stacks, tanks and sheet iron work of every description. They give special at- tention to boiler repairs, build all kinds of sheet iron tanks, irrigation pipes, welding, and also handle much sawmill repair work, and also new work. They have a shop equipped with the most modern ma- chinery, with complete and ample stock for all work, operating twenty employees, and owning their own railroad tracks. The business occupies a mod- ern building, situated on an acre of ground at 2300 Nance Street. This property is leased by Mr. Will- borg.

Mr. Willborg was born at Hempstead, Texas, in 1874, son of John and Christine Willborg. The elder Mr. Willborg was engaged as railroad car re- pair superitendent at that place. At the age of 12 Mr. Frank Willborg started in his present line of business. He commenced his apprenticeship in 1887 and completed it in 1892. For the first eighteen months he earned 45 cents a day and for the re- mainder of the time earned seventy-five cents a day. After completing his apprenticeship he entered the service of the Southern Pacific Railroad, where he remained until 1895, when he went with the Taft Boiler and Sheet Iron Works, where he remained until 1916, when he organized his present business known as the Willborg Boiler and Sheet Iron Works. Mr. Willborg's long training is responsible to a great degree for his present success in this work.

Mr. Willborg was married at Houston, Texas, in 1895, to Miss Susie Kemper. They make their home at 2318 Crockett Street, and have five children: Carl, Ollie, Frankie, Susie. Mae and Emerick. The family attend the Baptist Church. Mr. Willborg is a Praetorian, and a Mason, Knight Templar, and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine.

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YRON F. WILLIAMS is the ower of the Auto Garage and Filling Station bearing his name at 1518-20 Travis Street, and al- though one of the younger members of the business fraternity of Houston, he has succeeded in building up a profitable business. Mr. Williams es- tablished this business in September, 1922, and he has storage facilities, does repairs of every kind, gives efficient and courteous service, and does car- buretor adjusting, which makes his establishment one of the most complete of its kind in Houston. Mr. Williams carries a full line of tires, tubes and ac- cessories, and does all kinds of auto repairing and employs only expert mechanics.

A native Texan, Mr. Williams was born at Rising Star, Eastland County, on January 24, 1898. His father, Charles Williams, died when Mr. Williams was two years of age. His mother was Miss Fran- ces Sarah Pope (now deceased) and reared the chil- dren, and resided in Houston from 1903 to the time of her death. His education was obtained in the public schools of Houston, which he left before graduation in order to enter the automobile supply house of the Hawkins Auto Supply Company, where he was first employed in the accessories department, and later was in the mechanical department of this firm, where he remained until entering the army on July 14, 1917. Mr. Williams was assigned to the 117th Supply Train of the 42nd Division (Rainbow Division) and as a Corporal went to France with this famous division and remained with them dur- ing all the time spent in France. He returned to America and was discharged on May 13, 1919, when he returned to Houston, and when the Gulf Coast Tire and Repair Company was opened in July of that year, he was made Manager of this company, where he remained until July, 1922, when he opened his present splendid garage and filling station, where his business has grown rapidly.

Mr. Williams was married in Houston on Feb- ruary 24, 1920, to Miss Sophia Lillian Feser, a native Houstonian and a member of a prominent family of the South Texas Metropolis. Mr. and Mrs. Williams reside at 2004 La Branch Street. Mr. Williams is a member of the B. P. O. E., and the American Legion, the City and County Club, in all of which he takes an active interest. Mr. Williams has great faith in the future of Houston and believes that with thirty feet of water in the channel, the bonds for which have been issued, will give Houston a great harbor, and as a result, will become a great city.

LARENCE K. BATTERSON, who has been active in the automobile industry at Hous- ton for a decade, and for several years the progressive operator of one of the finest tire and filling stations in the city, is one of the younger business men whose personal record entitles recognition. Mr. Batterson is president and manager of the Batterson Truck Tire Company, dis- tributors for the Goodrich line of tires, including Silverton cords, heavy duty cords and balloon cords, in addition to the truck tire line. The company handles a complete line of accessories, and the road service is as efficient as can be made. Mr. Bat- terson, although a young man, might be termed a pioneer in this line, having been identified in this field of business in Houston for the past eleven years. He began business in a small way, with the

Quick Tire Service, at Fannin Street and Texas Avenue, in 1912. His business grew rapidly, and he later formed the Batterson-Crawford Tire Com- pany, and was instrumental in having a modern building erected at Main and Calhoun. The part- nership of Batterson and Crawford was dissolved, and in February, 1923, he removed to his present location. This move is in line with his gradual expansion and development in this field of activity, and his continued success is assured.

Clarence K. Batterson was born at Galveston, Texas, the twenty-seventh of August, 1894. His father, C. T. Batterson, a native of that city and who spent many years there, is now in business in Houston. His mother, before her marriage Miss Clara K. Walkarte, is a native of Galveston. Mr. Batterson began his education in the public schools of his native city, and later attended school in Fort Worth and Houston, finishing in the last named city. After leaving school, he went with the Quick Tire Service, in 1912, and was with that firm until entering the army. At the entrance of the United States in the World War he enlisted in the air service, in the wireless department, and was at Ellington Field, Houston, throughout the period of his enlistment. He was discharged in 1919, and went back to the Quick Tire Service for a short while prior to going into business for himself, later establishing the partnership with Mr. Crawford.

Mr. Batterson was married at Houston, the second of June, 1920, to Miss Gladys Couch, a native of Galveston. Mr. and Mrs. Batterson have an at- tractive home at 209 West Twenty-first Street and are the parents of two children, Vernon Clarence, and Thomas Charles. Mr. Batterson is a Blue Lodge Mason, member of Holland Lodge, No. 1; a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine. He is widely known among automotive men of the state, who regard him as a real service man, thoroughly competent, and equipped to operate a business of the highest type.

LAUDE KAVANAUGH, oil operator, has spent practically his entire life in Houston and has grown up in the center of activities of the great coastal oil fields of South He has been engaged in the oil business for Texas. several years and while still a young man has achieved success and is popular among members of the oil fraternity in this part of the state.

Mr. Kavanaugh is president of the Rio Grande Petroleum Corporation with offices at 1610 Second National Bank Building. His company is operating in the Aviator's field in the Laredo district and has five successful completions there with production aggregating 160 barrels per day and one successful gas well. The operation and management of the company is under the direction of Mr. Kavanaugh.

A native of Texas, Mr. Kavanaugh was born at Waco on September 25, 1890, a son of N. J. and Nettie (Reed) Kavanaugh. His father for thirty years was engaged in the oil well supply business with headquarters at Beaumont and Houston. He is now retired and living in Houston.

Mr. Kavanaugh received his education in the pub- lic schools at Waco and Houston and the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College, which he at- tended for two years. He became interested in the oil business in the fall of 1915 and during the past

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ten years has acquired a fund of experience which will enable him to achieve greater success.

On June 6, 1915, Mr. Kavanaugh was married at Houston to Miss Harriette Houck, native of Wis- consin. They have three children, Don Lee, Nelson and Peggie. The family home is at 1911 Norfolk Street.

Mr. Kavanaugh is a man of executive ability and is well versed in the details of the oil business, par- ticularly in regard to exploration and production. He is a member of the American Petroleum Insti- tute, the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association and the Glenbrook Country Club.

0. FULLER represents one of the most honored and prominent names in the South- east Texas bar, and although but recently come to Houston, he has dignified the pro- fession by two decades of practice in the Lone Star State. Mr. Fuller is senior member of the firm of Fuller and Fuller, a legal firm composed of him- self, and his son, E. E. Fuller, one of the most prom- ising of the younger lawyers of the city. The firm has offices in the Zindler Building, and handles a general legal practice. Mr. Fuller came to Hous- ton in 1920, and has built up a large and lucrative practice in this city. Prior to coming to Houston he had been engaged in practice in San Jacinto County, at Cold Springs, for many years, and served as county attorney for San Jacinto from 1904 until 1906. He was a member of the House of Representa- tives of the 30th, 31st, 33rd, 34th and 35th State Legislatures, from San Jacinto County, and was speaker of the house of the 35th Legislature. Dur- ing the time he was in the legislature, Mr. Fuller impressed his influence on much of the important legislation enacted.

Mr. Fuller was born at Melrose, Texas, the sec- ond of November, 1873, the son of B. F. Fuller, a native of Alabama, who later came to this state, and Josephine Green Fuller, the daughter of James E. Green, a sturdy pioneer who came to Texas in 1838, in the days of the republic. Mr. Fuller was educated in the public schools of Nacogdoches, later attending the Southern Normal University in Tennessee, where he took his A. B. Degree in 1903. He had previously taken his LL. B. Degree, from the same institution, in 1901, and was admitted to the Bar at Cold Springs. Mr. Fuller engaged in pedagogic work at intervals from 1894 until 1904, when he be- came county attorney of San Jacinto County, since when he has been active in his profession.

Mr. Fuller was married in San Augustine County, the twenty-eighth of April, 1895, to Miss Lizzie Holt, daughter of an early pioneer family, who came to Texas in the early thirties. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller reside in Houston at 2220 Rutland Street, and have five children, E. E. Fuller, and Misses Pearl, Earline, Frankie and Mary. E. E. Fuller was born the twenty-fifth of December, 1898 at Huntsville, Texas, and educated in the public schools and the Law School of Lebanon, Tennessee, where the LL.B. De- gree was conferred on him in 1920. He has since been associated with his father as a member of the firm of Fuller and Fuller. During the World War he served with the Texas National Guards, Jake Wolters Cavalry. F. O. Fuller is a member of the Bar association, and is a Mason, Blue Lodge, Mt. Moriah, No. 31, Cold Springs, Texas, Galveston Consistory, and a member of Arabia Temple Shrine

at Houston. He belongs to the Baptist Church. Dur- ing the World War Mr. Fuller was chairman of the Council of Defense in San Jacinto County, and was commissioned captain, U. S. A., Judge Advocates Department, in October, 1918, and was discharged in December, 1918. He was a member of the corps of two hundred attorneys organized to go to Europe for special work, but on account of the signing of the Armistice, in November, they were not sent. Mr. Fuller is now a captain in the O. R. C., U. S. A.

RANK W. SHEPHERD, for a number of years one of the leading representatives of the cleaning and dyeing industry at Houston, operates one of the largest clean- ing and dyeing establishments in the entire South- west. The Pantitorium, of which Mr. Shepherd is manager, is one of the best equipped cleaning and dyeing works in the South, and has many special installations facilitating the rendering of the high- est possible service and satisfaction to their many patrons. Mr. Shepherd has been active in this business for more than a decade, and few men in the business have enjoyed a greater measure of success than he. The plant in its present state of expansion occupies a modern building, on Wash- ington Avenue, corner Melnar. Here they have large copper vats for silk dyeing, large wood vats for wool dyeing, with special equipment enabling them to handle any dyeing work, regardless of del- icacy of fabric, that comes into the plant. They also have a well equipped cleaning department, with a special gasoline still, insuring absolute purity of all cleaning fluids used, and also have a gasoline seperator to filter the gasoline after it has been used. Adequate precautions are taken to insure absolute safety, and the gasoline is handled under the most careful conditions. Modern extractors are used to remove the gasoline from the clothes after they have been treated to the gasoline bath, and tumblers used to remove all odor of gasoline from them. Finishing rooms are all modernly equipped with both electric irons and steam presses and in- sure perfection of all work turned out. The Panti- torium caters to both a retail and wholesale trade, and in addition to a large number of patrons, han- dles most of the work for the smaller cleaning and dyeing companies of Houston and the surrounding territory. The firm employs thirty expert cleaners and dyers in the plant. H. M. Shepherd is assistant manager, and with Frank W. Shepherd, operates the Shepherd Laundries Company, who, in addition to the Pantitorium also operate the Beaumont Laun- dry, at Beaumont, and the Alamo Palace Cleaners at San Antonio.

Mr. Shepherd was born at Houston, in 1887, son of T. W. Shepherd, now deceased, who came to the United States as a young man and was one of the pioneer oil men and laundry-owners of the city, and Eva Shepherd, a native of England. Mr. Shep- herd was educated in the public schools of Houston and after finishing his education entered his present business.

Mr. Shepherd was married at Beaumont, Texas, the first of March, 1908, to Miss Anna Hobner, a native of Baltimore, Maryland. They have one son, Frank Hobner, and make their home at 1415 Sul Ross Street. Mr. Shepherd is a member of the National Master Cleaners and Dyers Association and the Laundry-owners National Association.

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EMILE J. SCULLY, during his period of residence at Houston, has attained a com- mendable reputation in the community for his activity in mercantile circles, and is one of the most progressive and best known druggists in the city. Mr. Scully is proprietor of the Travis Street Pharmacy, located at 506 Travis Street. This is one of the leading drug stores in the city, cen- trally located, where prescriptions are filled by ex- perts. In addition to this, trained employees are in charge of the other departments found in modern downtown drug stores. Mr. Scully is peculiarly suited for his calling, for he is not only a pharmacist of high standing but he also has that valuable per- sonality that is kindly and cordial and rapidly makes friends with those with whom he deals. Kind treatment and good service at fair prices makes permanent customers at the Travis Street Pharmacy.

Mr. Scully was born in New York City, in 1893, the son of Michael Scully, an engineer of New Or- leans. He was educated in private schools and col- leges, taking his A. B. degree from a Catholic col- lege in 1908. In 1909 he graduated in pharmacy, and until 1911 was in New Orleans, with various drug stores in that city. The six intervening years, from 1911 until 1917, he spent in various cities of the United States in the drug business, in that year coming to Houston, where he became associated with the Bennett Drug Store, later the Scanlan Pharmacy. Later he went with the Interurban Pharmacy, and still later with the Court House Pharmacy, first as clerk, and in a short time as Secretary and Treasurer. Leaving this organiza- tion he bought the store that is now known as the Travis Street Pharmacy, where he has been success- ful in building up a fine business and where cour- tesy and service are the dominant spirit.

Mr. Scully was married at New Orleans, Louis- iana, the thirtieth of September, 1918, to Miss Elsie Cecil Stamma, a native of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Scully have two children-Elsie Virgin, born Sep- tember the seventh, 1919, and Anna Flora, born the twenty-second of October, 1921. Mr. Scully is an Elk, a member of Lodge No. 151, at Houston. He has taken an active part in civic development, and is greatly interested in all that concerns the ad- vancement of Houston. In mercantile and drug circles he is considered a druggist with the execu- tive ability to establish a big business and is a leader in drug activities.

NTHONY A. BERGER, whose life in Hous- ton for the past three decades has brought him in close touch with industrial activities, has taken an active part in industrial de- velopment, and is a manufacturer of wire and iron works. Mr. Berger is President and General Mana- ger of A. A. Berger and Company, one of the largest manufacturers of wire and iron works in South Texas, and which he established in Houston in 1893, shortly after his arrival in the city. This business, begun in a small way, has met with con- stant expansion, as the rapid growth of the city and the reputation of the company in the manufac- turing world has necessitated, and now holds a place of leadership with like manufacturing enter- prises in the State. The plant is located at 310 Pres- ton Avenue, and a force of twenty operatives are

engaged in the manufacture of the various products put out by the plant. These products include the following iron specialties: Anchor rods, brackets, elevator cabs and doors, ladders and fire escapes, fences, flag poles, drive gates, window guards, grills, wickets, grave hooks, toilet partitions, balcony rail- ings, stairs, turnstiles and pipe railing, and also the following wire specialties: Arches for vines, cages for banks, baskets of various kinds, doors, elevator guards and enclosures, lawn and cemetery fences, fire place fenders, floral designs, pipe gates, screen door grills, guards for windows, skylights and ma- chinery guards, partitions for offices, banks and tool rooms, signs, screens for sand, gravel and coal, and trellis for roses and cemetery lots. These products are distributed widely over South Texas, and the firm handles a large amount of contracting business in this line. A. A. Berger is president and General Manager, Herman Weber, Vice-President and Superintendent of Manufacturing, and Henry E. Henrichsen, Secretary and Treasurer.

Anthony A. Berger was born at Detroit, Michigan, the eleventh of November, 1866, the son of the late William Berger, a resident of Ohio for many years. Mr. Berger was educated in the public schools of Detroit, and after leaving school learned his present business at Detroit. He then went to Milwaukee, where he spent one year, and from there to Minneap- olis and St. Paul, where he remained more than three years, prior to coming to Houston, in 1893, to engage in his present business.

Mr. Berger was married at Houston, in 1901, to Miss Mary Bonewitz. Mr. and Mrs. Berger make their home at 804 Boulevard, Heights, and have five children, Wilheim, Dorothy, Charles, Marie and William. Mr. Berger is one of the substantial manu- facturers of Houston, and the many years he has spent in industrial activities here have resulted in a business of which Houston is justly proud, and which has given him a reputation as a manufacturer of products of lasting quality.

W. KENWORTHY has been a resident of Houston since 1918, where he has been ac- tively engaged in developing additions to the city. His office is at 315 West Build- ing. Mr. Kenworthy came to Houston for the first time in 1917 and returned in 1918 to become a per- manent resident. He developed the Pine Lawn Addi- tion and sold same out in 1923. This addition con- sisted of one hundred and sixty-two lots, and was residence property only. All sidewalks, sewerage, water, and shell streets were put in before being offered for sale. This property includes Sixteenth and Seventeenth Streets, Wilkin Avenue and Eight- eenth Street from Houston Heights to Studewood Boulevard. These lots were sold on the easy pay- ment plan and are now being built up with high grade homes, most of which are of brick. Great care was exercised in selling Pine Lawn to a selected class of people with the result that it should de- velop into the best and prettiest residence section north of Buffalo Bayou. The class of homes being erected there will safeguard and enhance values for the entire surrounding district for many years to come.

Mr. Kenworthy was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on August 13th, 1893. His father, Winfield Scott Kenworthy, has for many years been prominent as a live stock man in Omaha and Nebraska and

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is a member of the same family as General Winfield Scott. The Kenworthy family came to America in 1657 and settled in Pennsylvania. His mother was Miss Clara Brownell, and was a lineal descendent of the same family as George Washington. Her grand- mother, America Nance, was the third America Nance in the Ball family. His early education was obtained in the public and high schools of Omaha, and he later attended Omaha University. Soon after leaving college, Mr. Kenworthy entered the real es- tate business, which he continued for some time along the usual lines and then turned his attention to developing townsites and additions to cities, in which he has met with unusual success. He devel- oped additions in Casper, Wyoming, Chadion, Neb- raska, and Omaha, Nebraska, and in other states before locating in Houston, Texas, where he has been active in development work. Mr. Kenworthy is a member of the Masonic fraternity, with member- ship in St. John's Lodge at Omaha, Nebraska. His family are of the Episcopal faith.

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New encyclopedia of Texas, volume 2, Part 155

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